Wednesday
Getting out and about
Mix of clouds and showers for area B10
Healthy Living highlights health, happenings INSIDE
PENINSULA DAILY NEWS June 22, 2016 | 75¢
Port Townsend-Jefferson County’s Daily Newspaper
Candidates debate on tax plans
Ketchikan if you can
State legislative hopefuls differ on income ideas BY JESSE MAJOR PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
CHARLIE BERMANT/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Race to Alaska boss Daniel Evans, left, and Northwest Maritime Center Executive Director Jake Beattie inspect the merchandising items that will be sold for the race, which begins Thursday.
Race to Alaska grows for its second run Adventure starts Thursday from Port Townsend BY CHARLIE BERMANT PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
PORT TOWNSEND — The second Race to Alaska, which begins at 6 a.m. Thursday, will be bigger and faster than last year’s inaugural event, organizers say. Sixty-six teams have registered for at least part of the
race, which is open to any boat without an engine. Forty-four of those plan to make the full trip from Port Townsend to Ketchikan, Alaska. The first stretch, which will be to Victoria, is a qualifying leg. The main race to Alaska will begin from Victoria at noon Sunday. “The boats have all gotten better and faster, but a lot of people are just doing it because they want to and have no reasonable chance of winning, ” said Jack Beattie, Northwest Maritime Center executive director. “That doesn’t mean they don’t
have a reasonable chance of finishing.” The boats were trickling into Port Townsend Bay this week in preparation for Thursday’s launch.
Pre-race party The race experience will kick off today with a Pre-Race Ruckus, a free all-ages party featuring food carts, beer service and challenging activities. “The Race to Alaska is on the edge of many people’s comfort zones,” Beattie said. TURN
TO
RACE/A8
PORT ANGELES –– Clallam County Commissioner Mike Chapman of Port Angeles proposed a state income tax for highincome households and changes in the state business and operations tax during a debate between two of the three candidates seeking a 24th District seat in the state House of Representatives. Opponent George Vrable of Port Ludlow, a Republican, agreed with Chapman, who filed as a Democrat, about the business and operations tax, known as a B&O tax, and opposed any state income tax during a Port Angeles Business Association forum attended by about 50 people Tuesday. It was the first time the candidates for the Position 1 seat representing the 24th Legislative District have debated since they filed for office. Ballots for the Aug. 2 primary will be mailed July 15. In the state’s top-two primary, the top two vote-getters will advance to the Nov. 8 general election regardless of party affiliation.
Third candidate A third candidate, Tammy Ramsay of Hoquiam, who filed as a Democrat for the Position 1 seat, did not attend the forum and could not be reached by phone or email Tuesday. The 24th District covers Clallam and Jefferson counties and part of Grays Harbor County. Chapman called for an income tax for single people who make more than $200,000 annually and families earning more than $400,000 annually.
t was the first time the candidates for the Position 1 seat representing the 24th Legislative District have debated since they filed for office.
I
He also called for sales tax relief for low-income people. “You cannot convince me that it’s fair a small-business owner making $50,000 to $60,000 a year is taxed and a Microsoft millionaire isn’t,” Chapman said. “How does that benefit the 24th [District]?” Vrable, a retired firefighter, doesn’t support any personal income tax in Washington state, he said. “I don’t trust giving the Democrats an income tax,” he said. “Once something like that is established, it’s hard to bring back.” Washington state Treasurer Jim McIntire in April proposed a 5 percent personal income tax to pay for education.
B&O tax Vrable agreed on Chapman’s proposal for B&O tax reform. The tax is currently applied to a business’ gross income, which is unfair to small businesses, Chapman said. Chapman said the B&O tax should only apply to a business’ net profit, calling the current B&O tax an “income tax” on small-business owners. TURN
TO
FORUM/A7
Unfired WWII shell is found on PT beach Navy says ordnance had no fuse BY CHARLIE BERMANT PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
PORT TOWNSEND — An unfired World War II artillery shell discovered on a Port Townsend beach had no fuse and was inert, Navy personnel said. The 21-inch-long, 70-pound shell found Monday at Land’s End Park was in no danger of exploding, Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians told Port Townsend police before they took it to dispose of it. They said it most likely originated from the bunker located above the beach at the end of Elmira Street, which once was part of the Fort Worden military
Navy technicians. The Navy investigators also determined that it was not a chemical weapon. base complex. It is not known how long the The shell was seen by a person shell was on the beach, Bogues on the beach and reported in an email message sent at 9:20 a.m. to said. East Jefferson Fire-Rescue Chief Gordon Pomeroy, who did not dis- Response cover the message until Response was slowed because 11:49 a.m., said Luke Bogues, the shell was reported by email, Port Townsend Police Depart- Bogues said. ment spokesman, on Tuesday. The email was sent from a Pomeroy alerted the Port residence rather than from a Townsend Police Department. smartphone, Bogues said. Police arrived at North Beach ‘”It worked out this time, but Park along with an off-road vehi- email isn’t the best way to report cle. this kind of thing,” Bogues said. PORT TOWNSEND POLICE DEPARTMENT With help from the reporting “If anyone sees something that party, police found the ordnance resembles an explosive, do not The Navy said this shell, found Monday west of Fort about 1.5 miles west of North approach it and call 9-1-1 imme- Worden State Park, was an unfired 70-pound artillery shell, likely from World War II. Beach County Park and called the diately.”
1,500
Get$
0.0%
TOYOTA CUSTOMER CASH BACK*
-or-
You Can Count On Us!
100th year, 148th issue — 3 sections, 36 pages
Prius
FOR UP TO 60 MOS.**
*$1,500 Customer Cash directly from Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. Dealer participation in this rebate program may increase vehicle price before rebate. Must take retail delivery from new 2016 dealer stock by 7/5/16. Subject to availability. A dealer documentary service fee up to $150 may be added to the sale price or capitalized cost. Vehicle ID numbers available upon request. This regional incentive valid in the states of ID, MT, OR, WA and AK. Details and qualifications apply. Offers may vary by region. Individual dealer prices and document fees may vary. See Wilder Toyota for details. CUSTOMER CASH OFFER MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH APR OR LEASE OFFERS. Vehicle image is for display purposes only. **0.0% APR Financing for 36 Months - $27.78 per $1,000 borrowed OR 0.0% APR Financing for 48 Months - $20.83 per $1,000 borrowed OR 0.0% APR Financing for 60 Months - $16.67 per $1,000 borrowed. No down payment with approved credit through Toyota Financial Services – Tier 1 Plus and 1 only. Not all customers will qualify for lowest rate. Must take retail delivery from new 2016 dealer stock by 7/5/16. Subject to availability. A dealer documentary service fee up to $150 may be added to the sale price or capitalized cost. Vehicle ID numbers available upon request. Details and qualifications apply. This regional incentive valid in the states of ID, MT, OR, WA and AK. Offers may vary be region. Individual dealer prices and document fees may vary. See Wilder Toyota for details.APR OFFER MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH CUSTOMER CASH OR LEASE OFFERS. Vehicle image is for display purposes only.
457-8511 • 800-927-9379
43 JETTA WAY, PORT ANGELES
www.wildertoyota.com
661615970
WILDER
TOYOTA
APR
INSIDE TODAY’S PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
2016 Toyota
new
BUSINESS CLASSIFIED COMICS COMMENTARY DEAR ABBY DEATHS HOROSCOPE LETTERS NATION/WORLD
B5 B5 B4 A9 B4 A8 B4 A9 A4
*PENINSULA SPOTLIGHT
PENINSULA POLL PUZZLES/GAMES SPORTS WEATHER
A2 B7 B1 B10