Point Brown design

raises serious questions

I hand addressed a copy of this to all council members and the mayor, getting no response; not that surprising. I think the subject matter is important enough to the community that a point of view differing from the administration’s bears scrutiny. Therefore it is my hope that this paper can offer an expanded opportunity for the public to consider.

I cannot support any of the Point Brown traffic proposals for several reasons.

(1) The monkey poll is flawed in both form and content. It does not contain a “default” or “do nothing” option, which in essence means it is the intent of the administration to cram some sort of project down the citizens throats whether they want it or not.

(2) The “poll” does not give any source of funding; only a fool would approve a project prior to knowing who pays, how much, and the method used to apportion said costs.

(3) I believe that comparatively few even know this “poll” exists.

(4) This “poll” does not contain anywhere close to enough information to make any kind of informed decision.

(5) The poll requires that you must choose one option for ranking in order to submit at all, thereby giving a false reading of support.

In my opinion the only people to benefit in any measurable way from these “improvements” would be the business owners who proposed them. It is my belief that the benefit realized even to them from any of the plans will be tiny to none. I believe that any projects such as these should be under the umbrella of a “business improvement district.” I suspect that has been researched to the point of finding that these projects would not meet the benefit criteria anywhere near closely enough to pay for them. I think what we have here is yet another “monkey poll” featuring a sacrificial monkey, played by the taxpayers.

It is not my intent to anger those individuals who have supported the proposed projects but rather to call attention to the obvious lack of an unbiased and level playing field. The history of Ocean Shores is tainted with those projects which were ill-advised but occurred anyway simply because it was too embarrassing to call a halt when it became evident we should. I recall the words of a great American, Pete Seeger, some time ago; “We were waist deep in the big muddy when the damn fool said to push on.” The reference was to another ill-advised and tragic government screw-up.

We can agree or disagree, but at least we should have a chance to look at more than one thought pattern.

Peter B. Jordan,

50-year resident

Support for three steps

to fight crime

You heard on May the 8th, during public comment, about several issues from citizens who are passionate..

Many of the citizens who spoke came together through the Ocean Shores Blockwatch Facebook page. We understand the power of working together for positive change. We met prior to the meeting to ask questions about how to properly present ourselves to council. We offered our concerns and suggestions. At council, we did the same. We are not vigilantes. We do not have an axe to grind. We are tax-paying citizens that want to have a voice at the table.

You were presented with several ways to move forward:

1. Adopt a Chronic Nuisance Ordinance.

2. Support Neighborhood Block Watch groups. As one of the original foundations of community policing, Block Watch allows the police and residents a way to work together to solve issues. It is one of the most effective and least costly ways to prevent crime and reduce fear. It forges bonds among residents, helps reduce burglaries and robberies, and provides eyes and ears for law enforcement.

3. Establish a Public Safety Advisory Committee made up of citizens from different parts of the city, business owners, hotel managers, school district and law enforcement representatives and a council liaison.

If the health and safety of the citizens is your highest priority, as well as prudent spending of the public’s money, you will accept and implement these ideas.They are positive and cost effective methods of addressing the community’s concerns and simple ways to engage citizens in the government process.

Please support the creation of Block Watch. Please create a citizens Public Safety Advisory Committee.

Susan Conniry

Ocean Shores

Foundation help for

Lantern Lunch program

The Green Lantern Lunch Program would like to thank the Grays Harbor Community Foundation for helping to support our program. Their contribution will enable us to continue helping the many children we are feeding. A community working together can accomplish great things and we are looking forward to making this happen. Our goal is to reach all the food insecure children in our area.

Phyllis Shaughnessy

Copalis Beach

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