One might think this malfeasance, government waste, and corruption is accidental, but I am increasingly viewing it as intentional. Raising property taxes 38% will drive out those that can't afford it, drive out those that are angered by it, drive out those that see the waste, corruption, and favoritism, and who will replace those that leave? Wealthy California retirees who are used to excessive taxation? Liberals from Oregon who think they are getting away from Oregon's Marxist policies? Tribes buying cheap lands? The net result is the exodus of conservatives and the influx of liberals, perhaps elitists. Voila-- in one fell swoop, they will have managed to reduce opposition and increase future support. Accidental? I don't think so.
I'm too old to relocate so I'm not going anywhere. If some "make sense" candidates step up and run I will support those candidates campaign with a donation of time and money.
We felt that we were too old too, but are leaving for Idaho soon, to a conservative county in a conservative state. There's better medical care there, easier access to an airport, and plenty of infrastructure businesses.
Off topic but I worked on a potato farm changing sprinklers when I was in high school. When I worked at Shakey's Pizza Parlor I made $1.25 with no tips. After I began moving sprinklers at B&M $1.60 and eventually $2.10.
I traveled extensively throughout that state north and south when I was a little boy. When I watch photos I become nostalgic. I really don't understand politics. Frank Church who was a former senator there was a left wing politician.
This missive is off topic but did anyone follow the OJ Simpson trial? A detective in that trial used a forbidden world and OJ was a free man. That detective was excoriated to such a degree that the only area he felt safe was Idaho. Since then that man solved several prominent crimes.
If I were younger I would move to State Line near Spokane. As a Washington resident I would pay no income tax but my neighbors would not be clogging the streets with their "Three Kings" signs.
OTOH the south part of the state is an agricultural region which is always ripe for a left wing government. My evidence would be Fresno, Sacramento and Stockton California all filled with migrants and now dangerous areas with Cartel activity.
We here must have a 'true the vote' movement here first IF we expect to
gain any good action, and that will require a safeguard of some sort and yes,
that sounds rediculous too. I know we have great people that just gave up the fight due to the 'system' and won't run again unless they know the coast is clear.
Exactly. It’s what happened in SF, then LA, in Portland and Seattle. It crept into the Peninsula; Port Townsend, now Sequim. I appreciate Jeff calling them out.
Like I said, Sally, I don't think this is coincidental or due to incompetence. I think the towns you mentioned realized that they drive out the red voters and attract the blue voters, thereby building their power bases.
That is all they are building, people who vote blue, that’s it. Its all about how to survive in those cities with not much quality of life, jobs, production of any kind.
I think we have a quiet majority of moderate-conservatives, if they knew what we know... but many are brainwashed liberals who will vote for their own demise and blame it on someone else.
2 or 3 more years of this commie governance we're definitely done!
Sadly, I am a rat leaving a sinking ship. I am old and worn out and too cynical about politics to remain and fight. It seems like all we've been doing is fighting encroachment on our rights and ever-raising of our taxes, while the benefits of them decline. I am out of fight; I am running.
I understand that the Sequim City Council has put the brakes on the John Wayne development. Hope we don't get sued like Cle Ellum, and like Cle Ellum h, lose in court and have to declare bankruptcy. If OMC with their financial problems, closes its doors, what young family will want to put down roots here? and what senior citizen will want to be in a town without a hospital?
I would. I am old and when I had pneumonia a few years ago I should have tipped the ambulance driver to deliver my body to Seattle. If a serous trauma is involved a helicopter flies the patient to Harbor General in Seattle. LOL that hospital is an illusion. I love Sequim and will never betray the interests of Clallam County but independent of the public school system most Md's do not wish to live in rural areas unless wealth exists there. Wealth that can offer a premium wage.
And all those towns are shi.holes, people can’t get out of them and those that can can’t get out fast enough, flooded with non-productive people on the government dole. Businesses shut down, real estate sitting empty, dangerous with crime & drugs….no one wants to go to a city with these problems especially to shop and spend money……
Remember that the Founding Fathers didn't trust all voters. That is why there were restrictions on who could vote in elections. One basic thought about what constituted a voter? a person who owned property. Think about this - a person had to own property to vote! Look at who and what votes now!
Yes I believe they are. Look at how most of them treated their friends when they found out that they voted for Trump. They were called commies, hitler, etc.
people need to look at the history. I had relatives who died in those concentration camps. Read Thomas Sowell people, he has pegged it exactly like Orwell.
One of my neighbors wanted higher costs for water others cautioned against, saying he expected others would buy them out, improve landscaping and increase property values.
Selfish, you bet. It is morally wrong to pass this amendment on to the voters, the majority of whom have never attended a water utility meeting in their lives. The commissioners and their experts haven't reported the ramifications. Your vote to approve may come with unintended circumstances, but for the committees and teams pushing this, it is intentional.
That's what I don't get. A handful of yard birds get together and decide on their own that we all need something they can't articulate other to use the general aspersions that are the common trope control artists repeat so often that it's believed to be fact.
There's something rotten in Sequim, and it's not low tide.
I think people still believe that ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, MSNBC, CNN, WaPo, NYT, PDN, etc tell them the truth. Candidate X is THE one to choose. Vote for Candidate X. And the sheeple believe it and do as they're told, then wonder WTF happened and why their taxes have gone up. Schools don't teach critical thinking and few people take the time to dig down, get involved, learn, and vote wisely.
For that reason, I think Jeff Tozzer is doing wonders to balance out the equation and educate the people who may read this as to the consequences of who they choose in an election. This is what PDN SHOULD BE doing, but isn't. We need more Jeff Tozzers or more subscribers to his writings to educate the naive public.
There are costs for the programs-- HEY, SQUIRREL! In the movie UP, Dug the dog yells “Squirrel!” mid-sentence and jerks his head. If you start telling them about Jeff's blog, or that taxes are going up, they will interrupt you and ask, "What time is Survivor on?". They just don't connect their votes to the candidates that get elected by them and then increase taxes. And if you try to call them out on it, you get the proverbial deer-in-the-headlights blank stare, as I did when I warned people that "you can vote Socialism in, but you can't vote it out". They honestly didn't understand. Maybe we need a Sesame Street show about voting and the cost of social programs.
Trust me, not all Liberals are in favor, nor can afford, a higher TaX. Do not make invalid assumptions. Most liberals are on fixed incomes, too. Byebye home.
You can be a liberal….your vote is confidential no one needs to know how one votes. I would think as a liberal you’ve had a belly full too? Maybe do things differently and see how that goes? Just saying. I did and I’m pleased it is making a difference at least instead of everything or the significant things continuing to spiral out of control…..just saying. Try a pro and con list & vote accordingly instead of voting by the noise & influences we are swayed by. Higher taxes would not be on my pro side EVER!
Agreed, Jean. Division is the goal of labeling, demanding that individuals declare a "team" and ideology; shunnng those who disagree as being ________ (fill in disparaging name, label here).
Exactly, I have/had a "friend" who I found out was part of all the protests around Sequim. She believes being taxed more and more is okay and is happy to pay more taxes. She believes there are too many people who are wealthy and everyone should have the same amount of income. The government should have the final say so. I cannot wrap my head around such thinking.....and there are more and more believing in this.
The last I checked Americans are taxed just below 28 percent. That was before this last round.
Here is the Romanian tax formula from a friend describing the situation.
Here in Romania we started to be globalized. All Europe is conducted by the Europe government including Macron. They want to globalize us. We have to buy in our own country resources water electricity from France..globalistz and Brussels is also with them in fact they lead together. Scare the people raise the taxes. A Romanian minimum salary is 3000 ron. Almost 40 percent of taxes. There is no democracy here. People live in fear and all their money goes in debts to live and eat.
I thought that was a powerful statement from another perspective on globalism.
Depends on 'tax bracket' but it's closer to 50% overall... and AI just spits out data from mainstream sources... if you challenge it with some pointed questions and some statements sometimes it comes up with more real stuff. There are different versions...I use ChatGPT Open Source...it's not that smart yet but it is 'learning'.😜
As I have learned, one must make more income than one initially anticipates to be necessary, due to parasitic drain. Indocrination during and after the Boomer Generation, has presented a false image of "retirement"; life and the challenges involved end with one's last breath, not a declaration and signing on for "social security" and coerced medical insurance. "You can run, but you can't hide" sums it up succinctly.
Which probably means an income in the range of a Bill Gates or Jeff Bezos The way medical care is going in this country only those in high, high income brackets will have access to medical care.
With AI and robots, well watch the layoffs at businesses like Microsoft, continue annually. AI and robots probably don't pay much into social security and probably don't need on the job medical coverage, so as the middle class vanishes so will contributions into old age plans disappear.
If I wished to destroy a community I would provide low income housing and offer free food every few blocks inside a town. I would also restrict local police enforcement. I would state with conviction that the individuals moving into the subsidized units were plumbers, electricians and drywall installers.
The Puget Sound I grew up in was not the Puget Sound I could retire in. Why? One hundred percent it was property taxes. My once rural few acres were no longer rural. My neighbors had aged out and their modest home with a small pasture sold and received R4 status allowing 20 homes to be built in an area that was originally 1 acre minimum. In a 15 year period my neighborhood transitioned from rural to the burbs. I lived there for 32 years and my paid for home's annual tax burden was greater than the original annual mortgage payments. Our homes property taxes have increased 33% since 2020. That's without "bums rush" School Bond that was orchestrated last winter which will add another $680 (estimated) next year. That will bring us to about 45% in 6 years. Every time our properties assessed value increases so does our property taxes. Our assessed value has gone up just shy of 85% since 2018. As much as I support EMS I'm sorry but your piece of the pie got eaten by your sister Sequim Schools.
That’s the argument the left wants to put over. But it rings hollow to those that have skin in the game. However the Left no longer has complete control of the narrative anymore. Thanks to sub stacks like CCWD the mood is changing. I see two viable candidates stepping up in Port Angeles. Although I cannot vote in those elections I can support those candidates. If they are successful it may inspire others to go and battle for accountability at the County level.
On a separate note. I don't know Commissioner Richards. I had higher hopes for him in his role given past experiences as a BOCCC, and having heard him seem to be concerned with the OPMA which I thought meant that he believed in the citizens dictating the direction of the CRC. Now I know that I misjudged him. My take now is that he didn't want to run afoul of the OPMA provisions because there's potentially a personal liability component and his attorney background was kicking in.
To hear him intentionally misrepresent the county budget to push through his freakish emotional attachment to the water steward position is unsettling.
Did you see his smirk when it was decided the vote would go to the people instead of the BOCC? Those three would have to realize they would not be re elected if they voted in favor of it. Its easier to bluff the public who have never thought about how the water comes out of a tap and its cost.
We all know that growth of the government is synonymous with the Democratic party. Fortunately blogs such as this are helping to inform people where the legacy media is failing us. Just yesterday my wife cancelled our subscription to the Gazette. Non elite status elderly or fixed-income homeowners, may of whom likely came here to escape taxes are struggling with rising taxes on paid-off homes. Rising property taxes are pricing some people out of homeownership, particularly. First-time buyers facing high initial costs combined with taxes and interest rates. What the legacy media won't tell you is that with affects low- and moderate-income households as well a minorities to a greater extent. If our local government entities wish to raise our taxes we need to demand more accountability and open books.
The betrayal of the CRC Commissioners who voted "Yes" to the advancement of the water steward amendment to all their friends, family, coworkers, and fellow conregants will be remembered throughout the rest of their lives. They are on record with many months of documented discussion and testimony of their ideology and elitism. This betrayal is also theft. These commissioners voted to steal thru gov't funnels more money from their fellow citizens to gratify their special interest partners. Every April we will remember you.
When the very Individual/s who actively interfered with the truth about the budget being disclosed, has/have been the very one/s spewing the lies about the budget to deceive folks, then they vote to spend more money that just happens to increase taxes for folks by shoving a bigger government down everyone's throats is caught doing so, that Individual is a crook and needs to be removed from office and criminally prosecuted~! Thank you, good folks in the CRC who were honorable enough to have NOT voted for this outrageous, likely unconstitutional, addition to an already grossly oversized, intrusive, and oppressive government~! We will remember those in government who betrayed the public trust~! Sincerely, Mike
Another case of “sigh, if only we had more tax money — think of all the good things we could do.” To hell with doing good — they can’t even hire enough deputies to round up the drug addicts. Instead, they provide paraphernalia to the addicts. Now that deserves a sigh.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks the public and the Charter Commissioners were absolutely lied to. I’m not sugar coating anything, a lie is a lie period! I wrote a letter immediately and received replies from Richards & Pickett the next day accusing me of quote, “personal attack was unnecessary, rude and unethical”, Pickett wrote.
Pickett’s reply letter continues, “Our committee agreed on the language in the Q&A, so blaming me is inappropriate. I personally regret the poor wording we chose. But my understanding is that the numbers are correct - we were referring to a "reserve", not a "surplus".
Also, you should not believe everything you read. Your personal attack on me about my record before moving to Clallam County is apparently based on an attack piece in a blog filled with lies and distortions, which was repeated by a local blog. I'm proud of my record as an elected official in Thurston County and accomplished many good things. You should avoid repeating slander.
I appreciate your engagement in the process as a concerned citizen, and recognize that you are disappointed with the outcome of many of the votes. I honestly believe that most Commissioners, despite differences of opinion, are all working for the good of the County and are making decisions based on facts and analysis of the implications of policy changes. Being unhappy with a vote does not excuse personal attacks.”
Who is the unethical one? Rude? You mean like biting your fingernails non-stop and picking your nose in person and on zoom where people can’t avoid his rude behavior? Telling taxpayers they are unnecessary? Who in the hell does this guy think he is?
Ron wasn’t much smarter by his reply quote, “The "lies" you accuse Mr. Pickett of making in the email you sent to the Charter Review Commission last night, you misstate; they are not lies; and I, not Mr. Pickett, should have been accused of having made them.” So Richards says they are not lies but he should be the one blamed for making them? 🤪🧐 Then Richards continued to debate ad nauseam Todd Meilke’s facts and comments.
Regardless of their meaningless replies THE VOTE WAS DONE UNDER FALSE PRETENSE, period! PRETENSE=the act of giving a false appearance, pretending with intention to deceive, imaginative intellectual play, a false or unsupportable quality, an artful or simulated semblance. All apply!
Why didn't you just call the thin-skinned Commissioner Picket an asshole? I mean unless he's a crybaby how would he justify objecting to his own language against Commissioner Tozier in a formal recorded meeting?
Precisely, I’m glad you remembered like the rest of us did how unethical Pickett was to call Commissioner Tozzer an asshole during session, also totally unnecessary, besides OUT OF LINE! It’s as bad as Commissioner Stoffer accusing Commissioner Tozzer of assault/harassment at the Methodist Church parking lot. Where is the proof, where is the police report? Commissioners Stoffer and Pickett should both resign. They are serious trouble makers accusing others of serious crimes and name calling citizens and accusing them of what they themselves do. Richards should apologize or resign too if he can’t be expected to tell the truth and get the facts right. Both Richards and Pickett sit on the water subcommittee & both are equally guilty of not delivering the proper information or at least close, they both said the exact opposite of what the County can afford, oh yeah we’ve got all kinds of money, no problem affording another paid position. 🤮
Composure is so hard to maintain in the face of such devious corruption.
As I testified to again last night, there is nothing for a water steward to do. Our best water use formula for all aspects, was developed in 2004. Everyone adopted it. I mean everyone. All 6 corners of the political spectrum. There is nothing else for any hydrologist to do except, employ the design and management of the "Jimmycomelately."
TheyDirector Kim William's only retort is "that was 20 years ago." My retort was the Jamestown Tribe is still employing that "science." Until they stop employing that "science," its obviously working well and there is no need to change it. Her retort of that was 20 years ago is cover, for wanting to ratchet up control over water and property.
Its simple. If they use the 2004 science at "jimmycomelately" property owners will be protected just like the casino and longhouse is protected. There will be one main deeper channel with slower moving deeper water. When they defer from it, the property owners are at the mercy of these down your nose..Do you want water"...International agents." It serves the SERN buy back program.
The Dungeness River Mng Team has convinced the CRC, in their words, that Without the willingness to reallocate our water rights and implement regulatory modifications, the CO is at risk. Of what, the ability to approve building permits for climate refugees where allocations of water have long been exhausted in highly prized and valued Sequim?
From the start, the stated purpose of the committee was to consider a proposal for Co Water Management. The State ODW has offered a grant to analyze date for the purpose of consolidating systems under management of one entity, County.
The data will determine if you are taking more than allowed, but also what you are not using. Both can be taken away. CO will decide where the pipes are laid to create Group A water systems The cost to construct just one A system is beyond affordability of scale and no institution will loan money for it. CO management means they will charge all of us to pay for them, the collateral your property. The utility trade commission regulates for profit water systems, not cities, counties, PUDs or your HOA
The reports advise consolidating 16 private wells. The cost of one small system I know of was 3.2 million. That's $200,000.00 each and exceeded the land values at the time.
The data is already known but there is no willingness to share it's truth.
This amendment will destroy the co and we will be The refugees. If ever there was a time to stand up it's Now!!!
There are realities that are a hard pill to swallow, and running a government in this day and age of our of control cost factors is one of them.
If the BOCCC could show a business case for the request that digs deep into how funds have been used and why more is needed they'd stand a good chance of getting voter approval.
The problem is that they haven't done so. When Commissioner Ozias is able to beat his chest in a Sequim Gazette guest piece that defies the realities of the misuse of taxpayer dollars then he drives opposition. When the BOCCC abuses taxpayer dollars for non-essential, or worse yet malpractice of taxpayer dollars, they undermine the citizens of Clallam County to be provided essential services.
If Clallam County was spending federal dollars they would be obligated to demonstrate there's no fraud, waste, or abuse. Remove that requirement by obtaining tax dollars from Clallam County citizens and that obligation vanishes, yet the same people are still providing the tax dollars, just via a different route. Where is our protection and recourse?
The proposal uses a mish-mash of hocus pocus words where the same paragraph refers to "certain services" and "essential services" which have two different meanings. Worse yet is the claim that these et al services are a requirement under the State Constitution. That's a false statement. The WA State Constitution does not enumerate that what's listed are "essential services."
More lies. When will it stop?
"Clallam County is charged with providing certain services under the Constitution and laws of Washington State, specifically programs addressing criminal justice, public safety, public health, land use, parks, and other services which promote safety, health, and the quality of life for its citizens. To provide these services, it is necessary for the County to hire and retain personnel, and provide them with the necessary equipment and facilities to perform essential services."
I know this sounds trite and red necked, but NO NEW TAXES. Before we take properties away from people who worked hard and long enough to buy a property, can we not look at all expenses ? I'm assuming our budget includes various forms of care for the indigent in the forms of housing, food, drug rehabilitation, etc.. There may also be some tax money dedicated to art / the arts or perhaps festivals and/or celebrations and honorings. Can we not eliminate those and similar budget items not essential to basic Government function before we bleed out our tax base ? I would not ask firemen and law enforcement to work without reasonable compensation. I would ask the drug addicted to live their lives without my tax dollars. It is a matter of priorities. It would seem when any unspent tax money exists a new priority is found that is not essential service. The next budget cycle that added priority is a component of the budget to be met. The JKT has been enjoying Government favors and great Casino revenues. Maybe they can help.
Could it be our enemies, yes, our enemies, are pulling out all stops in order to get retired people, threatened by property taxes, to demand an income tax instead?
It’s time to recognize that we aren’t dealing with normal people. These people are simply evil with an evil agenda.
Don’t think so? Then you aren’t aware of how they tricked Americans into falling on their knees, bending over, and begging for the ObamaCare shafting.
Time to revisit Nuremberg. The globalists and Democrats are now a cult, a criminal cabal creating victims a la “Stalin’s Chicken” style. They found some history most of us have forgotten (Tenement House Acts, Teddy Roosevelt and Samuel Gompers, and Jacob Riis) and have reversed the good to make people sick, crazy, violent, criminal, and dependent on government.
Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy
Dependency is power for them.
Start talking “crimes against humanity.” My indictment of the CDC should be all you need for a start. Millions of indoor exhaled CO2 damaged and dead children and adults (not including abortions) while the FBI and “The Law” looked the other way.
Let some people know their “just following orders” will not cut it this time either.
Come down hard on all the public health types for the cover up and damage. On their facilitators and protectors too, especially the media and anyone censoring the facts, the truth.
Don’t forget those who have been lying about the climate and using fear to force higher exhaled CO2 in tighter poorly ventilated buildings, which is a false savings of energy. It causes us to use more as explained in the link.
What are the attributes of a cult? No disagreements allowed. Why are Dems in Congress always voting in lockstep with the exception of when their vote doesn’t matter and they need to fool the folks back home? Then there’s sacrificing children. Add making children pass through the fire. Their innocence is not protected; it’s trashed. Real men and women would not trouble children with climate change even if it were true. They wouldn’t throw all the sex stuff at them so early or use the power of suggestion to make them question their own sexuality during a normal time of confusion. They wouldn’t harangue them about college or create worse than useless majors and cripple them with fraudulent debt. All techniques to get and keep them in the cult.
Surgeons and doctors have been acting very stupidly. They have allowed the insurance companies and government to take over. They are afraid. “First, do no harm” is now a joke. Do what the cult says even abortions and gender mutilation of children.
Examine the so-called “crowding” or “overcrowding” experiments. “Universe 25” is often cited. They were all faulty. The CO2 level was not controlled or even mentioned. It is possible to have extreme crowding with low CO2. How do we know that? On the other hand, high CO2 with only a few individuals creates the same problems.
One might think this malfeasance, government waste, and corruption is accidental, but I am increasingly viewing it as intentional. Raising property taxes 38% will drive out those that can't afford it, drive out those that are angered by it, drive out those that see the waste, corruption, and favoritism, and who will replace those that leave? Wealthy California retirees who are used to excessive taxation? Liberals from Oregon who think they are getting away from Oregon's Marxist policies? Tribes buying cheap lands? The net result is the exodus of conservatives and the influx of liberals, perhaps elitists. Voila-- in one fell swoop, they will have managed to reduce opposition and increase future support. Accidental? I don't think so.
I'm too old to relocate so I'm not going anywhere. If some "make sense" candidates step up and run I will support those candidates campaign with a donation of time and money.
We felt that we were too old too, but are leaving for Idaho soon, to a conservative county in a conservative state. There's better medical care there, easier access to an airport, and plenty of infrastructure businesses.
They got control over water in Idaho too. My buddy moved back to Alaska.
In Idaho, the representative listen to their constituents in a positive, friendly, responsive manner, as opposed to the adversarial attitudes here.
Their 'water steward czar' tried to dewater 500,000 acres of potato farms last year...don't know what's happening now!😱
Off topic but I worked on a potato farm changing sprinklers when I was in high school. When I worked at Shakey's Pizza Parlor I made $1.25 with no tips. After I began moving sprinklers at B&M $1.60 and eventually $2.10.
I traveled extensively throughout that state north and south when I was a little boy. When I watch photos I become nostalgic. I really don't understand politics. Frank Church who was a former senator there was a left wing politician.
This missive is off topic but did anyone follow the OJ Simpson trial? A detective in that trial used a forbidden world and OJ was a free man. That detective was excoriated to such a degree that the only area he felt safe was Idaho. Since then that man solved several prominent crimes.
If I were younger I would move to State Line near Spokane. As a Washington resident I would pay no income tax but my neighbors would not be clogging the streets with their "Three Kings" signs.
OTOH the south part of the state is an agricultural region which is always ripe for a left wing government. My evidence would be Fresno, Sacramento and Stockton California all filled with migrants and now dangerous areas with Cartel activity.
😀
Better campaign for firing these commies...two or three more years..we're cooked!😎
I had the same thought about California. What happened?
We here must have a 'true the vote' movement here first IF we expect to
gain any good action, and that will require a safeguard of some sort and yes,
that sounds rediculous too. I know we have great people that just gave up the fight due to the 'system' and won't run again unless they know the coast is clear.
Exactly. It’s what happened in SF, then LA, in Portland and Seattle. It crept into the Peninsula; Port Townsend, now Sequim. I appreciate Jeff calling them out.
Like I said, Sally, I don't think this is coincidental or due to incompetence. I think the towns you mentioned realized that they drive out the red voters and attract the blue voters, thereby building their power bases.
That is all they are building, people who vote blue, that’s it. Its all about how to survive in those cities with not much quality of life, jobs, production of any kind.
Truly sad that they don't realize the connection between their votes and their quality of life.
Commies is as commies does!😱
I think we have a quiet majority of moderate-conservatives, if they knew what we know... but many are brainwashed liberals who will vote for their own demise and blame it on someone else.
2 or 3 more years of this commie governance we're definitely done!
As in Cooked!😎
The conservatives always fight over immigration.
The Simpson Mazzoli bill granting amnesty was supposed to end the migration. Ronald Regan signed it.
Sadly, I am a rat leaving a sinking ship. I am old and worn out and too cynical about politics to remain and fight. It seems like all we've been doing is fighting encroachment on our rights and ever-raising of our taxes, while the benefits of them decline. I am out of fight; I am running.
I understand that the Sequim City Council has put the brakes on the John Wayne development. Hope we don't get sued like Cle Ellum, and like Cle Ellum h, lose in court and have to declare bankruptcy. If OMC with their financial problems, closes its doors, what young family will want to put down roots here? and what senior citizen will want to be in a town without a hospital?
Jefferson is 30 minutes away & people are going elsewhere anyway because of all the problems with care here.
I would. I am old and when I had pneumonia a few years ago I should have tipped the ambulance driver to deliver my body to Seattle. If a serous trauma is involved a helicopter flies the patient to Harbor General in Seattle. LOL that hospital is an illusion. I love Sequim and will never betray the interests of Clallam County but independent of the public school system most Md's do not wish to live in rural areas unless wealth exists there. Wealth that can offer a premium wage.
And all those towns are shi.holes, people can’t get out of them and those that can can’t get out fast enough, flooded with non-productive people on the government dole. Businesses shut down, real estate sitting empty, dangerous with crime & drugs….no one wants to go to a city with these problems especially to shop and spend money……
Don't voters understand who/what they are voting for? Are they really that stupid?
Remember that the Founding Fathers didn't trust all voters. That is why there were restrictions on who could vote in elections. One basic thought about what constituted a voter? a person who owned property. Think about this - a person had to own property to vote! Look at who and what votes now!
So true...nothing more dangerous than a stupid voter!😎
And look at the results.
The guy on the dole, who has no skin in the game, just a voice saying, "Gimme" free housing, free food, an open air drug clinic/dispensary et cetera.
that person's 1 man 1 vote, is the same as the person working, trying to keep food on the table paying the bills.
By their fruits...🙃
Yes I believe they are. Look at how most of them treated their friends when they found out that they voted for Trump. They were called commies, hitler, etc.
people need to look at the history. I had relatives who died in those concentration camps. Read Thomas Sowell people, he has pegged it exactly like Orwell.
Sowell, Orwell, and Ayn Rand are/were visionaries.
Many are!🤔
The philosophy is like a metastasizing cancer. I hope that Jeff can remove a few of the tumors.
Remove tumors? Oops, I've been checking for hernias.
One of my neighbors wanted higher costs for water others cautioned against, saying he expected others would buy them out, improve landscaping and increase property values.
Selfish, you bet. It is morally wrong to pass this amendment on to the voters, the majority of whom have never attended a water utility meeting in their lives. The commissioners and their experts haven't reported the ramifications. Your vote to approve may come with unintended circumstances, but for the committees and teams pushing this, it is intentional.
That's what I don't get. A handful of yard birds get together and decide on their own that we all need something they can't articulate other to use the general aspersions that are the common trope control artists repeat so often that it's believed to be fact.
There's something rotten in Sequim, and it's not low tide.
I think people still believe that ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, MSNBC, CNN, WaPo, NYT, PDN, etc tell them the truth. Candidate X is THE one to choose. Vote for Candidate X. And the sheeple believe it and do as they're told, then wonder WTF happened and why their taxes have gone up. Schools don't teach critical thinking and few people take the time to dig down, get involved, learn, and vote wisely.
For that reason, I think Jeff Tozzer is doing wonders to balance out the equation and educate the people who may read this as to the consequences of who they choose in an election. This is what PDN SHOULD BE doing, but isn't. We need more Jeff Tozzers or more subscribers to his writings to educate the naive public.
There are costs for the programs-- HEY, SQUIRREL! In the movie UP, Dug the dog yells “Squirrel!” mid-sentence and jerks his head. If you start telling them about Jeff's blog, or that taxes are going up, they will interrupt you and ask, "What time is Survivor on?". They just don't connect their votes to the candidates that get elected by them and then increase taxes. And if you try to call them out on it, you get the proverbial deer-in-the-headlights blank stare, as I did when I warned people that "you can vote Socialism in, but you can't vote it out". They honestly didn't understand. Maybe we need a Sesame Street show about voting and the cost of social programs.
Well said and so very true. I feel lots of the candidates lie on their statements as it is so it is hard to find the good ones who really care
Definitely intentional...supported by ignorance and stupidity!😎
Trust me, not all Liberals are in favor, nor can afford, a higher TaX. Do not make invalid assumptions. Most liberals are on fixed incomes, too. Byebye home.
You can be a liberal….your vote is confidential no one needs to know how one votes. I would think as a liberal you’ve had a belly full too? Maybe do things differently and see how that goes? Just saying. I did and I’m pleased it is making a difference at least instead of everything or the significant things continuing to spiral out of control…..just saying. Try a pro and con list & vote accordingly instead of voting by the noise & influences we are swayed by. Higher taxes would not be on my pro side EVER!
You WANT higher taxes???? Did you mean to say that higher taxes would not be on your CON list? That means you want them. I am confused.
EVER!😎
Agreed, Jean. Division is the goal of labeling, demanding that individuals declare a "team" and ideology; shunnng those who disagree as being ________ (fill in disparaging name, label here).
People are waking up! Hope it's in time!😊
It's part of the globalist goal of 40 percent of your income.
I would disagree. I think it’s more like 50%. What is worse, is people who think that’s okay as long as they get more government services. 🫤
Exactly, I have/had a "friend" who I found out was part of all the protests around Sequim. She believes being taxed more and more is okay and is happy to pay more taxes. She believes there are too many people who are wealthy and everyone should have the same amount of income. The government should have the final say so. I cannot wrap my head around such thinking.....and there are more and more believing in this.
The last I checked Americans are taxed just below 28 percent. That was before this last round.
Here is the Romanian tax formula from a friend describing the situation.
Here in Romania we started to be globalized. All Europe is conducted by the Europe government including Macron. They want to globalize us. We have to buy in our own country resources water electricity from France..globalistz and Brussels is also with them in fact they lead together. Scare the people raise the taxes. A Romanian minimum salary is 3000 ron. Almost 40 percent of taxes. There is no democracy here. People live in fear and all their money goes in debts to live and eat.
I thought that was a powerful statement from another perspective on globalism.
Are you just quoting IRS taxes, or all taxes: sales, property, gas, sin (alcohol and tobacco), ... and the list goes on.
I asked AI.
See my above comment to Mimi about AI.😊
Depends on 'tax bracket' but it's closer to 50% overall... and AI just spits out data from mainstream sources... if you challenge it with some pointed questions and some statements sometimes it comes up with more real stuff. There are different versions...I use ChatGPT Open Source...it's not that smart yet but it is 'learning'.😜
Last night we got the threat,. "Do you want water."..so they could get the tax..
Or a job..
Especially those who never pay!🤔
As I have learned, one must make more income than one initially anticipates to be necessary, due to parasitic drain. Indocrination during and after the Boomer Generation, has presented a false image of "retirement"; life and the challenges involved end with one's last breath, not a declaration and signing on for "social security" and coerced medical insurance. "You can run, but you can't hide" sums it up succinctly.
Which probably means an income in the range of a Bill Gates or Jeff Bezos The way medical care is going in this country only those in high, high income brackets will have access to medical care.
With AI and robots, well watch the layoffs at businesses like Microsoft, continue annually. AI and robots probably don't pay much into social security and probably don't need on the job medical coverage, so as the middle class vanishes so will contributions into old age plans disappear.
We're outdated and outmoded and outmaneuvered and outta here!😊
Excellent comment my friend~!
Sincerely, Mike
If I wished to destroy a community I would provide low income housing and offer free food every few blocks inside a town. I would also restrict local police enforcement. I would state with conviction that the individuals moving into the subsidized units were plumbers, electricians and drywall installers.
😎
That, sadly, is how it works.
The Puget Sound I grew up in was not the Puget Sound I could retire in. Why? One hundred percent it was property taxes. My once rural few acres were no longer rural. My neighbors had aged out and their modest home with a small pasture sold and received R4 status allowing 20 homes to be built in an area that was originally 1 acre minimum. In a 15 year period my neighborhood transitioned from rural to the burbs. I lived there for 32 years and my paid for home's annual tax burden was greater than the original annual mortgage payments. Our homes property taxes have increased 33% since 2020. That's without "bums rush" School Bond that was orchestrated last winter which will add another $680 (estimated) next year. That will bring us to about 45% in 6 years. Every time our properties assessed value increases so does our property taxes. Our assessed value has gone up just shy of 85% since 2018. As much as I support EMS I'm sorry but your piece of the pie got eaten by your sister Sequim Schools.
Yeah, but the CCD only wants $5.00, and you do drink water
and eat.
Great comment Patriot Lawrence Martin~!
Have a great weekend~!
Sincerely, Mike
They always have this global argument that you still have it better off because in so and so country they pay>>>>>>.
That’s the argument the left wants to put over. But it rings hollow to those that have skin in the game. However the Left no longer has complete control of the narrative anymore. Thanks to sub stacks like CCWD the mood is changing. I see two viable candidates stepping up in Port Angeles. Although I cannot vote in those elections I can support those candidates. If they are successful it may inspire others to go and battle for accountability at the County level.
Hear, Hear!
On a separate note. I don't know Commissioner Richards. I had higher hopes for him in his role given past experiences as a BOCCC, and having heard him seem to be concerned with the OPMA which I thought meant that he believed in the citizens dictating the direction of the CRC. Now I know that I misjudged him. My take now is that he didn't want to run afoul of the OPMA provisions because there's potentially a personal liability component and his attorney background was kicking in.
To hear him intentionally misrepresent the county budget to push through his freakish emotional attachment to the water steward position is unsettling.
I used to have some respect for him but have now decided: there is no fool like an old fool.
I've known him from the 70's when he was fishing. This 2016 PDN sums him up fairly well. Never saw a liberal cause he didn't support.
https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/weekend-rewind-ron-richards-a-democrat-seeks-return-to-clallam-county-commissioner-seat/
That article explains a lot.
Did you see his smirk when it was decided the vote would go to the people instead of the BOCC? Those three would have to realize they would not be re elected if they voted in favor of it. Its easier to bluff the public who have never thought about how the water comes out of a tap and its cost.
We all know that growth of the government is synonymous with the Democratic party. Fortunately blogs such as this are helping to inform people where the legacy media is failing us. Just yesterday my wife cancelled our subscription to the Gazette. Non elite status elderly or fixed-income homeowners, may of whom likely came here to escape taxes are struggling with rising taxes on paid-off homes. Rising property taxes are pricing some people out of homeownership, particularly. First-time buyers facing high initial costs combined with taxes and interest rates. What the legacy media won't tell you is that with affects low- and moderate-income households as well a minorities to a greater extent. If our local government entities wish to raise our taxes we need to demand more accountability and open books.
The betrayal of the CRC Commissioners who voted "Yes" to the advancement of the water steward amendment to all their friends, family, coworkers, and fellow conregants will be remembered throughout the rest of their lives. They are on record with many months of documented discussion and testimony of their ideology and elitism. This betrayal is also theft. These commissioners voted to steal thru gov't funnels more money from their fellow citizens to gratify their special interest partners. Every April we will remember you.
When the very Individual/s who actively interfered with the truth about the budget being disclosed, has/have been the very one/s spewing the lies about the budget to deceive folks, then they vote to spend more money that just happens to increase taxes for folks by shoving a bigger government down everyone's throats is caught doing so, that Individual is a crook and needs to be removed from office and criminally prosecuted~! Thank you, good folks in the CRC who were honorable enough to have NOT voted for this outrageous, likely unconstitutional, addition to an already grossly oversized, intrusive, and oppressive government~! We will remember those in government who betrayed the public trust~! Sincerely, Mike
Another case of “sigh, if only we had more tax money — think of all the good things we could do.” To hell with doing good — they can’t even hire enough deputies to round up the drug addicts. Instead, they provide paraphernalia to the addicts. Now that deserves a sigh.
And a good-bye!👋
I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks the public and the Charter Commissioners were absolutely lied to. I’m not sugar coating anything, a lie is a lie period! I wrote a letter immediately and received replies from Richards & Pickett the next day accusing me of quote, “personal attack was unnecessary, rude and unethical”, Pickett wrote.
Pickett’s reply letter continues, “Our committee agreed on the language in the Q&A, so blaming me is inappropriate. I personally regret the poor wording we chose. But my understanding is that the numbers are correct - we were referring to a "reserve", not a "surplus".
Also, you should not believe everything you read. Your personal attack on me about my record before moving to Clallam County is apparently based on an attack piece in a blog filled with lies and distortions, which was repeated by a local blog. I'm proud of my record as an elected official in Thurston County and accomplished many good things. You should avoid repeating slander.
I appreciate your engagement in the process as a concerned citizen, and recognize that you are disappointed with the outcome of many of the votes. I honestly believe that most Commissioners, despite differences of opinion, are all working for the good of the County and are making decisions based on facts and analysis of the implications of policy changes. Being unhappy with a vote does not excuse personal attacks.”
Who is the unethical one? Rude? You mean like biting your fingernails non-stop and picking your nose in person and on zoom where people can’t avoid his rude behavior? Telling taxpayers they are unnecessary? Who in the hell does this guy think he is?
Ron wasn’t much smarter by his reply quote, “The "lies" you accuse Mr. Pickett of making in the email you sent to the Charter Review Commission last night, you misstate; they are not lies; and I, not Mr. Pickett, should have been accused of having made them.” So Richards says they are not lies but he should be the one blamed for making them? 🤪🧐 Then Richards continued to debate ad nauseam Todd Meilke’s facts and comments.
Regardless of their meaningless replies THE VOTE WAS DONE UNDER FALSE PRETENSE, period! PRETENSE=the act of giving a false appearance, pretending with intention to deceive, imaginative intellectual play, a false or unsupportable quality, an artful or simulated semblance. All apply!
Why didn't you just call the thin-skinned Commissioner Picket an asshole? I mean unless he's a crybaby how would he justify objecting to his own language against Commissioner Tozier in a formal recorded meeting?
Precisely, I’m glad you remembered like the rest of us did how unethical Pickett was to call Commissioner Tozzer an asshole during session, also totally unnecessary, besides OUT OF LINE! It’s as bad as Commissioner Stoffer accusing Commissioner Tozzer of assault/harassment at the Methodist Church parking lot. Where is the proof, where is the police report? Commissioners Stoffer and Pickett should both resign. They are serious trouble makers accusing others of serious crimes and name calling citizens and accusing them of what they themselves do. Richards should apologize or resign too if he can’t be expected to tell the truth and get the facts right. Both Richards and Pickett sit on the water subcommittee & both are equally guilty of not delivering the proper information or at least close, they both said the exact opposite of what the County can afford, oh yeah we’ve got all kinds of money, no problem affording another paid position. 🤮
They'll be pissed when they run out of other peoples money!
A tax revolt is the only peaceful way through and out of this mess, along with recalls/firings! ASAP!😎
Any criticism is boomeranged back as abusive...these psychos are the worst kind of lying hypocrites...they are literally insane!
See "How An Entire Population Becomes Mentally Ill" on YT.😝
Composure is so hard to maintain in the face of such devious corruption.
As I testified to again last night, there is nothing for a water steward to do. Our best water use formula for all aspects, was developed in 2004. Everyone adopted it. I mean everyone. All 6 corners of the political spectrum. There is nothing else for any hydrologist to do except, employ the design and management of the "Jimmycomelately."
TheyDirector Kim William's only retort is "that was 20 years ago." My retort was the Jamestown Tribe is still employing that "science." Until they stop employing that "science," its obviously working well and there is no need to change it. Her retort of that was 20 years ago is cover, for wanting to ratchet up control over water and property.
Its simple. If they use the 2004 science at "jimmycomelately" property owners will be protected just like the casino and longhouse is protected. There will be one main deeper channel with slower moving deeper water. When they defer from it, the property owners are at the mercy of these down your nose..Do you want water"...International agents." It serves the SERN buy back program.
Thank you for being there and speaking up, John.
Having John in the fight is like having a smart bomb in your arsenal.
Forgive me for describing you as Ms. Doubtfire looking lady before I could tell you and Pepple apart..
Because of my hair, sometimes I resemble Queen Elizabeth II. 👸
On Tuesdays, I have seen Denise hold her pinky out when she drinks out of her to go coffee cup.
Coffee with Doubtfire. I think she has a cigar cutter. I know Pepple has a cigar cutter.
Her hair could hide joints for BlueOyster Cult Concert. Stoffer is going to know.
Thanks for correspondence. It lightens things the mood and sends a signal our corks are not screwed on too tight.
Charter Review Commission Meeting July 28th
https://clallamcowa.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3117/files
Zoom
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83692664344
ID: 836 9266 4344 passcode: 12345 Audio Only: 253-215-8782 *9 to raise your hand
Care to comment Clerk of the Board (specify “CRC”) loni.gores@clallamcountywa.gov
Board of Clallam County Commissioners (BOCC) WORK Session Mon, July 28th, 9am
https://clallamcowa.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3288/files
*****
Board of Clallam County Commissioners (BOCC) REGULAR Meeting Tues, July 29th, 10am public comment allowed
https://clallamcowa.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3178/files
Zoom https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83692664344
ID: 836 9266 4344 passcode: 12345 Audio Only: 253-215-8782 *9 to raise your hand
Can’t make it and care to comment? Public comments to Clerk of the Board loni.gores@clallamcountywa.gov
Mark.Ozias@ClallamCountyWA.gov; Randy.Johnson@ClallamCountyWA.gov; Mike.French@ClallamCountyWA.gov
The Dungeness River Mng Team has convinced the CRC, in their words, that Without the willingness to reallocate our water rights and implement regulatory modifications, the CO is at risk. Of what, the ability to approve building permits for climate refugees where allocations of water have long been exhausted in highly prized and valued Sequim?
From the start, the stated purpose of the committee was to consider a proposal for Co Water Management. The State ODW has offered a grant to analyze date for the purpose of consolidating systems under management of one entity, County.
The data will determine if you are taking more than allowed, but also what you are not using. Both can be taken away. CO will decide where the pipes are laid to create Group A water systems The cost to construct just one A system is beyond affordability of scale and no institution will loan money for it. CO management means they will charge all of us to pay for them, the collateral your property. The utility trade commission regulates for profit water systems, not cities, counties, PUDs or your HOA
The reports advise consolidating 16 private wells. The cost of one small system I know of was 3.2 million. That's $200,000.00 each and exceeded the land values at the time.
The data is already known but there is no willingness to share it's truth.
This amendment will destroy the co and we will be The refugees. If ever there was a time to stand up it's Now!!!
There are realities that are a hard pill to swallow, and running a government in this day and age of our of control cost factors is one of them.
If the BOCCC could show a business case for the request that digs deep into how funds have been used and why more is needed they'd stand a good chance of getting voter approval.
The problem is that they haven't done so. When Commissioner Ozias is able to beat his chest in a Sequim Gazette guest piece that defies the realities of the misuse of taxpayer dollars then he drives opposition. When the BOCCC abuses taxpayer dollars for non-essential, or worse yet malpractice of taxpayer dollars, they undermine the citizens of Clallam County to be provided essential services.
If Clallam County was spending federal dollars they would be obligated to demonstrate there's no fraud, waste, or abuse. Remove that requirement by obtaining tax dollars from Clallam County citizens and that obligation vanishes, yet the same people are still providing the tax dollars, just via a different route. Where is our protection and recourse?
The proposal uses a mish-mash of hocus pocus words where the same paragraph refers to "certain services" and "essential services" which have two different meanings. Worse yet is the claim that these et al services are a requirement under the State Constitution. That's a false statement. The WA State Constitution does not enumerate that what's listed are "essential services."
More lies. When will it stop?
"Clallam County is charged with providing certain services under the Constitution and laws of Washington State, specifically programs addressing criminal justice, public safety, public health, land use, parks, and other services which promote safety, health, and the quality of life for its citizens. To provide these services, it is necessary for the County to hire and retain personnel, and provide them with the necessary equipment and facilities to perform essential services."
It's essential to remove the commies before they finish destroying CC!😎
I know this sounds trite and red necked, but NO NEW TAXES. Before we take properties away from people who worked hard and long enough to buy a property, can we not look at all expenses ? I'm assuming our budget includes various forms of care for the indigent in the forms of housing, food, drug rehabilitation, etc.. There may also be some tax money dedicated to art / the arts or perhaps festivals and/or celebrations and honorings. Can we not eliminate those and similar budget items not essential to basic Government function before we bleed out our tax base ? I would not ask firemen and law enforcement to work without reasonable compensation. I would ask the drug addicted to live their lives without my tax dollars. It is a matter of priorities. It would seem when any unspent tax money exists a new priority is found that is not essential service. The next budget cycle that added priority is a component of the budget to be met. The JKT has been enjoying Government favors and great Casino revenues. Maybe they can help.
Could it be our enemies, yes, our enemies, are pulling out all stops in order to get retired people, threatened by property taxes, to demand an income tax instead?
It’s time to recognize that we aren’t dealing with normal people. These people are simply evil with an evil agenda.
Don’t think so? Then you aren’t aware of how they tricked Americans into falling on their knees, bending over, and begging for the ObamaCare shafting.
Time to revisit Nuremberg. The globalists and Democrats are now a cult, a criminal cabal creating victims a la “Stalin’s Chicken” style. They found some history most of us have forgotten (Tenement House Acts, Teddy Roosevelt and Samuel Gompers, and Jacob Riis) and have reversed the good to make people sick, crazy, violent, criminal, and dependent on government.
Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy
Dependency is power for them.
Start talking “crimes against humanity.” My indictment of the CDC should be all you need for a start. Millions of indoor exhaled CO2 damaged and dead children and adults (not including abortions) while the FBI and “The Law” looked the other way.
Let some people know their “just following orders” will not cut it this time either.
Come down hard on all the public health types for the cover up and damage. On their facilitators and protectors too, especially the media and anyone censoring the facts, the truth.
Don’t forget those who have been lying about the climate and using fear to force higher exhaled CO2 in tighter poorly ventilated buildings, which is a false savings of energy. It causes us to use more as explained in the link.
conspAIRacy.com/evilcdc.html
What are the attributes of a cult? No disagreements allowed. Why are Dems in Congress always voting in lockstep with the exception of when their vote doesn’t matter and they need to fool the folks back home? Then there’s sacrificing children. Add making children pass through the fire. Their innocence is not protected; it’s trashed. Real men and women would not trouble children with climate change even if it were true. They wouldn’t throw all the sex stuff at them so early or use the power of suggestion to make them question their own sexuality during a normal time of confusion. They wouldn’t harangue them about college or create worse than useless majors and cripple them with fraudulent debt. All techniques to get and keep them in the cult.
Surgeons and doctors have been acting very stupidly. They have allowed the insurance companies and government to take over. They are afraid. “First, do no harm” is now a joke. Do what the cult says even abortions and gender mutilation of children.
conspAIRacy.com/theconspirators.html
Examine the so-called “crowding” or “overcrowding” experiments. “Universe 25” is often cited. They were all faulty. The CO2 level was not controlled or even mentioned. It is possible to have extreme crowding with low CO2. How do we know that? On the other hand, high CO2 with only a few individuals creates the same problems.
So much Truth...so little understanding...bless you Don!😎
"Let us now try liberty"
https://laissez-fairerepublic.com/TenPlanks.html
Good one!😎