Kolat's Girl

My mom just told me about this little story....


Cuts to drive residents out of county for driver's licenses
The nearest offices would be in Kennewick and Clarkston.

By ANDY PORTER of the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin

WALLA WALLA -- Getting a driver's license may turn into a long haul later this year.

Walla Walla's state Department of Licensing office is scheduled to be closed sometime between July and September. When that happens, the nearest office will be in Kennewick for local residents or in Clarkston for people in Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties.

The Walla Walla office is one of 25 licensing offices statewide being closed, said Brad Benfield, department spokesman. The closures will begin in March and continue through the first part of 2010.

"This is in response to the governor's request to streamline (state) businesses," Benfield said.

The decision on which offices to shutter came after the department looked "at all of our offices on a per-transaction basis and proximity to other offices."

The closures are expected to save about $3.4 million between now and 2011 and about $2 million a year afterward.

The Walla Walla office has three full-time employees who handled 23,465 transactions last year. By comparision, the Kennewick office handled about 106,000 transactions. The smallest office slated to close, Goldendale, handled 2,417 transactions.

To compensate for the loss of the Walla Walla office, the department plans to expand the number of people at the Kennewick office and its hours, keeping it open until 7 p.m. on weekdays and opening for a full day on Saturday, Benfield said. The office is closed Sunday and Monday.

People will also be encouraged to go online to renew licenses through the Access Washington Web site so they won't have to visit an office. However, once every 10 years drivers must renew in person to update their photo and undergo an eye test if required. The program is also limited to those aged 25 to 65.

The closure of the Walla Walla office is "going to be very, very unfortunate because that office does a tremendous amount of business," said Ron Long, who with his wife Laura operates Walla Walla Defensive Driving School.

While he understood the closure was part of cost-cutting efforts, Long said the move is likely to cut down on parents enrolling their children in driver's education courses by making it harder to obtain novice and intermediate permits. People will simply wait until their son or daughter turns 18, when they can obtain a regular license, he said.

Another issue will be new drivers being forced to take driving tests in another city, Laura Long said. "I really feel for the students here in Walla Walla, the Tri-Cities is an entirely different environment."

One other point, Ron Long said, will be the frustration of those who make the hour-plus drive to Kennewick, wait in line, then discover they forgot a needed document and are told they will have to come back.

"There are going to be some very, very angry people," he said.

Andy Porter can be reached at andyporter@wwub.com or 525-3300, ext. 282.

CLOSURE SCHEDULE

State Department of Licensing offices scheduled to close between March and April 2010.

MARCH-MAY

Auburn, Greenwood, Othello, Friday Harbor, Davenport and Chelan

MAY-JULY

Coulee Dam, Newport, Goldendale and Republic

JULY-SEPTEMBER

Walla Walla, Bellevue, Yakima (limited service office), Ephrata, Oroville, Olympia (limited service office in licensing department's downtown headquarter's building)

SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER

Bothell, Morton, Forks, Port Townsend

JANUARY-APRIL 2010

Vancouver (limited service office), East Seattle office, Poulsbo, South Bend and West Tacoma.

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SiX

WTF?

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MichelinMan

Gotta love cutting essential services...

Gregwhore is such a piece of sh*t. Maybe the people of this state will get a f*cking clue the next time the gubernatorial election rolls around.

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dragracer1951

Doubt it....

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JohnnyM

Hey, the cuts have to come from somewhere. How the hell can you classify a local DOL office as essential services? WTF? No one is gonna die because of its closing...and cutting non-essential state services is better than raising taxes IMHO. Besides, aren't republicans always bitching about "big government"? Apparently, cutting the size is only OK if it doesn't inconvenience them in any way.

Doesn't matter. GOP die-hards would bitch about anything right now. If the tables were turned and Rossi won, he would have done the same thing and the GOP faithful would be behind him 100%.

Hypocrites.

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MichelinMan

Big government is defined as having too much government intrusion into private life (laws, regulations, etc.), and wasting money on bullshit such as an "underground tunnel" to replace the Seattle viaduct (for a starter). It DOES NOT refer to having fire, police, medical, licensing, etc.

Here's a sourced definition for you:

http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_18...overnment.html

Your hypocrites comment is misplaced. When you understand what you're talking about, come back and try again.

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JohnnyM

Hmm. Fair enough. But "wasting money on B.S." also applies, and closing non-essential govenment offices seems to be a logical step towards eliminating at least one aspect of "Big Government"as defined above.

Regardless, it would be better defined as "invasive government", not "big government"...maybe whomever coined the term should research their similes better, lest everyone think your party lost touch with reality and doesn't know what they're talking about...oh, wait...my bad, that already happened.

I still find it hilarious that you group "licensing" in with truly essential services like fire, police and medical...and I'm also waiting for justification that it belongs with that group. Like I said, no-one is gonna die just because they had to travel farther to re-up their DL.

Arrogant dismissal aside, how so? You have time and time again gone out of your way to push the GOP agenda. From your constant juvenile misspelling of our governors name to the post-election stumping for Rossi (i.e.- "This would never happen if Rossi had been elected."), you have proved beyond a doubt your inability to admit any positives about the democratic leadership, much less they are doing something that will work. There is and has been no evidence you would ever present a non-partisan argument.

OTOH, in your mind, the GOP can apparently do no wrong, walks on water, and lives in its own special world where time stopped in the middle of the Reagan presidency. Rossi is the savior of Washington state, and by thy word it shall be done...wave the flag, boys...wave the flag...

No, sir...I understand exactly what I'm saying...and unlike you, I'm saying it with no political bias or agenda. My statement stands-

Hypocrites.

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MichelinMan

True, nobody will die from not having a closer DOL, but government is supposed to serve the public, not make life a pain in the ass.


It's funny that you assume I'm a staunch Republican (GOP) supporter. It's funny because I'm a Libertarian actually.

I rag on Gregoire so much because she's the epitome of a two-faced politician. Promise one thing, deliver something else. I have zero respect for her. Is my intentional misspelling of her name sophomoric? Possibly, but it's fun and gets my point across. I supported Rossi because of his purported stances on issues. If he had been elected and then screwed the people by not holding up his campaign promises, you can bet your ass my opinion of him would change.

All in all, am I more of a Republican than Democrat? Depends on the issue. But in a two party system, I vote how I see fit, and given 2 options, my choices are usually closer to what the Republicans are promoting. You should realize that it's nearly impossible to present a "non-partisan" opinion on an issue when only given two options. If I could, I would vote Ron Paul in for every single political office in the US. He simply can't do that much work.

My arrogant dismissal of your argument was for two reasons:
- Your definition of big government was wrong, but more importantly...
- Your post arrogantly dismissed the ideas of the entire Republican party wherein you have no proof of what Rossi may or may not have done.

Just as much as you hate people ragging on Gregoire, you have created the perception in these posts that you're a bleeding-heart liberal that thinks the Democrats running this state currently are somehow saviors and will save us from ruin.

Before you call the entire Republican grouping of this forum hypocrites, maybe you should let them chime in and voice their own opinion. Using a Libertarian as the poster child of "hypocrisy" for a different party isn't all that relevant.

What I'm doing here isn't Monday-morning quarterbacking. It's confirming what I said about her before the election. Gregoire is 100% proving herself to be incompetent. She continues to steadily screw the state, one action at a time, and this issue is proof of it.

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Timebom

actually, there are many fatal crashes between wally world and the tricities.. IBP and BC at shift changing times can cause nastyness on the roads pretty easly. so as a matter of fact someone Can get killed going to the DOL.. will it happen? eh doubt it, but they managed to raise the amount of pointless traffic on those roads..

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JohnnyM

Hey- cuts in services, more taxes, or whatever, we all will be inconvenienced by it in some way...quit bitching about it. Thats all I'm saying.

With a decidedly and admitted GOP leaning, but again...fair enough.

But would you complain about it in the same way?

Actually, I'm a fairly conservative Democrat...almost Libertarian in some ways, so we have common ground. The difference is I DON'T blatantly stump for the Democrats and bash the GOP on every little thing- quite the opposite.

I have no proof of what Rossi would or would not do, nor do I hate people ragging on Gregoire. What I do hate is spin-tactics and blatant mud-slinging. That is what put the GOP in the place they are today...out of touch with everyone but the die-hards and fanatics.

Perhaps I was wrong about you and your political affiliating, but I'm standing behind my statement of the collective hypocrisy from those leaning toward the political right on this forum.

I disagree. I think her agenda doesn't fit well with your political beliefs and you refuse to admit there may be more than one route to get where we need to be. Just because she isn't using your map to take the state where you personally may want to go, doesn't mean we won't get to where we need to be as a state.

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MichelinMan

The same way I bitch about Bush's relegation of our Constitutional rights and personal liberties to used cat litter. Hell yes.

You're spot on. Her agenda doesn't even come close to what I'd like to see done. There are TONS of routes to get where we need to go, and I don't like her choices.

But to hit on what this thread is all about: I don't think cutting off reasonable access to services required by state law is a smart way to do it.

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sschering

Denver did this.. Closed a bunch of DOL offices..
It turned getting a license into a 3-4 hour wait because of all the people having to use 3 or 4 offices for the whole area. Most people took the day off to go there because they were so darn slow.

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spolic

.

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spolic

http://immigrationcounters.com/

Believe these numbers or not, but any way you slice it, this is a great place to stop the bleeding.

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JohnnyM

Oh, please. Fine, lets solve it by sending all the Walla x2 people to Clarkston instead...less accidents on that road, right? Cool. Problem solved.

I doubt it would make a negligable difference in the accident rate. The world is dangerous...buy a f***ing helmet.

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Kolat's Girl

You forgot the disaster that is SR 124 during a shift change at Broetje Orchards. Those crazies (a majority of whom probably don't even have licenses) don't have a clue when it comes to driving and traffic laws, let alone speed limits.

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JohnnyM

Your posting history speaks otherwise, but I will take you on your word as I find you to be an honorable person, despite my personal beliefs on your political opinions.

No one does, and I doubt Rossi or anyone else could propose something that would be welcomed. Pretty much all the solutions suck...but that doesn't negate the fact that SOMETHING needs to be done. Like I said, we all are going to be inconvenienced in one way or another...and we need to suck it up and deal with it. Being a libertarian, I'm sure you understand that much.

If it makes it easier to accept, in the last election, we as a state chose her as the lesser of two evils, and now she is in charge. I'm not saying you have to help her, but do make a choice- either get behind her, or stand out of the way and let her do her job. Whatever you do, don't pout like a spoiled brat whining about what you used to have.

Yes, its not convenient to lose a local licensing office. But it isn't THAT inconvenient to drive to another office 50 miles away, especially if you consider another option- that they all could be shut down and we would have to trek to Olympia to renew our DL. I think its a good compromise when put into perspective.

Reasonable is a subjective word. I don't think driving 50-75 miles to renew your DL is unreasonable, and to be honest, I'm surprised the Pullman office wasn't closed. I still wouldn't have minded driving to Spokane or Clarkston to renew. Like I said, Olympia might be a different story...but I doubt it will get that far. Deep cuts hurt...but they eventually heal.

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JohnnyM

Now that...is a legitimate concern. The good news is expanded hours at the remaining offices. I wouldn't be surprised to see some independently chartered contractor offices appear, much like vehicle licensing offices did a few years back.

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james1300

Get it put on the agenda for the next City counsel meeting. Get your local goverment behind keeping the office in WallWalla.
Explain if its closed, the people traveling out of town will be shopping out of town as well.
Get a petition started (should be EZ to get Thousands of signature's. Just stand in front of the DOL office)
Show the idiots in office your not to be taken lightly.
Be proactive. Let them privatize the whole thing, along with the liquor stores.

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Kolat's Girl

The whole shopping out of town argument would be good but with basically all stores in the Blue Mountain Mall closing a number of years ago, people started shopping out of town long ago.

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JohnnyM

Apparently the T/C have made Walla(x2) obsolete...

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james1300

Naaa WW did that by themself's! They got a Kmart, we dont!

Now about, 'Jim's Liquior and License' store...

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SX/4

I get a lot of correspondence from the state and I noticed the paper mailings have increased dramatically in the last 6 months. One thing in particular is the vehicle license renewals. They went from a basically a postcard (mailed at postcard rates) to envelopes with more paper plus a return envelope. Thats a waste for me since I renew at the courthouse or online. I know the new method uses more paper and costs more to mail. I wish they went back to the cards. Just one small way to save a few bucks. Not much but every little bit helps.

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JohnnyM

Sooo...suggest it to the DOL, write a letter to the editor of the Seattle, Spokane, and Olympia papers ('cause the legislators only read those), and send an email to other local media and to Tim Eyman...he HATES license fees with a passion!

Be proactive. It really works.

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dc_sniper9130

MichelinManJohnnyM =

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JohnnyM

rawr.

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SX/4

Sooooo, I have already suggested it to the DOL by using their customer feedback questionnaires....

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JohnnyM

Excellent!

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Gusgus

Such a bunch of jerks working the counters right now in Vancooter. More people for fewer offices, same poor service, more people will be unable to get in.

Having said that will the laws be softened if we can't get governmental services? This could be a sideways positive, couldn't it?

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newbaa

This bothers me. It's already bad enough waiting in the freakin huge line at the DMV here. I went in to get my motorcycle permit renewed... all i needed was a dang picture and to pay 5 bucks or something... Waited for over 2 hours. Now they're going to close this place and make me drive to tri-cities so that I can wait for even longer??? Good thing they're not supposed to close until July-September. Maybe I can get my license before then and not have to deal with trailering my bike to tri-cities just for the test.

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JohnnyM

Hmm. You know, based on the number of complaints about slow service and waiting in lines...I'm starting to think they are closing the offices based on the amount of money they take in.

I've never had to wait in line longer than about five minutes at the office in Pullman, nor in Clarkston. Seems to me they are rather fast in service, so perhaps they can turn over more profit per day than these other "lazy" offices...and as a consequence are staying open while the others close.

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Gusgus

I go out as far as I can to get service now, the Vancooter assho#es can suck vinegar.

But it isn't about the people, never is.

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newbaa

just saw in the paper they got like an 18 month extension or something... so they'll be open for a little longer... here in W2 that is.

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tickelstoo

You have a good point about slow service... I know for a fact that a couple of people who work there now have been there since I got my permit and things haven't change any in 15 years. The office will close if we like it or not, however if we all remember to voice our issues with the right people maybe it will do some good. Look at Milton-Freewater, their office got closed, they raised a fuss and it got reopened. And if it were to reopen maybe we can get people in there who can work on more efficant service. Chin up people you have a voice just use it, and to the right people. Urge anyone you know who has a problem with this to let it be known as well.

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glutetoot

Yeah, this is fing ridiculous. I'm all for cutting government and limiting costs but this is a fuc#%* stupid idea. The walla walla DOL serves 35000+ people and they are taking it out. this is going to clog other DOL around the state making it even more of a night mare to get proper licensing.

Cathy mcgregore or what ever her bitch name is is a crock and needs to be taken out of F#*&$* office before she does to WA state what Obama and his team are doing to america.
I'm so sick of all the politicians that are running our country. they are all a bounce of morons.

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james1300

It was announced a couple of weeks ago WallaWalla's DMV office was to remain open. Heard it on KNDU-TV, I think.

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newbaa

i figured out a trick...... go there on a friday afternoon. lol. i went over there expecting to wait in line for like 2 hours. there were only 4 numbers in front of me and one of the people wasn't even there. i waited for like 20 minutes total. i was blown away.

maybe i just got lucky though.

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