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Home My WebLink About03City of Port Townsend (360) 379-5047 (email: citycouncil@ci.port-townsend.wa.us) www.ci.port-townsend.wa.us March 2005 City Update From Mayor Catharine Robinson and City Manager David Timmons Do you have a compliment, complaint or concern regarding city services? If so, do you know the procedure to have it recognized? Getting your comment to the right city department or person is critical to a timely and accurate response. It is with this in mind that the Citizen Concern Process was developed. Our Citizen Concern Process assures an impartial procedure for submitting comments, concerns or requests to city departments. The process starts by calling the City Manager’s office (379-5047) or Public Works administration (379-5096) and filling out a Citizen Request/Concern Form. If you have access to email, you may also send in your request/concern to citizenconcern@ci.port-townsend.wa.us. Your concern/request is logged, documented and forwarded to the appropriate department. If you have requested a response, a city employee will either call or write you with information on your particular issue. The process assures each and every citizen a right to be heard in the workings of our town. Keep in mind that completed forms and emails to staff and elected officials are matters of public record. The Citizen Request/Concern Form can be downloaded from the City’s website at www.ci.port-townsend.wa.us. The Port Townsend Public Lbrary Goes to the Dogs with a New Look. March heralds the beginning of an exciting new reading program for kids. Read to Rover is a collaboration between the Port Townsend Public Library and Olympic Mountain Pet Pals to enhance children’s love of reading through the use of therapy dogs. These dogs are registered therapy animals that have been trained and tested for health, safety, appro- priate skills and temperament. Research shows that children who are learning to read feel more relaxed and less self-conscious when reading to animals. Our program aims to im- prove reading skills, nurture a lifelong love of read- ing, and help children build bonds with animals and is associated with the national R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) program, a division of Intermountain Therapy Animals. There are eight trained volunteer teams who have com- pleted their training and are now officially regis- tered with Therapy Dogs International. The series starts March 5 and will continue on Saturdays from 1 to 3 pm at the Port Townsend Public Library through April 23. For additional in- formation or if you would like to sponsor a team, please contact Kate Schumann at 360-385-4896 or see www.ompetpals.org or the library website at www.ptpl.lib.wa.us. The Port Townsend Public Library has a new look. The main circula- tion desk has been moved back to allow more room for the public and for collec- tions. The children’s area is rearranged to pro- vide more cozy gathering nooks for parents and kids and a more accessible area for homework help and computer access. The rearrangement plan includes a separate area to showcase all of the new books. Innovative improvements are also on the drawing board for the second floor that will result in a more comfortable reading and study space. Stay tuned! A fascinating account of one of history’s most engaging seafaring women will be presented on March 11 at 7:00 pm by Barbara Sjoholm, author of The Pirate Queen: In Search of Grace O’Mal- ley and Other Legendary Women of the Sea . EarthDay EveryDay! April 23-24, 2005 This year’s second annual EarthDay EveryDay! Celebration, a community-produced event for people of all ages, will be held April 23- 24. This weekend extravaganza of FREE enter- tainment, education, and play will be held at Me- morial Field on Sunday, April 24 with indoor pres- entations happening in Pope Marine Park Building all weekend. The EarthDay EveryDay! Steering Committee is seeking partnerships with local busi- nesses, non-profit organizations, classrooms, ser- vice clubs, churches, neighborhoods, families and individuals to collaborate on ways to strengthen personal and community stewardship of our earth. Whether as a participant, entertainer, or project de- veloper, please consider actively participating in this year’s EarthDay EveryDay! Celebration. We have much to learn from each other and we look forward to hearing from you! We enthusiastically invite contributions from any interested group, em- phasizing hands-on games, challenges, parades, demonstration projects, or workshop opportunities; all designed to gently nudge us into taking the next steps toward sustaining our community. You can find more information on our web site www.olympus.net/earthday, or by contacting either Ann Raab at 385-2536 or Judith Alexander at 385- 5766. ACCESS! ABILITY! Toward a Livable Community. A community workshop for everyone interested in a livable community will be held March 23 9:30-4:00 at The Commons, Fort Worden State Park. Learn how to make our city streets and public places safe, comfortable and inviting for people of all ages and abilities. The presenter, Mr. Dan Burden, assists communities in developing creative transportation solutions for safe neighborhoods and vibrant business districts. Register by March 16. Send your name, mailing address, phone, email and dietary restrictions to: Dan Burden Workshop Olympic Area Agency on Aging 11700 Rhody Drive Port Hadlock, WA 98339-9773 or email dash@olypen.com Port Towsend’s 9th Annual Victorian Festival March 17-20, 2005 Local citizens and visitors alike will dress in their historic finery March 17-20 for this year’s Victorian Festival, Port Town- send’s celebration of our Victorian heritage. This is the Jefferson County Historical Soci- ety’s second year as the sponsor of the event-packed festival that has been going strong for 9 years. Proceeds benefit the Historical Society’s programs and support the restoration of Port Townsend’s land- mark 1891 City Hall building, the home of the Jeffer- son County Historical Museum. Come join in the Spirit of Victorian Festival 2005! Events during this four day festival include: §Parlor Teas §Antique Auction §Market Hall Emporium §Candlelight Tour §History’s Mysteries §Living History §Victorian Fashion Show §Heritage Homes & Buildings Tour §Port Townsend Cemetery Tour: A Living History Experience §Victorian Ball §Toy Maker’s Workshop §History of Port Townsend §Andy’s Angels §Guided Walking Tours of the downtown historic district §Victorian Tea at Manresa Castle For a colorful look at the festival’s website, go to www.victorianfestival.org. While many will seize the opportunity to sport Victorian attire, it is certainly not a requirement for participation in any of the events. Compost! Spring has sprung! Starting March 14 the Port Townsend Compost Facility located at the Jefferson County Landfill will be offer- ing a new batch of compost for your spring planting. The cost will be $9.00/yard for 10 or more yards and $12.00/yard for 9 or less yards. The hours of operation will be Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m.