The commissioners did not answer the last question emailed to them. Here is today's question (thanks for the inspiration, Robert!):
Dear Commissioners,
Given what this article shows about a major county issue going unnoticed for years, would the commissioners be open to publicly tracking how their work time is actually spent?
Specifically, would you consider recording and sharing how many hours are spent on core county commissioner duties versus time spent serving on outside boards, committees, and associations—and, at a high level, what that time is being used for?
In the private sector, employees are routinely expected to account for how their time is used, especially when big problems slip through the cracks. If something this significant can go unaddressed, what transparency measures are you willing to put in place so the public can better understand how commissioners are allocating their time and attention?
The comment below shows how a county commissioner could respond constructively to this question by acknowledging the concern and explaining how it would be advanced through the public governance process.
Thank you for raising this question. When a significant county issue goes unaddressed for years, it is reasonable for the public to ask whether the commissioner's time and attention are being appropriately focused.
Commissioners do not operate under employee-style timekeeping requirements, but we are accountable for prioritizing core duties—policy setting, oversight, and representation of the public interest—and for being transparent about how that work is carried out (Municipal Research and Services Center [MRSC], n.d.-a).
While I cannot make this determination alone, I agree the question warrants public discussion. I will ask the Board to consider whether additional transparency measures are appropriate, such as publicly listing commissioner assignments to outside boards and committees, providing high-level descriptions of how those roles relate to county priorities, or adopting other voluntary practices that enhance public understanding of how commissioner time is allocated (MRSC, n.d.-a).
I will request that this topic be placed on a future Board agenda so it can be discussed openly by the full Board in public session, consistent with the Open Public Meetings Act (MRSC, n.d.-b; RCW 42.30). Questions like this go directly to public trust, and they deserve engagement rather than silence.
References
Municipal Research and Services Center. (n.d.-a). County commissioner roles and responsibilities.
Thank you, Robert. This was meant to demonstrate that accountability doesn’t require accusations or theatrics — just clear acknowledgment, lawful process, and a willingness to engage in public. That standard should be achievable for all elected officials.
And, we have to point out the corruption, which can be seen as 'accusations'...the 'theatrics' are being supplied by those who are choosing to use their positions and power to usurp and ignore the higher values you put forth...we all have a role in the 'drama'...and it IS a drama...I hope we can enjoy the drama while participating and fulfilling our respective roles.
I would much rather support than ridicule and complain but someone has to help wake enough people up to inspire enough participation to swing the rudder in a new direction. As always, thank you for your inspiration! You bring balance to chaos!😎
I appreciate that, MK — though really this is about modeling the process, not being an angel 😉 Clear engagement and lawful steps are something anyone in office can choose to do.
Angels are literally 'messengers', not Demi-gods...so anyone who carries high values, or low values...can be a messenger...we get to choose, when we have enough awareness to make a choice!.😇
Thank you, Jennifer. That’s exactly the goal — to lower the temperature, focus on facts and process, and show how concerns can move forward constructively. That’s how public trust gets rebuilt.
Just consider the implications of what this really means. Not only have we been unwittingly footing the bill for criminal justice with zero accountability on how that justice is metered out, we simultaneously have ZERO CIMINAL JUSTICE in this county. Child rapists are repeatedly arrested, booked, processed, and released right back out into the public in under 24 hours on a CONTINUAL, CONSTANT BASIS under the guise of "compassion" because these criminals are deemed "disadvantaged" on account of their often "unhoused" status. The criminals' housing status and addiction issues are used to propagate the narrative that they need assistance, not accountability, while business owners and families with young children are scolded for taking issue with the disparity between what our leaders SAY they're doing and what is ACTUALLY FREAKING HAPPENING. Meanwhile, there remains ZERO RECOURSE for those of us whose hard-earned money is being squandered by the very people who were elected to represent us. If this does not light a fire of righteous indignation in the deepest part of your soul, you're either sleepwalking or you're part of the problem. I cannot comprehend how the residents of this county aren't unanimously up in arms about this. We're living in the twilight zone and it's almost too much to take.
Thank you Jeff for all you do my friend…I went back and found the voter pamphlet argument against the proposed tax increase and I’m still concerned it only got rejected by a 60-40 margin. People have now been relegated to voting based off emotion and the politicians know it. The campaign motto being, you must vote for my team or else you’re an evil fascist Nazi, etc…trying to reason with people no longer works because people are also told to act on their impulses to show how much they care therefore they don’t even hear what the policy is about or how bad the team they are voting for is. I appreciate your persistence in relaying all the facts and I find myself reading it and thinking, how could I find myself on the other side of this and vote for more taxes, more soft on crime, more wasteful spending and it’s simply based off identity politics. How do we as a society ever eliminate identity politics. It’s so easy to manipulate mankind by their emotions, the suicidal empathy is now prioritized over what I carefully refer to as “common” sense. It’s so frustrating to see where we are at as a people and to see it out here where I was born and raised and we now find ourselves in the “how bad does it have to get” waiting game that most of the big cities have been playing for years is so discouraging. Never have I ever wanted to leave my home state but I am now nightly getting Zillow alerts from down south and it’s getting harder and harder to not just pack up and go. I know that then I’d be part of “the problem” by not doing whatever I could, which is also a hopeless brainstorm currently because if no one is listening to anything the other “team” is saying and votes for more bad policy out of spite and virtue flexing then I really don’t see any changes coming for the better for my beloved community. Which is not becoming less beloved by me because it feels like we are not a community anymore, people actually don’t mind the drugs and homelessness and crime because they cannot criticize out of fear of losing their place in virtue heaven and therefore it’s a divided community. And someone like me who votes based off policy, I see the problem growing, and I’m not completely heartless, I wish there was a way to help all these folks but I didn’t ever think help was in the form of free food, drugs and shelter or assistance to stay in the mental health crisis they face. I don’t really know what my point was here, just trying to speak from the heart and thank you for your exhaustive efforts at shining a light on these issues. I’m just very frustrated and losing optimism daily. I cannot believe the folks we have in charge here and what you’re up against with very well thought out opposition using common sense and facts. Who ever thought that would make someone “fascist” or “evil”? I just salute you. Happy New Year? I hope…
The comment below is provided as a practical example of how constituent questions like these can be addressed through lawful and transparent governance. It models (1) how an individual county commissioner could acknowledge the concerns and route them properly, and (2) how the Board of County Commissioners, acting collectively in an open public meeting, could respond with concrete next steps. The intent is not to speak for the County, but to demonstrate what accountable public engagement can look like, rather than silence.
Mock Response #1: Individual County Commissioner
Individual Commissioner Response (Modeled)
Thank you for raising these questions. They are serious, appropriate, and deserve acknowledgment.
How did this go unaddressed for nearly a decade?
Based on the information currently available in the public record, it appears that oversight gaps developed over multiple years and across successive Boards and administrative periods. While that context does not excuse the outcome, it suggests the issue was not the result of a single decision or individual.
As an individual commissioner, I do not have the authority to direct staff or independently determine why specific actions were not taken in prior years. What I can do is ask that the Board consider, in an open public meeting, whether to direct staff to prepare a documented timeline identifying when the issue first arose, what information was available at the time, and where escalation or corrective action did not occur (Municipal Research and Services Center [MRSC], n.d.-a; RCW 42.30).
Why were voters not informed before being asked to raise taxes?
Voters are entitled to clear, material information when asked to approve any tax or levy. If relevant risks or known deficiencies were not disclosed, that represents a governance failure—regardless of intent.
While I cannot retroactively change prior ballot language, I can raise this concern publicly and advocate that future levy or tax proposals include clearer disclosures of assumptions, risks, and compliance obligations so voters can make informed decisions (MRSC, n.d.-a).
What safeguards are now in place to prevent this from happening again?
That question must be addressed by the Board as a body in a public meeting. As a next step, I will ask the Chair and Clerk to place this matter on a future Board agenda so the Board can determine, in public session, whether additional review, policy direction, or safeguards are warranted (MRSC, n.d.-b).
Accountability is not established through press releases. It is established through an open process, documented decisions, and public follow-through. I appreciate constituents who insist on that standard.
Mock Response #2: Board of County Commissioners (Collective Action)
Board of County Commissioners Response (Modeled)
Following public discussion of this matter at a regular Board meeting, the Board of County Commissioners acknowledges the seriousness of the concerns raised by members of the public.
Regarding how this went unaddressed:
By majority vote in an open public meeting, the Board has directed staff to prepare a documented timeline summarizing when the issue first appeared in the public record, what information was available to prior Boards, and where oversight or escalation did not occur. This review aims to clarify process failures and governance gaps, rather than assigning individual blame, and will be discussed publicly once completed (MRSC, n.d.-a; RCW 42.30).
Regarding voter information and prior tax measures:
The Board affirms that voters must be provided with clear, material information when asked to approve any tax or levy. While past ballot measures cannot be retroactively changed, the Board has directed that future levy proposals include enhanced disclosures that describe known risks, assumptions, and compliance obligations, so voters can make informed decisions (MRSC, n.d.-a).
Regarding safeguards going forward:
Based on this review, the Board is evaluating whether additional safeguards are warranted, including clearer reporting requirements to the Board, periodic compliance or risk reviews, and formal policies clarifying oversight responsibilities between staff and the Board. Any such changes will be considered and adopted, if appropriate, in open public session (MRSC, n.d.-b; RCW 42.30).
The Board appreciates constituents who raised these concerns and participated in the public process. Accountability is achieved through transparent reviews, documented decisions, and public follow-through; the Board is committed to addressing this matter in this manner.
Governance References (APA 7)
Municipal Research and Services Center. (n.d.-a). County commissioner roles and responsibilities.
In the private sector, forgetting or declining to bill customers for millions of dollars in services would result in immediate termination. Yet for three consecutive years, county commissioners and the finance team have warned of multi-million-dollar annual deficits and claimed the county is broke. In reality, proper management and enforcement of existing contracts would have balanced the budget every year.
This is not a minor oversight—it is a systemic failure with significant financial consequences. The magnitude of this failure cannot be overstated.
Not just immediate termination but probably complete failure of the business. The competitor down the street that doesn’t mismanage everything would rightly absorb all the customers.
But government has no competitors. A complete monopoly. No incentive to manage anything properly. No consequences. No penalties. No fear of failure.
There are always consequences...for us, it seems, while 'they' ride the escalator of destruction as far as 'they' can to 'success'.
The whole system has been 'infiltraited' and corrupted...it all needs to be overhauled if we are to have any freedom, liberty, sovereignty and justice.😎
All of the NGO's and NPO's need to be held accountable or disbanded and the churches and communities fill in the gaps...practically, not hypothetically and ALL the current office holder, 'selected-elected' or appointed need to give us full transparency and accountability, or vacate their positions immediately.
Not all office holders are doing evil, but they are within an evil, corrupted system and need to step forth as whistle-blowers unless they want to see a complete economic collapse of CC with banksters taking complete control upon'public' bankruptcy!😎
There is a code of ethics for public officials and employees, but a vicious cycle has been created because the ruling board for the Code of Ethics IS the Board of County Commissioners. The Board of County Commissioners are notorious for “interpreting” laws or rules in their favor.
(10) No public official or public employee shall intentionally engage in any act in addition to those listed above, which is in conflict with the PERFORMANCE of his official duties.
If an elected official (county commissioner) serves on the board of an NGO or non-profit, and receives a benefit, such as enhanced electability due to heightened public visibility, could this be a violation of the ethics code?
Eric, I say yes, obviously there is political climbing but the Board of Commissioners would vote no. The way things are set up now, it gives them the clout to do, say and act in any way that pleases THEM and their AMBITIONS.
In the ORIGINAL version of the OPMA, yes. (If it were truly based on CA's Brown Act). But the state has decided to limit it to state employees/state elected, and NOT deal with county or city governments. There it is up to the locals to get real ethics rules enacted OR we can sue them in Superior Court (only, our sitting Judges, probably would just dismiss and make you pay the attorneys hired by the county/city for the elected. Basically, even if they engage in obvious violations of OPMA, it's "ha ha ha" on us.
Mimi, Question: Has the rule of ethics been changed within the last 20 years? I think you wrote something about that in one of your articles. I'm not sure, but I believe it was changed with one of the Charter Review Committees?
For the county? No, I don't think so. It's always been lax.
But, for the City of PA, there was a near PERFECT set of ethics rules, all laid out in the best way possible, with people making up the ethics boards, and it was just wonderful. EXCEPT that it was weighted towards the elected.
The big sticking point was that the elected were given an attorney to represent them (even though the citizen had no ability to have an attorney), and it was a quasi-judicial (ex judge made up part of the ethics review). It wasn't binding in any way, and could be appealed. But the city made a huge fuss on "how expensive it was" so the council cut out the entire ethics rules -- - baby with the bathwater.
Sad. Very sad. And, this was done without a peep, with two public readings, and no discussion along with a bunch of other changes. The public didn't realize what was happening, until after it was done.
Mimi, thank you for that clarification. Your statement, "The public didn't realize what was happening, until after it was done" is exactly how it is happening now. Decisions are made "split seconds" in the Commissioners meeting before anyone knows or is prepared to, or ready to object. Commissioners know their own agenda, we don't know them. They have their 7 P's in order. Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance. They win by preplanning.
That's why 'firings' and hangings used to be more popular...somehow religion and the devil 'tamed' us, in the name of 'civility'...we've been duped...again!😎
which is why it was SO IMPORTANT to get a vote for a working code of ethics to the people with the sad, sorry, expired Charter Review.
Hey, at least there IS, a county code of ethics. The City of Port Angeles has na-da, nuthin', zip on the books. It's like animal control -- a concept that our city doesn't support.
Fear not...be bold...be brave...be free...they may persecute us but they can't subdue our essence! Speak your mind and heart and do your best (which you and we are).
Mutually Assured Destruction isn't just a nuclear thing!
But it's based on the same mindsets our(Evil) Clown Kommissars are utilizing!
Evil is just the lack of goodness and rightness, for anyone who doesn't understand, yet...the 'goodness' and 'rightness' of the socialistic system of governance we are currently experiencing is only bringing violence, fear and taxation/debt to our towns, cities, counties and states...by their fruits ye shall know them...regardless of 'party lines'!
The 'perceived' good, of the current administration of our county, is sociologically barren and even destructive and only increases poverty, anger and hopelessness!
Thanks to all who contribute toward; Truth, Justice, Liberty, Accountability and Tough Love!😎
Two quick points, obvious to most of the regular Watchdoggers but perhaps not to others. One, county commissioner should not be allowed to serve in any official capacity, and especially on the board, of any NGO that does business with the county. The conflict of interest is glaring. And second, commissioners should be required to provide a detailed monthly of how they spent their working hours that month. Said report should include a detailed accounting of expenses, and could be prepared by the clerk, who should be made aware of every activity each commissioner undertakes prior to the activity. You know, kinda like what employees in the private sector do as a matter of course.
Let alone MULTIPLE conflicts of interest...social engineering agencies who are changing everything with no public due-process...can anyone say...silent coup?
Thankfully it is getting voices to 'out' it for what it is.
The hardest part for me is the hypocrisy of the Kommissars who get twice the average income of county residents, living high on the hog and lording it over the people who pay their salaries and impoverishing us through intentional imports of the dregs of humanity, with revolving doors of justice...taxation without representation and heading for public bankruptcy! The enemy is within!😎
that is supposed to be in their commissioners update, usually towards the end of the meeting. For the PA city council they do their council update, and are supposed to say what was done in these other board meetings. It's been getting so that it's only glossed over.
I find it crazy that the commissioners/councils sit on boards that they also collectively fund, and are allowed to vote. It's the mindset of "good-enuf" that rules.
The commissioners should be happy that CCWD has such engaged subscribers. Ordinary citizens doing the work that the commissioners should be doing and getting paid for not doing. This is beyond ridiculous.
That's the out-post for you. Volunteer fire fighters have always been the backbone of this community. It took a little longer to get there when Haguewoods exploded but they pulled their boots on and got there. Imagine a community with three mills running strong still having an outpost mentality. Now its a full on blue page mentality.
Blue Page...It's an OUTRAGE...and there's NO Gauge...to measure this RAGE!
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, with narratives nice and clean...to read the lines between, so all can now be seen!
They have to go, before they bring us too low, to recover from insanity, which breeds so much profanity.
The Kommissars are vain and politically insane...they are a total drain...on what good still remains.
Bring Justice, Liberty and Truth back to the old and youth...so we can see the light...to bring us through the darkest night...we have it in us...we just have to own it and show it! Only a few corrupt ones are contaminating our reality...they have to go!😎
QUESTION: Is holding monthly ‘Commissioner Forums a priority for transparency and public engagement as CCBC have stated, or is it, as it seems, planned to be dismissed due to packed agendas.
If each of you Clallam County board of Commissioners (CCBC), spends one hour per week engaged with each of your boards, that equals one half of your normal working hours. Even if you put in sixty hours per week, it amounts to one third of your time. No wonder three million dollars in annual underpayment from cities goes unobserved. Even worse, if this underpayment is known, why are we, your constituents, not aware. I think you owe us an explanation of where you are, when on duty as OUR representatives, what public duties you are engaged in, TRANSPARENT reporting of ALL board activities, and how those activities affect US.
Accountability? Are you asking for accountability? Hum? The picture I’m seeing is they are too busy to provide accountability & I wish I could provide a positive plan to fix this mess, our county is deep in 💩….Unfortunately I’m not paid enough to do so, like those receiving salaries to do, instead I am continually taxed for the continual mistakes that has gone unaddressed for way too long! What a bunch of idiots were paying to cause and perpetuate financial despair for Clallam County.
Any move that appears to be towards Truth, Justice and Liberty is a 'bread and circuses' maneuver...they clearly don't care what we have to say or what we think.
It doesn't fit into their NWO mentality...they are, in reality, the outliers but they want us to believe we are the outliers.
This has been going on for a decade, interestingly enough that’s the same amount of time Mark Ozias has been serving as county commissioner. I find the comparison quite glaring. He takes office & the county goes down the shitter. Bro has got to go. He doesn’t deserve a dime of the salary we pay him. He’s crooked & shifty asf
Broken record here, but Government must stay out of the expensive social engineering business. Our citizens and voting system address social disparities by default. Anyone desiring a representative that must be female, darker skin toned, other nationality, indigenous and/or sexually deviant can campaign for and vote for that candidate. Citizen taxation is for infrastructure, safety, law enforcement and area economic opportunity. Taxes are not levied upon citizens to be wasted on whatever the most popular minority classification of the month, year or decade might be. MWBE, DEI, BLM, etc. should be no part of Governance. Social engineering belongs in the private/NGO/philanthropic/spiritual organization sector. How many more casinos must be given, ( allowed ? ), to indigenous, ( ? ), ancestors before their souls can rest ? Their progeny use the same computers, cell phones, roads, sanitation, cars and boats as all others, so land back, etc. is exclusively for the dead. Truly; how much more should we give to the dead ?
There are a couple of people who are hired at the county. It is a superior system that allows us to see what requests are pending: https://clallamcountywa.nextrequest.com/
In Washington State, the short answer is yes, the request is typically considered valid the moment it is received by an agency employee or official, regardless of whether they forward it to the designated Public Records Officer (PRO).
Under the Washington Public Records Act (PRA), specifically RCW 42.56, the burden of internal coordination lies with the agency, not the requester. If an employee fails to route the request correctly, the agency—not the requester—is usually held responsible for the delay or lack of response.
1. The "Fair Notice" Standard
Washington courts have established that a request is valid as long as it provides "fair notice" to the agency that it is a request for public records.
* No "Magic Words": You do not need to cite the RCW or use a specific form (though using the agency’s form is often faster).
* Any Employee: Because an agency is a single legal entity, receipt by one authorized employee is generally considered receipt by the agency.
* Agency Responsibility: Case law (such as Wood v. Lowe) suggests that when an agency receives a request, it has a duty to act. If an employee "sits on" a request, the agency may still be liable for statutory penalties for every day they fail to respond.
2. The 5-Day Clock
Once the agency receives the request, it has five business days to:
* Provide the record;
* Provide an internet link to the record;
* Acknowledge receipt and provide a reasonable estimate of the time needed to respond; or
* Deny the request with a legal explanation.
If an employee receives your email but doesn't forward it for two weeks, the agency has likely already violated the five-day statutory deadline.
3. Exceptions and Practical Reality
While the law favors the requester, there are a few nuances:
* Reasonable Notice: If you send a request to a low-level employee who has no reasonable connection to records (e.g., a seasonal parks maintenance worker) or if the request is buried in a long personal email, a court might find the agency didn't have "fair notice."
* Elected Officials: Requests made to elected officials regarding their public duties are valid PRA requests.
* Good Faith: Agencies are required to provide the "fullest assistance" to requesters. Ignoring a request because it went to the "wrong desk" is generally seen by courts as a failure to provide that assistance.
Public records are very easy to do. The county is far superior to the city of PA for them, more responsive, and I adore the website so we can see the requests.... you can see the format. It's better to keep requests simple, with an outline of what you want and then dates -- start/end
No, they don't stall or redact. THEY DO, however, drive you nuts with clarification, if your request is too dense, or too wide (these are like search warrants... you must be specific,, and not general like "for all time").
Counties have been sued for violations, and one guy made quite a killing on going after various state, county and local governments for being lazy and sloppy, or ignoring the requests.
Its a great tool.
Now, many things, a LOT of information is available online, and it's faster to just look it up yourself. However, figuring out where this information lives is really the challenge.
So let me see if I understand this correctly . . . We the people have and are continuing to be ripped off by some of our own . . and those people who don't seem to give a damn just continue on their way ripping us off. NO that just can't be . . . really!!
Why do we continue to let these people spend OUR tax money to outside CC contractors to the tune of over 150m each year and then we say the Tribe owes us.
When we build the $140m Sequim school this year I bet that someone from Tacoma
will get the job and we will lose way more in revenue than our debt. The PA school has
already been given to outside companies and our area loses way more tax dollars.
The math just doesn’t make sense. Maybe the Commissioners should go back to school. Then they would have a vacation at Xmas legitimately.
jedj It's a huge source of revenue being shanghiied! I'm so glad you keep pointing this out especially for the upcoming school construction. I am not sure exactly how the bidding process works, but from reading... "Typically, when multiple bids are submitted, neither the lowest nor the highest bidder is the best option for the project" Regardless, there needs to be a process to logically find out if the lowest bid is the better bid. With cost overruns, it doesn't sound like it is for the past projects.
We do it because we are 'good' people who have been lulled into believing in 'the system' and we now have no control because the controllers have eliminated ethics, apparently by internal 'voting' processes...that's why they are so arrogant.
They know the only way we can unseat (all of them) is through a means we are loathe to carry out...for obvious reasons!😎
How did CCSO (sheriff's Office) receive state accreditation over the last decade with this type of budgeting affecting both road deputy's and corrections funding. Its fantasy Island there at County Clallam Government. Da Plane! Da Plane! Glad handing playing their part on fantasy Island. Retirees from other places they screwed up come to Clallam County get a spot like they use to have, but this time as drawing a fat pension on top of being paid to play in Clallam.
Eggs Benedict comes to mind and his marry band of nitwits be brought aboard during his tenure.
I've called for a special meeting of the Charter Review Commission on either December 30 or December 31 to discuss this situation. Unless the Chair (Susan Fisch) decides to call that meeting, and I would be extremely surprised if she does, it takes seven more Charter Review Commissioners to call for the meeting. PLEASE CALL or EMAIL THE CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSIONERS AND URGE THEM TO JOIN ME IN CALLING FOR THIS MEETING. Most of their contact information can be found in the 2024 Voters Pamphlet that can be found at https://www.sos.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-09/Voters%20Pamphlet%202024%20-%20Edition%2014%20-%20Clallam.pdf .
There are a number of very important issues that need discussing and explaining, especially why the Finance Department did not catch this situation years ago, and why this extremely significant budgetary item could not have been disclosed to the voters in considering the levy lid lift ballot proposition or to the Charter Review Commission in the many deliberations that budgetary issues played a role in. A special meeting is what will contribute to giving this issue the attention it deserves and start a process to see that this type of thing does not occur again.
Here is one very well written email that the Charter Review Commissioners have already received calling for the special meeting:
"I am writing to you as a concerned member of the public regarding a matter of urgent importance that has recently come to light. It has become apparent that a potential $3,000,000 annual boost to the County budget, along with possible reimbursements for past subsidies, was not disclosed to the Commission or the public during your deliberations this past year.
Throughout the Charter Review proceedings, much of the discussion was framed by the premise that the County lacked the necessary funds to implement certain proposed changes. To learn now that significant financial resources were seemingly overlooked—or at least not divulged—is deeply concerning.
I believe this issue requires the Commission's immediate attention for the following reasons:
Fiscal Transparency: The public and the Commission must have a clear and accurate understanding of the County’s financial health to make informed decisions about our governing documents.
Accountability in Finance: There are serious questions regarding how the County's finance department failed to identify or address this issue earlier.
The Role of the Auditor: This situation highlights a core structural debate: whether an independent County Auditor would have provided the oversight necessary to prevent such a lapse.
Because these revelations directly impact the integrity of the Charter Review process, I strongly urge you to join the call for a special meeting to discuss these findings and their implications for our County’s future. Our community deserves a Charter built on a foundation of full disclosure and rigorous fiscal oversight. Thank you for your dedication to this process and for ensuring these concerns are given the weight they deserve."
This is all interesting, and thank you for being a vanguard of this county. This should be supported by all CRC members, it affects us all and leaving it without action isn't acting in the best interest of the county.
Commissioner Sarmiento's apology to the citizens in the last meeting would be meaningful with her support here. The CRC has an opportunity to act in a meaningful way.
Commissioner Richards, thank you for bringing attention to this very serious financial issue to the public. I support your call for a special meeting of the CRC and will email the other Commissioners to follow through. Your dedication to your responsibility is admirable.
As I've said before, the CC Commissioners need to be way more focused on county issues and not being on so many different boards that have nothing to do with running the county. It's a big distraction which has surfaced big time! It can also and is a conflict of interest many times!
We’ve tried doing it the government way, through the Charter Review, the people spoke but the committee made up of majority democrats failed to act. More and more are taking action through the judicial system and I hope an action soon will be waged against Clallam County.
They acted alright! They obfuscated, stalled, mocked, sidelined, ridiculed and perverted the entire process!
The sociopathic socialists are fed by the devil... that's how they have so much energy to give to destroying our society...that's why they are so 'activist'!
We can counter it, but we need MORE participation (grateful for what we have) to override their demonic minority control mechanisms!😎
Aside from Larry, Curly, and Moe at the helm, how is it the cities sat on their hands knowing that their contracts were supposed to be reviewed but kept mum?
When anyone is so distracted by the multitude of roles they engage in then their focus is diminished, and our BOCCC is living proof. Core services and functions are left to others without the oversight they deserve. What have our Commissioners done with their oversight time?
They Overthrew the Republic with the LIE of 'democracy', more like ''demonocracy", that's what they have been doing...gleefully...the corruption and seduction of 'dark power' is complete in the Kommissars and others in current governance.😎
The commissioners did not answer the last question emailed to them. Here is today's question (thanks for the inspiration, Robert!):
Dear Commissioners,
Given what this article shows about a major county issue going unnoticed for years, would the commissioners be open to publicly tracking how their work time is actually spent?
Specifically, would you consider recording and sharing how many hours are spent on core county commissioner duties versus time spent serving on outside boards, committees, and associations—and, at a high level, what that time is being used for?
In the private sector, employees are routinely expected to account for how their time is used, especially when big problems slip through the cracks. If something this significant can go unaddressed, what transparency measures are you willing to put in place so the public can better understand how commissioners are allocating their time and attention?
The comment below shows how a county commissioner could respond constructively to this question by acknowledging the concern and explaining how it would be advanced through the public governance process.
Thank you for raising this question. When a significant county issue goes unaddressed for years, it is reasonable for the public to ask whether the commissioner's time and attention are being appropriately focused.
Commissioners do not operate under employee-style timekeeping requirements, but we are accountable for prioritizing core duties—policy setting, oversight, and representation of the public interest—and for being transparent about how that work is carried out (Municipal Research and Services Center [MRSC], n.d.-a).
While I cannot make this determination alone, I agree the question warrants public discussion. I will ask the Board to consider whether additional transparency measures are appropriate, such as publicly listing commissioner assignments to outside boards and committees, providing high-level descriptions of how those roles relate to county priorities, or adopting other voluntary practices that enhance public understanding of how commissioner time is allocated (MRSC, n.d.-a).
I will request that this topic be placed on a future Board agenda so it can be discussed openly by the full Board in public session, consistent with the Open Public Meetings Act (MRSC, n.d.-b; RCW 42.30). Questions like this go directly to public trust, and they deserve engagement rather than silence.
References
Municipal Research and Services Center. (n.d.-a). County commissioner roles and responsibilities.
https://mrsc.org/explore-topics/officials/roles/county-commissioners
Municipal Research and Services Center. (n.d.-b). Open Public Meetings Act basics.
https://mrsc.org/explore-topics/public-meetings/opma/open-public-meetings-act-basics
Revised Code of Washington. (n.d.). RCW 42.30: Open Public Meetings Act.
https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=42.30
Thank you for providing a rational, logical, moral framework for good governance.😎
Thank you, Robert. This was meant to demonstrate that accountability doesn’t require accusations or theatrics — just clear acknowledgment, lawful process, and a willingness to engage in public. That standard should be achievable for all elected officials.
And, we have to point out the corruption, which can be seen as 'accusations'...the 'theatrics' are being supplied by those who are choosing to use their positions and power to usurp and ignore the higher values you put forth...we all have a role in the 'drama'...and it IS a drama...I hope we can enjoy the drama while participating and fulfilling our respective roles.
I would much rather support than ridicule and complain but someone has to help wake enough people up to inspire enough participation to swing the rudder in a new direction. As always, thank you for your inspiration! You bring balance to chaos!😎
She's the good angel on my shoulder
I appreciate that, MK — though really this is about modeling the process, not being an angel 😉 Clear engagement and lawful steps are something anyone in office can choose to do.
Angels are literally 'messengers', not Demi-gods...so anyone who carries high values, or low values...can be a messenger...we get to choose, when we have enough awareness to make a choice!.😇
Dr Sarah comments are rational and calming. She takes much of the emotional reactions out and gives facts and directions.
Thank you, Jennifer. That’s exactly the goal — to lower the temperature, focus on facts and process, and show how concerns can move forward constructively. That’s how public trust gets rebuilt.
To: All...When you can 'clear the slate' and start afresh...perfect!😎
MK: You are the angel on the shoulders of others...thank you!🤓
I just have to keep saying it.,you ROCK Dr. Sarah!
On point every time...
Just consider the implications of what this really means. Not only have we been unwittingly footing the bill for criminal justice with zero accountability on how that justice is metered out, we simultaneously have ZERO CIMINAL JUSTICE in this county. Child rapists are repeatedly arrested, booked, processed, and released right back out into the public in under 24 hours on a CONTINUAL, CONSTANT BASIS under the guise of "compassion" because these criminals are deemed "disadvantaged" on account of their often "unhoused" status. The criminals' housing status and addiction issues are used to propagate the narrative that they need assistance, not accountability, while business owners and families with young children are scolded for taking issue with the disparity between what our leaders SAY they're doing and what is ACTUALLY FREAKING HAPPENING. Meanwhile, there remains ZERO RECOURSE for those of us whose hard-earned money is being squandered by the very people who were elected to represent us. If this does not light a fire of righteous indignation in the deepest part of your soul, you're either sleepwalking or you're part of the problem. I cannot comprehend how the residents of this county aren't unanimously up in arms about this. We're living in the twilight zone and it's almost too much to take.
We can take it but we don't have to kow-tow to it!
Thank You, Brandy, for your direct confrontation with what I consider evil.
Anything that makes things Worse, is Evil!😈🤓
Unaccountability breeds unaccountability.
Narcissism leads to destruction.
Arrogance leads to failure.
Thus, the Clown County Kommissars 'lead' us to our 'fate'.
Unless we change it!😎
Thank you Jeff for all you do my friend…I went back and found the voter pamphlet argument against the proposed tax increase and I’m still concerned it only got rejected by a 60-40 margin. People have now been relegated to voting based off emotion and the politicians know it. The campaign motto being, you must vote for my team or else you’re an evil fascist Nazi, etc…trying to reason with people no longer works because people are also told to act on their impulses to show how much they care therefore they don’t even hear what the policy is about or how bad the team they are voting for is. I appreciate your persistence in relaying all the facts and I find myself reading it and thinking, how could I find myself on the other side of this and vote for more taxes, more soft on crime, more wasteful spending and it’s simply based off identity politics. How do we as a society ever eliminate identity politics. It’s so easy to manipulate mankind by their emotions, the suicidal empathy is now prioritized over what I carefully refer to as “common” sense. It’s so frustrating to see where we are at as a people and to see it out here where I was born and raised and we now find ourselves in the “how bad does it have to get” waiting game that most of the big cities have been playing for years is so discouraging. Never have I ever wanted to leave my home state but I am now nightly getting Zillow alerts from down south and it’s getting harder and harder to not just pack up and go. I know that then I’d be part of “the problem” by not doing whatever I could, which is also a hopeless brainstorm currently because if no one is listening to anything the other “team” is saying and votes for more bad policy out of spite and virtue flexing then I really don’t see any changes coming for the better for my beloved community. Which is not becoming less beloved by me because it feels like we are not a community anymore, people actually don’t mind the drugs and homelessness and crime because they cannot criticize out of fear of losing their place in virtue heaven and therefore it’s a divided community. And someone like me who votes based off policy, I see the problem growing, and I’m not completely heartless, I wish there was a way to help all these folks but I didn’t ever think help was in the form of free food, drugs and shelter or assistance to stay in the mental health crisis they face. I don’t really know what my point was here, just trying to speak from the heart and thank you for your exhaustive efforts at shining a light on these issues. I’m just very frustrated and losing optimism daily. I cannot believe the folks we have in charge here and what you’re up against with very well thought out opposition using common sense and facts. Who ever thought that would make someone “fascist” or “evil”? I just salute you. Happy New Year? I hope…
Listen to Jake close out the podcast tomorrow, and you'll find a reason to stick around. Happy New Year, Kyle!
The comment below is provided as a practical example of how constituent questions like these can be addressed through lawful and transparent governance. It models (1) how an individual county commissioner could acknowledge the concerns and route them properly, and (2) how the Board of County Commissioners, acting collectively in an open public meeting, could respond with concrete next steps. The intent is not to speak for the County, but to demonstrate what accountable public engagement can look like, rather than silence.
Mock Response #1: Individual County Commissioner
Individual Commissioner Response (Modeled)
Thank you for raising these questions. They are serious, appropriate, and deserve acknowledgment.
How did this go unaddressed for nearly a decade?
Based on the information currently available in the public record, it appears that oversight gaps developed over multiple years and across successive Boards and administrative periods. While that context does not excuse the outcome, it suggests the issue was not the result of a single decision or individual.
As an individual commissioner, I do not have the authority to direct staff or independently determine why specific actions were not taken in prior years. What I can do is ask that the Board consider, in an open public meeting, whether to direct staff to prepare a documented timeline identifying when the issue first arose, what information was available at the time, and where escalation or corrective action did not occur (Municipal Research and Services Center [MRSC], n.d.-a; RCW 42.30).
Why were voters not informed before being asked to raise taxes?
Voters are entitled to clear, material information when asked to approve any tax or levy. If relevant risks or known deficiencies were not disclosed, that represents a governance failure—regardless of intent.
While I cannot retroactively change prior ballot language, I can raise this concern publicly and advocate that future levy or tax proposals include clearer disclosures of assumptions, risks, and compliance obligations so voters can make informed decisions (MRSC, n.d.-a).
What safeguards are now in place to prevent this from happening again?
That question must be addressed by the Board as a body in a public meeting. As a next step, I will ask the Chair and Clerk to place this matter on a future Board agenda so the Board can determine, in public session, whether additional review, policy direction, or safeguards are warranted (MRSC, n.d.-b).
Accountability is not established through press releases. It is established through an open process, documented decisions, and public follow-through. I appreciate constituents who insist on that standard.
Mock Response #2: Board of County Commissioners (Collective Action)
Board of County Commissioners Response (Modeled)
Following public discussion of this matter at a regular Board meeting, the Board of County Commissioners acknowledges the seriousness of the concerns raised by members of the public.
Regarding how this went unaddressed:
By majority vote in an open public meeting, the Board has directed staff to prepare a documented timeline summarizing when the issue first appeared in the public record, what information was available to prior Boards, and where oversight or escalation did not occur. This review aims to clarify process failures and governance gaps, rather than assigning individual blame, and will be discussed publicly once completed (MRSC, n.d.-a; RCW 42.30).
Regarding voter information and prior tax measures:
The Board affirms that voters must be provided with clear, material information when asked to approve any tax or levy. While past ballot measures cannot be retroactively changed, the Board has directed that future levy proposals include enhanced disclosures that describe known risks, assumptions, and compliance obligations, so voters can make informed decisions (MRSC, n.d.-a).
Regarding safeguards going forward:
Based on this review, the Board is evaluating whether additional safeguards are warranted, including clearer reporting requirements to the Board, periodic compliance or risk reviews, and formal policies clarifying oversight responsibilities between staff and the Board. Any such changes will be considered and adopted, if appropriate, in open public session (MRSC, n.d.-b; RCW 42.30).
The Board appreciates constituents who raised these concerns and participated in the public process. Accountability is achieved through transparent reviews, documented decisions, and public follow-through; the Board is committed to addressing this matter in this manner.
Governance References (APA 7)
Municipal Research and Services Center. (n.d.-a). County commissioner roles and responsibilities.
https://mrsc.org/explore-topics/officials/roles/county-commissioners
Municipal Research and Services Center. (n.d.-b). Open Public Meetings Act basics.
https://mrsc.org/explore-topics/public-meetings/opma/open-public-meetings-act-basics
Municipal Research and Services Center. (n.d.-c). Open Public Meetings Act FAQs.
https://mrsc.org/explore-topics/public-meetings/opma/open-public-meetings-act-faqs
Revised Code of Washington. (n.d.). RCW 42.30: Open Public Meetings Act.
https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=42.30
In the private sector, forgetting or declining to bill customers for millions of dollars in services would result in immediate termination. Yet for three consecutive years, county commissioners and the finance team have warned of multi-million-dollar annual deficits and claimed the county is broke. In reality, proper management and enforcement of existing contracts would have balanced the budget every year.
This is not a minor oversight—it is a systemic failure with significant financial consequences. The magnitude of this failure cannot be overstated.
Maybe less time spent on boards of NGO's and Non-profits, and more time taking care of our business?
Not just immediate termination but probably complete failure of the business. The competitor down the street that doesn’t mismanage everything would rightly absorb all the customers.
But government has no competitors. A complete monopoly. No incentive to manage anything properly. No consequences. No penalties. No fear of failure.
There are always consequences...for us, it seems, while 'they' ride the escalator of destruction as far as 'they' can to 'success'.
The whole system has been 'infiltraited' and corrupted...it all needs to be overhauled if we are to have any freedom, liberty, sovereignty and justice.😎
All of the NGO's and NPO's need to be held accountable or disbanded and the churches and communities fill in the gaps...practically, not hypothetically and ALL the current office holder, 'selected-elected' or appointed need to give us full transparency and accountability, or vacate their positions immediately.
Not all office holders are doing evil, but they are within an evil, corrupted system and need to step forth as whistle-blowers unless they want to see a complete economic collapse of CC with banksters taking complete control upon'public' bankruptcy!😎
There is a code of ethics for public officials and employees, but a vicious cycle has been created because the ruling board for the Code of Ethics IS the Board of County Commissioners. The Board of County Commissioners are notorious for “interpreting” laws or rules in their favor.
https://clallam.county.codes/CCC/3.01.030
3.01.030 Code of ethics.
(10) No public official or public employee shall intentionally engage in any act in addition to those listed above, which is in conflict with the PERFORMANCE of his official duties.
If an elected official (county commissioner) serves on the board of an NGO or non-profit, and receives a benefit, such as enhanced electability due to heightened public visibility, could this be a violation of the ethics code?
Eric, I say yes, obviously there is political climbing but the Board of Commissioners would vote no. The way things are set up now, it gives them the clout to do, say and act in any way that pleases THEM and their AMBITIONS.
Full authority with no accountability, sounds like a 'plan'!😎
In the ORIGINAL version of the OPMA, yes. (If it were truly based on CA's Brown Act). But the state has decided to limit it to state employees/state elected, and NOT deal with county or city governments. There it is up to the locals to get real ethics rules enacted OR we can sue them in Superior Court (only, our sitting Judges, probably would just dismiss and make you pay the attorneys hired by the county/city for the elected. Basically, even if they engage in obvious violations of OPMA, it's "ha ha ha" on us.
Like the city of Port Angeles die to John Worthington?
exactly. Punishment.
The old 'inquisition' protocol, eh?
'Educate'...Threaten...Punish...Eliminate.
Old, old story...hope enough awaken to make a positive difference!😎
They 'died' him?🤣
Mimi, Question: Has the rule of ethics been changed within the last 20 years? I think you wrote something about that in one of your articles. I'm not sure, but I believe it was changed with one of the Charter Review Committees?
For the county? No, I don't think so. It's always been lax.
But, for the City of PA, there was a near PERFECT set of ethics rules, all laid out in the best way possible, with people making up the ethics boards, and it was just wonderful. EXCEPT that it was weighted towards the elected.
The big sticking point was that the elected were given an attorney to represent them (even though the citizen had no ability to have an attorney), and it was a quasi-judicial (ex judge made up part of the ethics review). It wasn't binding in any way, and could be appealed. But the city made a huge fuss on "how expensive it was" so the council cut out the entire ethics rules -- - baby with the bathwater.
Sad. Very sad. And, this was done without a peep, with two public readings, and no discussion along with a bunch of other changes. The public didn't realize what was happening, until after it was done.
Mimi, thank you for that clarification. Your statement, "The public didn't realize what was happening, until after it was done" is exactly how it is happening now. Decisions are made "split seconds" in the Commissioners meeting before anyone knows or is prepared to, or ready to object. Commissioners know their own agenda, we don't know them. They have their 7 P's in order. Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance. They win by preplanning.
That's why 'firings' and hangings used to be more popular...somehow religion and the devil 'tamed' us, in the name of 'civility'...we've been duped...again!😎
Ethics are like morals...they don't 'change' but people can choose to ignore or diminish them...at great cost to All!😎
Government ALWAYS self-protects and self-promotes...It's proven by history and current 'reality'.
The only power we have is how we deal with it!😎
which is why it was SO IMPORTANT to get a vote for a working code of ethics to the people with the sad, sorry, expired Charter Review.
Hey, at least there IS, a county code of ethics. The City of Port Angeles has na-da, nuthin', zip on the books. It's like animal control -- a concept that our city doesn't support.
Mimi, is it true that the code of ethics is under the County Commissioners vote whether it is violated or not if presented to them?
that is true. You can complain they are being unethical, and then, they will say "no we aren't" and it dies.
The devil's playground. How do we subvert the dominant paradigm?😎
And only 1 or 2 people are tasked with 'animal control'.
The 'animals' are definitely out of control!😎
Codes and oaths are only to keep the good people good...guardrails for humanity to live good and decent lives.
They don't apply to narcissistic sociopaths...therein lies the problem.😎
You nailed it Jake!! Fricking scary stuff.
Fear not...be bold...be brave...be free...they may persecute us but they can't subdue our essence! Speak your mind and heart and do your best (which you and we are).
Root-Hog-Or-Die!😊
Mutually Assured Destruction isn't just a nuclear thing!
But it's based on the same mindsets our(Evil) Clown Kommissars are utilizing!
Evil is just the lack of goodness and rightness, for anyone who doesn't understand, yet...the 'goodness' and 'rightness' of the socialistic system of governance we are currently experiencing is only bringing violence, fear and taxation/debt to our towns, cities, counties and states...by their fruits ye shall know them...regardless of 'party lines'!
The 'perceived' good, of the current administration of our county, is sociologically barren and even destructive and only increases poverty, anger and hopelessness!
Thanks to all who contribute toward; Truth, Justice, Liberty, Accountability and Tough Love!😎
Two quick points, obvious to most of the regular Watchdoggers but perhaps not to others. One, county commissioner should not be allowed to serve in any official capacity, and especially on the board, of any NGO that does business with the county. The conflict of interest is glaring. And second, commissioners should be required to provide a detailed monthly of how they spent their working hours that month. Said report should include a detailed accounting of expenses, and could be prepared by the clerk, who should be made aware of every activity each commissioner undertakes prior to the activity. You know, kinda like what employees in the private sector do as a matter of course.
Let alone MULTIPLE conflicts of interest...social engineering agencies who are changing everything with no public due-process...can anyone say...silent coup?
Thankfully it is getting voices to 'out' it for what it is.
The hardest part for me is the hypocrisy of the Kommissars who get twice the average income of county residents, living high on the hog and lording it over the people who pay their salaries and impoverishing us through intentional imports of the dregs of humanity, with revolving doors of justice...taxation without representation and heading for public bankruptcy! The enemy is within!😎
that is supposed to be in their commissioners update, usually towards the end of the meeting. For the PA city council they do their council update, and are supposed to say what was done in these other board meetings. It's been getting so that it's only glossed over.
I find it crazy that the commissioners/councils sit on boards that they also collectively fund, and are allowed to vote. It's the mindset of "good-enuf" that rules.
Crazy is a good and accurate word, here!😎
THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The commissioners should be happy that CCWD has such engaged subscribers. Ordinary citizens doing the work that the commissioners should be doing and getting paid for not doing. This is beyond ridiculous.
That's the out-post for you. Volunteer fire fighters have always been the backbone of this community. It took a little longer to get there when Haguewoods exploded but they pulled their boots on and got there. Imagine a community with three mills running strong still having an outpost mentality. Now its a full on blue page mentality.
Blue Page...It's an OUTRAGE...and there's NO Gauge...to measure this RAGE!
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, with narratives nice and clean...to read the lines between, so all can now be seen!
They have to go, before they bring us too low, to recover from insanity, which breeds so much profanity.
The Kommissars are vain and politically insane...they are a total drain...on what good still remains.
Bring Justice, Liberty and Truth back to the old and youth...so we can see the light...to bring us through the darkest night...we have it in us...we just have to own it and show it! Only a few corrupt ones are contaminating our reality...they have to go!😎
QUESTION: Is holding monthly ‘Commissioner Forums a priority for transparency and public engagement as CCBC have stated, or is it, as it seems, planned to be dismissed due to packed agendas.
If each of you Clallam County board of Commissioners (CCBC), spends one hour per week engaged with each of your boards, that equals one half of your normal working hours. Even if you put in sixty hours per week, it amounts to one third of your time. No wonder three million dollars in annual underpayment from cities goes unobserved. Even worse, if this underpayment is known, why are we, your constituents, not aware. I think you owe us an explanation of where you are, when on duty as OUR representatives, what public duties you are engaged in, TRANSPARENT reporting of ALL board activities, and how those activities affect US.
Accountability? Are you asking for accountability? Hum? The picture I’m seeing is they are too busy to provide accountability & I wish I could provide a positive plan to fix this mess, our county is deep in 💩….Unfortunately I’m not paid enough to do so, like those receiving salaries to do, instead I am continually taxed for the continual mistakes that has gone unaddressed for way too long! What a bunch of idiots were paying to cause and perpetuate financial despair for Clallam County.
Any move that appears to be towards Truth, Justice and Liberty is a 'bread and circuses' maneuver...they clearly don't care what we have to say or what we think.
It doesn't fit into their NWO mentality...they are, in reality, the outliers but they want us to believe we are the outliers.
They are liars...there is no truth in them!
They have to go!😎
This has been going on for a decade, interestingly enough that’s the same amount of time Mark Ozias has been serving as county commissioner. I find the comparison quite glaring. He takes office & the county goes down the shitter. Bro has got to go. He doesn’t deserve a dime of the salary we pay him. He’s crooked & shifty asf
Worse if there’s a way to say it! Devil’s Advocate comes to mind….
👿Right!😎
I like your adjectives...profane adjectives for profane actors!😎
County Commissioners have done a fantastic job in increasing the number of people that use the food banks in Sequim and PA.
Honk if you go to the food bank bumper sticker sold separately.:)
Honk twice if you go in your Cadillac!😜
Perhaps that has been their goal behind the green curtain, while every week they say & do the opposite…..yeh, never a nay!
NOW people are really getting it! Hooray!🥳
God bless you Jeff Tozzer! Where can I get the Watchdog stickers?
I'll do some digging and see if I can find out.
WAAAAATCCCCHHHHHH DOOOOOOGGGGGG!😳🤪🤣GO DOGGERS!
Broken record here, but Government must stay out of the expensive social engineering business. Our citizens and voting system address social disparities by default. Anyone desiring a representative that must be female, darker skin toned, other nationality, indigenous and/or sexually deviant can campaign for and vote for that candidate. Citizen taxation is for infrastructure, safety, law enforcement and area economic opportunity. Taxes are not levied upon citizens to be wasted on whatever the most popular minority classification of the month, year or decade might be. MWBE, DEI, BLM, etc. should be no part of Governance. Social engineering belongs in the private/NGO/philanthropic/spiritual organization sector. How many more casinos must be given, ( allowed ? ), to indigenous, ( ? ), ancestors before their souls can rest ? Their progeny use the same computers, cell phones, roads, sanitation, cars and boats as all others, so land back, etc. is exclusively for the dead. Truly; how much more should we give to the dead ?
Someone famous said: "Let the dead, bury their dead." We have to move beyond the sociopaths ruining our society!🥸
Sent today
Dear commissioners.
I hereby request a list of Boards you are required to serve on as a county commissioner and in what capacity you are required to serve.
Eric, let us know if you get a reply.
We have asked before and the Commissioners replied. But I like your specific question, Eric, that they list the legal and required boards only.
you'll get that answer faster through a public information request.
Isn't any employee of the county obligated to forward public records requests to the person who fullfils them?
There are a couple of people who are hired at the county. It is a superior system that allows us to see what requests are pending: https://clallamcountywa.nextrequest.com/
https://clallamcountywa.nextrequest.com/requests
No, if it's a city email account, and city computer -- request, then it's the IT department that just fulfills the request. I doubt they do anything.
Interesting query from AI, if correct.
In Washington State, the short answer is yes, the request is typically considered valid the moment it is received by an agency employee or official, regardless of whether they forward it to the designated Public Records Officer (PRO).
Under the Washington Public Records Act (PRA), specifically RCW 42.56, the burden of internal coordination lies with the agency, not the requester. If an employee fails to route the request correctly, the agency—not the requester—is usually held responsible for the delay or lack of response.
1. The "Fair Notice" Standard
Washington courts have established that a request is valid as long as it provides "fair notice" to the agency that it is a request for public records.
* No "Magic Words": You do not need to cite the RCW or use a specific form (though using the agency’s form is often faster).
* Any Employee: Because an agency is a single legal entity, receipt by one authorized employee is generally considered receipt by the agency.
* Agency Responsibility: Case law (such as Wood v. Lowe) suggests that when an agency receives a request, it has a duty to act. If an employee "sits on" a request, the agency may still be liable for statutory penalties for every day they fail to respond.
2. The 5-Day Clock
Once the agency receives the request, it has five business days to:
* Provide the record;
* Provide an internet link to the record;
* Acknowledge receipt and provide a reasonable estimate of the time needed to respond; or
* Deny the request with a legal explanation.
If an employee receives your email but doesn't forward it for two weeks, the agency has likely already violated the five-day statutory deadline.
3. Exceptions and Practical Reality
While the law favors the requester, there are a few nuances:
* Reasonable Notice: If you send a request to a low-level employee who has no reasonable connection to records (e.g., a seasonal parks maintenance worker) or if the request is buried in a long personal email, a court might find the agency didn't have "fair notice."
* Elected Officials: Requests made to elected officials regarding their public duties are valid PRA requests.
* Good Faith: Agencies are required to provide the "fullest assistance" to requesters. Ignoring a request because it went to the "wrong desk" is generally seen by courts as a failure to provide that assistance.
Public records are very easy to do. The county is far superior to the city of PA for them, more responsive, and I adore the website so we can see the requests.... you can see the format. It's better to keep requests simple, with an outline of what you want and then dates -- start/end
No, they don't stall or redact. THEY DO, however, drive you nuts with clarification, if your request is too dense, or too wide (these are like search warrants... you must be specific,, and not general like "for all time").
Counties have been sued for violations, and one guy made quite a killing on going after various state, county and local governments for being lazy and sloppy, or ignoring the requests.
Its a great tool.
Now, many things, a LOT of information is available online, and it's faster to just look it up yourself. However, figuring out where this information lives is really the challenge.
MRSC on PRA: https://mrsc.org/explore-topics/public-records/pra/public-records-act-basics
But...they can 'stall' and they can redact and they can 'lose the records'!🤓
not in my experience.
I will give it a try, thanks.
So let me see if I understand this correctly . . . We the people have and are continuing to be ripped off by some of our own . . and those people who don't seem to give a damn just continue on their way ripping us off. NO that just can't be . . . really!!
Why do we continue to let these people spend OUR tax money to outside CC contractors to the tune of over 150m each year and then we say the Tribe owes us.
When we build the $140m Sequim school this year I bet that someone from Tacoma
will get the job and we will lose way more in revenue than our debt. The PA school has
already been given to outside companies and our area loses way more tax dollars.
The math just doesn’t make sense. Maybe the Commissioners should go back to school. Then they would have a vacation at Xmas legitimately.
As the saying goes: "We can't do it to you without you!"
Compliance with lawlessness and tyranny, that's our collective conditioning.
Will we overcome it before we are ruined?😾
jedj It's a huge source of revenue being shanghiied! I'm so glad you keep pointing this out especially for the upcoming school construction. I am not sure exactly how the bidding process works, but from reading... "Typically, when multiple bids are submitted, neither the lowest nor the highest bidder is the best option for the project" Regardless, there needs to be a process to logically find out if the lowest bid is the better bid. With cost overruns, it doesn't sound like it is for the past projects.
It is a game the GC plays to get there buddy in Tacoma the job instead of
a local EC getting it. It is dishonest and a flawed process. Some jobs like
Neah Bay school they negotiate and there is no cost overruns. It is being done by a local EC. It is complicated how it works on the bid process but
is not done with a level playing field. Maybe Sequim will do it the right way
We do it because we are 'good' people who have been lulled into believing in 'the system' and we now have no control because the controllers have eliminated ethics, apparently by internal 'voting' processes...that's why they are so arrogant.
They know the only way we can unseat (all of them) is through a means we are loathe to carry out...for obvious reasons!😎
that IS the billion dollar question.
Not Our 'own'. They are 'their own'!😎
How did CCSO (sheriff's Office) receive state accreditation over the last decade with this type of budgeting affecting both road deputy's and corrections funding. Its fantasy Island there at County Clallam Government. Da Plane! Da Plane! Glad handing playing their part on fantasy Island. Retirees from other places they screwed up come to Clallam County get a spot like they use to have, but this time as drawing a fat pension on top of being paid to play in Clallam.
Eggs Benedict comes to mind and his marry band of nitwits be brought aboard during his tenure.
That was the nicest thing you could say, Russ...Thanks for being so polite!🤣
I've called for a special meeting of the Charter Review Commission on either December 30 or December 31 to discuss this situation. Unless the Chair (Susan Fisch) decides to call that meeting, and I would be extremely surprised if she does, it takes seven more Charter Review Commissioners to call for the meeting. PLEASE CALL or EMAIL THE CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSIONERS AND URGE THEM TO JOIN ME IN CALLING FOR THIS MEETING. Most of their contact information can be found in the 2024 Voters Pamphlet that can be found at https://www.sos.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-09/Voters%20Pamphlet%202024%20-%20Edition%2014%20-%20Clallam.pdf .
There are a number of very important issues that need discussing and explaining, especially why the Finance Department did not catch this situation years ago, and why this extremely significant budgetary item could not have been disclosed to the voters in considering the levy lid lift ballot proposition or to the Charter Review Commission in the many deliberations that budgetary issues played a role in. A special meeting is what will contribute to giving this issue the attention it deserves and start a process to see that this type of thing does not occur again.
Here is one very well written email that the Charter Review Commissioners have already received calling for the special meeting:
"I am writing to you as a concerned member of the public regarding a matter of urgent importance that has recently come to light. It has become apparent that a potential $3,000,000 annual boost to the County budget, along with possible reimbursements for past subsidies, was not disclosed to the Commission or the public during your deliberations this past year.
Throughout the Charter Review proceedings, much of the discussion was framed by the premise that the County lacked the necessary funds to implement certain proposed changes. To learn now that significant financial resources were seemingly overlooked—or at least not divulged—is deeply concerning.
I believe this issue requires the Commission's immediate attention for the following reasons:
Fiscal Transparency: The public and the Commission must have a clear and accurate understanding of the County’s financial health to make informed decisions about our governing documents.
Accountability in Finance: There are serious questions regarding how the County's finance department failed to identify or address this issue earlier.
The Role of the Auditor: This situation highlights a core structural debate: whether an independent County Auditor would have provided the oversight necessary to prevent such a lapse.
Because these revelations directly impact the integrity of the Charter Review process, I strongly urge you to join the call for a special meeting to discuss these findings and their implications for our County’s future. Our community deserves a Charter built on a foundation of full disclosure and rigorous fiscal oversight. Thank you for your dedication to this process and for ensuring these concerns are given the weight they deserve."
Are the county email addresses already cancelled?
This is all interesting, and thank you for being a vanguard of this county. This should be supported by all CRC members, it affects us all and leaving it without action isn't acting in the best interest of the county.
Commissioner Sarmiento's apology to the citizens in the last meeting would be meaningful with her support here. The CRC has an opportunity to act in a meaningful way.
Emails are needed.
Contact from the voter's guide:
Alex Fane: (952) 393-6251; alexfane@gmail.com
Jim Stoffer: (360) 775-9356; jamesstoffer12@gmail.com
Bill Benedict: (360) 460-5936; mha@hvalley.net
Jeff Tozzer: (360) 683-2585; jeff.tozzer@gmail.com
Susan Fisch: sfischjd@aol.com
Patti Morris: (360) 461-9008; pmorris301@gmail.com
Paul Pickett: (360) 359-3435; fraxinus@reachone.com
Ron Cameron: (360) 460-9419; rcameron103@gmail.com
Chris Noble: electchrisnoble@outlook.com
Rod Fleck: rodfleck@olypen.com
Nina Sarmiento: nsarmie2@gmail.com
Cathy Walde: (360) 640-0678; cathywalde@hotmail.com
Mark Hodgson: (360) 477-5351; Mark@MarkHodgson.org
Christy Holy: (360) 461-6803; clholy@gmail.com
Commissioner Richards, thank you for bringing attention to this very serious financial issue to the public. I support your call for a special meeting of the CRC and will email the other Commissioners to follow through. Your dedication to your responsibility is admirable.
Thank you Commissioner Richards.
Jeff, I hope you share his request on the blog so he can get as many voices backing this as possible.
As I've said before, the CC Commissioners need to be way more focused on county issues and not being on so many different boards that have nothing to do with running the county. It's a big distraction which has surfaced big time! It can also and is a conflict of interest many times!
We’ve tried doing it the government way, through the Charter Review, the people spoke but the committee made up of majority democrats failed to act. More and more are taking action through the judicial system and I hope an action soon will be waged against Clallam County.
They acted alright! They obfuscated, stalled, mocked, sidelined, ridiculed and perverted the entire process!
The sociopathic socialists are fed by the devil... that's how they have so much energy to give to destroying our society...that's why they are so 'activist'!
We can counter it, but we need MORE participation (grateful for what we have) to override their demonic minority control mechanisms!😎
Ruining the county while ruining the world...it all dovetails!😎
Aside from Larry, Curly, and Moe at the helm, how is it the cities sat on their hands knowing that their contracts were supposed to be reviewed but kept mum?
When anyone is so distracted by the multitude of roles they engage in then their focus is diminished, and our BOCCC is living proof. Core services and functions are left to others without the oversight they deserve. What have our Commissioners done with their oversight time?
I agree, MK. Where was everybody?!
Satanic rituals? Askin' for a friend... or was it a fiend?😎
Hanlon's Razor: never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.
The accounting "wizard" (or wizzer) at the City of PA isn't our CFO, I don't think she is a CPA. She just makes really, really pretty budget reports.
Which is a Murphy's Law "when you don't know what you are doing, do it neatly".
To pass the time, the University of Nevada Reno has compiled the best list: https://www.cse.unr.edu/~sushil/class/cs202/quotes/cs202.html
They Overthrew the Republic with the LIE of 'democracy', more like ''demonocracy", that's what they have been doing...gleefully...the corruption and seduction of 'dark power' is complete in the Kommissars and others in current governance.😎