North Hoquiam resident pleads for help

Sept. 23--The Hoquiam City Council heard impassioned comments Monday night from one resident who has had enough with the problems he sees in his north Hoquiam neighborhood.

Edward Jurin complained about cars racing through the streets, passed out people and needles found in his yard and intentional damage to his property.

Queen, Minor, and Perry streets have speeding cars passing each other many mornings (at about 8 a.m. or 9 a.m.) he said.

"I don't like it," Jurin said. "I've watched them go 50 mph down in front of my house on Queen and pass one another -- more than just one or two times."

He said he's contacted the police department, but ultimately he would like more police presence.

"Maybe if they catch a couple of these guys, the word would get out," Jurin said.

The behavior resembles racing, he said, and the drivers are disobeying stop signs.

"There are 20 kids who live around just that one corner," Jurin said. "I'm concerned that one of these days one of them is going to get run over, and we'd have to pay that price to just have that slowed down."

At any time of night, he said, people are in his yard, looking into his truck and passed out on his property -- once under the tree in his yard and another time in his backyard.

"Six months ago (my granddaughter said) 'Grandpa, what's that down there?' and I reach down and it was a needle," Jurin said. "It's getting more and more common."

Jurin said his truck was vandalized with paint dissolver last week. Neither his home owner's nor auto insurance would cover the damage.

He's since spent $1,500 on lights and cameras for his property.

"It's a shame I have to go to that sort of extreme," Jurin said.

"I want some police to come down there at least a couple times a night, just to cruise through there."

Police Chief Jeff Myers was at the meeting.

Mayor Jack Durney said the chief was taking notes and the city would have "people" in Jurin's neighborhood to see if they can help.

"It's a common problem in a lot of parts of town," Durney said. "It's a frustrating part of society these days, but we try to be out and have our presence known everywhere, and that's the key to it.

"I'll check in the morning with the chief of police and we'll see what we can do."

Other business

--Durney discussed the budget, recapping a report given by Finance Director Mike Folkers during the Sept. 8 council meeting.

"It's going to be a tough go because the revenues are about what they've been, although they're trending up a little bit in certain areas, but not a great deal," Durney said. "It's going to be a tough budget biennium for us."

--The city honored the Hoquiam Girls U12 Fast Pitch All-Stars for their season. The team was state and Pacific Northwest Regional champions.

The girls, all but one from Hoquiam, were presented with a miniature wooden bat and stand that read: "Congratulations. We're proud of you. From the Mayor of Hoquiam and the City Council."

Durney presented the bats to each of the girls after saying, "You've brought great honor to the community, and congratulations. Great job."

--Also during public comment, Robin Moore of Hoquiam informed the council of the City of Aberdeen's plan to consider a resolution on Wednesday in opposition to three proposed oil terminals at the Port of Grays Harbor.

--Councilmen Ben Winkleman and Bill Nelson were absent.

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