Commissioner Mike French did reply to yesterday's email:
"Just to provide some additional context:
We have a scheduling conflict every month when Commissioner Johnson attends the Board of Natural Resources meeting in Olympia. My understanding is he generally attends that meeting in person, and it's nearly an all-day meeting. This same situation happened a few years back when Commissioner Peach served on the Board of Natural Resources. I think it's worth the scheduling trouble it causes to have a Clallam County Commissioner representing Washington Counties and junior taxing district interests at the Board of Natural Resources.
Occasionally, one of the other two Commissioners is traveling when that conflict occurs, and we've had a quorum with one Commissioner in person and one Commissioner attending virtually. We decided to cancel meetings this one time, and I believe Todd gave you a full explanation of why. As the Chair of the Board of Commissioners, I was asked about this idea a few weeks back and agreed to it, and I stand by that decision.
I will still be working this week, attending County committee meetings (presenting at one), attending virtual meetings, going out to community meetings in both Forks and Clallam Bay, and appearing on two radio shows.
Mike French
Clallam County Commissioner"
The response is appreciated. However, despite Commissioner Johnson's standing scheduling conflict, he does not miss commissioner meetings once a month. Yes, Commissioner French will be attending to county business. He will also be attending the OlyCAP anniversary and Peninsula Behavioral Health Gala.
Here is today's question to the commissioners:
Dear Commissioners,
When individuals with significant criminal histories relocate here and reoffend, the costs—law enforcement, courts, jail, healthcare—fall on local taxpayers.
How are you accounting for that burden, and what steps are you taking to prevent Clallam County from absorbing disproportionate costs created elsewhere?
Thank you David for working with Mike to see the problems from another perspective, and closer to the reality not easily observable for most who don't take time to see what's going on. Thank you Mike for taking the time to have David show you around.
Your experience is mine whenever I've had conversation with Jake and Mike's name comes up. Very respectful, but honest. Jake is genuinely interested in a balanced approach, and it in no way is a "one of them" approach. Everyone who posts here has a variety of perspectives, and some are hardened like mine, but I will always acknowledge that I'm willing to accept a more balanced approach that I've heard Jake talk about vs the current methodology. I am not like Jake, nor is he like me, and no one who comments here is like either of us. This painting people who voice their opinions as being similar is a disservice to our opinions, even if they have similarities.
I've seen addiction first-hand for years, with professional boots on the ground, to know bad policy when I see it, and it is here. I've seen more videos of those who have recovered and become contributing members of society again in this fentanyl addicted era who clearly describe the acceptance and promotion of use as the biggest sin man can do to those in the throws of this problem.
Humanity and biology demand that we modify our approach. There's pain in the journey, there's glory in the end.
To imagine a parent would enable their children's bad behavior so that they never aspire to be something greater and contributing members of society is abuse. To any parent who has seen their children's break throughs and the glory of success because they didn't enable or accept the bad behavior you know that those difficult times were worth it. Society thanks you for doing the hard work.
So why is it we don't understand that concept with adults especially in light of the repeated success stories? How is it that we treat our children better than others?
It's a moral and societal sin going on to encourage this destructive behavior. The "devil" is in the money that is involved that has corrupted the thinking through hocus pocus gibberish that on paper sounds good.
We all innately know better. So why are we here? If we have a goal to bring people out of addiction then why does society accept methods that are diametrically opposed to them?
As a citizen I too demand my own hope for those who are addicted, that I too can rejoice in their having made something more of themselves and realized that the only person who can make the change is them, and that is a more powerful drug than fentanyl.
So there it is, my hardass "them" position. Why is it wrong?
Jake gives me hope because he is not like me. He has more true compassion than I have seen in a long time. Why would I vote for someone who has no vision and is hamstrung by a lack of vision and hope for their fellow man? Why would you? Jake is my Wedge from this madness. My vote goes to him.
I for one was surprised and happy that Mr. French did the walkabout. The us versus them ideology is a big problem. That’s what divides us, that type of thinking. They just don’t seem to understand that the harm reduction is not helping anything, as far as the apartment complex there has to be clear guidelines and rules set maybe with a time limit say 60-90 days depending on their particular case so others transitioning into sobriety can take advantage of the services therefore, helping more people.
Now, as far as these criminals that keep coming here moving in and out of the system being let go I’ll say it again they need to be extradited out of here or be trespassed from staying here. I do believe French was slightly about running to a small town however as you said before MK if law-enforcement hands are tied, the prosecutors don’t prosecute them or try to, and the judge let them go will never solve this problem.
I applaud Jake Seegers and his whole campaign, which I am a huge fan of!
To Mike French's credit, he walked with me up Tumwater after the Public Safety Town Hall. I wrote about that recently without naming him. We agreed on more than might be expected, including the most important thing, which is that these are people in the flesh, to be loved.
Where we differed was what to do about it. I won't speak for him directly. What I will say is that toxic compassion is real, and it is regularly exploited by the kind of administrative creep I keep writing about. The compassion is genuine. The exploitation of it is the problem. And we also are impacted by Olympia in ways they don't have a clue about.
I have been writing practical solutions because the problems in this county are pervasive and the Managers consistently make decisions that make them worse. I do not think French sees that part clearly yet. Yesterday's piece addresses it directly: Why the Overseer Always Overreaches - And How to Fix It
I really appreciate David Rogers' approach to having a calm, face-to-face conversation with Commissioner French. That’s how a community solves problems! But the rest of this newsletter seems designed to keep us terrified. Highlighting a single arrest of someone from New Jersey to imply that thousands of people are migrating 3,000 miles just to use local services is a massive stretch that isn't supported by the county's actual shelter data (like Commissioner Johnson pointed out). Clallam County is a resilient place, and we shouldn't let fear-mongering tactics or cherry-picked scanner reports convince us that our town is a lost cause.
Single arrest? Is this the first CCWD article you've read? And yes I for one am "terrified", as you put it. I used to love going to PA to shop but haven't for years because of what it's become and because of a couple experiences I had while shopping there in the past. Also if you had read past articles you'd know that many have covered days worth of scanner reports and they show me that at this point, if nothing is done, the town will indeed become a lost cause.
Commissioner Mike French did reply to yesterday's email:
"Just to provide some additional context:
We have a scheduling conflict every month when Commissioner Johnson attends the Board of Natural Resources meeting in Olympia. My understanding is he generally attends that meeting in person, and it's nearly an all-day meeting. This same situation happened a few years back when Commissioner Peach served on the Board of Natural Resources. I think it's worth the scheduling trouble it causes to have a Clallam County Commissioner representing Washington Counties and junior taxing district interests at the Board of Natural Resources.
Occasionally, one of the other two Commissioners is traveling when that conflict occurs, and we've had a quorum with one Commissioner in person and one Commissioner attending virtually. We decided to cancel meetings this one time, and I believe Todd gave you a full explanation of why. As the Chair of the Board of Commissioners, I was asked about this idea a few weeks back and agreed to it, and I stand by that decision.
I will still be working this week, attending County committee meetings (presenting at one), attending virtual meetings, going out to community meetings in both Forks and Clallam Bay, and appearing on two radio shows.
Mike French
Clallam County Commissioner"
The response is appreciated. However, despite Commissioner Johnson's standing scheduling conflict, he does not miss commissioner meetings once a month. Yes, Commissioner French will be attending to county business. He will also be attending the OlyCAP anniversary and Peninsula Behavioral Health Gala.
Here is today's question to the commissioners:
Dear Commissioners,
When individuals with significant criminal histories relocate here and reoffend, the costs—law enforcement, courts, jail, healthcare—fall on local taxpayers.
How are you accounting for that burden, and what steps are you taking to prevent Clallam County from absorbing disproportionate costs created elsewhere?
Thank you David for working with Mike to see the problems from another perspective, and closer to the reality not easily observable for most who don't take time to see what's going on. Thank you Mike for taking the time to have David show you around.
Your experience is mine whenever I've had conversation with Jake and Mike's name comes up. Very respectful, but honest. Jake is genuinely interested in a balanced approach, and it in no way is a "one of them" approach. Everyone who posts here has a variety of perspectives, and some are hardened like mine, but I will always acknowledge that I'm willing to accept a more balanced approach that I've heard Jake talk about vs the current methodology. I am not like Jake, nor is he like me, and no one who comments here is like either of us. This painting people who voice their opinions as being similar is a disservice to our opinions, even if they have similarities.
I've seen addiction first-hand for years, with professional boots on the ground, to know bad policy when I see it, and it is here. I've seen more videos of those who have recovered and become contributing members of society again in this fentanyl addicted era who clearly describe the acceptance and promotion of use as the biggest sin man can do to those in the throws of this problem.
Humanity and biology demand that we modify our approach. There's pain in the journey, there's glory in the end.
To imagine a parent would enable their children's bad behavior so that they never aspire to be something greater and contributing members of society is abuse. To any parent who has seen their children's break throughs and the glory of success because they didn't enable or accept the bad behavior you know that those difficult times were worth it. Society thanks you for doing the hard work.
So why is it we don't understand that concept with adults especially in light of the repeated success stories? How is it that we treat our children better than others?
It's a moral and societal sin going on to encourage this destructive behavior. The "devil" is in the money that is involved that has corrupted the thinking through hocus pocus gibberish that on paper sounds good.
We all innately know better. So why are we here? If we have a goal to bring people out of addiction then why does society accept methods that are diametrically opposed to them?
As a citizen I too demand my own hope for those who are addicted, that I too can rejoice in their having made something more of themselves and realized that the only person who can make the change is them, and that is a more powerful drug than fentanyl.
So there it is, my hardass "them" position. Why is it wrong?
Jake gives me hope because he is not like me. He has more true compassion than I have seen in a long time. Why would I vote for someone who has no vision and is hamstrung by a lack of vision and hope for their fellow man? Why would you? Jake is my Wedge from this madness. My vote goes to him.
Good morning MK,
I for one was surprised and happy that Mr. French did the walkabout. The us versus them ideology is a big problem. That’s what divides us, that type of thinking. They just don’t seem to understand that the harm reduction is not helping anything, as far as the apartment complex there has to be clear guidelines and rules set maybe with a time limit say 60-90 days depending on their particular case so others transitioning into sobriety can take advantage of the services therefore, helping more people.
Now, as far as these criminals that keep coming here moving in and out of the system being let go I’ll say it again they need to be extradited out of here or be trespassed from staying here. I do believe French was slightly about running to a small town however as you said before MK if law-enforcement hands are tied, the prosecutors don’t prosecute them or try to, and the judge let them go will never solve this problem.
I applaud Jake Seegers and his whole campaign, which I am a huge fan of!
Elect Jake Seegers!
Have a wonderful day, everyone
To Mike French's credit, he walked with me up Tumwater after the Public Safety Town Hall. I wrote about that recently without naming him. We agreed on more than might be expected, including the most important thing, which is that these are people in the flesh, to be loved.
Where we differed was what to do about it. I won't speak for him directly. What I will say is that toxic compassion is real, and it is regularly exploited by the kind of administrative creep I keep writing about. The compassion is genuine. The exploitation of it is the problem. And we also are impacted by Olympia in ways they don't have a clue about.
I have been writing practical solutions because the problems in this county are pervasive and the Managers consistently make decisions that make them worse. I do not think French sees that part clearly yet. Yesterday's piece addresses it directly: Why the Overseer Always Overreaches - And How to Fix It
https://davidzelenka.substack.com/p/why-the-overseer-always-overreaches
I really appreciate David Rogers' approach to having a calm, face-to-face conversation with Commissioner French. That’s how a community solves problems! But the rest of this newsletter seems designed to keep us terrified. Highlighting a single arrest of someone from New Jersey to imply that thousands of people are migrating 3,000 miles just to use local services is a massive stretch that isn't supported by the county's actual shelter data (like Commissioner Johnson pointed out). Clallam County is a resilient place, and we shouldn't let fear-mongering tactics or cherry-picked scanner reports convince us that our town is a lost cause.
Single arrest? Is this the first CCWD article you've read? And yes I for one am "terrified", as you put it. I used to love going to PA to shop but haven't for years because of what it's become and because of a couple experiences I had while shopping there in the past. Also if you had read past articles you'd know that many have covered days worth of scanner reports and they show me that at this point, if nothing is done, the town will indeed become a lost cause.
Yes, the "single arrest" came after a "single arrest" from the same person in December. That came after ten "single felonies." :-)