West Sequim Bay Road project begins this week
Starting this week, Wilson Engineering will be performing survey activity and geotechnical exploration along West Sequim Bay Road between Washington Harbor Loop and Forrest Road and in between Washington Harbor Loop.
This part of a City of Sequim project lays the foundation for extending a sewer main from Washington Harbor Road to Forrest Road where a new regional lift station will be constructed. A water main will be extended from Independence Drive to approximately 300-feet South-East of Junco Road; along with connecting the water mains along Washington Harbor Loop Road(s).
Residents can expect survey crews to be on the road and working within the road right-of-way.
Geotechnical work will mainly be outside of the road right-of-way but will require some large drilling machinery to determine soil stability and groundwater levels. Residents are encouraged to heed flaggers, cones, survey crews/equipment and construction signage, and to be cognizant of large construction equipment and trucks and their backup alarms.
Sequim entered a design contract of the project with Wilson Engineering on June 27.
Meet-and-greet set for new county administrator
Clallam County commissioners host a a meet and greet for interested citizens to get to know newly hired county administrator Todd Mielke from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the commissioners’ board room (160) at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles.
Mielke has a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in business administration finance and operations management and accounting. He has served in various positions in Spokane County, including CEO of the Greater Spokane Chamber of Commerce, county commissioner for three terms, and his most recent position, chief administrative officer with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
During his time as commissioner, he was elected President of the Washington Association of Counties.
‘Work to Learn’ party set for Saturday
The Sequim Botanical Garden Society hosts a “Work to Learn” Party for 1 p.m. Saturday, July 29, at the Sequim Botanical Garden Terrace Garden, 500 N. Blake Ave., near the band shell at Carrie Blake Community Park.
Photo by Renne Emiko Brock A bearded iris erupts with dazzling color at the Sequim Botanical Garden. Join a “work to learn” party at the garden on Saturday, July 29.
Sherry Smith will lead a presentation about growing and caring for iris. The event will cover avoiding an iris garden takeover and blooming secrets.
Smith, who has grown iris for many seasons, will demonstrate when and how to cut down the spent stalks and foliage, how to dig the rhizomes and detect rot, and how to divide them and replant. There will be plants to practice on, so organizers say the best tools to bring — besides gloves and clothing appropriate to the weather — are sharp clippers and a tool like a scythe that can cut a handful of foliage in one sweep.
There will be a number of “surprise” irises for interested participants to take home.
“The Sequim Botanical Garden was awash with color in late May and early June with the iris putting on an exuberant full sun display,” Smith said. “Named for Iris, the Greek goddess of the rainbow, they go dormant after bloom and that is the time to divide them.”
The Sequim Botanical Garden Society (SBGS) is a volunteer partner with the City of Sequim and a 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides education and a demonstration of what can be done in home gardening with research-based horticultural practices.
For more information, contact SBGS president Dona Brock at BROCKDL88@gmail.com or 360-460-8865. Find SBGS online at fb.me/SequimBotanicalGarden and SequimBotanicalGarden.org.
Transit board picks general manager
Jim Fetzer is officially the new general manager of Clallam Transit System. The system’s commissioners on July 19 formally approved Fetzer’s one-year employment agreement that will pay him $142,000 annually plus assorted benefits such as merit pay and a monthly automobile expense reimbursement.
Fetzer was hired by the agency four years ago to be its operations manager. He had been acting as general manager since July 3, when longtime general manager Kevin Gallacci retired after 39 years at the agency.
“I really appreciate your confidence and just look forward to getting a lot done next year,” Fetzer said.
Fetzer is balancing both his roles as general manager and operations manager until the agency can fill his previous position.
Land Trust seeks Farmer of Year nominations
North Olympic Land Trust (NOLT) looks to honor an individual, organization, or farm that has had “a lasting and significant impact on the ability of local lands to provide food and sustenance for the community” with its 2023 Farmer of the Year award.
“This award allows the organization and greater community an opportunity to show our appreciation to those who help to strengthen agriculture on the north Olympic Peninsula,” Land Trust executive director Tom Sanford said.
Past honorees include: Nash Huber of Nash’s Organic Produce (1999), Gene Adolphson (2013), Doug Hendrickson and Lee Norton of Salt Creek Farm (2016), WSU Extension Clallam County (2017), Scott Chichester of Chi’s Farm (2018), Sarah and Ryan McCarthey of Dungeness Valley Creamery (2019), and the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe Traditional Foods and Culture Program (2021).
This year, North Olympic Land Trust is opening the Farmer of the Year award for community nominations. Community members are encouraged to share their favorite farms and farmers with the Land Trust, as well as share stories about what these farms mean to them. All options are welcome.
The nomination period closes Aug. 31. An online submission form can be found at northolympiclandtrust.org/2023foy. Submissions can also be made in person at the eighth-annual Land Trust Family Picnic — set for 1-4 p.m. Sunday, July 30, at Olympic Cellars, 255410 U.S. Highway 101 — or during business hours at the North Olympic Land Trust office, 602 E. Front St., Port Angeles.
Deadline approaching for Soroptimist scholarship
Soroptimist International of Sequim offers $750-$2,000 Continuing Education Scholarships to women who have completed 24 semester or 30 quarter hours of post-secondary education and are enrolled for the next school year.
These scholarships are for Sequim residents or women who have attended Sequim High School.
Applications available now at sisequim.org, with a deadline of Tuesday, Aug. 15.
The mission of Soroptimist International, members note, is “to provide access to the education and training that will help women achieve economic empowerment.”
For more information, contact Cat Xander at 360-683-5051 or info@sisequim.org.
Free housing seminar set in early August
The Clallam-Jefferson County Pro Bono Lawyers hosts an in-person presentation aimed at helping people navigate landlord-tenant issues from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5, at Clallam County PUD, 104 Hooker Road, Carlsborg.
Open to the public, the event is primarily focused on tenant rights. Attorneys Ted Howard and Steve Robins will discuss recent changes in eviction laws and resources in Washington state.
There will also be a representative from Olympic Community Action Programs (OlyCAP) to offer information on local low-income housing and utility resources.
Once the presentations are complete, participants will be able to ask questions and consult one on one with local volunteer attorneys on a first come first serve basis.
For more information or to register ahead of the event, contact Shauna Rogers McClain at 360-504-2422 or probonolawyers@gmail.com, or Mary Margolis at 360-504-2422 or probonomary2@gmail.com.
