The article states...Well, no, no they don't really aim to do any such thing.
The comments on the article...Well, there are no comments on the article.
So let's look at this weird cycle of screwed-upness that is Port Angeles as seen through the eyes of the PDN and its readers.
Start with a screaming headline that promotes and idea that might have some currency, especially given the backlog of complaints and the sorry state of code enforcement in Clallam County. In this case, that means start with a headline that is a lie.
Because, as the article explains, the "improvement" they're talking about is the notion of hiring a person for a whopping 10 hours a week to help with...paperwork. Not another actual, boots on the ground enforcement person. Not an increased level of law enforcement support for those properties that are well and truly beyond the pale. And not, it should be noted, enough of anything to cost much of anything, or to do much of anything.
So, the readers of the PDN - what few remain - doubtlessly know two things: Code enforcement in Clallam County is a joke, and so is the PDN. After years of distortions and outright lies, they know it's not a reputable source of information, and thus, not a legitimate venue for discussing or debating anything. In short, the PDN withholds the truth, and their readers withhold their participation.
In this day and age, people "tune in" to a newspaper for two things: News, and the comments and thoughts their friends and neighbors share on various topics. Given that the PDN clearly seems to be suffering from a "crisis of credibility," I think it's safe to say their financials are probably increasingly shaky. (Let's also note that their demographic core of readers are also, to be discrete, continuing to age, and continuing to expire...)
This image represents the actual news content of the PDN.
It's also a good representation of their financial prospects going forward.
This is also a good time to note again that the PDN's "paywall" isn't even a low speed bump, and is easily avoided. That's another revenue stream that is likely drying up. Ironically, yes, the PDN turns out to be a member of the free press after all.And so, as we approach what promises to be yet another dismal and disappointing election in Clallam County, it's easy to imagine a sense of panic blossoming at the PDN, while local citizens are ever-more cynical and apathetic. Needless to say, people who are panicked don't make good decisions, and people who are apathetic don't care what decisions anyone makes. These are two distinct forms of societal breakdown...But they feed off of and reinforce each other.
Another great day in Port Angeles. Meet the new boss...Same as the old boss.
I propose a “Gottlieb freeze-out” where people just simply refuse to grant him interviews, speak to him, or participate in any news story he is involved with. Getting rid of that little rat bastard would be a huge leap forward in credibility for the PDN.
ReplyDeleteLOL, I've done exactly that for years, and question my acqaintances why they choose to speak with the little bastard. He's a user in the worst way.
DeleteAs for Mr. Black and his publications, he is the epitome of fake news. His other so-called community papers do the same crap.
He, like Rupert Murdoch, have noting but contempt for people.
no it wouldn't, the real issue are the editors, who reject and rewrite to suit the master.
DeleteI don't even try and get over the paywall..who gives two flying f**ks about what they print. Meanwhile, why comment...what is the point? If the management disagrees they'll just take it right down anyway.
ReplyDeleteSign me...perpetually apathetic
Once again, CK, you hit the nail dead square.
ReplyDeleteAlong those lines, did you see the sickening "Happy News" people like the new EDC Director and Ed Chadd are promoting?
"Greetings, beautiful friends and community members,
There are 2 amazing opportunities this week I want to bring to your attention.
HOPE2 , from Bob Schroeter, CEO/ED of the Clallam County Economic Development Corporation, and is this Thursday here in Port Angeles. It’s an info session on a community initiative called “Hope Square,” based on the idea that “all children are capable of success, No Exceptions!” WOW.
A 3-day workshop in Port Townsend on the “Economics of Happiness,” focused on “creating a genuinely sustainable economy that works for people and the planet.” WOW AGAIN. It was brought to my attention by Ed Chadd, our local community organizer extraordinaire."
Besides being gag inducing, it is interesting to note Ed is promoting an event outside Port Angeles, outside of the County. That is how you promote sustainability in your town, right?
And what is our new Economic Development Council Executive Director promoting?
" Please email Bob at bschroeter@clallam.org for more info.
“Hope Square [a community initiative by Kids at Hope] partners share a compelling idea that respects their histories, traditions, unique missions and valued services, but further challenges them to suspend self interest by recognizing their collective strengths can become a greater and more powerful good than any of them can do individually. Together they share and promote among all young people. Through such collaboration, HOPE is then squared to the second power= HOPE2. By squaring all children are able to see a future filled with opportunity and success."
WTF? "By squaring all children are able to see a future filled with opportunity and success."
Squaring our children? And this guy gets paid how much? This is how Port Angeles and Clallam County are going to break out of the years of being designated a "distressed community"?
Sigh.
You're right, CK. "These are two distinct forms of societal breakdown."
Thanks for making me vomit in the morning. What disgusting men.
DeleteEd Chadd! What a waste of space. I will grant you that Ed might, MIGHT, have some "book smarts" but he is absolutely clueless about how the real world operates. Or how Clallam County operates.
DeleteAt this point I have trouble believing that Ed Chadd is just naïve. He's so wrong, and on the wrong side, of so many issues, it's hard to think he's anything other than a greenwashed monkey wrench, intended to impede progress locally.
Ed comes from money. Ed has demonstrated he's submissive to the local moneyed powerbrokers. Ed Chadd is a waste of space. How he has any credibility with anyone at this point is beyond me. If Ed says something is good, it's probably bad, and vice versa. It's that simple.
Let me sum up what EDC Bobby said: blah blah blah-blab-ba-blahhh-blah". My dog snoring has a more meaningful message.
DeleteIf we need any examples of why we go nowhere, year after year, look no further.
DeleteTHIS is the kind of thing our newly appointed Economic Development Director is promoting? As a professionally endorsed project to enhance "Economic Development" in "Distressed" Clallam County?
And he is being paid how much for this?
EDC dummy was hired, not appointed.
DeleteHow embarrassing. No wonder he ended up here.
DeleteYeah, must have been out of desperation to take the job -- that's how we snag the least suspecting.
DeleteThis town is like that creepy deep water Anglerfish that lures its victims close enough to take a bite.
Our town mascot: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglerfish
oh geez...we are a town based on Anglerfish.
DeleteHow they mate (just think of the crooks as males): When a male finds a female, he bites into her skin, and releases an enzyme that digests the skin of his mouth and her body, fusing the pair down to the blood-vessel level.
The male becomes dependent on the female host for survival by receiving nutrients via their shared circulatory system, and provides sperm to the female in return.
Commissioner Bill Peach said Monday his top goal was to save taxpayer dollars.
ReplyDelete“That’s the real agenda here,” he said.
*********
No, Bill. Your REAL agenda is to "save" those taxpayer dollars from being spent on plain old taxpayers, and keep them available for being dispensed to your cronies. No one believes your lies. Come on. Be a man. Tell the truth for once.
Why does anyone expect that criminals will somehow overnight change their ways? Aren't you all tired of continuously giving the perps more chances to do right, when that never, ever happens with them?
DeleteA couple chances, ok. But really? Thinking that these bastards will do the right thing when for once, they do nothing but the wrong thing, every time?
The folks who vote for these kind of sickos are the real problem.
Meanwhile, we do happen to have some good honest people on the ballot. Mr. Schromen-Wawrin and Ms. Dexter deserve a chance to demonstrate what they are capable of. We have absolutely nothing to lose with them. Do you want something different, something good for once, or not?
Well said!
DeletePlease keep in mind this code enforcement crap is all the doing of Mark Nichols, county prosecutor. He is the one who is stalling any enforcement and keeping any real enforcement from happening. It was this lack of enforcement that cost taxpayers half a million with the Lange Settlement agreement. This came about by NOT enforcing the current codes. Then they fought Lange in court for 25 years before he finally won. Last summer the commissioners were about to act on improved enforcement of the code when Nichols put the kabash on that--right out in the open he opposed it and it stopped in its tracks. Your county prosecutor is actively working against the will of the people by NOT enforcing the building codes. That is why some of the areas of the county look like third world encampments. That is why property values plummet--who wants to own property next to a residential dump?
ReplyDeleteAgree with all that. But just wait until it comes time for the city to annex that neighborhood east of Lees Creek (i.e. the current eastern boundary). Then you'll see code enforcement up the wazoo as the means to take it over.
DeleteSo yes I agree that Nichols only enforces/prosecutes what is on his masters' agenda. Rat bastard.
This focus on "blight" is going to be a hot button issue over the next couple of years....
DeleteIsn't the County facing a budget crisis and talking cuts in each department or possible furlough days again? How can they justify adding even a part time body when they are already punishing the existing labor pool?
ReplyDeleteGoogle search this phrase: clallam county budget shortfall. You will see such declarations are par for the course and merely a tool of the administrator or commissioners to cut services for the poors.
DeleteGee, thanks commissioners. We really appreciate your considering buying a small Band-Aid for the massive amounts of code violations hemorrhaging throughout the county. So nice you care enough to consider. Not do, just talk. "Hmmm...."
ReplyDeletefront and center PDN...about how two women clean up trash of trashy people. They say they wait until a camp is "abandoned".
ReplyDeleteFails to mention that still they ALSO clean up homeless camps of people who are still using the tents/blankets/sleeping bags to stay warm at night. If things aren't "folded up" blah blah blah.
That isn't what I have heard.
Fails to mention these "two women" are big OUR TOWN supporters.
The article does mention they used to be part of a group that they left because of the practices. That group was Our Town. Read the comments to the article too.I really want to hope these two ladies are out doing honest to god good as we sure could use some of that in PA.
DeleteThat is how Our Town operates, go into homeless camps to "clean up" when what they are doing is stealing their blankets, their cell phones, anything that makes life just a bit more comfortable than sleeping on the sidewalk, they take it and hope it will cause them to better their lives or move out of town. And the pdn supports this, as does deputy chief vieda.
DeleteAnyone who didn't turn their back on Our Town a long time ago will always be suspect, in my mind. Their intentions were clear almost from the start.
DeleteDon't believe PDN lies. They didn't "leave" OT, OT merely revised their public persona to avoid being seen in public as a large marauding group. But it's still OT. And the dangerous PDN still backs them 100%.
DeleteAs a result of OT, anyone who desires to pick up what is truly trash now has to prove to all that they're not OT. But ironically, with the official city support of OT, maybe everyone should join and get their "Get Out Of Jail Free" card.
PA is so fu&$ed up that the ones in charge don't realize that they are just like the homeless. That's why homeless are so attracted to PA! (LOL, but there is grain of truth there.)
The homeless population is increasing, despite the County "Homelessness Task Force." The reality is that their task is to keep the numbers up, so more distressed area grants are available.
Whoaaaa back up the mule and wagon, 8:51AM, where you said: "don't believe the PDN lies"
DeleteWHAT?
Say it ain't so..
Damn Reality! Why does it keep showing up in the middle of these "Our Town" stories?
DeleteHey Our Town has developed a splinter group...to go against fluoride. Guess Chelsea had too much time on her hands?
DeleteWatch she'll still try and blame Dale Wilson for it.
Our Town still exists today. They are just sneakier.
ReplyDeleteThe squish commenting on pdn as "Douglas Odell Wilson" is really Madam Chamberlin.
ReplyDeleteI'm not so sure people are apathetic. Seems like when pushed, most people have an opinion about things going on. I think most people have come to the conclusion that there is no point in trying to change things that need fixing.
ReplyDeleteBetween the examples Cherie Kidd provided, literally shutting down the meeting when people said things she didn't want to hear, the PDN that twists facts and reality, and won't print letters it doesn't agree with, and people like Ed Chadd, who someone here described as a "greenwashed monkey wrench", who get out in front of issues, and "lead" people into non-action and disappointment.
What's left? Youtube and Netflix.
"I'm not so sure people are apathetic. Seems like when pushed, most people have an opinion about things going on. I think most people have come to the conclusion that there is no point in trying to change things that need fixing."
DeleteThat sure sounds a lot like apathy to me...
Is there a difference in people who care, but feel their efforts will be thwarted, and people who just don't give a shit?
DeletePort Apathy.
DeleteIt really was a sight to see when last summer there was this enormous uprising of progressive thinkers within the democratic party. They all wanted to influence the next LOCAL election. Along comes Chadd and gets that energy flowing toward carrying signs in front of a local bank. WTF. Not only is he a county informer but he is also a time thief. Anything that is about to make a difference he and Norma Turner get right in the middle of it and thwart any forward progress. Look no further than the most recent Charter Review Committee. Norma barges in, takes over the chair, nothing new or progressive gets done. What a waste of time and talent.
DeleteHey, Anonymous 9:59 AM...I really, really like your description of Ed Chadd. Right on the money. "Time thief" describes his "efforts" perfectly. Thank you!
Delete"Time thief"?
ReplyDeleteOur Time.. Our lives.. our community goes down the drain..