Mission Statement: To preserve and publish citizen correspondence with local government as a public record of civic participation.
Summer Writing, Episode 1: Your First Civic Letter of the Summer
Welcome to Summer Writing from Clallam County Letters.
If you’ve ever participated in a summer reading program at your local library, you know the idea: spend a season building a habit.
This podcast is built on the same principle.
But instead of reading books, we’re writing letters.
Not because writing letters is old-fashioned.
Because writing letters is one of the simplest ways ordinary people can participate in government.
Every policy, project, budget, ordinance, permit, proposal, and public decision affects real people. Yet many residents never tell decision-makers what they think.
This summer, we’re going to change that.
Each week I’ll share one writing tip, one piece of civic inspiration, and one practical action you can take.
The goal isn’t perfection.
The goal is participation.
A Little History
One of my favorite reminders comes from the long tradition of petitioning government.
Long before social media, long before online comment forms, citizens wrote letters.
Farmers wrote letters.
Teachers wrote letters.
Business owners wrote letters.
Parents wrote letters.
People who disagreed with each other often wrote letters to the same officials.
The point wasn’t always to win.
The point was to be heard.
In the United States, the right “to petition the Government for a redress of grievances” is protected by the First Amendment.
That phrase — redress of grievances — simply means asking government to address a problem.
That’s what we’re doing this summer.
Writing Tip #1: Write About One Thing
The most common mistake people make when writing government officials is trying to cover everything.
A road issue.
A budget issue.
A zoning issue.
A personal story.
A complaint about customer service.
A concern about transparency.
Before long, the letter becomes difficult to follow.
Instead, choose one issue.
One topic. One request. One question.
A focused letter is easier to read, easier to understand, and more likely to receive a meaningful response.
If you can summarize your concern in one sentence, you’re ready to write.
For example: “I am requesting that the county provide more information about the timeline for this project.”
Or: “I am asking the city council to reconsider this proposal.”
Or: “I would like an explanation of how this decision was made.”
Or: “I would like to give recognition to the employee who helped me.”
Simple.
Clear.
Direct.
Summer Writing Challenge
This week, write one letter.
Not ten.
Not a manifesto.
One letter.
Pick a local issue you’ve been thinking about.
Write three paragraphs:
Paragraph one: What issue are you writing about?
Paragraph two: Why does it matter?
Paragraph three: What are you asking government to do?
That’s it.
Done is better than perfect.
Public Records Minute
Now let’s talk about something important.
When you write to government officials using government email addresses, your message is often a public record.
Public records laws exist because transparency matters.
Government decisions should be visible to the public.
The public should be able to understand what information elected officials and public employees are receiving.
That means your letter may become part of the public record.
Understanding that fact helps all of us write thoughtfully, respectfully, and clearly.
It also creates an opportunity.
If you would like your letter to be considered for publication on Clallam County Letters, include me in the process.
You can:
CC me at clallamityjen@gmail.com
BCC me at clallamityjen@gmail.com
Or forward your letter to me after you’ve sent it
If I publish your letter, I will make redactions when needed to help protect personal privacy.
Publishing letters allows other residents to learn from each other, see what questions are being asked, and better understand how local government works.
One person’s letter can inspire ten more people to participate.
Closing Inspiration
I’ll leave you with a simple thought.
Democracy isn’t only something that happens on election day.
Democracy also happens when someone takes a few minutes to write a thoughtful letter.
A letter says:
“I noticed.”
“I care.”
“I am paying attention.”
And sometimes that’s where meaningful change begins.
So this week, write one letter.
Keep it focused.
Keep it respectful.
Ask one question, make one request, or raise one concern.
And if you’d like to share it with the Clallam County Letters community, remember to CC, BCC, or forward it to me at clallamityjen@gmail.com.
Thanks for joining me for Summer Writing.
I’ll see you next week.
to:
cc: Colleen Robinson <colleen@habitatclallam.org>, “Gores, Loni” <loni.gores@clallamcountywa.gov>
bcc: clallamityjen@gmail.com date: Jun 9, 2026, 3:23 PM
subject: Lyons Landing property
Dear Jessica Dietzman,
I frequently travel on Mill Rd. and am concerned about the current state of the land donated by Dorothy Lyons to Habitat for Humanity. The grass and weeds have become so overgrown that they now obscure the monument sign featuring her picture. As the stewards of this land, why is the property not being maintained?
If Habitat for Humanity is unable to produce a construction timeline, I believe the $800,000 in Clallam County Opportunity Funds should be redirected toward a project with a clear and manageable timeline. For context, the largest Habitat for Humanity neighborhood in Washington is in Pierce County, consisting of 30 homes on 7.2 acres, and a population of almost 1 million people. Given that Clallam County has a significantly smaller population and is economically depressed, it is unclear how the proposed local housing project will be realized.
Please consider returning the $800,000 in Opportunity Funds so they can be reallocated to restoring Olympic Hot Springs Road, which would restore public access to the Elwha River.
Thank you,
[Redacted]
— — —
From: Gores, Loni <loni.gores@clallamcountywa.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, June 9, 2026 3:57 PM
To: Ozias, Mark <mark.ozias@clallamcountywa.gov>; Johnson, Randy <randy.johnson@clallamcountywa.gov>; French, Mike <Mike.French@clallamcountywa.gov>; Mielke, Todd <Todd.Mielke@clallamcountywa.gov>
Subject: FW: Lyons Landing property
Loni Gores
Clerk of the Board
Commissioners Office
223 East 4th Street, Suite 4
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Phone: 360-417-2256
— — —
On Tue, Jun 9, 2026, 4:10 PM Johnson, Randy <randy.johnson@clallamcountywa.gov> wrote:
How did you conclude that the County has an ability to build a road in the ONP? I wish we could rebuild the Hot Springs Road, but it requires many environmental reviews by ONP before they can proceed. This project is obviously one within the ONP, and they have jurisdiction.
— — —
to: “Johnson, Randy” <randy.johnson@clallamcountywa.gov>
bcc: clallamityjen@gmail.com date: Jun 10, 2026, 8:25 AM
subject: Re: Lyons Landing property Opportunity Funds Reallocation
Dear Mr. Johnson,
Thank you for your response regarding Olympic Hot Springs Road.
While I understand that reopening the road requires a partnership with the National Park Service (NPS), I believe an allocation from the Opportunity Fund could serve as an incentive for the NPS to approve the restoration and contribute equitably to the project. In my view, providing these funds to the NPS is as valid a use of resources as the Habitat for Humanity project in Carlsborg.
As mentioned, I have emailed Jessica Dietzman and Colleen Robinson regarding the lack of stewardship on the proposed building site. I will share any information I receive from them with you.
On another topic, you mentioned yesterday after the Commissioners Tuesday meeting that you spend time at the William Shore Pool not for recreation, but for the Steve Burke fraud case. Could you please elaborate on the status of this case and clarify when the stolen funds will be returned to the pool district?
Thank you,
[Redacted]
— — —
On Wed, Jun 10, 2026, 12:50 PM Johnson, Randy <randy.johnson@clallamcountywa.gov> wrote:
[Redacted],
First, as you well know, I cannot comment on the Steve Burke case except to say that it is ongoing.
As far as the ONP and the road, our former congressman, Derek Kilmer gave us a projected date for the new road of 2023. The ONP must complete many environmental hurdles including an Environmental Assessment, public outreach, and a host of other requirements before any construction can begin. To my knowledge, the ONP has not even begun the process. In addition, I am not sure any of us will be happy when the bids are received that meet the procurement requirements of the federal government. Do you really believe the ONP would let Clallam County take the lead on the project without meeting the ONP requirements for building a road in the park?
Randy
— — —
to: “Johnson, Randy” <randy.johnson@clallamcountywa.gov>
cc: “Gores, Loni” <loni.gores@clallamcountywa.gov>
bcc: clallamityjen@gmail.com date: Jun 13, 2026, 3:35 PM
subject: Re: Lyons Landing property Opportunity Funds Reallocation
Dear Mr. Johnson,
Following up on our discussion regarding Olympic Hot Springs Road, would you be willing to contact 6th District Representative Emily Randall to advocate for this project? I have left several messages at her Bremerton office, but I have only received a brief acknowledgment from her staff without further follow-up. I believe a formal communication from your office would carry significantly more weight.
Regarding the William Shore Pool, could you please provide an update on the current status of the Washington State Attorney General's Office prosecution?
Lastly, as you suggested, I emailed Jessica Dietzman and Colleen Robinson concerning the lack of maintenance at the Lyons Landing property on Mill Rd. I have not yet received a response from either of them. I have attached a photo of the Lyons Landing banner, which I feel is a poor reflection of such a generous land donation.
Thank you,
[Redacted]
Next Issue: Monday, June 22, 2026
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
📣 Today — June 18th Public Safety Town Hall:
The next town hall to address public safety in Clallam County will be on Thursday, June 18th, from 6:30pm - 8:30pm, at Dry Creek Grange Hall, 3520 Edgewood Drive in Port Angeles. All are welcome. Redress local government with your questions and concerns.
Confirmed panelists include Clallam County Commissioner Randy Johnson, Clallam County Prosecutor Mark Nichols, and Clallam County Sheriff Brian King.
Click the Google Event Invite to add all the information for the town hall event to your Google calendar.
✍️ No Hygiene or Harm Reduction programs at William Shore Aquatic Center in Port Angeles, WA
From the petition:
Please sign this petition to demand that the Clallam Department of Health and the William Shore Memorial Pool Board members Clallam County Commissioners Mike French, Randy Johnson, Port Angeles City Council Members Mark Hodgson and LaTrisha Suggs, and Greg Shields reject a hygiene center and shower voucher program now and in the future.
There are 78 Port Angeles Police reports that document the William Shore Aquatic Center generated far more calls related to social disorder, transient activity, mental health concerns, family disputes, and public safety issues than it did to actual swimming or recreation.
✍️ Take Action: Submit Comments by July 13
From the Dangerous Rhetoric article, A Rare Win for Working Lands:
Fortunately, positive changes are happening. One of the most promising is the BLM’s proposed revisions to grazing regulations. This isn’t symbolic—it’s substantive relief for family cattle operations that depend on public lands. Comments are due by July 13, 2026. Submit yours after reading this column, and share this piece with 10 like-minded friends. Let’s turn momentum into lasting policy.
“The Department of the Interior continues to ask for public input on a proposal to update how livestock grazing is managed on public lands. The Bureau of Land Management’s proposed grazing rule would give ranchers more flexibility, improve the health of rangelands and support rural communities across the West.” DOI.gov
Read more about the policy here:
🇺🇸 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.
Public Record Notice:
Published correspondences were transmitted to local government offices and copied, or forwarded by the sender, to the publisher. They are reproduced here as received.
Personal identifiers have been redacted where appropriate to protect individual privacy. No substantive alterations have been made.
Publication of this material is for record-keeping and transparency purposes only and does not constitute endorsement, analysis, or opinion by the publisher.
