Solid waste funding

Recently while taking garbage to the county transfer station, I overheard another customer complaining about the new fee structure. It is understandable, but some background information may help increase understanding.

The solid waste program is required by Washington State law to be run as a self-funding, county-run business. As in any business, operating costs are not fixed for very long; they can change gradually over time or rise quickly and/or steeply.

So, when the solid waste program’s operating funds, coming entirely from the fees charged for garbage disposal, no longer keep up with costs, there are two options: raise the fees or decrease the quality/amount of service.

The fees charged for garbage disposal also pay for all recycling costs, which include four drop off areas and four household hazardous waste collection events a year, each in different parts of the County, as well as other efforts aimed at the proper disposal of motor oil, rechargeable batteries, mercury-containing light bulbs, and antifreeze.

The minimum disposal fee was last adjusted in 2014, moving from $5 to $10, and the per-ton rate was adjusted in 2019. The new fees put Jefferson County right in the middle of what the counties on this side of the Cascade Mountains charge customers.

Finally, the increase in fees for yard debris is a separate issue. That business is under the operation of the City of Port Townsend; it leases the area from the County for yard debris disposal and for the companion composting business they run.

As it appears that curbside yard debris disposal is mandatory for City residents, (curbside service for county residents is not yet available) it would also appear that this rate increase adversely affects County residents far more than City residents. This information, and how low-income residents can be assisted by lower fees, can all be found at jeffersoncountysolidwaste.com

Steve Chappuis

Port Townsend, WA

Edge Lane Roads

I personally really enjoy the new edge lane roads. I commute by bike and walk or jog every day. But I have noticed two problems. Some people driving too fast, and driving in the edge lane instead of in the middle of the road.

The speed limit of the edge lane roads is 20 mph, the same as a school zone, but it's 24/7/365. 

The city needs to be much more proactive in both road design and enforcement of the speed limit. 20 mph is just as important for safety in the edge lane roads as it is in school speed zones but school speed limit zones have large signs, flashing beacons, and frequent police officer enforcement. 

20 mph feels really slow in a car. Traveling the length of Fir St, or coming downhill on 9th towards Sheridan at 20 mph requires a high level of driver awareness. 

Many drivers are driving in the edge lane. This is frightening because it is supposed to be a safe zone for walking and biking. 

The edge lanes should be marked like bike lanes with large painted bikes and pedestrians, as well as signs. Enforcement should occur.

Without effective speed control and proper use of the center lane, the edge lane roads are more dangerous and unusable than they were before they were converted. 

Matt Tyler

Port Townsend

Wish for peace

I was thinking last night about the overall antiwar sentiment as it was in the late 1960s and early 1970s. No one wanted the Vietnamese people to be wiped out.

What all the war protesters wanted back then was quite simple. Peace. Peace in Vietnam and for the return of American troops.

This is a very different time, a very different war with astoundingly different sentiments. In this increasingly polarized nation of ours, the news is not full of protesters wanting the war between the Israelis and the Palestinians to end.

Instead all you hear about is people who are pro-Israel or pro-Palestine. About folks being afraid to put Menorahs in their windows. About people being fired from their jobs for supporting or failing to support one side or another of this brutal war.

I go on record as saying that the side I am on is ANYONE who has no power over the events overtaking them. The unarmed, those who will not take up arms, those who want to go about their lives in peace, without fear of losing their lives or the lives of their loved ones, or anyone else’s life for that matter.

Why does there seem to be so few of us left? Enough with the hatred, the divisiveness, the constant actions of retribution against someone who doesn’t happen to share your point of view. We need to start agreeing, and it’s hard to believe we can’t even agree on the wish for peace.

Julia Nunn

Port Townsend

Access to adequate nutrition

Do you enjoy nutritious food each day — the kind that lets you thrive, not just survive?

About one-in-four people in Jefferson County do not. They lack consistent access to adequate nutrition. That does not mean people have nothing to eat. What food insecurity means in our community is that many people do not have access to food that can sustain healthy lives.

Luckily we where we can grow food year around, but that food is out of reach for many. This is why FoodBankGrowers.org was born. For 11 years, scores of volunteers have worked on donated land to take food “from seed to the need”. We grow, gather, and give organically grown and nutritionally-dense food to the east Jefferson County food banks located in Port Townsend, Brinnon, Quilcene, Tri-area and pop up food banks in Eaglemount and Coyle.

To do this we need soil, tools, structures, and supplies so that our volunteers can grow produce or glean it from backyard orchards and give it to the Food Banks for distribution. Even though our volunteers work without pay, good food costs money.

And here’s how you can help:

Once each year, Food Bank Growers join Jefferson Community Foundation’s United Good Neighbors campaign. By going to either foodbankgrowers.org/donations, or by connecting with givejefferson.org and selecting Food Bank Growers, you can help sustain the work we do and help families thrive. United Good Neighbors aims to keep your generosity within Jefferson County, connecting with vital community needs. What can be more vital than good food?

Your contribution links you directly to the thousands of pounds of produce and to the thousands of grateful people whose lives are enriched by Food Bank Growers. Please consider turning your dollars into hope and a thriving community. There is nothing as satisfying as sharing good food.

Mark Paxton

President, Food Bank Growers, Port Townsend

Not fazed by Trump?!

Kate Dean’s seemingly blithe attitude about the possibility of Donald Trump winning the presidency in 2024 (“Dean isn’t fazed by the possibility of Donald Trump winning the presidency as she accommodated Trump administration policies as commissioner.” December 6, 2023) makes her sound either heartless or incredibly naïve.

First off, his election wouldn’t only affect her ability to deal with policy issues; it would also have devastating effects on numerous groups of people, as well as the environment, international relations, and the very democracy that, though imperfect, has been the ideal of this country since its founding.

He could potentially appoint more people to the Supreme Court and certainly would to the lower courts who will continue to vote in favor of eroding civil rights.

He would also undoubtedly remove any gains made in environmental protections. Second, there has never been any indication that Trump is the least bit interested in governing, let alone working with anyone who disagrees with him. Ms. Dean (and others) should read the December 5 New York Times article, “How Trump Would Govern.” Plans for revenge, silencing of critics, and the undoing of democratic foundations are among his many aims. And he won’t be appointing people to his cabinet to keep him in check, something that more or less happened the last time.

It’s fine if Ms. Dean has plans to work from the middle, and it’s also good to be confident, but it’s alarming to me to see someone running for congress that doesn’t seem to really understand what’s at stake.

Betsy Howell

Port Townsend