Inside this issue
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Mount Vernon man wins annual salmon derby
Cardinals edge Wolves from playoffs
A-4
A-6
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
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Vol. 41, Number 8
Bringing water rights home Chamber picks Citizen of Year candidates Effort seeks control of Exchange
munity Development, are taking a swing at bringing the Dungeness Water Exchange under local control. by MARK ST.J. COUHIG The Exchange was created by Sequim Gazette the Washington Department of Ecology to provide “mitigation Two Clallam County commis- water” to those affected by the sioners and Sheila Miller, the See WATER, A-9 Clallam County Director of Com-
Sequim Gazette staff
Sequim’s top citizens, come on down. A committee made up of past recipients, has met to choose three finalists for the SequimDungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year for 2013.
The finalists are Al Friess, Patsy Mattingley and Gary Smith. One will be selected as Citizen of the Year and two Community Service Awards for 2013 at the chamber’s luncheon set for 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at Sunland Golf & Country Club.
FRIESS
MATTINGLEY
SMITH
See CHAMBER, A-11
Sequim schools putting bond issue to voters District targets April 22 ballot for $154M capital projects proposal by MICHAEL DASHIELL Sequim Gazette
Four Sequim firefighters, from left, Lee Oman, Jared Romberg, James Brown and Brian Oullette climb 69 floors at the Columbia Center on March 9 to benefit Leukemia and Lymphoma research. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash
Up for the cause
Sequim firefighters are joining 1,800 others for climbing fundraiser
by MATTHEW NASH
They’ll be scaling the second tallest building west of the Mississippi River on March 9 for The Leukemia & A few steps in and about 1,300 to go, Lymphoma Society as part of the 23rd some Sequim firefighters are in for a annual Scott Firefighter Stairclimb. climb. Four Sequim firefighters with Clal-
Sequim Gazette
lam County Fire District 3 and 11 firefighters from the Port Angeles Fire Department join 1,800 firefighters from around the world to climb 69
See CAUSE, A-2
Fair royalty hosts big fundraiser Sequim girls look to become Clallam queen
Time to grow? Sequim school leaders and advocates have two months to convince voters to approve a $154 million capital projects bond that would fund the building of a new elementary school, a major overhaul of Sequim High School, significant modifications to Greywolf Elementary School and more. On Feb. 11, the Sequim School Board of Directors unanimously approved putting the proposal to voters for a special election on April 22. “What do we need to do for our students and staff to be successful? We’re looking after our constituents. I think we have a responsibility BRIDGE to let the voters decide,” Sequim school board president John Bridge said last week. The 20-year bond would
pay for projects that include: an $87 million overhaul of Sequim High School, $25.5 million for a new elementary school, $17.7 million in renovations to Greywolf Elementary School and $8 million in renovations to Helen Haller Elementary School, as it transitions into the new home for Olympic Peninsula Academy and other community programs. Also on the list is $4.75 million for an athletic facility that would replace an aging football and soccer stadium off of Fir Street and $2 million earmarked for land acquisition for the elementary school that would replace Helen Haller. The project list also includes $1 million in modifications to the Sequim Middle School roof, which has seen significant drywall damage, school district business manager Brian Lewis said. The previous design that pools some rainwater atop flat sections, and that water seeps into the structure.
See SCHOOL, A-9
Sequim Gazette Staff
The Clallam County Fair royalty is all from Sequim with candidates, from left, Hannah Fritz, Hannah Gauthun, Mia Steben, and Hailey Lester, not pictured. Here, three of them sit at a county fairgrounds facility where they host their biggest fundraiser, a potato dinner and live/silent auction on Feb. 22. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash
It’s time to eat some spuds for a royal occasion. Four Sequim girls – Hannah Fritz, Hannah Gauthun, Hailey Lester and Mia Steben – make their first appearance as the Clallam County Fair Royalty for their baked potato dinner and live/ silent auction fundraiser. It begins at 6 p.m. SaturLESTER day, Feb. 22, in the Home Arts Building at the Clallam County
See ROYALTY, A-9
Sequim school board president John Bridge looks at proposed capital improvements to the Sequim School District’s main campus last week. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell
Sports B-5 • Schools B-6 • Arts & Entertainment B-1 • Opinion A-10 • Obituaries A-12 • Classifieds C-1 • Crossword Section C
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