SEQUIM GAZETTE
What’s that sound? A tsunami warning communications test for the All Hazard Alert Broadcast sirens takes place at 10:15 a.m. today, Wednesday, Sept. 15. The 30-second test is conducted in 40 coastal locations in Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor and Pacific counties. Read more on page A-3.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010 • A-1
Fly fishers launch ‘healing boat’ A-15
Inside today!
SEQUIM GAZETTE Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Sequim’s Hometown Newspaper
Sheriff disputes Clallam jail rape allegations
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Bureau of Justice Statistics report center of controversy by AMANDA WINTERS Sequim Gazette
While Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict vehemently denies allegations from a Bureau of Justice Statistics report that inmates are sexually victimized in the Clallam County jail, the report’s author stands by his results. The study, “Sexual Victimization in Prisons and Jails Reported by Inmates,” ranks Clallam County third out of 286 jails for inmate-reported staff sexual misconduct. The study examined anonymous surveys taken by 75 inmates over a period of four days in March 2009. The survey was developed by RTI International, a private research corporation, jail and prison administrators and the BENEDICT BJS. The survey is required yearly as part of the Prison Rape Elimination Act and the three highest-ranked facilities will be asked to appear before the prison rape review panel in Washington, D.C.
Bad data? Benedict said he was briefed on the study in August and thought it was flawed. After an article on the study ran in the Sequim Gazette on Sept. 8, Benedict asked the FBI to investigate the claims. Benedict takes issue with the anonymity guaranteed to
See JAIL, page A-6
County considers furloughing workers Commissioners face $2.7 million budget gap by AMANDA WINTERS Sequim Gazette
Clallam County could impose two furlough days a month on county employees to avoid layoffs and cope with unforeseen budget woes. Two new rules impacting the county’s revenue and expenses took what was a balanced budget and created a problem, Clallam County Commissioner Mike Chapman said.
The first is a change in state law requiring government employers to contribute more to the state retirement fund. Beginning next July, the county’s contributions will rise from 5.3 percent to 8.7 percent of salaries. It will rise again the CHAPMAN following year, costing the county about $700,000 each year, Clallam County Administrator Jim Jones said. The second change is a
See BUDGET, page A-6
Mac Grinnell, a Sequim High School junior, shows off some red, white and blue as the high school band entertains fans at the Sept. 11 prep football game pitting Sequim against the Meridian Trojans. He was one of several students in patriotic regalia. See football game story on page B-1. Sequim Gazette photo by Mcihael Dashiell
Sequim Day of Service honors 9/11 by MATTHEW NASH Sequim Gazette
Sequim citizens honored Sept. 11 through volunteerism. Church groups, families, individuals and Scouts led projects on the city of Sequim’s National Day of Service and United Way of Clallam County’s Day of Caring. City officials said they had 132 volunteers who worked 414 hours, and the United Way had 200 volunteers at 15 sites across the county. “It might be the most we’ve ever had,” Jody Moss, executive director of United Way, said. The biggest volunteer base came from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Senior FIRST DAY STRETCH Center sets open house Sequim Gazette staff
Sequim Senior Activity Center is hosting its third annual open house to show off all the cool activities you can join in. The open house is from 1-3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 21, at the center, 921 E. Hammond St. “This is when we showcase our activities,” said center ExecuSMITH tive Director Michael Smith.
See SENIOR, page A-9
Students from Sequim Calvary Chapel’s Calvary Kids program, from left, Tabitha Webster, 10, Avalon Bailey, 12, and Nathalie Arreguin, 10, paint fire hydrants as part of their service program in the church. “It’s actually a lot of fun,” Arreguin said about painting. Volunteers painted 40 hydrants for the 9/11 National Day of Service.
Nearly 200 people help with projects in city
Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash
Saints’ three Sequim units that contributed about 100 volunteers. In all, 337 members of the Port Angeles Stake provided services in Clallam and Jefferson counties. ”From my point of view, the service projects in Sequim as well elsewhere on the peninsula were highly effective and provided an excellent
by ALLISON ARTHUR The Leader (Port Townsend)
Mike Glenn, former chief executive officer at Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles and executive at Valley Medical Center in Renton, has been named the next CEO of Jefferson Healthcare. Glenn, 48, lives in Sequim with his wife, Kristin, an at-
INDEX Business ......................... A-7 Classifieds ...................... D-1 Crossword ....................... C-5
A&E Calendar ................. C-6 Obituaries ......................A-17 Opinions/Letters .......... A-18
Real Estate ..................... D-1 Schools ........................... B-8 Sports/Recreation ......... B-1
ent to help the city of Sequim and United Way of Clallam County should feel especially good in knowing their service was a great worth in every respect.”
Service projects United Way had volunteers at the Sequim Boys &
See SERVICE, page A-5
Glenn picked to lead Jefferson Healthcare Sequim resident, former Olympic Medical Center CEO, to make $225K
Rik Napora, Sequim High School’s new counselor, does the splits during the first day of school assembly on Sept. 8. Read more about the district’s newest staffers on page B-8. Photo by Jim Heintz
opportunity for members of the church to serve as families and to have our youth and young adults learn the value of community service,” said Patrick Downie, Port Angeles Stake chairman. “The current dollar value of a volunteer hour of service is $20.57, so with that in mind, each and every volunteer who gave their time and tal-
Strait Scenes ................. C-1 Weather .......................... A-2
torney who works for the state attorney general. They have a 9-year-old daughter. Glenn offered three reasons for seeking the position — the reputation of Jef ferson Healthcare, his family’s love of the Olympic GLENN Peninsula and his desire to be a CEO. “First and foremost, it’s an excellent organization,” Glenn said in August. “Jefferson Healthcare is known throughout the state for its quality and value-driven leadership and progressive
This Week’s Forecast: See page A-2 for local weather. Check for updated weather reports at www.sequimgazette.com
approach to health care.” A resident of the Olympic Peninsula for 20 years, Glenn had been commuting to his job in Renton and wanted to stay on the peninsula. “I enjoy what I’m doing, but I was looking at a position as CEO,” Glenn said before taking the job. “It’s the role I played at Olympic Medical Center and it’s the role I’m most comfortable in.” Jef ferson Healthcare commissioners interviewed Glenn and four other candidates earlier this summer during two days of closed
See GLENN, page A-6