As another tribal lawsuit unfolds, a difficult question emerges: if stewardship is inherent, why are tribes so often battling each other over fish, shellfish, and harvest rights?
The commissioners did not reply to yesterday's questions regarding the appropriateness of elected officials serving on the boards of NGOs who benefit directly from the county. Here is today's email:
Dear Commissioners,
During Tuesday’s commissioner meeting, one member of the public repeatedly asked for a clear explanation of how the $118,000 in taxpayer funding for the safe parking program at Trinity United Methodist Church in Sequim is being spent, along with basic information about participation in the program, which reportedly struggled for months to secure even a single participant.
An explanation was provided stating that OlyCAP is not directly operating the program, though OlyCAP is being compensated for security and on-call services, while the church is providing the parking spaces. The church, however, has indicated it is not being paid. That leaves a significant amount of taxpayer money still unexplained. While the commissioners answered several other questions during the meeting, this particular issue appeared to go unanswered.
Following the meeting, an OlyCAP representative spoke with several attendees. She was courteous and stated that OlyCAP is committed to transparency, encouraging follow-up questions be directed to Executive Director Viola Ware. Ms. Ware was subsequently contacted with several straightforward questions regarding the program and its funding, but no response has been received.
This raises broader concerns about accountability and transparency.
Commissioner French serves on the OlyCAP board, so it is reasonable for the public to expect some familiarity with how these funds are being administered. More importantly, when public money is allocated to controversial or politically sensitive programs through nonprofit organizations, transparency should not end once the funds leave county government. Citizens do not have the same level of oversight tools with NGOs that they do with public agencies, making responsiveness from both elected officials and nonprofit partners even more important.
What do you suggest the public do when $118,000 in taxpayer funding cannot be clearly accounted for, elected officials decline to answer direct questions or follow-up emails, and the organizations receiving the funds refuse to engage with basic public inquiries?
We have received the first invoice through a PRR for the Safe Parking Program, for nearly 10K and the information is minimal, paying for salaries, benefits and indirect costs, and about $700 for supplies, the rest all for salaries to OLYCAP. We'll be following up for a breakdown of hourly rate, how many hours, is this OT from their regular position at OLYCAP and more information. We will also ask how many clients and for how long. More to come.....
Right. I think the Homelessness Task Force should be able to demand a headcount and expense account of the "safe parking" money given to the church,. Thats their job. I personaly know of only one lady who used the safe park there a few nights. Her comments: it was a little too dark, and far out there, and she prefered a public lighted parking lot. Its still just an open field with a porta potty. But friends will help friends .
Now its clear Ann Soule was always going to be the chosen "water Czar." The League of Women voters were backing her play from the get go. Now at the Dungeness River Management Team..heretofore Dungeness River Land Acquisition Team have formed a water sub committee with...guess who is on the sub committee and now a permanent part of the Dungeness River Land Acquisition Team? Ann Soule. The wife or ex-wife of one of the people that invented Jimmycomelately science...
What expertise does North Olympic Land Trust bring to salmon restoration...?
They bring land acquisition expertise.
Its a pack of lies run by domestic terrorists who are flooding out residents to take their properties.
Ozias’ response to Claudia S. “perhaps you’d like to see people die on the street” is indicative of the empty suit he really is. I think he owes Claudia a public apology for his remark. I hope that the next agenda packet will include a written apology and that the apology is read aloud at the next regular Clallam County Board of Commissioners meeting.
This type of response to constituents shows utter disregard for our input. We are continually treated with indifference; we are ignored and told we don’t understand when presenting factual evidence opposing the commission’s views. We don’t have standing in the community. Any NGO or non-profit input appears to be taken without scrutiny, while any input from the public is disputed.
The Harm Reduction policies do not show a significant number of rehabilitation successes. Our county commissioners can only continue to support programs that benefit the organizations financially. As Lyle said at Tuesday’s commissioners meeting, the current Harm Reduction program is harming us, and not helping the addicted to recover.
Thank you Eric. I was speechless and stunned when I received his reply a couple months ago. As you correctly said, that response says everything, thank you.
Another Jeff T article which brings up multiple fact based truths. I marveled at comments attached to an earlier article that stated as fact the poster's OPINION that the SKlallam Corporation is a naturally superior steward of the environment.
Further, do we believe that the Boyd decision was designed to support a corporate level international exporting enterprise? Or did it simply support historical subsistence levels of harvest? Hard to believe that the judge envisioned aluminum boats with outboard motors using polyester nets...
Another direction the tribal corporations go is to create low paid wage slaves. While the white haired liberal women of CC scream and hold signs ladies like you are struggling because of their bad politics that keep the 'feel good' in power.
Right on. I hear so much about Tribal "good srewardship of the land". But no one can explain to me where is evidence of prehistoric, post-colonization, and modern time excellent land stewardship. In forestry, in animal cultivation, in water use and protection, in clean air, in trash recycling and cleanup, in fishery commerce and overuse. I just dont know of all this "good stewardship" ventures, except by the PROMISES. What actually was done in the past, other than Native use of their land for survival, that fall into "stewardship" and care.? What is currently being done to be considered excellent care of the land and Sea? All I see are commercial ventures that take huge amounts of resources, trees, fish and sea creatures, for Proifits. Who is counting? Where is the oversight, or is it all by Trust? Why trust another nation? Why?
Here is a good example of 'good stewardship of lands'decimation of fish stocks from the elwah-dungeness rivers,the dwindling crabs stocks from area 6,a new land grab attempt in clallam co called 'reclamation of lands'starting with 3 crabs residential area being flooded by a tribal project that could lead to a possible evacuation order if flooding continues.Taking millions of property values off tax roll,attempting to land grab 433 acres of timber trust land,attempting to land grab protection island ect ect ect.With such good stewards of lands like this who needs enemies.
Well, there WAS that crying Indian on the side of the road when some passing car threw out garbage. Of course, he just stood there. No cleanup crew assembled. Nothing. Just crying. Lol
Thank you CCWD, great reporting. I have so many thoughts on STEWARDSHIP and the hypocrisy around it. IN MY OPINION it is all about the GREENBACKS and the POWER that comes with it, not subsistence. If it truly was about stewardship/subsistence, then why wouldn't they take what they need, and work with other partners that are truly qualified (not some hack that says they are qualified) to make all the fisheries (fish, shellfish, etc) more sustainable for all. Just my opinion.
Wow, what an article. You get the feeling we are under control of a local Mafia or cartel. They know how to spread the money around and it's been effective. We stand strong against with our only civil way, we vote the jokers out of their positions one after another. We need balance in this county and it's not going to come through tribal halls . $klallam corporation...
I always wondered why the Tribes here didn't seem to share their wealth with each other - now I know why! Thank you Jeff, for a very enlightening article! Seems like a Feudal system, with King Allen, owner of the Fiefdom, the fishing rights/vessels are the Vassals, and we all are the Peasants!
I formally asked the Dungeness River Land Acquisition Team to explain the finer points of salmon restoration as it pertains to the breaching of the levee and the piling of logs. They declined to commit to providing any explanation of that event by any of their experts.
For those of us with experience in the subsistence wars, and the implementation of the Boldt decision - mine was in Alaska - you quickly realize "subsistence" has absolutely nothing to do with "I am hungry and need to feed my family using local resources." Instead, in practical terms, it means, "All for me, none for you." So get over it, heathens ....
This has nothing to do with the actual members of the JST. The corporation is screwing them over. I feel bad for the actual members being pimped out by the radical leadership of the corporation.
This will, however, be mutilated by the corporation lovers into something more nefarious.
Great article, Jeff! Some restaurants in CC buy fish, like salmon, from the Tribes. The cost for the meal is the same as I would pay else where. The fish is not any better than other restaurants that have contracts with out-of-area food services. Disappointing.
I agree with you, Jeff, that the safe parking spaces issue is getting more and more mired in controversy. Who is in charge of the money? Why can't anyone be specific? It's starting to resemble Minnesota fraud where there are empty buildings collecting funds for operating a business. Keep up the great work!
I am admittedly ignorant of the nuances of shellfish farming. I do know net pen fish farming has been disastrous; particularly in it's impact on wild fish populations. It is long past time to eliminate the dual citizenship status of so called tribes and or their members. The indigenous or "native" Americans for whom the BIA and treaties were established NO LONGER LIVE. Their progeny have casinos, computers, powered vessels, cell phones, munitions, transportation and sanitation systems, hands free driving and more of which neither they nor their ancestors had any part in creating. If there exists assimilation, it exists in all "tribes". Sovereign or citizens, but not both/and. Enough of this being one or the other dependent upon which way the wind blows in any given moment. Become welcome friends or become sovereign like all other sovereign nations, but choose only one.
The commissioners did not reply to yesterday's questions regarding the appropriateness of elected officials serving on the boards of NGOs who benefit directly from the county. Here is today's email:
Dear Commissioners,
During Tuesday’s commissioner meeting, one member of the public repeatedly asked for a clear explanation of how the $118,000 in taxpayer funding for the safe parking program at Trinity United Methodist Church in Sequim is being spent, along with basic information about participation in the program, which reportedly struggled for months to secure even a single participant.
An explanation was provided stating that OlyCAP is not directly operating the program, though OlyCAP is being compensated for security and on-call services, while the church is providing the parking spaces. The church, however, has indicated it is not being paid. That leaves a significant amount of taxpayer money still unexplained. While the commissioners answered several other questions during the meeting, this particular issue appeared to go unanswered.
Following the meeting, an OlyCAP representative spoke with several attendees. She was courteous and stated that OlyCAP is committed to transparency, encouraging follow-up questions be directed to Executive Director Viola Ware. Ms. Ware was subsequently contacted with several straightforward questions regarding the program and its funding, but no response has been received.
This raises broader concerns about accountability and transparency.
Commissioner French serves on the OlyCAP board, so it is reasonable for the public to expect some familiarity with how these funds are being administered. More importantly, when public money is allocated to controversial or politically sensitive programs through nonprofit organizations, transparency should not end once the funds leave county government. Citizens do not have the same level of oversight tools with NGOs that they do with public agencies, making responsiveness from both elected officials and nonprofit partners even more important.
What do you suggest the public do when $118,000 in taxpayer funding cannot be clearly accounted for, elected officials decline to answer direct questions or follow-up emails, and the organizations receiving the funds refuse to engage with basic public inquiries?
We have received the first invoice through a PRR for the Safe Parking Program, for nearly 10K and the information is minimal, paying for salaries, benefits and indirect costs, and about $700 for supplies, the rest all for salaries to OLYCAP. We'll be following up for a breakdown of hourly rate, how many hours, is this OT from their regular position at OLYCAP and more information. We will also ask how many clients and for how long. More to come.....
Just another financial boondoggle into the abyss of taxpayer money not spent for the claimed intended purpose.
Another cheat the taxpayers who care and coddle the LWVoters white haired old crones. Why don't we give IQ tests to vote???
Right. I think the Homelessness Task Force should be able to demand a headcount and expense account of the "safe parking" money given to the church,. Thats their job. I personaly know of only one lady who used the safe park there a few nights. Her comments: it was a little too dark, and far out there, and she prefered a public lighted parking lot. Its still just an open field with a porta potty. But friends will help friends .
From the Lorax 2012 film:
"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." — The Once-ler
"It's not about what it is, it's about what it can become." — The Once-ler
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1482459/quotes/?item=qt4230627
Update:
Now its clear Ann Soule was always going to be the chosen "water Czar." The League of Women voters were backing her play from the get go. Now at the Dungeness River Management Team..heretofore Dungeness River Land Acquisition Team have formed a water sub committee with...guess who is on the sub committee and now a permanent part of the Dungeness River Land Acquisition Team? Ann Soule. The wife or ex-wife of one of the people that invented Jimmycomelately science...
What expertise does North Olympic Land Trust bring to salmon restoration...?
They bring land acquisition expertise.
Its a pack of lies run by domestic terrorists who are flooding out residents to take their properties.
WOW. this is really manipulation!
Ozias’ response to Claudia S. “perhaps you’d like to see people die on the street” is indicative of the empty suit he really is. I think he owes Claudia a public apology for his remark. I hope that the next agenda packet will include a written apology and that the apology is read aloud at the next regular Clallam County Board of Commissioners meeting.
This type of response to constituents shows utter disregard for our input. We are continually treated with indifference; we are ignored and told we don’t understand when presenting factual evidence opposing the commission’s views. We don’t have standing in the community. Any NGO or non-profit input appears to be taken without scrutiny, while any input from the public is disputed.
The Harm Reduction policies do not show a significant number of rehabilitation successes. Our county commissioners can only continue to support programs that benefit the organizations financially. As Lyle said at Tuesday’s commissioners meeting, the current Harm Reduction program is harming us, and not helping the addicted to recover.
Thank you Eric. I was speechless and stunned when I received his reply a couple months ago. As you correctly said, that response says everything, thank you.
Another Jeff T article which brings up multiple fact based truths. I marveled at comments attached to an earlier article that stated as fact the poster's OPINION that the SKlallam Corporation is a naturally superior steward of the environment.
Further, do we believe that the Boyd decision was designed to support a corporate level international exporting enterprise? Or did it simply support historical subsistence levels of harvest? Hard to believe that the judge envisioned aluminum boats with outboard motors using polyester nets...
Keep 'em comin', Jeff!
I work three jobs & I don’t even clear $40k a year. Jeff, you’re right. This stinks to high heaven
Another direction the tribal corporations go is to create low paid wage slaves. While the white haired liberal women of CC scream and hold signs ladies like you are struggling because of their bad politics that keep the 'feel good' in power.
I do not work for the tribe
Large entities like the tribe that dominate CC greatly influence wages. Didn't say you did, thanks.
Yes, they do.
Right on. I hear so much about Tribal "good srewardship of the land". But no one can explain to me where is evidence of prehistoric, post-colonization, and modern time excellent land stewardship. In forestry, in animal cultivation, in water use and protection, in clean air, in trash recycling and cleanup, in fishery commerce and overuse. I just dont know of all this "good stewardship" ventures, except by the PROMISES. What actually was done in the past, other than Native use of their land for survival, that fall into "stewardship" and care.? What is currently being done to be considered excellent care of the land and Sea? All I see are commercial ventures that take huge amounts of resources, trees, fish and sea creatures, for Proifits. Who is counting? Where is the oversight, or is it all by Trust? Why trust another nation? Why?
Here is a good example of 'good stewardship of lands'decimation of fish stocks from the elwah-dungeness rivers,the dwindling crabs stocks from area 6,a new land grab attempt in clallam co called 'reclamation of lands'starting with 3 crabs residential area being flooded by a tribal project that could lead to a possible evacuation order if flooding continues.Taking millions of property values off tax roll,attempting to land grab 433 acres of timber trust land,attempting to land grab protection island ect ect ect.With such good stewards of lands like this who needs enemies.
Well, there WAS that crying Indian on the side of the road when some passing car threw out garbage. Of course, he just stood there. No cleanup crew assembled. Nothing. Just crying. Lol
maybe that same Indian should visit Tumwater creek!
i remember 💥
Oh, lord! I think we'd be beyond crying... he'd probably slit his wrists. (Sorry I can have dark humor, sometimes.) lol
Thank you CCWD, great reporting. I have so many thoughts on STEWARDSHIP and the hypocrisy around it. IN MY OPINION it is all about the GREENBACKS and the POWER that comes with it, not subsistence. If it truly was about stewardship/subsistence, then why wouldn't they take what they need, and work with other partners that are truly qualified (not some hack that says they are qualified) to make all the fisheries (fish, shellfish, etc) more sustainable for all. Just my opinion.
Oh man! This is an awesome article. Thanks, Jeff!!
Good morning Jeff and Doggers,
Wow, what an article. You get the feeling we are under control of a local Mafia or cartel. They know how to spread the money around and it's been effective. We stand strong against with our only civil way, we vote the jokers out of their positions one after another. We need balance in this county and it's not going to come through tribal halls . $klallam corporation...
Thank you all so much in fighting the good fight!
Vote the WEDGE VOTE JAKE lets get started one by one.
I always wondered why the Tribes here didn't seem to share their wealth with each other - now I know why! Thank you Jeff, for a very enlightening article! Seems like a Feudal system, with King Allen, owner of the Fiefdom, the fishing rights/vessels are the Vassals, and we all are the Peasants!
I formally asked the Dungeness River Land Acquisition Team to explain the finer points of salmon restoration as it pertains to the breaching of the levee and the piling of logs. They declined to commit to providing any explanation of that event by any of their experts.
No surprise.
For those of us with experience in the subsistence wars, and the implementation of the Boldt decision - mine was in Alaska - you quickly realize "subsistence" has absolutely nothing to do with "I am hungry and need to feed my family using local resources." Instead, in practical terms, it means, "All for me, none for you." So get over it, heathens ....
And as usual, this is what they project onto their critics.
This has nothing to do with the actual members of the JST. The corporation is screwing them over. I feel bad for the actual members being pimped out by the radical leadership of the corporation.
This will, however, be mutilated by the corporation lovers into something more nefarious.
Yep
Great article, Jeff! Some restaurants in CC buy fish, like salmon, from the Tribes. The cost for the meal is the same as I would pay else where. The fish is not any better than other restaurants that have contracts with out-of-area food services. Disappointing.
I agree with you, Jeff, that the safe parking spaces issue is getting more and more mired in controversy. Who is in charge of the money? Why can't anyone be specific? It's starting to resemble Minnesota fraud where there are empty buildings collecting funds for operating a business. Keep up the great work!
I am admittedly ignorant of the nuances of shellfish farming. I do know net pen fish farming has been disastrous; particularly in it's impact on wild fish populations. It is long past time to eliminate the dual citizenship status of so called tribes and or their members. The indigenous or "native" Americans for whom the BIA and treaties were established NO LONGER LIVE. Their progeny have casinos, computers, powered vessels, cell phones, munitions, transportation and sanitation systems, hands free driving and more of which neither they nor their ancestors had any part in creating. If there exists assimilation, it exists in all "tribes". Sovereign or citizens, but not both/and. Enough of this being one or the other dependent upon which way the wind blows in any given moment. Become welcome friends or become sovereign like all other sovereign nations, but choose only one.
Abolish the BIA!