At Housing Solutions Network, we’d like to thank Marcia Kelbon for sharing our Housing Jefferson County’s Economy Community Survey Report with the Leader’s readers. Kelbon and HSN both agree: the rental situation in our community is dire. Over the course of the last 11 years, JeffCo has lost around 579 rental units. The number of vacant homes (as defined by US Census) now outnumber rentals. Furthermore, our survey showed 72% of renters are cost burdened by housing, or spending more than 30% of income on housing costs. The graphic accompanying Kelborn’s article displays a fact from the WA Dept. of Commerce stating “rising rents are the largest driver to homelessness” -- not mental illness or drug and alcohol abuse. more

A few Republican Senators might do themselves and the nation a service if they viewed a re-run of “The Wizard of Oz.” more

Norm Tonina and Gee Heckscher stated in their March 5 column in The Leader that there should be more scrutiny of my actions, suggesting that may have contributed to the further demise of the Fort Worden Public Development Authority. I truly welcome it. This ongoing saga causes me to regret that I ever engaged in the effort. I should have allowed others to save the PDA from being consumed by a much larger tragedy than what I left behind. more

In about a week, the Port Townsend City Council is preparing to rewrite the script—gutting key accountability measures in the city’s ethics code. One council member recently described the city manager’s behavior as “Machiavellian,” a master of schemes. But the art of political maneuvering isn’t limited to just one player in this production. more

  The Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) is holding a hearing to create a new public agency, a Public Facilities District (PFD), purportedly for the purpose of building and operating a … more

  I am writing to agree with Noreen Parks letter about a raise for the city manager, “How can city justify salary,” Feb. 12. We should not be giving raises to any government … more

  I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve got to give the president full credit where credit is due. I’ve been blessed with a long and adventurous life, born just a … more

  It is reassuring — especially now, in these days of bad government and perfidious journalism — to see our local independent newspaper fight the good fight. I am talking about … more

  When I Can’t Sleep I heat milk, add hot water Cholesterol you know! If home, I put the heating pad On my stomach or shoulders or back Set it low Low, … more

Try the Trader Joe’s in Bellingham. It’s been overflowing with visiting Canadians for years, but not any more. “Canadians Are Staying Away,” read a recent front page … more

The “sold out” Port Ludlow Performing Arts concert by “The Wardens” at the Bay Club on Feb. 22 exceeded the expectations of most folks. That being said, it was “sold … more

I was thrilled to see Housing Solutions Network’s recently published survey on housing needs in Jefferson County. I applaud this project and its focus. HSN is one of several organizations, … more

As Fort Worden PDA founding board members who served until June 2021, including three years as chair and vice-chair, we’d like to respond to The Leader’s recent articles on the Fort … more

I’d like to put some definition on what the county is missing out on while we drag our feet over these years and decades on the Pleasant Harbor Resort. This development has attempted to … more

In addition to aging, I write humorous animal stories. Lately, folks in my pet-loving community have been asking for a column that incorporates critters. It’s been a while since Aging in Good … more

It was stunning, albeit unsurprising, to read that Trump had declared that there are only two genders, and that “trans” was to be removed from federal websites. But when my cousin … more

Recently I came across a presentation titled, “Healing With Love, Hopeful Wisdom For Difficult Times,” a conversation between Jack Kornfield and Trudy Goodman originally recorded at the … more

If you think you know what dedication looks like, think again. The wrestlers of our local high schools have just rewritten the playbook on what it means to chase a dream with everything you’ve … more

  I cannot believe our own mayor actually wrote this in a notice on Nextdoor as a preview of his upcoming March Utility Newsletter piece: “...disabled, elderly, and … more

  The bus service isn’t serving transportation-needy seniors — those of us over 88 who want to get rid of our cars, but cannot walk the quarter mile (or more) to a bus stop. … more