PORT ANGELES — Two departing City Council members reflected on their terms for a Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce audience Monday.

Larry Williams, first elected in 1998, and Karen Rogers, first elected in 2001, each spoke to about 75 at the Port Angeles CrabHouse Restaurant.

Both, who did not seek re-election, are among four departing the council.

The other two, Gary Braun, who did not seek re-election, and Betsy Wharton, who was defeated in November, were not invited to speak to the chamber Monday.

Williams spoke first.

“It seems like I have had the privilege or the misfortune of being a politician, a citizen politician, at a time where we’ve had some significant changes nationally and locally,” he said.

He lauded the growing public awareness.

“We have grown in social and environmental consciousness,” Williams aid.

“A long time ago, I graduated from Central Washington University in the very first green program.

“When I graduated, the only green job was shoveling manure.”

He also emphasized the changes locally.

“We’ve had five full-time city managers and two part-time city managers,” Williams said.

“We’ve also had seven mayors through my time on the council.”

Rogers, who spoke for about 40 minutes, said although she enjoyed her time on the council, she did not run again because of the attacks from throughout the public.

“I think it is interesting in this time of communication that the Web has created a community that wants instant answers,” Rogers said.

“There was a citizen who was saying to me the other day that they had sent an e-mail yesterday and why didn’t they have response today about it.

“I tried to explain that the subject was a very detailed subject, and the staff was working very hard on the water treatment plant.”

Rogers said “anonymous blogging and commenting” made for a toxic atmosphere.

“I have been a big advocate for technology but I’m most disappointed in what it has done to communications about people individually,” Rogers said.

“I believe in free speech but every local blog I’ve seen is full of hatred.”

She then made a call for people to show appreciation for all of the public employees.

Works projects

Rogers said that throughout her time in the council, she had evaluated many capital works projects including The Gateway bus transit center, the Eighth Street bridges, a new water treatment plant and several sidewalk and road projects.

“All of that comes to $110.5 million — that is how busy your public works department is,” she said.

“They are busy doing these projects and engineering that $110 million and counting.

“You don’t see some of that money, but you appreciate it.”

Chairwoman lauded

Rogers also praised Frances Charles, Lower Elwha Klallam tribal chairwoman, for her work coming to a settlement over issues relating to the ancient Klallam village of Tse-whit-zen.

The village was discovered during the first stages of constructing a huge state Department of Transportation onshore dry dock for manufacturing floating bridge components.

The graving yard project was halted in 2004 after 65,000 Klallam artifacts were uncovered and 335 burials unearthed.

“Frances and I spent nearly a year together on the contract and settlements,” said Rogers, who was mayor at the time.

“Then Frances, me and [Gov. Chris] Gregoire worked together.

“Three strong women made sure we got it done.”

PDN criticized

Both Rogers and Williams criticized the Peninsula Daily News.

“I can’t say much about the coverage at the Daily News, so I won’t say anything,” Williams said.

Said Rogers: “I support investigative reporting. Bring it on. Bring out the truth.

“But I don’t appreciate what the media has [sic] done to numerous communities throughout the area and to the individuals who have the courage to run for office.”

She also facetiously said that Peninsula Daily News Editor and Publisher John Brewer should run for City Council.

“I’d really like to see some of the people in the media run for office and see what it is like to be in the public sector,” she said.

Brewer said he has no plans to run for council.

Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Russ Veenema said he invited only Williams and Rogers because of the longevity of their terms.

“They were the two who had served such a long time and had chosen to retire,” he said.

“Gary is retiring, too. But he has been off and on with the council.”

Mayor Braun, a retired senior officer and fire marshal in the Fire Department, was first elected to the City Council in 1992 and served continuously except between 2000 and 2004.

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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.