SEATTLE — Two potential ballot challenges to Seattle’s $15 minimum wage plan have emerged in the wake of Monday’s approval by the City Council.
A group of small-business owners under the name Forward Seattle filed Thursday for a city charter amendment to raise the minimum wage to $12.50, phased in over five years.
Angela Cough, the co-owner of Flying Apron Bakery in Fremont and the campaign chairwoman, said a smaller raise is more feasible for businesses and causes less harm to the economy.
Separately, anti-tax activist Tim Eyman of Mukilteo filed a statewide initiative that would require the minimum wage to be uniform and consistent throughout the state.
Eyman’s measure, called the Fair and Uniform Minimum Wage Initiative, was one of five he filed Wednesday.
Hours extended
PORT TOWNSEND — Many merchants in the Port Townsend historic districts are planning on staying open until 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays this summer.
To kick off the extended summer hours, the Port Townsend Main Street Program is planning a “Solstice Shop Stroll” on Friday, June 20.
This event coincides with the Washington State Museum Conference from June 18-20 and the American Furniture Society Conference from June 19-21. Both conferences take place at Fort Worden.
Buskers will play music downtown from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. during the shop stroll.
“We are working to support the merchants in their desire to provide summer hours to our locals and visitors,” said Molly Klupfell, Main Street board member and promotion committee member.
The extended hours will run through Labor Day weekend, which wraps up with the Summer Sidewalk Sale.
For more information, visit www.ptmainstreet.org.
Homebuyer class
SEQUIM — A homebuyers education seminar will be held at Eagle Home Mortgage, 121 W. Bell St., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 21.
The free class will cover all aspects of the homebuying process.
Keynote speakers are Michele Adkisson of Eagle Home Mortgage and Claire Koenigsaecker, an agent with RE/MAX Fifth Avenue.
The class is sponsored by the state Housing Finance Commission.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Reservations are required. Phone 360-683-2688.
KONP talk guests
PORT ANGELES — Here is this week’s schedule for the 1:05 p.m. to 2 p.m. local talk show segment on KONP radio, at 1450 AM, 101.7 FM and www.konp.com on the Internet outside the Port Angeles area.
Station General Manager Todd Ortloff hosts the Monday through Thursday segments.
This week’s scheduled lineup:
■ Monday: Pre-empted by the Seattle Mariners baseball game.
■ Tuesday: Port Angeles School District.
■ Wednesday: Port Angeles City Manager Dan McKeen.
■ Thursday: In the first segment, Kristine Lesure, community relations manager for Laurel Place Assisted Living, and Jessica Hernandez, executive director of the Port Angeles Food Bank, discuss a car show and silent auction this Saturday to benefit the food bank.
In the second segment, Don Perry of Underground Port Angeles/Heritage Tours discusses the 100th anniversary of the sluicing of the hogback.
In the third segment, Clallam County Public Utility District.
