Like stepping out into the cold air in the morning and seeing your breath for the first time. Do we realize what a gift Jake is to the citizens for attending meetings on his own time, doing research, and sharing his findings with the public?
Thank you for your kind words, MK. But, the real gift is a community that is standing up and demanding truth, accountability and change. We are an army with a multitude of individual gifts and talents. Alone, change seems insurmountable. By joining together change is inevitable.
I'm deeply encouraged by this sentiment. The corruption and apathy our public servants continue to demonstrate is astounding. It's difficult to stomach. I'm new to this online community but I'd love to find a way for us to stand up together and affect some real change. It's imperative for the sake of our children's future.in this beloved place.
A fantastic observation and statement. If you've never attended a BOCCC meeting I'd highly encourage it so that you gain an understanding of the rhythm. Can't attend in-person? NP. They're all recorded and can be watched at your pleasure.
They care about what younger people running on the hamster wheel think. They talk about protecting your future but essentially its theirs not yours.....when someone young pipes up it crumbles the foundation of their draconian pursuits....blah blah blah "future generations."
They need you young folks to want to be the world now. Not community level..worldly level. A potion of "sharing the wealth." A potion that hurts more environmentally against the world environment while claiming to be saving your environmental future.
See how fast they blocked that back ground screen at the commissioners hearings. They don't want the younger generation to see shipping graphs and pollution from shipping graphs. They are now sacred tablets to be handed down in a cave somewhere...years from now.. Because they shut of the background screen.
You don't need town halls you need background screen demonstrations weekly.
Jake, fantastic article with all the supporting documentation! I voted under “Which non-essential expense should the commissioners cut first?” to cut PAY RAISES AND CAR ALLOWANCE.
I am still angry that there were negative comments made regarding low income senior citizens property tax exemptions. That topic should never have been brought up. Our fixed income senior citizens are extremely vulnerable. Can they absorb these horrendous increases without “pay raises and car allowances”? NO! They still have bills to pay gas, groceries, insurances of all kinds. How dare they EVEN contemplate profiting while others are are living hand to mouth. I needed to copy and paste what you so perfectly wrote:
So how will you vote?
Will you side with the leaders who created a budget crisis while raising their own pay, or with a fellow citizen who is demanding financial stewardship?
This isn’t a vote against services — it’s a vote for accountability, discipline, and respect for the PEOPLE WHO PAY THE BILLS.
You know the three commissioner home rule of operation for the county is not cast in concrete. It seems to fail and disappoint so many groups plus add financial burden. When they need more money(we know they can’t budget) just come up with some other piece of crap reason to hike our taxes. Hey, has anyone done a study on the banana slug life expectancy in coastal climates?
See this is the perfect example of how we come together, identify a greater need of species expansion in our research and for a few bucks more, 4 Northwestern mollusks are researched. You know by next year we would be hearing “ what about the leopard slug? Etc. Good thinking. I’ve always wanted to see their teeth. Maybe a set for my China/weird science display cabinet. Good work, as always, Robert. Thanks. If they don’t have a shell are they a mollusk? Where would the Geoduck be without his? Embarrassed, I bet.🐌
Jake, thanks for doing the research, it's not easy and you have a growing family! I must say your article got me on a rampage this morning...we need to know in order to grow.
How we 'ram-the-page' is the main thing! It's forceful demands that matter, not polite requests...we NEED ETHICS OVERSIGHT WITH FANGS AND CLAWS, WE NEED ACCOUNTABILITY AND MERIT CLAUSES IN EVERY CONTRACT.
The 'rules' mean nothing without enforcement as is so plainly made clear with the general lawlessness overtaking our communities...with the blessings of those in 'authority'!
Well said Jennifer as always. I agree that there are no many pay increases for these politicians and county employees. Try running a small business, you learn real quick that it’s not easy. Us seniors are in a world of hurt. Many seniors in this town worked good paying jobs until the spotted owl hurt our work force. Many seniors had job changes then but never recouped the pay they had before
Chris, everytime I even think about the Senior citizens or disabled being on the bottom of the list of "deserves" I want to slap the Commissioners. They don't even recognize these well deserving citizens who have given so much. Grrr
As a 100% service connected disabled veteran. I have applied for a discount on my property taxes, just waiting now to see if it will be approved. If not can you say lawsuit against the county! I know for a fact I qualify so we will see.. did you know alot of states give a 100% discount, unfortunately Washington state and especially clallam county hate veterans so I'll get 60% break. Better than nothing but I'll end up giving it back in be taxes, heaven forbid we get ahead.. and fuck there raises. Crooked af they come.. vote them out!!
I think you could get many citizens , disabled vets, seniors on SSI not really getting by and others who deserve an elimination or huge reduction. Of course if JST paid “anything” what so ever, pressure would be off our vets. Your country wishes to honor you as a true hero in your service. Thank you.
Concerned, I did leave out the disabled on my senior citizens exemptions, sorry. But I am adamant that these are the very people who should be served and come first WAY before the homeless or animal shelters or any other give aways. I'm getting worked up again writing about it. Let us know if how it turns out...there's a whole lot of us fighting for you ; )
I read the Rave in this mornings Seattle Times (10/26/25), "Rave to the staff at King County elections office in Renton. Suddenly realizing we were going to miss the upcoming election, I emailed them, and they quickly let us know we could pick up a ballot in person or print one online." Vote early and vote often.
I especially had a meltdown when I read what you wrote. It takes a cold heart to do this.
“Pay Raises in a Crisis - Forgoing those raises and vehicle perks would save roughly $224,000 in 2026 alone — ENOUGH TO FUND TWO OF THE THREE POSITIONS THE COMMISSIONERS PLAN TO ELIMINATE.”
on what’s really going on. Trainees are a good way to go and important if you want LE as a career.
As a concerned group, problem solving, with the vast backgrounds of citizens, doesn’t seem that overwhelming. I think the BOCCC throw their collective hands up to highlight why something can’t get done, instead of looking for answers with local resources.
I personally can’t tolerate attitudes that aren’t proactive. When they come from people we elected, it stings twice as much!
Why spend so much time and resources compiling a budget when there is no intention or repercussions for following it? How long could a family get away with writing NSF checks before the bank closed their account? Going into each new fiscal cycle with debt is violating those that provide the money.
We expect and deserve a team that have the same goals
debt/revenue that
represent a healthy county. Most of us would be mortified to show such inept performance of on our jobs . If you can’t be tasked to manage the money,
get out. Making promises CC can’t keep bc of ego and votes is not sustainable. Having a population that doesn’t participate is unacceptable.
Sometimes, things are beyond repair, but starting over with new vision isn’t. Think about that when you vote. I don’t want the elected to already be seated in their comfy Lazyboy.
I chose Dues.../NGOs because there is so much influence from these special interest groups to persuade the BoCC to endorse and write blank checks to them. Jake, you understand the real costs and burdens to the taxpayers. And thank you for posting on this site so that everyone in CC has a chance to digest all of the consequences of over taxing and over spending. We are in a lot of fiscal trouble here in CC. People need to VOTE! It's the only way to correct the disasters that have been allowed to flourish unnoticed for too long.
Beware of the trolls on Next Door. They love spending “our money” in harmony with our BOCC.A lot of hate towards Jeff’s column this past week was written. They hate to see the numbers and facts. They have no facts so most of them resorted to personal attacks on Next Door.
Promoted to reason and sanity is more like it! Things are getting vicious in certain vocal-minority circles...they seem majority, but I assure you they are not!
Now, if only the real majority wakes up and joins in the discussion!🙏🏼😎
They can’t handle the truth. It’s where constructive writing goes to die. It’s the fast lane to self doubt if you are a writer. ND will squelch the self esteem right out of you. People, don’t write anything for NextDoor. They called me a Nazi and left it up for a week. The moderators are nut cases, send them your squirrels!
They are moving towards open violence...insanity does that...they are declaring anarchy as the default...if they can't have it their way...no one will have it!😎
Why wouldn't they spend and grease the palms of special interests with our money? Why not? There simply are not enough people who understand the tragedy that is CC Politicians. Come every November election, they vote Dem and incumbents. En masse, we have a voter pool that will show up for a No Kings Ralley, just to be there... A voter pool that is plainly ignorant of the facts. They'll scream and shout and hold road signs about rents going up without stopping to think 'it's the taxes being passed on to us...' All this money on education is not going to making our children smarter unless you think leftist indoctrination is eduction. Our education system guarantees future generations of clueless voters.
So all in all, good job Kommissars, goals achieved.
We really appreciate the focus upon the finances of our government and how the money is being spent. From the pie chart herein, it appears that approximately half of the budget is supposedly going to the schools (education) and we have to wonder if this massive amount of money is really benefiting the students in any material way~? Where is the proof that our students are really benefiting from all of this taxpayer money that is being spent~? We all know that schools always run mad insane with constant testing of the students, so why don't "we" have the proof that our students are preforming better for all of the millions of dollars that we are spending on education~??? As an old real estate analyst, I seriously question the supposed constant need to build new school buildings, because it is my experience that the majority of older buildings can easily be remodeled to extend the functional life of the structures for 50 to even 100 or more years at a small fraction of the cost of building new. I realize that some people like to build new school buildings because of some highly questionably egotistical reasons, however in the majority of cases doing so does not improve the quality of the student's education at all. Many of us in the community would prefer that our tax dollars be spent to reestablish the programs in our schools that gave our students a chance to learn REAL life skills~! Auto shop, electronics, metal shop, home construction, business classes, government internship programs, etc. used to be extremely productive & highly effective uses of our school tax dollars, that gave a great many students REAL life skills and experience that they could use to find gainful employment with upon or even before graduation from high school. It is a sick local & national disgrace that "we" allow our schools to graduate high school students who have no real-life education, skills, or experience that they can use to find their way in life~! I recently audited the local curriculum in the Port Angeles and Sequim high schools and found that there was no longer any real effort to produce students that could offer the community employable young folks. Why? Does our community have such little care for our students that "we" just graduate them into this highly competitive world without any way for them to even get their first jobs~? I find it impossible to believe that the local small business owners would not LOVE to have job applicants who have at least a little education, experience, and some skills that could benefit them and their businesses. When our young folks are forced to leave our community to have any real chance to find work, why don't our richly funded schools make any effort to help us retain these young men & women in our own community~? Shipping our young high school graduates off to college is NOT the right path for everyone, as can be seen by SO many college graduates that can't even find employment in their fields, if they find employment at all these days. The college experience can be very useful, however many would be better served if they entered the full-time workplace right out of high school, and then, as countless others have done in the past, they can attend college to further their personal goals as they see fit. I hope that "we" in the community, and especially the parents, now make the REAL effort to reach out to our young students to learn what THEY want and what difficulties that THEY see in finding their way into the future~! I am sure that many students would express their concerns and even "hopelessness" that they will have a future that they can see a path to achieving. This is a terrible problem that foretells our future as a community, nation, and society. We can and MUST do a better job of supporting our young generations and that does mean that we need to offer them REAL education and skills that will build their confidence at an early age. No child is ever too young to learn, and the earlier they start to build their confidence the better for their and all of our futures~! Also, I must give credit to "Mimi" Marolee Smith-Dvorak who has also made the case that our young students need to have much more opportunities, support, and encouragement in experience & skill building at the high school level, because she understands how important that truly is to give our young folks a real "head start" in life that they desperately need~!
Have a great Sunday and please support the folks who truly have our communities' best interests in mind~! Sincerely, Mike
Thank you, Michael. We really appreciate your comments.
Cost of public education in Clallam County is about $17k per student per year.
That awesome chart is from the Treasurer's Office, so props to Treasurer Jen White. She puts together some very usable data and graphics for the public.
I am just a simple humble American Constitutionalist who is keeping a very old oath~! My thanks to you, Jeff Tozzer, Jen White, and ALL of the other great folks who are doing such an awesome job to peacefully stand up for what is right~!!! Yes, absolutely, putting these statistics on easy-to-read charts is most helpful and can reach folks who are understandably baffled and confused by the MASSIVE distractions, drama, and "fear porn" garbage that we are all being flooded by~! You do an excellent job remaining focused on the most important issues, which COMPLETELY thwarts the efforts of those who prey on us by constantly distracting us and attempting to divide us against each other. Please do keep up the excellent work and in time we shall see more & more evidence that we really are winning this old fight for our freedom and rights~! I am tracking this every day ;-)) It really is all about the young and future generations, because they won't have a chance unless "we" do our duty as Americans now ;-) Have a great new week and I hope that you are encouraged, because there really are some excellent things happening behind the "swamp gas" of the media and these political hacks~! Sincerely, Mike
Great story!!!!! Never forget, 50% of the population minus one are below average intelligence! Kids are being taught to let machines do simple stuff, like adding and subtracting, or let AI or ChatGPT think for them - not cognitive problem solving. Happy Sunday!
I sure hope that many in the population are NOT "below average Intelligence"~!
Even though the term "average Intelligence" should mean the standard/normal Intelligence level... May it rain toads~! HA~! I hope the problem is really that many folks just never realized that improving ourselves as Americans and human beings is a lifelong duty. I have been trying to improve myself since I was in Elementary school, but I knew that I had a longer way to go than most ;-)) You do have an excellent point my friend, because all of these "new-fangled" gizmos have and will continue to do a tremendous amount of harm to society~! For instance, I am old enough to remember when it was completely against the rules in school to use a calculator, then not many years later, it became against the rules NOT to have a calculator. If I had not studied basic math the old-fashioned way, I would never have been able to see (detect) the errors that I and others made using calculators later in my professional life. That would have been a VERY serious problem, because my professional life absolutely required me to be "balls on accurate" in my ciphering ;-) Ha~! Now we have children being screwed over by the evil clowns in the federal department of education who removed the "comprehension" part of reading & comprehension (which is insane), they no longer teach cursive writing, their "new math" denies the children the old school math skills that they need to work things out in their heads, and all of the crutches & shortcuts between the calculators to the AI crappola that allows them to cheat themselves out of good ol hard brain work has set generations up for BIG problems in the future~! Yes, independent thinking for ourselves, is THE most important thing that ALL young folks MUST be taught. I find it interestingly telling that the criminals in the government, especially in the so-called "education system" are doing everything that they can to keep Americans of ALL ages from developing their own personal discernment and deductive reasoning skills, which are definitely the most important reason for education to begin with~! We have to watch these clows in government like hawks and stand up immediately when we see that they are screwing us over~! Several years ago, I was in the Washington State Department of Licensing in Port Angeles getting my license renewed and right on the bulletin board was posted a large sign that clearly stated that; "The State of Washington Department of Licensing encourages ALL residents to use lean thinking skills"~! OH MY GOD~! As a young child I used to get thrashed for "lean thinking" and I made my opinion known to everyone there, including the clerks who were working there~! It really could not be clearer that the entire governmental system has ruthlessly betrayed ALL of us in every way possible~! I stand behind the new federal administration because what I have been monitoring for years is definitely a strong push to destroy this old sick evil matrix that "we" have had in America, so God willing and with the help of the real American Patriots we will be successful in achieving ALL of our freedoms and rights. If not, I am willing to risk my life to free America from these evil monsters in necessary~! That is just the way it goes for American Constitutionalists because "we" are always front and center in the fight for Americans to be free~! Have a mellow evening and get ready for another interesting week~!
Great comment! Part of the proof of piss-poor HS education is the fact that when entering college many students have to take remedial reading or basic math classes before moving on.
After my PhD (History) father served in the US Military Intelligence service as one of the elite men who worked with the scientists recording the history of the ICBM program for the internal US Military Intelligence records as it unfolded, he took a job as a teacher in a major University. He was the ONLY teacher to have a private office within the brand-new state-of-the-art library, which was at the time one of the "crown jewels" of the entire California State college system. Just to give you an idea as to his elite status... It was VERY amusing to me because I knew that he was THE elite man on that campus and why, but no one ever realized that he was THAT special because most people can't see what is right in their faces ;-)) Ha~! Anyway, every single year since I can remember, my father would come home for Christmas break and tell the same two stories about the Spring Semester that he had just completed. One story was always about the dirty tricks that the librarian had tried to pull to get my father kicked out of "his state-of-the-art library because he was a TOTAL control freak and he HATED the fact that my father had the only professor's office in the entire library, with a private attached bathroom and classroom! He was not too bright and everyone who knew what a dirty underhanded rat bastard he was laughed at him for decades!!! HA~! Oh, you should have seen that private office my friend, because it was absolutely beautiful and right on the ground floor for everyone and their pet monkeys to see, but no one even noticed ;-) HA~! Too funny~! The 2nd story that my father ALWAYS told during Winter break was "Just how much more stupid the college freshman actually were that Spring, compared to the year before~! The folks at the college levels always knew that "we" (Americans) were being dumbed down for at least the past 70 years~! Now, we have several generations of dumbed down people actually teaching (dumbing down) our children in increasing severity, so of course these children of today need all of the support and help that "we" can possibly give them~! This also clearly explains why SO many so-called American "adults" are none too bright as well, as we can clearly see in the way that some people vote and live their foolish lives~! I just tell you this story of my own childhood because you had better believe that I have always known about the intentionally planned and orchestrated dumbing down of Americans, because I lived it personally and up close like few others ever have. My father was having none of that BS for me, so he raised a "professional student" in me since I was just a little dip stick ;-) Not that I am perfect in any way, except sometimes as a "perfect fool" like everyone else, but these days if I take a class I "set the curve" as they used to say in the so-called "higher learning" circles~! Yes, my friend, this is an EXTREMELY serious subject to me and it has been all of my life. Americans have allowed their children to be completely screwed by the corrupt educational system and thank God for the for the few really good and great teachers that do their best to actually help our young students learn worthwhile things~! Most teachers are not really qualified or even remotely competent enough to be teachers, as we all witnessed during the COVID catastrophe, so we really need to completely support the ones who are because they are true heroes in a rigged failed system~! Have a great Sunday and keep the faith, because I happen to know for a fact that President Trump, the white hats, and especially the US Military are changing that old corrupt educational model right now and hopefully we shall see major improvements ASAP~! This is not a negotiable issue in any way ;-)
Creeping gradualism (another ism...watch out for isms) is the long range planning of the intergenerational rulers...self-appointed psychopaths...we take the 5 year plan...they take the 500 year plan...old story, another era!😎
The "ism's" are the kiss of death for the American Republic and all of our freedoms and rights~! We shall NOT comply~! ;-)) Oh yes, there are a great many psychopaths who have very intentionally wormed their ways into our government and society, however "we" (American Patriots) have them COMPLETELY outnumbered and if all else fails, we have them COMPLETELY outgunned as well. Right now, these criminals desperately want a violent outbreak, which we can't be lured into, so we need to remain calm, cool, and unmovable in our demands for our freedoms and rights~! Together we are doing a great job, and I know how terribly difficult these times really are, but this is in fact a MASSIVE world war and everything is on the table. The only option that we have is to win this oldest of wars once and hopefully for all time to come~! Stay "frosty" and out of harm's way, because amazing times are ahead when the dust settles~! Sincerely, Mike
The state auditor runs a portal to compare fiscal fitness of all government entities in the state. It will be interesting to locate where there's some restraint in spending. https://portal.sao.wa.gov/FIT/explore/government
Career government employees - including management - rarely, if ever, have a clue what it takes to be a self-employed small business owner who never, ever gets an annual COLA, has overpriced crappy insurance, and works 24/7 365 without paid vacation or sick days or, heaven help us, a paid “personal leave” or “mental health day with no fear of being fired for poor performance, all the while trying to keep the doors open. The cost of government is 70+ percent personnel costs? And gold plated retirement packages? Is it any wonder they never, ever advocate to shrink the size of government or reduce their compensation?
Government employees (city, state, county, federal) have a strong halo effect from the WA state and federal laws governing their unionization and collective bargaining including binding arbitration for essential services. That's likely not going to change.
No sir it will not. Especially when you have various administrators who refuse to negotiate in a hard-nosed manner. I’d love to see a public employee strike be defended by the union saying they don’t make enough $$ or get enough time off.
The unions have all been infiltrated by communists...do the research...it seems like capitalism on the surface but pyramidal 'infiltraition' and control are the same...State Capitalism, Fascism...both linked with 'unions'! In any case UNRESTRAINED power structures (by morals and ethics) ALWAYS end in despotism and genocide...it's the way of the world!😎
The Teachers backed by the horrible union , will protect a raging alcoholic working with teen girls, no matter what. We wonder why HS are so ill prepared, look no further than their role models.
It will change in totalitarian collapse, eventually...maybe sooner than anyone thinks...there are many other factors playing into the current scenario...all of them outside immediate control.😎
Robert, you are so true about career government employees. I was one. After joining as a government employee, the first thing I told my fellow employees (who were griping) that this was the easiest job I ever had. Sit back, get automatic step raises, good insurance, benefits, paid vacations AND A PENSION! I loved it when DOGE came in. I hated the waste of people who marginally did their jobs. Yes, I know and recognize the comforts and security of government employment. Shouldn't everyone have that security?
Been there for a very short period and my ex-wife was a gov’t employee in Alaska. Your words are why I quit that gig and no small part of why she is an ex 😎
The total tax burden on commercial/self-employed is astronomical...alsmost impossible to reach that critical point of small business expansion into medium/large business...unions are a tax as well...we need simple and true!😎
I would like to remind folks that the threat of hiring 87,000 more IRS agents is not a possibility and here’s why. The requirements are stringent and specific. The person that qualifies for a position could work anywhere at a much higher pay level with options to career climb. I don’t think 87,000 qualified people are in this country. Still, don’t do anything that red flags your tax return.
My first husband is/was a CPA. Retired, probably with lots of $!
A couple questions on the salary change chart maybe someone can answer.
1. Why are three judge salaries going down in 2026 while everyone else is going up?
2. Why is the vehicle allowance the same for everyone? Shouldn't they be keeping track of their mileage and getting paid per mile? Wear and tear could certainly be included in that per mile rate, if that's what the county is worried about.
Thanks for the article Jake and Jeff. One comment I have around the poll is that there should be numbers around the options. For me I choose dues to lobbying because I of the conflict of interest and also made an assumption it could be the most costs savings. Just a thought thanks again for the article and numbers
Our WSU extension does work for Island County and Jefferson County. Joe is right...not essential for us to help other counties ..other counties that aren't broke like us.
I thought all those extension programs were University student volunteers getting no compensation working during summer break. A forestry major replanted evergreens from a clear cut state owned property that was sold to highest bidder. (Timber co)
The students worked for free (or school credit) the timber company got all the 3 year old tree starts for free plus met obligation to replant within 36 months.
How about the UW fisheries majors that hang out at docks to check your salmon species, size, etc . Sometime you catch one with a micro chip in its head that will tell hatchery, distance traveled, length of time etc. About Dec they send you a card with your fishes history until you flipping murdered it!
Nice Job killers.
Actually awesome info. I just don’t kill to eat anymore.
See, we don't need no stinkin' poet laureate...we have LOTS of capable poets who are community minded enough to grace us with wit and wisdom...FOR FREE!😊
Prosecuting attorney getting $221, 000? For what? Holding public officials accountable for conflicts of interest should be part of the job. Some of the commisioners' conflicts of interest are obvious when they vote for giving money to NGOs that they control and who have no expenditure accoutability for how they spend our tax dollars. Accepting campaign contributions from organizations like the tribes when they regularly vote for giveaways to those organizations is another obvious conflict of interest when at the very least the commissioners should be recusing themselves from those votes. Come on, prosecuting attorney. Are you too busy driving your County provided car around to do your job?
Like stepping out into the cold air in the morning and seeing your breath for the first time. Do we realize what a gift Jake is to the citizens for attending meetings on his own time, doing research, and sharing his findings with the public?
Thank you for your kind words, MK. But, the real gift is a community that is standing up and demanding truth, accountability and change. We are an army with a multitude of individual gifts and talents. Alone, change seems insurmountable. By joining together change is inevitable.
Well said!
I'm deeply encouraged by this sentiment. The corruption and apathy our public servants continue to demonstrate is astounding. It's difficult to stomach. I'm new to this online community but I'd love to find a way for us to stand up together and affect some real change. It's imperative for the sake of our children's future.in this beloved place.
Welcome 👋
A fantastic observation and statement. If you've never attended a BOCCC meeting I'd highly encourage it so that you gain an understanding of the rhythm. Can't attend in-person? NP. They're all recorded and can be watched at your pleasure.
The cost of Jake's political pelt just went up .25 in the Commie SPAZDEQ.
So cool to see somebody else with talent get in the ring to throw the facts around. Somebody with talent and of younger age.
The age of zoom background screens are officially over. We have only the CCWD to illustrate our point. CCWD looks better than KCPQ here in Sequim.
Keep up the good work guys.
Thank you, John, for standing up and speaking for the citizens, week after week, month after month, year after year.
They care about what younger people running on the hamster wheel think. They talk about protecting your future but essentially its theirs not yours.....when someone young pipes up it crumbles the foundation of their draconian pursuits....blah blah blah "future generations."
They need you young folks to want to be the world now. Not community level..worldly level. A potion of "sharing the wealth." A potion that hurts more environmentally against the world environment while claiming to be saving your environmental future.
See how fast they blocked that back ground screen at the commissioners hearings. They don't want the younger generation to see shipping graphs and pollution from shipping graphs. They are now sacred tablets to be handed down in a cave somewhere...years from now.. Because they shut of the background screen.
You don't need town halls you need background screen demonstrations weekly.
My dream team for county commissioners: Jeff Tozzer, Jake Seegers, Joe Donisi.The first two are obvious. Donisi because he is consistently rational.
Joe is an absolute gem.
Every time I get close I expect him to tell he has a hunch Vaughn is due...
😊We can write them in, right after we vacate the occupied seats!😎
Joe has been there a long time. I bet he knows right where to go to shoot the donkeys in the head and get Patton's column moving again..
Jake, fantastic article with all the supporting documentation! I voted under “Which non-essential expense should the commissioners cut first?” to cut PAY RAISES AND CAR ALLOWANCE.
I am still angry that there were negative comments made regarding low income senior citizens property tax exemptions. That topic should never have been brought up. Our fixed income senior citizens are extremely vulnerable. Can they absorb these horrendous increases without “pay raises and car allowances”? NO! They still have bills to pay gas, groceries, insurances of all kinds. How dare they EVEN contemplate profiting while others are are living hand to mouth. I needed to copy and paste what you so perfectly wrote:
So how will you vote?
Will you side with the leaders who created a budget crisis while raising their own pay, or with a fellow citizen who is demanding financial stewardship?
This isn’t a vote against services — it’s a vote for accountability, discipline, and respect for the PEOPLE WHO PAY THE BILLS.
Thank you Jennifer. Your insightful comments and calls to action are always inspiring.
You know the three commissioner home rule of operation for the county is not cast in concrete. It seems to fail and disappoint so many groups plus add financial burden. When they need more money(we know they can’t budget) just come up with some other piece of crap reason to hike our taxes. Hey, has anyone done a study on the banana slug life expectancy in coastal climates?
Seems like a $3 per parcel fee.
See this is the perfect example of how we come together, identify a greater need of species expansion in our research and for a few bucks more, 4 Northwestern mollusks are researched. You know by next year we would be hearing “ what about the leopard slug? Etc. Good thinking. I’ve always wanted to see their teeth. Maybe a set for my China/weird science display cabinet. Good work, as always, Robert. Thanks. If they don’t have a shell are they a mollusk? Where would the Geoduck be without his? Embarrassed, I bet.🐌
Leopard Slug subspecies, too...and the Brown Asian slug , though ubiquitous, is underrepresented in the polls!
Only 9$ more! 😱
Jake, thanks for doing the research, it's not easy and you have a growing family! I must say your article got me on a rampage this morning...we need to know in order to grow.
How we 'ram-the-page' is the main thing! It's forceful demands that matter, not polite requests...we NEED ETHICS OVERSIGHT WITH FANGS AND CLAWS, WE NEED ACCOUNTABILITY AND MERIT CLAUSES IN EVERY CONTRACT.
The 'rules' mean nothing without enforcement as is so plainly made clear with the general lawlessness overtaking our communities...with the blessings of those in 'authority'!
It's 'Root-hog-'er-die' time!😎
Well said Jennifer as always. I agree that there are no many pay increases for these politicians and county employees. Try running a small business, you learn real quick that it’s not easy. Us seniors are in a world of hurt. Many seniors in this town worked good paying jobs until the spotted owl hurt our work force. Many seniors had job changes then but never recouped the pay they had before
Chris, everytime I even think about the Senior citizens or disabled being on the bottom of the list of "deserves" I want to slap the Commissioners. They don't even recognize these well deserving citizens who have given so much. Grrr
As a 100% service connected disabled veteran. I have applied for a discount on my property taxes, just waiting now to see if it will be approved. If not can you say lawsuit against the county! I know for a fact I qualify so we will see.. did you know alot of states give a 100% discount, unfortunately Washington state and especially clallam county hate veterans so I'll get 60% break. Better than nothing but I'll end up giving it back in be taxes, heaven forbid we get ahead.. and fuck there raises. Crooked af they come.. vote them out!!
I think you could get many citizens , disabled vets, seniors on SSI not really getting by and others who deserve an elimination or huge reduction. Of course if JST paid “anything” what so ever, pressure would be off our vets. Your country wishes to honor you as a true hero in your service. Thank you.
Susan, and least the Tribes forgets, our veterans fought for them too.
Concerned, I did leave out the disabled on my senior citizens exemptions, sorry. But I am adamant that these are the very people who should be served and come first WAY before the homeless or animal shelters or any other give aways. I'm getting worked up again writing about it. Let us know if how it turns out...there's a whole lot of us fighting for you ; )
Your vote is diluted and Washington State can't prove it isn't..
Diluted and deluded!😱
I read the Rave in this mornings Seattle Times (10/26/25), "Rave to the staff at King County elections office in Renton. Suddenly realizing we were going to miss the upcoming election, I emailed them, and they quickly let us know we could pick up a ballot in person or print one online." Vote early and vote often.
As soon as the remainder veteran patriots are gone...they WILL 'have their way' with the remaining populace...unless they are stopped!🥸
As long as we have a military, we will have
Veteran patriots. Wish it was more appealing for HS grads to go into service. May God bless them so they never experience war.
I especially had a meltdown when I read what you wrote. It takes a cold heart to do this.
“Pay Raises in a Crisis - Forgoing those raises and vehicle perks would save roughly $224,000 in 2026 alone — ENOUGH TO FUND TWO OF THE THREE POSITIONS THE COMMISSIONERS PLAN TO ELIMINATE.”
Or hire Sheriff trainees to fulfill the statement about safety being #1 priority.
More cops, bigger jails require bigger expenditures...how much evil will people suffer before it's time?🤓
My broken record...these are communist 'infilraitors' whose underlying job is to destroy our culture from within...how are they doing?😎
I don’t want to fund those positions, Jennifer. Make government smaller and give the taxpayers their money back!
Smaller is better. Easier to keep an eye
on what’s really going on. Trainees are a good way to go and important if you want LE as a career.
As a concerned group, problem solving, with the vast backgrounds of citizens, doesn’t seem that overwhelming. I think the BOCCC throw their collective hands up to highlight why something can’t get done, instead of looking for answers with local resources.
I personally can’t tolerate attitudes that aren’t proactive. When they come from people we elected, it stings twice as much!
Balanced budget is listed as option #5. It should be mandatory, the only option.
It’s painful that you have to point that out.
Why spend so much time and resources compiling a budget when there is no intention or repercussions for following it? How long could a family get away with writing NSF checks before the bank closed their account? Going into each new fiscal cycle with debt is violating those that provide the money.
We expect and deserve a team that have the same goals
debt/revenue that
represent a healthy county. Most of us would be mortified to show such inept performance of on our jobs . If you can’t be tasked to manage the money,
get out. Making promises CC can’t keep bc of ego and votes is not sustainable. Having a population that doesn’t participate is unacceptable.
Sometimes, things are beyond repair, but starting over with new vision isn’t. Think about that when you vote. I don’t want the elected to already be seated in their comfy Lazyboy.
The car allowance would save $73,448.
Just as a show of good faith to the citizens, that should be eliminated.
I believe gas is paid through the county, so don’t get how each vehicle is $4080.
There goes that magic math again. This county needs a calculator. I suck at math, but quickly notice if it doesn’t make sense.
Magic Math!🙃
...flubber...magic beans.
Less for us...more for them...basic math!😎
Their smug arrogance and ignorance will be their downfall, I hope it comes before they finish 'downfalling' us!😎
It’s the arrogance. If they performed well, we could accept it.
Being smug and incompetent, is that a mental health issue or a survival problem?
I chose Dues.../NGOs because there is so much influence from these special interest groups to persuade the BoCC to endorse and write blank checks to them. Jake, you understand the real costs and burdens to the taxpayers. And thank you for posting on this site so that everyone in CC has a chance to digest all of the consequences of over taxing and over spending. We are in a lot of fiscal trouble here in CC. People need to VOTE! It's the only way to correct the disasters that have been allowed to flourish unnoticed for too long.
Thank you for your kind words, Denise. One day, I hope to offer public comment with your eloquence and calm(:
I agree. All who desire change, please VOTE!
Isn't Denise just the kindest person?...Waaaay nicer than me...good thing we need diversity, eh?😊
Beware of the trolls on Next Door. They love spending “our money” in harmony with our BOCC.A lot of hate towards Jeff’s column this past week was written. They hate to see the numbers and facts. They have no facts so most of them resorted to personal attacks on Next Door.
ND is for the cat ladies who lost their kitties...
I was "indefinitely suspended". I guess they don't like my comments.
Promoted to reason and sanity is more like it! Things are getting vicious in certain vocal-minority circles...they seem majority, but I assure you they are not!
Now, if only the real majority wakes up and joins in the discussion!🙏🏼😎
The sum of the votes indicates the vocal minority wins...
They are afraid of rational people or looking objectively at an issue. It’s clearly the worst social media has to offer.
I suspended myself, indefinitely.
They can’t handle the truth. It’s where constructive writing goes to die. It’s the fast lane to self doubt if you are a writer. ND will squelch the self esteem right out of you. People, don’t write anything for NextDoor. They called me a Nazi and left it up for a week. The moderators are nut cases, send them your squirrels!
So, any questions?
They suspended me for saying they called Conservatives a NAZI.
Jennifer, Jake and Jeff - the fresh faces of county commissioners. No nail chewing so recluse yourself now if that’s you self soothing personal thing.
I can personally promise that I won't be primping my hair during meetings.
It’s that kind of commitment(heard here first)that make us a county to be modeled after. Actually, we are perfect in every way except
for the three wise guys that show up on Monday and Tuesday.
Sell where is the elk herd shirts..
They are moving towards open violence...insanity does that...they are declaring anarchy as the default...if they can't have it their way...no one will have it!😎
Why wouldn't they spend and grease the palms of special interests with our money? Why not? There simply are not enough people who understand the tragedy that is CC Politicians. Come every November election, they vote Dem and incumbents. En masse, we have a voter pool that will show up for a No Kings Ralley, just to be there... A voter pool that is plainly ignorant of the facts. They'll scream and shout and hold road signs about rents going up without stopping to think 'it's the taxes being passed on to us...' All this money on education is not going to making our children smarter unless you think leftist indoctrination is eduction. Our education system guarantees future generations of clueless voters.
So all in all, good job Kommissars, goals achieved.
NWO goals achieved...so far...so good! The default is not a good look for humanity...who would create a world like this?
We are the players...who are the producers and directors?🥸
Thank you Jake Seegers and Jeff Tozzer~!
We really appreciate the focus upon the finances of our government and how the money is being spent. From the pie chart herein, it appears that approximately half of the budget is supposedly going to the schools (education) and we have to wonder if this massive amount of money is really benefiting the students in any material way~? Where is the proof that our students are really benefiting from all of this taxpayer money that is being spent~? We all know that schools always run mad insane with constant testing of the students, so why don't "we" have the proof that our students are preforming better for all of the millions of dollars that we are spending on education~??? As an old real estate analyst, I seriously question the supposed constant need to build new school buildings, because it is my experience that the majority of older buildings can easily be remodeled to extend the functional life of the structures for 50 to even 100 or more years at a small fraction of the cost of building new. I realize that some people like to build new school buildings because of some highly questionably egotistical reasons, however in the majority of cases doing so does not improve the quality of the student's education at all. Many of us in the community would prefer that our tax dollars be spent to reestablish the programs in our schools that gave our students a chance to learn REAL life skills~! Auto shop, electronics, metal shop, home construction, business classes, government internship programs, etc. used to be extremely productive & highly effective uses of our school tax dollars, that gave a great many students REAL life skills and experience that they could use to find gainful employment with upon or even before graduation from high school. It is a sick local & national disgrace that "we" allow our schools to graduate high school students who have no real-life education, skills, or experience that they can use to find their way in life~! I recently audited the local curriculum in the Port Angeles and Sequim high schools and found that there was no longer any real effort to produce students that could offer the community employable young folks. Why? Does our community have such little care for our students that "we" just graduate them into this highly competitive world without any way for them to even get their first jobs~? I find it impossible to believe that the local small business owners would not LOVE to have job applicants who have at least a little education, experience, and some skills that could benefit them and their businesses. When our young folks are forced to leave our community to have any real chance to find work, why don't our richly funded schools make any effort to help us retain these young men & women in our own community~? Shipping our young high school graduates off to college is NOT the right path for everyone, as can be seen by SO many college graduates that can't even find employment in their fields, if they find employment at all these days. The college experience can be very useful, however many would be better served if they entered the full-time workplace right out of high school, and then, as countless others have done in the past, they can attend college to further their personal goals as they see fit. I hope that "we" in the community, and especially the parents, now make the REAL effort to reach out to our young students to learn what THEY want and what difficulties that THEY see in finding their way into the future~! I am sure that many students would express their concerns and even "hopelessness" that they will have a future that they can see a path to achieving. This is a terrible problem that foretells our future as a community, nation, and society. We can and MUST do a better job of supporting our young generations and that does mean that we need to offer them REAL education and skills that will build their confidence at an early age. No child is ever too young to learn, and the earlier they start to build their confidence the better for their and all of our futures~! Also, I must give credit to "Mimi" Marolee Smith-Dvorak who has also made the case that our young students need to have much more opportunities, support, and encouragement in experience & skill building at the high school level, because she understands how important that truly is to give our young folks a real "head start" in life that they desperately need~!
Have a great Sunday and please support the folks who truly have our communities' best interests in mind~! Sincerely, Mike
Thank you, Michael. We really appreciate your comments.
Cost of public education in Clallam County is about $17k per student per year.
That awesome chart is from the Treasurer's Office, so props to Treasurer Jen White. She puts together some very usable data and graphics for the public.
It is my greatest honor Patriot Jake Seegers~!
I am just a simple humble American Constitutionalist who is keeping a very old oath~! My thanks to you, Jeff Tozzer, Jen White, and ALL of the other great folks who are doing such an awesome job to peacefully stand up for what is right~!!! Yes, absolutely, putting these statistics on easy-to-read charts is most helpful and can reach folks who are understandably baffled and confused by the MASSIVE distractions, drama, and "fear porn" garbage that we are all being flooded by~! You do an excellent job remaining focused on the most important issues, which COMPLETELY thwarts the efforts of those who prey on us by constantly distracting us and attempting to divide us against each other. Please do keep up the excellent work and in time we shall see more & more evidence that we really are winning this old fight for our freedom and rights~! I am tracking this every day ;-)) It really is all about the young and future generations, because they won't have a chance unless "we" do our duty as Americans now ;-) Have a great new week and I hope that you are encouraged, because there really are some excellent things happening behind the "swamp gas" of the media and these political hacks~! Sincerely, Mike
Thanks, Jen! And Clallamity Jen, too!😎
Great story!!!!! Never forget, 50% of the population minus one are below average intelligence! Kids are being taught to let machines do simple stuff, like adding and subtracting, or let AI or ChatGPT think for them - not cognitive problem solving. Happy Sunday!
Good God~!
I sure hope that many in the population are NOT "below average Intelligence"~!
Even though the term "average Intelligence" should mean the standard/normal Intelligence level... May it rain toads~! HA~! I hope the problem is really that many folks just never realized that improving ourselves as Americans and human beings is a lifelong duty. I have been trying to improve myself since I was in Elementary school, but I knew that I had a longer way to go than most ;-)) You do have an excellent point my friend, because all of these "new-fangled" gizmos have and will continue to do a tremendous amount of harm to society~! For instance, I am old enough to remember when it was completely against the rules in school to use a calculator, then not many years later, it became against the rules NOT to have a calculator. If I had not studied basic math the old-fashioned way, I would never have been able to see (detect) the errors that I and others made using calculators later in my professional life. That would have been a VERY serious problem, because my professional life absolutely required me to be "balls on accurate" in my ciphering ;-) Ha~! Now we have children being screwed over by the evil clowns in the federal department of education who removed the "comprehension" part of reading & comprehension (which is insane), they no longer teach cursive writing, their "new math" denies the children the old school math skills that they need to work things out in their heads, and all of the crutches & shortcuts between the calculators to the AI crappola that allows them to cheat themselves out of good ol hard brain work has set generations up for BIG problems in the future~! Yes, independent thinking for ourselves, is THE most important thing that ALL young folks MUST be taught. I find it interestingly telling that the criminals in the government, especially in the so-called "education system" are doing everything that they can to keep Americans of ALL ages from developing their own personal discernment and deductive reasoning skills, which are definitely the most important reason for education to begin with~! We have to watch these clows in government like hawks and stand up immediately when we see that they are screwing us over~! Several years ago, I was in the Washington State Department of Licensing in Port Angeles getting my license renewed and right on the bulletin board was posted a large sign that clearly stated that; "The State of Washington Department of Licensing encourages ALL residents to use lean thinking skills"~! OH MY GOD~! As a young child I used to get thrashed for "lean thinking" and I made my opinion known to everyone there, including the clerks who were working there~! It really could not be clearer that the entire governmental system has ruthlessly betrayed ALL of us in every way possible~! I stand behind the new federal administration because what I have been monitoring for years is definitely a strong push to destroy this old sick evil matrix that "we" have had in America, so God willing and with the help of the real American Patriots we will be successful in achieving ALL of our freedoms and rights. If not, I am willing to risk my life to free America from these evil monsters in necessary~! That is just the way it goes for American Constitutionalists because "we" are always front and center in the fight for Americans to be free~! Have a mellow evening and get ready for another interesting week~!
Sincerely, Mike
Great comment! Part of the proof of piss-poor HS education is the fact that when entering college many students have to take remedial reading or basic math classes before moving on.
Thank you for the compliment, Patriot Robert~!
It is always great to hear from you :)
HA~!
After my PhD (History) father served in the US Military Intelligence service as one of the elite men who worked with the scientists recording the history of the ICBM program for the internal US Military Intelligence records as it unfolded, he took a job as a teacher in a major University. He was the ONLY teacher to have a private office within the brand-new state-of-the-art library, which was at the time one of the "crown jewels" of the entire California State college system. Just to give you an idea as to his elite status... It was VERY amusing to me because I knew that he was THE elite man on that campus and why, but no one ever realized that he was THAT special because most people can't see what is right in their faces ;-)) Ha~! Anyway, every single year since I can remember, my father would come home for Christmas break and tell the same two stories about the Spring Semester that he had just completed. One story was always about the dirty tricks that the librarian had tried to pull to get my father kicked out of "his state-of-the-art library because he was a TOTAL control freak and he HATED the fact that my father had the only professor's office in the entire library, with a private attached bathroom and classroom! He was not too bright and everyone who knew what a dirty underhanded rat bastard he was laughed at him for decades!!! HA~! Oh, you should have seen that private office my friend, because it was absolutely beautiful and right on the ground floor for everyone and their pet monkeys to see, but no one even noticed ;-) HA~! Too funny~! The 2nd story that my father ALWAYS told during Winter break was "Just how much more stupid the college freshman actually were that Spring, compared to the year before~! The folks at the college levels always knew that "we" (Americans) were being dumbed down for at least the past 70 years~! Now, we have several generations of dumbed down people actually teaching (dumbing down) our children in increasing severity, so of course these children of today need all of the support and help that "we" can possibly give them~! This also clearly explains why SO many so-called American "adults" are none too bright as well, as we can clearly see in the way that some people vote and live their foolish lives~! I just tell you this story of my own childhood because you had better believe that I have always known about the intentionally planned and orchestrated dumbing down of Americans, because I lived it personally and up close like few others ever have. My father was having none of that BS for me, so he raised a "professional student" in me since I was just a little dip stick ;-) Not that I am perfect in any way, except sometimes as a "perfect fool" like everyone else, but these days if I take a class I "set the curve" as they used to say in the so-called "higher learning" circles~! Yes, my friend, this is an EXTREMELY serious subject to me and it has been all of my life. Americans have allowed their children to be completely screwed by the corrupt educational system and thank God for the for the few really good and great teachers that do their best to actually help our young students learn worthwhile things~! Most teachers are not really qualified or even remotely competent enough to be teachers, as we all witnessed during the COVID catastrophe, so we really need to completely support the ones who are because they are true heroes in a rigged failed system~! Have a great Sunday and keep the faith, because I happen to know for a fact that President Trump, the white hats, and especially the US Military are changing that old corrupt educational model right now and hopefully we shall see major improvements ASAP~! This is not a negotiable issue in any way ;-)
Cheers~!
Mike
Creeping gradualism (another ism...watch out for isms) is the long range planning of the intergenerational rulers...self-appointed psychopaths...we take the 5 year plan...they take the 500 year plan...old story, another era!😎
You are absolutely correct Patriot Robert James~!
The "ism's" are the kiss of death for the American Republic and all of our freedoms and rights~! We shall NOT comply~! ;-)) Oh yes, there are a great many psychopaths who have very intentionally wormed their ways into our government and society, however "we" (American Patriots) have them COMPLETELY outnumbered and if all else fails, we have them COMPLETELY outgunned as well. Right now, these criminals desperately want a violent outbreak, which we can't be lured into, so we need to remain calm, cool, and unmovable in our demands for our freedoms and rights~! Together we are doing a great job, and I know how terribly difficult these times really are, but this is in fact a MASSIVE world war and everything is on the table. The only option that we have is to win this oldest of wars once and hopefully for all time to come~! Stay "frosty" and out of harm's way, because amazing times are ahead when the dust settles~! Sincerely, Mike
Nice job. Jake Seger
The state auditor runs a portal to compare fiscal fitness of all government entities in the state. It will be interesting to locate where there's some restraint in spending. https://portal.sao.wa.gov/FIT/explore/government
Career government employees - including management - rarely, if ever, have a clue what it takes to be a self-employed small business owner who never, ever gets an annual COLA, has overpriced crappy insurance, and works 24/7 365 without paid vacation or sick days or, heaven help us, a paid “personal leave” or “mental health day with no fear of being fired for poor performance, all the while trying to keep the doors open. The cost of government is 70+ percent personnel costs? And gold plated retirement packages? Is it any wonder they never, ever advocate to shrink the size of government or reduce their compensation?
Government employees (city, state, county, federal) have a strong halo effect from the WA state and federal laws governing their unionization and collective bargaining including binding arbitration for essential services. That's likely not going to change.
No sir it will not. Especially when you have various administrators who refuse to negotiate in a hard-nosed manner. I’d love to see a public employee strike be defended by the union saying they don’t make enough $$ or get enough time off.
That goes double for teacher’s unions, what with all the failing test scores.
The unions have all been infiltrated by communists...do the research...it seems like capitalism on the surface but pyramidal 'infiltraition' and control are the same...State Capitalism, Fascism...both linked with 'unions'! In any case UNRESTRAINED power structures (by morals and ethics) ALWAYS end in despotism and genocide...it's the way of the world!😎
The Teachers backed by the horrible union , will protect a raging alcoholic working with teen girls, no matter what. We wonder why HS are so ill prepared, look no further than their role models.
Thank you for stating what so many refuse to believe.
It will change in totalitarian collapse, eventually...maybe sooner than anyone thinks...there are many other factors playing into the current scenario...all of them outside immediate control.😎
Robert, you are so true about career government employees. I was one. After joining as a government employee, the first thing I told my fellow employees (who were griping) that this was the easiest job I ever had. Sit back, get automatic step raises, good insurance, benefits, paid vacations AND A PENSION! I loved it when DOGE came in. I hated the waste of people who marginally did their jobs. Yes, I know and recognize the comforts and security of government employment. Shouldn't everyone have that security?
They 'control' by making one group more 'special'...and who doesn't like that?😎
I'm proud of you for surviving the culture!
Thanks again, for your service!😊
Been there for a very short period and my ex-wife was a gov’t employee in Alaska. Your words are why I quit that gig and no small part of why she is an ex 😎
Did you leave out paying all the SS if self employed and not getting matching dollars on 401k or Roth IRAs. Even having access to them?
As a self employed dude for 30+ years, I paid 13.5%/year in social security withholdings. Plus funded my own little SEP/IRA.
Wow, that’s impressive. Hope you are enjoying your hard earned rewards.
The total tax burden on commercial/self-employed is astronomical...alsmost impossible to reach that critical point of small business expansion into medium/large business...unions are a tax as well...we need simple and true!😎
I would like to remind folks that the threat of hiring 87,000 more IRS agents is not a possibility and here’s why. The requirements are stringent and specific. The person that qualifies for a position could work anywhere at a much higher pay level with options to career climb. I don’t think 87,000 qualified people are in this country. Still, don’t do anything that red flags your tax return.
My first husband is/was a CPA. Retired, probably with lots of $!
A couple questions on the salary change chart maybe someone can answer.
1. Why are three judge salaries going down in 2026 while everyone else is going up?
2. Why is the vehicle allowance the same for everyone? Shouldn't they be keeping track of their mileage and getting paid per mile? Wear and tear could certainly be included in that per mile rate, if that's what the county is worried about.
Why are judges and prosecutors letting violent criminals remain on our streets?
Defund the corruption!😎
Perhaps they should have a transponder. 🤔
Thanks for the article Jake and Jeff. One comment I have around the poll is that there should be numbers around the options. For me I choose dues to lobbying because I of the conflict of interest and also made an assumption it could be the most costs savings. Just a thought thanks again for the article and numbers
I think you have probably identified the largest overall cost, Nick. Thank you for pointing this out.
I’s all about the Lobbying and the sway.
“Do this for me, I’ll do this for you..”
“If you scratch my back, I’ll
scratch yours”..
NO Integrity needed here. 🙌🏻
Maybe include an (other) category for brief comments outside the poll box?
I also feel limited and sometimes don't bother.🥸
Our WSU extension does work for Island County and Jefferson County. Joe is right...not essential for us to help other counties ..other counties that aren't broke like us.
I thought all those extension programs were University student volunteers getting no compensation working during summer break. A forestry major replanted evergreens from a clear cut state owned property that was sold to highest bidder. (Timber co)
The students worked for free (or school credit) the timber company got all the 3 year old tree starts for free plus met obligation to replant within 36 months.
How about the UW fisheries majors that hang out at docks to check your salmon species, size, etc . Sometime you catch one with a micro chip in its head that will tell hatchery, distance traveled, length of time etc. About Dec they send you a card with your fishes history until you flipping murdered it!
Nice Job killers.
Actually awesome info. I just don’t kill to eat anymore.
They employ the Sequim city councilmember Harmony Rutter nutter butter peanut butter sandwich.
See, we don't need no stinkin' poet laureate...we have LOTS of capable poets who are community minded enough to grace us with wit and wisdom...FOR FREE!😊
I will try to control myself and not contribute. But words are FUN!
My goodness I don’t know this person, but many are allergic to peanuts.
Even carrots have to die for us to eat!😊
They don’t see you coming!
Jeff & Jake, I am sure I am not the only one who hit the top choice hoping to check all four as top choice.
E. All the above
True.
Prosecuting attorney getting $221, 000? For what? Holding public officials accountable for conflicts of interest should be part of the job. Some of the commisioners' conflicts of interest are obvious when they vote for giving money to NGOs that they control and who have no expenditure accoutability for how they spend our tax dollars. Accepting campaign contributions from organizations like the tribes when they regularly vote for giveaways to those organizations is another obvious conflict of interest when at the very least the commissioners should be recusing themselves from those votes. Come on, prosecuting attorney. Are you too busy driving your County provided car around to do your job?
They are bought and paid for and doing exactly WHAT they are paid for...betraying the public!😎