An optional $5 car-tab tax may keep open Ocean City and several other state parks that were on the “mothball” list. From yesterday’s Daily World: “Senate Democrats have proposed an “opt-out” donation of $5 when buying car tabs. It changes the current law from “opt in” to “opt out.” It could raise an estimated $28 million in revenue.”

Responses from Mike Olden, Engineering Consultant for Grays Harbor County, to questions posed by the North Coast News:

Q: Even if Ocean Shores gets a full $3 million grant/loan forgiveness, can you see a scenario where Ocean Shores would up-grade its system, and still purchase some water from the County? 

A: I can’t speak for the City of course, but I could foresee a situation where they could build the first 1 MGD of capacity with the grant money and then contract with the County for peaking capacity.  This could potentially save the City a lot of money by not having to spend an additional $3 Million for something they would only use on summer weekends. 

 Q: There are concerns about pumping tests. Can you give a few examples of wells you have worked on, length of testing and how they have worked out? Have any wells you tested later failed?

Proof that the Razor Clam Festival isn’t the only thing going on this weekend on the North Beach:

Avalon Glassworks of West Seattle will be returning to the Museum of the North Beach on Sunday. This sixth annual show and sale of their art glass floats will run from 10 am to 3 pm. The Avalon folks will have special “Moclips” floats for sale, with half the sales benefitting the Museum. The museum is one block north of the Ocean Crest Resort (4658 SR 109) in Moclips. For more information call 276-4441.

Grays Harbor Sheriff’s log

March 13

Ocean City

Assault. Drinking involved.

March 14

Ocean City

Subject drinking, behaving erratically, making racial slurs.

The County Commissioner who has been hoping to get Ocean Shores involved in the new Hogan’s Corner wells responds:

“We will be building our water system.  We open bids in early April for construction this year.  Nothing has changed from our approach.

 ”We are still open and will be in the future to supplying water to Ocean Shores.”

For years, the City of Ocean Shores and Grays Harbor County have been playing what might be called “water poker.” The City has been debating whether to pump resources into improving its own water system, or going with the County’s new Hogan’s Corner wells.

On Monday, the game was dealt a wild card:  The Department of Health announced Ocean Shores received preliminary approval for a $2.9 million grant to upgrade its water. (Click here for complete list of recipients.)

A no-pay-back check for up to half of the project cost would seem to make the City’s hand unbeatable. 

Then again . . .  Ocean Shores could “fall off” the DOH list, worried Mayor Dean Bunkers. 

Ultimately, the wild card made the City’s hand a winner. City Council voted 4-2 (Nick Johnson was absent) to proceed with construction of a new treatment facility. Dave Creighton and Garland French were dissenters in a vote that told the County to keep its water, for now, at least.

Grays Harbor Sheriff Log 

March 5

Hoquiam

Ongoing animal problem of owner not feeding his dog.

March 6

Hoquiam

Traffic accident with two vehicles, possible injuries.

Garbage bag found containing clothing and animal bones.

Mar. 4, 2009

Moclips

Reporting person found a small dog.  Paws volunteer caring for animal.

Reporting person just had something thrown at her when driving by residence.

email from Stephanie Rangel:

There is a New Business now open on Main Street in Pacific Beach.  it is our own Pacific Beach & Beyond Vacation Rentals of the North Beach. We are of course locally owned and operated, concentrating on the Pacific Beach and Moclips area . . . Currently we offer everything from 1 room units at the Sweet Alice Inn, 2 bedroom beach cottages, and luxurious 3 bedroom homes with panoramic ocean views.. . .  Our office is at 45 Main Street, Pacific Beach. 

www.pacificbeachandbeyond.com

Losing my mind dept.: I posted the list of nominees a few weeks back, but forgot to post the winners (the winners list appeared in the Feb. 4 edition of the North Coast News).

    Top:    OCEAN SHORES  winners  

         Bottom:  NORTH BEACH (Ocean City-Taholah)     winners    

Best Event: Sand & Sawdust                                                                                                                                     Kelpers