tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071606563611538039.post4303295861721029989..comments2023-09-23T08:26:38.233-07:00Comments on Port Angeles Unearthed: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words...But a Sunny Holiday Weekend in Port Angeles Isn't Worth More Than a Handful of PeopleCrypt Kickerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560627730845451894noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071606563611538039.post-42633386111423696162016-05-13T10:02:45.424-07:002016-05-13T10:02:45.424-07:00Tree-huggers come to town to see live trees. When...Tree-huggers come to town to see live trees. When they drive through town they see dead trees headed for China. These highly mobile tourists can travel anywhere and spend where they feel appreciated. So long as we wave these dead trees in their faces they will buy elsewhere. It really is that simple. We need to decide pretty soon if we are going to be a city of tree-huggers or a city of tree killers. The tourists will decide if they want to spend their money where their intrinsic values are thwarted. Oh, by the way, it is the EDC that keeps the trees in your face. Their membership is highly reflective of the entrenched timber families. Ain't it good to know the county commission pays the EDC hundreds of thousands of YOUR tax dollars to kill the economy here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071606563611538039.post-79259463987665598952016-05-12T09:36:20.884-07:002016-05-12T09:36:20.884-07:00"Seems as though these photos were snapped to..."Seems as though these photos were snapped to support a predetermined narrative, rather than to present factual data. (Gottlieb much?)"<br /><br /> Look at the pictures again. How many people do you see? Do you think the actual swarms of people and cars were somehow photo-shopped out, to create the "..support for the predetermined narrative"? <br /><br /> I wasn't there to document the car show. Being "on time" for it wasn't on my agenda for the day.<br /><br /> I was driving through town on my way elsewhere, and was so amazed that the place was so quiet, that I parked on Front Street, got out, and walked around taking the pictures you see. <br /><br /> And, we all know this is true. We all see the downtown in ghost town mode often enough to know it isn't unusual. I was amazed because it was sunny, warm , Mothers Day AND the car show was going on, and STILL there were so few people around.<br /><br /> It seems I did document exactly the issue you raise: "the fact that not one downtown merchant made any sort of attempt to court this elusive foot traffic". Except, I think the problem with Port Angeles is more than that, and what we see is the symptom, not the disease.<br /><br /> Tyler Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071606563611538039.post-6679799056067591032016-05-11T10:24:06.784-07:002016-05-11T10:24:06.784-07:00But it sure works out great for the council's ...But it sure works out great for the council's masters, eh?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071606563611538039.post-53489129729171085292016-05-11T09:42:22.883-07:002016-05-11T09:42:22.883-07:00Whoa. What time were you down there? When were t...Whoa. What time were you down there? When were these photos taken? I hate downtown but I love old cars – I was there from about noon till a little before 3. I had to park in the lot by Mathew’s Glass, as the closer spaces were all taken. (I did get to move up later) I suppose we all define these things differently, but this was a fairly good turnout for a local, Make Specific car show this early in the season. Certainly there were more people and activity than depicted in these photos.<br /> Seems as though these photos were snapped to support a predetermined narrative, rather than to present factual data. (Gottlieb much?)<br /> Had your intrepid photographer been on time for the event, the pictures would have shown a pretty good crowd… and the REAL story would not have been about nonexistent people, but rather the fact that not one downtown merchant made any sort of attempt to court this elusive foot traffic. I’ve noticed this with other events downtown as well. They act as though full parking lots and people on the sidewalks are an inconvenience rather than an opportunity. I’ve taken to calling this phenomenon The Edna Effect.<br />WTF?https://www.blogger.com/profile/01234650931011514523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071606563611538039.post-41465048682862771262016-05-11T07:00:07.105-07:002016-05-11T07:00:07.105-07:00All those people coming to visit the park like liv...All those people coming to visit the park like live trees. When they drive through town all they see are dead trees. How long are they going to stay around for that sad irony? Why does Grant Munro have to stack all his dead trees right on the waterfront for all the tourist to see? Isn't there enough room at the airport. Stack them from one end of the runway to the other, no planes need the space. This town has to decide if it is going to cater to tree-huggers or tree killers. It really is that simple.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071606563611538039.post-39383912153760441372016-05-11T06:57:14.516-07:002016-05-11T06:57:14.516-07:00Looking for the power mongers? Look no further th...Looking for the power mongers? Look no further than the membership list of the Economic Development Council. They are the ones fighting to keep things just as they are because the old timber and associated businesses have done pretty good making fortunes off the back of low-wage, low-skilled, poorly educated citizens. The EDC will work feverishly to keep any new company from coming here if they pay a dime more than the entrenched slave-traders. Sadly, the county commission keeps dumping money on them and they keep driving away anyone who might challenge the status quo insofar as wages, improved training or anything that would increase the value of labor.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071606563611538039.post-52111378922064199952016-05-10T22:02:05.015-07:002016-05-10T22:02:05.015-07:00A city devoid of people. A city devoid of ideas th...A city devoid of people. A city devoid of ideas that work. A city devoid of anything that attracts people. <br /><br /> A city that has leadership more interested in defending what isn't working, than looking to solve the ongoing problems. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071606563611538039.post-64254493626737587092016-05-10T21:58:22.618-07:002016-05-10T21:58:22.618-07:00Hey Bif,
I sure understand your frustrat...Hey Bif,<br /><br /> I sure understand your frustration. A LOT of us are really frustrated with what has been going on here, for so long. <br /><br /> I don't think it is about lowering business taxes. Existing businesses are not being patronized. Creating an incentive to bring new businesses downtown doesn't mean any more people will be coming down town. Look at the pictures again.<br /><br /> People don't need incentives to sit on a beach on a sunny day. But the pictures show not a single person there. <br /><br /> People don't need incentives to go enjoy a park on a sunny weekend day, but we see not a single person enjoying the multi-million dollar the City built.<br /><br /> We don't even see people on the sidewalks. There are no cars parked on Front Street in those pictures, DURING a car show on the same street!<br /><br /> It is time to do some serious thinking. And, not the same old, same old. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071606563611538039.post-11195545877324292302016-05-10T19:02:31.838-07:002016-05-10T19:02:31.838-07:00THIS is Mayor Downie's "legacy". Tel...THIS is Mayor Downie's "legacy". Tell him that.<br />Everyone has their issues, and legacy is his these days.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071606563611538039.post-41393949900544575932016-05-10T17:02:37.390-07:002016-05-10T17:02:37.390-07:00Second time is the charm...Second time is the charm...Crypt Kickerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04560627730845451894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071606563611538039.post-53740109307286629532016-05-10T14:17:54.638-07:002016-05-10T14:17:54.638-07:00I believe one way to encourage people to come down...I believe one way to encourage people to come downtown is to cut the price of at least a first year business license to almost nothing. I think lowering business and property taxes in occupied zoned commercial buliding and raising them for the owners of unoccupied and un maintained buildings also makes sense. The more diverse and interesting businesses you have in one area the more people it will draw. In many public areas and parks they either do not have benches or other seating areas, public bathrooms or other things catering to the comfort of the crowds of people you wish to draw. They have removed seating areas to discourage the homeless residents from making themselves comfortable.They think the discomfort will drive away the homeless and it drives away everyone. I personally believe if you can draw everyone to common areas and there is alot going on, most all problems or discourse will naturally resolve its self without much effort. The areas we already have that might draw people are not well maintained . The city will build an entire new man made beach for millions of dollars but will not fix pier railings, the tower on the pier, put up spy glasses for the public, paint the thing or help maintain the marine wildlife center that exists there. It's just stupid stupid stupid!Bif nasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06270088486706957219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071606563611538039.post-13139725772652912592016-05-10T14:11:21.532-07:002016-05-10T14:11:21.532-07:00I believe one way to encourage people to come down...I believe one way to encourage people to come downtown is to cut the price of at least a first year business license to almost nothing. I think lowering business and property taxes in occupied zoned commercial buliding and raising them for the owners of unoccupied and un maintained buildings also makes sense. The more diverse and interesting businesses you have in one area the more people it will draw. In many public areas and parks they either do not have benches or other seating areas, public bathrooms or other things catering to the comfort of the crowds of people you wish to draw. They have removed seating areas to discourage the homeless residents from making themselves comfortable.They think the discomfort will drive away the homeless and it drives away everyone. I personally believe if you can draw everyone to common areas and there is alot going on, most all problems or discourse will naturally resolve its self without much effortBif nasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06270088486706957219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071606563611538039.post-90424193774873404672016-05-10T14:06:43.962-07:002016-05-10T14:06:43.962-07:00Of course photos of Port Angeles are depressing. P...Of course photos of Port Angeles are depressing. Port Angeles is depressing. This is the dying community our leaders have created. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071606563611538039.post-76302126385521187092016-05-10T11:59:15.112-07:002016-05-10T11:59:15.112-07:00I continue to feel compelled to suggest that citiz...I continue to feel compelled to suggest that citizens DO SOMETHING other than wait around until the next municipal election in Nov. 2017. There's alot of people here. Come down to city hall once in a while and give them an earful. When they see only a handful at their meetings, they interpret that as "We're doing great, let's keep the corruption going!"<br /><br />And dammit CK, we need THE LIST of powermongers around here so they can be harassed once in a while.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071606563611538039.post-1243718949238574512016-05-10T11:55:58.258-07:002016-05-10T11:55:58.258-07:00I think the OP may be giving Tom Harper too much c...I think the OP may be giving Tom Harper too much credit, if you know what I mean...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071606563611538039.post-42642718515617736912016-05-10T10:35:48.902-07:002016-05-10T10:35:48.902-07:00Every year you see fewer and fewer Esprit attendee...Every year you see fewer and fewer Esprit attendees in the downtown area and within the last few years PADA has been lukewarm about the Esprit convention. Obviously, if we can't get a major convention group to shop downtown, why should tourists or locals bother?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071606563611538039.post-84115093965984264522016-05-10T08:21:35.743-07:002016-05-10T08:21:35.743-07:00Port Angeles is SO depressing.Port Angeles is SO depressing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071606563611538039.post-83104157025589067692016-05-10T05:13:47.425-07:002016-05-10T05:13:47.425-07:00These pictures are SO depressing. These pictures are SO depressing. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071606563611538039.post-90728080262520043692016-05-09T19:39:02.203-07:002016-05-09T19:39:02.203-07:00@ Anon 1:07
Yes, you're right. Almost. The...@ Anon 1:07 <br /><br /> Yes, you're right. Almost. The reality is, as Tyler points out below, that hundreds and thousands of people are delivered into downtown Port Angeles every day, via the Coho Ferry. The ONP brings millions to the area. <br /><br /> We don't have to figure out how to "get people to come?" We have to figure out what it is virtually all of them see, that makes them leave as soon as possible. <br /><br /> And the Comprehensive Plan Update? With the Fluoride Four as the ultimate deciders? We saw how that works, the last time around, with Grant Munro and a similar city council. Look where we are today, as a result.<br /><br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071606563611538039.post-48277893383595624912016-05-09T17:14:41.782-07:002016-05-09T17:14:41.782-07:00Ouch!Ouch!Crypt Kickerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04560627730845451894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071606563611538039.post-56178610140141160472016-05-09T17:14:29.427-07:002016-05-09T17:14:29.427-07:00Good point - thanks!Good point - thanks!Crypt Kickerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04560627730845451894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071606563611538039.post-23251679797215982532016-05-09T17:14:03.953-07:002016-05-09T17:14:03.953-07:00Thank you for your efforts, and your comments, Tyl...Thank you for your efforts, and your comments, Tyler. This is a conversation that needs to be held in every home and every governing office in Port Angeles. (But STOP the spendthrift spending first.)Crypt Kickerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04560627730845451894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071606563611538039.post-43284906430455423472016-05-09T16:41:29.515-07:002016-05-09T16:41:29.515-07:00Who owns the Maurice's building?
Is the owner...Who owns the Maurice's building? <br />Is the owner offering the meeting space for free, or is the city paying for it? If the city is paying to use the meeting space, why? It already is costly and time consuming to have staff (and consultants) set up/take down and work off site.<br />If the topic is mainly about Holiday Beach and the pier, and there is no free space available at City Hall or the Vern Burton, why not have the meeting at the Fiero Center or the wonderful Gateway Center? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071606563611538039.post-54580589494979096512016-05-09T13:07:49.267-07:002016-05-09T13:07:49.267-07:00So the question begged is how do you get people to...So the question begged is how do you get people to come? Kind of like all the city workshops that are under attended, whether the comprehensive plan update or city pier. Lots of On line whining, wailing, and gnashing of teeth, but at last Planning Commission dealing with Comprehensive Plan update total public turnout - 1 person. Come on down. All welcome. No 3 minute public comment restriction.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071606563611538039.post-83493492258322285032016-05-09T12:35:30.592-07:002016-05-09T12:35:30.592-07:00Let's not forget that yesterday when these pic...Let's not forget that yesterday when these pics were taken was also the first day of Esprit this year. That means that scores of Esprit attendees and their significant others would have been coming into town. Not that you see any evidence of that in these stark and depressing pictures. There's scant evidence of any sort of human habitation at all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com