Local News for 1/26/22
#193 David Faber, PT’s New Mayor
(Airdate: January 25, 2022) Our Town host Maryanne McNellis interviews David Faber, Port Townsend’s new mayor. David is partner in the uptown law firm Faber & Feinson. His family moved to Port Townsend when he was eight years old so he has first-hand knowledge of the PT school system as well as most local issues. David was a council member and Deputy Mayor before assuming the largely ceremonial post as Mayor. PT also has a City Manager, John Mauro, as well as a mayor and a seven-person city council. The council hires the city manager and approves his major decisions. David says that affordable housing is one key issue facing our community. He has also been listening to citizen concerns about the state of our roads, which have had little maintenance for years. But adequate repair of our streets is an expensive proposition. Major arteries such as Water Street or Discovery Road are candidates for either federal or state grants. But neighborhood streets are not eligible for that sort of funding. Where are we going to get the money to fix our streets? It’s not a simple matter.
Local News for 1/25/22
Rep. Derek Kilmer Speaks to BOCC
(Airdate: January 24, 2022) U.S. Congressman Derek Kilmer joined the Board of County Commissioners meeting from 10:30 to 11am. Congressman Kilmer spoke about the current legislative session in Washington, DC with news about programs that are expected to have a big impact on Jefferson County.
The summary below was provided by and is used with the permission of Jefferson County Government.
“Obviously, this has been a really challenging time from the standpoint of our public health system,” Congressman Kilmer said. And, we’ve also faced some extraordinary economic challenges as well.”
His review of the past year included the Paycheck Protection Program and American Rescue Plan, but he spent time looking forward to current and future legislation. He said the Infrastructure Bill that was signed into law “is about putting people to work now and laying the foundation for economic growth over the long haul. By investing in roads, and bridges, and transit,and water systems, and ports, and in broadband.”
The bill makes historic investments in transportation, substantial investments in Port related infrastructure, and includes $23.4 billion for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.
The Build Back Better Act – passed by the House and currently awaiting action in the Senate – would reduce the cost of childcare, provide universal preschool for three and four year olds, provide more rental assistance addressing the public housing repair backlog and investing in the National Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve more affordable homes. It also deals with energy bills.
To learn more and hear Congressman Kilmer’s presentation, here’s a link (1:30:59) :
https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/…/cab5767e-43ec-4717
To access the congressman’s website: kilmer.house.gov.
County Public Health Report ~ 1/24
The following is a summary of the presentation during the Public Health briefings at this week’s Board of County Commissioners meeting made by Jefferson and Clallam County Public Health Officer Dr. Allison Berry. The summary below was provided by and used with the permission of Jefferson County Government.
Dr. Berry there is still a critical shortage of COVID-19 testing. She said although distribution of test kits ordered from the federal government and the State Department of Health will be delayed by up to two weeks, this should not prevent anyone from following protocols. Here’s Dr. Berry’s directions on what to do:
– If you’re sick and you can’t get tested for COVID-19, the most important thing to do is stay home while you’re sick for five days from when your symptoms started, because it’s very possible that it’s COVID-19.
– If you can’t get tested, you can’t know for sure that it’s not COVID-19 in that you’re shedding that virus at work.
– If you can’t get tested, stay home for five days when you’re sick.
– If you’re exposed but you can’t get a test, stay home for five days if you are unboosted.
– If you’re boosted, you can continue to work. That’s kind of the simplest way I can break down the guidance around isolation and quarantine.
– If you test positive for COVID-19, the safest thing to do is to stay home for 10 days from when symptoms started. If you test negative, then you can go back as soon as your symptoms have resolved.
Submit your Public Health questions to Dr. Allison Berry by emailing [email protected]. Note: The weekly deadline for these to be submitted is on Fridays at noon, to be answered at the following Monday’s BOCC meeting.
Note: normally the BOCC meets 4 times a month and then skips the 5th week, so the next Public Health Briefing is scheduled for Monday, February 7.
Can Electric Vehicles Save Us?
(Airdate: January 24, 2022) KPTZ host Steve Evans talks with electric vehicle advocates Tony Billera and Cyndy Bratz about the important role they believe EV’s quick widespread adoption must play in addressing the rapidly unfolding climate crisis.
Community Tides ~ 1/21
In this week’s Community Tides, KPTZ’s Chris Bricker and co-host Siobhan Canty, President & CEO of Jefferson Community Foundation, speak with Sarah Grossman, Board President of JUMP! (Jefferson Universal Movement Playground). Sarah provided pediatric Physical Therapy to children in Paraguay with the Peace Corps in the early ‘80s and during work trips to Mexico and Guatemala. She has been a Physical Therapist for over 40 years, working with children and adults with a variety of disabling conditions over the time, on the Olympic Peninsula, and in Hospitals, Outpatient Clinics, and Skilled Nursing facilities on the East and West Coast. She joins us today to talk about JUMP! The project has become a labor of love for Sarah and her team, from planting the seeds for this project to the exciting good news she’ll be sharing with us about the possible Spring opening of the playground at H.J. Carroll Park.
Brewocracy Now with John Mauro ~ 1/20
Today on Brewocracy Now KPTZ host Tim Quackenbush and City Manager John Mauro were joined by Dr. Linda Rosenberry, Superintendent of the Port Townsend School District. Topics they discussed included the school district’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the upcoming bond levy.
2021 Year End Appeal from KPTZ’s Robert Ambrose
Dear Friends,
When my wife and I decided to leave Alaska after decades living there, we made lists of criteria for defining our new home. Chief on my list was moving to a town that had a community radio station, partly because I wanted to continue my 20 year-old radio program, Rhythm Connection. More importantly to me, however, was that I knew from experience that establishing a local non-profit radio station takes tremendous effort and dedication to service. Any community that pulls off that feat is one where people care about each other, and where community spirit runs deep. KPTZ checked that box on my list, and Port Townsend checked many others, leading us to feel very lucky and happy to have moved here seven years ago.
The past two years have demonstrated how important KPTZ is for northern Olympic Peninsula communities. If it could be visualized, then it would be amazing to see how extensively our roots have spread, connecting people and organizations to help us all navigate perilous times. Our reach, reflecting our community value, can be measured by the dramatic growth in listeners and contributors we have experienced. Another indication is that in this, our eleventh year on-air, KPTZ has received its first significant bequest, its first important planned giving commitment, and its first major RMD (Required Minimum Distribution) IRA transfer.
Our growth and success during the coronavirus epoch is thanks to our 100+ volunteers, who produce our diverse programming and keep our equipment running. And above all, it is thanks to you supporting our efforts.
KPTZ is in an exciting period of transition! After pandemic delayed construction, volunteers are working hard to customize our new home in Fort Worden’s historic Building 305, where we are the anchor tenant of the visionary Makers Square project. Once we move in next spring, we shall have greatly expanded capacity to grow into the future. We have a news production studio to support our priority to expand reliable local news, and we have ample studios to capture live performances and to expand our broadcast and journalism eduction efforts.
Please give our transition a push by making your end-of-year gift to KPTZ!
On a personal note, this is a transitional moment for me, too. After five years as KPTZ Board President, I am stepping aside to catch my breath. I am super pleased that Dominic Svornich will take over that leadership role and excited by the fecund future that will unfold for KPTZ at beautiful Fort Worden, among its many vibrant, creative organizations. I’m not disappearing however: I will continue to produce my show(s), sit on the Board, and see to conclusion the projects that involve me. And this may not be the last appeal I send you!
Thank you for your tremendous support and for helping KPTZ connect us all!
Best wishes for a safe and wonderful holiday, and hopefully a happier new year!
Cheers,
Robert Ambrose
President, KPTZ Board of Directors
Host, Rhythm Connection, Tues 1-3
[email protected]
Note: KPTZ has capacity to accept donations of securities and stock, with significant tax benefits for donors. Likewise, directing Required IRA Distributions to non-profit KPTZ results in the distribution incurring no federal income tax.
Photo: Fort Worden Bldg 305 by Signal Architecture
Local News for 1/20/22
