The commissioners did not answer yesterday's question. Here is today's email:
Dear Commissioners,
Given that WSAC is a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization and not just a professional association, how do you ensure that its policy positions align with the interests of Clallam County residents — especially on issues like property tax growth caps or mileage fees — before committing taxpayer dues?
Since Mark Ozias has been elected president the Washington State Association of Counties, I imagine that he will be paid a salary from that organization. Shouldn't he be stepping down from his role in Clallam County?
His new role will definitely conflict with the performance in his role as County Commissioner, both in his being present to do the job and as you have mentioned, sometimes also conflicting goals. I don't see a justification for him remaining as County Commissioner.
The absence of a formal ethics policy in an organization that claims "professional" status creates a significant gap between its self-image and its operational reality. In modern business and institutional theory, professionalism isn't just about technical skill; it’s about accountability and standardization.
Here is what that absence typically suggests about the organization's true nature:
1. Ambiguity as a Liability
Professionalism is defined by a shared set of values that govern behavior. Without a written policy, "ethics" becomes subjective—left to the individual interpretation of employees or managers.
* The Message: The organization relies on "intuition" rather than "infrastructure."
* The Risk: This creates an environment where inconsistent decisions are made, leading to perceived favoritism or unfairness.
2. Lack of Institutional Maturity
Established professions (like law, medicine, or engineering) are defined by their codes of conduct. If an organization lacks one, it suggests they are in a "reactive" mode rather than a "proactive" one.
* Professionalism vs. Amateurism:
A professional entity anticipates ethical dilemmas (conflicts of interest, data privacy, harassment) and provides a framework for solving them. An amateur entity waits for a crisis to occur before deciding what their values are.
3. Weak Accountability Structures
A hallmark of a professional organization is the ability to hold members accountable to a standard higher than just "what is legal."
* The Gap: If there is no policy, there is no benchmark for discipline or reform. It suggests the organization may be prioritizing expediency over integrity, as it is much harder to whistleblow or report misconduct when no "rule" has been officially documented.
4. Reputation and Trust Deficits
External stakeholders (clients, investors, and partners) look for ethical frameworks as a form of "insurance."
* The Perception: The absence of a policy suggests that the organization may not take its social or fiduciary responsibilities seriously. It signals that the "professional" label is likely a marketing tactic rather than a cultural foundation
While an organization can perform high-quality work without a written ethics policy, it cannot be considered truly "professional" in the structural sense. Professionalism requires a commitment to public and internal standards that exist independently of the people currently in charge.
No Code of ethics is a realm for Mark to thrive. He's so used to operating with impunity to whatever he does. I can't wait to see a recall come up for him!
His recall will be at his next election cycle. Recalls are a massive and difficult undertaking due to the restrictions the RCW and court rulings place on the process.
Every day I crack open the Watchdog articles and what impresses me more than anything is growing engagement. New names pop up on a continual bases whether it is a comment, or a like to a comment.
The groundswell is forming, and it's not brought on by just a "handful" of malcontents. It's brought on by people whose eyes are seeing the reality Jeff shines a light on to what's going on in Clallam County. Something not possible through legacy local media.
I urge our local elected officials to keep making the choices they do, because it's their own doing that's going to cause them their own pain, like a Greek tragedy in the making.
Perfect government is not possible, that reality can't be missed, but I'm not interested in that. I want a government that attempts to balance the needs of every constituent it represents, and in that desire there's work to be done. Most importantly is to elect Jake Seegers.
As noted in a wonderful comment yesterday is that this engagement we're seeing needs to be more than comments, because more than comments is what has brought us this imbalance in equal representation in Clallam County.
I love your line: "why is it [WASC] at arm's length?" You said it all about WASC, Jeff. The more I hear about it, the more I think it is a group of elitists trying to look like it cares for the little people. They just rephrase words and pass along information as if it's new and making a difference. Once again, the facade of a financial burden is exposed. Thank you, Jeff!
Clallamity Jen's new post today is about Town Halls. An informative read for all!
Great article, Karen joined me after the meeting and said it was a wasted effort. I told her, thanks to my opened eyes via CCWD, it will show the lack of representation as you mentioned. I truly hope enough people will see what happens in our county and vote for true representation.
Jake Seegers is a fantastic start!
Next time I see Matt , one of the assistant prosecuting attorneys, I'll ask him if we have enough on Mark Nozias to get that ball rolling. Keep the torch burng Jeff. Thank you.
It was good to see Karen. She tells it like it is. The Commissioners need to know they aren't imperialistic kings who get paid to frivilously spend other people's money.
People of Clallam County need to realize, this elected official is part-time with this side gig called Commissioner of Clallam County. This is MarkO’s side job, lemonade-stand profits, mad money, chump change. Free money. He just has to beg for the funds, like all politicians. Someone will open their wallets. Money is the mother’s milk of politics. Politics is about his power. Power is his high.
So, for well over 100 years Clallam County has "voluntarily" spent a sizable amount of OUR taxpayer money to be in a non-essential subversive "club" (association?) of other Washington State Counties that regularly schemes and plots against the will and votes of the people who live here~? That sure does explain a lot~! Who is REALLY behind this sick "association" WASC and what is their REAL agenda~? Who do these criminally unconstitutional fools think that they are? Could this very voluntary "club" actually be at the root of the many problems that "we" (voting taxpayers and residents of Clallam County) are having SO much trouble with, that is directly responsible for the very financial mismanagement perversions that have led to so much of OUR money being wasted? Is THIS "club" where the "harm reduction" policies (subversions) are really coming from, that have directly created and fostered SO much homelessness, drug addiction, graffiti, trash, burglaries, robberies, auto & property thefts, assaults, murders, outrageous taxes & fees, policing and enforcement issues??? Is THIS where the utter garbage is coming from, that the county clown show in our county government "preaches" about how the local Jamestown Tribe should be helped to rob our community of a free market economy, independent small businesses, money, taxes, freedoms, rights, and properties??? Yes, Jeff Tozzer did another fine job of revealing the truth about the corruption that exists within our local community and state, that hides just under their thin layer of "feel good" lies and deceptive marketing schemes~! Regardless of the many phony excuses, we should absolutely forbid the Clallam County Commissioners to spend OUR money on any outside clubs or "associations" and furthermore we should absolutely forbid each Clallam County Commissioner to have a membership in or to attend ANY outside organization that promotes ANYTHING that goes against the will and vote of the good folks within our community~! Why on earth would "we" (Clallam County residents) want or even put up with any of our public servants who violate our public trust by attending any clubs or associations that blatantly regularly act against our free will, vote, and best interests~? These idiots from outside of our County and community have absolutely no authority, business, or right to interfere in OUR community's internal business matters~! I don't care if previous generations were foolish enough to be bamboozled into allowing this madness for even 200 years, because "we" need to put an end to these avenues of corruption that infect our community and work to undermine and destroy our local quality of life right now~! We never got to vote for this outrageous "influence peddling" crappola, nor should we tolerate it going forward~! We must immediately reject any of the controlling big government garbage that Ozias attempts to push on us, like a criminal drug dealer who pushes a deadly drug, or we will be led down a horrific path of destruction and misery. We must not allow these corruptions of our community to continue~! JUST SAY NO~!
IMO, Ozias is a liberal politician of the worst kind. He is clearly an unethical, self promoting ideologue. He does not represent the larger constituency but instead his focus is the Tribe and himself. He has no moral compass!
Why,.why, why does Clallam need to spent nearly $500,000 since 2015 to belong to this lobby group!? What has it done for the citizens of Clallam? We all know the answer to this question - Nothing!
Ozias should be investigated by the DOJ and prosecuted!
I am curious what the WSAC does. Maybe a meeting agenda ? I am confident that Government should not be in the social engineering business. Examples being MWBE, DEI, LGBTQ+, "native" American, other nationality and harm reduction should also be included. Any and all resources used for this Government minority-ism should be captured and spent on safety / law enforcement.
In Washington State, the distinction between "essential" and "wants" for elected officials isn't found in a single dictionary definition. Instead, it is governed by three specific legal frameworks: Constitutional prohibitions, Statutory mandates, and Local budget priorities.
If you are looking for the "line in the sand" that prevents officials from spending money on whatever they want, here are the three levels that apply:
1. The Constitutional Line: "Fundamental Purposes"
The Washington State Constitution (Article VIII, Section 7) prohibits the "Gift of Public Funds." To avoid an illegal "gift," an expenditure must meet one of two tests:
* The Fundamental Purpose Test: Does the spending carry out a core government function (e.g., public safety, education, or infrastructure)? If it does, it is considered "essential" by default.
* The Consideration Test: If the spending isn't a "fundamental purpose," the government must receive something of equal value in return (e.g., buying a service at market rate).
* The "Poor and Infirm" Exception: The Constitution explicitly allows spending on the "necessary support of the poor and infirm" even if it might otherwise look like a gift. This is the legal floor for social services.
2. The Statutory Line: "Mandatory" vs. "Discretionary"
When state and local officials build a budget, they distinguish between what they must do by law and what they choose to do:
* Mandatory (The "Essentials"): These are services the state or city is legally required to provide. For example, Washington’s Constitution (Article IX) makes the "ample provision" for the education of all children the state's "paramount duty." Other mandates include pensions, debt service, and basic public safety (police/fire).
* Discretionary (The "Wants"): This includes programs that are legal to fund but not required by law. Examples often include parks and recreation, community grants, arts funding, or economic development incentives. In a budget crisis, these are usually the first to be cut.
3. The Local Policy Line: "Basic Services"
Most cities and counties in Washington (under guidance from the Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC)) define their "essential" services during their annual budget process. While specific definitions vary by city, they generally fall into this hierarchy:
| Priority Level | Category | Typical Services |
High (Essential) | Public Health & Safety | Police, Fire/EMS, Jail, Courts, Public Health.
Medium (Core) | Infrastructure | Road maintenance, Water/Sewer, Solid Waste.
Low (Discretionary) | Quality of Life | Libraries, Community Centers, Special Events, Beautification.
If an elected official is spending money on something you consider a "want," the legal question isn't whether it's "essential," but rather:
* Is it legal? (Does it serve a public purpose and avoid being a "gift"?)
* Is it mandated? (Is there a law—an RCW—requiring them to do it?)
* Is it a policy choice? (If it’s not mandated, they are choosing to spend your tax dollars there instead of elsewhere.)
The commissioners did not answer yesterday's question. Here is today's email:
Dear Commissioners,
Given that WSAC is a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization and not just a professional association, how do you ensure that its policy positions align with the interests of Clallam County residents — especially on issues like property tax growth caps or mileage fees — before committing taxpayer dues?
All three commissioners can be reached by emailing the Clerk of the Board at loni.gores@clallamcountywa.gov.
Since Mark Ozias has been elected president the Washington State Association of Counties, I imagine that he will be paid a salary from that organization. Shouldn't he be stepping down from his role in Clallam County?
His new role will definitely conflict with the performance in his role as County Commissioner, both in his being present to do the job and as you have mentioned, sometimes also conflicting goals. I don't see a justification for him remaining as County Commissioner.
Sure sounds like a conflict of interest to me.
The absence of a formal ethics policy in an organization that claims "professional" status creates a significant gap between its self-image and its operational reality. In modern business and institutional theory, professionalism isn't just about technical skill; it’s about accountability and standardization.
Here is what that absence typically suggests about the organization's true nature:
1. Ambiguity as a Liability
Professionalism is defined by a shared set of values that govern behavior. Without a written policy, "ethics" becomes subjective—left to the individual interpretation of employees or managers.
* The Message: The organization relies on "intuition" rather than "infrastructure."
* The Risk: This creates an environment where inconsistent decisions are made, leading to perceived favoritism or unfairness.
2. Lack of Institutional Maturity
Established professions (like law, medicine, or engineering) are defined by their codes of conduct. If an organization lacks one, it suggests they are in a "reactive" mode rather than a "proactive" one.
* Professionalism vs. Amateurism:
A professional entity anticipates ethical dilemmas (conflicts of interest, data privacy, harassment) and provides a framework for solving them. An amateur entity waits for a crisis to occur before deciding what their values are.
3. Weak Accountability Structures
A hallmark of a professional organization is the ability to hold members accountable to a standard higher than just "what is legal."
* The Gap: If there is no policy, there is no benchmark for discipline or reform. It suggests the organization may be prioritizing expediency over integrity, as it is much harder to whistleblow or report misconduct when no "rule" has been officially documented.
4. Reputation and Trust Deficits
External stakeholders (clients, investors, and partners) look for ethical frameworks as a form of "insurance."
* The Perception: The absence of a policy suggests that the organization may not take its social or fiduciary responsibilities seriously. It signals that the "professional" label is likely a marketing tactic rather than a cultural foundation
While an organization can perform high-quality work without a written ethics policy, it cannot be considered truly "professional" in the structural sense. Professionalism requires a commitment to public and internal standards that exist independently of the people currently in charge.
No Code of ethics is a realm for Mark to thrive. He's so used to operating with impunity to whatever he does. I can't wait to see a recall come up for him!
His recall will be at his next election cycle. Recalls are a massive and difficult undertaking due to the restrictions the RCW and court rulings place on the process.
I was thinking the same thing, Jim.
Jim, perhaps he should also drop the many NGO boards he is on with conflicting goals.
Great Comment Patriot Jim king~!
Sincerely, Mike
Every day I crack open the Watchdog articles and what impresses me more than anything is growing engagement. New names pop up on a continual bases whether it is a comment, or a like to a comment.
The groundswell is forming, and it's not brought on by just a "handful" of malcontents. It's brought on by people whose eyes are seeing the reality Jeff shines a light on to what's going on in Clallam County. Something not possible through legacy local media.
I urge our local elected officials to keep making the choices they do, because it's their own doing that's going to cause them their own pain, like a Greek tragedy in the making.
Perfect government is not possible, that reality can't be missed, but I'm not interested in that. I want a government that attempts to balance the needs of every constituent it represents, and in that desire there's work to be done. Most importantly is to elect Jake Seegers.
As noted in a wonderful comment yesterday is that this engagement we're seeing needs to be more than comments, because more than comments is what has brought us this imbalance in equal representation in Clallam County.
Onward, heav-ho!
I love your line: "why is it [WASC] at arm's length?" You said it all about WASC, Jeff. The more I hear about it, the more I think it is a group of elitists trying to look like it cares for the little people. They just rephrase words and pass along information as if it's new and making a difference. Once again, the facade of a financial burden is exposed. Thank you, Jeff!
Clallamity Jen's new post today is about Town Halls. An informative read for all!
It's common knowledge that these "professional" organizations are a breeding ground for self-actualization. Maslow would be proud.
Good morning Jeff,
Great article, Karen joined me after the meeting and said it was a wasted effort. I told her, thanks to my opened eyes via CCWD, it will show the lack of representation as you mentioned. I truly hope enough people will see what happens in our county and vote for true representation.
Jake Seegers is a fantastic start!
Next time I see Matt , one of the assistant prosecuting attorneys, I'll ask him if we have enough on Mark Nozias to get that ball rolling. Keep the torch burng Jeff. Thank you.
It was good to see Karen. She tells it like it is. The Commissioners need to know they aren't imperialistic kings who get paid to frivilously spend other people's money.
People of Clallam County need to realize, this elected official is part-time with this side gig called Commissioner of Clallam County. This is MarkO’s side job, lemonade-stand profits, mad money, chump change. Free money. He just has to beg for the funds, like all politicians. Someone will open their wallets. Money is the mother’s milk of politics. Politics is about his power. Power is his high.
Sounds like this county , along with the state of Washington, is in need of a thorough audit for fraud.
So, for well over 100 years Clallam County has "voluntarily" spent a sizable amount of OUR taxpayer money to be in a non-essential subversive "club" (association?) of other Washington State Counties that regularly schemes and plots against the will and votes of the people who live here~? That sure does explain a lot~! Who is REALLY behind this sick "association" WASC and what is their REAL agenda~? Who do these criminally unconstitutional fools think that they are? Could this very voluntary "club" actually be at the root of the many problems that "we" (voting taxpayers and residents of Clallam County) are having SO much trouble with, that is directly responsible for the very financial mismanagement perversions that have led to so much of OUR money being wasted? Is THIS "club" where the "harm reduction" policies (subversions) are really coming from, that have directly created and fostered SO much homelessness, drug addiction, graffiti, trash, burglaries, robberies, auto & property thefts, assaults, murders, outrageous taxes & fees, policing and enforcement issues??? Is THIS where the utter garbage is coming from, that the county clown show in our county government "preaches" about how the local Jamestown Tribe should be helped to rob our community of a free market economy, independent small businesses, money, taxes, freedoms, rights, and properties??? Yes, Jeff Tozzer did another fine job of revealing the truth about the corruption that exists within our local community and state, that hides just under their thin layer of "feel good" lies and deceptive marketing schemes~! Regardless of the many phony excuses, we should absolutely forbid the Clallam County Commissioners to spend OUR money on any outside clubs or "associations" and furthermore we should absolutely forbid each Clallam County Commissioner to have a membership in or to attend ANY outside organization that promotes ANYTHING that goes against the will and vote of the good folks within our community~! Why on earth would "we" (Clallam County residents) want or even put up with any of our public servants who violate our public trust by attending any clubs or associations that blatantly regularly act against our free will, vote, and best interests~? These idiots from outside of our County and community have absolutely no authority, business, or right to interfere in OUR community's internal business matters~! I don't care if previous generations were foolish enough to be bamboozled into allowing this madness for even 200 years, because "we" need to put an end to these avenues of corruption that infect our community and work to undermine and destroy our local quality of life right now~! We never got to vote for this outrageous "influence peddling" crappola, nor should we tolerate it going forward~! We must immediately reject any of the controlling big government garbage that Ozias attempts to push on us, like a criminal drug dealer who pushes a deadly drug, or we will be led down a horrific path of destruction and misery. We must not allow these corruptions of our community to continue~! JUST SAY NO~!
Sincerely, Mike
Great article @Jeff Tozzer!
IMO, Ozias is a liberal politician of the worst kind. He is clearly an unethical, self promoting ideologue. He does not represent the larger constituency but instead his focus is the Tribe and himself. He has no moral compass!
Why,.why, why does Clallam need to spent nearly $500,000 since 2015 to belong to this lobby group!? What has it done for the citizens of Clallam? We all know the answer to this question - Nothing!
Ozias should be investigated by the DOJ and prosecuted!
I am curious what the WSAC does. Maybe a meeting agenda ? I am confident that Government should not be in the social engineering business. Examples being MWBE, DEI, LGBTQ+, "native" American, other nationality and harm reduction should also be included. Any and all resources used for this Government minority-ism should be captured and spent on safety / law enforcement.
In Washington State, the distinction between "essential" and "wants" for elected officials isn't found in a single dictionary definition. Instead, it is governed by three specific legal frameworks: Constitutional prohibitions, Statutory mandates, and Local budget priorities.
If you are looking for the "line in the sand" that prevents officials from spending money on whatever they want, here are the three levels that apply:
1. The Constitutional Line: "Fundamental Purposes"
The Washington State Constitution (Article VIII, Section 7) prohibits the "Gift of Public Funds." To avoid an illegal "gift," an expenditure must meet one of two tests:
* The Fundamental Purpose Test: Does the spending carry out a core government function (e.g., public safety, education, or infrastructure)? If it does, it is considered "essential" by default.
* The Consideration Test: If the spending isn't a "fundamental purpose," the government must receive something of equal value in return (e.g., buying a service at market rate).
* The "Poor and Infirm" Exception: The Constitution explicitly allows spending on the "necessary support of the poor and infirm" even if it might otherwise look like a gift. This is the legal floor for social services.
2. The Statutory Line: "Mandatory" vs. "Discretionary"
When state and local officials build a budget, they distinguish between what they must do by law and what they choose to do:
* Mandatory (The "Essentials"): These are services the state or city is legally required to provide. For example, Washington’s Constitution (Article IX) makes the "ample provision" for the education of all children the state's "paramount duty." Other mandates include pensions, debt service, and basic public safety (police/fire).
* Discretionary (The "Wants"): This includes programs that are legal to fund but not required by law. Examples often include parks and recreation, community grants, arts funding, or economic development incentives. In a budget crisis, these are usually the first to be cut.
3. The Local Policy Line: "Basic Services"
Most cities and counties in Washington (under guidance from the Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC)) define their "essential" services during their annual budget process. While specific definitions vary by city, they generally fall into this hierarchy:
| Priority Level | Category | Typical Services |
High (Essential) | Public Health & Safety | Police, Fire/EMS, Jail, Courts, Public Health.
Medium (Core) | Infrastructure | Road maintenance, Water/Sewer, Solid Waste.
Low (Discretionary) | Quality of Life | Libraries, Community Centers, Special Events, Beautification.
If an elected official is spending money on something you consider a "want," the legal question isn't whether it's "essential," but rather:
* Is it legal? (Does it serve a public purpose and avoid being a "gift"?)
* Is it mandated? (Is there a law—an RCW—requiring them to do it?)
* Is it a policy choice? (If it’s not mandated, they are choosing to spend your tax dollars there instead of elsewhere.)
A question for Jake Seegers: If elected to the BOCC, will you seek to withdraw Clallam County from the Washington State Association of Counties?
Oh my gosh Jeff, I would love to use your letter re: tribal gas tax as a jumping off point for my own letter.
Great column today! Thank you!