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Rick Lehman's avatar

public input is a must.these closed door meetings with the tribe need to be stopped.the decisions made effect literally all of clallam county

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marolee smith's avatar

Both the city of PA AND the County have gone to this restricted public comment for "only what is on the agenda" which makes zero sense at all. What public comment was FOR, was to speak with, and engage with those who make decisions for us.

Restricting comments is the exact opposite of what should be happening.

Public comment for a government body used to only be limited by "disruptive conduct" and often time limited (not always the case), but government is not supposed to exclude particular speakers because of their views. However, now unless you can tie it to an "agenda" (and the public has zero input on agenda) then you cannot speak, until (in the case of PA) the end comment period. In WA state, as of 2022, the laws have changed to restrict to the agenda. Unlike, anytime, previously. In fact, this was a bill slipped in... with 87 yeas, 11 nays. No real notice to the public house bill 1329, creates more barriers to open public comment. (Likewise, the full meeting packet USED to include letters written to the council. No more.) The changes are "minor" but in reality MAJOR. It is not int he spirit of the Open Public Meetings Act of 1971. And, it was fast tracked. Bills usually take much longer, and have more public input.

https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Laws/House/1329-S.SL.pdf?cite=2022%20c%20115%20s%2013

By comparison: Look at how popular, and effective the Mayor of Honolulu is. Rick Blangiardi does a DAILY podcast (One O'ahu Podcast) to update the residents of what is going on, then he takes CALLS, and answer them, or will get back to them (usually within days). He doesn't restrict to any agenda, it's whatever the public wants to talk about. He also has an "Ask the Mayor!" website, where you can submit your questions, and ... OMG ... the Mayor will get back to you!!

People speak favorably of their Mayor and the changes they have seen. He actually takes calls about potholes, and missing trash cans -- and fixes them (among other things). He has asked that soup-kitchens and other things for the homeless services, relocate out of tourist areas, and spread out in the community -- which has decreased the glut in Waikiki, and 17 other neighborhoods (where the majority of homeless service providers had congregated). A current TB test is required to stay at a shelter (as TB was becoming a major health issue). He has made a point of supporting small businesses -- which includes a business connector within the city.

Now, on O'ahu, in Honolulu, there is a strong mayor system (elected mayor, not weak mayor like Port Angeles and Sequim, where the City Manager makes the real decisions). But imagine if all three county commissioners did a daily podcast and took real-time calls from constituents? What if they had a website and solicited comments, every day, 365 days a year? What if the city mangers of Port Angeles and Sequim did the same? What if they were responsive to comments, and not merely pay lip-service to us?

Washington government is very unfriendly, and has really made bad choices, and who do they point at "our consultants".

Our form of government is guided by paid consultants. They have a greater say than the people who the government is supposed to be service, and have shut down as many lines of communication as possible. They have taken power FROM the people, in order to expand governments reach.

WE MUST influence the Charter Review, to ask for a more responsive government.

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