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?
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...
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?
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.
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 ....
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.
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!
Oh man! This is an awesome article. Thanks, Jeff!!
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?
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.
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 ....
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.
humm