Citizen Review October 16, 2019
By Lois Krafsky-Perry and Staff
Sequim…Opinions varied as approximately 125 people gathered October 14, at City Hall. Although there were other matters on the agenda, the major focus was about the proposed Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Opioid Clinic, to be located in the city business district near Costco.
The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe has started preparations for the clinic. According to Tribal leader Ron Allen, they are moving forward, as he expressed at a local public meeting in August.
Members of the community expressed their observations and concerns during the public testimony. Thirteen people testified, offering different opinions. Testimony was interrupted, after some people spoke, by Dennis Smith, the Mayor, who also read the rules at the beginning of the meeting. He said there would not be time for more testimonies in that there were several items on the agenda, which apparently took priority.
A common theme, which also was noted at other meetings, is that many people do not want the MAT Clinic located in that particular vicinity. Those who say they are in favor of it do not discuss location, but their interest is in the drug aspect of the projected clinic, renamed, “Healing Campus” by the Tribe.
Several people who were in favor of the clinic do not live in the city. One person who testified was from Port Angeles.
Honeybee (Marion) Wheeler Burns said she is a caregiver and has worked with the elderly who have pain. She said, “We need a MAT clinic in Clallam and Jefferson County.
Timothy Wheeler, a 1958 Sequim High School graduate and former editor of People’s World, stated that he is acting chair of a newly formed grassroots group, supporting the Healing Campus. “Be proud we are stepping forward to help those who need to be helped”, said Wheeler.
Sandy Goodrich, Port Angeles warned, “You do not comply with the law,” as she reminded planners and council, of the American Disabilities Act. She noted that there are no disability signs outside City Hall. “If you come under a federal investigation, you are on shaky ground,” she said.
Rebeccah Horst, a Sequim High School graduate and several generation Sequimite, favored a poll such as the proposed Polco, which has been discussed at the city council meetings. “Then maybe Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe may rediscover [revisit] their decision,”she declared.
Elizabeth Schilling, who lives out of the city, said, “don’t let fear and emotion persuade—go with the facts.” She favored the clinic.
Several citizens, most who live near the proposed area, spoke against the location for the project.
Chuck Marunde, a longtime Sequim resident and real estate attorney, presented a recent online poll he conducted, “to try to engage in public opinion,” he said. Over 1,900 people answered questions on the poll, and Marunde reported that 88 percent of the people said, ‘no’ for the MAT clinic. (See video on Facebook)
George Noa described how the City, citizens and Tribe are tearing themselves apart with “anger and hate.” He compared it to a ship with no one at the control. He asked the council to take a stand. He asked them to give us (the people) correct information. “If it’s a bad idea, tell us…if your city attorney says you’ll get sued—wear it like a badge of courage….do a moratorium….take the time to figure it out—Put it into a complete review….I suggest you do that,” recommended the Sequim resident.
Marsha McGuire of Sequim encouraged people to get reliable information sources and said she supports the clinic.
Bob Bilow, a 1961 Sequim high school graduate suggested, “if the Tribe is involved, have them waive their sovereign immunity, if there is a clinic.” He said the Tribe waived sovereign immunity last year in Superior Court with Skagit vs Lundgren. “You cannot take them to court,” he said.
Rose Marschall asked the council to pass a City Ordinance to keep people from sleeping on City property and make it a Civil offense. “Be proactive,” she urged.
Roger Sonneberg spoke to the council and reminded them, “you are responsible, not the Tribe. You voted to place a certain parcel of land for medical release.” He said, “if there is a death on [Highway] 101, you are responsible.” He said there was a $70,000 theft at his home. “Older people are forced to move and are afraid,” observed the Sequim city resident.
Sonneberg described a storefront on Washington Street with a for sale sign in their window. He told councilwoman Candace Pratt that he forgave her, “for your slanderous comment.” She had referred to him at the last city council meeting, with a comment, which many considered was against his character and was not professional on her part.
After much discussion later, the Council voted to not proceed with the poll to inquire of the citizens what they wanted regarding the MAT clinic.
The next Sequim Council meeting is Monday, October 28th. The Planning Commission meets next Tuesday, October 22, 2019.
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