214 Comments
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Jeff Tozzer's avatar

Today's question to the commissioners:

Dear Commissioners,

After reviewing the publicly posted Yelp reviews describing conditions at Serenity House—and in light of the organization’s annual budget of approximately $5.25 million—what is your assessment of the situation, and what oversight or corrective actions, if any, do you believe are warranted?

All 3 commissioners can be reached by emailing the Clerk of the Board at loni.gores@clallamcountywa.gov

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Rita Lilita's avatar

If a restaurant bathroom is filthy it indicates broader sanitation issues which can lead to a health inspector shutting down the entire restaurant, as bathrooms are critical to preventing germ spread. Poor hygiene in bathrooms suggests potential cross-contamination with food areas. 

Wouldn't the same sanitation rules apply at Serenity House? It is a food establisment serving meals.

Or do the Environmental Health food establishment inspectors have a special category for Serenity House?

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Jake Seegers's avatar

That is a good point/question, Rita.

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Rita Lilita's avatar

I checked the online food service establishment inspections conducted by CCEH for 2025 and 2024, but found no inspection records. Juvenile hall gets inspected as does the jail and countless other places with minimal food services. No Serenity House however.

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Denise Lapio's avatar

Excellent point, Rita.

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Robert James's avatar

They always let them know when inspections are scheduled, so it's a false process at best. Only surprise inspections would be effective in overall hygiene.🤔

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Susan C Bonallo's avatar

I think Environmental Health Inspectors (usually health dept employees) wouldn’t inspect places like Serenity House. I would guess that due to funding and operation management it wouldnt fall in a category like a restaurant or grocery store or open market.

After reading the reviews, would you go in there on purpose? The management needs to want to change what is going on. And the “Guests” need to clean up after themselves. It’s not an AirBNB. This is what causes ill feelings toward unhoused drug users. You know the 1 in 5 drug users. Not buying that Dr. Berry….nice try. Statistics are fun and maneuverable .

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Rita Lilita's avatar

The inspection list for Environmental Health food establishments includes places like juvenile hall, the jail, mini marts. There may be an exemption but a foodborne illness won't know about that exemption.

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No One Important's avatar

Why can't these miscreants clean up their own messes in exchange for meals/shelter or be booted from Clallam County????? Maybe forcing the commissioners to physically do the cleaning themselves might make them less enthusiastic about providing needles, boofing kits, and pizzas to those that just get high while the commissioners are up to their elbows cleaning feces from walls.

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Rita Lilita's avatar

My view of the crowd at the Salvation Army feeding facility was formed by an event that's indelibly etched on my brain.

An elderly volunteering gentleman was washing the exterior windows facing Peabody Street. He schlepped a heavy ladder out to the sidewalk as well as his bucket, squeegee and rags.

Not a single one of the young men waiting for a meal offered to help carry or steady the ladder or hand him his cleaning tools.

They simply watched, smoked cigarettes, joked with one another or talked on cellphones while the elderly volunteer cleaned the windows.

My sympathy for those seeking meals vanished forever.

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No One Important's avatar

They are amoral miscreants and catering to them is the LAST thing a community needs!

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AFB's avatar

GRRRRRRRRR! I wish I was a hungry Mountain Lion!

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Robert James's avatar

Fentanyl-Flesh, though...eeeewwwwww!🤮

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Jennifer's avatar

Rita, it is the welfare state of mind. Each person for themselves..."you owe me for being born"

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Robert James's avatar

God helps those who are willing to help themselves...the devil has the rest!🤓

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private man's avatar

Commissioners are up to their elbows cleaning feces from Walls" ? Huhh ?

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No One Important's avatar

Read the entire sentence: "Maybe forcing the commissioners to physically do the cleaning themselves might make them less enthusiastic about providing needles, boofing kits, and pizzas to those that just get high while the commissioners are up to their elbows cleaning feces from walls."

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Robert James's avatar

Boof and Shine, boys, Boof and Shine!

Kommie ClownShow must end soon!😎

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private man's avatar

I stand by it. When was the last time anybody forced them to do anything ? They wont do it.

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No One Important's avatar

Exactly! If they were forced to be up to their elbows in shit, maybe they'd think twice about inviting in the miscreants.

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Robert James's avatar

Up to their elbows IN feces of their own making.

They are too busy building walls between the commies and the rest of us to clean up their shit!💩

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Clallamity Jen's avatar

I only wish the local health department would do more about the lack of cleanliness in restaurants. In my experience, asking an employee to clean a table is an annoyance to them. I’ve actually taken pictures in some establishments and posted them on Google Maps; beware the bathroom at Hardy’s, I don’t think the light switch cover has ever been cleaned.

Pierce County started doing what I think they do in California, displaying the facility’s health department rating at the entrance. I suspect if they did that out here, many restaurants would be closed. It’s not that I want more government, but if government could do some sort of public service for the taxes they already take, it would be nice.

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Robert James's avatar

So picky! Poop on the light switch cover keeps everyone's immunity strong!🤪

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AFB's avatar

yes! Government needs to do their job. They are using crisis management - wait until something really bad happens, that threatens their paycheck. Then watch them become action jackson!

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Robert James's avatar

We 'pay' them...so the solution is obvious but it requires mass participation.

Everyone is too scared to go it alone, which is correct, they will pick off a few, but they can't stop a tsunami.🌊

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Robert James's avatar

I have to be blunt...the More establishments owned and operated by 3rd world cultures...by their fruits ye shall know them!

And the gov't does nothing until there is illness or lawsuits.

Broken systems = poor results, whatever happened to the science of hygiene?💩🎭

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private man's avatar

Yes, so what does that tell us ?

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Jennifer's avatar

private man, what does that tell you? I know what it tells me. As far as "us", I can't answer.

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private man's avatar

It kind of tells one that it is done on purpose to make the subjects feel worse. That is demoralizing. Many people when faced with demoralization fall back of certain destructive behavior.

ie One group of establishments is held to one standard of cleanliness or what have you, and for some reason another group is not. A common theme here it seems. So we go back to the "Why ?"

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jedjennings50's avatar

PBH facility will be uninhabitable in 5 years from now. That is usually how these things

work. With the track record we are seeing maybe sooner

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Kristin's avatar

I give it less than 5 yrs.

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Robert James's avatar

5 months!🤪

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Jennifer's avatar

jedjennings50, with little to no rules, I don't give it a year without constant very costly upkeep and repairs. Thank God there's a car charging station to be built, maybe destroying and dismantling it for copper and electronics will distract from interior burglary for a while.

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Robert James's avatar

Crazier and crazier the craziness gets!

At least we aren't alone!🤓

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AFB's avatar

I really tried not to laugh, but !

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Someone Someone's avatar

They’ll be pooping out the windows like they did at the place on First Street.

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jedjennings50's avatar

Or maybe in their pants! Ha ha

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Leo Leblanc's avatar

Most likely it will be sold at a deep discount to………….

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Robert James's avatar

The black market is never short of buyers and sellers!🧐

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Jennifer's avatar

Jake, this is a much appreciated and easy to understand outline of the REALITY that the programs aren’t working. The best part is that you have studied and witnessed how the programs AREN’T WORKING. You did not need another expensively tax payer funded outside firm to investigate, instead you used your eyes, ears, voice and brain to research. But the VERY BEST thing done, is that YOU OFFER SOLUTIONS! And your solutions benefit the LOCAL RESIDENTS, both tax paying and non-tax paying. Finally a down to earth common sense factor is introduced that has been greatly lacking. Thank you Jake!

Let Commissioners French, Ozias, and Johnson know that Clallam County residents are watching how they spend our money — and that it’s time to try something that works.

A Better Way

1. Prioritize local residents for housing allocations

2. Fix Serenity House’s shelter

3. Remove the option of living outside on public land

4. Acknowledge the link between homelessness and addiction

5. Reduce the cash that fuels addiction

6. Enforce drug distribution laws

7. Focus funds on the greatest net gain

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Jake Seegers's avatar

Thank you for your kind words, Jennifer. I sincerely appreciate how passionately you engage our community and encourage others to get involved in improving it.

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4 reasonable development's avatar

Sounds great Jennifer really does, it is all what SHOULD be happening. Listen the Commissioners are businessmen, all three of them. Yeah! To think they were elected because they have business backgrounds is almost impossible to believe now. They are not public focused, they are NGO focused period and they could care less if the NGO’s are working or not. Solution: Get rid of all three asap.

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Jennifer's avatar

4rd, Our first vote will be for Jake Seegers! Watch how the present Commissioners develop "new and better personalities" leading up to the 2026 elections. Suddenly, like magic, they will seem public focused. I'm sure it will be a coordinated team effort ; )

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No One Important's avatar

They are duplicitous POSs.

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Robert James's avatar

I second, turd and forth that!😎

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Susan C Bonallo's avatar

Vomit bags are required and should be funded with campaign contributions.

Even strong stomachs will be challenged.

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John Morton's avatar

Mark Ozias was never a businessman.

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No One Important's avatar

I think he is an expert at assholery.

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Jennifer's avatar
1dEdited

Was he born a puppet or is it something he acquired in the business dealings as a Commissioner?

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John Morton's avatar

He came from the Sequim food bank. He had always been on the NGO side, not the entrepreneur side. Unless you now classify NGO work as entrepreneurs, a stretch that someone could probably justify (eyeroll).

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No One Important's avatar

He may be attracted to politics as a result of seeing how easy it is to launder money via NGOs. I am sure this is how politicians get rich, as this is how USAID grew so large.

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Susan C Bonallo's avatar

I read that someone has a hand somewhere that make his lips move. Is that true?

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Robert James's avatar

It's a 'boof-hand' making his lying lips move!

Bring them down!🤓

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Robert James's avatar

The puppets are 'made', not born. Leaders can also be made but often are born to it... but there are good leaders and commie schmucks, so even natural talent is no guarantee of integrity.

Psychopaths rise to the top in the world as it is...wish I knew how to make it better.

This same crap has been playing out for thousands of years and the good guys usually won't do what's necessary to get rid of the bad guys, because they are good guys...'a riddle wrapped in a mystery in an enigma'!

Waiting for the voting to be uncorrupted isn't going to do us much good 'cause no one is addressing it, directly.

All we can do is inform and enlighten but we don't know who or how many will partake.😜

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Robert James's avatar

Berkeley trained commie!🤓

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Susan C Bonallo's avatar

They must have been terrible business owners. A good owner will form loyal bonds with employees and everyone will benefit from success. I never read a comment about how awesome they are. The awesome one must be the clerk Loni, who is tasked with reading how frustrating the 3 stooges are to the locals. They are doing a good job for a few, that I don’t need to name(209)

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Robert James's avatar

I second this comment!😎

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Robert James's avatar

Has anyone done a private background check on these clowns?

Bankruptcy's, Law Suits, Criminal background?🥸

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Steve O.'s avatar

Those are all very important points but our voting population and our leaders have a different political philosophy. As more indigent people move here the Cultural Marxists holding office will continue gain power unless the demographics change.

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Steve O.'s avatar

The situation here reminds me of the one and two stage thought process. System 1 "is fast, automatic, and intuitive". In contrast, System 2 "is slow, deliberate, and conscious and used for complex problem-solving and analytical tasks". I believe most of our voters and their political leaders are engaged in System 1 while Jeff and CC Watchdog associates utilize System 2.

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Steve O.'s avatar

The bad news is that I am pessimistic about the future of Sequim. The good news is that I am often wrong.

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Steve O.'s avatar

Maybe if the local Boomer population witnesses more violent criminal behavior as Jeff documented in an earlier article the writing on the protest signs will change from "No Kings" to "No Crime".

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No One Important's avatar

I like that!

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4 reasonable development's avatar

Unfortunately they are so filled with hate they would rather “cut off their nose to spite their face “….yet another analogy is they would rather “shot themselves in the foot”…….

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Susan C Bonallo's avatar

Either of those to option would be highly appreciated.

Foot or nose.

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AFB's avatar

And the BIGGLY BILL BOARD!!!

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Jennifer's avatar

Steve O, a toast to your being wrong ; )

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Jennifer's avatar

Steve O, a toast to System 2!

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Robert James's avatar

Indigenous and indigent...two wings of the same bird?

Those pesky demographics, anyways!

If I could I would flee, but then I'd be homeless!😎

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Teresa 2's avatar

May I cut n paste your talking points into my email to the Kommissars?

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4 reasonable development's avatar

I don’t know why Jake or anyone else in Clallam County expects anything different?

After attending BOCC meetings for over two years now, steady…….THERE IS NO ACCOUNTABILITY BY OUR COUNTY LEADERS……plain and simple.

Oh sure we’ve got budget meetings, reports on money spent, line items, etc., but that is a small portion of the BIG picture.

There should be accountability for the budgeted programs but there is none, if there was I must have missed it over and over and over and over again?

I can’t even count on one hand how many times our commissioners have held an NGO accountable. I can’t count on one hand how many times I’ve heard the word “NAY” in the Board Room.

All the articles, all the evidence, all the facts change nothing because our Commissioners do not care if these programs are working or not. It is so blatant & obvious….it is all talk and no action! I would like to think different or read different but it just doesn’t exist at least it hasn’t in the last couple of years I’ve been attending meetings regularity.

The Commissioners sit there and praise each other (pat) on the back time after time about all the good things they do by attending functions or participating in ribbon cutting, or funding more money…….while Rome is crashing down all around the county.

Why does it take Jake investigatiing & reporting, why aren’t our leaders who are getting paid day in and day out knowledgeable when it comes to the programs they fund?

The reason why this county is in the mess it is, and I mean BIG MESS, is because our elected officials collect their pay checks to cater to NGO’s who are accountable to no one. It’s time to realize nothing is going to get the three amigos to act on behalf of the people who are paying for services and organizations that are mismanaged. I’m so pissed after reading this article I can’t see straight and everyone else should feel the same way! My stack is blown.

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Jennifer's avatar

4rd your doubt is well founded, BUT people are being hit hard in their pocketbooks. Nothing will get voters out quicker than seeing next years bills ie Cascadia water. New rates 100% increase or more.

Honestly, I feel it in the air. I'm hearing people write and talk about our political situation who have never discussed politics before and their voices and statements are angry. I like anger, it means people are paying attention. Here's to THE PISSED OFF PEOPLE!

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Robert James's avatar

My Mom used to say...Better to be pissed off, than pissed on!

But it's still pissy either way!😜

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Steve O.'s avatar

That is a very depressing appraisal yet true. I saw the same behavior when I worked for a large corporation. I have never met the three amigos but I know their type. If they caused the titanic to sink they would be sitting comfortably in a lifeboat wearing female clothing.

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Steve O.'s avatar

They are intelligent enough to know that most social programs fail because defective humans cannot in general be repaired.

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Robert James's avatar

Growing an organization is the goal...of the NWO...and their 'infiltraitor' agents.😜

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Robert James's avatar

😎You are full of truisms!🥸

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AFB's avatar

yes, you said it. I feel the same way.

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TLL's avatar

It's the UN!!!!

Get-us out of the UN and most NGO 's will dissolve along with the UN's sustainable DEVELOPMENT GOALS {SDGs}. Read American Free Press issue 47/48 Nov. 24 & December 1,2025. Americanfreepress.net. The Future of Smart Cities, Global cities strategy can undermine sovereignty.

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MK's avatar

I remember seeing signs in the 70's about getting the US out of the UN but was too young to understand. Now I get it.

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Robert James's avatar

I know! It seemed so unkind back in the day to diss on the UN...now here we are!

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Robert James's avatar

TLL it LIKE IT IS!🤓

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No One Important's avatar

I think you nailed it!

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Robert James's avatar

No ethics, no accountability...they don't care because they don't have to...until we make them!😎

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Susan C Bonallo's avatar

Other people’s money, no consequences to them.

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Rita Lilita's avatar

North View's $12.75 million initial cost is known. Who will pay the ongoing costs associated with the 36 luxury units? Will taxpayers be responsible for funding the monthly rent, utilities, repairs, maintenance, insurance, staffing? Is there a number available for the "forever after?"

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Jennifer's avatar

Rita, how about the vet bills and feeding of the pets? Flea infestation? Who cleans up after them and the damages they cause. Animals don't care where they poop or pee. The good news, they have a dog wash all their friends and family can use.

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Susan C Bonallo's avatar

Maybe our property values will stay high long enough to sell to some California shopper.

Hope the don’t read watchdog first or we will be paying more in taxes on housing we can’t unload. Oh but there is the tribe.

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Robert James's avatar

I think property values are just about to tank again...people are maxed out on the whole 'forever mortgage' scene. Mort = Death. Gage = Measure.😱

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private man's avatar

Don't sell animals short.

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Robert James's avatar

Sell them to the BBQ man instead!🤣

I'm fattening my pooches up...just in case!🤣

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Susie Blake's avatar

The tennants will pay a portion of their income, which is often SSI (disability for those who didn't work enough to qualify for SSDI) and the rest of their rent will be subsidized (grants=taxpayer) rest assured PBH will get their $ for executive salaries

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Jennifer's avatar

Susie, from what I know (I think?) the tenants will be inmates who have a drug addiction. Could they be set up in a worse way? NO!

Anyways, forget a portion of any income and don't rely on Medicaid. We will be fully funding this "warm handoff" for yet another program that without a doubt will fall flat on its face for so many reasons, including the one below:

Clallam County launches first-in-state program to help inmates get healthy, avoid relapse. Early Medicaid enrollment aims to provide a "warm handoff" for inmates struggling with addiction.

(OOPSY) It is funded for five years, but with federal Medicaid cuts from the Trump administration looming, its future is already uncertain. OFFICIALS HOPE it will.

https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/clallam-county-jail-medicaid-program/281-68849746-0a89-4156-bbee-3c3fef875aa5

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Robert James's avatar

"Warm Handoff"🤮 Get those disgusting Hands Off my tax money! Disgusting woke terms that sound nice but are evil in practice. It's up to us.😇

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Susan C Bonallo's avatar

There wasn’t one word that made me think that inmate will be clean and sober. Plus it felt like total BS that Sequim is going to change the world of Medicare. This country must take everyone that presents at the ER.

That’s the safety net. Such as it is. But for now you don’t even need to buy a ticket for the Merry-Go-Round here in CC.

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Susan C Bonallo's avatar

About five years would be what it takes to become uninhabitable. What a sad waste of our investment, that we didn’t choose to be in.

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JJW's avatar

The ongoing is the problem. There is no end to it.

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Steve O.'s avatar

An end might arrive if the state municipal bond rating is reduced causing a higher expense for the debt. Washington is the only blue state that does not levy an income tax so far. As more worker "ants" relocate to red states the lazy "grasshoppers" will discover an empty government refrigerator.

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Jake Seegers's avatar

State income tax would be catastrophic.

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jedjennings50's avatar

The cost will be more because they bid the job on partial plans with a design build criteria. Why would you hire architects and let other people design it. Another project

done by outside electricians. Our money and we outsource the work to people that

do not spend it here. No wonder we have a financial crisis.

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Jennifer's avatar

jedjennings50, I agree, why outsource?

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JJW's avatar

CCW should be required reading for county commissioners. The under utilized facilities, the condition of them, if people are avoiding they must really be terrible to stay outside.Those people in charge, circumventing the system should be gone. They are basically stealing taxpayer supplied funds.

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Ed's avatar

Don't worry, they read it! The problem is they just want CC Watchdog to go away! They don't want to hear it and just offer excuses to justify their actions.

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Carol's avatar
1dEdited

According to AI, Watchdog has over 3,000 subscribers now. Every day I see more and more new names commenting. You've given us a voice. If commissioners want to be reelected, they'd better start listening.

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MK's avatar

There's immense truth here in your statement.

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4 reasonable development's avatar

Bingo! They want us all to go away, although doesn’t seem to matter to Ozias. Ozias listens week after week and yet he always goes against the public & what they say they want because it’s not about us it’s about what Mark Ozias wants, PERIOD!

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Jennifer's avatar

JJW and another requirement should be unscheduled walk around of the paid for facilities and homeless camps. I'm sure Jake could take them on an educational tour ;)

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4 reasonable development's avatar

They are too busy with all their other boards & scheduled events to possibly manage weekly unscheduled tours of facilities and homeless camps. That would involve some type of accountability and possible management of real hard pressed work to do. They avoid it because hard decisions would have to be made so they just kick the can down the road…..it’s easier that way.

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Eve So's avatar

EXACTLY!

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Eric Fehrmann's avatar

Require commissioners to ride the bus to work. Not for a photo op.

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Jennifer's avatar

Eric, will we have to pay for security detail? Or upgrade some seats to first class? Or pay to have an outside study done? Will they still be paid for gas mileage?....

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Eve So's avatar

🤣

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Robert James's avatar

They should ride their electric bicycles in the rain...commie bastards!😊

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Eric Fehrmann's avatar

You know they read it. They would be smart to head the conversations too! I can’t believe I used smart in reference to County Commissioners.🙈

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Robert James's avatar

You said 'they WOULD be smart', not that they ARE smart.

They are 'smart' like an ingrown toenail!😎

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JJW's avatar

I would make a substantial wager that commissioners learn more about what is going on in these various organizations from CCW than they ever knew or cared to know.

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MK's avatar

A late wake up and I see a stellar article from Jake which clearly defines our problems, and thankfully offers a plan to address. He's clearly over the target.

I'll add:

-Non-profits are still a for-profit operation. Don't let those words fool you. The profit goes to the people who earn a living through the "cause."

-The "volunteer" boards that Clallam County has need citizen represented balance. There's no diversity in thought going on with the people who financially benefit from the decisions they make.

-As to the $108k parking lot. Dollars to donuts someone behind the scenes there is going to find a way to start showing use now that we see we've been bilked by that church and their leadership.

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Jake Seegers's avatar

Thanks, MK. Great points. You are absolutely right about the volunteer boards.

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Someone Someone's avatar

AND it’s the same people who collect the data about how well they’re doing — the Point in Time count. Same data is used to justify their jobs.

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MK's avatar

You're absolutely correct. The methodology is 100% flawed, and yields results in-line with taxpayer dollars.

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Kathy's avatar

“Some of them don’t want to be housed. Some of them like the freedom of being homeless and doing what they want to when they want to.”

If the freedom of being homeless is their choice they can learn to live with the consequences of that choice without the handouts.

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MK's avatar

They're no longer considered homeless as such and should be removed from the homeless count.

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Lloyd's avatar

They are no longer considered humans. Dogs have more common sense. It's up to them to cross that bridge back to the human side.

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Robert James's avatar

Subhumans for sure...I'm sure they were abused and tortured as children but we shouldn't have to take the brunt of it while the state and county concentrate them here...it's all part of 'the plan' or it wouldn't be happening!🤓

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Steve O.'s avatar

I believe that statement is accurate. Humans often begin the thought process with a faulty premise based upon their personal preference. A homeless person would rather be loaded outside than sober inside a facility.

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Steve O.'s avatar

The programs are designed to help nobody except the people operating them. Government is a business that consists of robbing Peter to pay Paul except within the transaction a third party exists. Consider a giant cake owned by all the citizens. When the government steals a slice and gives it to another citizen or non-citizen there exists a third party who steals the crumbs continuously until he becomes very wealthy. If the social programs succeed many government employees would lose their employment.

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Marge's avatar

“Local needs should come first”. Repeat. “Local needs should come first. Repeat.

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MK's avatar

Some would call this common sense.

Others would rather berate Jeff or Jake to draw attention away from this reality in the hopes that the same ineffective politicians remain in power.

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Jennifer's avatar

Jake, I’m glad you brought up the topic of panhandling. A spot always occupied by cardboard sign carrying individuals is the off ramp from PA to Sequim at River Road.

One panhandler who was there for many years died of an overdose, was quickly replaced by another and now that one has disappeared and has recently been replaced by a new one. I do not support panhandles, and no one should. Chelsea Jones put it bluntly:

“Every dollar I got flying a sign went to drugs.”

I fully back your statement, “Discouraging panhandling at high-traffic locations cuts off easy money and removes the financial incentive that attracts dealers and perpetuates use.”

Many times children are used by the panhandlers to get sympathy for more money. The children are being taught at an early age to act like victims. Or to learn certain “acting” skills to tug at people’s heartstrings. That’s horrible and is NOT the skills children should ever be taught or have to participate in.

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Kathy's avatar

Yep remember the nice family at QFC, he played the violin beautifully until you figured out it was a recording and he was a phony. Two kids in tow learning the ways of life.

Also if I remember right the panhandler that died was also a sex offender so congrats to whoever gave him money and the motivation to stay in Sequim.

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Susie Blake's avatar

That's actually a nationwide organized criminal group. I am not on FB anymore but search for "Street Scammer Watch" then search Sequim. Here is their regular website. https://www.streetscammers.com/

They also do organized retail theft and scams and burglaries targeting elderly.

They hit popular retail areas during tourist season and love western WA. Street scammer watch doccumented how these theives were part of the group

https://youtu.be/W2XxuJA65R8?si=rnbu5d7248lKcUpz

One of the fake accordian players who SSW calls Fat Freddy was in PA last Dec at Safeway. I pointed him out to an officer I knew and showed him the facebook posts of same guy all over WA .

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Jake Seegers's avatar

Wow, Susie and Kathy! I would have never known about this. Thank you for sharing.

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Jennifer's avatar

Susie, thank you for your information. There is another type of scam that has happened to me twice in two years.

I was in line to buy my groceries, the person in front of me had their food rung up (it's never more than $25) OH MY GOSH "I only have $5 my kids need dinner" and then they turn to you and in a begging panic, ask if you "could help them out"...

Kinda makes you look like an asshole when you say no. I'm an asshole 100% of the time

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Robert James's avatar

A nice one, though...good for the tough love!😎

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Kathy's avatar

I started scrolling down and quit when I got to the post saying they were doing good at Sunny Farms because there are lots of gullible elderly people. This just makes me sick. As does the Leavenworth video, I'm glad she got caught but a slap on the hand won't stop her.

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Eve So's avatar

But it’s true.

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Susie Blake's avatar

It's a very large organized group that travels the country doing all sorts of scams and crimes

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Robert James's avatar

Well we have fake commissioners, so it all flows together, it seems!🤨

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Jennifer's avatar

Kathy, there's a new family who has an RV (I think they come from Silverdale on a regular basis) I just saw them yesterday in front of the Sequim Home Depot. He (I think the mother and kids were off panhandling elsewhere) had sleeping blanket "staged" on the lawn. I did not see where he had parked his RV. Of course I didn't contribute but I couldn't get it out of my mind the standards by which these children are being raised. Will they ever better themselves or just follow in their parents footsteps? I hope at least one child will break that pattern of a welfare mentality.

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Susie Blake's avatar

could be same grouphttps://www.heraldnet.com/news/crime-rings-target-arlington-fake-gold-pandhandling-schemes-on-the-rise/

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Susie Blake's avatar

higjly likely part of this group that traffics children amongst themsleves as scamming props and teaches them to shoplift https://www.streetscammers.com/

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Kathy's avatar

I also saw him yesterday but didn't know a family was involved. So sad for the kids, I sure hope they're not making them stand outside in this cold. They must have a route of the best places to panhandle. I also hope the kids will realize this isn't a way to live.

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Susie Blake's avatar

they are proboably from this group. I have spotted known memebers in PA and Sequim https://www.streetscammers.com/

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Robert James's avatar

Is it welfare when they are begging?🥺

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Don Eisenbeisz's avatar

Jennifer, the guy who panhandles in front of Home Depot with the sleeping bag “staged” on the lawn has been around town for a couple of years. He does not have a family with him and he sleeps in that sleeping bag on the lawn rain or shine. I don’t know his story, but he’s not part of the group that you’re implying he is.

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Jennifer's avatar

Don Eisenbeisz, you are a liar. What I say is true, he has been around for a while and does have a van and children. Your statement is part of your continued effort to fight (for whatever reason) CCWD. Go back to all your own comments, there is my proof. Prove me otherwise.

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Don Eisenbeisz's avatar

Maybe we’re talking about two different people. Your response to me is over the top. Tell me what exactly I’m lying about.

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Jennifer's avatar

Don, it's statements you make that are off the cuff that puts me "over the top". To begin with, just as the article below, in which you challenge Jeff on facts and are proven wrong, you are doing the same to me. Although I don't have facts about this man and his family, you are saying what I see and have observed for a while now is wrong. Maybe you should have started out by asking if we are "talking about two different people". You are allowed to correct me when you get your facts right.

Dec 1, 2025 DON EISENBEISZ

I didn’t get very far into this article before I decided to fact check it a little. Maclinn Heaward was not armed with a knife and did not brandish a knife as the article states. The only knife that was involved belonged to Austin Wolfley and it was never in Heaward’s possession. (Don does continue the thread)

JEFF TOZZER

Don, this is from the report:

- "Borgeman reported that a male hit her in the head and then her head hit the window. It was reported that the subject may also be armed with a knife."

- "Call notes indicated a bus driver was assaulted and someone had pulled a knife on her."

- "Call notes indicated that a bus driver was assaulted, and the suspect might had pulled out a knife."

Don, what is your goal? What is your intent on CCWD? If I knew your goal, I might be able to help you achieve it.

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Robert James's avatar

Congrats to him for 'moving on'.😝

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Eve So's avatar

And animals. I’ll admit, I came so close to enabling a beggar with a cat and dog by Home Depot. Until I saw him slap them around when he thought no one was looking. Then I called Sequim police.

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Denise Lapio's avatar

I saw that exact same scenario with the exact same recordings for years in Southern CA. And now I see the same con up here! Father Joe Carroll said it best: Never, ever give money to a beggar on the street. Instead, donate to Father Joe''s Villages because we can help them properly. (Paraphrased).

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Susie Blake's avatar

Nationwide organized crime group, retail theft is also a specialty They migrate seasonally and love western WA because all the services and support is so generous and easy to scam

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Robert James's avatar

I knew a guy when I lived in Vancouver, B.C. who panhandled by washing car windshields...whether you wanted it or not! Many were doing the gig.

He said he made $200 cash, before noon, most days....why do anything else?😎

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Eve So's avatar

Absolutely! In addition, that money is 100% TAX FREE. That means, it’s effectively no longer is circulation in society. Every dollar given to a panhandler that is used to buy drugs enriches the dealer, encouraging MORE drugs MORE “harm reduction” and MORE crime.

I would love to see aggressive anti-panhandling enforcement. It’s easy money for LE with no downside.

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Susie Blake's avatar

It's been documented in some Seattle area news stories in recent past that some of these street scammer groups get into subsidized housing by scamming helping NGOs, then don't even pay their portion of the rent and take years to evict

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Susie Blake's avatar

here are the skills the kids are learning https://youtu.be/Z37q7eahy1k?si=NIfwiu5piwSo1Rwc

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Denise Lapio's avatar

Jake, you have kept CC in the loop. Thank you for your time and research and skills in bringing the updated information to the public. The answers these "panhandlers" give the Commissioners is irresponsible. They have nothing substantial to report on why they should receive more taxpayer money for their non-profit programs. How can anyone justify a program's merits based on filth, empty beds, and empty promises? Jake, you always state solutions. Even if the Commissioners ignore your intelligent approach, we here ARE listening.

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Jake Seegers's avatar

Thank you, Denise. Your comments always make my day.

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4 reasonable development's avatar

Thank you Jake so much for your hard work and energy, to be commended sincerely! It is hard to not be pissed by the message, so mad and angry our tax dollars are taken so lightly & for granted! We have 2 Commissioners who have no backbones and one Commissioner who is a down right Communist. This is a losing proposition for tax-payers sorry to say. But we keep fighting, showing up, exposing & never give up!

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Kirsten's avatar

I was thinking last week I wanted you to do little drummer boy cuz it’s my favorite Christmas song, but I couldn’t for the life of me figure out what lyrics you could possibly come up with for it. Well, you nailed it & I LOVE IT!!!!!

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Leo Leblanc's avatar

Couldn’t eat lunch I was laughing so hard! There should be a section on the home page to download theme songs. I’d love it for a ringtone!!!

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Kristin's avatar

Kirsten we have that in common. Is my fav. also :D

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Kathleen S's avatar

How ironic that people walking dogs are implored to “pick up” their dog poop and take it home and often some public commenters chastise the dog walkers if they don’t comply. Homeless people, on the other hand, can leave their poop with no critiques and no blue poop bags along the trails. The public is exposed to serious health threats from human feces. Ironically, some people mentioned in the article believe there should be “freedom” to live in tents on our sidewalks implying freedom to poop on them as well. Double standard for dog walkers and homeless people.

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Robert James's avatar

NOT-Sane!😱

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Clallamity Jen's avatar

Thank you, Jake, for another enlightening article! I no longer feel guilty for not donating items to serenity house, which I did years ago. They were a little too inconsistent on what was accepted on certain days, and when I’m in declutterring mode I refuse to be held up any longer.

When I see these homeless encampments you visit, it also makes me not feel bad for taking things to the dump — that way I know they won’t be floating around somewhere and becoming public garbage, since 4PA just has to take it to the dump anyway. What goes to the dump, stays in the dump…until it’s transferred of course.

Every article of yours that I read takes away societal guilt that gets projected onto me because I have a home, I’m drug free, I have stuff to get rid of — I love it!

Thanks for the Yelp reviews! I’m enjoying my lunch reading Google reviews for the various serenity house locations out here. One review will give praise, and another will call out all the tweakers and problems; some comments call out how it’s wrong to judge the people in those places. However, if the money funding those places is coming from tax dollars, then I think taxpayers do have a right to judge what is being done with the money especially if it supports illegal drug use and users who may or may not be distributing illegal drugs in the community.

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Jake Seegers's avatar

Thank you, Clallamity! I love reading your take as you always see things in a different light. Google reviews...great idea!

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Robert James's avatar

The NGO's ARE PANHANDLERS THEMSELVES! (Denise Lapio!)😎

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Dr. Sarah's avatar

Great article, Jake, and love the podcast format, Jeff!

Here is a link to an Infographic of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey's book, of which WE all need to follow and implement into our individual, family, local government, and greater society policies and procedures: https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/D5622AQE5NB7FUoHwEQ/feedshare-shrink_1280/feedshare-shrink_1280/0/1721822300857?e=1767225600&v=beta&t=wAw9viWFjZk0AOIEK0IQYImJSSUanJ2abgA-J5-IxxA

Could Clallam County Funding go towards this training?

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People®

Empower individuals to gain and improve essential human skills to work effectively alone and with others—leading to organizational success.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is most useful for organizations and individuals who want to increase emotional intelligence, proactive problem-solving, building high-trust relationships, and self-leadership.

https://www.franklincovey.com/courses/the-7-habits/habit-1/

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MK's avatar

Definitely a good read.

Imagine, the public library making a copy available for kids and pushing it. Show children/people a horizon beyond the one they see and they'll grow beyond the limitations they perceive.

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Dr. Sarah's avatar

Have you seen this "Green and Clean" video about Win-Win behavior (4:50 minutes):

https://video.byui.edu/media/t/1_hwp85run

It is hilariously relatable and shows how important it is to define terms and adhere to them; easier said than done.

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Glen Parker's avatar

Great article Jake,

Thanks a ton for more in depth information. I'll keep my prayers going for you my friend.

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Jake Seegers's avatar

Thank you, Glen! And thank you again for your BOCC comment this week. Excellent.

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