If not, you might want to get down to the City Council meeting tonight, where the Council is set to talk about repealing their self-imposed term limits that currently restrict people to three consecutive terms.
Now, in the spirit of full disclosure, I have to state that I personally don't support the idea of term limits. Voters are, in theory, all grown up, and should be able to make decisions like these for themselves. If they don't understand the graft, corruption and deep-brain paralysis that can settle in on politicians serving endless terms, well then, they should pay closer attention. (And it's fascinating how poll after poll seems to show widespread support among voters for term limits - but they always tend to vote their incumbent back in.)
However, in Port Angeles, given the already systemic constipation and corruption we face, the thought of unlimited terms strikes me as very much not a good idea. Given the well-known advantages incumbents (even lousy ones) have when running for office, if this change goes through, it might even tempt Larry Williams to move back. Even if that weren't the case, the notion of potentially having Mayor DiGuilio for life and Councilor Cherie Kidd for decades isn't pretty.
I have always lived in the castle...And hope that I always will...
What about you? Do you support term limits in general? Do you support term limits in Port Angeles? Is this the City's idea of an April Fools joke? YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN...Seeing the City Council agree that, because the City screwed up in planning how to refund utility taxes, they are going to give Nippon $200,000.
Per the Council meeting package for tonight, the City's own memo states (with emphasis added):
During the claim evaluation and subsequent negotiations, it became apparent there are issues the City should address in the near future. First, our current Industrial Transmission rate ordinance should be clarified to eliminate any future uncertainty about calculation of the rate or the utility tax. Second, the City should have prepared a full Cost of Service Analysis of the Industrial Transmission rate class. A full COSA has not previously been done for this rate class. The COSA would provide objective information for City Council to evaluate and, if appropriate, to be used to change the change the rate calculation methodology for the IT electric rate class. The cost of the COSA is a cost to be allocated in the costs assigned to the industrial transmission customer that are then used to determine proposed rates to be charged. If the settlement agreement is approved, staff will begin work on both of these issues in the near future.
In other words, they should have had information ahead of time - and didn't - but went ahead and made decisions anyway. Nippon cried foul, and, to make them feel good about everything, the City is going to fork over $200,000. Well, actually, Nippon gets the money (within ten business days) and the citizens of Port Angeles get the fork - again.
But once the Council approves this huge payout, City staff will "begin work" on making sure something like this never happens again.
Sure.
Given the Councils we've been stuck with, I might even support a one-term limit.
ReplyDeleteAnd you have to love how city staff always refers to Nippon as "the industrial customer," as if it's not obvious it's Nippon. I think they believe this semantic nicety will help obscure the fact that the city, for all intents and purposes, is in Nippon's pocket.
It would be nice to know which of our current council members are advocating for changing the way things are done, so as to know without a doubt who to vote against in the future. The last thing we need in Port Angeles is MORE dead wood, and MORE stagnation, and MORE of the same old same old.
ReplyDeleteThis seems to me to be a very cynical move by the city council.
If I trusted city staff to get things right, I would expect that they would have gotten it right the first time.
ReplyDeleteGiven how many times staff have messed things up accidentally or on purpose, they have no credibility at all. None. The only way they will "fix" things is to continue to make sure the fix is in for Nippon and others with the "most favored" designation.
Nippon, Exceltech, Primo, etc. We all know who benefits here.
Seems to me that, if we really want to move into the future, it's a bad idea to create a situation in which we can just keep dragging the past along with us.
ReplyDeleteOn the term limits issue, I'm against them. As you say, CK, voters are all grown up now, and hopefully understand what they are voting on.
ReplyDeleteDo I actually believe that? No way. I won't bother wasting our time listing all the examples I alone can think of to show why I think most voters (and we know MOST people don't even BOTHER to vote) succomb to the crap put out during the election cycles, and just facilitate the very problems we talk about.
So, I think if people are not going to do the work it takes to understand the issues, or know who they are voting for, then they deserve the results. Back to " We have the community we create, and the government we allow. Not my job to protect peopple from their own stupidity. Or laziness.
And, the Nippon cash payout is yet another great example of THE problem in Port Angeles. STAFF that didn't do the required work before the action. STAFF that advised the City Council to approve the ordinance that was flawed, and seemingly didn't know it. Council members that didn't understand what they were voting on, but approved it anyways.
Cut and paste to every other "problem" Port Angeles resisdents are now paying millions for. The Turd Tank, Graving Dock, Landfill bluff, Gateway, etc, etc, etc.
While I agree with your assessment of the staff problem being perhaps THE problem, it's a tricky one to get at from the voter's perspective. It involves a number of interlocking steps that are kind of hard to coordinate.
DeleteAs a voter, I'd have to convey to city council candidates that I think city staff are a problem. Since council members have no hiring/firing ability with any staff members other than the city manager, they'd probably be wary of saying or committing to too much in terms of staff issues.
But, let's say you did get them to agree that staff failures are a huge concern (as so many made clear when Cutler was on staff), and let's say that you even get them to commit to pressing the issue with the city manager - which is a tricky spot for them to be in, legally and otherwise.
But let's say even further that they actually did talk to the city manager about staff issues. We'd still have to depend on two more steps: That the city manager would have the intelligence and courage to actually fire people; and that they would have the intelligence and integrity to hire good, professional, qualified people to replace them.
That's a lot of steps, and it could break down at any point. I'm not saying it can't be done, but I think you'll agree it's a sticky situation. It's no excuse but, between all that and the abuse you take if you do try to make changes, it's not hard to fathom why 99% of the people who get elected end up simply filling chairs and rubber-stamping staff initiatives.
isn't the "staff" covered by some union contracts?
DeleteFrom the city website: The City of Port Angeles has five unions with the following bargaining unit contracts:
IAFF, Firefighters
Teamsters, Police Commissioned Officers
Teamsters, Police Non-Commissioned Officers
AFSCME, professional and clerical
IBEW, electrical workers and mechanics
So, how do you fire someone with the AFSCME backing them? "AFSCME is the nation’s largest and fastest growing public services employees union" To fire an employee you have to show just cause.....and I'm going to suspect that the city doesn't keep very good records nor evaluate the employees in any measurable way. Good luck firing them.
If you recall the last election, 3 Council Members ran unopposed. No one is stepping up to the plate and challenging the status quo. There is no infusion of new people and ideas. This is the situation in Port Angeles. The system is broken, and not just with the City Council, this also extends to PA United and beyond. What is needed is a grass roots movement that represents the silent majority and goes after the fat and incompetence in a systematic and organized manner. Because no one or group has been able to do this yet, we continue to see the same people and incompetence reign supreme. We should not be surprised by this. Ultimately, creative solutions are needed. What would it require of us to take back our community? It surely needs to happen.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you completely - but - how do we get there?
DeleteWhen Max Mania ran for City Council, it was clear the local power structure didn't take him seriously. Then, when he WON, and started asking questions, and trying to follow the money, they realized he was setting a bad precedent, and set out to destroy him. Cue Brooke Nelson's email snooping and the totally bogus "ethics" complaint - "Max is trying to wreck our city by engaging the people in local politics." Now, that's not quite how Brooke phrased it, but it's what she meant.
So Max and Dale, understandably, get sick of being targets for abuse and leave. Who can blame them? And who has stepped up in their places? No one, right? Three unopposed races. Three out of four. That's pretty staggering - and very revealing.
My point is that the crooked locals who've been holding the reins of power will fight to the death to maintain that grip. They will attack, smear and tear down anyone who tries to really change things. Who wants to sign up for THAT? To judge by the last election, not many.
So again, I agree with what you say, and what needs to happen - but how do we get there? Is it possible here? Is this place worth the fight? Or is the smart thing to do what Max and Dale and so many others did, and just find a better, saner community to live in?
Like many, I think, I'm really struggling with this.
I don't think that it is all that hard. One easy step is the electoral process. We need to show up, and participate.
DeleteAs we all know, the way existing "candidates forums" are run is a complete waste of time. The candidates show up with their scripts, and they prattle off their safe non controversial blather.
But, we can demand more. We can stand up and say "Unless you start talking about specific things YOU are going to DO to address SPECIFIC problems, NOW, I'm not only NOT voting for you, I'm walking out of this meeting." Multiplied by MANY. Show up at the City Council meetings en masse, and demand SPECIFICS.
We can only blame Cherie, Danny Boy and Downie so much. "We" elected them, and "we" don't demand much from them.
Raise the issues about staff screwing up, indebting the residents, and there being no consequences for their inept failures. Ask the Council WHAT are they going to do, to address this. As noted above, the Nippon payout is yet another clear example of staff screwing up, and residents paying for it.
Take action.
I agree that "we" do need to take action. But unless some of "us" run for office ourselves, we will be trapped in a cycle of recycling the do-nothing fools and crooks we have now - especially if they get rid of their term limits.
DeleteI'd be happy to run, but I don't want to get involved in the politics of the town. Don't want to put posters on sticks all over town. I really would like to refrain from spending my money on such things. Think I could still get elected?
DeleteThe one who holds the key on web sites like this, PA unearthed, run by Crypt Kicker, Harper, ( one and the same?) D. Wilson, and contributors like ronnie and lots of “anonymous” others ??, that allows only what fits their unknown agenda, can sure do damage to our town. They must feel power from the release of their nasty comments about others. Heavy psychology here. Small minds, clandestine wishes they could hold an important position themselves but could never make the grade. These blogs must be a real high for them. The sad thing is many good people that could help our town will now shy away for stepping forward into this area of social warfare in these blogs. What long term good can any of this nasty word exchange do for PA. I have yet to read any solid ideas to improve the economic picture. Wood pellets was suggested but there have been many studies on this in the past. Its not profitable. Period. Maybe the ED money now spent by the 25 ED entities should be used to look at the wealth leaving our town for imported goods and services and study which ones could be made here. The recirculation of money would grow jobs and lift he boat. Could I hear an AMEN and see agreement on this concept from this blogs viewers? and others? It would be a positive step YES NO?
ReplyDeleteRight, I only allow what "fits my unknown agenda" on here. THAT'S WHY I KEPT YOUR COMMENT FROM BEING PUBLISHED. Right? Oh, oops.
DeleteMeanwhile, your suggestion that a blog or two can do more damage to Port Angeles than the incompetent and immoral crooks that have run it for years is laughable on its face. As is the suggestion that a blog or two, where people can freely express their concerns or upset, is somehow more damaging to a community than a newspaper that boldly lies, distorts and ignores important local news.
Please feel free to respond, if you like. But remember that free speech goes both ways. We're all free to disagree with each other, right? The only hidden or open agenda here is to try and expose the real and destructive inner workings of a town that clearly doesn't work well. Informed criticism is an important part of the discussion, in my opinion. But I realize that your opinion may differ on that subject.
Dear Annoyamoose: The first step in real change is awareness. I think of these blogs as facilitators to help foster awareness which will, hopefully, lead to meaningful change. I agree that criticism alone will not lead to positive outcomes . . . nor do I think the majority of commenters believe that. Many people in Port Angeles feel left out and that their voice doesn't count. This blog is one place where people's opinion count and hopefully, this will lead to something productive. The truth is, many good ideas have come before our "leaders", only to be ignored or discounted. This is unacceptable. There should be outrage and pushback . . . that would be a healthy response to the crap we've seen from our "leaders".
DeleteDon't disagree with any of your comments. I am trying to find something positive and you are not willing to post it Your censorship and selectively choosing NOT to post my criticism of you site, is not free press is it. Either you open your blog up to everyone or it reveals to all that you are FITTING YOUR Posts to your AGENDA, right? You can't posit both ways
Deleteant mouse...you really sound crazy. You sound just like Peter Ripley......
Delete@ Anon 10:29 Thank you for your comments. It shows why Port Angeles remains as it is, stuck in a place that clearly doesn't work, and hasn't worked for years.
DeleteYou seem to honestly believe that it is the fault of "social warfare in these blogs" that so many storefronts in downtown Port Angeles are empty, and that residents have been saddled with back breaking debt!
You don't seem to have a problem with the existence of 25 Economic Development groups, spending a combined total of $5 million a year that not only show NO results in 10 years, but in fact, the areas' economy has declined during that same time.
Do you blame the "nasty word exchange" for the City staff now coming up with even more ways to increase the amount of taxes they demand from residents?
Again, I sincerely thank you for your comments. They reveal clearly what the problem is.
In any issue, you will never get 100% agreement. Politics in the US have been cleverly and expertly manipulated by highly paid consultants to intentionally play upon peoples' fears and insecurities. Campaigns are no longer about specifics. In fact, candidates intentionally stay away from staking out a clear position, for fear of alienating a potential voter.
So, we have evolved into a polarized society that has self-righteous camps based upon a heavy dose of "the Big Conspiracy". You speak of an "unknown agenda" that "can sure do damage to our town." Never mind the realities of what ACTUALLY has transpired. What has ACTUALLY been discussed on this blog of interested and concerned people.
As has been said by many before me: You can't fix the problem until you know what it is.
He does have a certain Ripley-like feel. But since he hasn't used the phrase "unfunded mandate" or talked about building an island off the coastline, I don't think it actually is Peter.
DeleteAnnoyamoose has informed me that he/she/it will no longer be gifting us with their presence.
DeletePlease be brave, and try to carry on.
Thanks for keeping this forum troll-free. Their presence is not missed.
DeleteSo Annoyamoose...I hate to point it out to you, since you keep harping on how your comments here are censored, but...Your comments are being published here. Allowed. Enabled. Posted. Call it what you like, but there they are. I know I'm not the only one seeing them, because other people are responding to them. So where is the censorship?
ReplyDeleteI'm reminded of the old Redd Foxx joke: Who are you going to believe, me, or your lying eyes? All I'd recommend is that you work on your typing skills, so whatever it is you're trying to say is a little clearer.
Now, in response to whatever it is you're trying to say - aside from the bizarre claims of being censored here - all I'll say is that I agree with what Anonymous 11:44AM said. They summed it up beautifully.
CK are you kidding? Redd Foxx! Had to google that one. How the hell old and senile are you anyway? We're all betting you dated C Kidd back in the 50's? when she had that photo taken. Right? What a Hottie she was. Probably a long lost love, so you hate her now? LOL
DeleteRichard Pryor stole it from Redd Foxx. I have no idea who Redd Foxx stole it from. The classics never die.
DeleteExcuse me, 2:47...who doesn't know who Redd Foxx is? You must not be a student of comedy. Even a 20 year old knows who this great comedian is.
DeleteMany good people with needed talents and useful ideas will hide from PA because these blogs are so negative. I find it strange that there has been no replies to the idea of spending the $2.4 M on reversing the exiting of money for goods and services now imported by our citizens. Anybody out there have an opinion how how much money this is? Millions I would guess. Are their risk takers in PA that will start a business replacing goods and services now being imported. The out flow of this wealth can be reversed if we build a nurturing city that promotes business startups. Yes that means an overhaul of many city policies and admin and staff. So be, the price of progress. Who would want to old a public office in PA anymore after the nasty words against those who have do so in the past, some successful and many were not in doing lasting good for PA , but they tried .. Where is Superman/woman when we need him? God bless PA it needs it
ReplyDelete@ Annoyamoose.
DeleteYou seem to forget the last 10 years or so. The last 10 years or so where supposed civic leaders have stepped up, taken millions in taxpayer money, and produced nothing.
These same "civic leaders" were not "shy" in luring the State to come to Port Angeles to build the Graving Dock. Say anything, as long as we can get all that easy State tax money flowing to the right people, right? Who cares about the upset it created? Who cares that NO ONE was fired, or demoted, or saw ANY penalties from that fiasco.
Or the insanity of HarborWorks. Are we supposed to praise these same "civic leaders" for spending millions to try a get developers to come build on yet another First Nations village, during the worst financial meltdown since the Great Depression?
When is it appropriate to point out "wrong"? When will there be consequences for destroying Port Angeles? How will Port Angeles lure new businesses and residents, with such a high tax/debt burden?
You don't seem to have a problem blaming all the concerned people who post on these blogs for the bad situation Port Angeles is in these days. You seem to think trying to understand who got us into this mess is a bad thing.
BTW, where does the $2.4 million figure you state come from? Who is spending $2.4 million, on what, that you say should be "reversed".
Forget it, Anon 3:05PM. That annoyamoose fool is just a local troll with time to spare and nothing to do but post utter nonsense.
DeleteYour points are all good ones; his points are nonexistent. You're contributing intelligently to the dialogue; he's just trying to stir things up for his own amusement.
Oh, to live in a world without trolls.
Thanks. I recognized them as a troll by their references. BUT, I am curious about this $2.4 million figure. I've never seen this number used in these discussions, but the troll used it out of the blue. This leads me to think the troll WAS someone who is involved in the city, chamber or?
DeleteI am still waiting for good workable ideas to create jobs and to improve the quality of life here in PA. All you give back is criticism of my efforts and others. Nice to see you AGREE with 11:44. I did not think you had it in you. That's progress Still waiting for good ideas.... Must not be anyone out there that has one or two. Oh it is easier to criticize and more fun too it seems. You can't Fix the problem until you know what it is? this all ya got. What are your workable ideas to find "the problem". Lets start with some real ideas not old slogans
ReplyDelete"Criticism of your efforts"? Uh, we don't know who you are, or what your efforts are, so...I don't see anyone being able to criticize these things. Right?
DeleteAnd again, your poor spelling and random capitalization Of Words and improper punctuation mark you as someone who is, at the very least, lazy in your communications. If you take more care with what you are writing, then you will be perceived as more credible. But if you just keep sending in the same nonsense over and over, with the same illiterate feel...That's all she wrote, y'know?
If this dumbkauf keeps sending in the same whiny, rambling posts over and over again, I'd say cut him loose. No need to feed the trolls here.
DeleteJust one person's opinion.
Dear Annoying Moose....there are no workable ideas, the town needs a major overhaul. Quality of life is not getting better because we're all saddled with debt, and struggling to pay our power bills. Can't get many interested in spending more money here, getting corporate sponsorship, or even find industry because we're so far off the beaten path. Tourism is our only hope, only with such poor leadership, and so many competing groups...it is doomed. It's possible that we cannot fix the problem. It is really POSSIBLE there is no way out because of the multitude of idiotic things which have already been done.
DeleteAnnoy a mouse is probably Cutler. Now that he's retired he has nothing else to do but hang out and troll online.
Delete@Anon 5:29
DeleteWhat about a group of sustainable businesses on the former Pen Ply site? Ones that employ local people, use local resources, and provide goods and services for locals?
Anonymous 10:23PM - Yeah, what about it? Do you see any legitimate business people or investors who are interested in Port Angeles or the old Pen Ply site?
DeleteI didn't think so. I mean, there's no reason I can see for such people to want anything to do with the whacked and wrecked pit that is Port Angeles. And that goes double if they really are focused of being sustainable. This town is openly hostile to anything that's truly green.
Anonymous 10:23 PM: Do you really trust this city or the Port to make smart or transparent decisions regarding the old Pen Ply site? Really?
DeleteLook at how they're clearly doing all sorts of behind the scenes wheeling and dealing (thanks, Dan Gase) regarding the Oak St. property. As others have pointed out, it certainly looks like the city is basically agreeing to lease (which is to say subsidize) the new development, even though there is no proven market for it, and even though it will compete with existing (and struggling) local businesses.
Does that sound smart to you? To use your word, does that sound sustainable to you?
Our local leaders just keep throwing hundred dollar bills out the window, hoping they'll catch a twenty dollar bill on the way back in. They have no business sense, no plan to guide them, and are remarkable easy marks for conmen and crackpot schemes.
None of that is sustainable, in any way. It's economic suicide.
As anonymous 7:35 AM points out, there don't seem to be any PRIVATE investors showing interest in economic development here. That's because they know Port Angeles is a bad investment. And it's a bad investment because the people in charge have been stupid, shortsighted and pennywise, pound foolish.
Sounds about as smart to me as paying a million dollars for a waterfront Turd Tank.
DeleteReferencing the PenPly site is problematic if you're going to also invoke the concept of sustainability. Remember, the PenPly site is where something like $1,000,000 of our tax dollars went to die - all thanks to the same people you're hoping will get it right this time.
DeleteDon't hold your breath waiting for brilliance to break out in city hall, at the port, or on the PenPly site, any time soon.
No, I'm not waiting for anything from City Hall. I was referencing the proposal that I saw that was put together by a group of people. Had nothing to do with the same old fools.
DeleteI don't think we have to wait for "them". We can do things in our community, and not wait for their approval, right?
"Saw Blade" Lumens is certainly ramping up his bona fides to be a candidate for the next available City Council seat. His work with PADA, his support of the PA United and his inane boosterism show he's willing to go along to get along, not ask questions, not disturb the status quo and generally do what the backroom bosses tell him to do. He'll be a worthy successor to "Rerun" Di Guilio or "Ding-a-ling" Kidd.
ReplyDeleteCherie brings cinnamon rolls to meetings; Bob could bring carmel apples.
DeleteIs everybody happy? It's another GREAT day in Port Angeles!
Great? Grating!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThanks to the sad soul who sent in so many (nearly 20!) taunting messages in the last few hours. It's funny how you think this blog is so bad, but spend so much time sending me messages. But you know, they don't really add anything to the conversation, so they aren't making it on here.
DeleteBut I will summarize for everyone: I'm a loser, and this blog sucks and the poster is sure glad they aren't me and that they don't suck.
There you go. Now, carry on.
Crypt Kicker....awww, shucks, you have an admirer/stalker. Lucky you.
DeleteEverybody needs a hobby, even sad and lonely shut-ins.
DeleteThis payout to Nippon is just disgusting. First, they use millions and millions of American tax dollars to help pay for their biomass plant, which will pollute American lungs while sending the profits it generates back to Japan. And Nippon, which is already quite a wealthy company, thank you very much, badgers and demands this money, even though they know it will come out of the pockets of our local citizens.
ReplyDeleteIn the big scheme of things, $200,000 is nothing to Nippon. But $200,000 divided by about 7500 ratepayers is a big deal.
Nippon continues to exploit and rape Port Angeles, with the consent and help of the City Council. This is NOT how the system of governance is supposed to work.
Any word on how the meeting went last night? I'd be stunned if the Council didn't just hand over the money to Nippon. Like the previous poster said, the Council hands over and asks the citizens of Port Angeles to bend over. Disgusting situation.
DeleteSo, is our new Eterna-Life City Council installed yet?
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of City Hall, stupidity, and potential big payouts...I see on the city's website that Teresa Pierce is still listed as Deputy Clerk for the city. What gives with that? I thought she was "too damaged" to work because of the "harassment" she supposedly suffered. And I thought she had run out of sick days, vacation days, etc. So what gives?
ReplyDeleteShe has always been "to damaged"....
ReplyDeleteFunny how it's silence... how much do you think she's going to get in settlement?