Fractured government
County department has competing interests
The opponents of Towne Road aren't limited to Commissioner Ozias, the Jamestown Tribe, and the Landowners (who have requested to remain unnamed) — another Towne Road detractor has emerged.
As a County employee, Cheryl Baumann has taken a position against Towne Road even though the office for which she works, the Department of Community Development (DCD), is managing the completion of the project. She has used her position in the courthouse to ensure the Landowners are privy to key dates regarding the fate of Towne Road, and she has met with them privately to discuss “delicate” issues related to the years-delayed infrastructure project. Contrary to her department’s stance, Baumann has repeatedly advised the Commissioners to keep Towne Road closed.
"I'm speaking as a resident who values science and facts and as a mother concerned about the dangers we are leaving for our children and their children," Cheryl Baumann warned the Commissioners moments before they considered approving Towne Road surfacing bids on May 14th.
During Baumann’s speech, she linked the paving of a 0.6-mile section of Towne Road to global warming, climate change, melting glaciers, sea level rise, water shortages, wildfires, mass plant and animal die-offs, and the imminent extinction of killer whales. [Baumann’s testimony can be viewed here by advancing to timestamp 7:35.]
"Paving and impervious surfaces are bad for the environment,” continued Baumann. “We know paved roads buckle and break up in earthquakes. We know driving releases carbon that causes deadly climate change. Driving releases pollution into the air and nearby waterways. We know roads negatively impact birdlife, which are loving this restored wetland area.”
Cheryl Baumann clarified that she spoke to the Commissioners as a private citizen, not as a County employee. However, on or off the clock, Baumann has been a staunch opponent of Towne Road and a valuable ally to those who want to see the County road remain closed to the public.
On February 27th, 2023, as Commissioner Ozias was poised to halt the project due to fictitious petition data, Cheryl Baumann interjected on behalf of the DCD to support the stoppage even though the County's Engineer and consulting attorney warned that grant funds could expire or even be reclaimed by grantors who had backed the project.
During that work session, Baumann suggested that the grantors wouldn't mind if Towne Road remained unfinished. When Commissioner Johnson asked if Towne Road was an evacuation route, Baumann explained that local residents of Dungeness didn't want it to be. "That is not the route that people are wanting to be going,” she claimed.
"Did that have to do with the old Towne Road?" asked County Biologist Cathy Lear, who has managed the project for a decade and worked with Baumann when applying for grants.
"Well, it had to do with, yes, the old Towne Road, yes," conceded Baumann. Experts agree that the old, narrow, winding Towne Road was not a desired tsunami evacuation route due to its low elevation. However, the conversation had been about the much wider, higher, gently curving Towne Road alignment. Baumann should know these nuances; she's worked on the project since 2007. [Baumann’s testimony can be viewed here and by advancing to timestamps 1:17:10 and 1:22:30.]
Cheryl Baumann is a project coordinator for a salmon restoration program called "North Olympic Lead Entity for Salmon," or NOPLE, whose Policy Board is led by Jamestown Tribe’s Natural Resources Director Hansi Hals. Baumann is a County employee who works in the courthouse and reports to DCD Director Bruce Emery.
In her job summary, Baumann is expected to "coordinate salmon habitat recovery efforts on the North Olympic Peninsula from Sequim Bay westerly to the Hoh River systems; work with citizen-based salmon restoration facilitation groups and Technical Review Group evaluating and prioritizing local salmon restoration efforts; and to perform related duties as assigned."
Baumann is also expected to "establish and maintain effective working relationships with landowners, citizen groups, governmental agencies and tribal governments, and with people from a wide range of backgrounds.” Baumann has developed a questionably effective relationship with one landowner in particular.
While most of the community relied on newspapers, mailings, and word-of-mouth to learn about events surrounding the project, one Towne Road adversary found Baumann to be a personal liaison within County government.
On Mar 14, 2023, at 8:46 PM, Derrick Eberle wrote:
Hi Cheryl, My name is Derrick Eberle and I live at 2488 Towne Road in Dungeness. My wife Bri and I watched the Commissioners Work Session from February 27th where the future of Towne Road was discussed. We listened to the part where you shared your thoughts and comments about the project, and were very grateful for the points you brought up. I believe we wholeheartedly agree to all of the points you made at the meeting, and are also thankful to the county commissioners for listening to both our concerns and that of the public who enjoy walking the trail now. We've had a positive meeting with the road department since the work session, and are optimistic that the road will remain closed for now, but are cautious about long term plans and the idea of the county revisiting building a road in the future. Maybe we could have a conversation at your convenience where you can share your thoughts on what can be done to further support retaining this beautiful pedestrian corridor in this awesome ecological area. Please let me know if there is another email I should be addressing this correspondence to you to. Thank you, Derrick and Bri Eberle
From: Baumann, Cheryl
Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2023 9:28 AM
To: Derrick Eberle
Subject: Re: Towne Road Walking Trail
Thanks for reaching out Derek & Bri. I would be happy to talk with you folks. I know you both are very busy. Why don’t you give me some days & times that work for both of you & we’ll get something set up. Cheryl Baumann North Olympic LE for Salmon Cell:360-912-XXXX Sent from my iPhone
From: Derrick Eberle
Sent: Wednesday, March 29, 2023 3:43 PM
To: Baumann, Cheryl
Subject: Re: Towne Road Walking Trail
Thanks Cheryl, Sorry for the slow reply. Will you be at the river site next week? We will be fairly available April 2 - 8. We could also make a trip to PA during that time if it would be helpful. Thank you, Derrick (360) 461-XXXX
From: Baumann, Cheryl
To: Derrick Eberle
Subject: FW: Tues. Sept. 26 public meeting Lower Dungeness Levee Wednesday
Date: September 6, 2023 4:01:07 PM
Attachments: Lower Dungeness Levee Surface Information Sheet.pdf
Derrick, Busy time for you, Bree & the kids I am sure. You will be getting one of the attached meeting notices in the mail but you asked me to keep you updated on this situation regarding whether road or no road & so please see the attached & below. The County will be hosting a public meeting at 6 p.m. on Tues. Sept. 26th to discuss road & no road options for the Dungeness Levee in Lower Dungeness which is the location of the large floodplain restoration setback project. The Meeting will be at Guy Cole Convention Center at Carrie Blake Park. More specific details are in the attached email. A public comment period is open through Oct. 10th at 5 p.m. and written public comments are desired. More information on this can be found in the attached email. Cheryl Baumann North Olympic LE for Salmon
From: Baumann, Cheryl
To: Derrick Eberle
Subject: FW: September 26 meeting for levee surface of Lower Dungeness Floodplain Restoration area
Date: Friday, September 8, 2023 12:33:32 PM
Attachments: Lower Dungeness Levee Surface Information Sheet.pdf
You may have already received the email below, but in case you haven’t here it is. Cheryl Baumann North Olympic LE for Salmon Cell: 360-912-XXXX
From: Lear, Cathy
Sent: Thursday, September 7, 2023 3:37 PM
To: Lear, Cathy
Subject: September 26 meeting for levee surface of Lower Dungeness Floodplain Restoration area
Hello, Fans of floodplain restoration, As you may know, the use of the levee surface in the lower Dungeness floodplain restoration area has been a topic of lively conversation. The County Commissioners are interested in your thoughts on the issue and will hold a public meeting on September 26 at Guy Cole Convention Center. A comment period is open until October 10. It’s important that your comments are in written form. More information may be found in the flyer. Please read it to learn about the options that are being considered. Notice will be published in the PDN and Sequim Gazette on September 13, and people who live within a 1-mile radius of the project should receive the flyer in the coming week. Emailed comments may be directed to: loni.gores@clallamcountywa.gov Online comments may also be submitted on the County’s Dungeness Restoration webpage at: https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/184/Dungeness Floodplain-Restoration Thank you
Cathy Lear
Habitat Biologist
From: Derrick Eberle
Sent: Monday, September 25, 2023 10:16 PM
To: Baumann, Cheryl
Subject: Re: Tues. Sept. 26 public meeting Lower Dungeness Levee
Thanks so much for the heads up Cheryl. You were the first to notify me, although a few days later I got the email from Cathy as well. I intended to get back to you earlier but just never did. Please keep me in the loop whenever possible. I will be there. Bri will probably be wrangling kids. Thanks again, Derrick
From: Baumann, Cheryl
To: Derrick Eberle
Subject: FW: Public comment sought about Sequim’s Towne Road future
Date: Tuesday, September 26, 2023 10:14:24 AM
Looks like they ran the same article in both papers. https://www.sequimgazette.com/news/county-officials-seeking-comments-about-towne-road future/ https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/public-comment-sought-about-sequims-towne road-future
From: Baumann, Cheryl
To: Derrick Eberle
Subject: FW: Towne Road Commissioner Materials
Date: Thursday, November 30, 2023 1:57:54 PM
Attachments: Towne Road BOCC Materials 12-04-23 ws.pdf
From: Baumann, Cheryl
Sent: Thursday, November 30, 2023 1:52 PM
To: Trina Berg
Subject: FW: Towne Road Commissioner Materials
These are the Towne Road Meeting Materials contained in the Clallam County Commissioner Packet for next Monday’s work session.
From: Baumann, Cheryl
To: Derrick Eberle
Subject: FW: DCD Recommending 2 Land Road on Dungeness Levee
Date: Thursday, November 30, 2023 1:56:49 PM
Subject: DCD Recommending 2 Land Road on Dungeness Levee
At their work session on Mon. Dec. 4th at 9 am (it falls later in the agenda actually) the Clallam County Commissioners will discuss options for what to do with the Dungeness Levee in regards to a road or trail surfaces. DCD is apparently recommending a two lane road according to this media report released yesterday. https://www.myclallamcounty.com/2023/11/29/county-commissioners-to-consider-proposed solution-for-towne-road-levee/ The Commissioners typically have no public comment at work sessions but they do hear from staff. Any decisions before the Commissioners usually happen the following week on Tuesday.
Baumann was correct in her email to the Landowner; County staff could comment during work sessions, and coincidentally, Commissioner Ozias invited her to present on December 4th. Nearly six months after Ozias had funneled the last of the grant funds meant to finish the road to the Jamestown Tribe (effectively defunding the project), Baumann expressed disappointment that the remaining grant dollars were being earmarked for paving, not recreation.
“Today is the first time I’m hearing that additional money may go towards a road. I think that is wrong. I think that any additional money should be returned,” announced Baumann. “There’s always more projects that need restoration dollars than there is money available.”
“The other thing I want to say is, whenever we humans talk about roads and making decisions and compromises, it sounds like, Oh, this is a compromise where there’s not a lot of losers — when the people who want a road get a road, and the people who want a trail get somewhat of a trail. But what’s missing in that equation is nature. And what’s missing in that equation is climate change.” [Baumann’s presentation can be viewed by clicking here and advancing to timestamps 2:00:25 and 2:09:20.]
In April of this year, while the County Engineer, Habitat Biologist, Sheriff, Fire Chief, and other County leaders presented arguments urging the Commissioners to move the Towne Road project forward, Cheryl Baumann again attempted to prevent progress.
"It really bums me out, after 18 years of this work, to see that we can't make decisions," said Baumann during the April 1st work session. "Especially with climate change right now. We're still making decisions the way we used to make decisions. We keep repeating the same mistakes. The 2007 plan talked about needing to make changes in order to recover salmon, and this is one small change we could make that will actually not cost taxpayers anything and will actually save them money by not putting a road in there."
Baumann said that a road is unnecessary for residents' emergency egress, "Instead, we should be working to relocate those people out of dangerous environments." [View Baumann’s presentation to the Commissioners by clicking here and advancing to timestamp 2:29:35.]
After that work session, the Landowners and Baumann agreed to meet.
From: Derrick Eberle
Sent: Tuesday, April 4, 2023 7:28 AM
To: Baumann, Cheryl
Subject: Re: Towne Road Walking Trail
Hi Cheryl, Just checking in again in case you missed my message below. We will be in Port Angeles later today. Thanks! Derrick
From: Baumann, Cheryl
To: Derrick Eberle
Subject: RE: Towne Road Walking Trail
Date: Tuesday, April 4, 2023 8:53:06 AM
Yes, sorry I did not see your March 29th email and things have been wonky on the tech side lately. Let’s see about meeting sometime later today. I hear it is going to be nice this afternoon. Give me a call at 360-912-XXXX & let’s arrange a meet up. Cheryl B
From: Baumann, Cheryl
Sent: Tuesday, April 4, 2023 9:56 AM
To: Derrick Eberle Cc: Baumann, Cheryl
Subject: Thur in Sequim
I am also fine coming to Sequim & meeting with you all later this week if that works better for you folks. Thursday is very open for me. Cheryl
From: Derrick Eberle
Sent: Tuesday, April 4, 2023 11:10 AM
To: Baumann, Cheryl
Subject: Re: Thur in Sequim
Thursday would be great! Maybe we can even meet out on the levee and walk a bit? We are free any time other than 10 to 1045am. So meeting at 11am or any time onwards would be ideal. I'll suggest the parking lot on the north end by the Dungeness schoolhouse but let us know what works best for you. Thanks Cheryl, looking forward to it. Derrick 360-461-XXXX
From: Baumann, Cheryl
Sent: Tuesday, April 4, 2023 12:53 PM
To: Derrick Eberle
Subject: still open this aft?
Sorry, I know I mentioned Sequim. This whole thing is a bit delicate. Do you guys still have time in PA today or can we meet somewhere else in Sequim on Thurs? Cheryl B Cell: 360-912-XXXX
From: Derrick Eberle
Sent: Wednesday, April 5, 2023 8:56 AM
To: Baumann, Cheryl
Subject: Re: still open this aft?
Hi Cheryl, No problem. We pushed our PA trip to today, so I can meet you when we make it out there around midday if you are available. Since we'll have the kids, I might just find a way to connect with you solo for a brief chat. Let me know. Thank you, Derrick
From: Baumann, Cheryl
To: Derrick Eberle
Subject: get together
Date: Wednesday, April 5, 2023 9:03:41 AM
Midday works. If you want to meet at the Dream Playground I am happy to come chat over there to chat while the kids play. If that doesn’t work, tomorrow looks rainy. Coffee at Old Mill Café perhaps? Let me know via email or via phone. Since it’s the last supposed to be the last sunny day for a while I am hoping not to be here all day. Cheryl B
We’re learning that our local government has two playbooks when dealing with people who call Clallam County “home.” Landowners who support the political motivations of some County workers are offered a “County Concierge Service” — that includes private meetings with Commissioner Ozias, communication with the Commissioner on his private device, special sessions with the County’s Prosecuting Attorney and Sheriff to investigate perceived enemies, and now privileged access to the DCD via Cheryl Baumann.
Compare that treatment to a landowner and entrepreneur following the County’s due process to reopen a dormant, family-owned small business that supplied gravel. The reopening of the Happy Valley Gravel Pit was successfully defeated by opposition led by Commissioner Ozias, with help from the Jamestown Tribe. Cheryl Baumann also played a role in killing that venture.
Cheryl Baumann, in her professional capacity within the department that reviews the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) sought by the gravel pit owner, advised a resident to recruit the Jamestown Tribe, the Olympic Peninsula Sierra Club, and the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Chapter to assist in opposing the gravel pit.
This treatment of small businesses — which serve as the backbone of our economy, generate jobs, and contribute to the tax base — is ruinous to an economically distressed County whose GDP has been circling the drain for over a decade. Business owners brave enough to launch a venture not only have worker shortages, inflation, and thin margins to contend with… in Clallam County, one must consider if their business model aligns with the ideology of County employees.
Clallam County has a choice to make. On the one hand, we can continue to be a population of consumers who detest growth and prefer that our roads become trails. As a result, we can watch school enrollment plummet while our specialists and skilled professionals flee to Kitsap and King Counties.
On the other hand, we can embrace responsible growth, follow protocol, open our environmentally friendly shared-use roads, and keep Clallam County moving in a direction that attracts business and benefits the public — not special, private, personal, and political interests.
The inner workings of our County government are fractured. One contingent attempts to lead all residents in a prosperous and fair direction, while the other faction steers the County toward a fringe philosophy that wants to close roads and relocate people out of “dangerous environments.”
As Cheryl Baumann wrote to the Landowner, “This whole thing is a bit delicate.”
Note: Cheryl Baumann and DCD Director Bruce Emery were asked to comment before this article’s publication. Director Emery replied,
“We acknowledge the issues raised in your email. We believe that any potential issues related to County policy have been addressed. Because this involves County personnel, it is internal in nature, and as such, I have no further comment.”
Towne Road Update
Towne Road can be driven between Woodcock and East Anderson Roads as of this publication. CCWD subscribers report that heavy equipment has moved ecology blocks at the north and south ends, and cars have been driving around the locked gates to use the taxpayer-funded county road. It is unknown who moved the barricades — the County website dedicated to communicating information about Towne Road to the public has not been updated since February 12th.
Once again - shining that light on these endless issues with "transparency" are so needed!
STAY PESKY!!!!
Climate change... Driving... Hey Cheryl, am I contributing More to climate change being forced to drive FURTHER to get to the Dairy? I thinkj that;s a yes Cheryl. So pathetic when people on OUR payroll wallow in ignorance. They take a position and have no clue as to the REAL consequences of their positions. DCD... What a joke.