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PENINSULA DAILY NEWS February 3, 2016 | 75¢
Port Townsend-Jefferson County’s Daily Newspaper
PT council hears new utility rules
Vinyl in their veins
Ordinance will clarify how rates, charges work BY CHARLIE BERMANT PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
CHARLIE BERMANT/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Quimper Sound co-owner Mark Hering, right, is one of the organizers of the inau Port Townsend Record Show on March 5.
New record show joins PT festival calendar Organizers aim to hold annual event in March BY CHARLIE BERMANT PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
PORT TOWNSEND — Organizers of the inaugural Port Townsend Record Show are hoping to make it an annual event, joining the local festival landscape along with such events as Strange Brewfest. “I’d like to do this every year,
on the first Saturday in March,” said Jim Overly, who with Quimper Sound co-owner Mark Hering is organizing the event. “We can even do it twice a year if it catches on.” The show will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 5 at the American Legion Hall, 209 Monroe St. Public admission will be free, while exhibitors will pay $40 for an 8-foot-long table. Overly said about a dozen people have expressed interest and he would be happy to draw 20 vendors to the nascent event. Merchants like Hering will exhibit while many of the sellers
will be people with a large record collection who want to swap stories with like-minded people and earn a little cash. “Anyone with more than 200 records they don’t want anymore can do this. It’s a good way to sell,” Hering said. “But it’s $40 for a table. If you don’t have many records, it might not be worth your while.” The idea for the show came out of a Seattle record show in October where Hering was exhibiting for the first time and Overly came as an attendee. TURN
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PORT TOWNSEND — Water customers who have lost service because they haven’t paid their bills are still required to pay a base rate when the shutdown is in effect, a new city ordinance makes clear. The new language also requires that city utility customers applying for the low-income rates reapply every year to renew their eligibility. Water bills from the city have two parts: a base-rate maintenance and operation cost, plus a surcharge and fees based on water usage. “When you turn off service, the fixed rate doesn’t go away,” City Manager David Timmons told the City Council on Monday. “The customer is responsible for that cost even if they aren’t using any water.” The language isn’t clear in the current ordinance, Timmons said. The fixed charge is assessed on the basis of pipe size and building type, ranging from $23.61 for lowincome users with a pipe up to 5.8 inches in diameter to $1,507 for commercial users with an 8-inch pipe. In addition to the fixed charge, the standard residential rate is $2.72 for 1,000 gallons and the top industrial rate is $5.71 for the same amount.
Approved on first reading The council approved the first reading of the ordinance Monday with council members Amy Smith Howard, David Faber, Deputy Mayor Catharine Robinson and Mayor Deborah Stinson in favor
and Councilman Bob Gray opposed. Councilwomen Pamela Adams and Michelle Sandoval were excused. Gray said action should wait until there was a full council and suggested putting the matter to the public on the Speak Up Port Townsend section of the city website. Robinson disagreed. “This is a clarification only, so it’s not necessary to use Speak Out unless we are going to change the rates,” she said. Faber initially agreed with Gray but was convinced to approve the first reading after Stinson said discussion could take place at the second reading, to be scheduled for a future meeting.
Low-income status The new ordinance also seeks to clarify the process awarding low-income status. The fixed rate for low-income users is half the standard residential rate. Eligibility is determined by a formula that considers family size and income levels, Timmons said. Water customers will be able to apply for this status at any time but will be required to reapply during the month of April for it to continue, according to the ordinance. Much of the discussion centered around the low-income qualification, with Timmons saying it placed an additional burden on customers who are shut off because they are liable for pastdue bills along with a continuing monthly fee. TURN
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Heroes and their feats sought for honors Jefferson County residents eligible PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
The award — now in its 11th year — is sponsored by the Rotary NOW IS THE time to nomiClub of Port Townsend (noon nate your local hero. club), the Port Townsend Sunrise We are looking for people who Rotary Club, the East Jefferson make a difference in Jefferson Rotary Club and the PDN. County, individuals who have made Nominations must be made our communities a better place. using the accompanying coupon The three Rotary Clubs in Jef- and must be submitted to the ferson County and the Peninsula PDN’s Jefferson County office, Daily News invite nominations 1939 E. Sims Way, Port for the 2016 Jefferson County Townsend, WA 98368, by 5 p.m. Heart of Service award. Monday, March 21. The Heart of Service recogA letter describing the merits nizes the dedication, sacrifice and and accomplishments of the peraccomplishments of local people son being nominated must be who do extraordinary things for included with the coupon. their neighbors, their community This letter should cite examor the environment. ples of the individual’s special
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A panel of judges will review the nominations and select one to six people to receive a Heart of Service at a luncheon at Fort Worden Commons on Tuesday, May 10. If you have any questions about the program, please phone Terry Ward, PDN publisher, at his direct number, 360-417-3500 (if he’s not in, there’s 24/7 voice mail). Or email him at tward@peninsuladailynews.com.
2015 honorees Six Heart of Service awards were given in 2015. They were presented to: ■ Paul Becker, a man who has conquered many obstacles to keep the Humane Society of Jef-
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ferson County running smoothly. ■ Helen and Ken Brink, the indispensable couple known for getting projects done for the Kiwanis and Elks clubs. ■ Karen Jensen, the thoughtful force behind the “Backpack for Kids” nutrition program of Jefferson County. She is also an AARP tax aide. ■ Ruth Merryman, who gives her heart to mentor Habitat for Humanity homeowners and women of the Working Image clothing bank. ■ Bonnie Story, an inspirational volunteer who has promoted several South Jefferson County charities and organizations with her Internet knowhow and get-it-done attitude. TURN
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dedication, sacrifices and significant accomplishments in community service. If possible, the nomination should include supporting documents, such as copies (not originals) of other awards, newspaper articles or additional letters of support. Individuals, clubs, churches, businesses or other organizations can nominate. But only individuals, not organizations, can be nominees. Anyone who lives in Jefferson County can be nominated. Recipients of the Heart of Service in the past are not eligible for a 2016 award. But those previously nominated but not selected for a Heart of Service are eligible for renomination.
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