A two-tier system has taken root in Clallam County—where some citizens answer to one government, and others to two. The difference isn’t merit or effort. It’s ancestry.
Unfair Competition with citizens and business is causing divisions in the community which JT labels as prejudice. The Indian Treaties (and the Constitution) need to be amended to end the dual citizenship and $ double dipping standards $ that are allowing them unfair advantages.
In the meantime, we need our local government to step in where they can to save what we have for who we are, tax paying citizens.
division
noun
difference or disagreement between two or more groups, typically producing tension
IS IT EVER ENOUGH? RON ALLEN DOESN’T THINK SO: READ THE FULL ARTICLE FOLLOWING HIS TESTIMONY
Written Testimony of THE HONORABLE W. RON ALLEN, TRIBAL CHAIRMAN/CEO
JAMESTOWN S’KLALLAM TRIBE submitted to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies “2026 Appropriations Testimony for USFWS., BIA/BIE, and IHS”
February 26, 2025
On behalf of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, I am pleased to submit this written testimony on our funding priorities and requests for the Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Interior (DOI) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), and Indian Health Service (IHS) budgets. Tribal Governments are part of the American family of Sovereign Governments with a unique legal standing that is predicated on the Nation-to-Nation political relationship that arose from trust and treaty obligations and is rooted in the U.S. Constitution. Federal programs and services for Tribes are not racial or preference programs and Tribes are not special interest groups, we are Sovereign Nations. Federal programs for American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI’s/AN’s) are a core part of trust and treaty obligations and represent the legal commitment of the United States to Tribal Nations. Tribal funding is not discretionary, and Tribes must not become collateral damage in the Administration’s implementation of its Executive Orders and priorities......
Robert, since 2017 he has given testimony 5 times to Congress asking for more and more and more. It's a feeding machine that is never satisfied, never happy and seems natives have more diseases, poverty, uneducated and whatever else that the rest of us suffer from but they suffer unproportionately more than anyone else. Really? I wonder how they get their data?
Yeah, I just love the 'data sets' the kommissars are always referring to...figures don't lie but liars figure, so I personally wouldn't believe anything they have to offer.
I can claim that 47% of CC residents are homophobic and if I can get that out there often enough people will start believing it...and how would that be verifiable?
Polls are for useful idiots to use Against the people, Not for scientific understanding of Anything..."Polls and politicians say".... 💩!
It's called the media because it's in the middle...between us and the truth!😎
Robert, I worked for the IHS Indian Health Services for over 20 years. The push was not to save money, but to spend all of it plus more. The waste was incredible and whenever I tried to point it out I was basically told to shut up. We did not maintain or fix our machines, we just ordered new every time.
Unfortunately, the "spend it or lose it" insanity is in many aspects of our society. I remember learning from government contractors that the reason they appeared to spend money recklessly was that every year there was a specific date that they had to spend all of the money allotted to them by the government or they would have to do an extensive accounting for what remained, fill out all sorts of endless & expensive red tape paperwork to return the remaining funds, and they were warned that future funds could be delayed or denied if they were actually competent & judicious with their money and had any left~! This insane policy is one of the major reasons why there are SO many cases of wildly insane spending, because periodically many project managers are forced into spending money on obviously ridiculous things, or they can lose their ability to get more money in the future~! Most work hard to get more money for projects than they need to make sure they don't have a shortfall, then they are forced to waste whatever remains when the project/"date certain" is reached, and the insane cycle of inefficiency and waste repeats... I know that President Trump is well aware of this because like you, me, and most competent & efficient oriented folks it drives us all completely crazy to be forced into such a sick pattern of abuse & waste~! For decades it has been one of my greatest wishes to see this "spend it or lose it" rule of the insane be eliminated to allow and reward efficiency and frugalness~! I used to believe that it was just bureaucratic "red tape" that was a product of fools who didn't know what they were doing, however it is REALLY the pattern of "confusion and disorganization" that creates more opportunities for the criminals in government and their cronies to rob us all blind as they line their pockets~! Believe it or not, this planned inefficiency is all about the criminals embedded within our government and society to steal money at many different levels that most never even know exists~! These criminals are not "stupid" as they would have us believe, they are just clever thieves who prefer to be seen as "stupid" because the general public will often turn a blind eye to "stupid" but not thieves who are stealing their (our) money~! Have a great day!
If asking Congress for more and more, got us more and more, who among us would not do the same? I take every allowable deduction on my income taxes. So, I don't fault Ron Allen-- I fault Congress for letting this obsolete abuse continue.
No One Important, the difference is you pay taxes. Ron Allen doesn't have to look for deductions for taxes paid, he's just looking for more money. Yes, it is the Congress fault. I do blame him, his tribe has collected far beyond what the members need and aren't helping their fellow brothers or sister who really need it. The cost of the Xmas lights is obscene and a smack in the face for needy tribes.
My point was that it's bad to leave money on the table, whether it's free money from Congress or tax refunds/deductions. I don't blame Ron Allen for taking advantage-- legally-- of everything people are stupid enough to give him. Regardless of Ron Allen, the man, he is a good businessman to gets all that Congress is willing to give him.
Such a good point. A system we created, then when abused , we shame the user. Can’t really blame people taking advantage of public money, however it can still piss you off!
Well said, Jennifer! You nailed it. I have nothing against Tribal people-- in fact, I highly respect them. But, the unfairness of the "sovereignty" and business advantages and tax exemptions make me see this as highly unfair. I totally agree with your comments.
No One Important, thank you but think about this. If our county system is riff with favoritism, graft and everything else Jeff has presented, can you imagine what happens in the sovereign nation with a concentrated government such as JT? Whatever Ron Allen says, goes. The tribal members honestly have no say so. No recourse and no voice. You don't oppose the tribal council without recourse.
Why did Trump get such a large vote from the Indian population? It was their one and only way to say something. Trust me, tribal members have no power of vote, no voice if they oppose what the council is doing. We can't blame the tribal citizens, blame the council. I'm venting for tribal citizens who honestly have no voice.
If you come from a family of less stature in the JST you are not considered to have a voice. Between my husband's S'klallam blood ( which was watered down long ago in the paperwork) and my Yakima ( which my family never chose to sign into the "white man" government perks), we hold more blood than many local Jamestown tribal citezens. However there is no way we could stand up against Ron Allen and the clique of families that have done very well in their business ventures.
So we struggle each year to make our increasing property tax payments. We visit the IHS clinic ( Jamestown medical center is not an IHS clinic) where we wait weeks for labs and have poor communication with providers and are often misdiagnosed.
We aren't in the group of blonde haired, blue eyed Natives. Instead we practice our heritage in our way. And I can whole heartedly say many of our ancestors, if they were alive today would be disgusted with how this plays out. Our roots and principles are forgotten. It's all just big business now.
SC, you are a brave single voice. Yes, favoritism is how the council functions. I've seen too much of it. God love you for having the courage to speak out. I hope you don't suffer for it.
All of the elders I talked to in the Navajo Nation at our IHS clinic (20 years ago) hung onto their heritage and believes, they also hung on to their pride and talked about how the government money has ruined that for the younger generation.
Hmm, you have to pay property taxes? Seems there are those (I know) that JT has funds for their property taxes plus a housing. (they are not on JT reservation) I think it's more of who you know.
Thank you SC, an honest voice is always a welcome voice.
Secret: when SOS was fighting against the MAT clinic many tribal members were secret donors as were city and county employees. They all knew what was going to happen to lovely Sequim. And it has—just as we predicted.
Gayle, thank you for that. We can't blame the Jamestown members for Council actions (they have no voice) anymore than the actions of our Commissioners can be blamed on us (thankfully we do have the opportunity to speak up)
I don’t think they will be ousting Ron anytime soon. Look how long Fidel Castro controlled Cuba 1959-2008 now I have to look it up bc I’m not sure. But it was decades!
Jeff you are all over the target AGAIN! No wonder there are those who want to STOP (kill) the messenger. All the realizations and facts can’t possibly be true? Or are they? Taking off the rose colored glasses is hard sometimes even when it hurts & especially when the truth & facts runs us into the ground. Thank you a million for guts to lay it on the line!
Maybe because many within the country as well as outside the country have viewed the USA as "champion of the underdog" (be it a race horse, football team, Mel Tillis overcoming his stutter.) Perhaps summed up by the printing on the Statue of Liberty "Give me your..." Tough for people to take off the rose colored glasses.
You write about the very process and outcomes that upset me so.
I believe 5hat these "Sovereign Nations" have run their course in American Society and should either be dissolved or re-classified as NGOs. They need to be accounted for in Public budget planning in a way that local governments can be held accountable and the budget line item(s) can be funded or zeroed out! As I said before, the current treatment is akin to Reparations, which I believe 99% of Public Voters will not agree with nor fund!
Has the CCC written to our government about the latest transfers of property off of the tax rolls. Interesting how fast the CCC reacted to the issue of logging in Clallam County.
Those abused and their abusers no longer live. The only abuse suffered by the progeny of mislabeled "Native Americans" today is when they cannot get cell phone signal. The resolution to this discriminatory dual citizenship is simple. Choose between U.S.A. citizenship or sovereignty, BUT NOT BOTH. Choose travel restrictions, taxation, tariffs, etc. like all other sovereign nations or be friends and neighbors. The existence of treaty entitled rights, having full U.S.A. citizenship rights, gives new meaning to "who's yo Daddy". That fair photo of the Democrat Party advocate is symbolic of why the party is hemorrhaging votes.
The Pres stated that he is a pedo?? Where and when did this happen? Do you have video evidence or at least something to back your claim? Or maybe it’s only your opinion?! Based in reality of what is the issue.
Let's face reality. The way treaties were set up way back when is how they are, and amending them is not going to happen in our lifetimes, if ever. This is not unique to JKT. In Clallam County, one big way JKT gains more advantages is to obtain land that is then put into tribal status, where it is exempt from taxes. These land acquisitions and conversions must be challenged by our local and state governments. And in the name of fairness, should local and state governments not always give preferential treatment to non-tribal citizens when it comes to employment and contractual bidding? And no governmental meetings or functions should be held on non-tribal owned properties unless contracts are negotiated to offset any potentially lost revenues. What's good for the goose should be good for the gander. As they said in The Godfather, "It's not personal. It's business."
Unfortunately the typical government solution to so many problems throughout our history and down to today, is, "let's kick the can down the road. Let the next generation iron out things." The Government internally argued how to treat the Tribes. And effectively kicked the problem down to us. Good question you pose: Why would any Tribe give up Sovereignty Rights? What possible item could any government offer as a fair trade? When labor unions come to the bargaining table they don't look to giving away gains previously negotiated.
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel” Maya Angelou I just want to remind you, Jeff, and others, of all the ways you made the participants and volunteers at Tim’s Place feel valued and loved. Our precious folks who live with dementia might not remember how you made them feel, but I was blessed to witness their joy in the moment. Thank you for your leadership, and thank Doug (Elton John, Evel Knevil, Harry Potter, Elvis, Uncle Sam) for his many roles entertaining the folks. I look forward to working with you as the ministry thrives in another setting. I just want people to know who the real Jeff is, not the “blog boy,” “monster,” etc. I know you as kind, generous, smart, dedicated, and talented. Tim’s Place made a huge wonderful difference in so many lives. I’m grateful to have met you there and to call you ‘friend.”
My gosh, I'm really appreciative of those words. Thanks for starting Tim's Place and having the vision and tenacity to see it through all these years. It helped caregivers, our friends, volunteers, and it really helped me.
Yup. We have a group in our midst that activly discriminates for financial gain...and the driver of that discrimination is preferential treatment based on race. And the perfered group accomplishes this through the use if white quilt and campaign contributions. How can this be in the age of enlightenment? The same way discrimination always been done...political power aka money. And elected officials who have been bought. And a public who allows it. Seems to me that the US DOJ and it's civil rights division should take a long look at this.
Colleen McAleer is in favor of anything that benefits the McAleer real estate family empire!
Make no mistake...she is one of the infiltrators in local gov't with agendas that will boil the blood of any decent person...and she Will "Rule out nothing" in her quest for power.
Wolves in sheeps clothing...the gov't is packed with them and they are just as vicious and hungry as pack of wolves.🐺🥸
It’s interesting to me how this has evolved. It appears the old laws are being utilized with a new entity in charge. Reservations were sovereign and the peoples there lived their culture (with added conveniences) for many years. Then casinos were started. Money was made, for the tribe and I suspect for their investors. Someone..maybe not one person, but some group saw the potential of a sovereign nation within the USA as a tax free money machine. Win for the tribe, win for the investors. The county-not so much. I don’t believe all the building and acquisition of land was/is a grassroots movement. So here we are questioning the tribe on their tribal ‘rights’ and being called racist. So far it’s been an effective business model.
Thats how I see it, too. I think you explained it better than I did. My comment above, I was trying for the, yes it's unfair but the evolution of many things is about using the fine print, the rules, the grey areas and making money. There appears to be a lot of wiggle room when money, power or some advantage for a wealthy group is involved.
Claims of being "environmental stewards' are terminally undermined by tribes that removed 3 percent salmon spawning grounds so they could camp out there permanently, with a gas station and casino. Only when there is Tsunami talk will they consider relocation to higher ground.
They are just too stubborn to have good faith conversations on any policy. They really overplayed the "reparations for colonization" hand...bad.
I bet there is Congressional funding. 4 million was given to the Lower Elwha tribe in the dam removal project. They never relocated anything as far as I can tell. If you look in the climate commitment act there are relocation dollars.
I am looking for the BIA to sell off checkered land and pay for one big reservation in the foothills as part of a new freeway system for the Olympic Peninsula, that serves the region up on that same higher ground...With their very own dot on the map.
One big earthquake and that whole Blyn area is underwater and cuts the entire Peninsula off from services and supplies. They have dodged that bullet so far, but I don't think its a safe play to keep relying on low level roads thinking that's not a possibility. Were just asking for trouble.
John If the CCC had 3 people with backbone on the issue of removing lands from the property tax rolls would this bring Ron to the negotiating table? A starter conversation or would Ron do an end run to Washington DC?
The CCC have a conflict of interest as a member of SERN and NODC. At this point, they are liable for discrimination against white "colonizers.'
The only thing that will get their attention is a letter writing campaign of individuals in Clallam County complaining about checkering and loss of county revenue.
I stink at letter writing. Is that something you would want to post? or maybe some pointers on what to include. To whom to address it? mailing address?
India's Caste system has very little to do with Sovereign Nation perks. Sorry, no correlation. I am still waiting for factual information about all of the wonderful things and ways that Tribe gives to our community, ( I mean gives out of their resources, not supplied by treaty or BIA funding from my taxes) . If i pay taxes to Fed Govt, and they put some into the BIA pot to be used for Sovereign Nation support, then Tribes build a medical building with it, how is that a gift to the Community? Help me to understand please...
India's caste system is centuries-old. A social hierachy that assigns status at birth. Although supposedly "abolished" the Dalits are still at the bottom, and the Brahmin at the top with the Shudra, Kshatriya and Vaishya in the middle. Although "outlawed" technically ...discrimination and inequities exist -- and influence politics and social interactions. The top group (Brahmin) has a distinct class advantage.
I understand the parallel Jeff is trying to make.
In the US tribes enjoy "domestic dependent nations" status. It does give them a preferential tax status, and it seems political clout.
In states that have their acts together, there is a distinction between ON reservation income, and OFF reservation income. ON isn't taxed, OFF is taxed. There are better revenue-sharing agreements that contribute heavily to the tax base (both state and local) than we have locally. Casinos in many states contribute heavily for "exclusivity fees".
Washington State's 75/25 fuel tax agreement -- is ridiculous. Tribe gets 75% refunded to them. It's obviously more equitable where tribes share this windfall -- with lower gas prices, but JT doesn't do that (sometimes their gas prices are higher than the stations in Carlsborg, the priciest around).
Supposedly the tribe is SUPPOSED to use the refunded tax revenue for transportation-related purposes like roads, bridges and public safety. (I am not aware of any audits or proof of this.)
Taking land off tax rolls, not immediately adjacent to the reservations is the biggest sticking point I have. The patchwork land deals around here is just crazy... besides the tribe, land is shielded from taxes by various land trusts. In such a small population county this shifts the tax burden to us all.
Tribes have been spoiled by free entitlements and will continue to expect them free of charge.So tribal leaders will try and use every trick in the book to get their ways because it has been working so far.The more ignorant people that get on their knee's and obey tribal demands then the more freebies handed to them on silver platters. Beggars like free entitlements it gives them satisfaction out dumbing visitors on their land.
Jeff, the worse part is every year they ask for ever increasing funding at the same time many are either lowering their tribal numbers (to concentrate the wealth) or maintaining the same. How does that work? The Treaties have ultimately created a money monster that is never satisfied.
Forget which one(s) but a few tribes in this state have been deleting names of people from their tribal listing. How does that work? Does one go to a tribal court or shift gears to an "American Court"?
Geoff, internal government or the council is the highest any tribal member can go for appeals. Being sovereign cuts members off from appealing to the higher US courts. The council ... MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY. I feel for the injustice tribal members have to endure, and there are injustices. The council is not necessarily the voice of its people.
Native Americans getting back at the white man one nickel at a time.
Yes we as a nation treated the native Americans pretty bad as we moved west. The extermination of the Lakota food source, the buffalo. The burning of the grass in the plains. The taking of the Black Hills after gold was discovered. Giving the tribes small pox infected blankets. The list is long.
Then again the tribes didn't treat each other well either. Jeff's story about Graveyard spit is the perfect example. History here on the Olympic Peninsula is full of stories like these. The Makah tribe that was attacked by the Klallam Tribe when seeking medicine close to present day Salt Creek. The local tribes all look good and friendly in public but behind closed doors there is still many many years of animosity between them. They remember the pot latch stories where captured slaves from neighboring tribes had a cedar plank put upon them and they were the bench and would die. These are the stories embedded in each tribe.
Unless the current administration changes things drastically with how the BIA is run as a blank check. Was it because of guilt or something else. Who knows.
The entering of land into tribal trust, not only removes the tax burden, but it also removes the property from local laws and regulations. The question I have is : Do tribal hotels, and food services have to comply with health department regulations, and regularly be inspected?
Tribal owned restaurants, like Stymies, are NOT subject to health inspections. You're simply trusting the tribes to run their food services safely, BUT YOU CAN'T BE SURE.
I think that the City of Sequim (and P.A.) the whole Clallam County needs to ENCOURAGE private enterprises to come here and build retail establishments, a privately owned for profit Hospital, drug treatment facilities - you name, they will come! This place needs to generate more $$. Fight fire with fire!
It's not the most desirable place to set up business, in fact greedy landlords have run quite a few businesses out with usurious rents/leases.
Also, there is not enough 'culture' here and it's isolated and expensive logistically.
Our 'specialties' were timber and fish. Extractive resources are obviously self-limiting over time...timber has long cycles and the fishery has been destroyed by Indians and non-Indians alike, including off-shore fisheries by the U.S., Russia, Japan, China and others.
We are not in a good position to attract a lot of living wage businesses and obviously our kommissars are focused on turning our governance over to the JKT 'special' sovereignty system.
This is a soft, legal coup we are witnessing and living under.
The outrage better step it up a few notches...polite 'due process' isn't going to cut it as the 'tribe' and kommissars are doing end-runs around due process every single day, and night!
New leadership in cities and counties would cap the 'greedy' landlords and encourage/entice new businesses to create jobs, excitement for this place. Port Townsend has more appeal because there are more businesses, has a quaintness and story to tell.. This town (Sequim) should tell their story and make their downtown more appealing and attractive. New leadership would do away with the homeless living in parks right next to businesses. They would enforce the laws that are here. This town needs to grow, sorry to say this, but it would benefit everyone. New leadership would stop handing out freebees and create a work environment that is fun and generates $$ instead of resentment and a reliance on homeowner's taxation.
Did I hear correctly that Clallam County drove Amazon away from where they wanted to locate by their many onerous demands. I guess Amazon told them where to put the demands?
My understanding was that Amazon has selected a new location with a less onerous list of "you will do this". In looking at building sites in Sequim like 7th south - wow! the cost of the infrastructure (sidewalks, lighting, moving all that dirt, sewer, water et cetera) before that first home is erected and some income starts flowing into the project to cover cost outlay! I believe Costco (or was it Wal Mart - memory where are you? in Sequim relocated because?
OK good. Maybe they will be staying, cause this area needs the jobs! We have only been in Sequim for 5 + yrs.... we are finding out so much about this place, time to move!?
Bet you thought you were moving to heaven! Well I think there are no cities or counties across the nation that are unscathed . CC is just a lucky, forced transparency and as greedy as anywhere. We just are more informed than most areas. Thanks to CC watchdog. Sometimes info overload needs to take a vacation .
Only you all can make that decision about moving. Guessing the same can be said for those who work at OMC - should I go or should I stay? Your not getting any younger. Many things to factor in when considering leaving the "Blue Hole".
There’s a beauty in the wave of energy one reporter can create.
In the world of science, our solar system and its planets have a way of resetting themselves. The Earth, with its features and its life, goes on while most of us move through our daily routines, hardly noticing unless it's bad weather. It’s always “business as usual.” Wonderful... until a grave disruptor forces our heads up. Then we pay attention.
Sometimes, in nature, there’s no culprit. But, here in Sequim, our disruptor has a name: Jeff Tozzer. Stories and life follow a rhythm: beginning, middle, and end. Jeff’s column lands in the late middle. And as we head toward the end, more characters will appear, armed with smoke, mirrors, and pointing fingers. Their methods never change
But here’s what does change: we have a Messenger. Protect him, because when truth-tellers are silenced, power writes the story.”
Unfair Competition with citizens and business is causing divisions in the community which JT labels as prejudice. The Indian Treaties (and the Constitution) need to be amended to end the dual citizenship and $ double dipping standards $ that are allowing them unfair advantages.
In the meantime, we need our local government to step in where they can to save what we have for who we are, tax paying citizens.
division
noun
difference or disagreement between two or more groups, typically producing tension
https://docs.house.gov/meetings/AP/AP06/20250226/117917/HHRG-119-AP06-Wstate-AllenW-
IS IT EVER ENOUGH? RON ALLEN DOESN’T THINK SO: READ THE FULL ARTICLE FOLLOWING HIS TESTIMONY
Written Testimony of THE HONORABLE W. RON ALLEN, TRIBAL CHAIRMAN/CEO
JAMESTOWN S’KLALLAM TRIBE submitted to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies “2026 Appropriations Testimony for USFWS., BIA/BIE, and IHS”
February 26, 2025
On behalf of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, I am pleased to submit this written testimony on our funding priorities and requests for the Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Interior (DOI) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), and Indian Health Service (IHS) budgets. Tribal Governments are part of the American family of Sovereign Governments with a unique legal standing that is predicated on the Nation-to-Nation political relationship that arose from trust and treaty obligations and is rooted in the U.S. Constitution. Federal programs and services for Tribes are not racial or preference programs and Tribes are not special interest groups, we are Sovereign Nations. Federal programs for American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI’s/AN’s) are a core part of trust and treaty obligations and represent the legal commitment of the United States to Tribal Nations. Tribal funding is not discretionary, and Tribes must not become collateral damage in the Administration’s implementation of its Executive Orders and priorities......
Nice to see Ron Allen telling our gov't how it is to operate! Big Chief!
Treading on thin ice on a hot day!😊
Robert, since 2017 he has given testimony 5 times to Congress asking for more and more and more. It's a feeding machine that is never satisfied, never happy and seems natives have more diseases, poverty, uneducated and whatever else that the rest of us suffer from but they suffer unproportionately more than anyone else. Really? I wonder how they get their data?
Yeah, I just love the 'data sets' the kommissars are always referring to...figures don't lie but liars figure, so I personally wouldn't believe anything they have to offer.
I can claim that 47% of CC residents are homophobic and if I can get that out there often enough people will start believing it...and how would that be verifiable?
Polls are for useful idiots to use Against the people, Not for scientific understanding of Anything..."Polls and politicians say".... 💩!
It's called the media because it's in the middle...between us and the truth!😎
Robert, I worked for the IHS Indian Health Services for over 20 years. The push was not to save money, but to spend all of it plus more. The waste was incredible and whenever I tried to point it out I was basically told to shut up. We did not maintain or fix our machines, we just ordered new every time.
Hello, Patriot Jennifer~!
Thank you for your excellent comments~!!!
Unfortunately, the "spend it or lose it" insanity is in many aspects of our society. I remember learning from government contractors that the reason they appeared to spend money recklessly was that every year there was a specific date that they had to spend all of the money allotted to them by the government or they would have to do an extensive accounting for what remained, fill out all sorts of endless & expensive red tape paperwork to return the remaining funds, and they were warned that future funds could be delayed or denied if they were actually competent & judicious with their money and had any left~! This insane policy is one of the major reasons why there are SO many cases of wildly insane spending, because periodically many project managers are forced into spending money on obviously ridiculous things, or they can lose their ability to get more money in the future~! Most work hard to get more money for projects than they need to make sure they don't have a shortfall, then they are forced to waste whatever remains when the project/"date certain" is reached, and the insane cycle of inefficiency and waste repeats... I know that President Trump is well aware of this because like you, me, and most competent & efficient oriented folks it drives us all completely crazy to be forced into such a sick pattern of abuse & waste~! For decades it has been one of my greatest wishes to see this "spend it or lose it" rule of the insane be eliminated to allow and reward efficiency and frugalness~! I used to believe that it was just bureaucratic "red tape" that was a product of fools who didn't know what they were doing, however it is REALLY the pattern of "confusion and disorganization" that creates more opportunities for the criminals in government and their cronies to rob us all blind as they line their pockets~! Believe it or not, this planned inefficiency is all about the criminals embedded within our government and society to steal money at many different levels that most never even know exists~! These criminals are not "stupid" as they would have us believe, they are just clever thieves who prefer to be seen as "stupid" because the general public will often turn a blind eye to "stupid" but not thieves who are stealing their (our) money~! Have a great day!
Sincerely, Mike
If asking Congress for more and more, got us more and more, who among us would not do the same? I take every allowable deduction on my income taxes. So, I don't fault Ron Allen-- I fault Congress for letting this obsolete abuse continue.
No One Important, the difference is you pay taxes. Ron Allen doesn't have to look for deductions for taxes paid, he's just looking for more money. Yes, it is the Congress fault. I do blame him, his tribe has collected far beyond what the members need and aren't helping their fellow brothers or sister who really need it. The cost of the Xmas lights is obscene and a smack in the face for needy tribes.
My point was that it's bad to leave money on the table, whether it's free money from Congress or tax refunds/deductions. I don't blame Ron Allen for taking advantage-- legally-- of everything people are stupid enough to give him. Regardless of Ron Allen, the man, he is a good businessman to gets all that Congress is willing to give him.
Such a good point. A system we created, then when abused , we shame the user. Can’t really blame people taking advantage of public money, however it can still piss you off!
The link says the article has been removed or is no longer available. I'd love to read it.
https://www.startpage.com/do/dsearch?q=written+testimony+of+Ron+Allen+skallam+tribe&cat=web&language=english
Written by a writer
Well said, Jennifer! You nailed it. I have nothing against Tribal people-- in fact, I highly respect them. But, the unfairness of the "sovereignty" and business advantages and tax exemptions make me see this as highly unfair. I totally agree with your comments.
No One Important, thank you but think about this. If our county system is riff with favoritism, graft and everything else Jeff has presented, can you imagine what happens in the sovereign nation with a concentrated government such as JT? Whatever Ron Allen says, goes. The tribal members honestly have no say so. No recourse and no voice. You don't oppose the tribal council without recourse.
Why did Trump get such a large vote from the Indian population? It was their one and only way to say something. Trust me, tribal members have no power of vote, no voice if they oppose what the council is doing. We can't blame the tribal citizens, blame the council. I'm venting for tribal citizens who honestly have no voice.
If you come from a family of less stature in the JST you are not considered to have a voice. Between my husband's S'klallam blood ( which was watered down long ago in the paperwork) and my Yakima ( which my family never chose to sign into the "white man" government perks), we hold more blood than many local Jamestown tribal citezens. However there is no way we could stand up against Ron Allen and the clique of families that have done very well in their business ventures.
So we struggle each year to make our increasing property tax payments. We visit the IHS clinic ( Jamestown medical center is not an IHS clinic) where we wait weeks for labs and have poor communication with providers and are often misdiagnosed.
We aren't in the group of blonde haired, blue eyed Natives. Instead we practice our heritage in our way. And I can whole heartedly say many of our ancestors, if they were alive today would be disgusted with how this plays out. Our roots and principles are forgotten. It's all just big business now.
SC, you are a brave single voice. Yes, favoritism is how the council functions. I've seen too much of it. God love you for having the courage to speak out. I hope you don't suffer for it.
All of the elders I talked to in the Navajo Nation at our IHS clinic (20 years ago) hung onto their heritage and believes, they also hung on to their pride and talked about how the government money has ruined that for the younger generation.
Hmm, you have to pay property taxes? Seems there are those (I know) that JT has funds for their property taxes plus a housing. (they are not on JT reservation) I think it's more of who you know.
Thank you SC, an honest voice is always a welcome voice.
Secret: when SOS was fighting against the MAT clinic many tribal members were secret donors as were city and county employees. They all knew what was going to happen to lovely Sequim. And it has—just as we predicted.
Gayle, thank you for that. We can't blame the Jamestown members for Council actions (they have no voice) anymore than the actions of our Commissioners can be blamed on us (thankfully we do have the opportunity to speak up)
I don’t think they will be ousting Ron anytime soon. Look how long Fidel Castro controlled Cuba 1959-2008 now I have to look it up bc I’m not sure. But it was decades!
Yes, but that's THEIR business. Tribal members could change the rules, oust Ron Allen, or do something worse. We have no say over it.
The Allen family is way too powerful to oust.
Jeff you are all over the target AGAIN! No wonder there are those who want to STOP (kill) the messenger. All the realizations and facts can’t possibly be true? Or are they? Taking off the rose colored glasses is hard sometimes even when it hurts & especially when the truth & facts runs us into the ground. Thank you a million for guts to lay it on the line!
Maybe because many within the country as well as outside the country have viewed the USA as "champion of the underdog" (be it a race horse, football team, Mel Tillis overcoming his stutter.) Perhaps summed up by the printing on the Statue of Liberty "Give me your..." Tough for people to take off the rose colored glasses.
Great analysis and essay @Jeff Tozzer!
You write about the very process and outcomes that upset me so.
I believe 5hat these "Sovereign Nations" have run their course in American Society and should either be dissolved or re-classified as NGOs. They need to be accounted for in Public budget planning in a way that local governments can be held accountable and the budget line item(s) can be funded or zeroed out! As I said before, the current treatment is akin to Reparations, which I believe 99% of Public Voters will not agree with nor fund!
Has the CCC written to our government about the latest transfers of property off of the tax rolls. Interesting how fast the CCC reacted to the issue of logging in Clallam County.
Most of the Commissioners are puppets of the tribe!
They are very much like NGO's, they consider themselves a "Sovereign Nation" while depending on our tax money to exist.
Those abused and their abusers no longer live. The only abuse suffered by the progeny of mislabeled "Native Americans" today is when they cannot get cell phone signal. The resolution to this discriminatory dual citizenship is simple. Choose between U.S.A. citizenship or sovereignty, BUT NOT BOTH. Choose travel restrictions, taxation, tariffs, etc. like all other sovereign nations or be friends and neighbors. The existence of treaty entitled rights, having full U.S.A. citizenship rights, gives new meaning to "who's yo Daddy". That fair photo of the Democrat Party advocate is symbolic of why the party is hemorrhaging votes.
Acknowledging that The Pres is a self-stated pedophile is one reason Democrats want him gone. No problem saying that.
Everyone can say the same for Clinton, Biden (showered with his daughter?!), and JFK. Where are those hats?
"self-stated" where? Democrats don't know what they want -- they're a confused mess of contradictions.
Honestly, all of President Trumps kids are pretty normal, productive and not drug addicted. Can you say the same about Biden's?
Show us the tape
Proof? Otherwise STFU. Or are YOU a pedophile and projecting????
Trump derangement syndrome is real and you can get therapy for it.
The Pres stated that he is a pedo?? Where and when did this happen? Do you have video evidence or at least something to back your claim? Or maybe it’s only your opinion?! Based in reality of what is the issue.
Let's face reality. The way treaties were set up way back when is how they are, and amending them is not going to happen in our lifetimes, if ever. This is not unique to JKT. In Clallam County, one big way JKT gains more advantages is to obtain land that is then put into tribal status, where it is exempt from taxes. These land acquisitions and conversions must be challenged by our local and state governments. And in the name of fairness, should local and state governments not always give preferential treatment to non-tribal citizens when it comes to employment and contractual bidding? And no governmental meetings or functions should be held on non-tribal owned properties unless contracts are negotiated to offset any potentially lost revenues. What's good for the goose should be good for the gander. As they said in The Godfather, "It's not personal. It's business."
Unfortunately the typical government solution to so many problems throughout our history and down to today, is, "let's kick the can down the road. Let the next generation iron out things." The Government internally argued how to treat the Tribes. And effectively kicked the problem down to us. Good question you pose: Why would any Tribe give up Sovereignty Rights? What possible item could any government offer as a fair trade? When labor unions come to the bargaining table they don't look to giving away gains previously negotiated.
"Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli.
My grandmother made the best cannolis.
I have the recipe.
Christmas is coming.
JKT is also acquiring land in Jefferson county. It needs to be challenged, I agree.
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel” Maya Angelou I just want to remind you, Jeff, and others, of all the ways you made the participants and volunteers at Tim’s Place feel valued and loved. Our precious folks who live with dementia might not remember how you made them feel, but I was blessed to witness their joy in the moment. Thank you for your leadership, and thank Doug (Elton John, Evel Knevil, Harry Potter, Elvis, Uncle Sam) for his many roles entertaining the folks. I look forward to working with you as the ministry thrives in another setting. I just want people to know who the real Jeff is, not the “blog boy,” “monster,” etc. I know you as kind, generous, smart, dedicated, and talented. Tim’s Place made a huge wonderful difference in so many lives. I’m grateful to have met you there and to call you ‘friend.”
My gosh, I'm really appreciative of those words. Thanks for starting Tim's Place and having the vision and tenacity to see it through all these years. It helped caregivers, our friends, volunteers, and it really helped me.
Yup. We have a group in our midst that activly discriminates for financial gain...and the driver of that discrimination is preferential treatment based on race. And the perfered group accomplishes this through the use if white quilt and campaign contributions. How can this be in the age of enlightenment? The same way discrimination always been done...political power aka money. And elected officials who have been bought. And a public who allows it. Seems to me that the US DOJ and it's civil rights division should take a long look at this.
Colleen McAleer is in favor of anything that benefits the McAleer real estate family empire!
Make no mistake...she is one of the infiltrators in local gov't with agendas that will boil the blood of any decent person...and she Will "Rule out nothing" in her quest for power.
Wolves in sheeps clothing...the gov't is packed with them and they are just as vicious and hungry as pack of wolves.🐺🥸
News to me. Wouldn't there be a concern of a conflict of interest?
It’s interesting to me how this has evolved. It appears the old laws are being utilized with a new entity in charge. Reservations were sovereign and the peoples there lived their culture (with added conveniences) for many years. Then casinos were started. Money was made, for the tribe and I suspect for their investors. Someone..maybe not one person, but some group saw the potential of a sovereign nation within the USA as a tax free money machine. Win for the tribe, win for the investors. The county-not so much. I don’t believe all the building and acquisition of land was/is a grassroots movement. So here we are questioning the tribe on their tribal ‘rights’ and being called racist. So far it’s been an effective business model.
Thats how I see it, too. I think you explained it better than I did. My comment above, I was trying for the, yes it's unfair but the evolution of many things is about using the fine print, the rules, the grey areas and making money. There appears to be a lot of wiggle room when money, power or some advantage for a wealthy group is involved.
Claims of being "environmental stewards' are terminally undermined by tribes that removed 3 percent salmon spawning grounds so they could camp out there permanently, with a gas station and casino. Only when there is Tsunami talk will they consider relocation to higher ground.
They are just too stubborn to have good faith conversations on any policy. They really overplayed the "reparations for colonization" hand...bad.
John, would we have to pay to relocate to higher ground? We know that is coming down the road.
I bet there is Congressional funding. 4 million was given to the Lower Elwha tribe in the dam removal project. They never relocated anything as far as I can tell. If you look in the climate commitment act there are relocation dollars.
I am looking for the BIA to sell off checkered land and pay for one big reservation in the foothills as part of a new freeway system for the Olympic Peninsula, that serves the region up on that same higher ground...With their very own dot on the map.
One big earthquake and that whole Blyn area is underwater and cuts the entire Peninsula off from services and supplies. They have dodged that bullet so far, but I don't think its a safe play to keep relying on low level roads thinking that's not a possibility. Were just asking for trouble.
John If the CCC had 3 people with backbone on the issue of removing lands from the property tax rolls would this bring Ron to the negotiating table? A starter conversation or would Ron do an end run to Washington DC?
The CCC have a conflict of interest as a member of SERN and NODC. At this point, they are liable for discrimination against white "colonizers.'
The only thing that will get their attention is a letter writing campaign of individuals in Clallam County complaining about checkering and loss of county revenue.
My letter is in.
I stink at letter writing. Is that something you would want to post? or maybe some pointers on what to include. To whom to address it? mailing address?
I am a pretty fart smeller, I use AI.
enjoyed a good laugh. thank you. like those word plays.
India's Caste system has very little to do with Sovereign Nation perks. Sorry, no correlation. I am still waiting for factual information about all of the wonderful things and ways that Tribe gives to our community, ( I mean gives out of their resources, not supplied by treaty or BIA funding from my taxes) . If i pay taxes to Fed Govt, and they put some into the BIA pot to be used for Sovereign Nation support, then Tribes build a medical building with it, how is that a gift to the Community? Help me to understand please...
India's caste system is centuries-old. A social hierachy that assigns status at birth. Although supposedly "abolished" the Dalits are still at the bottom, and the Brahmin at the top with the Shudra, Kshatriya and Vaishya in the middle. Although "outlawed" technically ...discrimination and inequities exist -- and influence politics and social interactions. The top group (Brahmin) has a distinct class advantage.
I understand the parallel Jeff is trying to make.
In the US tribes enjoy "domestic dependent nations" status. It does give them a preferential tax status, and it seems political clout.
In states that have their acts together, there is a distinction between ON reservation income, and OFF reservation income. ON isn't taxed, OFF is taxed. There are better revenue-sharing agreements that contribute heavily to the tax base (both state and local) than we have locally. Casinos in many states contribute heavily for "exclusivity fees".
Washington State's 75/25 fuel tax agreement -- is ridiculous. Tribe gets 75% refunded to them. It's obviously more equitable where tribes share this windfall -- with lower gas prices, but JT doesn't do that (sometimes their gas prices are higher than the stations in Carlsborg, the priciest around).
Supposedly the tribe is SUPPOSED to use the refunded tax revenue for transportation-related purposes like roads, bridges and public safety. (I am not aware of any audits or proof of this.)
Taking land off tax rolls, not immediately adjacent to the reservations is the biggest sticking point I have. The patchwork land deals around here is just crazy... besides the tribe, land is shielded from taxes by various land trusts. In such a small population county this shifts the tax burden to us all.
Seems like a caste system to me.
Tribes have been spoiled by free entitlements and will continue to expect them free of charge.So tribal leaders will try and use every trick in the book to get their ways because it has been working so far.The more ignorant people that get on their knee's and obey tribal demands then the more freebies handed to them on silver platters. Beggars like free entitlements it gives them satisfaction out dumbing visitors on their land.
Jeff, the worse part is every year they ask for ever increasing funding at the same time many are either lowering their tribal numbers (to concentrate the wealth) or maintaining the same. How does that work? The Treaties have ultimately created a money monster that is never satisfied.
Greed has an almost magical quality, wouldn't you say?😊
Forget which one(s) but a few tribes in this state have been deleting names of people from their tribal listing. How does that work? Does one go to a tribal court or shift gears to an "American Court"?
Geoff, internal government or the council is the highest any tribal member can go for appeals. Being sovereign cuts members off from appealing to the higher US courts. The council ... MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY. I feel for the injustice tribal members have to endure, and there are injustices. The council is not necessarily the voice of its people.
Spot on!
Native Americans getting back at the white man one nickel at a time.
Yes we as a nation treated the native Americans pretty bad as we moved west. The extermination of the Lakota food source, the buffalo. The burning of the grass in the plains. The taking of the Black Hills after gold was discovered. Giving the tribes small pox infected blankets. The list is long.
Then again the tribes didn't treat each other well either. Jeff's story about Graveyard spit is the perfect example. History here on the Olympic Peninsula is full of stories like these. The Makah tribe that was attacked by the Klallam Tribe when seeking medicine close to present day Salt Creek. The local tribes all look good and friendly in public but behind closed doors there is still many many years of animosity between them. They remember the pot latch stories where captured slaves from neighboring tribes had a cedar plank put upon them and they were the bench and would die. These are the stories embedded in each tribe.
Unless the current administration changes things drastically with how the BIA is run as a blank check. Was it because of guilt or something else. Who knows.
The entering of land into tribal trust, not only removes the tax burden, but it also removes the property from local laws and regulations. The question I have is : Do tribal hotels, and food services have to comply with health department regulations, and regularly be inspected?
Tribal owned restaurants, like Stymies, are NOT subject to health inspections. You're simply trusting the tribes to run their food services safely, BUT YOU CAN'T BE SURE.
Thank you. I did not know that!
Soooo.... Bed bug inspections in tribal hotels and STRs is probably out of the question to?
I think that the City of Sequim (and P.A.) the whole Clallam County needs to ENCOURAGE private enterprises to come here and build retail establishments, a privately owned for profit Hospital, drug treatment facilities - you name, they will come! This place needs to generate more $$. Fight fire with fire!
It's not the most desirable place to set up business, in fact greedy landlords have run quite a few businesses out with usurious rents/leases.
Also, there is not enough 'culture' here and it's isolated and expensive logistically.
Our 'specialties' were timber and fish. Extractive resources are obviously self-limiting over time...timber has long cycles and the fishery has been destroyed by Indians and non-Indians alike, including off-shore fisheries by the U.S., Russia, Japan, China and others.
We are not in a good position to attract a lot of living wage businesses and obviously our kommissars are focused on turning our governance over to the JKT 'special' sovereignty system.
This is a soft, legal coup we are witnessing and living under.
The outrage better step it up a few notches...polite 'due process' isn't going to cut it as the 'tribe' and kommissars are doing end-runs around due process every single day, and night!
Good luck, CC🙀
New leadership in cities and counties would cap the 'greedy' landlords and encourage/entice new businesses to create jobs, excitement for this place. Port Townsend has more appeal because there are more businesses, has a quaintness and story to tell.. This town (Sequim) should tell their story and make their downtown more appealing and attractive. New leadership would do away with the homeless living in parks right next to businesses. They would enforce the laws that are here. This town needs to grow, sorry to say this, but it would benefit everyone. New leadership would stop handing out freebees and create a work environment that is fun and generates $$ instead of resentment and a reliance on homeowner's taxation.
Did I hear correctly that Clallam County drove Amazon away from where they wanted to locate by their many onerous demands. I guess Amazon told them where to put the demands?
So Amazon isn't going to locate in PA?? Well, there you have it - this place has no vision, no future; other than the Tribal leadership.
My understanding was that Amazon has selected a new location with a less onerous list of "you will do this". In looking at building sites in Sequim like 7th south - wow! the cost of the infrastructure (sidewalks, lighting, moving all that dirt, sewer, water et cetera) before that first home is erected and some income starts flowing into the project to cover cost outlay! I believe Costco (or was it Wal Mart - memory where are you? in Sequim relocated because?
OK good. Maybe they will be staying, cause this area needs the jobs! We have only been in Sequim for 5 + yrs.... we are finding out so much about this place, time to move!?
Bet you thought you were moving to heaven! Well I think there are no cities or counties across the nation that are unscathed . CC is just a lucky, forced transparency and as greedy as anywhere. We just are more informed than most areas. Thanks to CC watchdog. Sometimes info overload needs to take a vacation .
Only you all can make that decision about moving. Guessing the same can be said for those who work at OMC - should I go or should I stay? Your not getting any younger. Many things to factor in when considering leaving the "Blue Hole".
The Blue Hole and Lavender Capital tags aren't enough now - be creative!
There’s a beauty in the wave of energy one reporter can create.
In the world of science, our solar system and its planets have a way of resetting themselves. The Earth, with its features and its life, goes on while most of us move through our daily routines, hardly noticing unless it's bad weather. It’s always “business as usual.” Wonderful... until a grave disruptor forces our heads up. Then we pay attention.
Sometimes, in nature, there’s no culprit. But, here in Sequim, our disruptor has a name: Jeff Tozzer. Stories and life follow a rhythm: beginning, middle, and end. Jeff’s column lands in the late middle. And as we head toward the end, more characters will appear, armed with smoke, mirrors, and pointing fingers. Their methods never change
But here’s what does change: we have a Messenger. Protect him, because when truth-tellers are silenced, power writes the story.”