Port Angeles Vision

Welcome to the first of its kind in Port Angeles–a public venue where everyone can discuss the future vision of Port Angeles.  Of course, there have been numerous meetings and outside experts coming to talk about how to develop Port Angeles, how to encourage healthy economic development, and so on, but . . .

Here we are decades later asking the same questions and still not taking action that produces results.  The Chamber of Commerce has had many discussions on this topic.  Local banks and other companies have sponsored public meetings in years past on the future of Port Angeles.  But here we are.  Ask local businessmen how they feel about the progress, and you hear a lot of disappointment and frustration.

One analogy often heard is this.  There’s a body of water called the Strait of Juan de Fuca.  Two cities are on the Strait across from each other.  Each city is given 100 years to see what it can do.  One is Port Angeles, and the other is Victoria.  Here we are 100 years later.  What happened?

There are a few simple rules that the administrators will enforce on this blog.  Here they are:

1. This is intended as a forum for a healthy discussion, although that often will result in passionate arguments, but we ask that all posters and commentors use some diplomacy in the way positions are expressed.
2. NEVER attack anyone’s character, only attack their position or argument.
3. NEVER use vulgar language or any inappropriate language.  Always assume a family audience here.
4. Assume that everything you write will be read by the entire world.
5. Be assertive, but be considerate.
6. Consider that the goal of this blog is to engage each other in dialogue in positive ways so we can promote the welfare of the community of Port Angeles, our businesses, and our lifestyles.
7. Those who wish to post regular articles may email the administrator and ask for permission to do so, and if appropriate, the login information will be provided so you can be a primary author.  To manage this, another option we may use is to have you email your article to the administrator who will post it.
8. Everyone and anyone may post comments to the main articles.
9. All posts and comments must use your real name.  You cannot use a pen name to hide your identity.  This is not a place to shoot anonymously at others.  You do not have to give your email or other personal contact information, but you must use your real name, both first and last.
10. Comments will be approved by the administrator before they appear on the blog, and any inappropriate comments will not be approved.
11. We want to open the dialogue to everyone, including business owners in Port Angeles, Sequim, or anywhere else (others may have valuable suggestions or observations), and anyone else who can contribute.  This is an open forum for this discussion.  We will be appreciative of positive contributions from knowledgeable people in other cities.
12. Self-promotion is not the goal of this site, but business owners are welcome to include their business identities and talk about what they do in the context of the Port Angeles business environment.  Local Businesses are welcome to include their website address to help them with their SEO.

No fee of any kind is being charged for those posting or commenting on this blog, and all administrative costs are being paid out of pocket by the founders of this blog, Dan Abbott and Chuck Marunde.

Enjoy the site, and get ready for some intense conversations and some very creative ideas.