When the day comes that someone thinks they can regulate how much water I put in my coffee pot, that’s the day we start talking about extreme measures. This isn’t just about water. It’s about control—creeping, quiet control—over our homes, our land, and our lives. It’s masked as “stewardship,” but let’s call it what it is: government overreach.
Yeah but..... We can still show up and voice our dissent and maybe even create a new Tea Party movement to stem the Marxists agenda. Showing up includes writing your thoughts as well as standing before those who think you have no right to object to their rulings. Do we have the guts to put our lifestyles and even our lives on the line to ensure our FREEDOM? It's not free.
Open Public Meetings Act, aka Sunshine Laws. Sunshine laws are regulations to promote transparency and public access to government. They require meetings, records, and all official actions be open to public observation, participation, inspection, and review. The goal is to make government accountable to the people, and free from corruption.
Prior to the 1970's -- pre Sunshine laws -- government operations were behind closed doors and a climate of suspicion. I worked HARD (in high school, and after, so I'm obviously dating myself. Make that radio-carbon dating) to get these laws passed -- as a citizen advocate. So they are near, and dear to my heart.
Water Rights are a huge issue.... and individuals don't "own water". Water Rights are convoluted, and well documented in Washington State.... and, in place since the early 1900's. Lots and LOTS of court cases about this --- and, honestly, I don't see it becoming less complex. However, what would a local "water stewardess" do that isn't already done by the State Department of Ecology?
"That day has come and gone.", indeed. In support of MK's assertion; municipalities contaminate (in the correct context) treated potable residential water with hexaflourosalicic acid under the name of "flouride", without a vote of the people, being a prime example. Hexaflourosalicic acid is corrosive and degrades galvanized plumbing, especially older plumbing, from the inside-out, undetected under the shiny exterior.surface. The pipe walls can be paper thin around theaded joints from this corrosion and can break off as a result of a water hammer, caused by closing a quarter-turn(a/k/a ball valve) too quickly, for example. At any rate, imagine your body's long term response, regardless what "experts" assert, the substance is not flouride. The fact that hexaflourosalicic acid is labeled a Hazardous Material on the bags it is packaged in, being a by-product of the aluminum industry, arriving at Water Treatment Plants where it s mixed with water and injected into the effluent distributed throughout the municipal water system. Further, when people tie into a public water system from a previous private water well, the municipalities or PUD will tell the connecting party that their "abandoned well" must be de-commissioned and filled with concrete -WRONG! As long as there is no cross-connection to the public system from the well water, the well can be retained for fire protection, irrigation, or cleaning activities, e.g. pressure washing, etc. Who, in their right mind would fill a perfectly functional well with concrete, especially considering that in many places, wells are no longer able to be drilled. Never mind that being on a well system gives you control of water quality and unwanted additives. Water Rights are under attack, among other liberties as granted by our Constitution; check it out, it's a good read.
We’ve been on well water for 20+ years … great teeth great tasting water a little heavy on mineral content … still wouldn’t trade it for city water. I had a Salon here for a few years and when i turned on the water first thing in the morning it smelled so heavy in either chlorine or bleach I'd let it run for a few minutes. Never took a drink from it.
I worked in Water and Wastewater Utilities and acquired as much knowledge as possible in my 20 or so years. I still stay informed, being that we cannot survive without potable water. Wastewater is another area to keep informed on, as both are connected, ultimately. If anyone would like to educate yourself on either subject, Dr. Ken Kerri, Cal State University, has written the Water and Wastewater Operators course manuals for Operator Certifications. I had the pleasure of attending one of his classes at Peninsula College, and having lunch with him, afterward. He passed in 2014, but anyone who works in Water and Wastewater Utilities knows his name, and wonderful contributions to water science. The manuals are written in casual language and are easy to absorb. I am still working on what I am going to do when I get "big".
Timothy, obviously this is your area, your expertise of 20 years is invaluable. We haven't even hit on the wastewater topic. I'm so glad you can contribute to CCWD!
Although I was never meant to sit in classrooms, which any teacher who ever had the misfortune of my attendance during my public schooling could attest-to, I later learned that I rather enjoy learning subjects that I can use in life. I am pleased to contribute, however, I am far from an "expert"; always a student.
I sure hope there are changes made to increase accountability and penalties for violating ethics. These changes are long overdue, and if not enacted, there will be other miscreants like Ozias manipulating and robbing us in the future.
I’d wager that the commissioners have already selected someone they want to make the water steward and they’re looking for the CRC to bless that act.
I’d want to know how ranked choice voting got on the list. That’s the kind of crap you’d expect from the Far Left — maybe the Indivisible people or the Clallam Democrats.
The one meeting I’m going to is the First Fed “conversation” about local journalism at 6 p.m. today at Field Hall, where I suspect they’re looking for people to bless government funding for media outlets. I will speak up against it.
PORT ANGELES — A panel discussion on local journalism and its role in providing communities with information on issues that impact their lives will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Donna M. Morris Theater at Field Arts & Events Hall, 201 W. Front St. in Port Angeles.
Community Conversation: The Importance of Local Journalism will honor the legacy of the late John Brewer, editor and publisher of the Peninsula Daily News from 1998 to 2015.
“Journalism plays an important part in the democratic process,” said Eran Kennedy, publisher of the Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum who will be one of five members on the panel. “Our team is willing to cover, uncover, verify and amplify what is happening in our community.”
Also participating on the panel will be Briar Dudley, editor of The Seattle Times Save the Free Press public service initiative. Dudley’s newspaper career began at the Sequim Gazette. Other panelists are Radio Pacific owner Brown Maloney, Peninsula Daily News reporter Emma Maple and Peninsula College instructor Rich Riski, a former newspaper reporter and photographer.
Retired journalist and university professor George Erb will moderate the one-hour discussion, which will be followed by an opportunity for the audience to engage with panel members.
Kennedy said she plans to touch on the many challenges facing journalism and some of the strategies that have been proposed to support it, such Senate Bill 5400, which would impose a tax on major tech companies to help fund local news in Washington state.
“The media landscape is fragmented — we are in a much different place than before COVID,” she said.
Tuesday’s panel began to come together a few months after Brewer died while on a fishing trip in Montana on April 19, 2024, Kennedy said.
She credited Steven Raider-Ginsburg, executive director of Field Arts & Events Hall, and event sponsor First Fed with creating an event to recognize Brewer’s career and dedication to local journalism.
The free event is sponsored by First Fed and the Port Angeles Kiwanis Noon Club.
You Tube shows "live chat". Whether or not that will remain will be interesting…. And an opportune time to comment in earnest and as politely as possible so it isn’t shut down.
Hopefully you speak at one of their meetings or submit an email to them. Agreed. I've called this on other posts here wrt the CRC. RCV is generally known to be confusing which certainly would work to the advantage of the activists against the senior crowd in CC, ala, more left of center wins. It also is known to disenfranchise subsets of voters, again, because it's confusing and not easily understood if English isn't your first language such as the Hispanic population which also has a conservative vibe, something the activists want to control.
I have publicly spoken against rank choice voting at the CRC meetings. I have specifically stated that it has proven to be confusing and has led to voter suppression. Despite other public comments of dissent, It still made it to the next round. This is Stoffer's pet project.
I found THIS artifact on the web (which you have to find through the link, I cannot find one on the Clallam County Website). So look at what we have voted for before:
It appears that we already voted, in 2007 on "instant run-off voting" what rank choice was called back then. It was rejected by the voters.
In 2007, we voted against the return of the DCD director to appointed.
We voted, in 2007, to make Charter Review every 8 years (so the next would be in 2014)
In 2015, we fixed that - and we changed the frequency of the Charter Review to be every 5 years, and we also changed it so that each Charter Review Commissioner be nominated and elected by the voters of their districts.
We did other housecleaning, giving more freedom to the Charter Review to allow qualified initiatives to be proposed directly to the voters without prior consideration, adoption, or rejection by the Board of County Commissioners. " (covered in two ways: Amendment #3
and Amendment #4) We also elected to lengthen the time needed to gather signatures (the other way to put an initiative on ballot) from90 to 120 days (all approved by the voters). We
ALSO, again, voted down another try to change DCD to appointed.
I do know ranked choice was voted in, in Alaska and now they are trying to get rid of it. I did see a presentation at the Roanoke Conference (I believe several years back). I found it confusing. I could see that the ranked choice voting did move people who did not have early majorities of votes, up in the "ranks" and who would not otherwise be finalists in the vote.
Just another group/organization/political structure infiltrated by special interests vs. those looking to better the entire county. Just look at the stark contrast of proposals. Do they effect the county evenly, or are they directed to a subset of the county?
Isn’t it amazing that a wonderful country that is founded on free speech and equality is so divided on what free speech and equity. Everyone is categorized and the middle of the road is untraveled. I believe that everyone should have a voice and all the people of our nation can pull together and make the hard choices. Presuming that anyone or group has bad intentions is unfair and we owe it to our ancestors and our children to learn how to listen to each other. Any council member or representative of the people we elected to represent All Of Us. Those who do not or represent only a predetermined few need to go….
The challenges of a representative democracy. It is impractical to conduct all inclusive elections on every decision needed, so we elect representatives. It's also impractical for our representatives to consult each of us before making those decisions. It is a liaison between the issues and our representatives that is ever so valuable. Thank you CCW / Jeff.
Since I have been following your articles, I am astounded that in this small community and the county that there are so many issues that seem not to reflect what the citizens want and a certain amount of transparency is lacking. Please continue, I share your articles on my Facebook page and hopefully more and more citizens will start questioning.
I really don't know how it could be clearer that the will of the majority of good folks of Clallam County is very intentionally being ignored and stifled all at the same time~! These evil corrupt agenda driven individuals who are within our local government and those few who are hiding behind the illusion of "concerned citizens" who somehow have more input into community matters than the thousands of the rest of us in the community do, know exactly what they are doing~! This game these bad actors always play is insulting and stupid~! These foul actors always play the same evil game of pretending that "they didn't know" what the good folks in the community really wanted, however it is always obvious that they actually in fact did know exactly what the majority of folks really wanted or they would not have known enough to take such obvious, and very likely criminal, measures to ignore & suppress the will of the people in the first place~! These few criminals within our government and community obviously know what they are doing is wrong and against the public will and best interests, or they would have no need for the endless "closed door meetings" and dubious "private back room deals"~! Yes, there are seldom times when a government closed door meeting is best, especially in the extremely rare case of a true public emergency, however Americans are becoming wise to the criminals in government taking advantage of them via the use of "closed door meetings" very much as a weapon against them~! Weaponized government is NOT normal, lawful, or Constitutional anywhere in America. Are "we" the good folks of Clallam County supposed to believe that our beautiful & peaceful community here is REALLY suffering an endless series of emergencies and disasters that only the corrupt "grand wizards" in government can possibly understand and solve~? Indeed, if our wonderful community is in fact experiencing all of these so-called emergencies that require these Nare-do-wells to so often retreat into a "secure bunker" environment, for "our own good", are these same bad actors not directly responsible for all of these "emergencies"~??? Especially for their disgusting record of gross financial mismanagement? What else is really going on? We need to know exactly what these extremely shady and dubious characters are REALLY hiding, so that "we" can take OUR proper lawful measures that are not only necessary, but specific to our mandatory & required duty as sovereign Americans~! Ah HA~! That is obviously exactly what these evil agenda driven criminals NEVER want us to do, because it would clearly spoil their hidden agendas and prevent them from succeeding against the will of our wonderful community~! What could be clearer, as these bad actors always expose their bad will by their own foul deeds, lies, and deceptions~! Free America from these medieval big government "drunk with power" shenanigans~! Sincerely, Mike
I think smith is another tool for the jamestown tribe.It should be clear there is a goal by a certain tribe to get as much influence as possible to clallam county for benefits.Elected officials and others are being influenced to join and start new groups which just cost more tax $$$.Some people do not have the foresight of being used which leads to big problems.C.County needs to make amendments to officials oaths that 'does not allow influence'right now P.A. & sequim reeks with influence because of ignorance.
Where are the meeting minutes? I cannot review what took place unless these various combinations of charter review members took minutes (and/or recordings). How difficult it is to set up a video camera and record these things?
Next, where are the meeting minutes for the executive committee meetings? One cannot just call a group an "executive committee" and expect that it fulfills the requirement of the OPMA.
The definitions: A governing body subject to the OPMA is allowed to go into executive sessions only for the reasons listed in RCW 42.30.110. Some of the most common reasons for doing so are to discuss:
The purchase or sale of land
Claims (or potential claims) against the agency for property or other damage
The qualifications of a potential appointee to fill an elected or appointed position
Complaints or charges against a public official or employee
No final action can be taken during an executive session.
Seems to me that FINAL ACTIONS WERE TAKEN ..as in the selection of some topics over others. Unless, I as a citizen, can find out why/how, through minutes, then it is not an open public meeting in spirit or in actuality.
Until I cease being "citizen" and am called "comrade" I'd sure like to know what my government is doing to represent me.
Yes, they should be ...however, only "agendas" for the irregular meetings (i.e. "town hall") and, no meeting minutes for the special "committees". If you look at things like the Animal Solutions Advisory Committee (https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04012025-1490) there are meeting minutes... approved from the previous meeting. The minutes are what was discussed from the agenda, and a list of who is present and absent on the board, as well as what actions were taken. This is the PROPER format for all government bodies.
likewise, previous (back 6 years) SHOULD be on the State Archives... however, I have had no luck locating past charter reviews (before 2020). While we used to have an excellent set of archives... (as I've visited them over the years) now, they are absolutely in shambles.
Wow, this is a heavily laden article! The 7 issues so far presented are topics that need addressing. Yes, the most important issue will be the Water Steward...the writing is on the wall for that one. We know where that important position and decision making will go, without a doubt.
What were other issues presented that did not make the top 7 list?
There are quite a few, like increased public engagement from the BOCC, a requirement to send a letter to the BIA explaining the impact of land-into-trust conversions, and a process that would ensure fair bidding on county contracts for small businesses bidding against foreign corporations that don't pay taxes. Here's a more complete list: https://www.ccwatchdog.com/p/charter-review-town-hall
Well then, from that list of very important issues, there was definitely some cherry picking of less important issues, although all are valid. The number of issues need to be increased especially bidding processes and sending letter to BIA on the impact ANY land to trust has on the county.
".....specializing in biosurveillance" That is what the new 'water' positions are about, more and more control. This for a region that has a lot of water.
"Whiskey is for drinking; water is for fighting" Attributed to Mark Twain.
Trippy I though that quote was something that salt of the earth people say. Mark Twain was a true visionary. I can't beleive WSU has turned the 4H club we all knew and loved into th 4-H2O club. Biosurveillance? For a region with a lot of water? Theres a whole river runnin right through it. AND tribes wanted the Elwha Dam busted down so now the city is saying that there are water shortages. What a joke. And every culvert, every rain garden, every “4-H observation point” is a signal relay to someone’s predictive model. Its not about controling water its about controling us.
When the day comes that someone thinks they can regulate how much water I put in my coffee pot, that’s the day we start talking about extreme measures. This isn’t just about water. It’s about control—creeping, quiet control—over our homes, our land, and our lives. It’s masked as “stewardship,” but let’s call it what it is: government overreach.
That day has come and gone. They've already thought about it, and implemented a strategy to make it eventually happen.
Yeah but..... We can still show up and voice our dissent and maybe even create a new Tea Party movement to stem the Marxists agenda. Showing up includes writing your thoughts as well as standing before those who think you have no right to object to their rulings. Do we have the guts to put our lifestyles and even our lives on the line to ensure our FREEDOM? It's not free.
gotta pick your battles. I'd rather make the Charter Review understand what OPMA is.
Ok….? 😊 what’s OPMA?
Open Public Meetings Act, aka Sunshine Laws. Sunshine laws are regulations to promote transparency and public access to government. They require meetings, records, and all official actions be open to public observation, participation, inspection, and review. The goal is to make government accountable to the people, and free from corruption.
Prior to the 1970's -- pre Sunshine laws -- government operations were behind closed doors and a climate of suspicion. I worked HARD (in high school, and after, so I'm obviously dating myself. Make that radio-carbon dating) to get these laws passed -- as a citizen advocate. So they are near, and dear to my heart.
Good reading: https://firstamendment.mtsu.edu/article/government-in-the-sunshine-act/
Thank you Mimi for the read
Water Rights are a huge issue.... and individuals don't "own water". Water Rights are convoluted, and well documented in Washington State.... and, in place since the early 1900's. Lots and LOTS of court cases about this --- and, honestly, I don't see it becoming less complex. However, what would a local "water stewardess" do that isn't already done by the State Department of Ecology?
Yes we don’t need another layer of bureaucracy.
The tribe wants to pretend they do because they like to believe they were here first…. As far as I’ve read the state says they don’t 🤷♀️
"That day has come and gone.", indeed. In support of MK's assertion; municipalities contaminate (in the correct context) treated potable residential water with hexaflourosalicic acid under the name of "flouride", without a vote of the people, being a prime example. Hexaflourosalicic acid is corrosive and degrades galvanized plumbing, especially older plumbing, from the inside-out, undetected under the shiny exterior.surface. The pipe walls can be paper thin around theaded joints from this corrosion and can break off as a result of a water hammer, caused by closing a quarter-turn(a/k/a ball valve) too quickly, for example. At any rate, imagine your body's long term response, regardless what "experts" assert, the substance is not flouride. The fact that hexaflourosalicic acid is labeled a Hazardous Material on the bags it is packaged in, being a by-product of the aluminum industry, arriving at Water Treatment Plants where it s mixed with water and injected into the effluent distributed throughout the municipal water system. Further, when people tie into a public water system from a previous private water well, the municipalities or PUD will tell the connecting party that their "abandoned well" must be de-commissioned and filled with concrete -WRONG! As long as there is no cross-connection to the public system from the well water, the well can be retained for fire protection, irrigation, or cleaning activities, e.g. pressure washing, etc. Who, in their right mind would fill a perfectly functional well with concrete, especially considering that in many places, wells are no longer able to be drilled. Never mind that being on a well system gives you control of water quality and unwanted additives. Water Rights are under attack, among other liberties as granted by our Constitution; check it out, it's a good read.
We’ve been on well water for 20+ years … great teeth great tasting water a little heavy on mineral content … still wouldn’t trade it for city water. I had a Salon here for a few years and when i turned on the water first thing in the morning it smelled so heavy in either chlorine or bleach I'd let it run for a few minutes. Never took a drink from it.
Note: should one decide to abandon a water well, one relenquishes the Water Right, forever.
I'm flabbergasted by both your inside information given here. Never knew or heard of such a things related to our water systems. Thanks!
I worked in Water and Wastewater Utilities and acquired as much knowledge as possible in my 20 or so years. I still stay informed, being that we cannot survive without potable water. Wastewater is another area to keep informed on, as both are connected, ultimately. If anyone would like to educate yourself on either subject, Dr. Ken Kerri, Cal State University, has written the Water and Wastewater Operators course manuals for Operator Certifications. I had the pleasure of attending one of his classes at Peninsula College, and having lunch with him, afterward. He passed in 2014, but anyone who works in Water and Wastewater Utilities knows his name, and wonderful contributions to water science. The manuals are written in casual language and are easy to absorb. I am still working on what I am going to do when I get "big".
Timothy, obviously this is your area, your expertise of 20 years is invaluable. We haven't even hit on the wastewater topic. I'm so glad you can contribute to CCWD!
Although I was never meant to sit in classrooms, which any teacher who ever had the misfortune of my attendance during my public schooling could attest-to, I later learned that I rather enjoy learning subjects that I can use in life. I am pleased to contribute, however, I am far from an "expert"; always a student.
I sure hope there are changes made to increase accountability and penalties for violating ethics. These changes are long overdue, and if not enacted, there will be other miscreants like Ozias manipulating and robbing us in the future.
Well, they did away with whatever previous ethics overview was in place.
That kind of says it all!
None of 3 sitting commissars have upheld their oaths to the public...breach of contract!
Fulfilling oaths to foreign nations... is treason!
Buckle up CC!😊
I’d wager that the commissioners have already selected someone they want to make the water steward and they’re looking for the CRC to bless that act.
I’d want to know how ranked choice voting got on the list. That’s the kind of crap you’d expect from the Far Left — maybe the Indivisible people or the Clallam Democrats.
Commissioner Alex Fane was the first to mention it.
I don’t know him or know of him.
The one meeting I’m going to is the First Fed “conversation” about local journalism at 6 p.m. today at Field Hall, where I suspect they’re looking for people to bless government funding for media outlets. I will speak up against it.
First fed here in Sequim? Who’s meeting if I may ask… ???
Here's the article from the PDN.
PORT ANGELES — A panel discussion on local journalism and its role in providing communities with information on issues that impact their lives will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Donna M. Morris Theater at Field Arts & Events Hall, 201 W. Front St. in Port Angeles.
Community Conversation: The Importance of Local Journalism will honor the legacy of the late John Brewer, editor and publisher of the Peninsula Daily News from 1998 to 2015.
“Journalism plays an important part in the democratic process,” said Eran Kennedy, publisher of the Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum who will be one of five members on the panel. “Our team is willing to cover, uncover, verify and amplify what is happening in our community.”
Also participating on the panel will be Briar Dudley, editor of The Seattle Times Save the Free Press public service initiative. Dudley’s newspaper career began at the Sequim Gazette. Other panelists are Radio Pacific owner Brown Maloney, Peninsula Daily News reporter Emma Maple and Peninsula College instructor Rich Riski, a former newspaper reporter and photographer.
Retired journalist and university professor George Erb will moderate the one-hour discussion, which will be followed by an opportunity for the audience to engage with panel members.
Kennedy said she plans to touch on the many challenges facing journalism and some of the strategies that have been proposed to support it, such Senate Bill 5400, which would impose a tax on major tech companies to help fund local news in Washington state.
“The media landscape is fragmented — we are in a much different place than before COVID,” she said.
Tuesday’s panel began to come together a few months after Brewer died while on a fishing trip in Montana on April 19, 2024, Kennedy said.
She credited Steven Raider-Ginsburg, executive director of Field Arts & Events Hall, and event sponsor First Fed with creating an event to recognize Brewer’s career and dedication to local journalism.
The free event is sponsored by First Fed and the Port Angeles Kiwanis Noon Club.
It will be livestreamed on YouTube at www.youtube.com/live/tvzEMi3vdTc.
Thank you so much…!
You're welcome.
It’s not supposed to be a meeting. They’re calling it a “public conversation.” First Fed in PA, Sequim, etc.
You Tube shows "live chat". Whether or not that will remain will be interesting…. And an opportune time to comment in earnest and as politely as possible so it isn’t shut down.
Media outlets didn't evolve -- they put up paywalls.
Hopefully you speak at one of their meetings or submit an email to them. Agreed. I've called this on other posts here wrt the CRC. RCV is generally known to be confusing which certainly would work to the advantage of the activists against the senior crowd in CC, ala, more left of center wins. It also is known to disenfranchise subsets of voters, again, because it's confusing and not easily understood if English isn't your first language such as the Hispanic population which also has a conservative vibe, something the activists want to control.
I have publicly spoken against rank choice voting at the CRC meetings. I have specifically stated that it has proven to be confusing and has led to voter suppression. Despite other public comments of dissent, It still made it to the next round. This is Stoffer's pet project.
It’s deliberate!!!
Do your research, present the data. It removes the personal element and informs ensuing conversations.
Thank you.
we voted against it back in 2007. I don't see why it keeps coming back up.
I found THIS artifact on the web (which you have to find through the link, I cannot find one on the Clallam County Website). So look at what we have voted for before:
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/11470/Charter-Amendments?bidId=
It appears that we already voted, in 2007 on "instant run-off voting" what rank choice was called back then. It was rejected by the voters.
In 2007, we voted against the return of the DCD director to appointed.
We voted, in 2007, to make Charter Review every 8 years (so the next would be in 2014)
In 2015, we fixed that - and we changed the frequency of the Charter Review to be every 5 years, and we also changed it so that each Charter Review Commissioner be nominated and elected by the voters of their districts.
We did other housecleaning, giving more freedom to the Charter Review to allow qualified initiatives to be proposed directly to the voters without prior consideration, adoption, or rejection by the Board of County Commissioners. " (covered in two ways: Amendment #3
and Amendment #4) We also elected to lengthen the time needed to gather signatures (the other way to put an initiative on ballot) from90 to 120 days (all approved by the voters). We
ALSO, again, voted down another try to change DCD to appointed.
Say you don't know ranked choice voting is with out saying it...
we have voted it down before (2007) the community rejects, it keeps coming up?
I do know ranked choice was voted in, in Alaska and now they are trying to get rid of it. I did see a presentation at the Roanoke Conference (I believe several years back). I found it confusing. I could see that the ranked choice voting did move people who did not have early majorities of votes, up in the "ranks" and who would not otherwise be finalists in the vote.
What are the benefits as you see it?
I’ve sent several emails and txt to fox tip lines with this article this morning… I’ll going to keep it up!!!
Just another group/organization/political structure infiltrated by special interests vs. those looking to better the entire county. Just look at the stark contrast of proposals. Do they effect the county evenly, or are they directed to a subset of the county?
Isn’t it amazing that a wonderful country that is founded on free speech and equality is so divided on what free speech and equity. Everyone is categorized and the middle of the road is untraveled. I believe that everyone should have a voice and all the people of our nation can pull together and make the hard choices. Presuming that anyone or group has bad intentions is unfair and we owe it to our ancestors and our children to learn how to listen to each other. Any council member or representative of the people we elected to represent All Of Us. Those who do not or represent only a predetermined few need to go….
The challenges of a representative democracy. It is impractical to conduct all inclusive elections on every decision needed, so we elect representatives. It's also impractical for our representatives to consult each of us before making those decisions. It is a liaison between the issues and our representatives that is ever so valuable. Thank you CCW / Jeff.
You're welcome, Garry.
Since I have been following your articles, I am astounded that in this small community and the county that there are so many issues that seem not to reflect what the citizens want and a certain amount of transparency is lacking. Please continue, I share your articles on my Facebook page and hopefully more and more citizens will start questioning.
I appreciate that. Thank you for sharing the articles.
I really don't know how it could be clearer that the will of the majority of good folks of Clallam County is very intentionally being ignored and stifled all at the same time~! These evil corrupt agenda driven individuals who are within our local government and those few who are hiding behind the illusion of "concerned citizens" who somehow have more input into community matters than the thousands of the rest of us in the community do, know exactly what they are doing~! This game these bad actors always play is insulting and stupid~! These foul actors always play the same evil game of pretending that "they didn't know" what the good folks in the community really wanted, however it is always obvious that they actually in fact did know exactly what the majority of folks really wanted or they would not have known enough to take such obvious, and very likely criminal, measures to ignore & suppress the will of the people in the first place~! These few criminals within our government and community obviously know what they are doing is wrong and against the public will and best interests, or they would have no need for the endless "closed door meetings" and dubious "private back room deals"~! Yes, there are seldom times when a government closed door meeting is best, especially in the extremely rare case of a true public emergency, however Americans are becoming wise to the criminals in government taking advantage of them via the use of "closed door meetings" very much as a weapon against them~! Weaponized government is NOT normal, lawful, or Constitutional anywhere in America. Are "we" the good folks of Clallam County supposed to believe that our beautiful & peaceful community here is REALLY suffering an endless series of emergencies and disasters that only the corrupt "grand wizards" in government can possibly understand and solve~? Indeed, if our wonderful community is in fact experiencing all of these so-called emergencies that require these Nare-do-wells to so often retreat into a "secure bunker" environment, for "our own good", are these same bad actors not directly responsible for all of these "emergencies"~??? Especially for their disgusting record of gross financial mismanagement? What else is really going on? We need to know exactly what these extremely shady and dubious characters are REALLY hiding, so that "we" can take OUR proper lawful measures that are not only necessary, but specific to our mandatory & required duty as sovereign Americans~! Ah HA~! That is obviously exactly what these evil agenda driven criminals NEVER want us to do, because it would clearly spoil their hidden agendas and prevent them from succeeding against the will of our wonderful community~! What could be clearer, as these bad actors always expose their bad will by their own foul deeds, lies, and deceptions~! Free America from these medieval big government "drunk with power" shenanigans~! Sincerely, Mike
I think smith is another tool for the jamestown tribe.It should be clear there is a goal by a certain tribe to get as much influence as possible to clallam county for benefits.Elected officials and others are being influenced to join and start new groups which just cost more tax $$$.Some people do not have the foresight of being used which leads to big problems.C.County needs to make amendments to officials oaths that 'does not allow influence'right now P.A. & sequim reeks with influence because of ignorance.
When Public Comment begins to go against you, shut it down.
These Kommissars will test highly on the California F-Scale.
Where are the meeting minutes? I cannot review what took place unless these various combinations of charter review members took minutes (and/or recordings). How difficult it is to set up a video camera and record these things?
Next, where are the meeting minutes for the executive committee meetings? One cannot just call a group an "executive committee" and expect that it fulfills the requirement of the OPMA.
The definitions: A governing body subject to the OPMA is allowed to go into executive sessions only for the reasons listed in RCW 42.30.110. Some of the most common reasons for doing so are to discuss:
The purchase or sale of land
Claims (or potential claims) against the agency for property or other damage
The qualifications of a potential appointee to fill an elected or appointed position
Complaints or charges against a public official or employee
No final action can be taken during an executive session.
source: https://mrsc.org/explore-topics/public-meetings/executive-sessions/executive-session-basics
Seems to me that FINAL ACTIONS WERE TAKEN ..as in the selection of some topics over others. Unless, I as a citizen, can find out why/how, through minutes, then it is not an open public meeting in spirit or in actuality.
Until I cease being "citizen" and am called "comrade" I'd sure like to know what my government is doing to represent me.
I don't feel represented either. Loni Gores, the BoCC and CRC Clerk can be contacted to have the meetings recorded.
If you scroll through this the meeting recordings should be there.
https://clallamcowa.portal.civicclerk.com/
Yes, they should be ...however, only "agendas" for the irregular meetings (i.e. "town hall") and, no meeting minutes for the special "committees". If you look at things like the Animal Solutions Advisory Committee (https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04012025-1490) there are meeting minutes... approved from the previous meeting. The minutes are what was discussed from the agenda, and a list of who is present and absent on the board, as well as what actions were taken. This is the PROPER format for all government bodies.
Where are those for the Clallam Charter Review?
likewise, previous (back 6 years) SHOULD be on the State Archives... however, I have had no luck locating past charter reviews (before 2020). While we used to have an excellent set of archives... (as I've visited them over the years) now, they are absolutely in shambles.
All ignorants do is create more problems for themselves and others.
People should have to pass a cognitive test before applying for elected positions.
nah, the mentally challenged have just as much a right to be elected by their peers.
They defiantly do have the right because wa state is loaded with them,the sane are the minority for sure in the capitol and most cities.
Wow, this is a heavily laden article! The 7 issues so far presented are topics that need addressing. Yes, the most important issue will be the Water Steward...the writing is on the wall for that one. We know where that important position and decision making will go, without a doubt.
What were other issues presented that did not make the top 7 list?
There are quite a few, like increased public engagement from the BOCC, a requirement to send a letter to the BIA explaining the impact of land-into-trust conversions, and a process that would ensure fair bidding on county contracts for small businesses bidding against foreign corporations that don't pay taxes. Here's a more complete list: https://www.ccwatchdog.com/p/charter-review-town-hall
Well then, from that list of very important issues, there was definitely some cherry picking of less important issues, although all are valid. The number of issues need to be increased especially bidding processes and sending letter to BIA on the impact ANY land to trust has on the county.
".....specializing in biosurveillance" That is what the new 'water' positions are about, more and more control. This for a region that has a lot of water.
"Whiskey is for drinking; water is for fighting" Attributed to Mark Twain.
My thoughts, too - how can a small county have do many issues? I am constantly surprised and dismayed.
Trippy I though that quote was something that salt of the earth people say. Mark Twain was a true visionary. I can't beleive WSU has turned the 4H club we all knew and loved into th 4-H2O club. Biosurveillance? For a region with a lot of water? Theres a whole river runnin right through it. AND tribes wanted the Elwha Dam busted down so now the city is saying that there are water shortages. What a joke. And every culvert, every rain garden, every “4-H observation point” is a signal relay to someone’s predictive model. Its not about controling water its about controling us.
Am I right?
Oh Jeez! Here we go, Tribal control of the water ways.