Thursday
Court choice named
Sun to shine across the Peninsula B10
Obama picks Merrick Garland as new justice A3
PENINSULA DAILY NEWS March 17, 2016 | 75¢
Port Townsend-Jefferson County’s Daily Newspaper
Senate seat up this fall
Just wind and waves
Hargrove retiring; others mull run BY CHARLIE BERMANT PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
CHARLIE BERMANT/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Sailing classes are one of the signs of spring in Port Townsend, such as this group Wednesday afternoon.
Port Angeles woman injured in Discovery Bay van wreck Potential charges depend on extent of victim injuries BY CHARLIE BERMANT PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
DISCOVERY BAY — One person remained in serious condition in a Seattle hospital Wednesday after a one-vehicle wreck Tuesday on state Highway 20. The State Patrol is investigating the wreck and said the driver could face charges. “Charges have not been filed at this
point,” State Patrol spokesman Trooper Russ Winger said Wednesday. “The charges will be based on the extent of the victim’s injuries.” Winger said the most likely charge was vehicular assault. According to a State Patrol report, 45-year-old Tina Alcorn of Port Angeles was driving a black 1990 Ford Econoline van eastbound on state Highway 20 at the intersection with Eaglemount Road in Discovery Bay when she lost control, veered into the westbound lane, struck the guardrail, rolled several times and came to rest 30 feet from the roadway. After the accident, Alcorn; Cameron Craig, 38, of Port Angeles; Silas Quagon, 47, of Eau Claire, Wis.; and Andrea
Egnew, 32, of Port Angeles were able to extricate themselves from the wreck. Doneen Penn, 55, of Port Angeles was thrown through the windshield and landed on the ground, suffering head injuries. Penn was not identified in earlier reports on the wreck. Winger identified Penn on Wednesday. Penn was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where she remained in serious condition Wednesday. The other four were taken to Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles, where Alcorn and Egnew were treated and released.
SEQUIM — A vacancy created by state Sen. Jim Hargrove’s decision to step down at the end of his current term has led to speculation of possible political musical chairs, with state Rep. Kevin Van De Wege calling the tune. “I’m considering it,” Van De Wege, a Sequim Democrat who serves as minority whip in the state House, said of running for the open seat. “The decision will be either to stay in the House in a leadership position or moving to the Senate, which is in a way starting over.” Hargrove Van De Wege’s decision would affect others interested in holding state office, they said. Hargrove, 62, announced last Thursday on the Senate floor in Olympia that he will not seek re-election. The Hoquiam Democrat has been a member of the state Senate since 1993. He had previously served in the Van De Wege state House of Representatives from 1985 to 1992. Van De Wege, 41, is serving his fifth two-year term in the House. He represents the 24th Legislative District along with Hargrove and Rep. Steve Tharinger, D-Sequim. The district covers Clallam and Jefferson counties and part of Grays Harbor County.
Two major factors Van De Wege said two major factors will contribute to his decision: input from his family and an examination of his own goals. He most likely will decide within the next week, he said. TURN
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Taxpayers to cover legal fees for officials Attorney to represent Kidd, Gase against recent ethics allegations BY PAUL GOTTLIEB PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
PORT ANGELES — The legal fees to defend Deputy Mayor Cherie Kidd and Councilman Dan Gase against an ethics complaint related to an ongoing fluoridation controversy will be paid by taxpayers. “We were working on behalf of the city in a council capacity,” Gase said Wednesday. “That’s one area where we should have some coverage.” The topic came up at the City Council meeting Tuesday.
Also discussed was a fluoridation-alternatives advisory panel that met Wednesday and the condition of the city’s fluoridation system. Finance Director Byron Olson said Wednesday the fees charged by Issaquah attorney Michael Kenyon, who is of the municipal law firm Kenyon Disend, to represent Kidd and Gase will be drawn from the general fund. Kenyon, who met for 90 minutes Monday with Gase and Kidd, said Wednesday his rate is $345 an hour. Kenyon has asked a city ethics board to consider the complaint
March 31. The ethics complaint is one of three that fluoridation opponents have filed in recent months following the council members’ 4-3 Dec. 15 decision to continue fluoridating the city’s water supply until June 2026. The complaints, which allege violations of the city’s ethics code, focus on how council members handled opposition to that decision and their behavior toward speakers at Jan. 5, Jan. 19 and Feb. 2 council meetings. At Tuesday’s meeting, Dale Wilson said during a public comment session that Gase’s and Kidd’s legal fees could not be paid without a lawsuit or criminal charges being filed against them. City Attorney Bill Bloor, refer-
Kidd
Gase
ring to Chapter 2.64.020 of the municipal code, said Wednesday that is not correct. Bloor said the complaint is considered a “claim” against Gase and Kidd that allows the two to defend themselves with taxpayer funds. Here’s Chapter 2.64.020:
GREAT OUTDOORS PHOTO CONTEST
Proud Sponsor of the Peninsula Families Outdoor Photo Contest
112 W. FRONT, PORT ANGELES • 457-4150
Deadline to Enter March 29, 2016
For more info, and to enter, visit peninsuladailynews.com
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INSIDE TODAY’S PENINSULA DAILY NEWS 100th year, 65th issue — 2 sections, 18 pages 631558742
The Great Outdoor Photo contest, proudly sponsored by Browns Outdoor, encourages children, 13 & younger, to share photos they snap while out and about.
“As a condition of service or employment with the City of Port Angeles, the City shall provide to an official or employee, subject to the conditions and requirements of this chapter, and notwithstanding the fact that such official or employee may have concluded service or employment with the City, such legal representations as may be reasonably necessary to defend a claim or lawsuit filed against such official or employee resulting from any conduct, act, or omission of such official or employee performed or omitted on behalf of the City in their capacity as a City official or employee, which act or omission is within the scope of their service or employment with the City.”
BUSINESS CLASSIFIED COMICS COMMENTARY DEAR ABBY DEATHS HOROSCOPE NATION PENINSULA POLL
B5 B5 B4 A7 B4 A6 B4 A3 A2
*PENINSULA SPOTLIGHT
PUZZLES/GAMES A6, B6 SPORTS B1 WEATHER B10 WORLD A3