Shhh, don’t tell anyone about how nice the weather can be on the WestEnd. I always said, Forks is a “diamond in the rough” and the “WestEnd Sip and Tip” is a locals favorite place to meet up. Thank you to owner and staff what an amazing venue to discuss issues that impact people on the WestEnd. Excellent community conversations with Jake Seegers, well done!
I have signs if anyone wants one delivered? Fourth of July is coming up if anyone wants to hang a sign on your parade float or vehicle that would be great!
Dear Commissioners Mike French and Randy Johnson, Port Angeles City Councilmembers Mark Hodgson and LaTrisha Suggs, and Boardmember Greg Shield,
There are several questions regarding the shower voucher program and the Board’s oversight of it.
What safeguards are currently in place to track vouchers, prevent misuse, and ensure accountability to both taxpayers and pool patrons?
Why was administrative approval expanded to allow participating organizations without requiring a formal board application process?
Has the Board evaluated whether the program is achieving its intended goals, and if so, what measurable outcomes support its continuation?
Finally, what message would the Board have for families and paying patrons who feel the facility’s primary purpose as a community recreation center is increasingly being overshadowed by social service functions?
It’s worth pointing out the political strategy at play here, because it is a tactic designed specifically to keep readers angry and suspicious.
The strategy works like this: an author sends a list of highly weaponized, emotionally charged questions to a public board, fully knowing they won't receive an immediate response. Why? Because public boards are legislative bodies bound by strict public meeting laws, administrative protocols, and legal reviews—they literally cannot rapid-fire respond to a political blog.
But that built-in, legal delay is the entire point of the tactic. When the board takes the standard time required to process the inquiry, the author gets to spin that silence into a "cover-up" or claim the board is dodging accountability. It manufactures a massive scandal out of standard civic procedure.
We should absolutely demand clear policies and administrative oversight at the Shore Pool—running any program for 18 months without official board awareness is a real administrative failure that needs fixing. But as a community, we do not have to fall for this exhausting, doom-driven narrative that twists every local misstep into a terrifying conspiracy. We can hold our local government accountable calmly and constructively, without letting manufactured outrage divide our town.
Except for the one email from Mike French saying he didn't know about the voucher program, the pool board has never responded. What is the appropriate amount of time to allow for a response?
If you find something exhausting, you might take a break or not do it at all.
Also, we'd still appreciate a link to a peer-reviewed study that champions harm reduction.
Did a quick RCW search, since this seems like a no-brainer.
RCW 36.69.010 defines a public park and recreation district's authorized purpose as providing "leisure time activities and facilities and recreational facilities, of a nonprofit nature as a public service to the residents." RCW 67.20.010 further limits the authorized use of pool district facilities to "parks, playgrounds, gymnasiums, swimming pools, field houses, and other recreational facilities." Neither statute authorizes a pool district to operate as a satellite distribution node for Clallam County's Harm Reduction Health Center, which distributes drug paraphernalia under a wholly separate public health mandate.
Those two missions aren't just philosophically incompatible, they're structurally incompatible. The Harm Reduction Health Center operates under county public health authority (Chapter 70.05 RCW). The Pool operates under a park and recreation district charter. When you run a pipeline from a syringe services program directly into a family-recreation facility, during hours that overlap with Splash Preschool, per the article, you're not just bending policy. You're arguably mixing authorities that the Legislature separated for a reason.
RCW 36.68.090 gives county park boards broad power to "make, promulgate and enforce such rules and regulations regarding the use thereof," which actually cuts both ways. The board has the authority to protect patrons and exclude uses inconsistent with the facility's recreational mission. Choosing not to exercise that authority isn't compassion. It's dereliction.
Mike French sitting on both the pool board and the county commission overseeing harm reduction programs while claiming he didn't know about this voucher pipeline for 18 months isn't just embarrassing, it raises real questions about whether the mixed-agency arrangement violated basic public accountability obligations under, RCW 42.30 (Open Public Meetings Act). Informal coordination between social service agencies and a public facility that results in an operating program, without board approval, notice, or public deliberation, is exactly what that law exists to prevent.
The CC article is right: the question was never whether struggling people deserve hygiene access. It's whether a children's swim facility, funded by taxpayers for a specific recreational purpose, should become the last link in a harm reduction distribution chain, without a vote, without oversight, and without even informing every board member it was happening.
Seriously, if parents knew this was happening, right or left, few would have agreed to it. Can't just give out free drugs and community pool shower passes at the same time. Duh.
RCW 67.20.010: Pool/park district authority limited to recreational purposes
RCW 36.69.010: Park and recreation district purpose: leisure/recreation, not social services
RCW 36.68.090: Board authority to regulate and protect facility use
RCW 42.30 (OPMA): Open public meetings requirements for public bodies making program decisions
@DavidZelenka, I think your larger point is exactly the right governance question: this is not about whether people deserve access to hygiene. They do. It is about whether a taxpayer-funded public pool district can be quietly used as part of a county-linked service pathway without clear board authorization, written policy, cost tracking, safety protocols, and public reporting.
One small statutory refinement may actually make your argument stronger. William Shore is not a standard chapter 36.69 park and recreation district; MRSC identifies it as a metropolitan park district, and the local interlocal agreement states that the William Shore Memorial Pool District was organized under chapter 35.61 RCW to own, operate, and maintain the William Shore Memorial Swimming Pool.
That distinction does not weaken your concern. If anything, it sharpens it. The district’s purpose remains recreational/aquatic facility operations, not to become an informal satellite access point for county public health or harm-reduction programming.
I would be careful about calling it an OPMA violation unless there is evidence that a quorum of the pool board discussed, deliberated, or authorized the program outside a noticed public meeting. But if this program operated administratively for 18 months without board approval, then the public accountability problem remains very serious: Who authorized it? What policy governed it? What agency criteria applied? What costs were absorbed by the pool? What safety safeguards were in place? And when was the public board supposed to review it?
I have deep compassion for the homeless, for sure. I think the problems stem primarily from to progressive technocratic policy, so the state has implied responsibility to help what it has damaged. However, the public pool isn't a reasonable solution. I'm certainly not casting blame on any particular person. Many people, including those in leadership roles, generally just throw things at the wall to see what sticks. When kids are involved and those who visit the pool who have disability, we need to be more careful. People on drugs don't have the same capacity for decision making (not talking about leadership ;)).
We can all see Johnson has one foot out the door as he chuckles away public concerns, gets openly defensive and laps up every word from Berry but we can't forget we will need decent options for his replacement too
That really is the solution. Putting bandaids on all the bad decisions the commissioners make or don’t make is like holding water back from a broken dyke with play dough.
What the hell Mr FRENCH?
What is it that the three idiots are aware of and make serious recommendations? Oh yes, anything the Tribe needs.
How sick of the commissioners and the lame excuses are you getting.
I’m at maximum capacity to cut them slack on anything. What if there were no commissioners, would anyone notice?
Teresa, IMO there should, at least, be a warning sign at the pool regarding the hours open to the homeless. Why? Because the homeless represent an extremely high percentage of drug abusers, pedophiles, sex offenders, criminals on the run and mental illness. The public safety needs have to be at the top of the priority.
Sadly, people in leadership roles who are locked in their own headspace and who believe for some odd reason (ahem) that their position is secure will only develop clarity when RCW are listed and they are forced to learn them. Lest they forget that in our country, the people rule the leadership through representation and not the other way around.
I'd like a picket march, on a Saturday, meet at former Rite Aid on Lincoln, past the 6th st drug squatters, pause in front of William Shore pool, down the Safeway alley and north on Laurel to disrupt the active dealers and users, pause in front of 3rd st health office at Berry's dope camp, end at the courthouse. My sign would say "Dope Pushers and Pedos OUT OF PA". I am free Saturday, but we would need a group for safety. The users have been getting more territorial and agressive.
Maybe build a tunnel to the new PBH condos. Do their dope and wash their dishes before their shower. Then harass all the waterfront businesses. What a life ! Oh they can relax reading the porno books for dessert.
Like job interviews always happen in the men’s shower rooms!
Maybe Suggs is on those drugs. What possesses the leaders to say such stupid things? Can’t they control what comes out of their mouths so we have a little bit of confidence in leadership? I guess that is a redundant question.
OMG let’s all swim with the unhoused because they care so much about good hygiene. We keep letting the abusers set the rules and we all bend to accommodate them. Isn’t it time to say “get the F***** out of this county ? We have zero obligation to those that use illegal drugs and take local resources. So much attention wasted on the wasted. Why do we continue to put effort towards people that don’t care about themselves? The person that got hit by a car will probably sue the county for not providing lit sidewalks to his squalor! It’s just like the bad kid in a classroom, takes so much time away from others there to learn. Tell the bad kids to go to the principals office and quit disturbing others.
Here's the kicker. Ready for it? Washington State mandates that the insurance you carry covers pedestrians and cyclists for collisions with your vehicle whether they are at fault or not. This person will get paid money from the driver's insurance company. That might be better than selling dope.
The parks, the library, the hospital, the pool, the sidewalks, public parking and street curbs ...in what public space have those who pay taxes and follow the laws not been deprioritized?
I can hardly believe the Pool board is from planet Earth. Let's hammer them with the RCWs they are breaking. Let alone the access to the very young in this county. Mike French is Toast...
What an article! Isn't French also the treasurer? I'm in such disbelief that he didn't know about this that I can't think straight. It's chilling to know that a person who hasn't bathed in a week and lived somewhere on the street can come in to a public pool to use the showers, the towels, and the sink. Who cleans up after them? So the homeless get maid service now? Is it safe for any employee to touch these towels and other discarded items? You can tell by the lack of follow thru that these Council and Board members are elitists. They never think about the consequences to others, just what is in it for them. Thank you, Jeff. We needed to know.
These different organizations, boards and commissioners work on the ‘go head’ plan. They do it without forethought of consequences. Much like the PayPal slogan, “Enjoy now, Pay later”.
The check out price of these problems are snowballing into a Clallam County avalanche, the taxpayers are going to be the ones who get buried. We need to vote our way out of this impending disaster. Let’s get our foot in the door. Vote Jake Seegers!
When French is involved it’s full steam ahead he loves to spend other people’s money without question……$350K condos without cost restraints… just keep adding amenities, whatever sounds like a good idea just include it because taxpayers will pay for it according to French. Need extra cost air conditioning ✅ got a dog have to have a dog wash ✅ extra sound installation in walls to protect tenants from noise ✅ dishwashers ✅ no rules or over site at facility ✅✅ plus extra community amendments, gathering place with water views & mountains ✅. Yep, so shower vouchers are chump change for French, no questions, no restraints, full steam ahead cause tax payers pay for it all including French’s $10,000 salary per month.
4rs, the 'GO AHEAD' approach is all around us. Electric Vehicle Charging Station for the homeless for God's sake? Free (but funded) parking in a Church that nobody uses? Useless programs have become the new normal.
Another business that my family used to enjoy will no longer earn our patronage!
I mean the bullshit they put us through over Covid and now they expect us to bathe and re-use towels from the drug addicted vagrant population?
You ever seen what MRSA Staph infections and just Staph in general do to a human body?
Not to mention herpes, foot fungus, AIDS and all the rest of the wonderful third world disease being brought to a swimming pool near you and your loved ones!!!
Didn’t they just recently tell us that Xylazine laced drugs are being found across the Peninsula?
Look up Xylazine wounds. You had better have a strong stomach!
I think the commissioners and decision makers be required to shower there once a week. That would solve the problem in a minute. Maybe give them a voucher for the homeless when they clean up their camps and sites. That would free Jake up so he can campaign more.
I grew up in Hawaii so I am quite familiar with Staph and all its horrors.
It lives everywhere and on everything and it LOVES a humid, moist environment like a locker room or swimming pool area.
It absolutely thrives amongst the homeless population because many are unable to bathe regularly.
I have sympathy for the homeless. I am not heartless. I have been homeless.
My question is why are the most vulnerable in our population being asked to bear the burden?
People who are both young and old are at highest risk. So why choose a place that is the beating heart where families gather trusting that they are safe from both disease and predators? Make it make sense!!!!
"We think of the shower as a place to rinse off the dirt, get clean, and make a fresh start. However, something unexpected may be lurking.
Fungal, bacterial, and viral infections can often be acquired from floors in public showers, such as those at pools, gyms, or dorms. As these organisms thrive in warm and moist environments, infections can easily spread from one person’s feet to the shower floor, and then onto your foot.
Common Infections
Athlete’s foot
Also known as tinea pedis, this is the most common infection you might pick up in the shower. It is a fungal infection that manifests primarily as scaling between the toes or on the bottoms of the feet. If left untreated long enough, it can lead to difficult to treat toenail infections.
Warts
These infections in the skin are caused by a family of viruses called HPV. They show up as rough and scaling bumps on the bottoms of the feet. They can spread to virtually any other area on the skin.
MRSA
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics. MRSA infections commonly involve the skin, but serious infections can affect internal organs as well. When the skin is involved, infections can appear as swollen, red, and tender bumps in the skin that look like pimples or spider bites. They can turn into deep, painful abscesses that may require antibiotics or surgical draining."
I’m sure the pool itself is fine because of the chlorine levels. It’s every other public surface that you need to worry about, especially the locker room/bathroom areas. The whole towel thing is just horrifying beyond measure. It really shows what the “leadership” thinks of us commoners.
MRSA is a REALLY bad one and there are two types. The worse one to cure is the community acquired: Yes, it is more in the homeless because of bad daily hygiene. The cure is in the disease that is making people become and stay homeless. Tough Love is one cure.
There are primarily two types of MRSA infection. These are categorized by the source of infection. The two types—hospital-acquired and community-acquired—may have differences in terms of how they look and act, which can affect treatment.
Not to worry, the offered free health care will cover it on our dime. Harm Reduction gives instruction on how to shoot up AROUND the wound for "safe practice". Have you ever read anything that promotes continued use of drugs more than Harm Reduction instructions?
If injecting, practice harm reduction strategies below:
» Start low and go slow
» Rotate injection sites
» TRY NOT TO INJECT IN OR AROUND THE WOUNDS
» Use new supplies every time and avoid sharing used supplies
I have never read anything quite as disturbing as the instructions on how to use illegal drugs. What flipping genius came up with the idea to print and circulate such vile information? Really, I thought I was bullet proof by now, but I feel like someone or many people should be fired. What the actual hell is going on?
At least I can still be shocked and appalled, if that’s a good thing?
Susan, I told about this to my neighbor, she said I was wrong. I guess only the people who are personally affected believe it. Financial security does blind one from the reality from the real world. The better offs' don't know what is happening. I do know, I live around them.
Thought we found such a wonderful place to take the kiddos to & they love going. They always ask, “Nana, are we going to the water park?” Sadly we will have to explain to them that we will not be going any longer, maybe take them to the cycle park & playground instead. Just can’t risk subjecting our most precious where the congregating homeless inside & outside are possibly doing drugs, showering, using boofing kits, who knows what? Really, WHO DOES KNOW? If the board members, like French, doesn’t know about the vouchers, what else don’t they know? NO F…ING WAY WILL WE WE EVER GO THERE AGAIN, PERIOD! My grandkids are worth much more than a poorly administered beautiful tax payer funded Aquatic Center. If this facility can’t listen to the public then they don’t deserve or get our business….simple.
4rs, my butt is on fire over this! The homeless takeover is beyond common sense. How is it happening? Where's it going to stop? Do we have to take to a torch wielding mob? I hope not
Isn't this just another variation of the old "It's easier/better to ask forgiveness than permission?" Who in their right mind would allow this to occur? And when they say, "no cost," of course there is financial cost -- staff time, costs of cleaning the facility and laundering towels, etc., even producing the physical vouchers, and so on. One has to ask, if so-called "harm reduction" programs are being eliminated in other blue-state areas around the nation for obvious reasons, why is Clallam County doing all it can to make being homeless and a drug addict easier?
Earlier on Jeff's People I was trying to explain that not everybody can play quarterback. You can't just argue you're oppressed so now its your turn to play quarterback.
I think if you're brains out of the trunk you notice their is a YMCA. Then you notice there is a WMCA for women. Then you go hmm maybe there ought to be a HMCA, where Snake Pliskin throws them a towel and hands them some dope on a rope.
The PA YMCA is run by the same group as the PT YMCA which is arguably not "for" women but will come out fighting for male anatomy in female bathing suits in the Womens locker room. What is it with pool management on the peninsula? what happened to having anything be "for the kids?"
I don't mind the blue hair...I don't mind the nose ring...but their decision making and attempts to normalize mixing genders and open air drug use asylums in the middle of town kinda proves we need new quarterbacks...
Thank you again for another excellent News Article. It certainly seems there are so many hidden agenda's continuously happening in PA and/or on the Olympic Peninsula.
RE: Wild Fire comment Jeff mentioned>>>
If interested in another opinion regarding the WA ST Dept. of Ecology Water Shortage for this year, U.W. Professor, Cliff Mass, spoke on Saturday, May 16th on AM Radio 790-Bellingham, the 'Farming Show'.
He was asked a question about the "Emergency " WA ST is in, regarding the 'Water Shortage' for this coming year 2026.
Cliff Mass reply was WA State is near to almost normal in precipitation. The Reservoirs are close to being full, there is good snow pack in the Cascades (not perfect, but good), as well as B.C. had excellent snow pack, which will help the Columbia River.
Cliff Mass has a weather blog, where he has photos of May 16th: Mt Rainer, Hurricane Ridge, and Stevens Pass.
When we are told something by governing officials, I have found it best to dig a bit, to see just how true their statements are. We can't be caught off guard, and we have to call them out where they fail to acknowledge the true facts. At this point in time, no need to go crazy, filling people with fear. With that said, I am concerned about M. Ozias & Maui.
I have been following Clifford Mass's blog for awhile. He is an excellent source of factual, unbiased information about the climate and weather. I first heard him on the Seattle Public Radio, KNKX, morning news show years ago when he would do a short piece daily, I believe, about the weather in the Puget Sound area. Then he was gone. He was canned because he refused to attribute every cold/hot/wet/dry spell to Anthropogenic Global Warming. He wouldn't go along with the approved narrative and so he had to be silenced.
"One of the more revealing moments during the public discussion came when board commissioner LaTrisha Suggs argued that while transients are using the facility, they could potentially encounter someone who offers them a job."
Did Suggs actually say that? Is she in some sort of stupidity competition with Karen Bass, Mayor of LA, who said, "How many people have you met who are homeless and don’t have any teeth?” she questioned. “Their teeth are gone because of meth. It’s hard to succeed without teeth. So, we need to offer comprehensive healthcare for these individuals.”
Obviously, if I am an employer looking for reliable workers, the first place that comes to mind is the community pool locker room during certain hours where I now know I can expect to encounter any number of homeless drug addicts and pedophiles looking for a job. Just the credentials I am looking for. But I will only hire them if they have a full set of teeth!
The Mat clinic and BHS have also monetized drug addiction and mental health. They have set up these local apple carts to make money off of the outpatient model.
I think its is the most shameful aspect. Teeing themselves up to profit from human weakness and instability, by removing the institutional model, in favor of a bureaucratic one..while we rub elbow's with them at the gas station...
In my case I see them residing for free in the PBH house down the block (that doesn't pay property tax)then see them smoking meth behind a shrub at Arco or smoking weed at the estuary all day while they wait for their WA medicaid funded "gender surgery"
Shhh, don’t tell anyone about how nice the weather can be on the WestEnd. I always said, Forks is a “diamond in the rough” and the “WestEnd Sip and Tip” is a locals favorite place to meet up. Thank you to owner and staff what an amazing venue to discuss issues that impact people on the WestEnd. Excellent community conversations with Jake Seegers, well done!
I have signs if anyone wants one delivered? Fourth of July is coming up if anyone wants to hang a sign on your parade float or vehicle that would be great!
The county commissioners did not respond to yesterday's email asking what message they would have for the 16-year-old driver, the pedestrian, and the broader community about harm reduction. Here is today's email sent to Shore Pool Board (Mike.French@ClallamCountyWA.gov, Randy.Johnson@ClallamCountyWA.gov, mhodgson@cityofpa.us, losuggs@cityofpa.us, gshield6@icloud.com).
Dear Commissioners Mike French and Randy Johnson, Port Angeles City Councilmembers Mark Hodgson and LaTrisha Suggs, and Boardmember Greg Shield,
There are several questions regarding the shower voucher program and the Board’s oversight of it.
What safeguards are currently in place to track vouchers, prevent misuse, and ensure accountability to both taxpayers and pool patrons?
Why was administrative approval expanded to allow participating organizations without requiring a formal board application process?
Has the Board evaluated whether the program is achieving its intended goals, and if so, what measurable outcomes support its continuation?
Finally, what message would the Board have for families and paying patrons who feel the facility’s primary purpose as a community recreation center is increasingly being overshadowed by social service functions?
Thank you for your time and consideration.
It’s worth pointing out the political strategy at play here, because it is a tactic designed specifically to keep readers angry and suspicious.
The strategy works like this: an author sends a list of highly weaponized, emotionally charged questions to a public board, fully knowing they won't receive an immediate response. Why? Because public boards are legislative bodies bound by strict public meeting laws, administrative protocols, and legal reviews—they literally cannot rapid-fire respond to a political blog.
But that built-in, legal delay is the entire point of the tactic. When the board takes the standard time required to process the inquiry, the author gets to spin that silence into a "cover-up" or claim the board is dodging accountability. It manufactures a massive scandal out of standard civic procedure.
We should absolutely demand clear policies and administrative oversight at the Shore Pool—running any program for 18 months without official board awareness is a real administrative failure that needs fixing. But as a community, we do not have to fall for this exhausting, doom-driven narrative that twists every local misstep into a terrifying conspiracy. We can hold our local government accountable calmly and constructively, without letting manufactured outrage divide our town.
Except for the one email from Mike French saying he didn't know about the voucher program, the pool board has never responded. What is the appropriate amount of time to allow for a response?
If you find something exhausting, you might take a break or not do it at all.
Also, we'd still appreciate a link to a peer-reviewed study that champions harm reduction.
Did a quick RCW search, since this seems like a no-brainer.
RCW 36.69.010 defines a public park and recreation district's authorized purpose as providing "leisure time activities and facilities and recreational facilities, of a nonprofit nature as a public service to the residents." RCW 67.20.010 further limits the authorized use of pool district facilities to "parks, playgrounds, gymnasiums, swimming pools, field houses, and other recreational facilities." Neither statute authorizes a pool district to operate as a satellite distribution node for Clallam County's Harm Reduction Health Center, which distributes drug paraphernalia under a wholly separate public health mandate.
Those two missions aren't just philosophically incompatible, they're structurally incompatible. The Harm Reduction Health Center operates under county public health authority (Chapter 70.05 RCW). The Pool operates under a park and recreation district charter. When you run a pipeline from a syringe services program directly into a family-recreation facility, during hours that overlap with Splash Preschool, per the article, you're not just bending policy. You're arguably mixing authorities that the Legislature separated for a reason.
RCW 36.68.090 gives county park boards broad power to "make, promulgate and enforce such rules and regulations regarding the use thereof," which actually cuts both ways. The board has the authority to protect patrons and exclude uses inconsistent with the facility's recreational mission. Choosing not to exercise that authority isn't compassion. It's dereliction.
Mike French sitting on both the pool board and the county commission overseeing harm reduction programs while claiming he didn't know about this voucher pipeline for 18 months isn't just embarrassing, it raises real questions about whether the mixed-agency arrangement violated basic public accountability obligations under, RCW 42.30 (Open Public Meetings Act). Informal coordination between social service agencies and a public facility that results in an operating program, without board approval, notice, or public deliberation, is exactly what that law exists to prevent.
The CC article is right: the question was never whether struggling people deserve hygiene access. It's whether a children's swim facility, funded by taxpayers for a specific recreational purpose, should become the last link in a harm reduction distribution chain, without a vote, without oversight, and without even informing every board member it was happening.
Seriously, if parents knew this was happening, right or left, few would have agreed to it. Can't just give out free drugs and community pool shower passes at the same time. Duh.
RCW 67.20.010: Pool/park district authority limited to recreational purposes
RCW 36.69.010: Park and recreation district purpose: leisure/recreation, not social services
RCW 36.68.090: Board authority to regulate and protect facility use
RCW 42.30 (OPMA): Open public meetings requirements for public bodies making program decisions
@DavidZelenka, I think your larger point is exactly the right governance question: this is not about whether people deserve access to hygiene. They do. It is about whether a taxpayer-funded public pool district can be quietly used as part of a county-linked service pathway without clear board authorization, written policy, cost tracking, safety protocols, and public reporting.
One small statutory refinement may actually make your argument stronger. William Shore is not a standard chapter 36.69 park and recreation district; MRSC identifies it as a metropolitan park district, and the local interlocal agreement states that the William Shore Memorial Pool District was organized under chapter 35.61 RCW to own, operate, and maintain the William Shore Memorial Swimming Pool.
That distinction does not weaken your concern. If anything, it sharpens it. The district’s purpose remains recreational/aquatic facility operations, not to become an informal satellite access point for county public health or harm-reduction programming.
I would be careful about calling it an OPMA violation unless there is evidence that a quorum of the pool board discussed, deliberated, or authorized the program outside a noticed public meeting. But if this program operated administratively for 18 months without board approval, then the public accountability problem remains very serious: Who authorized it? What policy governed it? What agency criteria applied? What costs were absorbed by the pool? What safety safeguards were in place? And when was the public board supposed to review it?
That is the question worth pressing.
References
Clallam County & City of Port Angeles. (2009). Interlocal agreement between the City of Port Angeles and Clallam County for the governance of William Shore Memorial Pool District. https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3864/Governance-of-the-William-Shore-Memorial-Pool-District-PDF
Clallam County Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Making “opioid overdose” a notifiable condition in Clallam County [PDF].
Municipal Research and Services Center. (2024, July). The Open Public Meetings Act: How it applies to Washington cities, counties, and special purpose districts. https://mrsc.org/getmedia/275e74fc-9d43-4868-8987-a626ad2cea9f/open-public-meetings-act.pdf
Municipal Research and Services Center. (2025, December 4). Metropolitan park districts. https://mrsc.org/explore-topics/parks/financing/metropolitan-park-districts
Municipal Research and Services Center. (2026, January 2). Comparison of recreation districts. https://mrsc.org/explore-topics/parks/financing/comparison-of-recreation-districts
Shore Aquatic & Community Center. (n.d.). Budget and finance. https://www.sacpa.org/budget-and-finance
State of Washington. (n.d.-a). Chapter 35.61 RCW: Metropolitan park districts. Washington State Legislature. https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=35.61
State of Washington. (n.d.-b). RCW 35.61.010: Creation—Territory included. Washington State Legislature. https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=35.61.010
State of Washington. (n.d.-c). RCW 42.30.010: Legislative declaration. Washington State Legislature. https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=42.30.010
State of Washington. (n.d.-d). RCW 70.05.070: Local health officer—Powers and duties. Washington State Legislature. https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=70.05.070
I have deep compassion for the homeless, for sure. I think the problems stem primarily from to progressive technocratic policy, so the state has implied responsibility to help what it has damaged. However, the public pool isn't a reasonable solution. I'm certainly not casting blame on any particular person. Many people, including those in leadership roles, generally just throw things at the wall to see what sticks. When kids are involved and those who visit the pool who have disability, we need to be more careful. People on drugs don't have the same capacity for decision making (not talking about leadership ;)).
Careful for whom you are compassionate. Some, like child predators especially, will not get any from me.
this!
Thanks Dr. Sarah.
We see the way.. navigation is on point.
Appreciate you posting all these tidbits of info.
The map through crazy.
RCW’s.
And at this point Scooby would say, "ruh-roh," but my guess is it'll be full steam ahead by the activists because no one is held accountable out here.
Excellent run-down David.
Excellent!
Perhaps there is a way through using RCW’s. ?
Question:
A *Board County Commissioner.
A *Board member of the William Shore Pool.
Mike French was never notified about the “Voucher” program before the public was notified??
18 months??
Enough.🙌🏻🤡
Picket time!
Let’s begin picketing with informational signs, William Shore pool and the Courthouse.
Let me know….
Meet at 9am Tuesday, picket for an hour… and get people to come to the commissioner meeting.
Lets GO!
9am William Shore Pool
9am Courthouse
1 hr - then Commissioner meeting.
💥💥💥
The ONE and only way out of this dystopia is get French out of office and then get Ozias out of office.
We can all see Johnson has one foot out the door as he chuckles away public concerns, gets openly defensive and laps up every word from Berry but we can't forget we will need decent options for his replacement too
I'm guessing Mayor Kate Dexter is still waiting in the wings.
no, thanks.
That really is the solution. Putting bandaids on all the bad decisions the commissioners make or don’t make is like holding water back from a broken dyke with play dough.
What the hell Mr FRENCH?
What is it that the three idiots are aware of and make serious recommendations? Oh yes, anything the Tribe needs.
How sick of the commissioners and the lame excuses are you getting.
I’m at maximum capacity to cut them slack on anything. What if there were no commissioners, would anyone notice?
Teresa, IMO there should, at least, be a warning sign at the pool regarding the hours open to the homeless. Why? Because the homeless represent an extremely high percentage of drug abusers, pedophiles, sex offenders, criminals on the run and mental illness. The public safety needs have to be at the top of the priority.
I concur Jennifer.
The program overall.
this…
it is not a good fit.
Homeless-Drug users/Child swim time.
Why aren’t the parents outraged?
Why is everyone so accepting and complacent?
Sadly, people in leadership roles who are locked in their own headspace and who believe for some odd reason (ahem) that their position is secure will only develop clarity when RCW are listed and they are forced to learn them. Lest they forget that in our country, the people rule the leadership through representation and not the other way around.
I'd like a picket march, on a Saturday, meet at former Rite Aid on Lincoln, past the 6th st drug squatters, pause in front of William Shore pool, down the Safeway alley and north on Laurel to disrupt the active dealers and users, pause in front of 3rd st health office at Berry's dope camp, end at the courthouse. My sign would say "Dope Pushers and Pedos OUT OF PA". I am free Saturday, but we would need a group for safety. The users have been getting more territorial and agressive.
I would agree, great meeting place.👍🏼
It is disgusting..
The Freemasons must despise that!
"hoodwill/not rite" location-it's a centerpiece for the hwy 101 "scenic corridor"
when I drive by look at it and think of local leaders, this scene plays in my head https://youtu.be/8ZD89CEO1Vk?si=dBNK9by1iCVVfTmk
Mike French just proved that he is not qualified to serve on either board.
“Just the Facts”
👍🏼💥
What would you suggest on the signs
short & factual.💥
print out papers re: info on signs..
whatever we know most about and have the receipts to back it up.
IE:
Info on the pool showers, the alleged embezzlement.. (Burke)
The attempted child abduction… (Carry Blake Park)
The Tumwater creek (photos)…
Pictures behind liberty bell…. (Photos)
Personal Property rights..
The Tribal TakeOver…
The Library HOAX….
ADD List Infinitum!
Right Lyle?
Let’s NOT forget about the big Ol’ Red Bard for over a million…
😉🙌🏻
Danger: Enter AT YOUR OWN RISK
Perhaps At the County line for sure.. 😏
Just wondering when the Library and the pool will merge as a single entity given they seem to want to involve themselves in social service?
Maybe build a tunnel to the new PBH condos. Do their dope and wash their dishes before their shower. Then harass all the waterfront businesses. What a life ! Oh they can relax reading the porno books for dessert.
Damnit man, Suggs said that they could potentially encounter someone who offers them a job. Keep up, she'll next announce flying pigs.
MK, Suggs is rising to the highest level of her incompetency.
Swimming in it, way over her head.
The crap she lets fly out of her mouth goes unchecked.
As tolerated by the electorate.
clueless, delusional
Like job interviews always happen in the men’s shower rooms!
Maybe Suggs is on those drugs. What possesses the leaders to say such stupid things? Can’t they control what comes out of their mouths so we have a little bit of confidence in leadership? I guess that is a redundant question.
OMG let’s all swim with the unhoused because they care so much about good hygiene. We keep letting the abusers set the rules and we all bend to accommodate them. Isn’t it time to say “get the F***** out of this county ? We have zero obligation to those that use illegal drugs and take local resources. So much attention wasted on the wasted. Why do we continue to put effort towards people that don’t care about themselves? The person that got hit by a car will probably sue the county for not providing lit sidewalks to his squalor! It’s just like the bad kid in a classroom, takes so much time away from others there to learn. Tell the bad kids to go to the principals office and quit disturbing others.
Here's the kicker. Ready for it? Washington State mandates that the insurance you carry covers pedestrians and cyclists for collisions with your vehicle whether they are at fault or not. This person will get paid money from the driver's insurance company. That might be better than selling dope.
The parks, the library, the hospital, the pool, the sidewalks, public parking and street curbs ...in what public space have those who pay taxes and follow the laws not been deprioritized?
Good morning Jeff and Doggers,
I can hardly believe the Pool board is from planet Earth. Let's hammer them with the RCWs they are breaking. Let alone the access to the very young in this county. Mike French is Toast...
Vote Jake Seegers!
Save our County!
Thank you all and have a great day.
Yeah, what the hell are they creating???
What an article! Isn't French also the treasurer? I'm in such disbelief that he didn't know about this that I can't think straight. It's chilling to know that a person who hasn't bathed in a week and lived somewhere on the street can come in to a public pool to use the showers, the towels, and the sink. Who cleans up after them? So the homeless get maid service now? Is it safe for any employee to touch these towels and other discarded items? You can tell by the lack of follow thru that these Council and Board members are elitists. They never think about the consequences to others, just what is in it for them. Thank you, Jeff. We needed to know.
THE 'GO AHEAD' APPROACH
These different organizations, boards and commissioners work on the ‘go head’ plan. They do it without forethought of consequences. Much like the PayPal slogan, “Enjoy now, Pay later”.
The check out price of these problems are snowballing into a Clallam County avalanche, the taxpayers are going to be the ones who get buried. We need to vote our way out of this impending disaster. Let’s get our foot in the door. Vote Jake Seegers!
When French is involved it’s full steam ahead he loves to spend other people’s money without question……$350K condos without cost restraints… just keep adding amenities, whatever sounds like a good idea just include it because taxpayers will pay for it according to French. Need extra cost air conditioning ✅ got a dog have to have a dog wash ✅ extra sound installation in walls to protect tenants from noise ✅ dishwashers ✅ no rules or over site at facility ✅✅ plus extra community amendments, gathering place with water views & mountains ✅. Yep, so shower vouchers are chump change for French, no questions, no restraints, full steam ahead cause tax payers pay for it all including French’s $10,000 salary per month.
4rs, the 'GO AHEAD' approach is all around us. Electric Vehicle Charging Station for the homeless for God's sake? Free (but funded) parking in a Church that nobody uses? Useless programs have become the new normal.
Another business that my family used to enjoy will no longer earn our patronage!
I mean the bullshit they put us through over Covid and now they expect us to bathe and re-use towels from the drug addicted vagrant population?
You ever seen what MRSA Staph infections and just Staph in general do to a human body?
Not to mention herpes, foot fungus, AIDS and all the rest of the wonderful third world disease being brought to a swimming pool near you and your loved ones!!!
Didn’t they just recently tell us that Xylazine laced drugs are being found across the Peninsula?
Look up Xylazine wounds. You had better have a strong stomach!
I think the commissioners and decision makers be required to shower there once a week. That would solve the problem in a minute. Maybe give them a voucher for the homeless when they clean up their camps and sites. That would free Jake up so he can campaign more.
jedj, and the commissioners and Suggs should be required to use the supplied towels too!
Indeed!
I grew up in Hawaii so I am quite familiar with Staph and all its horrors.
It lives everywhere and on everything and it LOVES a humid, moist environment like a locker room or swimming pool area.
It absolutely thrives amongst the homeless population because many are unable to bathe regularly.
I have sympathy for the homeless. I am not heartless. I have been homeless.
My question is why are the most vulnerable in our population being asked to bear the burden?
People who are both young and old are at highest risk. So why choose a place that is the beating heart where families gather trusting that they are safe from both disease and predators? Make it make sense!!!!
good point, not just kids but many seniors and physically disabled rely on the pool for a safe exercise option
Erin, not many safe places left in Clallam County because of non enforcement and now the paid for(membership) public swimming area? Insanity!
It IS BS ! Jun 27, 2023
From University of Utah Health:
"We think of the shower as a place to rinse off the dirt, get clean, and make a fresh start. However, something unexpected may be lurking.
Fungal, bacterial, and viral infections can often be acquired from floors in public showers, such as those at pools, gyms, or dorms. As these organisms thrive in warm and moist environments, infections can easily spread from one person’s feet to the shower floor, and then onto your foot.
Common Infections
Athlete’s foot
Also known as tinea pedis, this is the most common infection you might pick up in the shower. It is a fungal infection that manifests primarily as scaling between the toes or on the bottoms of the feet. If left untreated long enough, it can lead to difficult to treat toenail infections.
Warts
These infections in the skin are caused by a family of viruses called HPV. They show up as rough and scaling bumps on the bottoms of the feet. They can spread to virtually any other area on the skin.
MRSA
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics. MRSA infections commonly involve the skin, but serious infections can affect internal organs as well. When the skin is involved, infections can appear as swollen, red, and tender bumps in the skin that look like pimples or spider bites. They can turn into deep, painful abscesses that may require antibiotics or surgical draining."
The list is much longer. 🤮
I’m sure the pool itself is fine because of the chlorine levels. It’s every other public surface that you need to worry about, especially the locker room/bathroom areas. The whole towel thing is just horrifying beyond measure. It really shows what the “leadership” thinks of us commoners.
Reminds me of the smallpox blankets they once handed out to the Indians.
We are all the same, anything else is discrimination
MRSA is a REALLY bad one and there are two types. The worse one to cure is the community acquired: Yes, it is more in the homeless because of bad daily hygiene. The cure is in the disease that is making people become and stay homeless. Tough Love is one cure.
There are primarily two types of MRSA infection. These are categorized by the source of infection. The two types—hospital-acquired and community-acquired—may have differences in terms of how they look and act, which can affect treatment.
eeuuwww!
Erin, yes, anyone reading the link below will need a strong stomach!
WHERE IS OUR HEALTH DEPT? Apparently, it’s not here, but it is in Oregon.
Wounds From Fentanyl With Xylazine. Drugs containing xylazine can cause wounds that can grow quickly and be difficult to treat.
https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/PREVENTIONWELLNESS/SUBSTANCEUSE/OPIOIDS/Documents/200-299810_Individual%20Xylazine%20Wound%20Management%20Guidelines%20Final.pdf
Covid ruined trusting any of the “health experts” for me.
Not to worry, the offered free health care will cover it on our dime. Harm Reduction gives instruction on how to shoot up AROUND the wound for "safe practice". Have you ever read anything that promotes continued use of drugs more than Harm Reduction instructions?
If injecting, practice harm reduction strategies below:
» Start low and go slow
» Rotate injection sites
» TRY NOT TO INJECT IN OR AROUND THE WOUNDS
» Use new supplies every time and avoid sharing used supplies
I have never read anything quite as disturbing as the instructions on how to use illegal drugs. What flipping genius came up with the idea to print and circulate such vile information? Really, I thought I was bullet proof by now, but I feel like someone or many people should be fired. What the actual hell is going on?
At least I can still be shocked and appalled, if that’s a good thing?
Susan, I told about this to my neighbor, she said I was wrong. I guess only the people who are personally affected believe it. Financial security does blind one from the reality from the real world. The better offs' don't know what is happening. I do know, I live around them.
Thought we found such a wonderful place to take the kiddos to & they love going. They always ask, “Nana, are we going to the water park?” Sadly we will have to explain to them that we will not be going any longer, maybe take them to the cycle park & playground instead. Just can’t risk subjecting our most precious where the congregating homeless inside & outside are possibly doing drugs, showering, using boofing kits, who knows what? Really, WHO DOES KNOW? If the board members, like French, doesn’t know about the vouchers, what else don’t they know? NO F…ING WAY WILL WE WE EVER GO THERE AGAIN, PERIOD! My grandkids are worth much more than a poorly administered beautiful tax payer funded Aquatic Center. If this facility can’t listen to the public then they don’t deserve or get our business….simple.
4rs, my butt is on fire over this! The homeless takeover is beyond common sense. How is it happening? Where's it going to stop? Do we have to take to a torch wielding mob? I hope not
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLvGnro4Cgw
The state mandates a lot of this. Tharinger, Chapman, and to a lessor extent Bernbaum are part of the problem.
What about drug usage while using the pool showers?
What about open wounds?
Blood spillage in the drain..
Crabs?
Ever have those?
I am not a clinician.
I am a realist and a common-sensor.
And yes, I do have a heart.
Let’s cancel 5 NGO’s and build a wellness center.
Isn't this just another variation of the old "It's easier/better to ask forgiveness than permission?" Who in their right mind would allow this to occur? And when they say, "no cost," of course there is financial cost -- staff time, costs of cleaning the facility and laundering towels, etc., even producing the physical vouchers, and so on. One has to ask, if so-called "harm reduction" programs are being eliminated in other blue-state areas around the nation for obvious reasons, why is Clallam County doing all it can to make being homeless and a drug addict easier?
Earlier on Jeff's People I was trying to explain that not everybody can play quarterback. You can't just argue you're oppressed so now its your turn to play quarterback.
I think if you're brains out of the trunk you notice their is a YMCA. Then you notice there is a WMCA for women. Then you go hmm maybe there ought to be a HMCA, where Snake Pliskin throws them a towel and hands them some dope on a rope.
The PA YMCA is run by the same group as the PT YMCA which is arguably not "for" women but will come out fighting for male anatomy in female bathing suits in the Womens locker room. What is it with pool management on the peninsula? what happened to having anything be "for the kids?"
I don't mind the blue hair...I don't mind the nose ring...but their decision making and attempts to normalize mixing genders and open air drug use asylums in the middle of town kinda proves we need new quarterbacks...
Thank you again for another excellent News Article. It certainly seems there are so many hidden agenda's continuously happening in PA and/or on the Olympic Peninsula.
RE: Wild Fire comment Jeff mentioned>>>
If interested in another opinion regarding the WA ST Dept. of Ecology Water Shortage for this year, U.W. Professor, Cliff Mass, spoke on Saturday, May 16th on AM Radio 790-Bellingham, the 'Farming Show'.
He was asked a question about the "Emergency " WA ST is in, regarding the 'Water Shortage' for this coming year 2026.
Cliff Mass reply was WA State is near to almost normal in precipitation. The Reservoirs are close to being full, there is good snow pack in the Cascades (not perfect, but good), as well as B.C. had excellent snow pack, which will help the Columbia River.
Cliff Mass has a weather blog, where he has photos of May 16th: Mt Rainer, Hurricane Ridge, and Stevens Pass.
When we are told something by governing officials, I have found it best to dig a bit, to see just how true their statements are. We can't be caught off guard, and we have to call them out where they fail to acknowledge the true facts. At this point in time, no need to go crazy, filling people with fear. With that said, I am concerned about M. Ozias & Maui.
I have been following Clifford Mass's blog for awhile. He is an excellent source of factual, unbiased information about the climate and weather. I first heard him on the Seattle Public Radio, KNKX, morning news show years ago when he would do a short piece daily, I believe, about the weather in the Puget Sound area. Then he was gone. He was canned because he refused to attribute every cold/hot/wet/dry spell to Anthropogenic Global Warming. He wouldn't go along with the approved narrative and so he had to be silenced.
Thank you for the added info on Cliff Mass. I did not know of him, until last weekend. I liked what I saw on his 'blog'.
KNKX blamed posts by Mass on his blog for his removal from the station’s programming. I can’t find his blog post giving his account of events which is quite different. It was on his blog back in 2020. The MSM at the time were only too willing to point the finger at Mass and parrot KNKX’s talking points. https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/meteorologist-cliff-mass-loses-job-at-another-radio-station-over-controversial-comments-about-seattle-riots/281-c8658179-552f-46ef-af53-8f3d9787d0c3
Another hidden gem exposed by keen-eyed commenters. Thank you. Usually I take what gov't says and do/think the opposite.
"One of the more revealing moments during the public discussion came when board commissioner LaTrisha Suggs argued that while transients are using the facility, they could potentially encounter someone who offers them a job."
Did Suggs actually say that? Is she in some sort of stupidity competition with Karen Bass, Mayor of LA, who said, "How many people have you met who are homeless and don’t have any teeth?” she questioned. “Their teeth are gone because of meth. It’s hard to succeed without teeth. So, we need to offer comprehensive healthcare for these individuals.”
Obviously, if I am an employer looking for reliable workers, the first place that comes to mind is the community pool locker room during certain hours where I now know I can expect to encounter any number of homeless drug addicts and pedophiles looking for a job. Just the credentials I am looking for. But I will only hire them if they have a full set of teeth!
She said it! I don't know how many jobs you have interviewed for in the shower, but I may have to give it a shot.
1. Looks terrible on the Post card.
2. Never should have tried to make it a core government service.
3. They have wasted millions on homeless industrial complex payroll.
4. Put public at risk.
5. Put environment at risk.
6. Killing people faster than the State Department could in a war.
great summary that applies to multiple issues here
The Mat clinic and BHS have also monetized drug addiction and mental health. They have set up these local apple carts to make money off of the outpatient model.
I think its is the most shameful aspect. Teeing themselves up to profit from human weakness and instability, by removing the institutional model, in favor of a bureaucratic one..while we rub elbow's with them at the gas station...
homeless industrial complex, the only growth industry in Clallam besides casinos
In my case I see them residing for free in the PBH house down the block (that doesn't pay property tax)then see them smoking meth behind a shrub at Arco or smoking weed at the estuary all day while they wait for their WA medicaid funded "gender surgery"