Calm and quiet on the Weatherwax Trail.
A few years back – Skagit Valley
Calm and cloudy on The North Beach. Able to get limits before 1600.
Washington Coast
Razor Clam seasons
Noticing that many people today drive vehicles with a heavy window tint. In the old days, people might be inclined to make eye contact and exchange a wave. Is there an app for that? Today, many seem to be fully sealed inside a computer and climate controlled rolling entertainment/navigation and communications center, surrounded by tinted windows that used to be appropriate for a presidential motorcade. These features are popular even for pickup trucks today.
1970s Mob Boss – No Tinted Windows
Not Sealed Inside Behind A Heavy Window Tint
Took drivers ed decades ago. We were taught to make eye contact with drivers and pedestrians at intersections and crosswalks to increase safety.
Looks like it’s still a good idea:
More here:
Related:
Thoughts on changes in American culture relating to those born roughly in the late 50s & early 60s
I stopped posting to the blog above a while back because WordPress changed the blog user interface from something that was easy to use and understand to something that became super complicated.
I did not leave WP entirely, but paid extra to keep using this blog. Maybe paying extra means I could easily post to the old blog, but I have not taken time to fuss with it.
More here:
Goodbye Spammy WordPress Likes
Photo-
The Slow Lane – Penn Cove
Nice, calm afternoon on The North Beach. Able to get limits by 1430.
Washington Coast
Razor Clam seasons
March 13, 2023 Military Times @MilitaryTimes
White House budget calls for more troops & services hope to add about 12,000 but battling high employment, lower public interest in joining
From comments:
“Time for a draft…and time to include women.”
Our take:
Decades after the lessons of Vietnam, it feels like the people who run the Pentagon specialize in undeclared/unwon wars.
It is understandable that young people and their parents and grandparents would take a dim view on all this.
Before making any plans to start up a draft, let’s ask if newspeople can do something totally different. Have newspeople interview elected officials and let us know how sending US Troops to Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc., is somehow defending the constitution.
Have newspeople find out:
Whatever happened to the formal congressional declaration of war?
This would be the time to hear from elected leaders and top generals Re: lessons learned on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense track record for winning wars since DOD was established in 1949.
Back during the Cold War era of the 1980s, the US Armed Forces seemed to be in good shape. Today, DOD struggles with recruiting difficulties. I have my own attitudes about all this.
May 13, 2022 Military.com
Military Throwing Cash at Recruiting Crisis as Troops Head for the Exits
“Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee personnel panel, says the military is on the cusp of a recruiting crisis.”
Questions we’d love to see newspeople ask:
Senator Tillis,
Has dressing women to look like men had any positive or negative impact on recruiting?
More here:
2022 – Armed Forces Recruiting Culture
Potential applicants on the way to comply with the next draft:
Jan 13, 2023 Military.com
Brawls, Disorder Mar National Guard Boot Camp for Teens
“A massive brawl broke out on a parade ground at Fort Gordon in Augusta one afternoon last fall, when about 70 teenage recruits of the Georgia National Guard’s Youth Challenge Academy slugged it out. Some used homemade weapons, including metal shanks, crudely sharpened toothbrushes and tube socks filled with metal padlocks.”
More here:
Hey Moms and Dads – Ask A Recruiter
Last time there was a draft that involved an undeclared war, things did not go well.
RealClearDefense – We Need a Peace Time Draft
From comments:
“During the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq the services met their quotas, and that was with people dying and coming home missing limbs. What has changed? Young people see what a failure those wars were. Why fight for a govt that views them as pawns for their political whims and cuts out when all the Generals have been promoted and the companies made billions. Add in the cultural politicization of the military (changing base names and pronouns to name a few) and the pool of eligible people (which is still large) see the military not as honorable service but something to be avoided. Young people see a made up war in Ukraine coming soon as the administration keeps poking the Russians. The left has spent decades demonizing military service, now it is ok? People are smarter than that. A draft is way to avoid fixing the decline in our military and the politicization of its mission/people. Stop the cultural attack on the military ethos, hold accountable someone besides a Marine Major for the failure of the Iran/Iraq wars and stop promoting a war with Russia so Raytheon and Lockeed can make more money. You would see people join. I am a Naval Academy Graduate and served my country for 20 years in various jobs. I would sooner my sons work at a gas station than join today’s military.”
What we were thinking in 2012:
Related:
Excuses for US Military Recruiting Crisis
Any college or pro football coach would have been fired a dozen times over
America Deserves A Military Recruiting Crisis
Roaring Sports Fans – Military Jet Flyover
GWOT/Super Bowl Security Update 2023
How does Uncle Sam plan to attract young people to sign up in the years ahead?
Below, are some random thoughts and questions newspeople will not ask. Our questions appear in bold type.
Possibly of interest:
How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?
Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.
Photo-
About this time of year – Skagit Valley
All due respect for the loss of this National Guard Specialist.
Mar 13, 2023 Army Times
Oklahoma Guard soldier dies following Army Combat Fitness Test
“A soldier in the Oklahoma National Guard died earlier this month during a training mishap, Army officials confirmed.”
“Spc. Jaykob R. Pruitt, 19, of Bennington, Oklahoma, a cavalry scout with the state Guard’s 1st Squadron, 180th Cavalry Regiment, was found unresponsive the morning of March 4 after completing the two-mile run portion of the Army Combat Fitness Test, according to a preliminary loss report published by the service.”
Seems strange to call this a training mishap. A truck running off the road or a helicopter experiencing a hard landing might cause injuries and be called a mishap. Sounds like they don’t know what happened.
“The cause of Pruitt’s death is under investigation by the McAlester medical examiner, though the status of that process is unclear at this time, Lt. Col. LeeAnn R. Tumblson, another spokesperson from the Oklahoma National Guard, told Military Times.”
Maybe something can be learned from this loss.
This looks complicated:
Feb 15, 2023 Military.com | By Drew F. Lawrence
More Changes Brewing for Embattled Army Fitness Test
“Changes are coming to the Army Combat Fitness Test, as the service looks to comply with a law mandating it create a gender-neutral assessment by June, a continuation of the struggle over the test that was finally rolled out in October following years of delays.”
“…the service is weighing whether to use a gender-neutral version of the ACFT with a higher standard for combat arms soldiers, or repurpose physical tests currently required for expert badges.”
“The changes are still being formulated, with some of the uncertainty driven by two competing congressional requirements built into last year’s annual defense policy bill to “establish gender-neutral fitness standards for combat [jobs] that are higher than those for non-combat [jobs],” while also creating gender-neutral standards for all soldiers.”
Changing The Standard
“The ACFT was originally intended to be gender-neutral, but the Army reversed course after early test data, first reported by Military.com in 2021, showed that nearly half of all female soldiers were failing the test.”
Back during the Cold War era of the 1980s, the US Armed Forces seemed to be in good shape. Today, DOD struggles with recruiting difficulties. I have my own attitudes about all this.
May 13, 2022 Military.com
Military Throwing Cash at Recruiting Crisis as Troops Head for the Exits
“Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee personnel panel, says the military is on the cusp of a recruiting crisis.”
Questions we’d love to see newspeople ask:
Senator Tillis,
Has dressing women to look like men had any positive or negative impact on recruiting?
More here:
2022 – Armed Forces Recruiting Culture
Related:
Excuses for US Military Recruiting Crisis
Any college or pro football coach would have been fired a dozen times over
America Deserves A Military Recruiting Crisis
Hey Moms and Dads – Ask A Recruiter
Roaring Sports Fans – Military Jet Flyover
GWOT/Super Bowl Security Update 2023
How does Uncle Sam plan to attract young people to sign up in the years ahead?
Below, are some random thoughts and questions newspeople will not ask. Our questions appear in bold type.
Possibly of interest:
How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?
Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.
Tuesday afternoon – The North Beach
Tuesday afternoon – The North Beach
Calm and quiet on the Weatherwax Trail.
Calm and quiet on the Weatherwax Trail.
March 9, 2023 Military.com | By Thomas Novelly
“U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Ed Thomas, Air Force Recruiting Service commander delivers a State of Command briefing to the 360th Recruiting Group at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, N.J., Oct. 22, 2021. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ryan Conroy)”
Recruiters meet at a casino in Atlantic City? Sounds serious.
“This is a very unique generation,” Thomas told Military.com. “Generation Z is not patriotic, in the traditional sense; they’re also less trusting of government…”
Possible reasons for not being patriotic and less trusting of government in bold type:
School children are taught about a free enterprise system. They grow up to find out that the federal government will tell them what kind of shower head they must install in the bathroom, and what type of gas can they must buy for their lawn mower.
In the US, 18-20 year old adults are placed in a land of the free holding pattern.
Alcohol, marijuana, tobacco and firearms restrictions are in place for 18-20 year old adults. Is there any state where recreational marijuana laws remove prohibition for adults at age 18?
Doesn’t seem to fit with a society that can’t stop bragging about freedom, thanking the troops for freedoms, fighting wars for freedoms, staging military jet flyovers at sporting events for freedom, etc.
While the troops were deployed, federal law was signed prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20.
December 21st 2019 KOMO News
Legal age to buy cigarettes, vapes raised to 21 nationwide
“Signed into law by President Donald Trump Friday as part of the new $1.4 trillion spending bill, a new measure prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21.”
Both major political parties are OK with treating 18-20 year old adults as second-class citizens.
Gen Z has also seen a US Dept. of Defense that was nowhere to be found on 911.
We haven’t won a war since.
Decades after the lessons of Vietnam, it feels like the people who run the Pentagon specialize in undeclared/unwon wars.
Understandable why young people and their parents and grandparents would take a dim view on all this.
Recruiters, generals, elected officials, political think tanks and TV newspeople are A-OK with a list of excuses for difficulties in recruiting. Low unemployment, overweight young people, COVID, young people on meds, illegal drug use, etc.
Alternative media is OK with asking questions:
Plenty of comments posted with the video above. Comments made by people who were not paid to read a script.
A sample:
“Being at war for two decades creating an entire generation of veterans that actively tell young people not to enlist while they’re being screwed over by the VA. We won’t forget what’s been done and we’re the best recruiters you could have.”
Jun 30, 2022 WCCO – CBS Minnesota
1:41 Reporters interviewing reporters from within their TV studios.
Back in the 1960s, TV newspeople had a different style of reporting and working to keep the public informed.
At 3:49 an interview with Maj. Sgt. Kor.
Rank insignia on uniform does not match rank description in WCCO TV news video. Weeks later, title remains uncorrected.
Maj. Sgt. Kor (thanks newspeople) tries to explain why people may have lost interest in the US Armed Forces as the GWOT dragged on.
After squandering DOD credibility for decades in distant lands, top generals are now hurting for people to sign up.
Less trusting of government?
Pick a decade anytime after the war in Vietnam. No matter what political party or personality is in the White House, Uncle Sam struggles to get veterans health care to work properly. Moms, Dads, Grandparents, and young people have access to this info.
Recruiting crisis for Uncle Sam? Elected officials and top Pentagon Generals earned it.
The military recruiting crisis was earned by the politicians, generals, and high ranking civilians who have been running the Pentagon over the past 30 years or so. The crisis is also upon us due to newspeople not asking questions going back to the time the Cold War ended.
Conclusion:
The Dept. of Defense was nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since. Has anyone been fired over this?
Since the end of the Cold War:
Both major parties appear to have been OK with undeclared/unwon wars and sending the National Guard to foreign lands on missions completely unrelated to their home state.
Every few years, no matter what political party or personality is in power, there are moves to modify what people thought they were earning in exchange for 20 years of unrestricted worldwide service.
The plan is to save cash by reducing the traditional DOD military benefits that were on the table when people began doing multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Recruiting crisis? You earned it.
Try for less blaming of a new generation and the Moms and Dads of today for any hesitation related to doing time in uniform. Time to take a hard look at what elected officials and the US Dept. of Defense did with the brand after the first Cold War ended in the early 90s and after the lessons of Vietnam were on the table.
Related:
Any college or pro football coach would have been fired a dozen times over
America Deserves A Military Recruiting Crisis
Hey Moms and Dads – Ask A Recruiter
Roaring Sports Fans – Military Jet Flyover
GWOT/Super Bowl Security Update 2023
How does Uncle Sam plan to attract young people to sign up in the years ahead?
Possibly of interest:
How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?
Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.
Photo-
A symbol of newspeople not asking questions, and a federal government that is OK with undeclared/unwon wars and telling lies about freedom, then blaming young people and their families when they lose interest in showing up.
“The hard truth is this, either we fight them in Syria or we’ll fight them here,” said Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont. “Either we fight and defeat them in Syria, or we’ll fight them in the streets of our nation.”
March 9, 2023 Associated Press | By Kevin Freking
Thanks
Thanks for sending The Troops to distant lands to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things. If not for decades of undeclared/unwon wars, (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949) hostile forces may have come to North America to do away with the free enterprise system and tell us what kind of shower head we must install in our home, what type of gas can we must buy for our generator, or that our push mower does not meet federal EPA regulations.
If not for decades of undeclared/unwon wars, drug trafficking cartels might be able to move product into all 50 states.
Feb. 24, 2023 TEMPE, Ariz. (3TV/CBS 5/Gray News)
4.5 million fentanyl pills, 3,000 pounds of meth seized during joint drug bust
“The Tempe Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration and Arizona Attorney General’s Office shared details on Thursday about a major bust that took three years to pull off.”
Three years to pull off this bust?
“An estimated 4.5 million fentanyl pills were seized in addition to 3,000 pounds of methamphetamine and large amounts of heroin, cocaine and fentanyl powder, according to authorities.”
Wonder what was happening at border crossing inspections during the 3 years these folks were under investigation. Do the good guys who made the Tempe bust notify the good guys at the border about the weak links in their process?
Love to see newspeople ask:
Were federal authorities at the border notified of this ongoing investigation?
Did the drug traffickers get fast track screening at the border so as not to disrupt this ongoing investigation?
If the drug traffickers were given a pass at the border- would that have tipped them off as to the investigation- or would that have been seen as standard protocol?
Imagine that LE authorities observe a shoplifter or bank robber in action. Instead of going in to make an arrest they back off and conduct an investigation that goes on for 3 years. What if they applied the same tactic Re: crimes involving arson, terrorism, child abuse, DUI, etc.
I know, I know- It takes time to build a case against the really big drug traffickers.
This time next year- will there be any shortage of cartel product from Mexico? Has any city, county or state jurisdiction been able to cleanup their drug problem using these methods?
Anytime there is a plane crash, a loss at sea, or an industrial accident, a thorough investigation takes place. Lessons learned are used to prevent future accidents.
Will any investigation be conducted to learn why a $51.6 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security failed to keep 4.5 million fentanyl pills, 3,000 pounds of methamphetamine and large amounts of heroin, cocaine and fentanyl powder from showing up in Tempe?
Would the bad guys from Syria be stopped or slowed down by the good guys at the US Dept. of Homeland Security?
Always have wondered how terrorists are prevented from entering the US while heroin, cocaine, meth, fentanyl, etc. roll in.
Cartel drug busts that happen in Hometown, USA involve drugs that were not stopped at the border. These large drug busts are routinely reported as some sort of big success.
Seems like, if terrorists wanted to disrupt the American way of life, they would have had many dozens of opportunities each year over the past couple of decades.
Below, are some random thoughts and questions newspeople will not ask. Our questions appear in bold type.
Related:
Any college or pro football coach would have been fired a dozen times over
America Deserves A Military Recruiting Crisis
Hey Moms and Dads – Ask A Recruiter
Roaring Sports Fans – Military Jet Flyover
GWOT/Super Bowl Security Update 2023
How does Uncle Sam plan to attract young people to sign up in the years ahead?
Possibly of interest:
How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?
Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.
Photo-
Salt Creek
Wednesday afternoon – The North Beach
Wednesday afternoon – Washington Coast – The North Beach
Wednesday afternoon – Washington Coast – The North Beach
Wednesday afternoon – Washington Coast – The North Beach
Wednesday afternoon – The North Beach
Wednesday afternoon – Washington Coast – The North Beach
Wednesday afternoon – Washington Coast – The North Beach
Not here to say that military benefits are inadequate. Just stick with whatever was offered when people signed up to stay on for multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and we’re good.
The US Armed Forces recruiting crisis was earned by the politicians, generals, and high ranking civilians who have been running the Pentagon over the past 30 years or so. The crisis is also upon us due to newspeople not asking questions going back to the time the Cold War ended.
Not enough undeclared/unwon wars to get it right:
March 5, 2023 Great Falls Tribune
Tester discusses ‘alarming number of issues’ with military healthcare
“Montana Senator Jon Tester heard a chorus of complaints about a military health care system that has become increasingly inefficient, unresponsive, and difficult to navigate, both for patients and their providers.”
“I’ve heard from far too many Montanans that TriCare isn’t working for them, and I’m concerned about the alarming number of issues with the program.”
“We’ve got 17 veterans a day as of the last census that are committing suicide, and Montana’s suicide rate is the highest in the nation. There’s not enough people out there to take care of the problem, so that when somebody is in crisis, they have no help. We don’t have enough providers that are available to get on board and when they do, they’re libel not to work because it takes 45 to 60 days or longer to get paid. This is insane.”
Welcome Home Troops
Related:
America Deserves A Military Recruiting Crisis
Any college or pro football coach would have been fired a dozen times over
Hey Moms and Dads – Ask A Recruiter
Roaring Sports Fans – Military Jet Flyover
GWOT/Super Bowl Security Update 2023
How does Uncle Sam plan to attract young people to sign up in the years ahead?
Below, are some random thoughts and questions newspeople will not ask. Our questions appear in bold type.
Possibly of interest:
How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?
Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.
Photo-
Winter on the Washington Coast
Ocean Shores, WA –
$6.3 million in federal cash for a used hotel.
Any questions from newspeople?
December 8, 2022 The Daily World
Dept. of Ag invests $6.3M to purchase Ocean Shores hotel
$6.3 million “to fund the acquisition of an existing hotel. Marathon Enterprises Inc. is located in Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County, Washington. The project is expected to result in saving eight jobs and creating one full time job.”
Love to see newspeople ask: Is there any shortage of lodging facilities in this community?
Ocean Shores has other areas that cry out for improvement. Pedestrian friendly public access to the beach at Damon Point and sidewalks and crosswalks in general are two of those. Details on those in a recent blog here:
Photo-
An old image from a trip to Ocean Shores back in 2015
Last week.
Public access for beach walkers at Damon Point has been on my mind. For a town that promotes visitors, tourism and good times at the beach, things are piss poor over at Damon Point.
Today, beach walkers moving toward the water from the parking area at Damon Point are channeled to a choice between an eroded/unsafe former road drop-off and private property that is posted, telling walkers that they are not welcome. WTF?
Image above taken earlier this winter.
KOSW recently discussed some erosion issues at Damon Point.
Here is the link – listen here.
It looks like there is no sense of urgency in making improvements here.
Recently blogged about it:
Damon Point – Washington Trails Association
Trip Reports
Dec. 31, 2022
“Getting access to Damon Point was difficult because of a wash out. You either have to climb over the jetty or walk through the RV park. There is no trail from the parking lot to the beaches along the point.”
Aug. 11, 2022
“The only trail leading to Damon Point now has a sign that says private property. The public is no longer allowed to access it You can cross over the rocks on the jetty. At low tide this is not terribly difficult, you just need to be careful However at high tide it becomes more difficult. In the winter with high tides and wind it could become dangerous. Please take care crossing it.”
$6.3 million in federal cash for a used hotel.
Any questions from newspeople?
December 8, 2022 The Daily World
Dept. of Ag invests $6.3M to purchase Ocean Shores hotel
$6.3 million “to fund the acquisition of an existing hotel. Marathon Enterprises Inc. is located in Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County, Washington. The project is expected to result in saving eight jobs and creating one full time job.”
Love to see newspeople ask: Is there any shortage of lodging facilities in this community?
Better ideas for local federal funding:
Get the ferry to Westport going again:
“Sadly, the ferry service shut down in 2008, but not due to lack of popularity. While the ferry service had seen closures in previous years, the service would always pick back up and be celebrated by residents and visitors alike. Sadly, after too much sand and silt built up around the Ocean Shores marina, the El Matador was forced to cancel trips across the harbor. What was once a family-friendly boating experience and adventure across the harbor is now relegated to fond memories.”
Rehab of the marina would attract sport fishermen for launching and mooring of boats. Set up a place for fish and chips, a pub with a view, bait and tackle/boating store, a cocktail lounge, restaurant, etc. Use some imagination and get it going.
Damon Point was once a state park. Why is it no longer a state park? Is there an attitude related to climate change/sea level rise that is used as an excuse to back away from maintaining the shore?
Any federal money for ports and coastal improvement?
Oct. 9, 2020 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters Website
About the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
“One of the Seattle District’s primary missions is to maintain the navigation channels and harbors in the Pacific Northwest. Maintenance and navigation dredging is done frequently in harbor areas, ports and marinas. A significant component of Washington’s economy depends on navigation and commerce, which in turn depends on dredging navigation channels.”
Other than federal funding, go with cooperative efforts, negotiations with the tribe and creative thinking here. City leaders, volunteer work parties, local businesses who may donate trucks and materials, landscaping resources, etc. Offer to create some sort of access trail with a fence, plantings, trash cans, etc. Make an offer to the tribe that can help to improve the situation.
6.3 million in federal cash for a used hotel.
Any questions from newspeople?
Ocean Shores Is Not a Pedestrian Friendly Town
Meet me at Ocean Shores McDonald’s. We will stay on that side of the street, facing traffic and walk north on Point Brown Ave NE, all the way up to the Beacon Pest Control facility, just across from the entrance to Ocean Shores. Walking this route will suck. Couples & families are staying in a hotel room near the beach. They want to go on foot and see the town, maybe have a beer and avoid drinking and driving, maybe visit the shops, head over to Galway Bay, Lucky Dragon, walk over to Playtime Family Fun, etc. Traveling on foot will suck. Much room for improvement here.
$6.3 million in federal cash for a used hotel.
Any questions from newspeople?
Maybe efforts are already in the works to make improvements. Thanks to those who may be involved.
Related:
Federal Cash For The Coast – 98569
Image above taken earlier this winter.
Today, beach walkers moving toward the water from the parking area at Damon Point are channeled to a choice between an eroded/unsafe former road drop-off and private property that is posted, telling walkers that they are not welcome. WTF?
KOSW, this morning discussed some erosion issues at Damon Point.
I will try to find a link with the interview to post later.
Here is the link – listen here.
It looks like there is not a sense of urgency about maintaining public access for beach walkers at Damon Point.
Damon Point was once a state park. Why is it no longer a state park?
Is there an attitude related to climate change/sea level rise that is used as an excuse to back away from maintaining the shore?
Making repairs at Keystone Harbor:
February 17, 2023 Whidbey News-Times
Keystone Boat Launch construction underway
After more than four years, the Keystone Boat Launch at Fort Casey State Park will be functional.
“The public boat ramp near the Coupeville ferry terminal suffered severe damage in December of 2018 when storm winds rammed a breakwater structure into the floating docks. Chris Holm, a state parks division manager and former area manager for Central Whidbey state parks, said the park obtained FEMA funding for both the design and construction phases of the repair project.”
Oct. 9, 2020 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters Website
About the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
“One of the Seattle District’s primary missions is to maintain the navigation channels and harbors in the Pacific Northwest. Maintenance and navigation dredging is done frequently in harbor areas, ports and marinas. A significant component of Washington’s economy depends on navigation and commerce, which in turn depends on dredging navigation channels.”
$6.3 million in federal cash for a used hotel.
Any questions from newspeople?
December 8, 2022 The Daily World
Dept. of Ag invests $6.3M to purchase Ocean Shores hotel
$6.3 million “to fund the acquisition of an existing hotel. Marathon Enterprises Inc. is located in Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County, Washington. The project is expected to result in saving eight jobs and creating one full time job.”
Love to see newspeople ask: Is there any shortage of lodging facilities in this community?
A better idea for local federal funding:
Get the ferry to Westport going again:
“Sadly, the ferry service shut down in 2008, but not due to lack of popularity. While the ferry service had seen closures in previous years, the service would always pick back up and be celebrated by residents and visitors alike. Sadly, after too much sand and silt built up around the Ocean Shores marina, the El Matador was forced to cancel trips across the harbor. What was once a family-friendly boating experience and adventure across the harbor is now relegated to fond memories.”
Rehab of the marina would attract sport fishermen for launching and mooring of boats. Set up a place for fish and chips, a pub with a view, bait and tackle/boating store, a cocktail lounge, restaurant, etc. Use some imagination and get it going.
Work on access to the beach at Damon Point too.
Damon Point
People familiar with this location know that public access is more tricky now than it was 18 months ago.
Besides federal funding, go with cooperative efforts, negotiations with the tribe and creative thinking here. City leaders, volunteer work parties, local businesses who may donate trucks and materials, landscaping resources, etc. Offer to create some sort of access trail with a fence, plantings, trash cans, etc. Make an offer to the tribe that can help to improve the situation.
The marina facility has potential. Any federal grant money for ports and coastal improvement?
Maybe these efforts are already in the works. Thanks to those who may be involved.
Related:
Federal Cash For The Coast – 98569
Wednesday morning.