If the tribe doesn't like to pay property taxes like the rest of us, maybe they should be forced to run their own education, emergency medical, fire, plowing, infrastructure utilities, and garbage systems, like a sovereign nation. No taxes, no services.
Thank you! I plagiarized that to post on X, to the attention of Elon Musk and Trump: @DOGE_DOI @Potus Local Indian Tribes are abusing their tax-free status and sovereignty. They use their casino money, for which they pay NO TAXES, to buy politicians, for special perks, and real estate, taking it out of the tax rolls and shifting it to the rest of the taxpayers. They operate other businesses, like golf courses, short-term rentals, excavation, and they decimate salmon populations with their no-limits fishing, then demand that green-energy-creating dams be removed to enhance their fish harvest. They are basically screwing the area's citizens.
Since the tribes don't pay property or income taxes like the rest of us, maybe they should be forced to run their own education, emergency medical, fire, plowing, infrastructure utilities, and garbage systems, like a sovereign nation. No taxes, no services. Instead, they buy the politicians to grant them EXTRA perks at taxpayers' expense.
To you and everyone else: you can plagiarize the articles, steal the content, call it your own, and win the Pulitzer as long as you share, Share, SHARE the information. Just get the word out.
Jeff you truly are a “full service” watch dog. I also enjoy plagiarism, especially when someone uses what I have written. As I’m at the north beach this weekend, I can’t help but notice all the fish the culverts along the coast. I would love to see the math on removing fish barriers vs the salmon return .
I bet it is fun with numbers math. I love the heritage of our indigenous people and the culture, however I think the lack of financial participation in our communities is wearing thin on the rest of us.
Yours truly,
Susan C Bonallo
Your a good man, keeping things visible for the rest of us!
You are really an incredible person Jeff I appreciate all the time and effort you put into everything so the rest of us can be informed on all the shenanigans that are happening in our county seriously without you. I would've known nothing I would've been just like the rest blindly following, and believing that my money was going where it's supposed to be going I don't know why I ever thought government could actually put the money where it's supposed to be going any government apparently even our own local government. I'm disillusioned and distrustful. But I appreciate that immensely tells me where I need to do some changes in my life and fight for Changes for my family future.
It’s pretty clear at this point the Tribe likes to say how environmentally friendly they are but it seems like the more you look that’s not true. They’ve filled in wetland at the golf course, now it sounds like filling in wetland at O’Brien. If you look around their properties you’ll also find a ton of trash in creeks and equipment leaking fluids. Saying you’re better than everyone at caring for the environment doesn’t mean you are. And when we can see it, it’s tough not to claim that as an outright lie. Great article Jeff.
The state had a mandate on wetlands. It says “No Net Loss”. What part of that is missing. If it were my property, could I Drain and Fill? Curious bc laws for everyone or none!
Susan, you could, but not without a Very Expensive study paid by you, and years to negotiate. You would run out of money far earlier than they run out of funding. The Tribe can call on studies but don't have to pay for it because of various claims of ownership rights. They have funding, we don't. They win through attrition.
This reminds me of Commissioner Ozias and Director Emery attending a private meeting with the Tribe on sovereign land in Blyn last year. By the time they left, it was agreed that Clallam County Taxpayers would pay for stormwater mitigation technology alongside Towne Road that far exceeded DOT's high standards, and Clallam County Taxpayers would pay to monitor the stormwater for years. The Tribe made demands, our elected leaders agreed to them, and we fund them.
Jennifer, it was a rhetorical question. We watched it happen in Pacific Beach, Grays Harbor County. There is no such thing as wetland restoration. I grew up that year, thinking that the land would be returned to prefilled /drained health (the guy lost in court!)
He’d have to make it right, thought Pollyanna as she left the court house that day feeling like the little guys can win. Thanks Jennifer.
A while back neighbors in Diamond Point were notified by Cascadia Water (they purchased the Aquarius Water Co) that they would raise rates by 75 percent. I contacted UTC in Olympia after reading the annual report that stated no funding or up grades are needed. A hearing in Olympia shut down this money grab. We received a letter stating that as of March 10, 2025 Cascadia
Water (fully owned by NW Natural Gas) will begin chlorinating our water! They aren’t doing this because they care about the multitudes of health risks, from parasites to bacteria but , the Dept of Health found coliform levels requiring disinfection. Ummm, did anyone else think that was a given with municipal water, even though private company ownership?
Great question and thanks for the update. If you don't get an answer here, I can put you in touch with Vicki Colburn... she knows a lot about Cascadia.
Jeff, I have a relationship with Melissa at UTC in Olympia. Well it’s not a proactive relationship, last time I wrote regarding Cascadia, she told me the comment period had ended. I do not accept a “period” when it comes to utilities or other entities that are monopolies. I believe in the USA there is no time frame on legitimate complaints that involve health to a specific population. Thanks Jeff!
The fact that the tribe pays no property taxes on millions of $$ of property it owns is probably the biggest reason why Clallam county has such a budget deficit. I agree that, in general, the tribe is good for the local economy but it’s also time for them to pay their fair share in taxes. I am a senior citizen living on a fixed income and I’m tired of seeing my property taxes increasing every year while the tribe gets a free ride. Just saying.
It would be interesting to calculate just how much tax money we are losing to the Tribes. I'll bet it is quite substantial and would make Clallam county one of the wealthier counties if things were fair.
For many years we supported the local Jamestown Tribal businesses in many ways. We regularly purchased fuel from their gas station. A few times a year we would visit the casino & restaurants when we had family or friends visit, even though we are not foolish enough to do any real gambling, and we often dinned at the restaurant at the golf course. However, when the Jamestown Tribe started to severely impact our local community by shoving things down our throats that were obviously unneeded and unwanted by the vast majority of folks living here, and when we found out that their dubious unconstitutional "arrangement" with the country sheriff office had been doing great harm to Individuals here, we COMPLETELY withdrew ALL of our support~! This won't stop the voracious ravenous agenda of the Jamestown tribe, but at least we will NOT be feeding our own community's demise and facilitating to the harm of others within this otherwise great area~! It is always best to do the right thing~! Sincerely, Mike
HA~! You sure got that right~! It is easy for someone to claim that they are A Constitutionalist, but it is COMPLETELY different and brutal beyond belief to walk the walk of A Constitutionalist my good friend~! I get the feeling that you understand very well what it is like to care about doing the right thing. To be a "reasonable Individual" by strict legal & lawful standards :) I have been doing my best to be a good American Constitutionalist for SO many decades now, struggling against my own flaws as a human, that it actually causes me physical pain when I am "forced" into a position where I have to violate my oath even just a little bit. Yes, there are those times when it is basically impossible to "vote with our money" as we would like and well should, especially if "we" are to continue to survive and fight for freedom of the Individual. I have known for a very long time that "we" (everyone) have/has been fighting this oldest of wars against humanity that has been waged against us for thousands of years because I have earned a keen understanding of history and exactly where "we" are in the historic record, however as in fighting any war you do have to make some concessions along the way to be able to survive to win another day~! I am sure that you and the many good folks who read the CC Watchdog understand my meaning and suffer through like all good folks around America & the world must from time to time. The criminals of humanity understand all of this very well and they count on "us" giving up, but they are terribly mistaken this time and by the time that they realize it, it will be too late, and they will have already sealed their fate by their own criminal words, actions, and inactions~! In fact, the criminals large & small have already lost this oldest of wars and most of them obviously don't even realize it, but their insane greed, egos, and severe misunderstanding of the REAL historic record blind them from seeing the truth. That is delightfully Ironic because of all of their evil efforts to "blind" humanity so "we" could not see what they were really doing~! God is THE Supreme "jokester"~! ;-] Have a great weekend!
Jeff, I hit the like button and I don't like it. The fact that I will never reach my goal of truly owning my property. I will always pay property tax, until the state takes MY property away, like they are taking all the timber land (and letting it burn). The foundation of the United States of America (TRIBE U.S.A.) is life, liberty, and PROPERTY. I hope DOGE can find all the dollars the BIA has squandered on Casinos, Art campuses, and Gas Stations, for tribal business and de-fund the BIA. Let the sovereign tribal nation join the U.S.A.. There is no "Fair Share" when it concerns property rights. GRRRR!!!!!
I am appalled at the idea of a convenience store taking over what was once natural land (AND is a Wetland!) at the corner or O'Brien & 101. I have to drive past it every time I head into town, and the O'Brien is getting potholes and can't handle the big trucks rumbling in & out every day. The Tribe is a corporation. I no longer trust most corporations. Follow the money (or the greed). They are not in it to save the land. They just want more money.
I've said it multiple times before but I think most people have it wrong. We should not be upset that the tribe does not pay property taxes. We should be upset that we do. Property tax is the ultimate slave tax and the tribe knows it. You can not live free as long as a state or any government can confiscate your home and property if you don't pay the tax. Kudos to the tribe for getting out from under the boot heal of the state. Now the rest of us MUST do the same.
That's a great question and complicated issue, but we have to change the way we look at "funding". We have entered a time when continuing to do the same thing over and over is insane. Things are getting worse and we are paying more taxes than ever. I don't pretend to know the answer but doing what we are doing is not working and the first step to fixing it is accepting and looking for change. I think this is exactly what Trump and Musk are trying to do and I think the change will come from outside the box, like Tariffs. Or like voluntary taxes that buy you benefits with the more you pay instead of getting benefits for not paying. But most people are stuck in the mind frame that we must have taxes to pay for things like schools, roads, hospitals. But is this true? I don't know. None of us have ever lived in a time and place without taxes. But to me the most insidious tax of all is property tax. It is literal slavery.
We should not be angry at the tribe for throwing off the chains of property tax and demanding they put the chains back on. We should be demanding to be treated as equals with those that have gained their freedom.
I think at the core of tax paying, is the lack of control we have once those dollars shift from our ownership to the government. When those entities can’t exist on a budget, like every other business and household does, it causes a valid lack of trust response. I have a valid lack of trust. We need to keep the attention on how monies are spent and who is making the decision. For the public, the internet is a fickle friend to the spenders in our county. Pressing for information and accountability can beat a person down. It is my pleasure to pursue answers where some think the tax payer needn’t know. We can’t live free but we mustn’t be silenced. Strength in numbers (the public) should horrify anyone treating funds like they earned them (tax $).
As always, Jeff, when it comes to shedding sunlight on the BS before our eyes, you absolutely ROCK! You have a nose for uncovering this malfeasance and unfairness that most people-- including myself-- are clueless about. You need a secretarial and editorial staff to spread the truth to all corners of the count, especially the Democrat ones.
I know lots of people who are Jamestown tribal members. The tribe does NOT provide support for their members. Sure they'll find members housing, but tribal members have to pay market rent to "The Tribe". A son or daughter of a tribal member needs lifesaving medicine, but they aren't enough percentage? Too bad, should've mated with your cousin.
Oh, and they only pay out like $300 a month to their tribal members. But don't worry, you can get discounted meals as a tribal member at all of their restaurant locations. And when you're 55 you get one free meal a month. Woo!
They definitely don't pay anyone per capita payments. The free meal thing is true. Employees get the same discounts as elders do. Its pretty "meh" in terms of direct benefits from the tribal administration. Like 10 cents per gallon is an itty bitty discount.
It appears JKT leader Ron A.feels his tribe cannot get enough free taxpayers $$$ so U.S. treasury might as well just turn the treasury dept & fort knox over to ron so his desperate need for as much $$$as he can get will be satisfied tax free of course.
https://jamestowntribe.org/ If you go to the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Comprehensive plan, it reveals the tribe is right on tract for land acquisitions. I believe it was drawn up in 2016
Their statement: "How the Plan is Intended to be Used: The most important principle is to keep the destination in the forefront and get there in an efficient and opportunistic manner."
There is a map on page 14 of Tribal Land Consolidation Area
A suggestion for a future article, as many of your writings touch on it: An in-depth focus on what taxes the tribe does, and does not pay. Both as an entity and individuals. Provide the tribe(s) an opportunity to refute anything prior to publishing.
Many of us are getting educated bit by bit as you shed light on such things, but there are so many other areas of state, local and federal revenue beyond property taxes. For example, under what conditions are sales taxes not collected? Knowing a couple tribal members, I know they personally avoid them on large purchases (vehicles, boats, heavy equipment), but where else might we collectively be subsidizing them? Are federal fuel taxes collected? State tax on their timber sales?
As an adjunct to the answers to the above, perhaps include public services they are provided that depend on the taxes they do and don't pay.
This information is not readily available that I can find, and whether one believes these subsidies are appropriate or not - there should be no question about our right to transparency on such things.
Thanks, Will. Those are great suggestions. I have reached out to the Tribe many times, and their last communication stated that they are focused on future projects and are unable to respond to further requests. Commissioner Mark Ozias is the County's tribal liaison, but he also ignores my requests for information.
An earlier article (The Four Letter "F" Word) covered the advantages tribal corporations have over other businesses. The easiest way to explain this is that they don't have to follow state guidelines, but they must follow federal guidelines (there are exceptions to both of those statements).
You're right. Call Price Ford in PA, say you're a tribal member and would like to purchase a new car without paying sales tax, and they'll tell you to bring your tribal membership card for the transaction. Tribal members receive weekly food deliveries (regardless of income or need), free healthcare through the Jamestown Clinic, and other perks. Additionally, private businesses offer tribal discounts.
Ozias has announced that the Jamestown Tribe will be attending a Monday work session at the commissioner's boardroom in the courthouse in the first quarter of this year (which leaves us just one month). This is to discuss the taxes they don't pay to the County, such as sales tax, lodging tax, and property tax. I'll let folks know when that meeting is added to an agenda.
I haven't answered all your questions, but I'll do some research and see if I can.
Anyone can create a living trust for their properties and assets, land, vehicles, business to protect yourself from some taxes. Especially smart considering WA state will keep raising taxes and creating new fees.
Husband & myself went to an attorney for newer will & a trust. Was told by attorney a living trust does nothing for you in Washington state. It doesn’t work the same as in California. I don’t know how current your info is about a living trust but that is what I paid an attorney to advise us?
Just until we fix the County... so maybe a few more days :)
Someone challenged me to post daily and I have a lot of "little" things that don't fit into the longer essays. I'm trying to do daily "shorts" with deep dives on Sunday. I'll keep at it until my hair modeling career takes off.
If the tribe doesn't like to pay property taxes like the rest of us, maybe they should be forced to run their own education, emergency medical, fire, plowing, infrastructure utilities, and garbage systems, like a sovereign nation. No taxes, no services.
Thank you! I plagiarized that to post on X, to the attention of Elon Musk and Trump: @DOGE_DOI @Potus Local Indian Tribes are abusing their tax-free status and sovereignty. They use their casino money, for which they pay NO TAXES, to buy politicians, for special perks, and real estate, taking it out of the tax rolls and shifting it to the rest of the taxpayers. They operate other businesses, like golf courses, short-term rentals, excavation, and they decimate salmon populations with their no-limits fishing, then demand that green-energy-creating dams be removed to enhance their fish harvest. They are basically screwing the area's citizens.
Since the tribes don't pay property or income taxes like the rest of us, maybe they should be forced to run their own education, emergency medical, fire, plowing, infrastructure utilities, and garbage systems, like a sovereign nation. No taxes, no services. Instead, they buy the politicians to grant them EXTRA perks at taxpayers' expense.
To you and everyone else: you can plagiarize the articles, steal the content, call it your own, and win the Pulitzer as long as you share, Share, SHARE the information. Just get the word out.
Jeff you truly are a “full service” watch dog. I also enjoy plagiarism, especially when someone uses what I have written. As I’m at the north beach this weekend, I can’t help but notice all the fish the culverts along the coast. I would love to see the math on removing fish barriers vs the salmon return .
I bet it is fun with numbers math. I love the heritage of our indigenous people and the culture, however I think the lack of financial participation in our communities is wearing thin on the rest of us.
Yours truly,
Susan C Bonallo
Your a good man, keeping things visible for the rest of us!
Oh Susan, flattery will get you everywhere with me.
You have summed up my feelings, thank you
You are really an incredible person Jeff I appreciate all the time and effort you put into everything so the rest of us can be informed on all the shenanigans that are happening in our county seriously without you. I would've known nothing I would've been just like the rest blindly following, and believing that my money was going where it's supposed to be going I don't know why I ever thought government could actually put the money where it's supposed to be going any government apparently even our own local government. I'm disillusioned and distrustful. But I appreciate that immensely tells me where I need to do some changes in my life and fight for Changes for my family future.
I hope to God you did not mention my name on X. I refuse to allow any association with EM.
This ☝🏼
EXCELLENT IDEA!
Oh you're a socialist
It’s pretty clear at this point the Tribe likes to say how environmentally friendly they are but it seems like the more you look that’s not true. They’ve filled in wetland at the golf course, now it sounds like filling in wetland at O’Brien. If you look around their properties you’ll also find a ton of trash in creeks and equipment leaking fluids. Saying you’re better than everyone at caring for the environment doesn’t mean you are. And when we can see it, it’s tough not to claim that as an outright lie. Great article Jeff.
Thanks Adam!
The state had a mandate on wetlands. It says “No Net Loss”. What part of that is missing. If it were my property, could I Drain and Fill? Curious bc laws for everyone or none!
Susan, you could, but not without a Very Expensive study paid by you, and years to negotiate. You would run out of money far earlier than they run out of funding. The Tribe can call on studies but don't have to pay for it because of various claims of ownership rights. They have funding, we don't. They win through attrition.
This reminds me of Commissioner Ozias and Director Emery attending a private meeting with the Tribe on sovereign land in Blyn last year. By the time they left, it was agreed that Clallam County Taxpayers would pay for stormwater mitigation technology alongside Towne Road that far exceeded DOT's high standards, and Clallam County Taxpayers would pay to monitor the stormwater for years. The Tribe made demands, our elected leaders agreed to them, and we fund them.
Jennifer, it was a rhetorical question. We watched it happen in Pacific Beach, Grays Harbor County. There is no such thing as wetland restoration. I grew up that year, thinking that the land would be returned to prefilled /drained health (the guy lost in court!)
He’d have to make it right, thought Pollyanna as she left the court house that day feeling like the little guys can win. Thanks Jennifer.
Water Topic: Cascadia Water
A while back neighbors in Diamond Point were notified by Cascadia Water (they purchased the Aquarius Water Co) that they would raise rates by 75 percent. I contacted UTC in Olympia after reading the annual report that stated no funding or up grades are needed. A hearing in Olympia shut down this money grab. We received a letter stating that as of March 10, 2025 Cascadia
Water (fully owned by NW Natural Gas) will begin chlorinating our water! They aren’t doing this because they care about the multitudes of health risks, from parasites to bacteria but , the Dept of Health found coliform levels requiring disinfection. Ummm, did anyone else think that was a given with municipal water, even though private company ownership?
Great question and thanks for the update. If you don't get an answer here, I can put you in touch with Vicki Colburn... she knows a lot about Cascadia.
Jeff, I have a relationship with Melissa at UTC in Olympia. Well it’s not a proactive relationship, last time I wrote regarding Cascadia, she told me the comment period had ended. I do not accept a “period” when it comes to utilities or other entities that are monopolies. I believe in the USA there is no time frame on legitimate complaints that involve health to a specific population. Thanks Jeff!
The fact that the tribe pays no property taxes on millions of $$ of property it owns is probably the biggest reason why Clallam county has such a budget deficit. I agree that, in general, the tribe is good for the local economy but it’s also time for them to pay their fair share in taxes. I am a senior citizen living on a fixed income and I’m tired of seeing my property taxes increasing every year while the tribe gets a free ride. Just saying.
It would be interesting to calculate just how much tax money we are losing to the Tribes. I'll bet it is quite substantial and would make Clallam county one of the wealthier counties if things were fair.
I understand that their golf course alone was paying well over $30k a year in taxes before the tribe bought it. It pays $0 now!
For many years we supported the local Jamestown Tribal businesses in many ways. We regularly purchased fuel from their gas station. A few times a year we would visit the casino & restaurants when we had family or friends visit, even though we are not foolish enough to do any real gambling, and we often dinned at the restaurant at the golf course. However, when the Jamestown Tribe started to severely impact our local community by shoving things down our throats that were obviously unneeded and unwanted by the vast majority of folks living here, and when we found out that their dubious unconstitutional "arrangement" with the country sheriff office had been doing great harm to Individuals here, we COMPLETELY withdrew ALL of our support~! This won't stop the voracious ravenous agenda of the Jamestown tribe, but at least we will NOT be feeding our own community's demise and facilitating to the harm of others within this otherwise great area~! It is always best to do the right thing~! Sincerely, Mike
Sounds like you are voting with your dollars. Not always easy to do, but it's effective.
HA~! You sure got that right~! It is easy for someone to claim that they are A Constitutionalist, but it is COMPLETELY different and brutal beyond belief to walk the walk of A Constitutionalist my good friend~! I get the feeling that you understand very well what it is like to care about doing the right thing. To be a "reasonable Individual" by strict legal & lawful standards :) I have been doing my best to be a good American Constitutionalist for SO many decades now, struggling against my own flaws as a human, that it actually causes me physical pain when I am "forced" into a position where I have to violate my oath even just a little bit. Yes, there are those times when it is basically impossible to "vote with our money" as we would like and well should, especially if "we" are to continue to survive and fight for freedom of the Individual. I have known for a very long time that "we" (everyone) have/has been fighting this oldest of wars against humanity that has been waged against us for thousands of years because I have earned a keen understanding of history and exactly where "we" are in the historic record, however as in fighting any war you do have to make some concessions along the way to be able to survive to win another day~! I am sure that you and the many good folks who read the CC Watchdog understand my meaning and suffer through like all good folks around America & the world must from time to time. The criminals of humanity understand all of this very well and they count on "us" giving up, but they are terribly mistaken this time and by the time that they realize it, it will be too late, and they will have already sealed their fate by their own criminal words, actions, and inactions~! In fact, the criminals large & small have already lost this oldest of wars and most of them obviously don't even realize it, but their insane greed, egos, and severe misunderstanding of the REAL historic record blind them from seeing the truth. That is delightfully Ironic because of all of their evil efforts to "blind" humanity so "we" could not see what they were really doing~! God is THE Supreme "jokester"~! ;-] Have a great weekend!
Sincerely, Mike
Jeff, I hit the like button and I don't like it. The fact that I will never reach my goal of truly owning my property. I will always pay property tax, until the state takes MY property away, like they are taking all the timber land (and letting it burn). The foundation of the United States of America (TRIBE U.S.A.) is life, liberty, and PROPERTY. I hope DOGE can find all the dollars the BIA has squandered on Casinos, Art campuses, and Gas Stations, for tribal business and de-fund the BIA. Let the sovereign tribal nation join the U.S.A.. There is no "Fair Share" when it concerns property rights. GRRRR!!!!!
I am appalled at the idea of a convenience store taking over what was once natural land (AND is a Wetland!) at the corner or O'Brien & 101. I have to drive past it every time I head into town, and the O'Brien is getting potholes and can't handle the big trucks rumbling in & out every day. The Tribe is a corporation. I no longer trust most corporations. Follow the money (or the greed). They are not in it to save the land. They just want more money.
When I read “c store” I thought cannabis, not convenience. But I could be wrong.
Now you have me wondering???
Hmmm. That sure would be nicer looking hopefully.
I've said it multiple times before but I think most people have it wrong. We should not be upset that the tribe does not pay property taxes. We should be upset that we do. Property tax is the ultimate slave tax and the tribe knows it. You can not live free as long as a state or any government can confiscate your home and property if you don't pay the tax. Kudos to the tribe for getting out from under the boot heal of the state. Now the rest of us MUST do the same.
Tj, it sounds equal, but then what happens to a county without funding?
That's a great question and complicated issue, but we have to change the way we look at "funding". We have entered a time when continuing to do the same thing over and over is insane. Things are getting worse and we are paying more taxes than ever. I don't pretend to know the answer but doing what we are doing is not working and the first step to fixing it is accepting and looking for change. I think this is exactly what Trump and Musk are trying to do and I think the change will come from outside the box, like Tariffs. Or like voluntary taxes that buy you benefits with the more you pay instead of getting benefits for not paying. But most people are stuck in the mind frame that we must have taxes to pay for things like schools, roads, hospitals. But is this true? I don't know. None of us have ever lived in a time and place without taxes. But to me the most insidious tax of all is property tax. It is literal slavery.
We should not be angry at the tribe for throwing off the chains of property tax and demanding they put the chains back on. We should be demanding to be treated as equals with those that have gained their freedom.
I think at the core of tax paying, is the lack of control we have once those dollars shift from our ownership to the government. When those entities can’t exist on a budget, like every other business and household does, it causes a valid lack of trust response. I have a valid lack of trust. We need to keep the attention on how monies are spent and who is making the decision. For the public, the internet is a fickle friend to the spenders in our county. Pressing for information and accountability can beat a person down. It is my pleasure to pursue answers where some think the tax payer needn’t know. We can’t live free but we mustn’t be silenced. Strength in numbers (the public) should horrify anyone treating funds like they earned them (tax $).
As always, Jeff, when it comes to shedding sunlight on the BS before our eyes, you absolutely ROCK! You have a nose for uncovering this malfeasance and unfairness that most people-- including myself-- are clueless about. You need a secretarial and editorial staff to spread the truth to all corners of the count, especially the Democrat ones.
Slightly off topic, but choosing YOU for Sequim Citizen of the Year would be an embarrassment to the PDN, so naturally they chose others. You, however, are and remain, CITIZEN OF THE YEAR to all of your readers, followers, and friends. https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/three-named-finalists-for-sequim-citizen-of-year/
Thanks. Maybe I'm still in the running for "Miss Congeniality."
I know lots of people who are Jamestown tribal members. The tribe does NOT provide support for their members. Sure they'll find members housing, but tribal members have to pay market rent to "The Tribe". A son or daughter of a tribal member needs lifesaving medicine, but they aren't enough percentage? Too bad, should've mated with your cousin.
Oh, and they only pay out like $300 a month to their tribal members. But don't worry, you can get discounted meals as a tribal member at all of their restaurant locations. And when you're 55 you get one free meal a month. Woo!
They definitely don't pay anyone per capita payments. The free meal thing is true. Employees get the same discounts as elders do. Its pretty "meh" in terms of direct benefits from the tribal administration. Like 10 cents per gallon is an itty bitty discount.
It appears JKT leader Ron A.feels his tribe cannot get enough free taxpayers $$$ so U.S. treasury might as well just turn the treasury dept & fort knox over to ron so his desperate need for as much $$$as he can get will be satisfied tax free of course.
https://jamestowntribe.org/ If you go to the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Comprehensive plan, it reveals the tribe is right on tract for land acquisitions. I believe it was drawn up in 2016
Their statement: "How the Plan is Intended to be Used: The most important principle is to keep the destination in the forefront and get there in an efficient and opportunistic manner."
There is a map on page 14 of Tribal Land Consolidation Area
Good find, Jennifer. Here is a link to take folks directly to that: https://jamestowntribe.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Comprehensive_Plan_Revised_in_2016_Final.pdf
Thank you Jeff, I'm not good with cut and paste, but the Comprehensive Plan covers a lot of information.
Great info as always, Jeff.
A suggestion for a future article, as many of your writings touch on it: An in-depth focus on what taxes the tribe does, and does not pay. Both as an entity and individuals. Provide the tribe(s) an opportunity to refute anything prior to publishing.
Many of us are getting educated bit by bit as you shed light on such things, but there are so many other areas of state, local and federal revenue beyond property taxes. For example, under what conditions are sales taxes not collected? Knowing a couple tribal members, I know they personally avoid them on large purchases (vehicles, boats, heavy equipment), but where else might we collectively be subsidizing them? Are federal fuel taxes collected? State tax on their timber sales?
As an adjunct to the answers to the above, perhaps include public services they are provided that depend on the taxes they do and don't pay.
This information is not readily available that I can find, and whether one believes these subsidies are appropriate or not - there should be no question about our right to transparency on such things.
Thanks, Will. Those are great suggestions. I have reached out to the Tribe many times, and their last communication stated that they are focused on future projects and are unable to respond to further requests. Commissioner Mark Ozias is the County's tribal liaison, but he also ignores my requests for information.
An earlier article (The Four Letter "F" Word) covered the advantages tribal corporations have over other businesses. The easiest way to explain this is that they don't have to follow state guidelines, but they must follow federal guidelines (there are exceptions to both of those statements).
You're right. Call Price Ford in PA, say you're a tribal member and would like to purchase a new car without paying sales tax, and they'll tell you to bring your tribal membership card for the transaction. Tribal members receive weekly food deliveries (regardless of income or need), free healthcare through the Jamestown Clinic, and other perks. Additionally, private businesses offer tribal discounts.
Ozias has announced that the Jamestown Tribe will be attending a Monday work session at the commissioner's boardroom in the courthouse in the first quarter of this year (which leaves us just one month). This is to discuss the taxes they don't pay to the County, such as sales tax, lodging tax, and property tax. I'll let folks know when that meeting is added to an agenda.
I haven't answered all your questions, but I'll do some research and see if I can.
Pretty soon the 600 are going to be in the 1%. Isn't that relationship healed by now. Or do the Democrats need m0re money and power too.
I miss Dicky Birds ! Just dreaming of days gone bye !
Anyone can create a living trust for their properties and assets, land, vehicles, business to protect yourself from some taxes. Especially smart considering WA state will keep raising taxes and creating new fees.
Husband & myself went to an attorney for newer will & a trust. Was told by attorney a living trust does nothing for you in Washington state. It doesn’t work the same as in California. I don’t know how current your info is about a living trust but that is what I paid an attorney to advise us?
Whatever the Tribe doesn't take, the State will. Funny how trusts were created the at same time they (supposedly) broke up standard oil.
I like the everyday articles, Jeff. Will your Substack articles be a regular daily posting?
Just until we fix the County... so maybe a few more days :)
Someone challenged me to post daily and I have a lot of "little" things that don't fit into the longer essays. I'm trying to do daily "shorts" with deep dives on Sunday. I'll keep at it until my hair modeling career takes off.