CC Letters: Issue No. 47
RE: Harm Reduction, Policy Direction, Election Integrity, Habitat for Humanity, Juvenile Crimes, Environmental Concerns, BIA Response Letter
Mission Statement: To preserve and publish citizen correspondence with local government as a public record of civic participation.
to: ”Gores, Loni” <loni.gores@clallamcountywa.gov>
cc: ”christine.dunn@clallamcountywa.gov” <christine.dunn@clallamcountywa.gov>, publichealth@clallamcountywa.gov
bcc: clallamityjen@gmail.com date: May 24, 2026, 1:00 PM
subject: Public Comment
Subject: Public Comment Submission - Harm Reduction Strategies
Dear Loni,
Kindly forward the following public comments to the Commissioners. Thank you.
To the Clallam County Commissioners,
I am writing to articulate my concerns regarding the efficacy of the County’s current harm-reduction strategies, which appear to be yielding insufficient tangible outcomes for both our residents and individuals grappling with addiction and homelessness.
Our community continues to observe an escalation in public drug use, a decline in the safety of public spaces, and a lack of discernible progress despite substantial public investment. While compassion is undoubtedly essential, it is insufficient if programs fail to guide individuals toward recovery, treatment, and sustainable long-term stability.
I respectfully urge the Board to consider the following actions:
* Conduct a comprehensive audit of all harm-reduction funding and associated outcomes.
* Enhance transparency and accountability measures for all contracted non-profit organizations.
* Reallocate funding toward public safety initiatives, particularly in the area of code enforcement.
* Mandate measurable performance standards for all publicly funded programs.
Our residents merit policies that contribute to both improved individual outcomes and enhanced community safety. I respectfully request that the Commissioners reevaluate the County’s current approach and prioritize programs that demonstrate proven results.
I anticipate a response to this correspondence.
Sincerely,
[Redacted]
to: ”christine.dunn@clallamcountywa.gov” <christine.dunn@clallamcountywa.gov>,
“vware@olycap.org” <vware@olycap.org>,
“Oppelt, Jennifer” <jennifer.oppelt@clallamcountywa.gov>
cc: 4PA <info@4pa.org>, Amy Miller <Amiller@cityofpa.us>
bcc: clallamityjen@gmail.com date: Apr 8, 2026, 10:08 AM
subject: Policy Direction Concerns: Housing First and Harm Reduction
Hi Ms. Dunn, Ms. Ware, and Ms. Oppelt,
Ms. Dunn, thank you for reading my comments yesterday. Given I only have a couple of board member email addresses, would you kindly share my correspondence below with each board member? Thank you.
Dear Homeless Task Force Advisory Board Members and Chairperson Viola Ware:
I am writing to express a direct concern regarding the policy direction currently being supported by certain members of this board, specifically the continued endorsement of “Housing First” and “harm reduction” models, similar to those advocated by Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson.
As leaders in this community, you bear the responsibility of upholding sound governance, which is predicated on accountability, measurable outcomes, and the judicious stewardship of public resources. These principles should guide all policy decisions, particularly those with significant public impact.
While these approaches may be suitable for large urban environments with different scales, densities, and resource capacities, their application in our community warrants critical scrutiny. Outcomes observed in cities such as Seattle raise legitimate concerns, including persistent encampments, public disorder, and limited evidence of long-term stabilization.
It is unclear why this board continues to align itself with policies that:
- Deprioritize accountability and behavioral expectations.
- Expand services without corresponding enforcement mechanisms.
- Normalize ongoing public health and safety impacts on the broader community.
Our community possesses a distinct character from Seattle. Many residents have chosen to reside here for its rural attributes, safety, and quality of life. We should strive to preserve these qualities. Why are we adopting models that risk undermining the very conditions that define our region?
Effective governance necessitates a balanced approach, one that incorporates:
- Clear expectations for service participation and compliance.
- Enforcement against illegal activities and environmental degradation.
- Measurable performance metrics tied to public funding.
- Investment in prevention, treatment, and structured recovery pathways.
I urge the board, in its capacity as community leaders, to critically evaluate whether current strategies genuinely serve both the unhoused population and the public at large, or if they are replicating policies that have yielded mixed or negative results elsewhere.
I would appreciate a clear explanation regarding:
1. The rationale for prioritizing these specific models.
2. The measurable outcomes that justify their expansion. Please Google “We Heart Seattle” and the commentary of grassroots activist Andrea Suarez for additional context. We Heart Seattle’s Facebook page paints a tragic story of low-barrier shelters with accountability.
3. How the board plans to uphold accountability and protect community standards.
I commend the verbal contributions of Board member John DeBoer, Council Member Amy Smith, the female public commentator who advocated for the board to seek information on homeless strategies in the State of Alabama, and Board member Johnny Ankrom, who inquired about the board’s potential support for 4PA.org.
Will this board extend support to the Salvation Army speaker?
I applaud and support 4PA’s Durgan program, and the public comments of Jake Seegers and Stacey Richards.
Would you consider inviting speakers Ms. Andrea Suarez, founder of We Heart Seattle, and Ms. Ginny Burton, a Seattle-based University of Washington scholar and author of the Gabriel Plan, to a future meeting?
Will you consider holding more frequent meetings?
I noted the public comments of Viola Ware and Jenny Oppelt at last night’s Port Angeles City meeting. As leaders on the Homeless Task Force Advisory Board, I did not perceive any solutions or encouragement for constituents present and listening via Zoom to participate in board discussions.
In closing, I wish to participate, and I thank Christine Dunn for her ongoing communication. I know it was stated at the beginning of the meeting this board is just one piece of the puzzle in addressing the homeless crisis. I don’t agree with this at all. Your constituents are relying on you to provide sound, prudent, and stabilization recommendations to the Commissioners.
I look forward to your responses.
Thank you,
[Redacted]
to: elections@clallamcountywa.gov bcc: Clallamityjen@gmail.com
date: May 29, 2026, 7:00 AM subject: Questionable Election integrity
To whom it may concern;
We here understand that local residents are officially being advised to seek information and assistance on our local election process from “The League of Women Voters”, by the Clallam County elections office. This is a highly disturbing revelation if true and we are extremely unhappy that the VERY clearly politically biased League of Women Voters would be recommended, especially using our tax dollars, as “experts or authorities” in any aspect of life, let alone our election proces~! If this reported “referral” by the Clallam County elections office is occurring, it would only confirm to us that the entire election system in Clallam County is criminally corrupt and can NEVER be trusted~! Anyone with a reasonable level of Intelligence and a functional reading capability can very clearly see that The League of Women Voters is overwhelmingly politically biased to an even radical degree, in direct violation to their publicly stated mission and charter, so we seriously doubt that anyone is foolish enough to be making any “simple mistakes” on this issue. We already know that our election system has very clearly proven to be untrustworthy on the national and state level, so we are now dedicated to addressing this EXTREMELY serious issue on our county level~! Please IMMEDIATELY cease and desist referring The League of Women Voters to anyone for ANY purpose whatsoever, because doing so is a direct unconstitutional violation of our freedom and rights under the Washington State Constitution and the original American Constitution~!
Thank you for your attention on this matter~!
Sincerely, [Redacted]
Date: Thu, May 7, 2026, 7:33 PM
Subject: Progress report on Clallam County Habitat for Humanity housing
To: <colleen@habitatclallam.org> Cc: [Redacted]
Dear Colleen,
Could you please provide information regarding the timeline and latest updates for the Habitat for Humanity project for Clallam County? Specifically, I would like to know the scheduled construction dates and the location of the build site.
Thank you,
[Redacted]
to: ”Gores, Loni” <loni.gores@clallamcountywa.gov>
cc: ”Leavell, Aaron” <aleavell@oesd114.org>,
“Nichols, Mark” <mark.nichols@clallamcountywa.gov>,
“Mielke, Todd” <Todd.Mielke@clallamcountywa.gov>
bcc: clallamityjen@gmail.com date: May 10, 2026, 10:18 PM
subject: Please address the rising public safety juvenile crimes issues Clallam County
Dear Loni,
Please share the following email with the Commissioners. Thank you.
Dear Commissioners,
I am following up on my email from last week, as I have not yet received a response.
I am writing to express my concerns regarding a recent interview between Clallam County Prosecutor Mark Nichols and Colleen McAleer
In the video, Mr. Nichols states that his office is seeing nearly a 300 percent increase in juvenile crime, which he attributes to a lack of socialization during the pandemic. Personally, I believe that cell phone and video game use during school hours should be banned, as both reduce face-to-face interaction.
Have there been any collaborative meetings with local law enforcement, school boards, or the public to address the rise in juvenile crime and its impact on teachers, students, and general public safety?
I recall that last summer, Commissioner Ozias directed that private security was necessary for Jim Stoffer during Charter Review Commission meetings, though no data was provided to justify that need. Given the data and concerns presented by Mr. Nichols, I am concerned by the lack of public discussion regarding juvenile crime. Why was taxpayer-funded security prioritized for a specific individual at past public meetings over the safety of our schools?
I urge you to take action on this matter. The safety of our children and teachers must be a top priority.
Thank you,
[Redacted]
Date: Wed, May 20, 2026, 8:35 AM
Subject: Environmental concerns To: <council@cityofpa.us>
To Port Angeles City Council,
While attending yesterday’s meeting, I noticed the strong environmental concerns expressed by council members regarding the Brix Marine project. As someone deeply passionate about fungal conservation and the health of our natural ecosystems, I was genuinely encouraged to see that level of concern and scrutiny being applied to potential ecological impacts.
Several concerns were raised surrounding freshwater systems and possible beaver activity in the area. From my understanding and research of the location, if there is a creek or tributary moving through that property, it would likely connect to the Tumwater Creek watershed. I would also note that beavers commonly maintain a home range between roughly half a mile and four miles, meaning activity in the Marine Drive area could very realistically overlap with the broader Tumwater ecosystem.
With all of that in mind, I would like to invite council members to walk both the proposed project area and some of the unmanaged encampment areas throughout our community to compare the ecological impacts taking place today. I believe it is important that we have equally serious conversations around the discarded batteries, hazardous waste, propane tanks, human waste, litter, and fire risks associated with open-flame cooking and unmanaged camping occurring in and around sensitive areas.
My concern is not that environmental standards are being applied too strongly to businesses. My concern is whether we are applying those same environmental values consistently across our community. I believe we either stand as leaders in ecological stewardship, or we risk appearing selective in our enforcement and concern depending on who is responsible for the impact.
If we are going to hold businesses and development projects to high environmental standards, then we should also be willing to address ongoing environmental degradation occurring in plain sight throughout our city. Ignoring those impacts because the issue is politically uncomfortable does not make the damage any less real.
I appreciate the work each of you do for our community and hope we can continue having honest conversations about balancing compassion, environmental stewardship, public safety, and accountability.
[Redacted]
to: todd.mielke@clallamcountywa.gov
date: May 28, 2026, 6:48 PM subject: RE: BIA response letter
Dear Administrator Mielke,
Thank you for answering my questions regarding the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) response letter after last Tuesday’s Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) meeting. You helped to clarify some of my concerns. I am also happy to hear that the Commissioners have agreed to accept the offer from the BIA representative and meet with her in the very near future.
As I stated during public comment at that meeting, I appreciated your and the BoCC’s response letter to the Bureau of Indian Affairs request for information to the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s (JST) request to transfer 4 parcels of land adjacent to the JST’s golf course into trust (Case Number 66530). The letter thoroughly detailed the negative impact the transfer would have on the citizens of Clallam County, including the citizens of the surrounding cities, both financially and environmentally. The itemized taxes and the special assessments levied on the 4 properties along with detailing the impact to junior taxing districts illustrated how difficult the loss of this tax revenue is for us to absorb. Even though the list is long, you documented the facts well. Reiterating these details in the Response to Questions section helped to emphasize our struggling financial status and controversies over zoning, environment, and patchwork encroachment by the JST, a sovereign nation.
However, after reviewing the letter and our conversation, one part still troubles me. After several pages of explaining the hardships this transfer puts onto the many facets of the community, the phrase “... [Clallam County] is not requesting additional mitigation.” is added at the end of the second to the last paragraph. I’m inferring this to mean that the Board of Clallam County Commissioners has conceded to the BIA and the citizens of Clallam County that due to the negligible impact to the County and the surrounding municipalities, the transfer can proceed without further concern or discussion. If this is the case, then I object to Commissioners’ stance that the transfer negligibly affects Clallam County. Since there are more real properties and parcels being requested to the BIA to transfer them into Tribal Trusts, any concession by the Commissioners will only generate deeper concerns to our economic status, our taxes and levies, and our environment.
I know that the response letter has been approved for submission, but I am hoping that this serious and consequential matter will be discussed frankly and with full disclosure of the County’s financial crisis with the BIA representative.
I look forward to your response to my concerns about the serious consequences the County faces with the transfer of these parcels.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
[Redacted]
Next Issue: Thursday, June 4, 2026
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
🗣️ Public Comment Period Opens Today!
Ecology’s draft periodic review report about the K Ply cleanup site on Port Angeles Harbor is now available for public comment.
Please submit comments before June 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM.
Cleanup at K Ply
K Ply, at 439 Marine Drive in Port Angeles, was used as a lumber mill and plywood mill from 1926 to 2011. The site is in the process of being redeveloped but is currently vacant except for a wash facility to clean yachts.
2016 cleanup at K Ply included removing over 50,000 tons of soil, bioremediation, and groundwater monitoring. Because some contamination was left behind during cleanup, Ecology reviews conditions at the site about every five years to make sure human health and the environment are still protected.
Draft periodic review results
Ecology found that the cleanup is generally working as intended. However, concentrations of diesel in groundwater remain above cleanup levels. Diesel levels may not reach cleanup goals within 10 years of the cleanup work (by 2026), as planned.
The property owner, the Port of Port Angeles, in coordination with Ecology, will collect data to inform a decision on whether the site needs more cleanup to address diesel concentrations.
The Port is also responsible for sampling groundwater twice a year to monitor the cleanup effectiveness.
For more details, please take a look at the draft periodic review report, which is available at the K Ply webpage.
Download the draft periodic review (22 MB)
Submit your comments
Please submit comments online at go.ecology.wa.gov/comment28. The comment period closes on Monday, June 15 at 11:59 PM.
If you have any questions about this periodic review, please reach out to Connie Groven at connie.groven@ecy.wa.gov.
For questions about public involvement, ADA accessibility, or to request materials in a language other than English, please contact Carolyn Subramaniam at carolyn.subramaniam@ecy.wa.gov.
Carolyn Subramaniam
Public Involvement Coordinator
carolyn.subramaniam@ecy.wa.gov
564-250-0563
Accessibility: To request ADA accommodation for disabilities, or printed materials in a format for the visually impaired, email Ecology’s ADA Coordinator or call 360-407-6831, 711 (relay service), or 877-833-6341 (TTY). Visit https://ecology.wa.gov/accessibility.
🇺🇸 Response from the U.S. Department of the Interior:
From Clallam Freedom Alliance re: Stop the Transfer of Dungeness and Protection Island Refuges (Sign & share petition here):
A physical mail response came in from Thomas A. Blaser, Chief Adminstrative Judge of the US. Department of the Interior.
He told us to send all concerns to the: Northwest Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, 911 Northwest 11th Avenue, Portland, OR, 97232-4169.
As we now know calling is best: 360-291-7684.
✍️ Redress State Legislators in District 24:
Senator Mike Chapman: (360) 786-7646, email form
Representative Adam Bernbaum: (360) 786-7916, email form
Representative Steve Tharinger: (360) 786-7904, email form
✍️ Redress Clallam County Commissioners:
Mark Ozias: Mark.Ozias@clallamcountywa.gov
Randy Johnson: Randy.Johnson@clallamcountywa.gov
Mike French: Mike.French@clallamcountywa.gov
Loni Gores, Clerk: Loni.Gores@clallamcountywa.gov
Find all other Clallam County officials, offices, and employees in the staff directory.
To have your letter published in Clallam County Letters, please include clallamityjen@gmail.com in the BCC field or forward the email after sending.
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Personal identifiers have been redacted where appropriate to protect individual privacy. No substantive alterations have been made.
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