Great mini articles. Again as at the commissioners meeting, Ozias article about tourism; how is our county going to support all these tourists if there is no place to stay. Oh wait! Ozias is counting on Jamestowns new 300 room hotel?
PUD cost going up when most of the employees make more than the average person in our county.
County commissioners get a raise, really like to see that computed to an hourly wage when they seem like they’re not doing their job. They couldn’t even answer many questions that the people had about the ordinances. If your going to have a meeting on these ordinances, you might want to brush up on them before the meeting, I’m just saying
If you track all their hours with their NGO meetings, welll they're working overtime for their money. They just aren't working to represent us. Votes count and Jake Seegers is the start!
The commissioners did not answer the last question about approving a $25,000 payment to Mark Ozias' NGO, the NODC. Here is today's email:
Dear Commissioners,
In January of last year, the Board discussed sending a letter to the Jamestown Tribe regarding lodging-tax equity. It took roughly eight months to send that letter, and the Tribe has not responded. Given that the lodging tax is repeatedly described as critical to county services and tourism investment, why has the Board not sent a follow-up letter or formally requested a meeting—especially as Jamestown Corporation operates a 100-room hotel that does not collect the tax and is planning a 200-room expansion?
Thank you, Jeff, for being on top of everything. The last comment to today's podcast was my favorite. Even though everyone who came and spoke up yesterday was outstanding, you were able to speak on 100 issues all in 3 minutes. How did you do that?! I hope the Commissioners respond to your email.
I hear the concern being raised here, and it’s legitimate.
When a meeting stream fails, minutes are delayed or incomplete, or access is harder than it should be, the public doesn’t see it as a technical footnote — they see it as exclusion. Even when a failure isn’t intentional, the outcome still matters. Accountability standards consistently evaluate control systems based on whether they functioned as designed, not whether harm was intended (Government Accountability Office [GAO], 2014).
Washington’s Open Public Meetings Act sets a minimum legal floor: meetings must be open, and actions must be taken publicly. At the same time, state law explicitly encourages agencies to record or stream meetings and to retain those recordings online for public access (RCW 42.30.220). While framed as encouragement rather than mandate, best-practice guidance treats these measures as internal controls intended to prevent exactly the kind of trust erosion being raised here (GAO, 2014; Municipal Research and Services Center [MRSC], n.d.-a).
Good governance isn’t measured by whether we meant to provide access. It’s measured by whether people actually had it.
From an accountability standpoint, an appropriate response includes:
1. Plain acknowledgment of failure.
When access mechanisms do not function as expected, the governing body should acknowledge the failure without speculation or blame shifting (GAO, 2014).
2. Preservation of the official record.
Meeting minutes must accurately reflect motions, deliberations, and votes. When recordings exist, they should be posted promptly and retained long enough to allow meaningful public review (RCW 42.30.035; RCW 42.30.220).
3. Correction of system weaknesses.
Internal control standards require agencies to identify control breakdowns and implement corrective actions, such as pre-meeting testing, backup recording systems, and documented procedures for public access requests (GAO, 2014).
4. Neutral application of moderation rules.
Decorum rules are lawful, but they must be applied consistently and without suppressing criticism. Public frustration does not constitute disruption, and criticism does not negate participation rights (MRSC, n.d.-b).
Concerns raised about commissioner compensation also warrant clarity. County commissioners do not set their own salaries. Compensation is established through a state-level process administered by the Washington Citizens’ Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials (RCW 43.03.305). Scrutiny is appropriate, but effective accountability depends on directing concerns to the correct authority.
None of this requires assuming bad faith. Technology fails. Systems fail. But public trust depends on how institutions respond after a failure occurs. Governance credibility is strengthened when failures are documented, corrected, and used to improve future access (GAO, 2014).
Between elections, this is where representation is tested — not at the ballot box, but in the daily mechanics of transparency, recordkeeping, and access.
Accountability isn’t louder outrage or quieter meetings.
It’s better records, better access, and fewer excuses.
Sincerely,
Commissioner
Clallam County Board of Commissioners
References
Government Accountability Office. (2014). Standards for internal control in the federal government (GAO-14-704G).
Reading Dr. Sarah’s response feels like watching someone bring a peer‑reviewed journal article to a backyard BBQ argument about whether the moon landing was filmed behind a Costco. It’s impeccably sourced, beautifully structured, and completely mismatched to the audience. That’s the tension here. Treating every governance gripe as if it came from a policy‑literate adult instead of a guy who just compared a Webex glitch to Watergate is not the move I think.
Who's the "audience" you're referring to? Reading your posts often leaves me wondering about the myopic positions you take. On the one hand chiding people for a variety of reasons centered around emotions vs facts, yet here you are throwing aspersions with no facts other than those in your head about who reads the CCWD.
And let's remind everyone a while back I gave you the perspective that in the absence of facts people fill the void with what's in their heads, which you never responded to, but today you aptly recited that perspective as if it only applies to readers of the CCWD.
Good stories today, Jeff. You intimated during your public comment on Tuesday, and I agree, that JST doesn't like competition. I think that the RV Ordinance is more than the 3 Commissioners lacking information on the subject. The look on DCD Director Emery's face when he was asked about a folliw-up meeting showed he was not pleased with all of this. No one else in CC can use their land for additional housing - only Tribal properties. Something is not adding up here, but then again, when does it ever.
I can't figure Hodgson out and will be watching closely to see if a clearer picture develops.
I want to applaud him for his reasonable vote, but given the interesting evidence that it wasn't work that kept him from the ceremony and vote, what really is the truth? His unreliability in CRC meetings, his initial PA CC meeting, and potentially misleading constituents as to why he missed the meeting is a bad look that deserves scrutiny.
When I couple his other pursuits there's an uncomfortable feeling that while his vote should be applauded, that it may have simply been for a few reasons.
Effective politics requires strategy over the long haul. Look at the mess our county is in and how many decades of progressive rule it took to get us here. If Hodgson is politically savvy he recognizes when to push, hold, or pull back in order to give a favorable appearance. Some of his CRC statements and votes mirror this.
What I'm saying is that there's a reason he's involved in so many things. He has an agenda, and time will tell what it is, but I'm leary of him.
Hold that thought about your appreciation for Jeff's numerous meaningful articles. A grease monkey will be along any time now and assert it's all a big nothing. Who knew the Wizard of Oz was still alive and well?
Great article today...we are on a path to a brighter future because of you connecting all of us to help guide our want to be leaders into representation as it should be!
Mark Ozias , well he is a lost cause he has one entity he represents and it will catch up to him eventually.
The public comments were so good Tuesday and worth hearing again. Even that overloaded last guy you're so hard on. I love it when the exposed nerve gets touched and we're getting our signs, calling today.
Most employees of corporations & businesses post their time and usage for time spent. Our County paid Commissioners should be required the same……
Edward Unthank post & concerns, please read:
Whats the compensation history for Clallam County Commissioners? How did Clallam County Commissioner go from a volunteer/subsidized position to 120k/year salary?
Suggestion 1: Clallam County Commissioners should earn the median family household income for Clallam (MAYBE +10% or 20%). The job should be focused on raising the median family household income—to earn raises, the job should improve our county economics.
Suggestion 2: Hours should be logged for Commissioners. Topic of work, tasks, calendar appointments. What they worked on every day, how many hours per day and hours per week, backed by receipts.
I’m concerned that we’re paying 120k salaries for the role of County Commissioner when the work is more like 20 hours per week than a full-time job of 40 hours per week. I don’t know how to find out without logged time.
If there is low hour consumption, we should look into whether the role should be paid hourly instead of salaried.
Someone will come along and chide Jeff for his journalistic abilities or in some other way deride his attempt to inform the public of what's going on. This same person will not have a word to say about how the SG or PDN carry out their journalistic duties.
Contrast that approach with the Sequim Gazette allowing Commissioner Ozias to use their platform to further his agenda while obfuscating his title or that he's providing opinion. It's like an ethical statement most media understands when they publish articles that they themselves write and clearly state who the writer is, or print an article from the AP or another source. In those instances you know who the writer is. That they don't clearly state it in this situation tells me they are the enemy.
I'd actually suggest that the Sequim Gazette is engaged a campaign to persuade the public a certain way instead of reporting what's actually going on, more than they already do. It's insidious and runs counter to any actual journalism.
AI-The Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe acquired the Sequim Railroad Bridge and its surrounding land in 1993 because no other entity wanted the responsibility, establishing Railroad Bridge Park, with NO SPECIFIC PURCHASE PRICE MENTIONED but acquired as a STEWARDSHIP OPPORTUNITY to protect the area, NOT A TYPICAL BUY-SELL TRANSACTION. The Tribe focuses on SECURING GRANTS for restoration, including a recent $3.1 million estimate for truss replacement, rather than a direct purchase cost.
How They Acquired It:
No Buyer of Last Resort: The Tribe took ownership in 1993 when the LAND WAS ABANDONED (is this another word for surplus?) and no other public or private entity would take on the liability and responsibility for the old rail line and bridge. (SOUNDS FAMILIAR, DUNGENESS PARK BEING SURPLUSED, EMPLOYEES FIRED, MANAGEMENT TRANSFERED….SAME MODE OF OPERATION).
Stewardship & Partnership: The acquisition was part of a broader effort to protect salmon habitat and conserve land, aligning with the Tribe's cultural connection to the Dungeness River watershed.
**Cost of Acquisition:
The sources focus on the Tribe taking on the responsibility rather than a purchase price, suggesting it was transferred or acquired for free due to lack of other interest.
Property including surrounding 75 acres most likely placed into trust which exempts taxes.
FUNDING mentioned in the articles relates to restoration and improvement projects (like grants for trestle work and habitat restoration), not the initial transfer. (Taxes collected from property owners pay for the restoration and improvement projects, the tribe does not pay).
Ongoing Restoration:
The Tribe manages the bridge and park, FUNDED BY GRANTS AND DONATIONS, for public access as part of the Olympic Discovery Trail.
Recent work includes replacing damaged sections after floods and planning for a new, cost-effective steel truss to preserve the iconic structure.
For what it's worth, I was able to watch the full meeting online. It was only by a fortuitous accident, but I was able to watch it. I hopped online 30 minutes early. Since I was so early, I clicked to view the meeting minutes on the agenda. Once I read the agenda items, I had about ten minutes left until the meeting started. I saw a hyperlink on the meeting minutes agenda so I clicked it, and viola! I was instantly live-streaming the council meeting, which was about to begin. I never would have found this on my own if I hadn't been reading the minutes. Just thought I'd throw that out there. I don't think it was an intentional obfuscation. I think it was a technical error, albeit a very serious one.
Hi, I couldn't get links to work. I had to actually go to my webex ap and put in the details to get into the meeting. The link on the city page is supposed to work.... and usually does.
No reason why it didn't. AND no reason why the city staff cannot attach meeting minutes to be approved, properly and timely. We have an attention to detail issue at the city.
I'd like to understand how the various timers work. I always get interrupted/cut off right at 3:00 while favored prepared comments on select topics ramble on to 3;20-3:30 without a peep
If you speak in chambers the green/yellow/red light are your timer. Sometimes people ignore the red light and keep speaking, and it's up to the Mayor to say "time is up". She is polite. So, often hesitates to interrupt when she could.
If you speak online then Kate times you on her phone, and is (again) polite, and unable to say "stop now" and/or give a 15second warning (as some do in these instances). There is no other audible clue -- so, it's haphazard, and uneven.
Other communities use an online audible timer that beeps once, softly when you are 15 seconds away from the 3 minute 'stop' and then annoyingly beeps loudly "beep beep beep" when you are out of time. (This is for people who use their phones to call in for public comment.) There are a variety of online browser-based apps to be used, or phone apps -- which would also be audible.
The key is having that warning at 5-15 seconds before the abrupt 'end now"
Webex offers a free "shared timer app" that puts a visual countdown (if watching online and "calling in" online (not over audio-only/phone connection) but that would mean that whom ever is in the 'control booth' must have a clue and pay attention to the meetings and start the timer since Kate has no control over Webex. (Technically she is not the "host".)
I run all my speech copy through a "written to spoken" converter -- so that I know exactly how long it is, and then cut it down to 2.5minutes, because, I like to read slowly, and allow for some editing "on the fly" during a pause. The issue for many is trying to read 3.5 minutes of written material into 3 minutes spoken. So, I write out my comments -- use Word to count the number of words then use www.speechinminutes.com to calculate the time. On average (for normal speech) you aim for about 320 words, maximum.
I've used it before to come to this conclusion. They have positions here that pay more than similar positions in the main I-5 corridor area. That's outrageous.
I subscribed a few months ago and have found your articles informative and entertaining. Who doesn’t love a good theme song? So witty and fun:)
I’ve gathered your deep dive into county politics began with Towne Road and look what has transpired; civic engagement of common sense minded residents. It’s amazing! County government dealings has had few spot lights on them because local paper is weak on local news. It’s been discouraging to find CC slide further into leftest territory. Most decisions side with King County politics as in promoting harm reduction, enabling homelessness and extracting maximum taxes from businesses and residents. Thank you for shining a light on local issues and public officials shenanigans. It’s great to hear people fighting for their rights.
Too bad more don’t realize what kind of town this will be in the next 10 years because of the socialist ways. The decisions the last 10 years are our results today and it’s worse currently than it was for everyone who lives in Clallam County. The socialists if they wake up can vote however they want no one needs to know how their ballot is checked, we’ll fight the fight. I’m praying this county will be free from their spell.
Another inspiring round of public comments — and that last comment, I think my jaw was on the kitchen floor! I’m curious what Ozias looked like when you delivered your comments; was he even paying attention? LOL. Great podcast; so grateful I can be part of providing informational and satirical content for the region!
I finally came across a Land Acknowledgment I can get behind. This is by a Toronto, Canada, citizen testifying before the City Council. They love their Land Acknowledgments up North even more than we do. The look on the Councilmen's faces is priceless.
Great mini articles. Again as at the commissioners meeting, Ozias article about tourism; how is our county going to support all these tourists if there is no place to stay. Oh wait! Ozias is counting on Jamestowns new 300 room hotel?
PUD cost going up when most of the employees make more than the average person in our county.
County commissioners get a raise, really like to see that computed to an hourly wage when they seem like they’re not doing their job. They couldn’t even answer many questions that the people had about the ordinances. If your going to have a meeting on these ordinances, you might want to brush up on them before the meeting, I’m just saying
If you track all their hours with their NGO meetings, welll they're working overtime for their money. They just aren't working to represent us. Votes count and Jake Seegers is the start!
Couldn’t agree with you more !!
But us taxpayers shouldn’t be paying them to be involved in NGO’s,
NGO ( non-governmental organizations) non governmental says your an organization that shouldn’t rely on government.
Work for your donations not us tax payers
The commissioners did not answer the last question about approving a $25,000 payment to Mark Ozias' NGO, the NODC. Here is today's email:
Dear Commissioners,
In January of last year, the Board discussed sending a letter to the Jamestown Tribe regarding lodging-tax equity. It took roughly eight months to send that letter, and the Tribe has not responded. Given that the lodging tax is repeatedly described as critical to county services and tourism investment, why has the Board not sent a follow-up letter or formally requested a meeting—especially as Jamestown Corporation operates a 100-room hotel that does not collect the tax and is planning a 200-room expansion?
Thank you, Jeff, for being on top of everything. The last comment to today's podcast was my favorite. Even though everyone who came and spoke up yesterday was outstanding, you were able to speak on 100 issues all in 3 minutes. How did you do that?! I hope the Commissioners respond to your email.
Good Governance Proverb
When access fails, trust doesn’t wait for intent — it reacts to the outcome.
Modeled Individual Commissioner Good-Governance Response
Dear Constiuents,
I hear the concern being raised here, and it’s legitimate.
When a meeting stream fails, minutes are delayed or incomplete, or access is harder than it should be, the public doesn’t see it as a technical footnote — they see it as exclusion. Even when a failure isn’t intentional, the outcome still matters. Accountability standards consistently evaluate control systems based on whether they functioned as designed, not whether harm was intended (Government Accountability Office [GAO], 2014).
Washington’s Open Public Meetings Act sets a minimum legal floor: meetings must be open, and actions must be taken publicly. At the same time, state law explicitly encourages agencies to record or stream meetings and to retain those recordings online for public access (RCW 42.30.220). While framed as encouragement rather than mandate, best-practice guidance treats these measures as internal controls intended to prevent exactly the kind of trust erosion being raised here (GAO, 2014; Municipal Research and Services Center [MRSC], n.d.-a).
Good governance isn’t measured by whether we meant to provide access. It’s measured by whether people actually had it.
From an accountability standpoint, an appropriate response includes:
1. Plain acknowledgment of failure.
When access mechanisms do not function as expected, the governing body should acknowledge the failure without speculation or blame shifting (GAO, 2014).
2. Preservation of the official record.
Meeting minutes must accurately reflect motions, deliberations, and votes. When recordings exist, they should be posted promptly and retained long enough to allow meaningful public review (RCW 42.30.035; RCW 42.30.220).
3. Correction of system weaknesses.
Internal control standards require agencies to identify control breakdowns and implement corrective actions, such as pre-meeting testing, backup recording systems, and documented procedures for public access requests (GAO, 2014).
4. Neutral application of moderation rules.
Decorum rules are lawful, but they must be applied consistently and without suppressing criticism. Public frustration does not constitute disruption, and criticism does not negate participation rights (MRSC, n.d.-b).
Concerns raised about commissioner compensation also warrant clarity. County commissioners do not set their own salaries. Compensation is established through a state-level process administered by the Washington Citizens’ Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials (RCW 43.03.305). Scrutiny is appropriate, but effective accountability depends on directing concerns to the correct authority.
None of this requires assuming bad faith. Technology fails. Systems fail. But public trust depends on how institutions respond after a failure occurs. Governance credibility is strengthened when failures are documented, corrected, and used to improve future access (GAO, 2014).
Between elections, this is where representation is tested — not at the ballot box, but in the daily mechanics of transparency, recordkeeping, and access.
Accountability isn’t louder outrage or quieter meetings.
It’s better records, better access, and fewer excuses.
Sincerely,
Commissioner
Clallam County Board of Commissioners
References
Government Accountability Office. (2014). Standards for internal control in the federal government (GAO-14-704G).
https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-14-704g
Municipal Research and Services Center. (n.d.-a). Open Public Meetings Act: Frequently asked questions.
https://mrsc.org/explore-topics/legal/open-government/opma
Municipal Research and Services Center. (n.d.-b). Public comment at meetings.
https://mrsc.org/explore-topics/legal/open-government/public-comment-at-meetings
Revised Code of Washington § 42.30.035 (Open Public Meetings Act—Minutes).
Revised Code of Washington § 42.30.220 (Recording or online streaming of meetings encouraged).
Revised Code of Washington § 43.03.305 (Citizens’ commission on salaries for elected officials).
Reading Dr. Sarah’s response feels like watching someone bring a peer‑reviewed journal article to a backyard BBQ argument about whether the moon landing was filmed behind a Costco. It’s impeccably sourced, beautifully structured, and completely mismatched to the audience. That’s the tension here. Treating every governance gripe as if it came from a policy‑literate adult instead of a guy who just compared a Webex glitch to Watergate is not the move I think.
WARNING! Feeding the monkey is not recommended!
Who's the "audience" you're referring to? Reading your posts often leaves me wondering about the myopic positions you take. On the one hand chiding people for a variety of reasons centered around emotions vs facts, yet here you are throwing aspersions with no facts other than those in your head about who reads the CCWD.
And let's remind everyone a while back I gave you the perspective that in the absence of facts people fill the void with what's in their heads, which you never responded to, but today you aptly recited that perspective as if it only applies to readers of the CCWD.
Monkey: Same old, same old. You really need a new hobby and a life removed from CCWD.
Good stories today, Jeff. You intimated during your public comment on Tuesday, and I agree, that JST doesn't like competition. I think that the RV Ordinance is more than the 3 Commissioners lacking information on the subject. The look on DCD Director Emery's face when he was asked about a folliw-up meeting showed he was not pleased with all of this. No one else in CC can use their land for additional housing - only Tribal properties. Something is not adding up here, but then again, when does it ever.
I can't figure Hodgson out and will be watching closely to see if a clearer picture develops.
I want to applaud him for his reasonable vote, but given the interesting evidence that it wasn't work that kept him from the ceremony and vote, what really is the truth? His unreliability in CRC meetings, his initial PA CC meeting, and potentially misleading constituents as to why he missed the meeting is a bad look that deserves scrutiny.
When I couple his other pursuits there's an uncomfortable feeling that while his vote should be applauded, that it may have simply been for a few reasons.
Effective politics requires strategy over the long haul. Look at the mess our county is in and how many decades of progressive rule it took to get us here. If Hodgson is politically savvy he recognizes when to push, hold, or pull back in order to give a favorable appearance. Some of his CRC statements and votes mirror this.
What I'm saying is that there's a reason he's involved in so many things. He has an agenda, and time will tell what it is, but I'm leary of him.
We did see his voting and attendance record in the CRC. I can't put my finger on his motives either, but he is methodical in his approach.
Yes! Very measured.
You are correct AGAIN, Jeff!
That last audio clip is of a guy that no pretensive autocrat ought to listen to, EVER!!!
The rest of us respect his perspective, immensely.
Thanks @Jeff Tozzer for the numerous meaningful articles!
So many fundamental issues and topics to take up with the Commissioners.
It's sickening to see how this county is being run. Mananagjng this County doesn't have to be a race to the bottom!
Hold that thought about your appreciation for Jeff's numerous meaningful articles. A grease monkey will be along any time now and assert it's all a big nothing. Who knew the Wizard of Oz was still alive and well?
MK, predicable yes? It's his job, he has a good attendance record ; )
Good morning Jeff,
Great article today...we are on a path to a brighter future because of you connecting all of us to help guide our want to be leaders into representation as it should be!
Mark Ozias , well he is a lost cause he has one entity he represents and it will catch up to him eventually.
The public comments were so good Tuesday and worth hearing again. Even that overloaded last guy you're so hard on. I love it when the exposed nerve gets touched and we're getting our signs, calling today.
Thank you and have a great day all...
Most employees of corporations & businesses post their time and usage for time spent. Our County paid Commissioners should be required the same……
Edward Unthank post & concerns, please read:
Whats the compensation history for Clallam County Commissioners? How did Clallam County Commissioner go from a volunteer/subsidized position to 120k/year salary?
Suggestion 1: Clallam County Commissioners should earn the median family household income for Clallam (MAYBE +10% or 20%). The job should be focused on raising the median family household income—to earn raises, the job should improve our county economics.
Suggestion 2: Hours should be logged for Commissioners. Topic of work, tasks, calendar appointments. What they worked on every day, how many hours per day and hours per week, backed by receipts.
I’m concerned that we’re paying 120k salaries for the role of County Commissioner when the work is more like 20 hours per week than a full-time job of 40 hours per week. I don’t know how to find out without logged time.
If there is low hour consumption, we should look into whether the role should be paid hourly instead of salaried.
They need to use time clocks :D
Here's my prognostication for today's article.
Someone will come along and chide Jeff for his journalistic abilities or in some other way deride his attempt to inform the public of what's going on. This same person will not have a word to say about how the SG or PDN carry out their journalistic duties.
Contrast that approach with the Sequim Gazette allowing Commissioner Ozias to use their platform to further his agenda while obfuscating his title or that he's providing opinion. It's like an ethical statement most media understands when they publish articles that they themselves write and clearly state who the writer is, or print an article from the AP or another source. In those instances you know who the writer is. That they don't clearly state it in this situation tells me they are the enemy.
I'd actually suggest that the Sequim Gazette is engaged a campaign to persuade the public a certain way instead of reporting what's actually going on, more than they already do. It's insidious and runs counter to any actual journalism.
It sure seems that way.
AI-The Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe acquired the Sequim Railroad Bridge and its surrounding land in 1993 because no other entity wanted the responsibility, establishing Railroad Bridge Park, with NO SPECIFIC PURCHASE PRICE MENTIONED but acquired as a STEWARDSHIP OPPORTUNITY to protect the area, NOT A TYPICAL BUY-SELL TRANSACTION. The Tribe focuses on SECURING GRANTS for restoration, including a recent $3.1 million estimate for truss replacement, rather than a direct purchase cost.
How They Acquired It:
No Buyer of Last Resort: The Tribe took ownership in 1993 when the LAND WAS ABANDONED (is this another word for surplus?) and no other public or private entity would take on the liability and responsibility for the old rail line and bridge. (SOUNDS FAMILIAR, DUNGENESS PARK BEING SURPLUSED, EMPLOYEES FIRED, MANAGEMENT TRANSFERED….SAME MODE OF OPERATION).
Stewardship & Partnership: The acquisition was part of a broader effort to protect salmon habitat and conserve land, aligning with the Tribe's cultural connection to the Dungeness River watershed.
**Cost of Acquisition:
The sources focus on the Tribe taking on the responsibility rather than a purchase price, suggesting it was transferred or acquired for free due to lack of other interest.
Property including surrounding 75 acres most likely placed into trust which exempts taxes.
FUNDING mentioned in the articles relates to restoration and improvement projects (like grants for trestle work and habitat restoration), not the initial transfer. (Taxes collected from property owners pay for the restoration and improvement projects, the tribe does not pay).
Ongoing Restoration:
The Tribe manages the bridge and park, FUNDED BY GRANTS AND DONATIONS, for public access as part of the Olympic Discovery Trail.
Recent work includes replacing damaged sections after floods and planning for a new, cost-effective steel truss to preserve the iconic structure.
Is 3 crabs going to have the same fate?
For what it's worth, I was able to watch the full meeting online. It was only by a fortuitous accident, but I was able to watch it. I hopped online 30 minutes early. Since I was so early, I clicked to view the meeting minutes on the agenda. Once I read the agenda items, I had about ten minutes left until the meeting started. I saw a hyperlink on the meeting minutes agenda so I clicked it, and viola! I was instantly live-streaming the council meeting, which was about to begin. I never would have found this on my own if I hadn't been reading the minutes. Just thought I'd throw that out there. I don't think it was an intentional obfuscation. I think it was a technical error, albeit a very serious one.
Hi, I couldn't get links to work. I had to actually go to my webex ap and put in the details to get into the meeting. The link on the city page is supposed to work.... and usually does.
No reason why it didn't. AND no reason why the city staff cannot attach meeting minutes to be approved, properly and timely. We have an attention to detail issue at the city.
I'd like to understand how the various timers work. I always get interrupted/cut off right at 3:00 while favored prepared comments on select topics ramble on to 3;20-3:30 without a peep
If you speak in chambers the green/yellow/red light are your timer. Sometimes people ignore the red light and keep speaking, and it's up to the Mayor to say "time is up". She is polite. So, often hesitates to interrupt when she could.
If you speak online then Kate times you on her phone, and is (again) polite, and unable to say "stop now" and/or give a 15second warning (as some do in these instances). There is no other audible clue -- so, it's haphazard, and uneven.
Other communities use an online audible timer that beeps once, softly when you are 15 seconds away from the 3 minute 'stop' and then annoyingly beeps loudly "beep beep beep" when you are out of time. (This is for people who use their phones to call in for public comment.) There are a variety of online browser-based apps to be used, or phone apps -- which would also be audible.
The key is having that warning at 5-15 seconds before the abrupt 'end now"
Webex offers a free "shared timer app" that puts a visual countdown (if watching online and "calling in" online (not over audio-only/phone connection) but that would mean that whom ever is in the 'control booth' must have a clue and pay attention to the meetings and start the timer since Kate has no control over Webex. (Technically she is not the "host".)
I run all my speech copy through a "written to spoken" converter -- so that I know exactly how long it is, and then cut it down to 2.5minutes, because, I like to read slowly, and allow for some editing "on the fly" during a pause. The issue for many is trying to read 3.5 minutes of written material into 3 minutes spoken. So, I write out my comments -- use Word to count the number of words then use www.speechinminutes.com to calculate the time. On average (for normal speech) you aim for about 320 words, maximum.
I am just astounded that the PUD can now keep the lights on without the new 30 to 40 million dollar operations center.
I think that the PUD flies under the radar from public scrutiny. Their wages are, IMO, outrageous.
ChatGPT is a very useful and detailed site.
I've used it before to come to this conclusion. They have positions here that pay more than similar positions in the main I-5 corridor area. That's outrageous.
I subscribed a few months ago and have found your articles informative and entertaining. Who doesn’t love a good theme song? So witty and fun:)
I’ve gathered your deep dive into county politics began with Towne Road and look what has transpired; civic engagement of common sense minded residents. It’s amazing! County government dealings has had few spot lights on them because local paper is weak on local news. It’s been discouraging to find CC slide further into leftest territory. Most decisions side with King County politics as in promoting harm reduction, enabling homelessness and extracting maximum taxes from businesses and residents. Thank you for shining a light on local issues and public officials shenanigans. It’s great to hear people fighting for their rights.
Too bad more don’t realize what kind of town this will be in the next 10 years because of the socialist ways. The decisions the last 10 years are our results today and it’s worse currently than it was for everyone who lives in Clallam County. The socialists if they wake up can vote however they want no one needs to know how their ballot is checked, we’ll fight the fight. I’m praying this county will be free from their spell.
Another inspiring round of public comments — and that last comment, I think my jaw was on the kitchen floor! I’m curious what Ozias looked like when you delivered your comments; was he even paying attention? LOL. Great podcast; so grateful I can be part of providing informational and satirical content for the region!
I finally came across a Land Acknowledgment I can get behind. This is by a Toronto, Canada, citizen testifying before the City Council. They love their Land Acknowledgments up North even more than we do. The look on the Councilmen's faces is priceless.
https://x.com/integrity_to/status/2014010967084982784?s=20
Thanks for posting this!
Brilliance.