Monday
Schools go to the mat
Sun makes a return to area skies today B8
Peninsula wrestlers grapple in area contests B1
PENINSULA DAILY NEWS February 8 8,, 2016 | 75¢
Port Angeles-Sequim-West End
Need on rise for law officers
Winning image gets pass
Retirements will create demand BY ROB OLLIKAINEN PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
JAKE MORRISON
The Olympic National Park’s upcoming annual pass will feature this photo of the Queets Basin taken by Jake Morrison of Quinault.
Top contender in contest to adorn new park passes PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
The 2015 photo contest was sponsored by park partner Discover Your Northwest and was announced and publicized on the park’s social media channels. Photographers were invited to enter up to three images for consideration on the park’s new annual pass. Images were submitted to the park’s Facebook page.
“The photo contest has been a great way to celebrate a new year at Olympic OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — and kick off the National Park Service When the national park’s new annual centennial,” Creachbaum said. pass is issued in June, it will feature an “The photos illustrate both the park’s image of the Queets Basin taken by diversity and the diversity of people Jake Morrison of Quinault. who have found their park at Olympic.” The new Olympic National Park All annual passes, no matter when annual pass will go on sale June 1. they are purchased, are good for one It will cost $50, an increase of $10 year from the date of purchase. from the current annual pass. Seven-day entrance fees will also Other winning shots “We are very proud to announce the increase June 1, with a seven-day passes top three winners in this year’s Olympic Second place went to Linda Morrell for vehicles, motorcycles and individuals National Park – Discover Your NorthVerrier of Portland, Maine, for her photo- going to $25, $14 and $10, respectively. west photo contest,” Superintendent graph of the Hoh Rain Forest in autumn. These and other park fee increases Sarah Creachbaum said. Third place was awarded to Erin Hal- were announced last May. The 209 images can be seen on loway of Tannersville, Pa., for a photo of a For more information about the Olympic National Park’s Facebook page. lone wilderness hiker on Lillian Ridge. park, see www.nps.gov/olym.
County sheriffs and city police chiefs on the North Olympic Peninsula are looking for a few good men and women. With a generation of peace officers set to retire in the next few years, officials said there is a growing demand for qualified replacements. “It’s a rewarding career,” said Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict, a retired Naval flight officer. History has shown that Benedict the best officers come from their own community, Benedict said. To that end, the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office encourages prospective candidates to test their mettle this Saturday. The National Testing Network, which screens applicants on behalf of the sheriff’s office, will test potential patrol and corrections deputies at the Clallam County Courthouse and Port Angeles High School track. (See related report on Page A5.) “Normally people have to go out of town to take our test for new recruits,” Clallam County Undersheriff Ron Cameron said. “We’re actually bringing a testing company here so we can attract those local people.” The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the Port Angeles, Port Townsend, Sequim and Forks police departments are clients of Public Safety Testing, a similar service for public safety employees. Public Safety Testing will conduct a physical and written exam for law enforcement, corrections and communications officers Feb. 21 at Port Angeles High School. TURN
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PA city attorney: Banning signs not rare Official weighs in on council issue BY PAUL GOTTLIEB PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
PORT ANGELES — It’s not unusual for political signs to be banned in City Council chambers, according to city officials. The issue was raised by City Councilman Lee Whetham last Wednesday after a notice prohibiting signs was posted at last Tuesday’s council meeting. He had asked for clarification from City Attorney Bill Bloor and City Manager Dan McKeen. The issue also was raised in a complaint Marolee Smith filed last Thursday that alleged that
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Deputy Mayor Cherie Kidd had violated the city’s Code of Ethical Conduct during Tuesday’s council meeting. The meeting was attended by some 50 to 60 people, most drawn by the issue of city fluoridation of water. Fluoridation was not on the agenda. Speakers commented on the issue during two public comment periods, one at the beginning of the meeting and one at the end. The signs prohibition was among eight points in Smith’s complaint, which calls for Kidd to be removed as deputy mayor, a
position the council named her to in January. Bloor, responding to Whetham’s request, said last Friday a sign prohibition was posted during an Oct. 22 city-sponsored educational forum on fluoridation before the City Council decided Jan. 5 to continue the practice on a 4-3 vote. Kidd had the signs prohibition posted Tuesday before she chaired the meeting. “Signs have not been allowed in the council chambers,” she said Saturday morning, adding that she discussed the move with Mayor Patrick Downie beforehand. “We both agreed it was appropriate. We wanted things to get
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back to normal.” Recent council meetings that have focused on fluoridation have been marked by boisterous public comment sessions.
No legal right People do not have a legal right to bring any sign into City Hall, Bloor said. City governments across the state can set their own rules about signs in their city halls, which are classified as “limited public forums,” unlike such venues as sidewalks and public parks, which are “traditional public forums.” “That goes along with not having an absolute right to insist they speak to a City Council,”
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Bloor added. “A City Council meeting is to conduct council business.” Bloor outlined the sign policy in an email to council members at Whetham 4:47 p.m. Friday. He framed it in free speech terms. “This practice regarding signs is consistent with the principles that allow a City Council to restrict public speech at council meetings,” Bloor said in the memo.
CLASSIFIED COMICS COMMENTARY DEAR ABBY DEATHS HOROSCOPE LETTERS NATION PENINSULA POLL
B3 B7 A7 B7 A6 B7 A7 A3 A2
*PENINSULA SPOTLIGHT
PUZZLES/GAMES SPORTS WEATHER WORLD
B4 B1 B8 A3