We all remember Cherie Kidd's infamous quote about how depressing it is to come back to Port Angeles from Victoria. A huge part of that is the desolate, tree-free appearance of the town. It's aesthetically unappealing, to say the least, and makes walking around unpleasant in the sun (no shade) or the rain (no cover) - especially when it's coupled with the intermittent sidewalks in so many of the neighborhoods.
In Port Angeles, the only good tree is a logged tree. (Or failing that, a dead one. Remember that proposed "entryway monument" of dead trees that the City floated a few years back?) All this was brought up because the City is planning to cut down a bunch of trees on Peabody Street. They say they will be replaced.I am confident that the cutting will occur. As for the replanting...I am less confident. Or at least, less confident that the City will get it right. But, at the very least, you'll be losing some full-sized, lush green trees - the kind that take years to "replace."
Sigh...Just keep whittling that tree canopy down, PA. While you're doing so, maybe you'll have time to ponder about the visual appeal of your blighted little town to tourists. (Port Townsend, anyone?) Maybe you'll have a moment to consider that whole "quality of life" thing that NOAA said you're lacking. And maybe, just maybe, you'll have a second to consider how isolating and depressing it is to have a community in which it is so extremely unpleasant and difficult to simply walk around.
More than once I've had out of town visitors ask me, "Where are the trees?"
ReplyDeleteIt's a sad situation anywhere, but it does seem particularly pathetic next to the ONP.
I wondered why they didn't put in any trees when they built the waterfront concrete walkway? It would have been a prime opportunity to do so. I mean, it looks clean and decent, but since it's also devoid of pedestrians at least some trees would give some life to the place as you arrive by ferry, as well as hide the blight that is Edna's trinket shop.
ReplyDeleteProbably because trees cost money.
DeleteHow much did those fancy lights cost? Those glass panels?
DeleteIt isn't that they were holding back on spending the money when they built that concrete waterfront walkway.
It is the attitude.
What a rediculous topic. Why don't you leave town permanently and take your negative blog with you?
ReplyDeleteFirst, from our Shooting Fish in a Barrel Department: It is spelled "ridiculous," not "rediculous." The E and the I are nowhere near each other on the keyboard, so don't say it was a slip of the finger.
DeleteAs for leaving town - HELLO! - I already did. In fact, I even reference that fact in the VERY FIRST SENTENCE of this piece you think is so ree-dick-u-louse.
So, aside from your inability to spell or comprehend...Thanks for your comment.
Anon @ 8:19 am - I guess if you're happy that the town looks like a well worn 80's strip mall then you're part of the problem.
DeleteLOL, there they go again, the backwater town folk, perpetually demonstrating their lack of cognitive abilities.
DeleteOh and don't forget CK, this is PA, where the First Amendment terminates at the city limit sign!
Yes, "Quality of Life" is SUCH a ridiculous thing to be concerned about.
DeleteI can understand why someone like you would think the solution to a problem is for those that complain, should "leave town permanently". Why fix anything?
I bet that is what you would say to someone who told you a burglar was robbing your house, right? That you had a serious medical condition needing treatment?
I mean, that is exactly what you said in your response. The town has problems? "Why don't you leave town permanently and take your negative blog with you?"
Yeah, I can see how that will fix the town's problems.
We remember when planting trees along the road into town was recommended by a consultant, about 10 years ago. The City Council, while listening, seemed fairly receptive to the idea until Council member (and realtor) Larry Williams asked. "What will happen in the Fall, when all these trees will drop their leaves?" That changed everything.
ReplyDeleteThe conversation then changed to how much it would cost to sweep up the leaves, and that killed the proposal.
Yes, Port Angeles is pathetic.
Agreed. Treelessness in Port Angeles contributes greatly to its unattractive overall appearance.
ReplyDeleteThen there's also the problem of tasteless so-called landscape professionals that create awful, sometimes laughable scenes on individual lots around town. Derision-worthy projects include those that cram a tall wall of columnar cypruses along the sidewalks and lot edges of modest residential lots; or create silly-looking out of scale "grand entrance gates" to their lackluster homes; or litter their yards with faux beach scenes.
It doesn't help, either, that the city allows empty log trucks to be parked in residential neighborhoods; symbolizing the local antipathy to trees.
Our leaders here, such as they are, have zero appreciation or understanding for aesthetics, or the environment, or for how those things intersect with the economy. Thus we end up with a bleak, ugly town with a bleak, ugly economy. An empty fake beach doesn't cut it; people want to experience real, natural beauty. So while they may pass THROUGH Port Angeles, precious few will stay here, or come again. Our reputation precedes us, and the reality here is worse than the reputation. The mills are gone, and tourism is our natural fallback, but too many people here seem hell bent on making it so that we have no jobs or economy here at all.
ReplyDeleteI've been reflecting on this lately after spending some time north of Seattle where there are mature trees on just about every property.
ReplyDeleteI've seen 4 different properties in my neighborhood cut down 1 or more trees this year. In addition to those, Bo Baggins Daycare cut down the large maple on their property. The huge madrona next door is on it's way out too due to disease.
Now there's an undeveloped city block on the west side that is currently being logged. The owner said timber prices are up.
Remember when Dan Gase wanted green lawns in the summer? He should have asked people to plant trees, and god forbid food, in their yards instead.
Someone recently suggested an event that would attract new people to the area. After analyzing my knee-jerk negative reaction, I realized that I was embarrassed of my city. I didn't want anyone to come here and see how bad it was. The city and county government, the streets and sidewalks, the houses, hotels and buildings, the vehicles, the people, the quality of customer service at businesses. It's all too embarrassing.
You're not the only one to be embarrassed. I feel your pain every time someone from the outside world comes to visit. Living here is like being caught with your pants down around your ankles.
DeletePer several of the comments here...I am reminded of a time, nearly twenty years ago now, when my grandmother decided to move into an assisted living facility, and put her house (that my grandfather had built) on the market.
ReplyDeleteIn her front yard, between the house and the street, there was a really tall, magnificent spruce tree. You couldn't miss it. In setting a price for the house, the realtor told her that that one beautiful, mature tree, added at least $20,000 in value to the property.
The house sold quickly, and has sold again since then. And that tree is still there, still beautiful.
Let's remember, this town was built on cutting trees. That is the mindset. For 150 years people were able to quit school in the 9th grade and go to the woods and earn a family wage cutting trees. That said they were never confronted with the word "aesthetics" much less the whole idea. Now, the legacy is that education is not important and trees provide an income to half a dozen timber barons and the rest of us can "pound sand."
ReplyDeleteHey, that could be the new town motto:
DeletePort Angeles, where the rest of you can pound sand!
Comment approprié!
Speaking of pound sand...I wonder how much the city spent per pound to put all that sand in on their fake beach? All that sand that will get washed away.
DeleteSo they'll have to spend a bundle more to replace it. And so on, and so on, forever.
Now, if they'd just spent that money on trees, they'd keep growing. They'd be there. They wouldn't wash away. They'd help with our CSO problem. And hey, they'd even be visible from the ferry as you came into town, easing Cherie's depression.
Just imagine that. The city could have spent their money wisely, on something that would last, and have meaning.
But of course, they didn't.
The Our Town group seems to think the only polluters are the homeless who strew their shit on the creek banks in the ravines. Have they looked into the "Potentially Liable Parties" to see how much they polluted our area. Roughly a hundred million is the current estimate but it keeps growing.Or look at Grant Munro who cost the taxpayers a few million to clean up the K-ply site. Or how about the port that has allowed the harbor to become a toxic soup under their watch. How about driving some of these major polluters out of town like you are attempting to do for the misbegotten homeless. Suckers
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more.
DeleteBut, it is typical of Port Angeles' so called leadership. Look what has been going on for how long now? Cherie Kidd and crew try to make profanity the big issue to direct city staff to address, when the big dollar impacts to the town go without any attention.
And, we see this group of mis-directed vigilantes thinking they are going to solve the city's problems by harassing and further victimizing those that already have nothing?
What, no kids to steal candy from?
Port Angeles Loggers would still be a better name than the Lefties. The Lefties for crying out loud! Lol.
ReplyDeleteHas there ever been a place (outside of the Deep South) that is less Leftie than Far-Right Port Angeles?!?
DeleteI used to call Clark County "Extreme Northwest Mississippi". Clallam County has surpassed that and has become "More Extreme Northwest Mississippi". As far as I'm concerned, it's just a cheap place to sleep.
DeleteI pity the City Council of the future that will be dealing with the fallout from current financial mismanagement.
ReplyDelete