Edna Petersen and other downtown merchants hosted a reception to welcome back the Coho Ferry which has been in dry dock for two months. The Red Coat Ambassadors from the Chamber of Commerce were on hand as were a few freedom-loving citizens seeking four council members to step down after they denied the people's right to speak at city council.
Greetin's, cretin! Protesters welcome Doughy Dan Gase,
member of the Fluoride Four.
Event planners were primed for confrontation as one protester got only a few steps inside the meeting before being thronged on three sides by elderly "bouncers."
Event planners were primed for confrontation as one protester got only a few steps inside the meeting before being thronged on three sides by elderly "bouncers."
Please do blow this photo up to see just how aghast
Edna looks - and how GHASTLY.
Bouncers refused to identify themselves nor explain where they got the authority to toss people out of a public event.
The second photo shows an unidentified bouncer shoving a protester out of the meeting.
Unwanted touching is a crime in Washington.
Bouncers refused to identify themselves nor explain where they got the authority to toss people out of a public event.
The second photo shows an unidentified bouncer shoving a protester out of the meeting.
Unwanted touching is a crime in Washington.
Even dogs don't want your lousy fluoridated water.
Protesters left the meeting within one minute of being asked to do so.
Protesters left the meeting within one minute of being asked to do so.
Show them pearly whites, protesters! You catch more
flies with sugar than with vinegar.
Seeing these photos, I am even more amazed than ever that they let Edna be seen on TV. Yikes! The dead walk - and run tchotchke shops - in Port Angeles!
ReplyDeleteVampires, werewolves and Edna
DeleteIf this town ever, ever hopes to appeal to people younger than say 80 years old, they have to learn to leave people like Edna in their coffins. They literally frighten visitors away.
DeleteEdna looks like she's about to poop her knickers!
DeleteYeah, she must have been sweatin' this since she read about it here last night! And, it shows!
DeleteJust asking as an observer, why pick on her if all she does is try to run a little shop? She's only 1 person, right?
DeleteTaking your question at face value, Anonymous 11:07 PM, let me just say that Edna Petersen has been a poison, unpleasant voice for the corrupt status quo for a long, long time. She is best known for leading the attack on the Farmer's Market that drove it out of downtown for some years. She is selfish, overbearing, rude and incredibly condescending - especially for someone who never even finished high school and who inherited all the assets she possesses.
DeleteAsk around. You'll get an earful about Edna.
Anon at 11:07 pm - you can see even on this blog, padt posts about how she treats shoppers in her store like she assumes they are shoplifting from the get go. Hovers around if you try to look around. All the things they teach you NOT to do in retail.
Delete11:07 here. I get all that, but still, she is just one shopkeeper, and even with the pull to put on that Coho "event", doesn't run this town. She is NOT your problem.
DeleteMeh, prefer to keep the focus on our local big-time crooks and their cover-ups. That's the only way change will happen. If you get distracted by the kind of side-shows that this "event" was, then IMO you're losing your focus.
Our efforts should stay collaborated and direct aginst the problem here, and even if she is as bad as you say, with all due respect she aint the problem.
I just sent Edna an email inviting her to join the conversation here. Seems only fair, since we're disgusting, er, I mean discussing her and all.
DeletePer Edna, there just aren't enough insults in this world to do her justice. No, as you say, "she ain't the problem," at least not in total, but she does represent the problem, and she is in with many of the people behind the problem. So she deserves all she gets and then some.
DeleteWow. Don't know for sure if that was public property, but whether it was or not, don't those sign guys have every right to be there since the ENTIRE public was invited?
ReplyDeleteDespite tons of lives sacrificed for our rights (like, say, free speech), some people always want things their way, like unruly children. What's next for them? Armed guards at all city events?
Right!
DeleteThe organizers of a public event have every right to regulate the behavior there. Nobody owes you a soapbox.
ReplyDeleteWrong!
DeleteThe organizers do NOT have a right to regulate who is at a "PUBLIC EVENT".
DeleteThe First Amendment protects your right to express your opinion, even if it's unpopular. You may criticize the President, the Congress, or the chief of police without fear of retaliation.
At military bases, airport terminals, or the entrance to a post office, for example, reasonable prohibitions and restrictions may be upheld, as long as they are objectively applied and do not favor one side of an issue over the other. The government cannot discriminate based on viewpoint, even in a non-public forum.
Source: ACLU
They should not have been asked to leave an event if they were respectful (meaning not threatening a riot) and were expressing an opinion.
The elders should be more aware of the laws of the land, and less concerned with "appearances".
Another example of why this town has a bad name.
Um @6:04, go read the Constitution (of both the country and this state).
DeleteThen read the law about what it takes to regulate time, place & manner of speech.
Finally, quit issuing orders, and have a rational adult conversation, if you possibly can.
Sure, nobody "owes you a soapbox." So true. But, in a free society, with free speech enshrined in our Constitution...Well, I think you can see where we're going with this.
DeleteAnd remember: SO much of this angst has come about because the City Council ASKED for the public's opinion, and got it - but didn't like it. Then, when that disappointment spilled over into public comment periods at Council meetings - a time when the public is INVITED to speak - they tried to shut that down. All of which only made people more upset, and the whole situation worse.
Free speech. If nothing else, it's a sort of pressure release valve. Beats the alternative, don't you think? Or would the OP prefer that members of the public - SILENTLY - express their displeasure by stoning the members of the City Council to death?
I think the rules and expectations change when it is "Open to the public, ALL invited". The public includes critics of the elected public representatives who were advertised to be present, and officiating the events.
DeleteThat photo where the elderly gent has his hand on the back of the protester is gold right there. As soon as someone touched me I would have screamed "get your hands off me" just to make the point.
DeleteThe thing to YELL when someone puts their hand on you in a public place like that is: NO THANK YOU, I DO NOT WANT TO SEE THOSE KINDS OF PICTURES, YOU PERVERT."
DeleteNice! And maybe add, "Perhaps you could sell your smut to the PDN!"
DeleteIndeed.
Deleteand add, "What? Are you on HEROIN?" Just for a kicker.
By the way, the president of the Port Angeles Downtown Association GOT OFF THE FERRY and left. He did not stick around for the "festivities."
ReplyDeleteHeckuva a job, Joshie!
DeleteThink he'll be president of PADA much longer?
DeleteHmmmm, lemme see here, Assault, Deprivation of Constitutional Rights to Free Speech, Conspiracy to Deprive. Definitely looks like a 42 USC 1983 style case. Would someone get this man a lawyer.
ReplyDeleteIs it true Cherie didn't show up?
ReplyDeleteDid she chicken out?
Didn't want to face critics?
Speaking of chickening out...Gosh, did anyone else notice that the chipper, chipper, chipper coverage of this little event in the PDN doesn't even come close to mentioning the protesters? Not that they're trying to skew things. Not that they're trying to shape people's view of local events. No, no. It's just that, darn it, they ran out of space to publish more words on the internet.
DeleteCould that so-called newspaper get any more pathetic? (Answer: YES.)
I read the PDN article before coming here. It's sickening. Regardless of their belief, any reporter worth their salt would have at least mentioned in passing that there were protesters present. You know, reporting on the EVENTS AS THEY ACTUALLY HAPPENED?
DeleteMr. Ward on the take???
DeleteI saw both the PDN photographer and the reporter walk right past the group of protesters. Not like they didn't know what happened, weren't there, or didn't see anything.
Delete
ReplyDeleteHere is that Canadian TV News clip with Edna Petersen showing her empty cash register.
Gee. The streets of Port Angeles look pretty empty on this video clip, too!
She says things are empty, shows her empty cash box, and the pictures show empty streets.
But the Chamber is out there today, telling us all how great things are?
Except, the economics professor in Victoria is warning Victorians to "do your homework", because the Chamber's promo seems a bit deceptive, and only a few businesses in Port Angeles are signed onto the promo deal.
http://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=819950
Oh wow...The clip starts off with a mention of the "ailing businesses" in Port Angeles, and finishes with this: "Sensing some desperation, a UVic business expert says do your research before heading south." Really, really a flattering portrait of Port Angeles - and with several shots of Edna's empty cash drawer.
DeleteSo, we see how Port Angeles is viewed from "the outside".
Delete"Port Angeles: Ailing and desperate, and it shows"
One could almost say, why bother trying to change things as the leadership resists? It almost feels like kicking someone, when they're already down.
But, the rest of us live in this area.
After 10 years (at least) of these leaders running things, look where the town is. Despite all the promises, and many millions spent, the town is in worse shape than it was before.
As Edna shows us, her register is empty.
It likes like rigging the vote by voting repeatedly for itself as "The Best Town EVER", didn't fill up Edna's cash register.
We just can't afford more years of this kind of so-called leadership.
The article in the PDN made it sound like the promotion was already showing an uptick in business but it had only just started that day so ???
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, in Port Townsend on the same day, I had difficulty finding a parking space as the town was delightfully just bursting with locals and tourists (in March!) shopping, having lunch, and enjoying the beautiful day. There was a used record sale that some genius dreamed up within which the vendors were commenting on how successful it was. Gee that wasn't that difficult of a concept but did it happen in Port Angeles? No, of cpurse a fine simple original idea wouldn't. Ran into a few Sequim folks there. I was so surprised at how busy the town was though at this time of year that it left me shocked at the contrast to Port Angeles.
Somebody commented earlier here though that it had to do with all the elderly in Port Angeles. I'd beg to differ though. It's an attitude issue not an age issue as Sequim was also bustling and the number of shops and restaurants downtown continue to increase and Sequim has a greater elderly population!
@9:36AM, EXACTLY!
DeleteCriminals in power have that arrogant swagger, but without an amygdala, cannot possibly see how others view them. So everything will always be, like, "Peachy"!
I wonder if the Coho, which stands to gain the most from the cut-rate, "On Par" promotion, is cutting its prices 27%. I doubt it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Edna for promoting to the world how desperate are the shop keepers here in Poor Angeles. If she could only keep her boyfriend from beating up protesters at downtown events.
Is that who the guy is? Edna's boyfriend?
DeleteThat's the charm-free and boorish, but WONDERFULLY named Anthony Hoare, Port Angeles High School class of 1956. Yes, that's right, pronounced just like "whore."
DeleteI have personally been accosted by him, and called an asshole by him. When an angry old man grabs you out of the blue and calls you an asshole, it's very much the pot calling the kettle...Asshole.
He and the charm-free Edna Petersen (no class, she never graduated from high school) are a PERFECT couple. Misery loves company, eh?
According to the Bar, J. Anthony Hoare is still an actively licensed lawyer, and currently reports his public address as being in Seattle.
DeleteAnd by what authority (I mean, other than Edna) does he tell people they can not exercise their Constitutional right to free assembly and free speech?
DeleteOkay people...Since you're so interested in Anthony (Tony) "Butch" Hoare...Yes, his nickname is "Butch," so if you say "Butch Hoare" fast enough, it sounds like "butcher," which gives a hint as to his personality.
DeleteHis family goes WAY back in Port Angeles, and he's one of a long line of Anthony J. and J. Anthony Hoares. Yes, he's got an office in Seattle. He owns the Downtown Hotel, and was one of the principals in the "Peninsula Fuel Company," a long-standing business which, it seems, expired at the end of last year.
He's rude, right-wing, and a bully - and either crazy enough and/or desperate enough to have dated Edna Petersen for a long, long time. (Ain't love grand?)
Here's a link to an article in the PDN that showcases his relationship with Edna, and some of his political views:
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110510/NEWS/305109998
And his self-appointed authority comes from, as mentioned above, being a natural bully and blowhard, and from his deep family roots in Port Angeles. He's a rickety old hopped up hillbilly know-nothing with a chip on his shoulder. Tyler, a big guy, could have cleaned his clock, but is - fortunately for "Butch" - also a gentle guy.
T-shirts and coffee mugs (featuring his mug shot) are available in the lobby.
I don't undetstand why being long- time Port Angeles means anything? It only seems to be important here. By people who rarely leave the county so they don't understand that there are places and things happening elsewhere that are way bigger and more interesting and forward thinking. The longterm people here act like they're a big fish in the pondbut they don't realize they are just little fish in a grimy, tiny, greasy puddle.
DeleteThanks, CK.
DeleteI have lived by "Violence in not the answer" my whole life.
Those that resort to violence and bullying just show their ignorance and inability to win their "day" with words.
If they were confident in their positions and actions, they would welcome criticisms that would allow them to demonstrate the correctness of their views.
But they aren't, and cannot, so they resort to bullying and silencing, demonstrating their inabilities for all to see.
This is something the "might makes right" folks never seem to figure out. Silencing people doesn't change anybody'e mind. It just strengthens the oppressed's resolve.
Tyler
Edna is not THE problem but is a symptom of the problem. Edna demonstrates that any loudmouth has more clout than anyone who will not speak up. If you do speak up she attempts to silence you if you don't toe her line. This time she used her elderly boyfriend to muscle protesters out of HER celebration. SHE is the one convincing local shop owners they can make money by slashing prices but only for Canadians. See she depends entirely on tourist traffic. The locals know her and avoid her little shop of trinkets from China which she marks up 500% so she can mark them down 27% for the unsuspecting Canadian vultures who come in to pick the carcass of a dying town. As long as Edna and Cherie keep telling people how great everything is in town and the Canadian owned paper keeps telling people how great everything is then those living in the foothills and not "up" on things will continue to believe all is well until their utility bill doubles and their doctor quits taking Medicare their hair dresser moves to Sequim and their plumber seeks a lien on their home before agreeing to re-plumb the home to get rid of pipes eaten up by fluoride.
ReplyDeleteCome to city hall on the 1st & 3rd Tuesday at 6.
DeleteIf you want anything different, YOU gotta get out there.
I had someone ask me why Port Angeles would even hope to think they could compete with what Victoria has to offer and I didn't have an answer. Later I realized that PA doesn't need to be Victoria because it can't. But it should be able to offer a welcoming and worthy place to overnight for a few nights in order to utilize PA as a base camp of sorts to visit the natural beauty that the Olympic Peninsula does have to offer. We need unique shops, good restaurants and entertainment, and clean, inviting hotels for when these visitors get back from Hurricane Ridge, or the Hoh, etc. right now they're better off staying in Sequim or Port Townsend, or even Forks!
Delete@ Anon 7:18
DeleteYes, you're right. Port Angeles will never be Victoria. The same week Victoria kicked off it's annual flower count, highlighting it's byline as "The City of Gardens", Port Angeles kicks off it's "Come spend some of your money here because we're desperate" campaign.
Victoria is the Provincial capital. It is the center of politics, business and finance for the Province. The Greater Victoria areas' population is around 340,000. Port Angeles is around 19,000.
Yes, there is "natural beauty" beyond Port Angeles, but not in town. Or immediately nearby.
BC has long had the slogan "Super, Natural British Columbia". It has better natural everything than Port Angeles, or the surrounding areas.
East of the I-5, Seattle/Olympia/Tacoma/Vancouver area residents have "Washington's Playground" www.visitchelancounty.com/
Point being, we should stop looking to "the outside" for our salvation. Stop listening to politicians that keep promising they'll bring jobs here by attracting new businesses to relocate here. It just isn't going to happen.
We need to be supporting each other. Locals supporting businesses that support locals. We don't need Edna's shoppe o chinese junque catering to outsiders. After all these years, can't we see it isn't the answer?
Remember NOAA's "no quality of life" assessment of PA? It still applies.
DeleteI see this in tourist towns with schlocky stores constantly having sales - it really cheapens the store. I am all for having a clearance shelf somewhere in a not prime location, but just have fair prices at retail. Otherwise you just train people to never buy from you unless you're having a sale. It's a bad way to run a business.
ReplyDeleteDid I hear somewhere that Tony Hoare is related to the Ruddell family (auto mall & Howie Rudell, former HarborWorks Board member)?
ReplyDeleteIf you feel like filing a gripe against the bully of a lawyer here is the link:
ReplyDeletehttps://onlinegrievance.wsba.org/
Washington State Office of Disciplinary Counsel
ReplyDelete1325 Fourth Ave, Ste 600
Seattle, WA 98101-2539
Complaint against Anthony Hoare, Attorney
Dear Disciplinary Counsel:
On Saturday, March 5th I witnessed Attorney Anthony Hoare commit 4th Degree Assault upon a citizen in a public place in Port Angeles, WA.
The occasion was a civic event, complete with a band, refreshments, speeches and guests from Canada.
It was sponsored by local merchants and meeting at the local ferry offices.
The event was organized by Edna Petersen, long-time paramour of attorney Anthony Hoare.
In the run up to the event local newspapers ran stories inviting the general public to attend.
During the event a protester holding a 18 X 24 inch plastic sign entered the building where there was congregated nearly 100 people from the general public. Attorney Hoare immediately grasped the individual who was doing nothing but holding a sign suggesting local city council members step down.
The protester made not a sound and interacted with no one. Still Hoare grasped him by his clothing and forced him out of the meeting. Another young man, carrying a similar sign, was refused admittance by attorney Hoare who blocked the door.
Thus denying these individuals their First Amendment rights to Free Speech.
During this encounter I repeatedly asked Mr. Hoare to identify himself, it looked like a mugging. Hoare refused to identify himself and refused to name who gave him authority to “police” this event.
So, my complaint is against Anthony Hoare for Assault in the 4th Degree and Deprivation of Rights. With a little digging I’m sure you would also discover Conspiracy to Deprive. A search warrant would likely produce an SS uniform. (that’s a joke)
I do hope you will cause this Hoare attorney to attend some remedial Civics classes so he may be reminded of the rights and privileges guaranteed to everyone in America.
Respectfully,
(anon)
P. S. Photos of the assault may be seen here: http://www.portangelesunearthed.blogspot.com/2016/03/howdy-neighbors-aka-neighbours.html
Awesome!
DeleteThank you, who ever you are.
These morons need to be seen for who they are.
Attorneys need to be held to a higher standard, as they are professionals supposedly protecting the laws of this land. If the lawyers are not reprimanded for abuses they are specifically supposed to know about, and laws they are supposed to uphold, then what hope is there for citizen's trust and belief in "Law and Order"?
It's not yet been 3 months since their fateful decision to screw the public here, and the F4 have wreaked havoc on this town! Shutting down public debate, ethics complaints, proactive refusal to hear the AdHoc recommendations, pitting citizens against one another, etc. Ah, true leadership!
ReplyDeleteThat was the promise they ran on, right?
Delete