by Lois Krafsky-Perry and staff
for Citizen Review
December 4, 2019
Sequim, WA – “We would like to be left alone and maintain our own property, like our grandfather and great grandfathers did, and find some tranquility and peace,” said Tim Shaw, who is also a spokesperson for his mother, Evelyn Smelling Shaw, now 88 years old. Her husband Richard Shaw passed away in 2017, leaving her and the family with many responsibilities.
The family farm sits on 15 acres, where they raise Black Angus livestock, next to the proposed Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) facility, on South 9th Street.
When they bought the property in 1931 it was 40 acres. It extended across to Bracket Street behind the grocery store, and ran west, parallel with Highway 101, which is now Washington Street. Over time, they sold off pieces, and before 1970, gave some of the property on 8th and Washington Street, to the Mormon Chapel, which they are members.
Valerie Shaw stated in public testimony on 7/30/2019:
“I’m sure that you feel that the clinic is a good thing. I am sure the Tribe is going to say that they will not let people loiter. Well we are the property they are going to loiter on. My mother is a widow. If my father were alive right now he would be here (meeting) , and he’s not, and I’m here in his place. We’ve been here since the 1890’s and that farm has been there since 1931, and you’re going to destroy it if you let them [Tribe] build there. The traffic will increase, and the noise will agitate our animals. They will not feed. If this [clinic] is open 24 hours a day, six days a week, where are our animals going to go? How are we going to keep the farm going?” (From city of Sequim public testimony July 30, 2019)
The Shaw family expresses that they are feeling the threat by problems already coming from the proposed project, such as homeless people breaking into their property. They have found evidence of people camping in their barn. They’re also concerned with increasing taxes and plans to push West Prairie Street across their property. This would divide the land in half making many problems for their animals with irrigation and probable other agitations.
Although no one has visited them from the City of Sequim or Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, they say the word in the community is that Prairie street, which stops at West 7th Street, is designated to run across properties and connect to the projected MAT Clinic, on South 9th Street. That area was placed in an Economic Opportunity Zone (EOZ). With a 2017 amendment to the Sequim City Comprehensive Plan, the plan defines various land use designations within the city and the zoning code contains the regulations applicable to the various zoning districts in the city. The land proposed for the MAT facility is zoned for commercial use, which includes medical clinics.
Val Shaw, stated in public testimony on 7/29/2019, that
…their farm is’ ground zero’. lt will affect them in multiple ways. They are an open land, if they can’t farm, they will have to pay approx. $75K in excess back taxes. Their property value will go down. They did a survey and put their survey markers on their property. Facilíty manager said they want to be good neighbors. They plowed the ditch, the Shaw family lost $3K dollars to fix the irrigation issues. She had to clean out when they plugged the ditch. Who is going to pay for the fences for their farm and animals? Heroin addicts, homeless, breaking into their barn and have had several visits from the police. How often will the police come up and protect them? I’m sure the tribe will say they will not let people loiter. The farm has been there since 1931. Traffic will increase, animals will not feed. How will we keep the farm going? That will be on them and you. (From City of Sequim public testimony, 7/29/2019)
Newspaper articles, notices, and testimony at City Council meetings, as well as meetings sponsored by the Tribe and literature, are the only sources the Shaws have of realizing what is happening regarding the MAT facility plans.
When discussing the MAT Clinic plans, Tim said, “Follow the money – Federal Government and Tribe, and to the State,” concerning the opioid crisis. “I have empathy for the people, but they don’t change.”
The Shaws put their farm in Open Space in 1980 and want to keep it in that designation as they keep farming. Taxes and charges for construction and roads have forced them to pay large amounts of money to the City, and their taxes are going up considerably. some $3,000 this past year. The City assessed them $25,000 for the roundabout and $25,000 for the exit on the highway (Washington Avenue), Evelyn said.
Valerie Shaw, in July 29, 2019 testimony to the Sequim City Council, said they lost $3,000 to fix damaged irrigation issues, after surveyors plowed their ditches and reset stakes.
If the land is not kept in Open Space, there would be exhaustive penalties. They could be forced out of Open Space designation, according to Tim. It could appear they are being forced out of their property.
Tim said they were asked a few years ago if they would be interested in development. He said, “we told them, ‘no, we are not interested’”. Evelyn’s granddaughter Angela (Angie) Shaw added, “We have no interest to give this land to someone else. We earned this land!”
“We are not moving,” Tim stated emphatically, “and although farming has been difficult, we plan to keep animals and farm.” He shared how his great-grandparents helped clear cut Sequim in 1850, when much of the valley was in timber. When they bought their acreage in 1931, the family worked hard to clear the land. They dynamited stumps, and prepared the property for their homestead and livestock, which they raise there to this day. “We paid with our sweat and tears,” added Tim.
Evelyn Shaw strongly agreed: She plans to stay right where she is, as she affirmed, “It is home.”
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