Well, wow! Clallam County has made national news! Yes, Clallam County is where the U.S. had its first death caused by measles in 12 years. I saw it on Reuters, CNN, Yahoo! News, Google News, etc. Bill Benedict, a great believer in "there's no such thing as bad publicity" must be so pleased.
In other, more locally important news, water continues to be the story - or stories - of the day. The beach in Port Angeles is closed due to fecal contamination. Again. That is to say, again. And the rivers continue to drop and dry as the summer warmth rolls out, with a side of fireworks.
Shitty medical news...News about shitty water...Shitty news about water...Well, shit. It sure looks like a good thing that Port Angeles got the whole "Best Town EVER" thing done before this all hit. Because if you search for Port Angeles online right now, well, let's just say that even the most rose-colored of glasses are likely to be shaded closer to forest fire red at this particular point in time.
So seriously, keep a fire extinguisher handy this weekend. And you might want to stock up on bottled water, too, just in case.
Necessities...
...and Temptations.
Hey Sheriff Benedict...Can measles be treated with a bulldozer?
ReplyDeleteLet's place the blame where it belongs. Olympic Medical Center is crummy excuse for a first tier hospital. Within the middle of a Measles epidemic they fail to diagnose a Measles case. Don't ever go to them for diagnosis unless your particular doctor is on staff. Your diagnosis will not likely be communicated back to your primary care doctor. They are attempting to get a monopoly on medical care on the Peninsula and they will run other doctors out of business if they cannot buy them out. When OMC owns a clinic they get to charge a "Facility Fee" which is almost as much as the doctor's fee. Stand alone clinics cannot charge this fee. Twice I've had tests ordered at OMC and twice they failed to communicate important medical matters back to my primary care physician. If you have any tests ask for alternative labs to have them done. Do not trust your medical care, or that of your loved ones to these hacks at OMC. They are greedy and unprincipled. You can now get an MRI for less than the one at OMC. Get it done elsewhere or your doctor may never know what ails you.
ReplyDeleteI think people need to really think through what is coming down the pike. The ramifications of no water.
ReplyDeleteIt makes no difference to me if you think concerns are unwarranted. You and your family are the ones who will be experiencing the problems. You will be in the situation, when there is no water in your house. Already, residents on 566 properties to the immediate east of Port Angeles are facing water shut off, any day now. That is reality. And, the whole region is drying out daily.
My point is to look ahead. Unless there is some kind of miracle, it is very probable that the region won't see any meaningful rain, or relief until October or later. Remember the Forks guy "It will take least three weeks of winter-heavy rain to begin raising aquifer levels, Zellar said." So, even if heavy rains start in October, it may be into November before the water flows to our houses.
It is the first week of July. I'm looking at September, when the kids go back to school. I can't imagine staying in my house with no water, trying to keep the kids clean, fed, washed and ready to go to school every day under those conditions. I don't see any evidence of plans to keep water to my house, by anyone.
The only logical option I see is to find a rental over near the I-5. I need stability. I need a community with reliable services. I don't care about the groups and politics; I have my family to take care of.
I don't know why no plans are being made. I'm not in the position to know. I just know I can't risk what is clearly happening.
For the sake of their families, I hope others will seriously think ahead.
You are developing your own Plan B just as any rational person should instead of waiting for the crisis and wondering where the help will come from.
DeleteI read that on io9.com. I was a little surprised Clallam Co made it to that site, but when I read when it was about I was... disappointed? Something stronger than that maybe. It sounds like a complicated diagnosis, but still... wth?
ReplyDeleteMoving to your next point, the PDN "Peninsula Poll" is "which bothers you more this summer, fire danger, water shortage or undecided?" Where's the "both" option? Personally I'm worried about fire danger and not having enough water to put out the fires. This is going to be a crappy year. I think Forks did the right thing in cancelling their fireworks, but Clallam County is, of course, saying their hands are tied by state law. When has that ever stopped them?
Uh, just so you all know...Democratic candidate for County Commissioner Bryan Frazier is, waaay after the fact, "answering" questions that were tossed around here almost two months ago, over on the "Sorting the Crooks from the Nuts," which was posted on May 15th. You can look at that topic string to see what he's had to say, if you're interested. Feel free to cut and paste and respond to his responses here, in this more current spot, if you like.
ReplyDeleteLike this, for instance. Here's a small sample:
"As for tourism, there is the issue of the Aerial Tram from downtown PA to Hurricane Ridge with all the associated amenities. The project would create temporary construction jobs at first, then there would be the permanent jobs year round for operations. This project could entice people from the cruise ships to disembark, actually spend a few dollars and have fund doing it. In addition it could lower our carbon footprint in the park while bringing in more visitors and get more people downtown."
Well...He doesn't appear to be soup. And since people still have to drive to the Olympic Peninsula to get to the ONP, it's nuts to think that an aerial tram would have any sort of meaningful reductive affect on the whole carbon footprint thing. Especially when you factor in all the carbon footprints needed to make it, ship it, construct it, operate it, etc.
Anyway, carry on.
I don't think I need to go look at his responses, if the one about Dan's Fantasy Tram you posted is an example of his approach to the issues facing this community.
ReplyDeleteWow! Talk about out of touch with reality.
Please give Bryan Frazier a second, or third look. One of his traits is having an opinion on a lot of things. This is a good thing. He is all over McEntire. He probably backed down Mark Nichols on this million dollar giveaway of tax money. Within 24 hours after Bryan met with Nichols the county commission called a "do over." I think Bryan told them how the cow had the calf and all got religion. Pardon the mixed metaphors. Give Frazier a second or third look. Keep in mind his best asset is he IS NOT the choice of the democratic party leaders. they put up the other guy to be sure Tharinger's Sewer Project is completed and his buddies property values go up--until the county goes broke paying for it.
ReplyDeleteI disagree. I assume he is VERY MUCH the choice of local Democratic leaders - and is intended to throw the election to McEntire. Mark the Democratic, health food store hippie from Sequim seems like the real deal. I doubt he was faking his good leftie/good food life all these years. I have no doubts about his sincerity, and his left-leaning politics.
DeleteThen we have Bryan Frazier, who sure seems like this year's spoiler candidate. Remember how "Democratic" candidate Patti Morris (barely) ran, but siphoned enough votes to help skew the primary and help sleaze and squeeze Mike Chapman back into office? I sure do. She was no more a serious candidate for county commissioner than she was likely to be appointed Pope. This time, I don't think Bryan Frazier is any more a Democrat than he is an astronaut. He doesn't pass the smell test.
And it's not like we don't all know that elections have been rigged here before. And to put such a thing down as somehow being beyond the limits for Jim McEntire...is to give him too much credit for honesty and integrity.
Poll any of the so-called Democratic "leaders" and they will quickly endorse Ozias for County Commish. They all attempted to get Bryan to back out of the race. I agree with you that the two parties are probably attached at the hip and plan this stuff way ahead of the game. If Bryan had not entered the race there would not have been a demo challenger. They did not bring Ozias off the bench until Bryan had already filed. Then, less than 24 hours after Bryan announced, and at the last day of registration, they run out Mark.
DeleteThe part that throws you is Bryan is a conservative democrat. Not what one expects of democrats. If you want to be sure you get a democrat on the commission then let's put the two democratic candidates into the general and beat McEntire in his own district in the primary. It can be done but don't count on the demo leadership to do it. It will be up to the people in that district to oust McEntire.
The notion, the idea, the FANTASY, that somehow you'll be able to get McEntire knocked out in the primary, and have two Democrats in the general, is laughable. Laughable. It's FANTASY thinking like that that helps keep all the Republicans in there - three of 'em - running the show.
DeleteHey, let's get past the conspiracies, and just look at the looney comments from Bryan, as re-posted above by CK. As if the tram is going to be built across the business and residential neighborhoods of Port Angeles, from the waterfront up to the Olympic National Park, a very real part that Dan conveniently left out of his presentations? As if the National Park Service is really going to grant permits for a tram to be built in the park?!
DeleteLet's remember the idea Bryan is endorsing here. If this is an example of what Bryan thinks is viable, if this is an example of how Bryan does his research before endorsing a proposal for the community, we all need to be very concerned.
Don't you mean Narcissities and Tempestations?
ReplyDeleteAs it seems Bryan Frazier is reading and posting here, perhaps he might answer some questions?
ReplyDeleteBryan:
What do you think of the property rights issues in Clallam County?
What do you think of the efforts to over turn Ecology's Dungeness Water Rule? Do you support this effort?
It was stated you were seen carrying a gun at a meeting. Is this true?
What are your feelings about gun control?
............................
Let's start with those.
I look forward to hearing your replies.
questions offered by a good republican so you can be hanged either way you answer. this is not brian but I know an asshole question when I see it. I will answer your question tho. gun control--use two hands, dungeness water rule, don't let the developers build more homes than there is water for. don't promise more water than the river has ever carried--even in the best of times pre-modern era. what the hell do you mean by "property rightes issue?" If a realtor sells me a home without disclosing there is no water then I get his house. How's that. A developer sells me a home with no guarantee of water--I get his house and water.
DeleteDisclosure is by a seller, the realtor provides the form. The disclosure form gives the seller three options for each in a long list of questions-yes, no and don't know. As long as the water comes out of the tap the answer will be "no" to any water issues. What are realtors doing in Victoria?
DeleteNo, I'm not a Repub by any stretch of the imagination. I see the questions as a good reflection of issues in Clallam County that a candidate should have answers for.
DeleteI won't go further than that, now, so as not to influence how Bryan answers. I'm assuming if he wanted me to read what he has written on this blog previously, he wants me to know his views on issues in this campaign.
If he doesn't answer, then he will be making a statement, loud and clear.
Anon 7:35
DeleteI looked it up. Victoria has a huge reservoir. And, when they saw the writing on the wall, they raised it so that it increased the capacity even more.
However, there are other communities around the island that don't have reservoirs. I saw where the mill is threatened by the rivers running dry up there.
What do YOU think of the Dungeness Water Rule? What do you think are the "property rights issues" that are of urgent importance to the upcoming election?
DeleteBryan Frazier is running for COUNTY Commissioner, right? You don't think these are relevant questions? What do YOU think are important issues we need to know his views on, if he is to be deciding on COUNTY matters?
DeleteBryan, we're still waiting. Your silence is not getting you any votes.
Well, Bryan Frazier isn't getting my vote, and I sure will tell everyone I know not to vote for him.
DeleteDon't you mean Narcissists and Trepidation?
ReplyDeleteSo, by a show of hands, how many of you went out and bought a car this (tax) holiday weekend?
ReplyDeleteAnyone?
Anyone?
I noticed the Republican Party July 4th parade campaign float was taking credit for the tax holiday. Yeah, well, it is a thing ... if that's all you got to run on. But hey, they threw me a little piece of candy. Again.
ReplyDeleteYes but...was their float being pulled by a new car?
DeleteI see your point. What is it that the Clallam Dems have to point to, other than being the anti McEntire?
DeleteYay, cheaper toilet paper! Yay!
DeleteDon't blame the dems for McEntire, he got in cause many good people didn't vote. There is no way I believe the majority of people around here resonate with this dim bulb. I do believe there are those who'd rather complain than do something about it--like voting.
DeleteMcEntire will easily - easily - win re-election this time.
DeleteNotice the ash on your car, from the forest fires? The skies are dark, but those aren't rain clouds!
ReplyDeleteAllegedly, that smoke hanging over the area are from fires in the Fraser River area in Canada. Not that it matters much.
DeleteYou hint that it's a lie that the smoke came from BC. Yes, I am sure that the sinister influence of Karen Rogers, Bill Peach, Cherie Kidd, and their evil cohorts has forced the Seattle Times, wunderground.com, and a host of Canadian websites and newspapers to cover up the truth. Oh, the power of these people!
DeleteOh, really. Give it a break. You seriously think that is what was being said? Are you really that simplistic?
DeleteNo no, did not mean to infer such as you suggest. My you are a bit testy. I guess the term "allegedly" does put some on high alert, and rightly so. Let me withdraw that one word. All I meant to infer is that the Queets fire is not the source of the haze.
DeleteFor God's sake, it's imply not infer! And given the tenor of this blog, which veers from sane and sensible to Bizarro World, "alledgedly" fits right in with the paranoia expressed by several of the regulars.
Deletein·fer
Deleteinˈfər/
verb: infer; 3rd person present: infers; past tense: inferred; past participle: inferred; gerund or present participle: inferring
deduce or conclude (information) from evidence and reasoning rather than from explicit statements.
im·ply
imˈplī/
verb
verb: imply; 3rd person present: implies; past tense: implied; past participle: implied; gerund or present participle: implying
strongly suggest the truth or existence of (something not expressly stated).
synonyms: insinuate, suggest, hint (at), intimate, say indirectly, indicate, give someone to understand, convey the impression, signal
However, anony 6:08, the phrase is "for God's sake" is sometimes, though not always, pluralized to for God's sakes in American usage.
~~~ word cop, officer wtf
The officer is correct, one may imply something but it is up to another to infer as to what is implied...
DeleteWas the float bloated and irrelevant?
ReplyDeletePort O Call is not sure what, particularly, brought the county commission to its senses regarding the proper handling of a million dollar grant from the Op Fund to the Port of Port Angeles for their composites recycling program.
ReplyDeleteIt is not likely they suddenly accepted the county treasurer’s assertion that the grants must follow due process and allow public hearings.
There are a few theories including the actual fact that what they were attempting is illegal, despite the 16 page opinion of County Prosecutor, Mark Nichols, which the commissioners promptly threw under the proverbial bus.
Another theory has to do with a visit to Nichols’ office by Bryan Frazier, candidate for county commissioner. Within 24 hours of Frazier’s visit to the prosecutor’s office the commissioners hit the “reset” button and put off the grant-giving for an indeterminate period of time.
During the run-up to the show-down a host of behind the scenes intrigue was happening. Among the more seamy acts included James Casey, reporter for the daily paper, who during the course of the impasse’ sent emails to Selinda Burkhuis, Clallam County Treasurer. In these emails were the usual questions a reporter would ask including requests for statements or responses to current events.
Where the reporter crossed the line into advocacy, and possibly threatening behavior, was when Casey suggested to Burkhuis that she may be guilty of a felony and may lose her law license and may even find a horse head in her bed. I made up that last one.
The question is--who is directing Casey to make such veiled threats to the county treasurer. Although I’ve never met Mr. Casey I cannot believe he took it upon himself to search the statutes to find one fitting enough to threaten the county treasurer. I can believe his publisher would direct him to put this high-pressure sleaze-play in motion.
After all it was the publisher who authorized the blatantly false headline published on May 3 where it stated the Port had been approved for a $2 million grant from the department of commerce. This was bogus but it did temporarily provide cover for the county commission to throw a million dollar grant at the port for matching money for the non-existent grant.
The PDN is pretty well known for not being straight up. They have an agenda, as anybody who has submitted a "Letter to the Editor" knows.
DeletePrecisely the point. You better have your ducks in a row when you submit a letter to the editor but they do not hold themselves to the same standard.
DeleteI cannot determine WHAT standard they hold themselves to. Whatever cabal is in power they are right there with them. Makes a kind of sense but without a backbone you cannot expect respect. I guess that is evident too, they do not seek respect just advertising.