Info for GHP Employees

From Grays Harbor Paper Facebook Page

Worksource Presentations on Resources Available - Open to all GHP employees

Thursday, 6/2
Aberdeen Log Pavillion (Behind Top Foods)
9 am, 12:30 pm, 4 pm

Friday, 6/3
Worksource (three blocks west of Safeway on Heron)
511 West Heron Street, Aberdeen, WA
(360) 533-9318
9:30 am, 1:30 pm

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Union Meeting to include retraining benefits speaker
Where: Aberdeen Elks
When: Wed - June 1st and 10 AM
A state labor council rep will be down to talk about retraining benefits for displaced workers.

The "Daily World" noted that anyone can attend. Actually, the Tuesday (6/1) meeting is a union meeting.

Opening Soon

We had a nice conversation with a man working at this soon to open business yesterday. He told us that at least 200 some people have stopped by to chat and ask questions, he has heard many a tale about what all used to happen at this location.

He says the clean up and prep work is extensive and that they hope to open in about a month.

Gas, food, pizza, sandwiches, and hopefully fresh donuts too. I predict great things for this business.

205 W Simpson

"The towns of Aberdeen and Hoquiam are dying."

TC added this comment to News Roundup: Grays Harbor Paper and I want to make sure it is easily accessible.

I wonder what the answers are for Grays Harbor County. Tourism and service industry isn't going to be enough.

From TC:

Its just sad. The towns of Aberdeen and Hoquiam are dying.

I've lived in Aberdeen for 41 of my 42 years, and am hoping to relocate after this summer.

I can remember a time (way back in the crazy 70's) when I was in grade school. I befriended two different kids whose families relocated here in hopes of finding work. My stepfather and his friends all worked in various mills locally (Evans Products, Weyco, Rayonier, Mayr Bros etc), and literally after making a couple of calls they had both fathers set up with jobs at Mayr Brothers, and Grays Harbor Veneer.

Those days are literally gone forever, along with the good wages. Now Aberdeen is just one big service industry shithole.

Enough whining, back to looking for work.

News Roundup: Grays Harbor Paper

(brief ad first on video)

Job loss comparison: 240 Grays Harbor County = 6,300 King County (source KING 5)

Also see KOMO

Grays Harbor Paper closing Hoquiam mill  (link down)

Continuing coverage KXRO KBKW

Facebook GHPaper

From 5/27/2011 Facebook GHPaper:

ALL (Union and Non-Union) Grays Harbor Paper and Barrier West Employees: There is going to be an informational meeting put on by the WA State Labor Council at the Aberdeen Elks on Wednesday June 1st at 10AM. We will get information about education and re-training assistance. Please let other Team Members know!

Mill Closure Press Release

Memorial Weekend Safety - Grays Harbor Style

Want to help the local economy? Stop in at McCleary to and from the forest and ocean beaches: get supplies, gas up, maybe eat at one of the area restaurants. Everything helps.

KXRO runs a regular 9 - 10 am Friday Cop Talk, this post is inspired by what I heard today.

Slow down. Give yourself a little more time when on the road. Relax. Pay attention. Don't let yourself get too frustrated by the increased traffic and slow RVs.

Driving slowly? Make sure to regularly use the turnouts so traffic can clear behind you.

Bears:

Grays Harbor Dispatch has received several reports of a male black bear wandering through the clear cut area near the DOT center in Central Park. Several drivers are pulling over to photograph the animal which creates a traffic issue on the narrow shoulder.

Don't feed the bears, stash bird feeders away as this is a primary draw. Don't leave pet food out. Be wise, don't let kids play in woods after dark unattended. Don't pose kids near bears for photo ops.

Ocean Shores area dispatch gets about 50 calls a year on bear problems. Please don't feed the bears.

This is not bear hunting season. Don't shoot the bears.

Have fun this weekend!

Resources for Hard Times Grays Harbor

• Unemployment benefits application
• What other benefits are you eligible for?
• Food Banks Grays Harbor
• How to get mental health help in Grays Harbor County
• Coastal Community Action Program (Grays Harbor & Pacific Counties)

In a mental health crisis you can always call the Crisis Line (360) 532-4357. This is free of charge.

Grays Harbor Rallies Following Shutdown

Grays Harbor Paper - Hoquiam

Grays Harbor Paper, LLC, announced today the permanent shutdown of the Hoquiam, Washington facility effective immediately.
Patrick Quigg, President of Grays Harbor Paper (GHP), explained the continued high price of raw materials, lower than expected sales of high-value products, and accompanying cash flow considerations are the major factors contributing to the decision to shutdown. In addition, a recent major refinancing effort undertaken by GHP did not materialize.

KXRO

Grays Harbor Paper shuts down

Employees said more than 230 salaried managers and union employees were laid off. The man said the company had struggled financially, but did not immediately give workers any official explanation.
“They didn’t give us any notice,” he said. “They haven’t told us anything yet. ... They’ve left everyone else out of the loop.

From copy of Daily World article posted on Grays Harbor Talk

Still no official word from Grays Harbor Paper on the status of the mill or efforts to keep it up and running, but Wednesday saw the smoke cease to pour out of the Hoquiam stack just after 10AM and word began to hit the streets and social networks that employees were receiving layoff notices early on Wednesday afternoon.

KXRO

KBKW

Grays Harbor Paper Facebook page

Good News for Small Town

photo source

The Mike's Market building right downtown on Simpson has sold! Word is that it will open as a sandwich and gas stop.

The building has sat empty for quite awhile. I'm looking forward to seeing a thriving business established at this prime location.

KXRO Cop Talk

KXRO radio offers Cop Talk most every Friday at 9 am. You can call into the show at 360-533-KXRO (360-533-5976). I listen via their web site live stream.

Last Friday discussion with Grays Harbor Undersheriff Rick Scott was focused on child safety. Aberdeen police are looking for a luring suspect. Also Rick Scott stated that the task force is still working as hard as ever on locating Lindsey Baum. And the television show Vanished with Beth Holloway will be back in town next month in preparation for an upcoming episode on Lindsey.

Washington State child luring law

Hungry in Grays Harbor

The May 18, 2011 East County News has a cover story "Residents going hungry on the Harbors". They detail the results of a national study by Feeding America and discuss them with local people.

Here in Washington state we can check online what help we might be eligible for through Washington Connection.

The McCleary Food Bank is located behind the park kitchen across from the fire hall at 100 S. 3rd Street, available 2nd and 4th Monday of each month 9am-11am.

Got a little extra to share? The food distribution center Coastal Harvest could use volunteer help in Grays Harbor.

Nowhere or Somewhere?

McCleary circa 1910

Washington State Digital Archives

... I've been to McCleary. I know this area a little bit. And I can tell you that it's a very small cutoff community.

There are no attractions there. It's completely surrounded by the rainforest. You can stand in the middle of town, and you're really no more than 200 yards from the rainforest in almost any directions. There's about 1,500 people that live there. Not a lot of people come there that don't belong there.

This is a transcript quote from Mark Klaas on a CNN show discussing missing children. The fact that Lindsey Baum is missing is of course much more important than a description of McCleary, but I've been mulling over this description too.

If you, family, or friends don't live or work here, you might only have a few other reasons to come through. McCleary works as a stocking up place on the way elsewhere - groceries, a few basic restaurants, laundromat, post office, liquor store, library, public restroom, and police. During the summer traffic picks up as there are more people headed to and from the coast and forest.

Our annual Bear Festival brings people from all over as does the city wide garage sale.

But other than that there isn't much to draw folks here. We don't have any destination restaurants, hotels, resorts, unique businesses, or beautiful parks. We aren't on the coast, a lake, or river. Our downtown buildings are nothing special.

Because I grew up in western Washington I don't think of this immediate area in McCleary as technically rain forest. When I think rain forest I think of the undeveloped older growth rainforest north of here. McCleary is a former logging camp, the forest around here has been pretty worked over. But it is still forest and not easy for searchers to make their way through.

I don't know that I'd call McCleary a cutoff community but I can see why others would. We are right off of State Route 8 and Olympia is easily accessible. If 8 was blocked due to weather, landslide, quake, or other problem we would be more isolated. But probably other road options would be available and definitely a priority would be to get 8 clear.

So if you don't live or work here you may only know McCleary as a quick stop for supplies to and from coast and forest. Mark Klaas is right. This is a small town that is not otherwise a specific destination. A small town that continues to get big time deserved attention because one of our own, Lindsey J. Baum, is still missing.

Adventures with Power (revisited)

The planned outage at the 4KV, 7th and Maple substation didn't quite go as scheduled. The scheduled time for the outage was 11:00 PM Friday night. As you all are aware, at 4:00PM Friday GHPUD had a lightning arrester fail at the Elma substation which caused a power outage for pretty much all of East County. At the time of the event I contacted the PUD and they were still investigating the source of their problem. I was advised that it could be a minimum of two to four hours in duration. At that time we (the City) discussed going forward with our maintenance early and "take advantage" of the non-scheduled outage. Our thoughts were that why wait for the PUD to make their repairs which could take multiple hours, re-energize and then have another outage at 11:00 as planned.

We decided to go forward with our work. At the time we had our sub off-line, grounds installed, and were proceeding to start on the removal of the regulators, the PUD contacted me to confirm we were "in the clear" and that they were ready to "come hot" to McCleary. We advised them that we were in the clear and they heated up the City's l2KV substation.

Due to the efforts of the PUD Substation Crews and East County Crews their outage was kept to only 1 hour. This also presented another decision to the City. One; put our 4KV sub back together, re-energize and stick to the planned outage at ll:00. Or two; continue with the work we had started. We chose to proceed with the work already in progress. This decision in my opinion actually worked in everybody's favor other than the timing. We removed and re-installed the new regulators and had the substation and our customers energized by 9:00 that evening.

From Paul Nott's May 2, 2011 staff report

Kudos to McCleary Light & Power!

What is a lightning arrester?

"Getting Green in Grays Harbor"

Pick up a copy of the May 5. 2011 The Vidette newspaper, they have two cover stories on medical marijuana with a local perspective.

DSHS Office on Wheels in town May 9th

We Are Coming to You!

The Mobile Community Services Office is hitting the open road to reach new clients and improve our customer service. Rural households who find the trip to their local CSO too far to travel may soon see a new kind of CSO roll into their hometown. The Department of Social and Health Services has created two 40-foot trucks that transform into functioning offices. Each Mobile CSO unit is staffed by experienced financial workers who are able to complete cash, food, and medical interviews, issue EBT cards, and receive documents.

McCleary Monday May 9, 2001 9 am - 11 am
Food Bank by City Hall
726 W Simpson Ave

Elma Monday May 9, 2011 1 pm - 7 pm
Food Bank
106 W Main Street

(I think this is so very cool. Great use of resources, efficient, and truly helpful.)

Cannabis Dispensary in McCleary?

Here is the relevant portion of the McCleary City Council proposed agenda May 11, 2011 packet. Cannabis

In any event I can indicate I have had extended contact with Sheriff Whelan, Lt. Porter, and Undersheriff Scott on the general matter. It is my understanding the Sheriff will be sending a letter to the individual who gave the notice to us, as well as apparently all of the other cities in the County, indicating that, under existing preemptive law, such operations are illegal.

(quote from pdf above)

Washington Marijuana Penalties
Federal

Eyes on McCleary

A young couple with a large leashed dog is walking around the neighborhood. They are walking slower than the usual resident dog walkers around town and their heads are up, they are paying close attention to their surroundings.

They stop in front of our place and talk, pointing out various spots, and then they continue on.

Lindsey Baum has been missing from McCleary, Washington since June 26th, 2009. So our town is understandably often looked over, discussed, surveyed, and searched.

Or the folks out walking their dog could have been talking about something else. Just as that young woman on horseback going down the street awhile back may have been only that - a young woman on horseback in a rural town.

But until Lindsey is found I and many others here see most everything in McCleary through that lense, through that question - Where is she?

Purple Ribbons McCleary

Windows around McCleary are painted with purple Relay for Life ribbons, this one is on the library window.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length.

East County Grays Harbor Relay For Life
June 3 - 4, 2011 Grays Harbor Fairgrounds

Fireworks of Celebration

Here in McCleary folks are celebrating Osama bin Laden's death with fireworks.