Well said, Jeff, and so succinct: Needs before wants! A simple concept that seems to elude our Commissioners.
And while retrofitting a county building for energy efficiency is noble, how many years for it to pay for itself? Does anyone know? This is clearly a want, not a need. The dam that they removed in PA would have supplied far more energy than lost through a poorly-insulated county building, not to mention generate income from selling the energy to others. What brainiac had the dam removed....at ADDITIONAL expense? Oh yeah, the SAH-MUN. Wouldn't hatchery fish been a LOT less expensive, Tribal profits are sufficient from casino operations.
Thank you for the opportunity, Jeff. You tied it all together, in perfect Tozzer fashion, on the podcast and made the information fun and easy to understand.
I was told that removing the dam was a business decision that got really good PR - it was failing and the liability would be massive, but rather than needing to pay to repair/replace it, they got others to pay them to remove it. They could have put in a salmon ladder if they didn't want to wash their hands of the whole thing.
It does sound like PA.. I'd mention the name of the lady who told me, but I remember there were points of the conversation she didn't want me to say she said..
There may indeed be extenuating circumstances with the dam removal, but it seems to me that a dam is a damn good investment for water storage for drought years and a steady energy supply, all that pay for itself over and over. With the zeal in which The Klamath River dams and the push to remove Snake River dams, I have to believe that the REAL reason for the Elwah Dam removal was political, for the SAH-Mun, and then someone spotted a small crack and said, "AHA, the dam is failing, we had better remove it". You know how that snowball grows in size when there is an ulterior motive. So, I remain unconvinced that it was justified.
For all the rehab money being flushed down the drain, we could have a new and improved upper dam for sure...impassable falls just upstream from the upper dam, so, yeah we have been played in every way possible.
They are using Us as collateral to build the world they want...minus us, when the time is right...it's near enough!😎
Ash, yes, energy “efficiency” upgrades. Does this mean the usual tighter building envelope with more recirculated air?
Do you recall “Cash for Caulkers?” Who said that? Do you recall the days when the PUD, OlyCap, and the City of PA all had “weatherization” programs? Do you know the history of ASHRAE?
How were Americans tricked into dropping to their knees, bending over, and begging for the ObamaCare shafting? Why are the schools failing?
I see those in County buildings already as dysfunctional. Less fresh air won’t help,
John how common fish sense is that? Let’s take a 3’ deep canal of water and create tributaries off of it and see what happens. I would call this science at least when I was in school, ah so we have tributaries diluting the flow in the main channel and you end up with less water in each tributary and water temperature increase, fish struggle & fight for their lives in warmer water, they hate warm water, fish 101, and they die because of it.
Then they take a tractor to the tributary to dredge it years after they told ole man McGlothlin he couldn't do it anymore to keep his property (where the longhouse in Blyn is) from flooding. It's one foot to the other 18 out of 23.
I think they see the writing on the wall. On top of all the federal dollars they are losing these days. They know we are in a downturn. Realestate is way over valued due to people coming into the state with big pockets. During the last downturn they lost their butts when realestate took a dump. But they just keep spending like a bunch of drunk sailors. Using our money to buy votes while filling the pockets of their doners. The federal gov just reversed a bs climate change act that the obummer admin enacted. Apparently they didnt have the right to enact it in the first place. Who'd a thought... A lot of that going on these days. Lawyers twisting words around to suit their fancy. Wouldnt it be wonderful if they made them get rid of the gas tax increases too?
The average salary of a Clallam county government worker is $80,500.
The average salary of a Port Angeles city government worker is $76,000.
The average salary of a Sequim teacher is $83,600
The average salary of a Port Angeles teacher is $81,000
The average salary of all government workers (includes federal, state, county, city) in Clallam county is $115,617
The average non government affiliated salary in Clallam County is $49,900.
In Clallam County approximately 34.6% of jobs are government-related, and 65.4% are non-government.
All of the government jobs come with benefits. This is what they are protecting by increasing taxes every chance they get. It is solely to protect their salaries and benefits.
We didn’t need so many drugs when people were allowed to reach for a cigarette or an alcoholic beverage or a donut. Did people successfully use these to reduce anxiety?
Is there an optimal number of deaths from smoking, from drinking and driving? Why is there more obesity and diabetes if donuts are taboo?
Are there undesirable consequences from trying too hard to prevent something? For example, with stricter law about drinking and driving, do people stay home, drink alone, get depressed, drink more, turn to drugs, and even commit suicide?
What about tobacco? Did we lose something there?
The road to Hell is paved with good intentions by fools. Were those fools seduced by people with evil intentions?
Every action has consequences. Did you ever consider the consequences of a war on smoking?
Did people use tobacco to control their eating? Their weight? Is there a trade off between lung cancer on one hand and obesity, diabetes, and kidney failure on the other? Have respiratory problems gone down?
Can cigarette smoke in a room convey important data to you?
We were a more civil society when ashtrays were everywhere.
Healthier too. No begging for ObamaCare.
Not all the mental cases and homeless.
Yes, it’s all connected.
School shootings too.
(Some repetition).
We were more civil and even healthier when there were ashtrays everywhere. There’s a very good reason for this.
The war against smoking was not for better health. It had another purpose, a sinister purpose. They knew they couldn’t force tighter buildings with poor ventilation on us if smoking were allowed inside.
Our life expectancy is declining. Our past better health and longevity was created by men and women who just wanted their smokes and drinks while they worked to build a better America.
America is now being dismantled by nasty males and females, not men and women, who have found a way to make their fellow citizens, especially children, sick, dumb, fat, crazy, violent, and criminal, so they can take more.
Munchausen Syndrome By Proxy.
“Stalin’s Chicken.”
Please read about the CDC while visiting the site.
I am suspicious when I see “salary” numbers. Take the Port Angeles School District. Two or three years ago, the average outlay for teachers and administrators taken together was around $140,000 per year per person. Salary figures likely exclude benefits, which are around 30%, higher if you include the employer’s share of FICA, which I have in the $140,000. (PASD does also).
I imagine all the other government jobs have cushy benefits also.
Yes, these salary numbers exclude benefits. All government jobs in Clallam county come with better benefits than any non-government jobs in the county.
I grew up the child of a federal government worker. Back in the 80's private sector jobs made much more money than gov jobs. Not now. In fact it's apparent that the opposite is true. Especially in rural counties.
The commissioners of Clallam County fail to recognize the basic fact that any increase in taxes awards the 34% gov workers at the expense of the 65% of non government workers as they will surely get pay increases to offset any decrease in their take home pay from the increase in taxes. Private sector jobs will not have the increase in pay to offset anything.
This is completely unsustainable. You can not have the tax payers making less than the tax recipients.
Excellent and on point comment! This is why defeating the so-called “Water Steward” position was critical … once a guvmint job and/or new department or program is created, getting rid of it is like trying to sneak a sunrise past a rooster …
Thank you Jeff for brining others into the conversation. Your growing voice is being heard, it is leading to other voices joining the conversation, and that increases the listening. The collective voices are growing each day, making it more difficult to drown out with back room politics, corruption, and personal greed over public service. We ARE winning one sensible person at a time. Through your persistent truth telling and the gathering of the voices you are moving this county citizens to reasonable citizenship. Bring others to the discussion and then to the table will make the difference
“You know, if one person, just one person does it they may think he’s really sick. Or two people, two people do it — in harmony, they may think they are both daft. If three people do it, they make think it is an organization. Can you imagine fifty people a day walking in singing a bar of Alice’s Restaurant and walking out, they may think it is a movement! And that is what it is.” - loosely quoted Arlo Guthrie
I went to the OMC commission meeting on Wednesday and was thrilled with the turnout. Many commenters said they wouldn’t know what was going on except for Jeff’s efforts with CC Watchdog.
Thank you again for your hard work in bringing light to the dark underbelly of our local & state government Jeff Tozzer~! This is a great view of the pieces of our financial problems here in Clallam County and I really appreciate the way it was all brought together to reveal the "macro-economic" view of the bigger picture~! It is VERY important for the good folks here in our community to start to understand that "little by little" all of these smaller tax and fee increases add up to a whoppingly HUGE increase in the burden that is heaped upon the local taxpayers~! I hope that those who rent or lease their homes here are paying strict attention, because there is no doubt that at this rate the landlords will be forced to raise their rents to cover these atrocious government tax & fee increases~! Gone is the time when the small tax & fee increases imposed by the government can be absorbed by the average landlord, so if you rent or lease ANY property here in Clallam County you had better consider exactly who and what you vote for, because the bill will end up in your hands quicker than you think~! As for the corrupt Individuals in government management, I do hope that this simple math accounting of ALL of the governments tax & fee burden is getting through to you~!!! I know how you love to conspire to trivialize & minimize every tax & fee increase that you impose upon the good folks here in Clallam County, so it is the excellent articles and public input just like this that have COMPLETELY removed your "plausible deniability" that you falsely believed would give you the usual "we didn't know" excuse when this blows up in everyone's faces and the completely foreseeable financial disaster comes home to roost~! You are killing Clallam County with your financial mismanagement and by throwing OUR taxpayer money around on foolish & unimportant, often insane, projects that "we" in the community never voted for or wanted~! Instead of conspiring on how to trick and deceive the general population and overburdened taxpayers into supporting your next outrageous scheme that you know damn well most people in our community don't want, it would be best for you and the community if you just did the jobs that you are already SO abundantly overpaid to do~! Get to work for the good folks who live here and cease & desist with the political agenda garbage that you are engaged it~! Sincerely, Mike
County Assessor is up for election next year, Mike(; Why not you? Appraisals must be market value by law. But, as an elected official who represents us, the Assessor should target appraisals near the lower end of acceptable values per USPAP standards.
I absolutely LOVE the irony of this comment my friend~! HA~! Let me explain... ALL Individuals and/or governments who dare to use the term "appraisal/s" or describe themselves as "appraisers" who are doing "appraisals" as any part of their job/work absolutely MUST be licensed appraisers in that state, therefore any government or "assessor" who so much as claims to be doing any appraisals is in fact committing a federal felony by those pesky USPAP standards for each property that they deal with~! Obviously, those federal felonies can really add up for assessors who are really only doing "blanket assessments"~! I have actually been a "real estate appraiser" (real estate analyst) for many decades, and it personally offends me when a government poses as an "appraiser", but the government frequently violates the governments laws as we all know ;-) I have been trying to get this through the thick heads of local governments for many years now, but they refuse to describe their work as "assessments" (which it really is) because fraudulently & criminally using the term "appraisals" gives them undue credit in the eyes of the laypeople, as if they are preforming appraisals (which they never do in the assessor's office ;-) Words matter ;-] I really appreciate your suggestion that I run for the office of the assessor, however as I am an old American Constitutionalist I would absolutely be prohibited from doing so, because real estate taxes are BLATENTLY criminally unconstitutional~! Therefore, I could never be engaged in that clearly unconstitutional act. Reoccurring taxes on anything is actually blatantly unconstitutional and criminal, but especially on real estate where it directly impacts the "ownership" status of real property. I could go on to describe more on this issue, but I am sure that you understand my point. I would actually be extraordinarily well qualified to be the County assessor from a technical standpoint, however even if I did take that "criminal" job it would never stop these criminals in government from continuing to raise the taxes and fees to drain the blood of my fellow Americans here. The pure evil intentions and criminal agenda of these criminals within our governmental system should not be underestimated ;-) Furthermore, my wife is from Oregon, and ever since she had her career in the medical industry attacked for putting her patients first by standing up against the pre-planned CODID mass murder mRNA vaccines, we have working to relocate back there for family reasons. So. even if I wanted to be the County assessor I could not do so in good faith. Additionally, as an old school personnel executive I know that I am not suited for politics or offices where I would be required to be "politically sensitive" because REAL American Constitutionalists don't play those games. HA~! I actually share some of President Trump's strengths believe it or not, however if some people don't like President Trump, they would REALLY hate me because I am actually a very serious "warrior" for America and Americans, and I would never have the extraordinary patience that President Trump has with these criminals of humanity and their "useful idiots"~! I am grateful that President Trump is handling matters with the "kid glove" approach that he has been using, because I would already have MANY thousands of these evil criminals of humanity already through the US Military Tribunal process and in prison for life or executed~! HA~! No joke ;-) The great news is that as an analyst I am well aware that HUGE changes have been quietly underway in America for many years, and the federal reserve (IRS) is very clearly going down now~! The foreign tariffs and a new national "flat tax" on new non-essential items only, will be revealed to the general public in due time, which will provide the federal and state governments with operating capital that they need. I believe this will also result in the criminal real estate taxes being eliminated, possibly state sales taxes, along with the criminal & unconstitutional federal "income tax"~! While this may seem unlikely to those who have not been paying attention to what has really been going on behind the drama of "swamp gas" cover of the government & the lapdog media, the federal reserve and the IRS is very clearly being methodically destroyed by President Trump and the white hats~! So, my friend, yes, we need to make as many positive changes as we possibly can because "we" (Americans) just don't know how much longer this current insanity will continue, however, the "big & small" criminals within our governmental systems all across America are very definitely currently on "life support"~! Keep up the great work because "we" (the American Patriots) need all of the help we can get~! We are doing this to save as many Americans as possible and to provide a Constitutional common law America for the future generations~! Have a great day! Sincerely, Mike
Washington State Department of Revenue dictates property values, and how they are established to our County Assessor, including "buffers", of which context remains convoluted.
Thanks, Timothy. I am not an expert on this and would love to see more information about the DOR requirements. I do understand real estate valuation. In my interactions with the Assessor, and in my inspection of county assessments, I have observed a high-level of inconsistency. It would be easy to present a sample of properties that are assessed at below 50% of market value and others that are at or above 100%.
More taxes to backstop jobs funded by grants. The folks hired knew they were full time / temporary workers. I've seen the job applications on the State job boards. They clearly state that there is no guarantee of extended employment. (as if there are any guarantees in the private sector) Many times a full time (temporary) employee that is effective will be able to fill a vacancy elsewhere. A go getter will have networked into other better opportunities. Most of these full time temporary jobs were created as filling a short term need. If you accept an 18 month job and have not created a plan to pay your bills on month 19 then that's on you.
A previous commentator in Watchdog said that taxes combined with inflation will drive people out. If we think inflation is already upon us, in what we pay for food, gas et cetera, then what will this property tax increase do to us residents. Just as the author of this article says. Drive people out of Clallam County! As Doug McInnes says in "Sequim Yesterday" -"Is Sequim Unique" (page 142) "So measured on any scale, we are not just another small town. Drive around the United States - see if you can find another town like it!"
Ah the Blue Hole. Well perhaps the CCC is accomplishing one of their major objectives and that is to drive out the marginals and bring in the richer people from other states. After all, they sold their property for a pretty penny and have $s galore in the bank, pension, and money making assets. The newcomer can probably lay down cash for the condos on Hendrickson starting in the $440 range, or the home on south 7th in the $500+ range. That seems to be the definition in this age of "affordable housing" in Sequim. Would imagine that inflation has spiked the cost of housing -just the way it is.
The motto has become what is said on the First of Every Year, "Sweep out the old and bring in the new." New tax dollars to buy that Caddy with all the options, hey you don't get a Pinto, you get a rebuilt Yugo Clallam County taxpayer.
PS If you read your Fire District #3 levy note the wording in the levy tying future taxing tied to the CPI in Seattle, Bellevue and Tacoma.
“Regarding the CPI: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of the change in prices paid over time for a fixed market basket of goods and services, as calculated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). One of the most widely used measures of inflation by both government and private sector organizations, it is divided into two population groups:
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) measures the percentage change in prices faced by urban consumers and covers approximately 93% of the nation's population.
The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) is a subset of the CPI-U and is sometimes referred to as the "blue-collar measure." Its market basket reflects the expenditures of urban households that derive more than half their income from clerical and hourly wage jobs. It covers approximately 29% of the nation's population.
Many governmental entities use the CPI for various purposes, such as cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for employees who are part of collective bargaining agreements, pension adjustments, or automatic increases for certain fees or revenue sources such as impact fees or multi-year levy lid lifts. None of the CPI indexes measure price changes in rural areas. But recognizing that local governments in rural areas need some indicator to use, we recommend one of the U.S. City Average indexes.
Good points. I may be wrong, but I believe Bellevue CPI is used by Clallam because it is the closest CPI measurement (geographically) that is tracked and reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“Its market basket reflects the expenditures of urban households that derive more than half their income from clerical and hourly wage jobs.”
I am realizing more and more my ignorance as my eyes are being opened to this unsustainable tax based economic system. I mentioned this in another post regarding how most of our incomes are subsidized by the “government” even if you are a private business your customers are paying with their money from their paychecks, which is most likely connected to a governmental entity (hospital, school, prison, fire department, county, etc).
As quoted above the CPI is calculated by clerical and hourly wage jobs, again who is paying their paychecks where is the origin of this money coming from? Is it coming from an industry that is creating something or is it coming from an industry that is taking taxes from property owners or income? I understand as a civilized society coming together to create infrastructure we can use mutually is beneficial, like roads and bridges. My husband and I wouldn’t get very far in our lives if we had to create each road and bridge needed to go from Forks to PA. I am pondering what is the sustainable economic engine for Clallam county? What is the needed balance between private and public investment and how can we define it? Do we really know the difference between consuming vs creating? How are we spending our time and resources as individuals? At the end of the day the real commodity is our time, relationships and experiences, right?
I have a vision of the Forks West End core services roster and where their funds would come from.
For your lifetime, revenue from Forks should be coming from the timber that has grown wild since I was 18. Just clearing the power lines and the perimeter of a community would bring in enough revenue if it were spent wisely. Then crews could be hired to manage the U.S. Forest Land.
The President has done his part. He has declared an emergency and has set up a grant program for counties and cities. While our leaders are at the corner with swastika signs fighting to keep Forks and timber conditions in general a tinder box, they would rather 1000 acres burn right up to Lake Crescent, where trees aren't needed and are beneficial when they are burned up?( Its bad for the environment when you cut a tree by a lake but it can burn right to a lake and be wonderful..)
They are right about wholesaling clear cuts, but they are wrong about leaving a tinderbox. Forks has the potential to be Santa Anta on steroids. Windy and hot mean blow torch. There has already been one Forks fire from years of undergrowth and encroaching timber...They are being irresponsible allowing another.
Forks needs a mode shift from international environmentalist to local logger and manufacturer.
The answer is not to return to the reckless clear-cuts of the past, but to find a balanced approach—one that values stewardship, local jobs, and practical wildfire prevention. Forks can’t rely on outside experts or big-city activists to understand its needs. We know this land. Our families have worked it for generations. We need to reclaim the narrative and manage our forests with both environmental sense and economic smarts. A community-driven timber board could oversee sustainable harvests, ensuring that revenue supports schools, roads, and emergency services. Local sawmills could be revived, providing year-round employment. With timber back in the mix, the West End would see more than just jobs—it would see pride restored. And with regular thinning, controlled burns, and brush clearing, we’d finally put an end to the cycle of catastrophic fires. It’s time for Forks to write its own future—one rooted in tradition, responsibility, and prosperity. We won’t wait for another disaster to force change. The opportunity is here, and the decision belongs to us.
I could not be more disappointed in the Clallam County voting public that repeatedly keeps voting for mare taxation. Our most expensive education in the world with the worst results was locally just voted more money. With no disregard for our fire fighters we just voted more money for them because they asked for it. Local taxes are not the only taxation we are subject to. The availability of property owners ability to pay taxes is finite. Why not sin taxes like junk food, alcohol tobacco products and cannabis ?
I, too, am very disappointed in the latest tax increase passing. It's not only fear promotion if it doesn't pass, it's also special election processes, and people who don't own real property voting to determine how much I must pay. Many voting and election changes need to start happening in order to see any effective changes.
Me too! Especially, if you know any Fire Fighters, who will plainly tell you, most of their job duties include reviving the same junkies over and over and over again. Not only that, but the same junkies, will call 911, and use the Fire Dept. aid vehicle, as a free 24 hr. taxi ride to get into P.A! Then, they simply get up and walk away from the Hospital, towards town, likely to score more dope, to keep the endless cycle going. If these "facts" weren't eating such a large portion of the F.D.'s resources, perhaps, they wouldn't need more money!
100% correct. The onus is on the property owner. So let us do away with property tax and perhaps just a sales tax. Thus every voter has the same amount of skin in the game. And also, how about a return to 1 qualified registered voter, gets 1 vote which is cast on THE day that is designated as a national or state or county holiday. And that vote is cast at the precinct in person where the voter resides. And the voter signs the precinct registry.
Well all the liberals will cry out, "unfair to the poor". Well the poor continually exercised their voice and voted to up my taxes, So now, I'm exercising my voice! If you are poor then get a better job. I vote to do away with property tax, make it up in a sales tax. Bet taxing districts like the CCC will think twice if every one is whacked more equitably. Hey John, that cold frosty should cost every one the same!
I wonder how soon the Fire District employees will get pay increases from the new tax $$ they are going to be receiving… they are already very well paid in this county. I’m sure county workers are getting increases also. I sure wish my SS would get an increase. Even when it does get a very small increase, it quickly disappears with new Medicare costs each year. Can’t win 🙄.
I think they have their own blog. It's called the Peninsula Daily News. But they'd always be welcome here first -- no edits, no interpretation, no guidance. Their words and views are welcome on CCWD.
They are not interested in engaging in dialogue...only their narrative is allowed...when will people understand that there is going to be no rational, common sense dialogue between the people and the controllers...we are not dealing with 'normal' beings here, we are dealing with sociopathic, narcissistic agents of NWO...do some research and avoid the 'fact checkers'!😎
Interesting that at meetings one is afforded the opportunity to "comment". But do we ever see or hear a response(s) to the comments raised? Hell no! Good example OMC board's, slow as molasses, response to requests from OMC employees and community speakers to move ahead on Alan Chen being placed in charge. Times a wastin Ann Heninger.
Have read first two paragraphs only which completely sums up what has happened perfectly! We have Commissioners with champagne taste on a beer budget, period! Addicts of money!
What you have become part of is 'death by a thousand paper cuts'. Jeff, per usual, you have given an insightful and responsible accounting of Clallam County's overall philosophy which begins with "but we don't have a State tax so it's really not that bad".
For those of you who never owned one, the Pinto's claim to fame was having a proclivity for exploding into a huge ball of fire when involved in a collision. Didn't happen every day but, when it did, it was a spectacular disaster.
Well said, Jeff, and so succinct: Needs before wants! A simple concept that seems to elude our Commissioners.
And while retrofitting a county building for energy efficiency is noble, how many years for it to pay for itself? Does anyone know? This is clearly a want, not a need. The dam that they removed in PA would have supplied far more energy than lost through a poorly-insulated county building, not to mention generate income from selling the energy to others. What brainiac had the dam removed....at ADDITIONAL expense? Oh yeah, the SAH-MUN. Wouldn't hatchery fish been a LOT less expensive, Tribal profits are sufficient from casino operations.
I can't take any credit for today's article, that's all Jake Seegers. He made some excellent points and, in my opinion, writes more gooder than I do.
You are the most bestest Tozzerator, though! Keep 'Tozzerating'!
The 'Bull Tozzer' with a 'Ripper' attachment!
Many good people would volunteer for 'boards', including me, if we knew they weren't corrupt!
We just need to 'motivate 'them'' to 'vacate' their 'positions'.
Are we strong enough yet? Getting closer every day!
It's not just Jeff and Jake, bless them, but it's all of us!😎
Then kudos to Jake Seegers. And you should know by now that it's "he writes the goodest in my opinion".
Thank you for the opportunity, Jeff. You tied it all together, in perfect Tozzer fashion, on the podcast and made the information fun and easy to understand.
Welcome to Clallam County, where we spend hundreds of millions removing two reservoirs and begin construction on a new one 20 miles away.
Just shoot us now!
I was told that removing the dam was a business decision that got really good PR - it was failing and the liability would be massive, but rather than needing to pay to repair/replace it, they got others to pay them to remove it. They could have put in a salmon ladder if they didn't want to wash their hands of the whole thing.
It does sound like PA.. I'd mention the name of the lady who told me, but I remember there were points of the conversation she didn't want me to say she said..
There may indeed be extenuating circumstances with the dam removal, but it seems to me that a dam is a damn good investment for water storage for drought years and a steady energy supply, all that pay for itself over and over. With the zeal in which The Klamath River dams and the push to remove Snake River dams, I have to believe that the REAL reason for the Elwah Dam removal was political, for the SAH-Mun, and then someone spotted a small crack and said, "AHA, the dam is failing, we had better remove it". You know how that snowball grows in size when there is an ulterior motive. So, I remain unconvinced that it was justified.
For all the rehab money being flushed down the drain, we could have a new and improved upper dam for sure...impassable falls just upstream from the upper dam, so, yeah we have been played in every way possible.
They are using Us as collateral to build the world they want...minus us, when the time is right...it's near enough!😎
Many forefathers and mothers wrote pseudonymously because of real dangers to their well beings and lives.
Most of us can still openly communicate but it's getting a little sketchy!
Courage and truth are the watchwords!😎
Ash, yes, energy “efficiency” upgrades. Does this mean the usual tighter building envelope with more recirculated air?
Do you recall “Cash for Caulkers?” Who said that? Do you recall the days when the PUD, OlyCap, and the City of PA all had “weatherization” programs? Do you know the history of ASHRAE?
How were Americans tricked into dropping to their knees, bending over, and begging for the ObamaCare shafting? Why are the schools failing?
I see those in County buildings already as dysfunctional. Less fresh air won’t help,
Why did old jails have steel bars?
conspAIRacy.com/theconspirators.html
Decades of conditioning...not easy to overcome...but possible!😎
They lost the whole batch of salmon this year at Dungeness...multiple diseases attacked the fish...possibly came in the feed!?😎
I'd love to learn more about this.
Low water levels from the extra tributary they built so they could get "good stagnant water" and "good methane."
I think I recall you mentioning disease would be prevalent because of the the tributary(?) at one of the meetings. Good call, John.
John how common fish sense is that? Let’s take a 3’ deep canal of water and create tributaries off of it and see what happens. I would call this science at least when I was in school, ah so we have tributaries diluting the flow in the main channel and you end up with less water in each tributary and water temperature increase, fish struggle & fight for their lives in warmer water, they hate warm water, fish 101, and they die because of it.
Then they take a tractor to the tributary to dredge it years after they told ole man McGlothlin he couldn't do it anymore to keep his property (where the longhouse in Blyn is) from flooding. It's one foot to the other 18 out of 23.
Maybe we could get the 'streeties' to huff some of that methane?😂
A Bitcoin mining revenue stream lost?
I think they see the writing on the wall. On top of all the federal dollars they are losing these days. They know we are in a downturn. Realestate is way over valued due to people coming into the state with big pockets. During the last downturn they lost their butts when realestate took a dump. But they just keep spending like a bunch of drunk sailors. Using our money to buy votes while filling the pockets of their doners. The federal gov just reversed a bs climate change act that the obummer admin enacted. Apparently they didnt have the right to enact it in the first place. Who'd a thought... A lot of that going on these days. Lawyers twisting words around to suit their fancy. Wouldnt it be wonderful if they made them get rid of the gas tax increases too?
Death spirals are interesting...sometimes they can be pulled out of!😎
The average salary of a Clallam county government worker is $80,500.
The average salary of a Port Angeles city government worker is $76,000.
The average salary of a Sequim teacher is $83,600
The average salary of a Port Angeles teacher is $81,000
The average salary of all government workers (includes federal, state, county, city) in Clallam county is $115,617
The average non government affiliated salary in Clallam County is $49,900.
In Clallam County approximately 34.6% of jobs are government-related, and 65.4% are non-government.
All of the government jobs come with benefits. This is what they are protecting by increasing taxes every chance they get. It is solely to protect their salaries and benefits.
The blue pages are bigger than the yellow pages now.
That's a great way to put it!
Hiring people to hand out tents, tarps, syringes and boofing kits to the rest of us.
Where are all the 'affordable' drugs coming from for which we are supplying 'kits'?
The gov't has to be involved in the trafficking as well or this could Never happen!
And it's all 'for profit' for somebody(s)!😎
We didn’t need so many drugs when people were allowed to reach for a cigarette or an alcoholic beverage or a donut. Did people successfully use these to reduce anxiety?
Is there an optimal number of deaths from smoking, from drinking and driving? Why is there more obesity and diabetes if donuts are taboo?
Are there undesirable consequences from trying too hard to prevent something? For example, with stricter law about drinking and driving, do people stay home, drink alone, get depressed, drink more, turn to drugs, and even commit suicide?
What about tobacco? Did we lose something there?
The road to Hell is paved with good intentions by fools. Were those fools seduced by people with evil intentions?
Every action has consequences. Did you ever consider the consequences of a war on smoking?
Did people use tobacco to control their eating? Their weight? Is there a trade off between lung cancer on one hand and obesity, diabetes, and kidney failure on the other? Have respiratory problems gone down?
Can cigarette smoke in a room convey important data to you?
We were a more civil society when ashtrays were everywhere.
Healthier too. No begging for ObamaCare.
Not all the mental cases and homeless.
Yes, it’s all connected.
School shootings too.
(Some repetition).
We were more civil and even healthier when there were ashtrays everywhere. There’s a very good reason for this.
The war against smoking was not for better health. It had another purpose, a sinister purpose. They knew they couldn’t force tighter buildings with poor ventilation on us if smoking were allowed inside.
Our life expectancy is declining. Our past better health and longevity was created by men and women who just wanted their smokes and drinks while they worked to build a better America.
America is now being dismantled by nasty males and females, not men and women, who have found a way to make their fellow citizens, especially children, sick, dumb, fat, crazy, violent, and criminal, so they can take more.
Munchausen Syndrome By Proxy.
“Stalin’s Chicken.”
Please read about the CDC while visiting the site.
conspAIRacy.com/blog.html#ashtrays
I should go volunteer at TAFY so I can work my way up to a paid position in Clallam Co or PA.
County employees get health insurance for their family with no additional cost. What private business in the county can afford that luxury
I am suspicious when I see “salary” numbers. Take the Port Angeles School District. Two or three years ago, the average outlay for teachers and administrators taken together was around $140,000 per year per person. Salary figures likely exclude benefits, which are around 30%, higher if you include the employer’s share of FICA, which I have in the $140,000. (PASD does also).
I imagine all the other government jobs have cushy benefits also.
Friends? with benefits.
Yes, these salary numbers exclude benefits. All government jobs in Clallam county come with better benefits than any non-government jobs in the county.
I grew up the child of a federal government worker. Back in the 80's private sector jobs made much more money than gov jobs. Not now. In fact it's apparent that the opposite is true. Especially in rural counties.
The commissioners of Clallam County fail to recognize the basic fact that any increase in taxes awards the 34% gov workers at the expense of the 65% of non government workers as they will surely get pay increases to offset any decrease in their take home pay from the increase in taxes. Private sector jobs will not have the increase in pay to offset anything.
This is completely unsustainable. You can not have the tax payers making less than the tax recipients.
Thank You TJ! Figures don't lie, but liars figure!😎
Excellent and on point comment! This is why defeating the so-called “Water Steward” position was critical … once a guvmint job and/or new department or program is created, getting rid of it is like trying to sneak a sunrise past a rooster …
Best analogy ever!
Next door sucked ...Jeff built it.....and we came.
Thank you Jeff for brining others into the conversation. Your growing voice is being heard, it is leading to other voices joining the conversation, and that increases the listening. The collective voices are growing each day, making it more difficult to drown out with back room politics, corruption, and personal greed over public service. We ARE winning one sensible person at a time. Through your persistent truth telling and the gathering of the voices you are moving this county citizens to reasonable citizenship. Bring others to the discussion and then to the table will make the difference
“You know, if one person, just one person does it they may think he’s really sick. Or two people, two people do it — in harmony, they may think they are both daft. If three people do it, they make think it is an organization. Can you imagine fifty people a day walking in singing a bar of Alice’s Restaurant and walking out, they may think it is a movement! And that is what it is.” - loosely quoted Arlo Guthrie
I went to the OMC commission meeting on Wednesday and was thrilled with the turnout. Many commenters said they wouldn’t know what was going on except for Jeff’s efforts with CC Watchdog.
Thanks again Jeff. I know Jacob personally and his thoughtful and to the point writing absolutely mimics my opinion.
Excellent article Jake Seegers~!
Thank you again for your hard work in bringing light to the dark underbelly of our local & state government Jeff Tozzer~! This is a great view of the pieces of our financial problems here in Clallam County and I really appreciate the way it was all brought together to reveal the "macro-economic" view of the bigger picture~! It is VERY important for the good folks here in our community to start to understand that "little by little" all of these smaller tax and fee increases add up to a whoppingly HUGE increase in the burden that is heaped upon the local taxpayers~! I hope that those who rent or lease their homes here are paying strict attention, because there is no doubt that at this rate the landlords will be forced to raise their rents to cover these atrocious government tax & fee increases~! Gone is the time when the small tax & fee increases imposed by the government can be absorbed by the average landlord, so if you rent or lease ANY property here in Clallam County you had better consider exactly who and what you vote for, because the bill will end up in your hands quicker than you think~! As for the corrupt Individuals in government management, I do hope that this simple math accounting of ALL of the governments tax & fee burden is getting through to you~!!! I know how you love to conspire to trivialize & minimize every tax & fee increase that you impose upon the good folks here in Clallam County, so it is the excellent articles and public input just like this that have COMPLETELY removed your "plausible deniability" that you falsely believed would give you the usual "we didn't know" excuse when this blows up in everyone's faces and the completely foreseeable financial disaster comes home to roost~! You are killing Clallam County with your financial mismanagement and by throwing OUR taxpayer money around on foolish & unimportant, often insane, projects that "we" in the community never voted for or wanted~! Instead of conspiring on how to trick and deceive the general population and overburdened taxpayers into supporting your next outrageous scheme that you know damn well most people in our community don't want, it would be best for you and the community if you just did the jobs that you are already SO abundantly overpaid to do~! Get to work for the good folks who live here and cease & desist with the political agenda garbage that you are engaged it~! Sincerely, Mike
County Assessor is up for election next year, Mike(; Why not you? Appraisals must be market value by law. But, as an elected official who represents us, the Assessor should target appraisals near the lower end of acceptable values per USPAP standards.
Hello Patriot Jacob Seegers~!
I absolutely LOVE the irony of this comment my friend~! HA~! Let me explain... ALL Individuals and/or governments who dare to use the term "appraisal/s" or describe themselves as "appraisers" who are doing "appraisals" as any part of their job/work absolutely MUST be licensed appraisers in that state, therefore any government or "assessor" who so much as claims to be doing any appraisals is in fact committing a federal felony by those pesky USPAP standards for each property that they deal with~! Obviously, those federal felonies can really add up for assessors who are really only doing "blanket assessments"~! I have actually been a "real estate appraiser" (real estate analyst) for many decades, and it personally offends me when a government poses as an "appraiser", but the government frequently violates the governments laws as we all know ;-) I have been trying to get this through the thick heads of local governments for many years now, but they refuse to describe their work as "assessments" (which it really is) because fraudulently & criminally using the term "appraisals" gives them undue credit in the eyes of the laypeople, as if they are preforming appraisals (which they never do in the assessor's office ;-) Words matter ;-] I really appreciate your suggestion that I run for the office of the assessor, however as I am an old American Constitutionalist I would absolutely be prohibited from doing so, because real estate taxes are BLATENTLY criminally unconstitutional~! Therefore, I could never be engaged in that clearly unconstitutional act. Reoccurring taxes on anything is actually blatantly unconstitutional and criminal, but especially on real estate where it directly impacts the "ownership" status of real property. I could go on to describe more on this issue, but I am sure that you understand my point. I would actually be extraordinarily well qualified to be the County assessor from a technical standpoint, however even if I did take that "criminal" job it would never stop these criminals in government from continuing to raise the taxes and fees to drain the blood of my fellow Americans here. The pure evil intentions and criminal agenda of these criminals within our governmental system should not be underestimated ;-) Furthermore, my wife is from Oregon, and ever since she had her career in the medical industry attacked for putting her patients first by standing up against the pre-planned CODID mass murder mRNA vaccines, we have working to relocate back there for family reasons. So. even if I wanted to be the County assessor I could not do so in good faith. Additionally, as an old school personnel executive I know that I am not suited for politics or offices where I would be required to be "politically sensitive" because REAL American Constitutionalists don't play those games. HA~! I actually share some of President Trump's strengths believe it or not, however if some people don't like President Trump, they would REALLY hate me because I am actually a very serious "warrior" for America and Americans, and I would never have the extraordinary patience that President Trump has with these criminals of humanity and their "useful idiots"~! I am grateful that President Trump is handling matters with the "kid glove" approach that he has been using, because I would already have MANY thousands of these evil criminals of humanity already through the US Military Tribunal process and in prison for life or executed~! HA~! No joke ;-) The great news is that as an analyst I am well aware that HUGE changes have been quietly underway in America for many years, and the federal reserve (IRS) is very clearly going down now~! The foreign tariffs and a new national "flat tax" on new non-essential items only, will be revealed to the general public in due time, which will provide the federal and state governments with operating capital that they need. I believe this will also result in the criminal real estate taxes being eliminated, possibly state sales taxes, along with the criminal & unconstitutional federal "income tax"~! While this may seem unlikely to those who have not been paying attention to what has really been going on behind the drama of "swamp gas" cover of the government & the lapdog media, the federal reserve and the IRS is very clearly being methodically destroyed by President Trump and the white hats~! So, my friend, yes, we need to make as many positive changes as we possibly can because "we" (Americans) just don't know how much longer this current insanity will continue, however, the "big & small" criminals within our governmental systems all across America are very definitely currently on "life support"~! Keep up the great work because "we" (the American Patriots) need all of the help we can get~! We are doing this to save as many Americans as possible and to provide a Constitutional common law America for the future generations~! Have a great day! Sincerely, Mike
Washington State Department of Revenue dictates property values, and how they are established to our County Assessor, including "buffers", of which context remains convoluted.
Thanks, Timothy. I am not an expert on this and would love to see more information about the DOR requirements. I do understand real estate valuation. In my interactions with the Assessor, and in my inspection of county assessments, I have observed a high-level of inconsistency. It would be easy to present a sample of properties that are assessed at below 50% of market value and others that are at or above 100%.
How much goes to NGOs that could be used to hire sheriff deputies?
How much do we pay people to moonlight in a non-profit, that just happens to be making the policy decision.
More taxes to backstop jobs funded by grants. The folks hired knew they were full time / temporary workers. I've seen the job applications on the State job boards. They clearly state that there is no guarantee of extended employment. (as if there are any guarantees in the private sector) Many times a full time (temporary) employee that is effective will be able to fill a vacancy elsewhere. A go getter will have networked into other better opportunities. Most of these full time temporary jobs were created as filling a short term need. If you accept an 18 month job and have not created a plan to pay your bills on month 19 then that's on you.
A previous commentator in Watchdog said that taxes combined with inflation will drive people out. If we think inflation is already upon us, in what we pay for food, gas et cetera, then what will this property tax increase do to us residents. Just as the author of this article says. Drive people out of Clallam County! As Doug McInnes says in "Sequim Yesterday" -"Is Sequim Unique" (page 142) "So measured on any scale, we are not just another small town. Drive around the United States - see if you can find another town like it!"
Ah the Blue Hole. Well perhaps the CCC is accomplishing one of their major objectives and that is to drive out the marginals and bring in the richer people from other states. After all, they sold their property for a pretty penny and have $s galore in the bank, pension, and money making assets. The newcomer can probably lay down cash for the condos on Hendrickson starting in the $440 range, or the home on south 7th in the $500+ range. That seems to be the definition in this age of "affordable housing" in Sequim. Would imagine that inflation has spiked the cost of housing -just the way it is.
The motto has become what is said on the First of Every Year, "Sweep out the old and bring in the new." New tax dollars to buy that Caddy with all the options, hey you don't get a Pinto, you get a rebuilt Yugo Clallam County taxpayer.
PS If you read your Fire District #3 levy note the wording in the levy tying future taxing tied to the CPI in Seattle, Bellevue and Tacoma.
“Regarding the CPI: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of the change in prices paid over time for a fixed market basket of goods and services, as calculated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). One of the most widely used measures of inflation by both government and private sector organizations, it is divided into two population groups:
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) measures the percentage change in prices faced by urban consumers and covers approximately 93% of the nation's population.
The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) is a subset of the CPI-U and is sometimes referred to as the "blue-collar measure." Its market basket reflects the expenditures of urban households that derive more than half their income from clerical and hourly wage jobs. It covers approximately 29% of the nation's population.
Many governmental entities use the CPI for various purposes, such as cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for employees who are part of collective bargaining agreements, pension adjustments, or automatic increases for certain fees or revenue sources such as impact fees or multi-year levy lid lifts. None of the CPI indexes measure price changes in rural areas. But recognizing that local governments in rural areas need some indicator to use, we recommend one of the U.S. City Average indexes.
Whichever CPI index you choose to use – whether CPI-U or CPI-W, U.S. City Average, West Region, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, etc. – make sure to document it clearly.” https://mrsc.org/explore-topics/finance/data/consumer-price-index
Good points. I may be wrong, but I believe Bellevue CPI is used by Clallam because it is the closest CPI measurement (geographically) that is tracked and reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“But recognizing that local governments in rural areas need some indicator to use, we recommend one of the U.S. City Average indexes.”
https://fred.stlouisfed.org/release/tables?rid=10&eid=34561#snid=34562
“Its market basket reflects the expenditures of urban households that derive more than half their income from clerical and hourly wage jobs.”
I am realizing more and more my ignorance as my eyes are being opened to this unsustainable tax based economic system. I mentioned this in another post regarding how most of our incomes are subsidized by the “government” even if you are a private business your customers are paying with their money from their paychecks, which is most likely connected to a governmental entity (hospital, school, prison, fire department, county, etc).
As quoted above the CPI is calculated by clerical and hourly wage jobs, again who is paying their paychecks where is the origin of this money coming from? Is it coming from an industry that is creating something or is it coming from an industry that is taking taxes from property owners or income? I understand as a civilized society coming together to create infrastructure we can use mutually is beneficial, like roads and bridges. My husband and I wouldn’t get very far in our lives if we had to create each road and bridge needed to go from Forks to PA. I am pondering what is the sustainable economic engine for Clallam county? What is the needed balance between private and public investment and how can we define it? Do we really know the difference between consuming vs creating? How are we spending our time and resources as individuals? At the end of the day the real commodity is our time, relationships and experiences, right?
I have a vision of the Forks West End core services roster and where their funds would come from.
For your lifetime, revenue from Forks should be coming from the timber that has grown wild since I was 18. Just clearing the power lines and the perimeter of a community would bring in enough revenue if it were spent wisely. Then crews could be hired to manage the U.S. Forest Land.
The President has done his part. He has declared an emergency and has set up a grant program for counties and cities. While our leaders are at the corner with swastika signs fighting to keep Forks and timber conditions in general a tinder box, they would rather 1000 acres burn right up to Lake Crescent, where trees aren't needed and are beneficial when they are burned up?( Its bad for the environment when you cut a tree by a lake but it can burn right to a lake and be wonderful..)
They are right about wholesaling clear cuts, but they are wrong about leaving a tinderbox. Forks has the potential to be Santa Anta on steroids. Windy and hot mean blow torch. There has already been one Forks fire from years of undergrowth and encroaching timber...They are being irresponsible allowing another.
Forks needs a mode shift from international environmentalist to local logger and manufacturer.
AI Version
Hello,
The answer is not to return to the reckless clear-cuts of the past, but to find a balanced approach—one that values stewardship, local jobs, and practical wildfire prevention. Forks can’t rely on outside experts or big-city activists to understand its needs. We know this land. Our families have worked it for generations. We need to reclaim the narrative and manage our forests with both environmental sense and economic smarts. A community-driven timber board could oversee sustainable harvests, ensuring that revenue supports schools, roads, and emergency services. Local sawmills could be revived, providing year-round employment. With timber back in the mix, the West End would see more than just jobs—it would see pride restored. And with regular thinning, controlled burns, and brush clearing, we’d finally put an end to the cycle of catastrophic fires. It’s time for Forks to write its own future—one rooted in tradition, responsibility, and prosperity. We won’t wait for another disaster to force change. The opportunity is here, and the decision belongs to us.
That's the AI ending.
There is a guy that could make products out of useable undergrowth, so you would have jobs manufacturing pressed wood products.
but certainly not comparable in economic status of residents
Things would be self-correcting if we outlawed cost of living adjustments, especially for seniors on social security. Imagine!
Thank you, Jake, for your very insightful article! You are bringing to light everything the BoCC wants to hide: Truth in numbers.
I could not be more disappointed in the Clallam County voting public that repeatedly keeps voting for mare taxation. Our most expensive education in the world with the worst results was locally just voted more money. With no disregard for our fire fighters we just voted more money for them because they asked for it. Local taxes are not the only taxation we are subject to. The availability of property owners ability to pay taxes is finite. Why not sin taxes like junk food, alcohol tobacco products and cannabis ?
I, too, am very disappointed in the latest tax increase passing. It's not only fear promotion if it doesn't pass, it's also special election processes, and people who don't own real property voting to determine how much I must pay. Many voting and election changes need to start happening in order to see any effective changes.
Me too! Especially, if you know any Fire Fighters, who will plainly tell you, most of their job duties include reviving the same junkies over and over and over again. Not only that, but the same junkies, will call 911, and use the Fire Dept. aid vehicle, as a free 24 hr. taxi ride to get into P.A! Then, they simply get up and walk away from the Hospital, towards town, likely to score more dope, to keep the endless cycle going. If these "facts" weren't eating such a large portion of the F.D.'s resources, perhaps, they wouldn't need more money!
Well, we voted a big NO...........shrug!
100% correct. The onus is on the property owner. So let us do away with property tax and perhaps just a sales tax. Thus every voter has the same amount of skin in the game. And also, how about a return to 1 qualified registered voter, gets 1 vote which is cast on THE day that is designated as a national or state or county holiday. And that vote is cast at the precinct in person where the voter resides. And the voter signs the precinct registry.
Sounds like a plan!
Well all the liberals will cry out, "unfair to the poor". Well the poor continually exercised their voice and voted to up my taxes, So now, I'm exercising my voice! If you are poor then get a better job. I vote to do away with property tax, make it up in a sales tax. Bet taxing districts like the CCC will think twice if every one is whacked more equitably. Hey John, that cold frosty should cost every one the same!
I can’t speak to cannabis taxes, but alcohol taxes in WA are crazy high. They come to roughly 25%. Highest in the nation.
That's why they keep the Tribes bud light cold..
I know; much like our fuel taxes. I still prefer it to penalizing property owners. I can cut back or do without alcohol, but I need a home.
I wonder how soon the Fire District employees will get pay increases from the new tax $$ they are going to be receiving… they are already very well paid in this county. I’m sure county workers are getting increases also. I sure wish my SS would get an increase. Even when it does get a very small increase, it quickly disappears with new Medicare costs each year. Can’t win 🙄.
Excellent addition to your regular articles. When do we get to read a position or response from a BOCCC?
I think they have their own blog. It's called the Peninsula Daily News. But they'd always be welcome here first -- no edits, no interpretation, no guidance. Their words and views are welcome on CCWD.
They are not interested in engaging in dialogue...only their narrative is allowed...when will people understand that there is going to be no rational, common sense dialogue between the people and the controllers...we are not dealing with 'normal' beings here, we are dealing with sociopathic, narcissistic agents of NWO...do some research and avoid the 'fact checkers'!😎
Interesting that at meetings one is afforded the opportunity to "comment". But do we ever see or hear a response(s) to the comments raised? Hell no! Good example OMC board's, slow as molasses, response to requests from OMC employees and community speakers to move ahead on Alan Chen being placed in charge. Times a wastin Ann Heninger.
Have read first two paragraphs only which completely sums up what has happened perfectly! We have Commissioners with champagne taste on a beer budget, period! Addicts of money!
What you have become part of is 'death by a thousand paper cuts'. Jeff, per usual, you have given an insightful and responsible accounting of Clallam County's overall philosophy which begins with "but we don't have a State tax so it's really not that bad".
For those of you who never owned one, the Pinto's claim to fame was having a proclivity for exploding into a huge ball of fire when involved in a collision. Didn't happen every day but, when it did, it was a spectacular disaster.