I found it interesting the first time I heard of the making of these videos. Something wasn't right. My son is 40 years old with special needs. He has worked at many jobs over the years. Never once were we, his parents, allowed nor asked for input on what was best for him! Never had to tell his story once. So who is really saved from having to repeat this? Still not sure. Second comment, every year for many years, my son came home from Clallam Mosaic classes with a great big rolling duffle bag full of emergency preparedness items. I believe they had guest speakers for the day that brought them. But I asked to not be given them anymore because they were taking up so much space in his closet. One was enough anyway, thank you. No record of who had already received this? Now I'm beginning to understand, it's all about the money (as usual) and how to keep it coming to an organization even if not really needed for intended purpose anymore. Sad and such a waste.
So many Gov't programs provide nothing but waste. As you stated, Missy, you were never asked what you needed. How many other parents with special needs children have never been asked either? It's never, ever about the children.
Same questions...different day. NGOs are the latest money laundering scheme. Sooo, which commissioners are on which NGO boards and do they receive any money from the NGOs for either salary or 'expense' reasons? I saw the list of NGOs one of the commissioners was on..
seemed like around 15 or more. Did he vote to give any if them money? Bingo...conflict of interest at the least and fraud at the worst. And no County Prosecuter to look into it. We need the Federal DOJ here!
The mindless drivel out of Olympia has infected Clallam County, with Dr. Berry again no where in sight to protect us from the outrageous tax and spend schemes. Now our local leaders are in lock-step with Olympia and Clallam County is losing its autonomy, uniqueness, and character.
The stories below are a true representation of their pie-in-the-sky, great emotional ideas, that fall flat and guess who pays and suffers? Definitely not the politicians who sell this garbage in an electorate ready to gobble up the latest emotional-laden idea.
Jeff is correct about the core issue at hand here. Our Commissioners have left the left-half of their brains at home.
Next Door is busy. Kevin E just posted this: It says that the 2026 budget will maintain FINANCIAL STABILITY WITHOUT INCREASING TAXES. Next year at this time they will maintain it was a typing error.
Kevin E.
Sorrel Lane
·
3 hr ago
·
The Port Angeles City Council has approved a balanced budget of nearly $200 million for 2026, which includes about $64 million for capital projects focused on infrastructure and public works. The budget aims to maintain financial stability without increasing taxes, while also ensuring emergency reserves are adequately funded. https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Port+angeles+wash+2026+budget&atb=v238-1&ko=-1&t=ddg_android&ia=web&assist=true
Does the City Manger’s statement instill confidence? This should be in the Straight Shooter.
City Manager Nathan West “we have ACTUALLY TAKEN THE TIME to save up money for each of these capital projects over time, so that we can afford to do them,”
Dang. I just realized, I’m in the wrong business. I need to form an NGO. Simply. Improve my writing skills, smooze the BOCC, hold my hand out and voila, I got cash. Shut up Joe Taxpayer it’s now my cash and you don’t need to know.
In the meantime, I’m forming a second NGO. Who’s in?
Ken, don't forget the importance of fingernails. Chew, spit, repeat. It is an effective dismissive action when the taxpayer is trying to get your attention. Master the words "asshole" and "that's not my problem", they come in handy to settle disputes. Good Luck!
A community's most vulnerable must receive legitimate help. These citizens have various needs and as a society, we should provide this assistance. However, the burden of financially providing this assistance should not be only on the shoulders of property owners. As a community, everyone must contribute. Thank you, Jeff, for featuring this part of Tuesday's BoCC meeting. So much was discussed that this questionable expenditure could have easily been forgotten.
To reduce “exhausting and disparaging” repetition when families must retell their loved one’s story to new staff. The idea is that new staff will just watch the video instead."
Just watch a video instead. Is that really for the loved one's benefit or do they just not want to take time to show they care by talking to them face to face?
Just to weigh in on this: the concept of having videos to show service providers is actually a GOOD one. I’m guessing that the four planned are meant to cover four broad types of disabilities, and copies of them will be available to DD families.
My adult daughter who is physically disabled could attest to the legitimate need for such videos because it IS exhausting for her when she has to explain to each and every caregiver and service provider WHAT her uncommon disability is and specifically what she NEEDS.
That said, there is no reason in this county expenditure case that each video should cost $18,000 to produce.
Yes. What galls me is when NGOs promote emotionally charged “charitable” causes and goals, but then pay THEMSELVES large sums for their fees and salaries. Government agencies likewise.
You're another voice in the wilderness that needs to be heard by our BOCCC. Please consider writing to, or speaking to them.
Imagine how much further these dollars could go toward these causes if there was understanding about the ineffective use by just doling it out without a second thought.
With that logic, wouldn’t every individual need a video of their specific disabilities? It’s usually a syndrome, meaning more than one specific need is required. The cost to effectiveness ratio is probably very poor. But that’s part of the math test I skipped early in the blog. Getting real with accounting and accountability seems to be lost in this county.
As a caregiver who has worked with both developmentally disabled as well as elderly clients, the absolute first thing you do upon hire is read their care plan. This used to be a binder that contained the information on the client.
It would include triggers to avoid as well as the history of their story. Many of my clients were non- verbal.
The companies I worked with made sure you had read through their care plan before engaging with the client.
About the money going to consultants: They get a flat fee for placing an individual into a job and supporting him or her for /x/ number of days. My understanding is that they do pretty well if you have moderate developmental disabilities and want a job at Walmart or Home Depot. My experience is that if you’re more high functioning and just need some help finding employment anywhere else, they are useless. They take the money for the “consult,” they never find you a job and that’s the end. You’re on your own.
SomeSome, your understanding is correct. It works exactly as you outlined, but don't forget government paperwork involved and the months and months to get the paperwork through IF done correctly. It's almost never done correctly. It's a hot mess to navigate.
SomeSome, the process is exhausting and discouraging. WE NEED MORE BUSINESSES TO PROSPER in order to create jobs that fit into the individual's level of work. Unfortunately, many of the businesses are fighting for the lives along with the citizens. It's going to change even if I have to sell my left kidney or... or, (thinking) maybe my husband's left kidney ; )
We’ve been here 11 years. I told my son to apply for jobs wherever they are. If he ends up getting a job somewhere else, we will move. Preferably some place with a water view like we have now.
Sorry, I wouldn’t want to wait for Washington State to be helpful. Squeaky wheels in the Development Disability department don’t get anymore attention any faster.
It’s an area that sounded good, but in practice has had very random levels of success. Extreme variety of housing from very nice to almost unlivable. Job skills training is almost nonexistent. When we closed facilities, where everyone had access to professionals and meal prep, medication reviews, dental appointments it may have seemed nobel
but it’s a mess. Don’t think Cookoo Nest think more like a campus. I can discuss this from my professional experience so I’m not just trashing a system. It was ripe for the picking.
This is going through SSDI through Social Services downtown. They may not be connected to your comment (I apologize) but it appears the process might be the same.
If they didn’t catch fraud at the pool, why should taxpayers trust them to oversee hundreds of thousands in contracts to outside groups? --- Right there is the bottom line. Crystal clear as it can get.
Not to veer away from today’s article, but I would like to include citizen’s fighting for our common goal of Transparency and Accountability. Below is Next Door Neighbor Marge R. and her posting of Steven Pelayo’s letter. As we gear into a busy season to vote in Jake Seegers, it is important to be aware of all activities and keep them centered and focused. As a group, we will change things.
Marge R.
South Ennis·
47 min ago
·Edited
·
Please reject the late-night FPIC (Free, Prior, and Informed Consent) & “Net Ecological Gain” Changes to the 20 year Comprehensive Plan. Below is Steven Pelayo’s letter to the council members (none of whom have responded to Steven’s earlier correspondence).
Councilmembers, I am writing to strongly encourage each of you to deny the last-minute changes suggested by Councilmember Lindsey Schromen-Wawrin at the November 18th meeting—specifically, the proposals to replace “consultation” with the international doctrine of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) and to replace the long-standing environmental standard of No Net Loss with an undefined concept of “Net Ecological Gain.” These proposals appeared more than three hours into the meeting, after 18 months of public process, without a motion, without discussion, and without explanation from staff or legal counsel. This is not a small technical adjustment. It represents a major structural change to how Port Angeles governs everything from zoning, utilities, stormwater, housing, and transportation to individual property permits. There is no precedent for a Washington city embedding FPIC into municipal code. FPIC is a U.N. doctrine created for major extractive projects in developing nations—not for local land use decisions, residential remodels, sidewalk improvements, or municipal infrastructure. We already operate under a full suite of regulatory frameworks: city code, county code, state law, federal law, and treaty obligations. Adding a sovereign veto power on top of all existing regulations would be unprecedented and deeply problematic for housing approvals, timelines, costs, and administrative clarity. And if we are going to talk about “net ecological gain,” we should start with the Tribe’s own hotel project—which has left the heart of our downtown looking like an apocalyptic war zone for more than five years with no progress, no communication, and no end in sight. (Even I volunteered to clean up that lot during the Big Spruce Clean up!). Where is the ecological gain in a giant vacant pit filled with weeds and fencing? Our downtown businesses, residents, and visitors have paid the price for that eyesore, and it stands as a real-world example of why we should be cautious about layering additional regulatory or sovereign authority on local land-use decisions. A "suggestion" with this level of impact should never be introduced casually at the end of a late-night meeting without staff analysis or public transparency. As you know, I pointed out numerous issues with the comp plan assumptions - even Bruce Emery agreed with my analysis - yet my suggestions were never addressed. I understand the inputs from the Port Angeles Realtor Association were also ignored. Unfortunately, this late behavior is not new. We saw the same approach with the short-term rental discussion, where—four hours into the meeting—Councilmember Schromen-Wawrin inserted the phrase “one license per person per parcel” with no council discussion. That pattern alone should be a red flag: significant policy decisions should not be introduced casually, at the end of long meetings, and adopted without debate. Other councilmembers have called out these types of late agenda items or suggestions as being wrong. Why no one spoke up on this particular manipulation attempt further proves the sneaky effectiveness of this strategy. I urge you: do not allow FPIC or “net ecological gain” to be inserted into the Comprehensive Plan at this stage. These concepts may warrant discussion in the future, but not under these circumstances and certainly not without full public review, staff analysis, and legal guidance. Port Angeles needs clear, predictable, reasonable regulations—not additional layers of authority and uncertainty that no other city in our state has adopted. Thank you for your service and for taking the time to fully consider the long-term implications of this last-minute change. Respectfully, Steven Pelayo
It would seem to me , that ALL of these funds by all levels of government are distributed without any requirements for accountability being imposed. We have a huge uphill battle. At some point, at some level of government people need to be prosecuted and go to jail. We are being hosed repeatedly.
So how do we increase accountability while seeking to to maximize value? Not just for existing contracts- we should define and write into law how we approach future ones. I'm thinking if we require invoices per-case from these organizations that would make sense? Are there pre-existant examples we should have be referring to? Is it okay to pre-approve a total like the numbers we see in this article but still require paperwork for each smaller check handed, or should it be a reimbursement-only model?
I believe that there was something similar on the list the CRC was working through under the header, "Transparency with NGO'S" which had support from Stoffer and Tozzer per their outreach list.
I see the need but its still feels like there has been a property tax reflex problem. The developmental disability program could work out if it was more than just gathering bailing wire and duct tape. If the program gathered them up and taught them how to go paint the bridge over the river qui and displayed they were holding up their end of the board for 3-4 hours, the optics would be better. But this should be a federal grant funding source, God forbid they turn it into race based DEI preferences...
You must have not been around adults with (mental) disabilities. Not your fault but painting anything with some degree of accuracy is so out of most of this populations wheel house. When we decided to assimilate the mentally challenged in to the population, they have become more isolated with fewer resources.
The staff over seeing these clients, are the lowest paid and least educated of general workers. Some are great. Some people run a very tight ship with multiple houses and clients paying providers through their disabilities program. Monthly income. Some work jobs off property.
A part of Social Security, I think. Maybe wrong but it is funded by tax dollars.
So you are talking about Steilacoom level clientele. Yes. The we list is debate able.. I did not consider that in part because they belong in Steilacoom and in part because I left it out of the developmental part of the equation..Previously on Jeff's People I put them in the "nutinwecando" category....because... I have been around them...
I went over this in great detail. Bubba pushes the pill cart so the patient cant get nurse Ratchet in a headlock and force Bubba to deliver pain compliance maneuver with a 10 foot head of steam, getting us sued out of the funny farm bidness.
I always suspected that Jeff Tozzer was secretly plotting a world takeover with this "Clallam County Watchdog" bunch of "dangerous gangbangers"~! Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha~!!!!! Yes, who would see a world take over coming from the Clallam County area~? Absolutely Brilliant~! GEEEEZE~!!! It really is astounding just how much mental illness is really in Clallam County, and we noticed the small handful of poor mentally ill losers who were demonstrating against working to improve America on the street intersection in Downtown Sequim this afternoon as well. Can they read & understand their own signs? From the looks of them they never did anything to help America anyway, so of course all they can do is complain and try to cause trouble for good folks... I suppose that just gives the ignorant "useful idiots" something to do, but where were these lunatics during the absolute disaster of the last 4 years? Everything was fine then? They don't see any problems today right here with the lying Clallam County shyster crooks in our own government and their disappearing money hat tricks? No real surprise there~! Nope, let's fight President Trump and the white hats for daring to even think of improving America, eliminating the grossly unlawful IRS, and giving money to the American children so they have some measure of hope for their futures~! I wonder how many teachers and government employees were in that little group of lunatics? HA~! Well, no one was paying any attention to them anyway, because the vast majority of folks have better things to do, especially before Christmas ;-)
I would be surprised if the crooks in the Clallam County government were administering ANY funds and/or project that was transparent and competently fiscally operated, so there is no surprise that they can't honorably handle the questionable the "Development Disability Funds/Project" either~! Business as usual unfortunately~! I really hope that our American election systems are cleaned up soon~!!! For now, let's keep our eyes on these local lunatics because they are clearly a serious danger to our community and of course themselves~!
Today's question to the commissioners:
Dear Commissioners,
How do you justify $18,000 of taxpayer money going to make a 45-minute video?
All 3 commissioners can be reached by emailing the Clerk of the Board at loni.gores@clallamcountywa.gov
I found it interesting the first time I heard of the making of these videos. Something wasn't right. My son is 40 years old with special needs. He has worked at many jobs over the years. Never once were we, his parents, allowed nor asked for input on what was best for him! Never had to tell his story once. So who is really saved from having to repeat this? Still not sure. Second comment, every year for many years, my son came home from Clallam Mosaic classes with a great big rolling duffle bag full of emergency preparedness items. I believe they had guest speakers for the day that brought them. But I asked to not be given them anymore because they were taking up so much space in his closet. One was enough anyway, thank you. No record of who had already received this? Now I'm beginning to understand, it's all about the money (as usual) and how to keep it coming to an organization even if not really needed for intended purpose anymore. Sad and such a waste.
So many Gov't programs provide nothing but waste. As you stated, Missy, you were never asked what you needed. How many other parents with special needs children have never been asked either? It's never, ever about the children.
Just like harm reduction is not about the addicts :(
Thank you for your comment about the waste. Like needles strewn about Tumwater Canyon. Our politicians are creating a mess.
Give me a W (Waste)
Give me a A (Accountability)
Give me a T (Transparency)
Give me a C (Commissioners)
Give me a H (Harmful)
Give me a O (Oversight)
Give me a U (Uncontrolled)
Give me a T (Trust)
Whats that spell?
Camouflage
Concealment in plain sight by any means
Same questions...different day. NGOs are the latest money laundering scheme. Sooo, which commissioners are on which NGO boards and do they receive any money from the NGOs for either salary or 'expense' reasons? I saw the list of NGOs one of the commissioners was on..
seemed like around 15 or more. Did he vote to give any if them money? Bingo...conflict of interest at the least and fraud at the worst. And no County Prosecuter to look into it. We need the Federal DOJ here!
Collusion, self dealing ?
Another scam. How many millions of taxpayers funds have been scammed! Is WA like MN?
Yes.
Yes!!!
The mindless drivel out of Olympia has infected Clallam County, with Dr. Berry again no where in sight to protect us from the outrageous tax and spend schemes. Now our local leaders are in lock-step with Olympia and Clallam County is losing its autonomy, uniqueness, and character.
The stories below are a true representation of their pie-in-the-sky, great emotional ideas, that fall flat and guess who pays and suffers? Definitely not the politicians who sell this garbage in an electorate ready to gobble up the latest emotional-laden idea.
Jeff is correct about the core issue at hand here. Our Commissioners have left the left-half of their brains at home.
https://www.chronline.com/stories/washington-state-program-spends-1-million-to-get-37-disadvantaged-people-drivers-licenses,345589#google_vignette
https://www.propublica.org/article/washington-data-centers-tech-jobs-tax-break
https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_5c1270c4-f91c-11ef-8f88-0b9b529e3f03.html
Math Test: Let’s see who got the better bargain?
#1) Washington state program spends $1 million to get 37 ‘Disadvantaged’ People Driver's Licenses = COST PP? ____
Or
#2) $72,673 to Monica Meyer Consulting, Inc. for four videos = COST PP? ____
Kids, how many pizzas could the Commissioners buy with the savings of the better bargain if we only had $100,000? No cheating!
You're mind, is wonderfully twisted.
Next Door is busy. Kevin E just posted this: It says that the 2026 budget will maintain FINANCIAL STABILITY WITHOUT INCREASING TAXES. Next year at this time they will maintain it was a typing error.
Kevin E.
Sorrel Lane
·
3 hr ago
·
The Port Angeles City Council has approved a balanced budget of nearly $200 million for 2026, which includes about $64 million for capital projects focused on infrastructure and public works. The budget aims to maintain financial stability without increasing taxes, while also ensuring emergency reserves are adequately funded. https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Port+angeles+wash+2026+budget&atb=v238-1&ko=-1&t=ddg_android&ia=web&assist=true
Does the City Manger’s statement instill confidence? This should be in the Straight Shooter.
City Manager Nathan West “we have ACTUALLY TAKEN THE TIME to save up money for each of these capital projects over time, so that we can afford to do them,”
OMG... drop mic
Dang. I just realized, I’m in the wrong business. I need to form an NGO. Simply. Improve my writing skills, smooze the BOCC, hold my hand out and voila, I got cash. Shut up Joe Taxpayer it’s now my cash and you don’t need to know.
In the meantime, I’m forming a second NGO. Who’s in?
Ken, don't forget the importance of fingernails. Chew, spit, repeat. It is an effective dismissive action when the taxpayer is trying to get your attention. Master the words "asshole" and "that's not my problem", they come in handy to settle disputes. Good Luck!
Yes! Please invest I'm my " tuck away " plan
* in my " tuck away" plan
A community's most vulnerable must receive legitimate help. These citizens have various needs and as a society, we should provide this assistance. However, the burden of financially providing this assistance should not be only on the shoulders of property owners. As a community, everyone must contribute. Thank you, Jeff, for featuring this part of Tuesday's BoCC meeting. So much was discussed that this questionable expenditure could have easily been forgotten.
To reduce “exhausting and disparaging” repetition when families must retell their loved one’s story to new staff. The idea is that new staff will just watch the video instead."
Just watch a video instead. Is that really for the loved one's benefit or do they just not want to take time to show they care by talking to them face to face?
And won't making 4 videos only solve the repetition issue for 4 families?
I didn't even think of that, it's such a bargain so why not more?
Just to weigh in on this: the concept of having videos to show service providers is actually a GOOD one. I’m guessing that the four planned are meant to cover four broad types of disabilities, and copies of them will be available to DD families.
My adult daughter who is physically disabled could attest to the legitimate need for such videos because it IS exhausting for her when she has to explain to each and every caregiver and service provider WHAT her uncommon disability is and specifically what she NEEDS.
That said, there is no reason in this county expenditure case that each video should cost $18,000 to produce.
You're speaking to the heart of the matter. XX amount of dollars are available, but the mindless use is the problem.
Yes. What galls me is when NGOs promote emotionally charged “charitable” causes and goals, but then pay THEMSELVES large sums for their fees and salaries. Government agencies likewise.
You're another voice in the wilderness that needs to be heard by our BOCCC. Please consider writing to, or speaking to them.
Imagine how much further these dollars could go toward these causes if there was understanding about the ineffective use by just doling it out without a second thought.
With that logic, wouldn’t every individual need a video of their specific disabilities? It’s usually a syndrome, meaning more than one specific need is required. The cost to effectiveness ratio is probably very poor. But that’s part of the math test I skipped early in the blog. Getting real with accounting and accountability seems to be lost in this county.
We are all individuals and need to have face-to-face discussions to receive individualized assistance.
I think that is how they utilize videos in schools here, too. Watch this video, it's easier.
As a caregiver who has worked with both developmentally disabled as well as elderly clients, the absolute first thing you do upon hire is read their care plan. This used to be a binder that contained the information on the client.
It would include triggers to avoid as well as the history of their story. Many of my clients were non- verbal.
The companies I worked with made sure you had read through their care plan before engaging with the client.
What happened to that system?
Those must have cost $19,000 each.
About the money going to consultants: They get a flat fee for placing an individual into a job and supporting him or her for /x/ number of days. My understanding is that they do pretty well if you have moderate developmental disabilities and want a job at Walmart or Home Depot. My experience is that if you’re more high functioning and just need some help finding employment anywhere else, they are useless. They take the money for the “consult,” they never find you a job and that’s the end. You’re on your own.
SomeSome, your understanding is correct. It works exactly as you outlined, but don't forget government paperwork involved and the months and months to get the paperwork through IF done correctly. It's almost never done correctly. It's a hot mess to navigate.
My son is a high-functioning autistic. He went through the whole process and all they would offer him were simple jobs at HD and Walmart.
SomeSome, the process is exhausting and discouraging. WE NEED MORE BUSINESSES TO PROSPER in order to create jobs that fit into the individual's level of work. Unfortunately, many of the businesses are fighting for the lives along with the citizens. It's going to change even if I have to sell my left kidney or... or, (thinking) maybe my husband's left kidney ; )
We’ve been here 11 years. I told my son to apply for jobs wherever they are. If he ends up getting a job somewhere else, we will move. Preferably some place with a water view like we have now.
Sorry, I wouldn’t want to wait for Washington State to be helpful. Squeaky wheels in the Development Disability department don’t get anymore attention any faster.
It’s an area that sounded good, but in practice has had very random levels of success. Extreme variety of housing from very nice to almost unlivable. Job skills training is almost nonexistent. When we closed facilities, where everyone had access to professionals and meal prep, medication reviews, dental appointments it may have seemed nobel
but it’s a mess. Don’t think Cookoo Nest think more like a campus. I can discuss this from my professional experience so I’m not just trashing a system. It was ripe for the picking.
This is going through SSDI through Social Services downtown. They may not be connected to your comment (I apologize) but it appears the process might be the same.
If they didn’t catch fraud at the pool, why should taxpayers trust them to oversee hundreds of thousands in contracts to outside groups? --- Right there is the bottom line. Crystal clear as it can get.
Not to veer away from today’s article, but I would like to include citizen’s fighting for our common goal of Transparency and Accountability. Below is Next Door Neighbor Marge R. and her posting of Steven Pelayo’s letter. As we gear into a busy season to vote in Jake Seegers, it is important to be aware of all activities and keep them centered and focused. As a group, we will change things.
Marge R.
South Ennis·
47 min ago
·Edited
·
Please reject the late-night FPIC (Free, Prior, and Informed Consent) & “Net Ecological Gain” Changes to the 20 year Comprehensive Plan. Below is Steven Pelayo’s letter to the council members (none of whom have responded to Steven’s earlier correspondence).
Councilmembers, I am writing to strongly encourage each of you to deny the last-minute changes suggested by Councilmember Lindsey Schromen-Wawrin at the November 18th meeting—specifically, the proposals to replace “consultation” with the international doctrine of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) and to replace the long-standing environmental standard of No Net Loss with an undefined concept of “Net Ecological Gain.” These proposals appeared more than three hours into the meeting, after 18 months of public process, without a motion, without discussion, and without explanation from staff or legal counsel. This is not a small technical adjustment. It represents a major structural change to how Port Angeles governs everything from zoning, utilities, stormwater, housing, and transportation to individual property permits. There is no precedent for a Washington city embedding FPIC into municipal code. FPIC is a U.N. doctrine created for major extractive projects in developing nations—not for local land use decisions, residential remodels, sidewalk improvements, or municipal infrastructure. We already operate under a full suite of regulatory frameworks: city code, county code, state law, federal law, and treaty obligations. Adding a sovereign veto power on top of all existing regulations would be unprecedented and deeply problematic for housing approvals, timelines, costs, and administrative clarity. And if we are going to talk about “net ecological gain,” we should start with the Tribe’s own hotel project—which has left the heart of our downtown looking like an apocalyptic war zone for more than five years with no progress, no communication, and no end in sight. (Even I volunteered to clean up that lot during the Big Spruce Clean up!). Where is the ecological gain in a giant vacant pit filled with weeds and fencing? Our downtown businesses, residents, and visitors have paid the price for that eyesore, and it stands as a real-world example of why we should be cautious about layering additional regulatory or sovereign authority on local land-use decisions. A "suggestion" with this level of impact should never be introduced casually at the end of a late-night meeting without staff analysis or public transparency. As you know, I pointed out numerous issues with the comp plan assumptions - even Bruce Emery agreed with my analysis - yet my suggestions were never addressed. I understand the inputs from the Port Angeles Realtor Association were also ignored. Unfortunately, this late behavior is not new. We saw the same approach with the short-term rental discussion, where—four hours into the meeting—Councilmember Schromen-Wawrin inserted the phrase “one license per person per parcel” with no council discussion. That pattern alone should be a red flag: significant policy decisions should not be introduced casually, at the end of long meetings, and adopted without debate. Other councilmembers have called out these types of late agenda items or suggestions as being wrong. Why no one spoke up on this particular manipulation attempt further proves the sneaky effectiveness of this strategy. I urge you: do not allow FPIC or “net ecological gain” to be inserted into the Comprehensive Plan at this stage. These concepts may warrant discussion in the future, but not under these circumstances and certainly not without full public review, staff analysis, and legal guidance. Port Angeles needs clear, predictable, reasonable regulations—not additional layers of authority and uncertainty that no other city in our state has adopted. Thank you for your service and for taking the time to fully consider the long-term implications of this last-minute change. Respectfully, Steven Pelayo
It would seem to me , that ALL of these funds by all levels of government are distributed without any requirements for accountability being imposed. We have a huge uphill battle. At some point, at some level of government people need to be prosecuted and go to jail. We are being hosed repeatedly.
So how do we increase accountability while seeking to to maximize value? Not just for existing contracts- we should define and write into law how we approach future ones. I'm thinking if we require invoices per-case from these organizations that would make sense? Are there pre-existant examples we should have be referring to? Is it okay to pre-approve a total like the numbers we see in this article but still require paperwork for each smaller check handed, or should it be a reimbursement-only model?
I like your questions, Ralph.
I believe that there was something similar on the list the CRC was working through under the header, "Transparency with NGO'S" which had support from Stoffer and Tozzer per their outreach list.
I see the need but its still feels like there has been a property tax reflex problem. The developmental disability program could work out if it was more than just gathering bailing wire and duct tape. If the program gathered them up and taught them how to go paint the bridge over the river qui and displayed they were holding up their end of the board for 3-4 hours, the optics would be better. But this should be a federal grant funding source, God forbid they turn it into race based DEI preferences...
You must have not been around adults with (mental) disabilities. Not your fault but painting anything with some degree of accuracy is so out of most of this populations wheel house. When we decided to assimilate the mentally challenged in to the population, they have become more isolated with fewer resources.
The staff over seeing these clients, are the lowest paid and least educated of general workers. Some are great. Some people run a very tight ship with multiple houses and clients paying providers through their disabilities program. Monthly income. Some work jobs off property.
A part of Social Security, I think. Maybe wrong but it is funded by tax dollars.
So you are talking about Steilacoom level clientele. Yes. The we list is debate able.. I did not consider that in part because they belong in Steilacoom and in part because I left it out of the developmental part of the equation..Previously on Jeff's People I put them in the "nutinwecando" category....because... I have been around them...
I went over this in great detail. Bubba pushes the pill cart so the patient cant get nurse Ratchet in a headlock and force Bubba to deliver pain compliance maneuver with a 10 foot head of steam, getting us sued out of the funny farm bidness.
AH HA~!
I always suspected that Jeff Tozzer was secretly plotting a world takeover with this "Clallam County Watchdog" bunch of "dangerous gangbangers"~! Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha~!!!!! Yes, who would see a world take over coming from the Clallam County area~? Absolutely Brilliant~! GEEEEZE~!!! It really is astounding just how much mental illness is really in Clallam County, and we noticed the small handful of poor mentally ill losers who were demonstrating against working to improve America on the street intersection in Downtown Sequim this afternoon as well. Can they read & understand their own signs? From the looks of them they never did anything to help America anyway, so of course all they can do is complain and try to cause trouble for good folks... I suppose that just gives the ignorant "useful idiots" something to do, but where were these lunatics during the absolute disaster of the last 4 years? Everything was fine then? They don't see any problems today right here with the lying Clallam County shyster crooks in our own government and their disappearing money hat tricks? No real surprise there~! Nope, let's fight President Trump and the white hats for daring to even think of improving America, eliminating the grossly unlawful IRS, and giving money to the American children so they have some measure of hope for their futures~! I wonder how many teachers and government employees were in that little group of lunatics? HA~! Well, no one was paying any attention to them anyway, because the vast majority of folks have better things to do, especially before Christmas ;-)
I would be surprised if the crooks in the Clallam County government were administering ANY funds and/or project that was transparent and competently fiscally operated, so there is no surprise that they can't honorably handle the questionable the "Development Disability Funds/Project" either~! Business as usual unfortunately~! I really hope that our American election systems are cleaned up soon~!!! For now, let's keep our eyes on these local lunatics because they are clearly a serious danger to our community and of course themselves~!
Merry Christmas~!
Sincerely, Mike