PORT ANGELES — More than 100 people attended the first “Transition Port Angeles” meeting last week, said organizers who are planning a second gathering next month.
“I thought if we got 20, it would be good,” said Port Angeles City Councilwoman Sissi Bruch.
“It was standing-room-only.”
Bruch, along with a handful of other like-minded people, wants the community to start its own “transition” programs, aimed at addressing issues such as peak oil and making the area more self-sufficient.
She said organizers are still working on getting the “conversation started” and plan to host another meeting at 6:30 p.m. April 19 at the Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St.
Bruch said the large gathering shows that Port Angeles is ready to join other communities such as neighboring Port Townsend that have become part of the global transition town movement.
The transition towns center around the goal of “sustainability,” and programs have addressed waste management, renewable energy and encouraging locally grown food.
At the first meeting, attendees filled out questionnaires and participated in round-table discussions.
Bruch said the next meeting will build on that, but any action may take a bit longer.
“Shifting the way you currently live and what you want is a big deal,” she said. “It takes a long time.”
Those interest in participating can contact Bruch at 360-452-1376.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.1379
