I was really struck by the pain and disappointment in the comment below, which was posted yesterday on the previous subject:
I really hate this place. Always have. We moved here because my wife's mother lived here. We sold our place and moved here. She is dead now. We are stuck with a property that has seen deteriorating value since 2005. No jobs for what I know how to do. (Machining, International Trade and another). We have seen companies get lured here only to find out there is not much help in infrastructure and then they back out. Tourism...blah, blahh, blahh. Big mistake for us. I love the beauty but you can't pay the bills looking at a lake. Meth heads, shops that are never open on weekends or after 5. Diversity? Oh, we have a record number of crappy restaurants and only 2 or 3 decent ones. An over the top bureaucracy of paper shufflers. A closed off mentality of the locals and a red neck population that still think that logging is still a viable employment opportunity. Increasing utility rates, etc...Big mistake. Don't ever move here.
I've literally been there and felt that. Finally, it became clear that my health, happiness and quality of life were worth whatever it took to get out of Port Angeles - not to mention it seemed like it would be easier to find work pretty much anywhere else. So I sold the house at a huge loss, and got out.
And now, though I'm in the process of repairing the financial damage done to me by living in Port Angeles, my life is infinitely better in every way - socially, culturally, environmentally, physically. I have a good job, of a type that could never exist in Port Angeles (you know, technology), and have found a community that is actually functional, and that provides pretty much everything that Port Angeles and Clallam County lacked, and will lack for the foreseeable future.
So, escape is possible, even when you're taking it in the shorts to get out. That being the case, the question I have for people like the poster above is...Why stay? Why don't you do whatever it takes to get out? Life is too short to live in Port Angeles. And even if you're going to struggle, financially or otherwise, well, there are much nicer places to struggle.
Obviously, even in the best of times, life can be hard, can have challenges - but why pile living in Port Angeles on top of that?
Both you and the quoted poster are correct in one thing: You should do everything in your power to stay away from here. Your feelings ARE your feelings and life is too short not to be true to yourself. While true for you, they are not necessarily true for anyone else (and definitely not for EVERYONE else). In my view, most of the problems we face in the Port Angeles area are attributable to making the transition from a long-time economy based on the extraction of forests and fish, to "something" else. To be clear, the wood products industry still provides a good living for some people, just not as many as before and certainly not enough to be the major driver of our economy, as it once was. Nobody has a clear vision about what the "something" else is going to be, or even can be. Realtors thought we were going to be the Retirement destination of choice, but we are only one of many who profited from a short term bubble of baby-boom retirees that are dying much faster than we are being replaced. Tourism is nice, but is also not going to drive an economic recovery. Young people cannot afford to live here, as our (now dwindling) retirement industry drove up property prices and there are fewer and fewer family wage jobs available to help them to afford the cost. Manufacturing can't come here, as transportation costs to get the raw materials here, and the finished products to customers (major population centers) are too high to make us competitive. We have great access to shipping, with a great, deep water port, but what do we ship? The change in State Law, 20 + years ago, that forbids DNR timber from being exported, means log ships are limited to taking private timber (which is a small % of what we see around us) was supposed to help the local mills, but transportation costs (again) and low demand for their finished products is killing them. It is a very difficult series of problems to overcome, and is being faced by many, many rural communities all over the western U.S. If we can't grow the economy, then we must shrink the population to the level that can be supported by the economy we can continue to generate. That is the way it has always been, it is happening here as we speak. People who hate it here should leave first.
ReplyDeleteSo, how does the fact that the biggest employer in Port Angeles is the government, factor into your views?
DeleteYou see that shrinking our population so that we are ever more dependent on government payrolls are a solution? How does that work?
You have said it very astutely. If I could leave now I would. Thank You.
DeleteThe post you cite sounds like one that might have been written by a couple of people I know. So many people who move to Port Angeles for similar reasons. To be with elderly parents, but then get trapped here.
ReplyDeleteAlso in the previous thread, a comment from someone apparently blaming those that complain for the problems in Port Angeles. Although I really dislike the analogy, it IS a bit like blaming the rape victim for the abuse they've endured.
Why stay? Speaking for myself, I barely do. Most of my time is spent traveling, and I return to Port Angeles for short stays. My place is outside city limits, and I limit my engagement in anything to do with Port Angeles.
I am truly saddened by what I see when I return. People so beaten down by an absurd reality, they support ridiculous proposals put forth by locals. If they are involved at all. Most accept Port Angeles as the way things are. Maybe no hope things could be different. Better.
In an interview on the radio this morning, a person said a Rip Van Winkle waking up in America from a 15 year slumber would not recognize the America we now live in. This is so true.
You did the right thing. Move.
Thank you. Yes, that was me posting the "can't pay bills looking at a lake". Thanks for the encouragement to find the clarity to put into action our eventual departure. This was a short rant but there are many more. I read with curiosity and also some sadness about the bitter discourse between Judge Porter and Cathy Marshall. I am friends with some of the local legal counsel in town and they, for the most part, despise Porter but only in private conversation between each other. They too feel bullied by Herr Porter and do not wish the silent wrath of him and his minions. The City Prosecutor also goes along with Porter's agenda of falsely inflating the coffers with needless fines and penalties of minor crimes. Mr. Cowgill has shown he is one of Porter's "boys" religiously. (pun intended) As you may know, the city is strewn with "stenciled" crudely made signs for Porter everywhere. His tactic for re-election seems to be to overwhelm and shout loudly about him being "tough on crime". Pity the busker who happens to play a horn on the street for change. It is illegal to do this (horns and such) in the City and you will be ticketed. Even the ukelele or flute player (a horn) with very little impact in decibel ratings gets the big frown. "Get a job you loser", seems to be the thinking of the general populace. OK, what jobs? I see where ACTI (Angeles Composite Tech, Inc) outlasted the push to be unionized and the workers gave up their quest to do this by ACTI stalling to come to terms for over 2 years. Starting pay for a composite lay out tech is $11/hr. They must have some training and a ridiculous probation period to be eligible for any benefits, plus be available to work any and all hours. Shame on Gregoire and Murray for being fooled in giving this rip-off company grant money for supposed "livable wage" jobs. Yes, there are a few real jobs at ACTI but they rarely come available and guess what? Usually are given to those they know. The rare ones that come from elsewhere and have to move here for usually less pay, but with the "joy" of having that lake to look at. I have enjoyed this blog ever since I found it as it is exactly how I feel for the most part. I still regret the move here and hope to get my mind erased of this place.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for writing again, and please do know that I really do feel for you and your situation. I know I spent years feeling trapped, miserable, etc. Like I said elsewhere, life can be a challenge no matter where you are, but now I at least face that challenge on the foundation of a functional community. That makes a huge difference.
DeleteI've always said that the only mistake is not learning from your mistakes. So, in that sense, living in Port Angeles was a big learning experience. I've learned all kinds of mistakes that I won't make again. With that in mind, I can't imagine ever even simply spending a day visiting Port Angeles. But I continue to urge my friends there to join me in the real, happier outside world. Those who have done so have also found increased happiness and opportunity.
May those blessings also come your way. Best of luck to you and yours.
All my best to the original poster. If it's any consolation to you, you're not alone. I know a large number of people who feel trapped here, for a variety of reasons. Some have kids in school, some have underwater mortgages, etc. I think it's safe to say we all feel depressed and suckered on some level. Good intentions and all that...
ReplyDeleteDamn the place.Only I love the area..n
DeleteI try to stay out of downtown, away from "events" and just tend to my life, and what I do for a living (which enables me to work at home). However, the rising utility rates are killing me, and the property valuations are insane, the attitudes at city hall are downright rude. It has all gone down hill in the last 15 years, or so. This place once had a glimmer of hope, but now it's over-run with religious zealots and meth heads (and some meth head religious zealots, too, I'm sure). The overall IQ has fallen, and the more interesting people are either hiding out, or they've left the area. The few nice things in the area, are great, but the bad things are many. I am probably like a lot of other people -- isolated, and keep to myself, basically keeping my head down and avoiding all contact with the "locals" and their kind. As long as I don't mingle with the masses, I'm fine. Otherwise, I have to deal with the vexation of suffering the fools (and morons).
ReplyDeleteOkay, well, if you folks who are "stuck" here would put your shoulder to the wheel and move this town forward we might devise a future better than the recent past. Sure there are hucksters. Sure they get far more resources than deserved. Sure there are those who would suck the life-blood out of a community but it is largely due to this "get out at all cost" mentality. Some of us choose to stay and fight. Join the throng. There are enough to right this ship if they will get involved, vote with passion and support good ideas that occasionally burble up from the community.
ReplyDeleteIf you are going get out. If you are trapped or if you just choose to stick around then get involved and "show up."
We've been showing up and fighting for years, and nothing has changed. Good leaders get elected, then get stymied and driven away. No businesses will touch this place for any reason. No one will invest here, other than in insane public works projects like the Turd Tank.
DeleteYour post sounds painfully naïve, and I do mean painful. Many of us have been feeling that pain for years and years. It's not wrong to want to get away from the pain.
"Put your shoulder to the wheel and move this town forward"?? Where have you been for the last 15 years or so?
DeleteWhere you around when a crew of little old ladies walked the streets of Port Angeles during the cold and rainy months to collect signatures for a petition? The City responded by suing them!
"Join the throng"? Have you gone to any of the meetings organized by people wanting to change things here, recently? Out of a population of around 18,000, maybe 20 people show up.
"Sure there are those who would suck the life-blood out of a community but it is largely due to this "get out at all cost" mentality." What?? Are you serious??
If you really think the problems that have made Port Angeles the back-water sink hole it has become are the results of people who have become disillusioned and want a better life for themselves and their families, I'll guarantee you're headed up a very steep hill in your efforts to change things.
The people you're blaming are the very people who have gotten off their asses, and tried to change things. It is from their hands-on personal experience that they now understand the solution is to move away from the sink hole.
But, there are many ways to live a life. Good luck with your efforts.
A sad commentary indeed.
ReplyDeleteIt's my understanding that Kenmore Air is leaving in two (2) weeks (just came down to local management in the last day).
So it's just getting better an better.
don't let the door hit Kenmore in the ass. Their prices were ridiculous, and their schedules insane. Whatever. I'm not paying 2x the price of my airfare to the rest of the country to fly on their puddle jumpers. Driving and parking is less than 1/4 the cost of a round trip ticket PLUS the outrageous Port parking fees. Let them suck eggs. The Port has it's head-up-it's-ass about fees, and they can live with it, let them have a nice big empty building (remodeled to 1970's styles in the 1990's). Meanwhile, screw "shoulder to the wheel" nonsense. I've put money into this town. I've put energy into promoting candidates, and trying to make it work. All I end up with is empty pockets and remorse at wasting my time. The town is insolvent. It should go bankrupt and let the state step in, and we should re-boot. Period. Meanwhile, I can't WAIT for the old timers who own the downtown buildings to die -- so the buildings will be sold by their greedy children, and rents can FINALLY come down, and let some new blood take over. In fact, let a lot of the old timers drop dead, and MAYBE this town will have a chance. Or, better, a tsunami, or nice fire to take out down town. This place is doomed..
ReplyDeleteThere's change in the air, can't you smell it? The rats are turning on each other. Porter took out an ad in Stan Myers' name and Myers is pist. Brewer ran the ad knowing it wasn't really endorsed by Myers. Porter is circling the drain and so is Brewer. Change is a-comin, yall, stick around.
ReplyDeleteMyers v Porter and PDN gotta love it.
We've been smelling that "change" in the air for over a decade now - only nothing has changed at all, except for things to get worse. I think that smell is probably coming from the Nippon plant. Once they "change" over into being a full-time power plant and close the mill, they'll "change" 90% of their employees into the unemployed.
DeleteThere's hope. Next November there will be 3 seats up for election on the Port Angeles City Council. If we get 3 progressives and can work with one other already sitting on the council we can stop the nonsense and stop the bleeding. We can also fire all the "staff" that put these big ticket items in front of a trusting council and start from a realistic position. Figure out where we are (broke) and figure out where we are going (either bankruptcy or receivership) either is preferable to what we have now--blind allegiance to staff who continue to clamor for more personnel, more equipment, more grants etc etc. Set your sights on November of 15. That is our last best hope. If we go into receivership then all our city debt suddenly becomes county debt. county debt becomes state debt and so on.
DeleteThere's hope? Your hope is predicated on a whole series of very large "ifs."
DeleteIF we can find people to run.
IF they can win.
IF they can govern.
IF they do what you propose, then we'll have to see IF it plays out the way you say it would.
And then wait to see IF that would solve all the problems here.
Your hope is the same tired "let's put on a show!" routine that's been trotted out here for decades. It's never gained traction yet, so I don't know why you think it will suddenly blossom now.
Oh, wait. You're not talking about now, are you? You're talking about NEXT November. That's quite a ways off. Things will doubtlessly be even worse then. Fewer jobs, more decay, less hope.
Other than your seemingly baseless optimism.
I too saw the ad about Myers backing Porter. I know Stan and am awaiting his response to this. He personally told me he was backing Cathy Marshall. If Brewer ran it without Myers approval or checking this as fact, it sounds like the way too familiar BS the "leaders" of this sink hole operate on. Sad.
DeleteThank you! I moved to Port Angeles nearly seven years ago and have felt stuck here ever since. Every day since the day we arrived in 2008, I have wanted to return to Seattle. It's been nothing but a nightmare. I feel like I lost my life here. I look at what has happened to me since. I am a shadow of my former self. I don't think my Seattle friends would even recognize me. I've lost my good health, my inspiration, my ambition, my looks. I am so tired of the Facebook comments like "We live in a paradise!" or "Love where I live!" Really? Have you been anywhere else? My life will begin again the day I finally manage to leave.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to you. Clearly you realize your situation. The only choice that sounds like it makes sense is to GET OUT. You only get one life - don't waste it on Port Angeles. Whether it's a return to Seattle, or someplace else, you know - YOU KNOW - what you have to do. Get out, and get on with your life. I did it; so can you.
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