As Ronald Reagan said to Jimmy Carter in a presidential debate that helped seal the outcome of the 1980 election, “…there you go again.” That memorable phrase applies once again to … more

In Ms. Kelbon’s March 19 column, she sees “a bright spot” in RFK Jr.’s plans to address issues under his jurisdiction at HHS. We agree there are several public health crises, … more

I am thankful for the hard work of our City Council. I served on Council 2002-2005, two years as Deputy Mayor, four years on the finance committee. Council has crucial oversight and voting power. I … more

After living here for thirty five years its both challenging and inspiring to take note of all the changes happening right now. Many of my favorite stores have closed or moved.Many good friends … more

There’s an ICE immigrant detention center only a short distance from Port Townsend. On Saturday, March 1, several JCIRA volunteers drove to Tacoma to join the protest against the terrible … more

Often we deal with national issues on the local level. This is a very critical one. The Department of Agriculture is important in reducing hunger around the country including Jefferson County. The … more

Thank you to Mayor David Faber and the Port Townsend City Council for tabling the downtown paid parking program. They rightfully recognized that this paid parking pilot would financially stress … more

On April 1 nearly 600 public libraries from around the US and Canada will participate in National Library Giving Day. Started by the Seattle Public Library Foundation in 2019, this event has raised … more

David Timmons may have his personal version of the history of Fort Worden PDA, but I submit that the Leader’s own historical archive (as published in last week’s Leader’s … more

Approaching the golf course from its paved entrance along Blaine Street, you are met by a large Douglas fir tree to your right, anchored by a gray boulder. It was here where a Chemakum man … more

  Kudos to Marcia Kelbon for her well-presented and concise article on rental realities in Jefferson County. As a local ‘mom and pop’ landlord, for the first 20-plus years in … more

  I’m writing to flag some recent reporting by Jim Scarantino in another venue about the Evans Vista property development and to encourage The Leader to follow up as well. Several bad … more

What an awesome idea and successful event! The Production Alliance’s Connectivity Summit, which filled Chimacum High School with tables of information, workshops and “Ignite Talks,” … more

I am responding to Jean Ball’s March 5 opinion column on the Pleasant Harbor Master Planned Resort (MPR). Zoning regulations aim to leave rural areas rural. The one … more

I’m not like the others, I have just one eye and sometimes this oddity makes me cry.  One nose, one mouth, one tail all good yet it’s a bother to not look like I … more

Recently there have been articles and letters to the editor about paid parking in downtown Port Townsend. I understand that charging for parking seems an untapped revenue stream to city leaders, especially given the volumes of tourists who flood into downtown throughout the year. more

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

  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