Now senior, I was fortunate enough to claim ownership of my modest home free of any mortgage obligation in mid-life. I remember my attempt to celebrate my free and clear ownership status with my work associates. One explained " if you want to find out who owns your home, just don't pay your property taxes". My naivety was crushed. My offer to mitigate the property tax burden is to eliminate and redirect all Government expenditure in social engineering, ( MWBE, DEI, BLM, LGBTQ+, other nationality, indigenous/"native", illegal immigrant and any other classification that can be imagined a minority ). Government and it's taxation exists for infrastructure, safety, security and economic opportunity. Government was never intended to fruitlessly waste tax dollars in some effort to make us all identical. Fruitless because we can never all be identical. Today USA citizens pay taxes to provide citizenship due process, free medical and other benefits for non-citizens. Through taxation we indirectly support the rest of the world. We must get Government back to basics.
Beauty Jen! The Clallamity Daily News is now my 'go to" for honest, informative, and timely information. Letting us know the truth about what's going on in the County behind the closed doors of our REPRESENTATIVES? And always with a chuckle or two. Keep it up....peddle to the medal!
Good one Jen. I recently posted on NextDoor the information about the special election April 28th and the attempt to lift the levy lid for our library. Wow! The response.
I love my trips to the library and I think the majority of folks support their libraries. They just don’t support tax increases or expensive special elections out of the blue. Just say no April 28th.
I agree with voting no. I like libraries, but more than libraries, I like access to information. In 2026, there are more places to access information than a library.
When we used to live in city limits in Tacoma, we went all the time; we lived across the street from one branch and we would go multiple times a week, especially for movies. We watched the complete Breaking Bad series through DVDs at the Tacoma Public Library, which we could reserve online; not that that says a lot for libraries, but we got books too.
Out here though, we don’t use the library; it’s actually an inconvenience for us since it’s out of our way; we’ve learned to access information and entertainment without relying on the library. So, they won’t get our vote since we don’t get anything for our property taxes now that go to the library.
Excellent summary Jen! If you're like me, you're tired of being taxed to pay for non-essential services and "nice to haves" that most people would not miss if they weren't there. And, of course, the increasing cost of government employees, who make more in salary and benefits while working less hours than most self-employed small business owners and entrepreneurs while getting annual COLAs. The there's the waste, the NGO workarounds, the keeping of drug addicts addicted ... Mama Mia!
Robert, you are so right! I was a government employee, I got raises I never asked for. Benefits I never realized until I retired (A Pension!) My work was less hours than the self employed. Small business owners do not get paid holidays and sick leave (not to mention the "mental health days" we were allowed) I love my health insurance coverage. Is it fair? Absolutely not. Am I glad I'm covered and comfortable in retirement. Absolutely yes. But everyone should feel the same safety as government employees.
Stop the non-essential services and get back the monies the tax payers should not be paying, lower the government salaries and waste. I'm with you, the field is so unequal.
CJ, another excellent job explaining what many don’t understand. You also had an article on voting (How Clallam County Government Actually Works) I’ve reviewed both, I’m definitely dumber than a tick.
I use to feel somewhat intelligent (like the average bear) about property taxes, voting, county government, county laws etc. Then I bought property in Clallam County. I now have the brain of a gerbil. Trying to piece this, that and the other thing together is too much ( including the latest, “you have to send for a ballot, but you may not get one, or you may get two or just F.O.” I tried to study and do my homework, I thought I was getting ahead till I found this (below) about fluctuating districts. There are also SPECIAL DISTRICTS? I want my Mommy.
Jurisdictions that hold elections held by district are required to periodically redraw the boundaries of these districts to ensure that each one has a relatively equal number of voters. Though most redistricting efforts happen every 10 years in conjunction with the decennial census, local governments may also modify their district-based election systems in the intervening years.
Very good analysis, Jen. The schools are a big chunk in property taxes, also. Our highest tax right now is fire district. Taxes are one big issue: wasting money in government, is another! Thank you for bringing this to the citizen's attention.
When we pay our taxes we are giving our money to unknown recipients. We may think we know who is getting the money, but this is an illusion. Then, surprise, surprise, we find out that the recipients of our money are not using it as intended, but for personal gain, unpopular projects, and foolishness. Reelection becomes the primary use for donations. Individuals who were average earners have become wealthy. Rich, overnight. This has become similar to giving our teenagers credit cards with NO limits.
Wait! We voters, especially those who did not vote, put these spenders in office. Maybe each of us should look at our own actions, and responsibilities. If we do nothing some of our elected officials will continue to misuse some of this tax money for personal gain. Of course we don’t know what the money has gone for, but some of it we eventually will find out how it was spent. Remember, we voted them into office.
Number one, is self promotion. Pass laws to obtain more tax money. It never is enough. Build up the bank, complain that we are underfunded, and promote projects that benefit our friends and financial supporters. The list is long, and unending.
Next, defend your actions without evidence. What do you mean you want visibility? Don’t you trust me? How dare you criticize me. I know better than you what projects are most important. You voted for me and now you question my leadership? Giving money to Non-Government Organizations (N.G.O’s) is important. Those trips to other places are important. I am working for you, my constituency, but I vote to raise more taxes.
My elected representatives appear to have other ways to pander to individuals who donate to their personal advancement. Global government? Sovereign Nations? Political donators? Socialism? This is important. You don’t know how much I am doing for you. Trust me.
How can we complain when we, as voters, have not done our jobs. We did not research the candidates. We did not question their campaign promises. We did not do our homework. We did not vote!
When the new taxes are voted in and the costs for some of these “special” projects start spending money we can’t complain. Too late. We are responsible. We didn’t do our homework. We voters did not vote. We voters were lazy and didn’t check out the candidates. What do you mean you want “accountability”? You allowed me to become your representative. Trust me.
With elections coming we can change the picture. We can become involved and research the candidates. We can research those in office to see their voting record. We can investigate who is donating to the different candidates. We can begin to sort out the campaign promises and find the false statements. Trust me.
And therein lies the problem...."we did not research the candidates, we did not do our homework". I agree! I would suggest the problem is of uninformed Americans! PIck up a book, a voter phamphlet, read history, get an understanding of how things work. But with that being said, look how many are buried in their phones with social media videos and chats and who knows what else. Many are just lazy and figure their vote doesn't count, but enough of those "don't count", votes do count. Over the last number of years, speaking with a few 60 plus year old friends, oddly enough it's been the women who don't want to do the research and learn. How do we turn that around?
CAS. Just a suggestion. Make voting personal. Show up at the polls, identify yourself as a legal citizen. Then make your mark. We used to do it this way, and it worked. The poll workers knew most of us. We met friends and neighbors. Voting was personal. Prior to election each candidate made the effort to meet their constituents. Face to face greetings were important. It was personal.
Except in some special elections where a minimum turnout is required in order for the election to be valid. In those cases, voting no only serves to legitimize the election. We No voters are better served by abstaining altogether.
Risky. Better, in my opinion, to keep recruiting voters. If you can get enough negative voters, you are a winner. Chances are the positives have similar fears about how many voters will turn out, but it is a gamble that larger number of voters the better chance of winning rather than HOPE enough others will agree with you and invalidate the count.
Now senior, I was fortunate enough to claim ownership of my modest home free of any mortgage obligation in mid-life. I remember my attempt to celebrate my free and clear ownership status with my work associates. One explained " if you want to find out who owns your home, just don't pay your property taxes". My naivety was crushed. My offer to mitigate the property tax burden is to eliminate and redirect all Government expenditure in social engineering, ( MWBE, DEI, BLM, LGBTQ+, other nationality, indigenous/"native", illegal immigrant and any other classification that can be imagined a minority ). Government and it's taxation exists for infrastructure, safety, security and economic opportunity. Government was never intended to fruitlessly waste tax dollars in some effort to make us all identical. Fruitless because we can never all be identical. Today USA citizens pay taxes to provide citizenship due process, free medical and other benefits for non-citizens. Through taxation we indirectly support the rest of the world. We must get Government back to basics.
Beauty Jen! The Clallamity Daily News is now my 'go to" for honest, informative, and timely information. Letting us know the truth about what's going on in the County behind the closed doors of our REPRESENTATIVES? And always with a chuckle or two. Keep it up....peddle to the medal!
Thank you!
Good one Jen. I recently posted on NextDoor the information about the special election April 28th and the attempt to lift the levy lid for our library. Wow! The response.
I love my trips to the library and I think the majority of folks support their libraries. They just don’t support tax increases or expensive special elections out of the blue. Just say no April 28th.
I agree with voting no. I like libraries, but more than libraries, I like access to information. In 2026, there are more places to access information than a library.
When we used to live in city limits in Tacoma, we went all the time; we lived across the street from one branch and we would go multiple times a week, especially for movies. We watched the complete Breaking Bad series through DVDs at the Tacoma Public Library, which we could reserve online; not that that says a lot for libraries, but we got books too.
Out here though, we don’t use the library; it’s actually an inconvenience for us since it’s out of our way; we’ve learned to access information and entertainment without relying on the library. So, they won’t get our vote since we don’t get anything for our property taxes now that go to the library.
Ken, I read it. It was a good read.
Excellent summary Jen! If you're like me, you're tired of being taxed to pay for non-essential services and "nice to haves" that most people would not miss if they weren't there. And, of course, the increasing cost of government employees, who make more in salary and benefits while working less hours than most self-employed small business owners and entrepreneurs while getting annual COLAs. The there's the waste, the NGO workarounds, the keeping of drug addicts addicted ... Mama Mia!
Robert, you are so right! I was a government employee, I got raises I never asked for. Benefits I never realized until I retired (A Pension!) My work was less hours than the self employed. Small business owners do not get paid holidays and sick leave (not to mention the "mental health days" we were allowed) I love my health insurance coverage. Is it fair? Absolutely not. Am I glad I'm covered and comfortable in retirement. Absolutely yes. But everyone should feel the same safety as government employees.
Stop the non-essential services and get back the monies the tax payers should not be paying, lower the government salaries and waste. I'm with you, the field is so unequal.
TAXES, TAXES, verses DISTRICTS, DISTRICTS verses VOTING, VOTING
CJ, another excellent job explaining what many don’t understand. You also had an article on voting (How Clallam County Government Actually Works) I’ve reviewed both, I’m definitely dumber than a tick.
I use to feel somewhat intelligent (like the average bear) about property taxes, voting, county government, county laws etc. Then I bought property in Clallam County. I now have the brain of a gerbil. Trying to piece this, that and the other thing together is too much ( including the latest, “you have to send for a ballot, but you may not get one, or you may get two or just F.O.” I tried to study and do my homework, I thought I was getting ahead till I found this (below) about fluctuating districts. There are also SPECIAL DISTRICTS? I want my Mommy.
Jurisdictions that hold elections held by district are required to periodically redraw the boundaries of these districts to ensure that each one has a relatively equal number of voters. Though most redistricting efforts happen every 10 years in conjunction with the decennial census, local governments may also modify their district-based election systems in the intervening years.
Very good analysis, Jen. The schools are a big chunk in property taxes, also. Our highest tax right now is fire district. Taxes are one big issue: wasting money in government, is another! Thank you for bringing this to the citizen's attention.
Taxes. March 7, 2026
When we pay our taxes we are giving our money to unknown recipients. We may think we know who is getting the money, but this is an illusion. Then, surprise, surprise, we find out that the recipients of our money are not using it as intended, but for personal gain, unpopular projects, and foolishness. Reelection becomes the primary use for donations. Individuals who were average earners have become wealthy. Rich, overnight. This has become similar to giving our teenagers credit cards with NO limits.
Wait! We voters, especially those who did not vote, put these spenders in office. Maybe each of us should look at our own actions, and responsibilities. If we do nothing some of our elected officials will continue to misuse some of this tax money for personal gain. Of course we don’t know what the money has gone for, but some of it we eventually will find out how it was spent. Remember, we voted them into office.
Number one, is self promotion. Pass laws to obtain more tax money. It never is enough. Build up the bank, complain that we are underfunded, and promote projects that benefit our friends and financial supporters. The list is long, and unending.
Next, defend your actions without evidence. What do you mean you want visibility? Don’t you trust me? How dare you criticize me. I know better than you what projects are most important. You voted for me and now you question my leadership? Giving money to Non-Government Organizations (N.G.O’s) is important. Those trips to other places are important. I am working for you, my constituency, but I vote to raise more taxes.
My elected representatives appear to have other ways to pander to individuals who donate to their personal advancement. Global government? Sovereign Nations? Political donators? Socialism? This is important. You don’t know how much I am doing for you. Trust me.
How can we complain when we, as voters, have not done our jobs. We did not research the candidates. We did not question their campaign promises. We did not do our homework. We did not vote!
When the new taxes are voted in and the costs for some of these “special” projects start spending money we can’t complain. Too late. We are responsible. We didn’t do our homework. We voters did not vote. We voters were lazy and didn’t check out the candidates. What do you mean you want “accountability”? You allowed me to become your representative. Trust me.
With elections coming we can change the picture. We can become involved and research the candidates. We can research those in office to see their voting record. We can investigate who is donating to the different candidates. We can begin to sort out the campaign promises and find the false statements. Trust me.
And therein lies the problem...."we did not research the candidates, we did not do our homework". I agree! I would suggest the problem is of uninformed Americans! PIck up a book, a voter phamphlet, read history, get an understanding of how things work. But with that being said, look how many are buried in their phones with social media videos and chats and who knows what else. Many are just lazy and figure their vote doesn't count, but enough of those "don't count", votes do count. Over the last number of years, speaking with a few 60 plus year old friends, oddly enough it's been the women who don't want to do the research and learn. How do we turn that around?
CAS. Just a suggestion. Make voting personal. Show up at the polls, identify yourself as a legal citizen. Then make your mark. We used to do it this way, and it worked. The poll workers knew most of us. We met friends and neighbors. Voting was personal. Prior to election each candidate made the effort to meet their constituents. Face to face greetings were important. It was personal.
Except in some special elections where a minimum turnout is required in order for the election to be valid. In those cases, voting no only serves to legitimize the election. We No voters are better served by abstaining altogether.
Sad but true.
Risky. Better, in my opinion, to keep recruiting voters. If you can get enough negative voters, you are a winner. Chances are the positives have similar fears about how many voters will turn out, but it is a gamble that larger number of voters the better chance of winning rather than HOPE enough others will agree with you and invalidate the count.
"Will Anything Improve With A Tax Increase" ......that answers it!!!!!