Mission Statement: To preserve and publish citizen correspondence with local government as a public record of civic participation.
Summer Writing, Episode 9: Writing Respectfully Through Disagreement
Welcome back to Summer Writing from Clallam County Letters where I share tips on building the habit of civic letter writing one week at a time.
I’m Clallamity Jen and this podcast is for Thursday, August 13, 2026.
And this week, I want to talk about something every engaged citizen eventually encounters: Disagreement.
Sooner or later, you’re going to read a local proposal you absolutely hate. You’ll hear a statement that makes your left eye twitch. You’ll see a decision that leaves you staring at your screen in pure, unadulterated frustration.
I know exactly what that feels like. I have been there. You see a meeting agenda, and your blood pressure spikes. Your fingers hover over the keyboard, ready to unleash absolute fury. That reaction is completely normal.
But our system of self-government doesn’t require us to hold hands and agree on everything. It just requires us to show up. The real challenge—the actual work—is learning how to participate effectively when you are currently fighting the urge to type in ALL CAPS.
Civic Inspiration
One of the most chaotic things about a free society is that it asks people with wildly different life experiences, contradictory priorities, and deeply entrenched opinions to share the same public space.
It is basically a permanent town-wide group project. And we all know how group projects go.
It’s uncomfortable. It’s awkward. But I’ve come to realize that this friction isn’t a sign that our local system is broken. In a weird way, disagreement is proof that it’s actually working. People care enough to argue.
The question isn’t whether we disagree. The question is how we do it without burning the metaphorical house down.
Writing Tip #9
Here is this week’s tip, and full disclosure: it takes a lot of mental muscle. Critique ideas, not people.
When you sit down to draft your letter, stick strictly to actions, decisions, policies, and processes.
Do not attack their hidden motives.
Do not label them.
Do not try to read their minds.
It is so satisfying to unleash a zinger when you’re mad, but look at the difference here:
Instead of writing: “You clearly don’t care about residents and probably hate puppies.”
Try writing: “I am concerned that resident feedback has not been adequately considered.”
Instead of writing: “This board is utterly incompetent and a circus.”
Try writing: “I believe this decision may create unintended consequences.”
Notice the shift? It takes genuine restraint to hit backspace and rewrite those lines. But the second options actually keep the conversation alive. They invite an answer instead of a defensive wall. Writing respectfully doesn’t mean you’re being quiet, and it doesn’t mean you’re backing down. It just means you have good impulse control.
And look, if you just absolutely feel the need to be sarcastic and snarky — hey, that’s where blogs come in! If you feel like your local government is a circus, by all means, share that on your blog. Just maybe leave it out of your official letter to the ringmaster.
The Summer Writing Challenge
This week, your challenge is to write about an issue you genuinely disagree with. Take that local issue that is giving you heartburn right now, and put it on paper. Get the angry draft out of your system.
But before you hit send, you have to do the heavy lifting. Give it a ruthless edit. Strip away the sarcasm that distracts from your brilliant point.
And here is a little modern cheat code: if your blood is boiling and you can’t tell if you’re being objective, paste your draft into an AI tool. Tell it: “Hey, I am furious right now. Strip out my emotional baggage and make this argument sound professional.” It is an excellent tool to help you stay objective when you absolutely don’t want to be.
Once your draft is cleaned up, ask yourself the ultimate golden question:
“How am I going to feel about someone finding and reading this 20 years from now? 40 years from now? 100 years from now?”
Because that isn’t just a hypothetical thought experiment. It’s a very real legal reality.
Public Records Minute
Which brings us right into our Public Records Minute, also known as the “Don’t Let This Come Back to Haunt You” segment.
Remember that letters sent to government officials usually become public records. Your angry late-night email doesn’t just vanish into the digital ether. It stays. Forever. Which means your words might eventually be read by people you never intended to see them.
Your neighbors. Local journalists. Historians. Future residents. Maybe even your future grand-kids doing a genealogy project.
Public records have a terrifyingly long memory. Writing respectfully isn’t just about being polite to the people in office today—it’s about making sure your future self doesn’t cringe when someone digs up the archives in a century.
If you’d like your letter considered for publication on Clallam County Letters, please loop me in. You can CC me, BCC me, or forward your masterpiece afterward to: clallamityjen@gmail.com.
Don’t worry, I will redact personal info when needed. The goal here isn’t to blast the drama horn; it’s to showcase thoughtful, tough, honest civic participation.
Closing Inspiration
To wrap things up today, I want to leave you with a mantra for local life: “Strong opinions, loosely held.”
It’s easy to say, but incredibly hard to do. Care deeply. Argue fiercely for what you believe. But leave a little crack in the door for the possibility that you might learn something new.
Our communities thrive when we are both passionate and willing to actually listen. This week, go practice the art of respectful disagreement. It is hard work. It takes patience. But it matters. Make your strongest argument. Bring the facts. Tell your story. Ask the hard questions.
Just remember: civility is not a surrender. It’s the tool that keeps the conversation going so we can actually get things done.
Feel free to leave questions in the comments on Substack, or email me as well.
The ‘Clallam County’ in Clallam County Letters does not mean that the letters must go to local government, but rather the letters come from residents of Clallam County no matter who they are sent to at the county, city, state, or federal levels.
However, if you’re looking for a good place to start writing to local government, at the bottom of all issues of Clallam County Letters are the email addresses of the three county commissioners as well as the clerk, and a link to the county staff directory.
Clallam County Letters is a place for all views from all sides and angles. This is not a right-side or left-side only blog. It is a blog that promotes civic engagement. While I have my own personal views on many issues, I will gladly share all views because I believe in everyone’s right to redress government.
My professional training and background is in stenography and court reporting; while I no longer work in the industry, I fully understand the duty of an unbiased third party with the responsibility of guarding the record, including public records, whether I personally agree with the record or not.
I also believe that letters, either answered or unanswered by government, should not go unnoticed by the public since they are vital to civic engagement and can provide inspiration to others.
Thank you for joining me for this episode of Summer Writing. I will be back with a new episode next week. Keep writing and have a great day!
to: Nathan West <nwest@cityofpa.us>, ced@cityofpa.us, cdelikat@cityofpa.us, council@cityofpa.us
bcc: clallamityjen@gmail.com
date: Aug 6, 2026, 9:44 AM
subject: Tumwater Creek Critical Areas Ordinance Enforcement duty
Mr. West, Ms. Brekke, Mr. Delikat and Councilmembers,
1. Has the City determined that the Tumwater Creek encampment locations are within the stream corridor or required stream buffer under PAMC 15.20.070?
2. Has the Director of Community and Economic Development issued any determination, exception, approval, or other authorization permitting camping or occupation of those areas?
3. Has the Parks and Recreation Director authorized camping on those particular City-owned parcels under PAMC 12.04.080?
4. If neither authorization exists, which City official has determined that the continuing encampments do not constitute violations of PAMC 12.04.080 and/or Chapter 15.20?
Please identify an actual decision-maker and an actual legal basis, rather than simply saying that the City is “working with” the encampment, regarding enforcement of land use issues on City-owned property.
Thank you.
[Redacted]
to: scartmel@cityofpa.us, dmiller@cityofpa.us, bsmith@cityofpa.us
bcc: clallamityjen@gmail.com
date: Aug 6, 2026, 10:17 AM
subject: Responsible Official/Legal Basis for allowing encampments on Tumwater Creek
Ms. Cartmel, Mr. Miller and Chief Smith:
Please provide a definitive written answer regarding enforcement of an apparent land use issue (encampments) on City-owned property along Tumwater Creek.
Include verification of (1) every City-owned parcel along the Tumwater Creek encampment area, (2) the person who authorized camping there, if anyone, (3) the Chapter 15.20 determination for each parcel, and (4) every code-enforcement case or decision concerning those parcels.
Identify the responsible official and the legal basis for allowing the present use on City parcels in that riparian zone identified in the Critical Areas Ordinance.
Thank you.
[Redacted]
to: “French, Mike” <Mike.French@clallamcountywa.gov>, “Johnson, Randy” <randy.johnson@clallamcountywa.gov>, losuggs@cityofpa.us, mark@markhodgson.org, Ryan Amiot <ryan@sacpa.org>, Justin McNeal <justinmc@sacpa.org>
cc: decision.makers@change.org, [Redacted]
bcc: clallamityjen@gmail.com
date: Jul 28, 2026, 8:00 AM
subject: You’ve been identified as a key decision maker on my William Shore Pool Voucher petition
My name is [Redacted], and I started this petition because this issue matters to me and to others in our community: No Hygiene or Harm Reduction programs at William Shore Aquatic Center in Port Angeles, WA.
So far, 550 people have signed in support. You can read the petition here:
This is a great moment to show you are engaged with the issues that matter to your constituents.
Will you take a moment to reply with any update you can share with the community? This can include actions already underway, clarity around the decision-making process and next steps, or how we can work together to address the community’s concerns.
Even a short response would mean a lot and would help me keep supporters informed.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Thank you,
[Redacteed]
to: Viola Ware <vware@olycap.org>, “Dunn, Christine” <christine.dunn@clallamcountywa.gov>
bcc: clallamityjen@gmail.com
date: Aug 4, 2026, 1:48 PM
subject: No Hygiene or Harm Reduction programs at William Shore Aquatic Center in Port Angeles, WA
Hi Viola and Christine,
I would like to make the Homeless Task Force Advisory Board aware of a petition I started a month ago regarding the free shower voucher program at the William Shore Pool. I am aware that Board member Jaime Porter started a similar petition.
I support providing showers and expanding hours at Serenity House, the Salvation Army, or TAFY. The William Shore Pool currently faces challenges with staff retention, making it difficult to provide necessary training for dealing with mental and behavioral health issues.
If possible, please share my petition details with the members of the Homeless Task Force Advisory Board.
https://c.org/wCQvCRQbcL
Thank you,
[Redacted]
— — —
On Wed, Aug 5, 2026, 9:34 AM Dunn, Christine <christine.dunn@clallamcountywa.gov> wrote:
Hello [Redacted],
Thank you for reaching out and for sharing your perspective.
At this time, we will not be distributing petitions to members of the Homelessness Task Force. If you would like to share your comments or concerns related to the Task Force’s work, we encourage you to do so during the public comment period at an upcoming meeting, where Task Force members can hear your input directly.
Thank you for your understanding.
Respectfully,
Christine
— — —
to: “Dunn, Christine” <christine.dunn@clallamcountywa.gov>
cc: Viola Ware <vware@olycap.org>, “Oppelt, Jennifer” <jennifer.oppelt@clallamcountywa.gov>
bcc: clallamityjen@gmail.com
date: Aug 5, 2026, 11:11 AM
subject: Re: No Hygiene or Harm Reduction programs at William Shore Aquatic Center in Port Angeles, WA
Hi Christine,
Thank you for the clarification. Can I assume that HTF member Jaime Porter’s petition regarding the pool vouchers will also not be shared with the Homelessness Task Force Advisory Board?
The purpose of sharing my petition was solely informational, and to educate the board that 578 citizens do not support the voucher program. I understand Harm Reduction can distribute free William Shore Pool shower vouchers, and that board member and Harm Reduction Director Jennifer Oppelt and Port Angeles City Council/pool board member Mark Hodgson support this program.
However, I also understand that HTF member John Deboer does not support the voucher program. There are far more citizens against this program than in support of it, and I am disappointed that the board lacks a balance of opinion or participation. It feels as though my public input is being dismissed.
Thank you,
[Redacted]
— — —
On Wed, Aug 5, 2026, 11:25 AM Dunn, Christine <christine.dunn@clallamcountywa.gov> wrote:
Hi [Redacted],
No, petitions from Task Force members will not be shared with the Homelessness Task Force either.
Just a point of clarification: Jennifer Oppelt is the Deputy Director of Health & Human Services. There is no Director of the Harm Reduction Health Center, as the Harm Reduction Health Center is a program within Health & Human Services.
Regarding your concern about your input, public comment is the appropriate forum for sharing your perspectives with the Task Force. We encourage you to attend a meeting and provide your comments during the public comment period, where all members of the Task Force have the opportunity to hear them directly.
Thank you,
Christine
— — —
to: “Dunn, Christine” <christine.dunn@clallamcountywa.gov>
bcc: clallamityjen@gmail.com
date: Aug 6, 2026, 2:22 PM
subject: Re: No Hygiene or Harm Reduction programs at William Shore Aquatic Center in Port Angeles, WA
Hi Christine,
Thank you for clarifying Jennifer Oppelt’s correct title and for confirming that neither my petition titled “No shower voucher or Hygiene Access Center at the William Shore Pool” with 580 citizens against nor HTF member Jaime Porter’s petition was shared or accepted for the public record at the August 4th meeting.
Regarding the Clallam County Homeless Task Force webpage, the phone number listed for the Shelter Provider Network (360-452-4737) is currently inactive. Could you please let me know if this group is still active and meeting?
Thank you,
[Redacted]
Next Issue: Monday, August 17, 2026
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
✍️ 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.
🇺🇸 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.
