The solution is to attract a diversity of real jobs, something that PA genetically resists. Mills and tree harvesters and ships waste can't support a 21st century economy. But the townfolk have no interest in other pursuits. Nor any interest in financial management. Just delusions of grandeur.
And here's a picture of the "new" sign put in place by the new owners of the old Nippon Mill...
So, there it is. The proud new owners just took the old sign, turned it inside out, then slapped a bumper sticker on the blank side and...Viola! And so I ask you, per the comment above, oh gatekeepers and brown-nosing mill-fanatics of Port Angeles...Which does the above look like? The 21st century economy...Or just some more delusions of grandeur?
Hey, they recycle cardboard, of course they will recycle a sign.
ReplyDeleteAnd how delusional is this quote from ailing, failing mayor Pat Downie, who sounds like a cross between Cherie Kidd and someone trying to be youthful:
ReplyDelete“As far as I’m concerned, this is a great day in the history of Port Angeles,” Mayor Patrick Downie said during a half-hour ceremony.
“I think it’s way cool we’re all here together to celebrate a really great thing for this city.”
Pat is so old and feeble. He has no future, and yet is there at a groundbreaking ceremony to (in theory!) represent the future. But with that shovel in his hands, he looks like he's digging his own grave.
Or maybe they're all just trying to bury the sleaze from the deal that got those houses demolished in the first place?
Every governing body here is corrupt and criminal. When they "collaborate" it is, in fact, part of a long-term, ongoing criminal collaboration. There are no innocents involved in politics in Clallam County. They are all either crooks or willing dupes. The amount of poison in the system is staggering.
DeleteAgreed! The level of out & out corruption is staggering, but there it is, right in front of everyone's eyes to plainly see. And apparently it's all OK, just ask the "prosecutor".
Deleteand our elections are all prearranged scams. Aren't they Negus?
DeleteThen there's this doozy from Doughy Dan Gase, the man with the missing moral compass. How totally unrealistic and delusional is this one?
ReplyDeleteOn the horizon could be a 3,200-foot strip of water - a sea lane for landing - designated by compass headings for the floating aircraft that would be located east of City Pier.
Dan Gase, the port’s portly business and real estate manager, presented the proposal to port commissioners Tuesday at their regular work session.
The sea lane, which would initially be designated for private and charter aircraft, would allow passengers to disembark for quick access on foot to all downtown has to offer, Gase said.
“Perhaps it would take a few years to put together, but it’s another source of jobs and activity to promote Port Angeles,” he said.
The port has been without commercial air passenger service from port-owned William R. Fairchild International Airport for almost three years — ever since November 2014.
It might be “a little premature” to expect, in the near future, commercial seaplane passenger service to and from Port Angeles Harbor, Gase said in a later interview.
“That due diligence hasn’t been started yet,” he said.
Read that again and marvel at the maybe maybe maybe someday maybe maybe-ness of it all. All wrapped around a total falsehood: A sea lane "would allow passengers to disembark for quick access on foot to all downtown has to offer."
WHAT does downtown Port Angeles have to offer, Mr. Gase? Especially to the class of people who have their own planes? Hmmm...Let's see...Could that be...Nothing?
The only part of Doughy Dan's pitch that is true is when he says it might be "a little premature" to be talking about how great this'll all be.
Jesus! Dan Gase has been getting paid how many thousands of dollars a month by the port? And THIS is the best he can come up with? A plan that is pipedream heaven, and that even he admits is "premature"? My only question is who is going to make the money off of pushing this scam along? Consultants to help with the visioning/design/outreach/paperwork? It's just SO stupid.
DeleteOf course, it also raises yet again the conflicts on interest involved when you have realtor Dan Gase on the council while at the same time being paid by the port. It's unethical, probably illegal, and wouldn't pass muster anywhere but here.
You're a tech millionaire. Or at least someone who has done really well in tech, or whatever field. You live in a $800,000 house in Seattle. You own a sea plane.
DeleteNow, are you going to fly to "downtown Port Angeles" for the day, or, say, Victoria B.C.?
You know the answer. B.C. beats B.S. every time.
So, you'll be able to fly right into the harbor, get off your expensive sea plane, and take the Fantasy Tram straight up to Hurricane Ridge? Cool!
DeleteI see a Zepplin hanger with daily flights to hurricane ridge from the waterfront. Now can I get my 6K consulting fee from the port for my fantastic idea.
DeleteGase is just an asshole, along with the criminals who bribed him.
DeleteGee Dan, have you bothered looking out in the harbor, lately? Think there are already a couple big things in the way of your fantasy sea plane lane? Like OIL TANKERS?
DeleteWhat an absolute buffoon.
Those aren't hazards; they're tourist magnets!
DeleteWho's the buffoon now, smartypants?
Oh, yeah, right. It's still Dan Gase. And always will be.
Let's not lose sight of the fact that nothing has happened yet. Yes, the property has been sold, but, nothing more has happened.
ReplyDeleteLet's also not lose sight of the water rights that come with the property. And the power plant. those are the real assets here, not some rundown, old mill.
So maybe they intend to open and recycle cardboard eventually. Or maybe they just need to seem to go through the motions (stickers for signs) while the real deal is arranged.
Oh, it's all about the water rights.
Delete7:31 is spot on. The new owner has lots of options which don't involve an operating cardboard factory.
DeleteWhat you get when hillbillies show the way.
ReplyDeletePutting the "der" in "leadership" all the way.
DeleteThat bumper sticker. Shows exactly how much they're willing to invest in PA.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.diversityworking.com/co-generation%20manager-state-wa-city-port%20angeles-comp-mckinley%20paper%20company-id-7768316.html
ReplyDeleteJob description reads:
Manage 24/7 Biomass Co-Generation (220k lb/hr, 22 MW) facility integrated with paper mill. Manage power generation (sales or internal use), steam, condensate return, utilities to support production. Supervise crews operating the co-gen, effluent, water and air systems and Operations / Maintenance Supervisors. Interact with government agencies, external authorities and Environmental Manager to assure Permit Limits and legal requirements are met. Act as Fire Marshall. Includes relocation benefits. Nice family friendly area between the mountains and the sea, with many water- mountain- and country-related activities/sports available. Unique opportunity to join a start-up team and participate in the decisions made during this facility re-tooling.
Minimum qualifications: Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering or high school diploma and fifteen (15) years related experience. Biomass knowledge is critical. Know Microsoft Office applications. Good communications, interpersonal and leadership skills. Must meet minimum qualifications to be considered an applicant for this position. Industrial pulp and paper experience a plus.
Of note: "Manage power generation (sales or internal use)" "Biomass knowledge is critical."
Sounds to me like the co-gen is job number one, with everything else being secondary.
Wow! Thanks for the link and information. It's very helpful. Because, yes, "Biomess knowledge is critical."
DeleteOops! Someone sent a comment in, and it went to the spam box, and I accidentally deleted it instead of posting it. It was about the new mill owners getting by on the cheap. Sorry!
ReplyDeleteHey CK - told you a few weeks back this is going to open early with more employees than Nippon carried. You are fucking wrong again.
ReplyDeleteUh, well gee...They aren't open, haven't hired employees, and you are a moron.
Delete5 months out now from the sale. Wow, so much is happening! This is gonna be BIG I tell ya!
Delete9:56 I would really like to see you correct, but, uh, apparently you're the one who is fucking wrong. Again.
It really is pretty amazing to see comments like those from Anon 9:56, when anybody can drive right by the mill any time, and see how the new owners are approaching this. Yeah, CK, you're right. Obviously morons that just spout crap.
DeleteThe best we get out of all the millions we taxpayers have put into that mill is a company so tight on cash they can only afford stickers for their new corporate signage?
Port Angeles is suppose to feel confident in the new ownership?
Really, the real question is when will Port Angeles wake up, see the cheap stickers on the back side of the sign, and see that the kind of real investment in Port Angeles' future is not happening.
The "for sale" signs that are everywhere now, are saying something.
Yes, I was commenting on how the bumper sticker approach by McKinley Paper might be revealing how they will be dealing with Port Angeles.
ReplyDeleteMost companies care about their image, and put a lot of thought into signage, what it conveys, and how it will be perceived by the community they are located in. "Good corporate neighbors", and all that.
But that is certainly not the case here. In driving by the mill yesterday, I saw more of the red stickers plastered over old Nippon Industries signs. They weren't even made for the purpose, but cut up with scissors and patched together in order to cover over parts of the old sign that said "Nippon Industries".
There is "Rent-a-Fence" chain link around the publicly accessible areas. Little signs printed out on regular printer paper, laminated in plastic with hole made with a paper punch, held onto the fence with plastic zip ties. Can't think of a cheaper way to do it.
So, if this is their "first foot forward" in their new community, it seems they are not really too concerned with what the community thinks of how they do things. Just the cheapest way to accomplish the goal.
Nathan must be so happy! To have spent so many millions building fake beaches and cement promenade (that still nobody uses) to make the town more attractive, only to have a new corporate neighbor move in that doesn't seem to care one whit about appearances.
And what about operations? And safety? Will these all be done on the cheap, too?
Is this the real life results of how valued that mill really is, within the industry? How stable an employer are they really going to be, or is this the newest version of Pen-Ply? Will they be asking for "support" in order to create jobs?
The decline continues.
The parent company Bio-Pappel currently doesn't list the property on its web site as one of its locations.
ReplyDeleterumor has it that they aren't going to do anything more than sell the co-gen plant (for a profit) and then sell the water rights (for a profit). Then they will just abandon the whole thing and walk away.
DeleteYes and yes. There are already plenty of cardboard plants/recycling plants in the country, and in Washington state.
DeleteBut nearly unlimited access to a fresh water supply, ripe for commercial use? A new, functioning power plant? Those are a little more rare.
Look at it this way: If you had to live for a week without one of these things - water, power or new cardboard boxes - which one would you forego?
You idiots!
DeleteWho would you s lol the water rights to if there is no one around?
Hey, moron from 8:49 AM...Would you please write in again and tell us all what "s lol" means? Thanks!
DeleteAlso, could you please clarify what you mean when you say "there is no one around"?
Other than that, though, heck of a way to make your point! You really told (t lol?) us off!
Hello? Anyone for "s lol"? Is that "troll" backwards? No, wait, "troll" backwards is "loser," so that's not it...Hmmm...Oh, if only I weren't such an idiots!
DeleteI'm going to go out on a limb, and assume Anon 8:49 was saying "Who would you sell the water rights to, if there is no one around?" Something along the lines that we're all idiots because we're noticing Port Angeles is vacant, a ghost town, un-attractive, no "quality of life", etc. And by noticing Port Angeles repels most any reasonable people, being idiots, how can we then say McKinley Paper is going to sell of it's assumed industrial water rights to some new entity.
DeleteSigh. Okay. Yes, we're right. The town is declining, and there are less people around. Many more of the foundational businesses are closed, put up for sale, and not selling. It is a matter of fact that the population of Port Angeles had only increased by 600 people over the last 20 years, before the Nippon Mill closed. As of today?
Are the industrial water rights Nippon Mill had transferable to a new buyer, without any conditions? I doubt it. Washington water law is pretty strict, and getting more so every day.
Are the Port Angeles boosters morons, and continuing to ignore the realities involved? Absolutely.
Nippon's (and now McKinley's) water supply is from a contractual arrangement with the City of Port Angeles to use up to 20 million gallons a day of the City's water rights. The 30-year contract for the use of this water expires in 2019. Until then, the right to use the water can be assigned/transferred by the mill-owner to anyone, including the guy who invented a system to transport Elwha water in giant bags pulled by tug boats. Search on-line for "Spragg Bag water Port Angeles" and learn more.
DeleteOh yes --- and what does the mill owner pay to Port Angeles for that assignable/transferable contract to use up to 20 million gallons of city water a day? A flat rate of $15,500/year.
And does anyone really believe that the know-nothing, spineless members of the City Council couldn't be fairly easily be corralled to vote for yet another sweetheart water deal? All staff would have to do would be to invoke "economic development" and a majority would fall right into line.
DeleteReally. You know it's true.
Just for thought. We remember only a couple years ago when the Peninsula had what was called "The Snow Pack Drought"? Had it not been for unusually early and heavy rains that September, things would have gotten more dire than what happened.
DeleteWe are currently in a record setting drought period, with months of no appreciable rain fall. There is rain expected later in the week. We'll see.
But, what if this winter brings another "Snow Pack Drought"? After this long period of drought?
We are vulnerable to these changes in rainfall, because we have no reservoirs. And none are going to be built. Too expensive for the limited populations in the area.
So, water is not the dependable resource it once was. All it takes is exactly what we are experiencing now. And we have no control over any of it.
Meanwhile, over at the Port...
ReplyDelete"The Port of Port Angeles this week readjusted its sights on landing airline passenger service for the North Olympic Peninsula, taking Seattle-Tacoma International Airport out of the picture as a destination for the time being.
While mulling over their 2015-20 Strategic Plan on Tuesday, port commissioners removed the William R. Fairchild International Airport-Sea-Tac route as an avenue for re-establishing daily commercial passenger flights and “sustained service past 2020.”
They also removed trying to secure Transportation and Security Administration passenger security check-in assistance in Port Angeles — once flights to Seattle are restored — that would have allowed direct entry to Sea-Tac terminals.
“Our ability to influence that decision is limited,” John Nutter, port director of finance and administration, said of the TSA feature at the Tuesday meeting.
The port has secured a $200,000 federal Department of Transportation grant that expires in January 2020."
Anyone think they're also going to "remove" Doughy Dan Gase (and his Sea Plane Plan) from their payroll for failure to perform?
Naw, I don't think so either. Still, it is interesting to see them having to give up on so much - but hold on to that grant money, by god! Cold dead fingers and all that.
I'm so shocked and surprised.
DeleteUmmm, not really.
A guy who moved here a year or so ago told me that if he had done better research, he would not have moved here.
I'm so shocked and surprised.
Ummm, mot really.
The perps blatantly bleed the town dry with their scams, then think that outside investment would be comfortable there? The townsfolk may be stupid, but project capital is not.
DeleteThe reason that nothing of substance will ever happen is not because the town will never be viable. Lots of dumpy towns have redefined and rehabilitated themselves over the years.
Rather, it's because the local ringleaders of the circus that is PA can flap their gums all they want, but have no credibility or trustworthiness in the eyes of the rest of the world,
All that remains in the air there is the stench of corruption.
The only comment thus far on the PDN's coverage of this latest Port fiasco story is from Jim Cammack:
Delete"Poor Port Angeles."
That little phrase can be taken several ways, but literally is still the best. The so-called leaders there will always be putting the "poor" in Port Angeles, eh?
Relating to Anon 9:31 comments, we remember Rayonier's response to the so-called leaers in HarborWorks? That they refused to continue working with them in HarborWorks efforts to lure developers of Rayoniers property, because the leadership was so wacky and unprofessional?
DeleteAnd you know what's funny? Trolls who send in would-be withering comments about how lame this blog is, while at the same time showing they are personally obsessed with it. And if this blog were really SO lame and ineffective, why would they be SO upset by it?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I love the impotent wailing of those who try to defend the indefensible. Their cracked comments won't make it through, but they do make me smile.
The only businesses in Port Angeles that have been busy all summer long are Safeway and Walmart. The tourists stop there to stock up on supplies as they keep on driving through and past Port Angeles.
DeleteWent downtown yesterday between 5 and 9. The place was vacant. Okay, there were a few cars driving by once in a while, but for the last week of summer, with hot weather, any beach town should be jumping.
But, that stench another poster mentions seems to reach the tourists.
Yep, how many other towns are so corrupt as to have their own version of an "Unearthed" blog? I count only one - Gold Bar. And even they eventually kicked out their perps and are still cleaning up the messes.
DeleteSo PA, that's really, horribly bad. To not only have a blog like this running for four years now, but to keep on making things worse at every turn of events, instead of admitting your personnel problems. Hard to believe but apparently it's possible to not just hit, but wallow at rock bottom.
Port Angeles: Where wallowing is a way of life.
ReplyDeleteBring it hooker if you got game. We've run dildo-dale out of business. Next we take him out of PAPA :) Wendy too.
ReplyDelete"Bring it hooker"?
DeleteMan, you are such a moron. Anyway, heads up, Dale; a moron is talking about you. Not TO you, because, of course, they lack the balls for that.
County (non)Prosecutor Mark Nichols had a great opportunity to put this troll in prison for multiple felonies but did not do so. Now he is free to issue meaningless threats against those who actually accomplish something good for the community. Obviously his prior prison stint made him obsessed with phallic symbols. Notice all the guns and an obsession with "dildo."
DeleteA LOT revealed by Anon 9:16 comments. First, they have obvious difficulties putting coherent sentences together. Second, the obvious glee in destroying Dale's paper. Three, the obvious intolerance for viewpoints other than their own. Four, the willingness to "run" somebody "out of business".
DeleteAnd, their post speaks DIRECTLY to why this blog exists, and why Port Angeles is seen as the racist, intolerant backwater that it is, avoided by so many, and in decline.
What is it that Dale tried to do? Does anybody seriously think that paper was intended as a money making "business"? Of course not. It was an effort to give anybody a voice. Dale repeatedly asked and encouraged ANYBODY to submit articles, letters, comments, pictures, poems, whatever.
As he told me, he started the paper after experiencing the overt censorship and attempts to control what people have to say by the Peninsula Daily News.
Anon 9:16 goes on to say "Next, we take him out of PAPA". Again, we see the same thing. Dale initiated the efforts by a diverse group of people, including local students, to create the Peninsula Area Public Access broadcast media center so that ANYBODY interested in producing and broadcasting programs, could. Giving the public a free voice.
But the intolerant racists can't allow that to exist, either. Of course, Dale doesn't own PAPA. Dale is just one of many Board members, with just his own vote on anything.
Point is this. Dale put out a lot of effort to give the public a voice in this town, and to expose the cronyism, corruption and stupid decision-making that goes on. Unlike the good ole boys who have, and continue to use the town to feather their own nests, Dale volunteered his time to help everyone in this town.
Except those that didn't like the daylight shining on their dubious activities.
And, what was the reaction? Was the community allowed to have a free voice? Was the community allowed to choose what it wanted to read? Were local businesses allowed to choose where and with whom they wanted to support and advertise with?
No. A small group of obvious idiots made a project of calling up all the advertisers in Dale's paper, and threatened them. Told them to quit supporting Dale's paper, "or else".
They can't sway public opinion with their views in an open forum, so they just threaten, bully, and silence.
And people wonder why so many avoid Port Angeles?
Run Dale out of town? I hope Dale sees what so many others before him have done, those that have tried to help make Port Angeles "a better place". They either gave up trying, or moved to a better community.
It is well understood that you can't help someone who doesn't see there is a problem. Like an alcoholic who has lost most everything due to their stupid behaviors, but still tells everyone they have everything under control, and everything is fine.
And if you're reading this, Dale, a big thank you for everything you've done. Do yourself a favor, know you did a yeomans' job, enlightened many, but now just let those that think they know what's best for Port Angeles carry on. Life is too short to put up with stupid people. It just is.
The morons think they've accomplished something by threatening people they disagree with, destroying venues for free speech, and think vigilantism has a place in America. Obviously, they don't understand that they are the cause of the very degradation of "society" that they complain about.
May they wallow long in the destruction of Port Angeles. You reap what you sow. And this isn't over, by a long shot.
Just for the record...You have no idea just how many dildo-containing comments I have had come in over the last year or so, because I just delete 99% of them. I thought this one illustrated so much of what's wrong with Port Angeles, and was worthy (such as it is) of discussion/dissection.
DeleteOh, and the vast majority of said dildo-dealing quotes come in in the wee hours of the morning, when someone is obviously up in the middle of the night, very lonely, and very miserable.
A lesson in how much damage to a town one crazy moron can do. Unless he has trained others to stay up late, ranting away about, exactly, what?
Delete9:38AM is spot on. 9:16PM's lunacy is yet one more of the innumerable reasons why PA needs a blog just like this.
DeleteAnd why are downtown businesses dead and failing? Take a look at Yelp reviews of downtown businesses and you'll see they get *at best* three stars. Do these business owners think that no one looks at Yelp and other review sites before visiting a town? Why spend your hard earned cash at a store when you know beforehand that you're going to get treated like crap? Look at the reviews for the local hotels. It's pathetic! So it's no wonder that people just pass through or go to Walmart.
ReplyDeleteLook at any 21st century business tool: web site design, Yelp & other review sites, mobile accessability, digital marketing, etc. are all further examples of how PA businesses in general couldn't care less about how the outside world views them. That inbred attitude among the inner circle is what holds the town back in the 19th century.
DeleteMan, is this ever true. When I shop in poor angeles I feel a pall come over me. With a very few exceptions, the stores in PA seem to be linked to some old school beliefs that if you are not "from here" they don't really want you around. Also, they act like every other store in town is their competition. Unlike in Sequim. When I shop there everyone is welcoming, friendly and helpful. If you leave without purchasing something they are just as cheerful knowing you will be back if you find the environment welcoming. In PA if you come in and leave without a purchase they act like you stole something. Whatever fosters this behavior needs to be addressed if the local businesses ever hope to thrive like almost every downtown business in Sequim thrives--on customer appreciation and friendliness.
DeleteSure doesn't help that there are only a handful of "web designers" on the Peninsula -- and the most pathetic (and active one) stuck in the 1990's.
DeleteThe websites look old, trite, and dumb.
Sequim is becoming the retail center of the Peninsula while PA is withering and dying. As 9:18 pointed out, attitude is everything and the attitude of PA "business" people is take or leave it. I've been in a few businesses downtown where I've been shadowed by employees and owners (Robin at Country Aire and Edna at her overpriced dump) who are "certain" that I'm about to steal something. So they treat locals this way ... how do they treat visitors?
DeleteWanna hear a funny joke?
ReplyDeleteSince the last round of comments were posted here, the irate troll has sent in a slew of (irate) comments as well. This anonymous troll is threatening this blog with legal action for slander...Because, I as an anonymous blog host, say that an anonymous commenter is a moron.
Only a real, true blue MORON would make such a meaningless threat. Hey, MORON, it's pretty hard to slander your reputation when you're ANONYMOUS. Now, if you wanna start posting under your real, actual name, then we can take a whack at that. But until then, MORON, I'm not slandering anyone when I say what an impotent FOOL, TOOL, DOPE, DUPE and MORON you are.
Let me shout it from the rooftops: YOU'RE A MORON!
As they say: Stupid is, as stupid does.
DeleteAnd no more true than in Port Angeles.
Maybe the moron troll can open The Port Angeles Museum of Stupid, and feature themselves as the main attraction.
CK, you might remind the MORON that telling the truth is not slander.
MORON UPDATE:
DeleteNot surprisingly, the troll has been busy sending in comments in the last few hours. (Funny how they say this blog is SO lame, SO weak, SO unpopular...Yet they are obsessed with it.)
Anyway, the general theme of the recent diarrheal outpouring is that the troll is "filling me with fear."
Oh. Goodness me. I AM SO AFRAID.
Uh, if I'm so afraid, how come I'm still here? Still hosting this blog? Still pointing out what a sad, pathetic moron you are? Really, do tell me what I am afraid of. Tell me how I'm exhibiting this fear.
Because, gosh, from my perspective, all I'm doing is laughing at little impotent you. Those who can't do...troll.
Well CK, then you can pretty much narrow it down to an Our Town MORON, as their unique modus operandi of offering anonymous blogs as evidence has already been revealed.
DeleteRolling on the floor laughing.
DeleteAs if this idiot has any power over anything.
Maybe they can really impress us all, and invite David Duke and his Klansmen to Port Angeles for a rally.
As if even THOSE idiots would pay any attention to our homegrown morons.
Filled with fear? About what? That I'll bust a gut laughing at their feeble antics?
Does the moron not realize they are so tiny and oathetic that they have virtually NO effect in this town or this blog, or to Dale or anyone? They think they are important but they are not even a blip on the radar. Just sorry, irgnorant, self obsessed tiny trolls.
DeleteCK has previously pointed out a salient insight. That the characteristic deficient mindset of an internet troll is likewise manifest in the real life PA trolls who are mesmerized by their mafia mantra "It's Another Great Day in Port Angeles." Neither kind is capable of rational adult discussion.
ReplyDelete