Biomass project is bringing Forks into the 21st century

The bright red faux wigwam stack that stands atop the new Quillayute Valley School District biomass plant will soon be covered in copper-colored sheets of aluminum.

For now the red stack is drawing attention to the project.

When cold weather rolls around in a few months the building will be completed and will likely be known for the warmth it will bring to Forks Middle School classrooms.

I was taken on a tour of the new plant last week by JH Kelly supervisor Steve Dahl and Kasey Wyatt, OAC’s project manager for the job.

The machinery inside, and BLRB Architect’s interior and exterior design, plus the tight workmanship of those putting the facility together were all quite impressive.

The plant will eventually be using chips of wood, a fuel used for thousands of years to heat homes, and caves, to create a super-clean heating source for both the middle school and the new addition to Forks High School when that is complete.
I’ve received calls questioning how pollution-free the stack of the woody biomass plant will be. The answer is that throughout the process the architects, contractors and the school district have worked closely with the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency in making sure that a minimum of wood ash reaches the school yard air.

This will be a vast improvement to the aging fossil fuel-fired boiler currently in use. Providing adequate heat to classrooms, even first thing in the morning on freezing days, without getting QVSD facilities manager Bill Henderson and crew out of bed at 3 a.m., will be a gift to students, teachers and support staff.

Overall the building is a beauty and portends good things to come in the construction and look of the new addition to Forks High School. The QVSD was planned  from the start to be a showpiece for rural areas across the state with hopes of heating and maybe even powering schools in the future. Looks like that achieving that goal is near.

August 26, 2010


LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Thank you, people of Forks

I know that it’s though when all around us there seem to be a war of some kind going on. People to people, people with the economy, and so on, but I for one ask you to bring the boy and girls, who return men and women, whole or parts missing, home with rousing blessings, they volunteered to do their duty to God and Country.

I have seen in the past in this town those who quietly except their brothers in arms home, having been a Vietnam era vet, I have seen what happens when a nation doesn’t accept those who did their duty. I am asking you to, in this town and through out this nation to stand with these men and women, to openly thank them for there service. I ask you to remember the fallen not just with an ordinary day Veteran’s Day, but to thank them that you have the right to read this and other letters, to drive with care, no check points down the roads of this nation, to go to stores whose shelves are overflowing with food, to worship without fear of death, in any way you choose. I know that you’ve heard similar messages before, I personally thank you for standing with your children or the children of a neighbor. this by the way isn’t a Veteran’s Day message, because truly through out this nation every day we should be celebrating, those who stand and protect. Our Nation is in no wise perfect, true freedom takes wisdom to be free, but for being almost the youngest nation on earth, we still are going through growing pains, and Thank You America, that we are the Home of the Free, because of the Brave !
 
W. Vernon Whitworth - Forks

Backs Poole

In response to Peggy Rice’s letter of opinion of “Mr. Steve Poole’s” comments at a recent forum, I would first like to point out that Mr. Steve Poole is a meteorologist currently employed by KOMO News 4 and lives in the greater Seattle area located in King County. Mr. Robin Poole, however, is employed by United Parcel Services and lives in Beaver, WA located in Clallam County. Mr. Robin Poole is currently running for the Clallam County Commissioner position.

I have known Mr. Robin Poole for many years, and in the past six years I have come to know Mr. Robin Poole very well. I can see how Mr. Robin Poole’s statements could be misconstrued and twisted according to what others would like to hear. However, Mr. Robin Poole’s statements weren’t meant to be insensitive or racist by any means. Mr. Robin Poole would like to see the tribes mainstreamed into society to integrate allowing non-tribal members a chance to learn tribal cultures and vise versa, as well as to build relationships between the two ethnicities both personal and professional. For decades the “minority” has fought for civil rights and fought against segregation. That minority still exists today, I, being a member of a minority group here in this very community. I would love to give my children the opportunity to learn about the various cultures and heritages around them, due to the fact that I was never offered that throughout my school years. I would also like to offer my children the best education available to them and the opportunity to have and build lasting friendships, as I have, regardless of race. Which is what Mr. Robin Poole was referring to. Others should, and most do, want to give their children those opportunities.

Johnalyn Simons - Beaver

Sees quad danger

This is a letter to the parents of the young boy in the Merchant Road area with the red quad. Do you have any idea how he rides it when out of your sight? Do you care? He is very reckless and seems to think that Chuckhole Way coming off Merchant Road is his personal race track. After yet another close call I feel compelled to write this.

One day you might very well get a call telling you they have scraped what is left of your son off the side of someone’s car. You would no doubt feel very angry and want to blame someone – probably the motorist who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. You would be mistaken. Who, then, to blame? Look in the mirror. See the one who got him the quad. See the one who turned him loose on it. See the one who does not think it important for him, or the girl who is sometimes with him, to wear a helmet.

Barbara Allen - Resident Chuckhole Way, Forks


August 26, 2010

                                          

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