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Home My WebLink AboutM112618 - to include Hearing Comment re: Proposed Rates and Charges for the Jefferson County Conservation DistrictON w 1 °• MINUTES Jefferson County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting — Monday, November 26, 2018, 9:00 a.m. Jefferson County Courthouse — Commissioners' Chambers 1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA CALL TO ORDER: Chair David Sullivan called the meeting to order at the appointed time in the presence of Commissioner Kathleen Kler and Commissioner Kate Dean. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: The following is a summary of comments made by individuals in attendance at the meeting and reflect their personal opinions. • Comment regarding logging on neighbor's land in Dabob Bay. • Comment regarding logging on neighbor's land in Dabob Bay. • Comment regarding the weather forecast, regarding fire protection measures, the Comprehensive Plan and making government workable. • Comment regarding the 2019 Budget, code enforcement and Jefferson County Conservation District and annual plant sale. • Comment requesting an update regarding a recent complaint at the proposed gun range in Quilcene, and details about an upcoming Special Meeting at Fort Worden. • Comment regarding shooting noise from the Port Townsend shooting range. • Comment requesting an update on the Affordable Housing Agreement. • Comment regarding an article about a recent Planning Commission meeting. • Comment regarding a proposed shooting facility in Quilcene. • Comment regarding shooting noise from the Port Townsend shooting range, following the law, and code enforcement. • Comment regarding the operations of the Port Townsend shooting range and law enforcement use at the range. The Commissioners and County Administrator addressed comments and concerns raised during the Public Comment Period. APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Kler moved to approve the items on the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Dean seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. 1. AGREEMENT NO. JC8474, Amendment No. 1 re: Jefferson County Pavement Marking on Various Western Jefferson County Roads; An Additional Amount of $9,854.65 for a Total of $29,791.91; Jefferson County Public Works; Washington State Department of Transportation Commissioners Meeting Minutes of November 26, 2018 2. Advisory Board Appointment re: Jefferson County Planning Commission; An Unexpired Four (4) Year Term to Expire March 17, 2022; District No. 3 Representative, Chris Llewellyn 3. Payment of Jefferson County Vouchers/Warrants Dated November 19, 2018 Totaling $1,341,701.54 (Records of all claims submitted for payment along with vouchers approved and signed by the Board of Jefferson County Commissioners are retained by the Jefferson County Auditor and Public Works Department.) DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION re: Hearing Notice on a Proposed Ordinance Harmonizing Title 18 of the Jefferson County Code with Commercial Shooting Facilities Ordinance No. 12-1102-18 (If Approved, Hearing will be Held During a Special Meeting on Monday, December 10, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the Commons at Fort Worden State Park, 200 Battery Way, Port Townsend, WA): After discussion, Commissioner Dean moved to approve the hearing notice. Commissioner Kler seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. The meeting was recessed at 9:55 a.m. and reconvened at 10:05 a.m. with all three Commissioners present. UPDATE re: Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 3rd Quarter County Income Report: DNR Regional Manager Mona Griswold and DNR State Lands Assistant Drew Rosanbalm briefed the Board on the 3`d Quarter County Income Report. They stated that tariffs on timber, interest rates increasing, market changes, California wildfires and steel prices may affect their 2019 projections. The meeting was recessed at 10:37 a.m. and reconvened at 10:46 a.m. with all three Commissioners present. HEARING re: Proposed Rates and Charges for the Jefferson County Conservation District: County Administrator Philip Morley and Jefferson County Conservation District Manager Al Cairns explained the proposed rate changes. County Assessor Jeff Chapman explained how parcels would be charged, which parcels are exempt and how all parcels will be assessed. Chair Sullivan opened the hearing for public testimony. Bruce Gleeman, Tim Deverick, Crystal Llewellyn, Al Latham, Sarah Spaeth, George Yount and Jon Cooke provided hearing testimony. Hearing no further testimony, Chair Sullivan closed the public hearing. After deliberation, Commissioner Kler moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 60-18 re: Approving a System of Rates and Charges on Parcels within the Jefferson County Conservation District Providing Revenues to the District for Services Benefiting Properties Therein, which included an amendment to include people who are included in the Senior/Disabled tax exemption program. Commissioner Dean seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. 2 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of November 26, 2018 The meeting was recessed at 11:39 a.m. and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. with Commissioner Kler acting as Chair and Commissioner Dean present. Chair Sullivan was attending an election certification. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BRIEFING SESSION: County Administrator Philip Morley reviewed the following with the Board. • Calendar Coordination • MOTION: Special Meeting December 10, 2018; Reservation proposal Agreement. Commissioner Kler moved to approve the agreement for the Chair to sign. Commissioner Dean seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. • Conservation District; Annual plant sale • Q13 News re: segment on Jefferson County Commercial Shooting Facilities • Tribes and Climate Change The meeting was recessed at 2:10 p.m. and reconvened at 2:25 p.m. with all three Commissioners present. ADDITIONAL BUSINESSS; EXECUTIVE SESSION An Executive Session was scheduled from 2:25 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Chair Sullivan announced that the Executive Session will be held from 2:25 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. with the County Administrator and Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney regarding Attorney -Client Privilege, Actual Litigation under exemption RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) as outlined in the Open Public Meetings Act. The Board concluded the Executive Session and resumed the regular meeting at 3:00 p.m. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BRIEFING SESSION — Continued: County Administrator Philip Morley reviewed the following with the Board. MOTION: Bureau of Indian Affairs; addressing letter received re: Tribal request The Board discussed land use planning. Commissioner Kler moved to authorize the Chair to send a letter acknowledging easements and ownerships of parcels, express support for continued preservation of the cultural site and raise a question and concern about loss of county land use control and inviting dialogue. Commissioner Dean seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Tribal Relations; Tribal contact list to be updated Calendar Coordination — continued The meeting was recessed at 3:26 p.m. and reconvened at 3:34 p.m. with all three Commissioners present. Commissioners Meeting Minutes of November 26, 2018 COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BRIEFING SESSION — Continued: County Administrator Philip Morley reviewed the following with the Board. • Bureau of Indian Affairs; more information • Calendar Coordination - Continued • December 17, 2018 Board of County Commissioner meeting; logistics • Commissioner offices; Commissioner -Elect Greg Brotherton will move to Commissioner Dean's office, and Commissioner Dean will move into Commissioner Kler's office. • Calendar Coordination - Continued • 2019 BOCC meeting dates NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Dean moved to adjourn the meeting at 3:59 p.m. until the next regular meeting or special meeting as properly noticed. Commissioner Kler seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. 1Ye,>. SES;' ; . 4 Y ua ATTEST: . Caroly Gallaway, CMC Deputy Clerk of the Board JEFFERSON UNTY IPP BOARD O COMMISSINERS Davi u iv al Kath een Kler, Member Kate Dean, Member 4 NEAR1N,r., From: Tom Thiersch <tprosys@gmail.com> Sent: Saturday, November 24, 2018 1:12 PM To: jeffbocc Cc: 'Al Cairns' Subject: Testimony: Proposed Rates and Charges for the Jefferson County Conservation District Commissioners, I am submitting this testimony in writing in the event that I am unable to attend the hearing that is set for November 26, 2018, regarding the "Proposed Rates and Charges for the Jefferson County Conservation District". In emails I have exchanged with Mr. Cairns, he has explained to me that the City of Port Townsend was not included in the Conservation District when it was formed in 1946. I am not opposed to Rates and Charges as proposed; HOWEVER, 1. Because the parcels in the City are not included, which will result in the District not receiving any monies from owners of properties in Port Townsend, I will be monitoring the activities of the District to verify that not one scintilla of effort is expended and not one cent of money is spent in support of any District -related activities of any sort for any parcels within the city limits of Port Townsend, and 2. 1 strongly urge the Board of County Commissioners to work with the City of Port Townsend to annex City parcels into the District, thus making those City parcels eligible for services from the District once taxes due to the District from those parcels have started to be collected, FURTHER PROVIDED that such taxes are levied on City parcels in exactly the same manner and proportion as for all other parcels currently within the District. Thank you, Tom Thiersch Jefferson County Annual Native Plant Sale Sale I Jefferson County Conservation District http://www. j effersoncd. org/what/annual-tree-sale/ �(��IYfAt Coo S J 1 �'�llj"ter 4 J 36C� qEA , IN Jefferson County rt�oviit�iningarid expanding Conservation Distri economically viable 4, 'Lfi agriculture and 1 „ c �t7,/ forestry operations, J while protecting and r improving the natural resources of Jefferson County Home About Us Annual Programs and Services Resources News 8, Fvents Notes from the Field Native ant Sale dale � o OO 1 of 3 11/26/2018, 7:36 AM Annual Native Plant Sale Sale I Jefferson County Conservation District http://www.jeffersoncd.org/what/annual-tree-sale/ Conservation District Cancels Annual Plant Sale Popular Native Plant Sale on Hold Due to Budget Woes The Jefferson County Conservation District has canceled its annual native plant sale for 2019 due to budget shortfalls and reduced staffing levels. The Conservation District's Board of Supervisors determined that there was simply not enough staff time available to conduct the plant sale. "This was not an easy decision as we've always seen this as a great way to connect with the public we serve, and it hurts to have to let it go for a year" according to Al Latham, Chair of the Conservation District's Board of Supervisors. "It takes hundreds of hours of staff time to pull off the sale. It often costs more than we recoup and we don't have the extra funds this year to cover the costs." A seven month delay and loss of State funding in late 2017 and early 2018 continues to keep the Conservation District from delivering a level of service that it has set for itself. The Board of Supervisors anticipates securing stable funding by the end of this year and the return of the plant V sale in 2020. About the Jefferson County Conservation District: The Jefferson County Conservation District is a non -regulatory sub- division of state government created in 1946 to help land users conserve natural resources. Conservation districts are nationwide, grassroots conservation agencies. JCCD is governed by a local board of supervisors, elected or appointed, consisting of local residents. JCCD provides technical and financial assistance to help all landowners meet sustainable land use goals. Assistance is provided at no cost. Funding for our services is provided primarily through state and federal grants. 2 of 3 11/26/2018, 7:36 AM Annual Native Plant Sale Sale I Jefferson County Conservation District 2018 Plant Descriptions Native Plant Resources http://www.jeffersoncd.org/what/annual-tree-sale/ Native Plants for Western Washington Gardens and Restoration Projects (WNPS) Landscape Design for Wildlife (WDFW) What Are Bareroot Plants? Proudly powered by WordPress I Theme: Sundance by WordPress.com. 3 of 3 11/26/2018,7:36 AM ,Paul Pickett's Charge: Cover Up Corruption at Thurston Conservation District We the CT... Page 1 of 14 r' 4 �P�� ►� r5 ��S � Y�-�-eSL�.S �N C(�Q iGE Paul Picketts Charg 4RM610 ' ruption at Th ton Count Conservation District �`' `" County � B Glen Morgan July 19, 2018 NOV 2 6 2018 To receive the latest news from We the Governed delivered straight to your inbox SUBSCRIBE HERE Paul Pickett was recently `elected" to the Thurston County Conservation District with one primary task - cover up the corruption and incompetence by Thurston Conservation District Staff while ensuring the blame gets shifted somewhere else. This task was Pickett's prime duty to ensure the highest priority for all the https://www.wethegoverned. com/paul-picketts-charge-cover-up-corruption-at-thurston-co... 10/25/2018 Paul Pickett's Charge: Cover Up Corruption at Thurston Conservation District I We the G... Page 2 of 14 Dept of Ecology employee Paul grifters who benefit from government grants - ensure Pickett's priority is to cover up corruption at the Thurston the flow of federal, state and other grant dollars Conservation District continue without interruption and certainly without any real oversight. Pickett has his orders and is eager to lead the charge. Paul Pickett was the perfect choice to lead the corruption coverup. Pickett has an environmental engineering degree, was recently an Evergreen College faculty member, former Thurston County PUD Commissioner, a member in good standing with the Green Party, former Chairman of the AFSCME Local 28 Natural Resources Committee, and a current employee at the Washington State Department of Ecology. Pickett thrived for years on environmental grants and justifying anything Gang Green wanted. As an employee at the Department of Ecology he knew that Evergreen College features prominently in any conversation about the Thurston Conservation District the ends always justify the means. The important thing was to keep the grant money train moving. To keep the cash flowing, he had to bury anything that might expose corruption or incompetence which could risk this easy money. At the Thurston Conservation District - it is all about the cash - who gets it, how much has disappeared, and how to get more. Overpaid staff, no -bid contracts, missing money, falsifying minutes, and hiding records Thurston Conservation staff are paid far more than similar state employees working for Washington State, with far less oversight and almost zero accountability. For example, in this 10 employee office, multiple employees take home cash and benefits well in excess of $100,000. For example, recently "retired" Staff Director Kathleen Whalen made over $135,000 in total benefits, current "'interim" Director Sarah Moorehead takes home over $108,000 in total benefits, Deputy Director Amy Hatch- https ://www.wethegoverned.com/paul-picketts-charge-cover-up-corruption-at-thurston-co... 10/25/2018 Paul Pickett's Charge: Cover Up Corruption at Thurston Conservation District I We the G... Page 3 of 14 Winecka takes over $131,000 in total known compensation (not including double- dipping from other conservation districts). Historically, even though the Thurston Conservation District leases vehicles, ostensibly to be used by staff as they drive around the county and survey the salmon recovery projects, the staff realized that it was a bigger personal payoff to just use their personal vehicles and collect the cash reimbursement. The previous director, Kathleen Whalen, former staff Director, was billing the district on average $500 per month, until some of the current supervisors curtailed this abuse of the personal mileage reimbursements a few years ago. This includes one of the supervisors now targeted by Paul Pickett's cover up effort. For TCD staff, it is always other people's money to burn Kathleen Whalen - former TCD staff Director Additionally, missing money seems to be a common and unconcerning problem for staff. Recently, staff has been struggling to account for $85,000 of the $100,000 they claim is "cash on hand." (as reported in audio file from a recent meeting). Before the recent "election" earlier this year, staff screwed up by failing to submit "rates and charges" to the Thurston County Commissioners for budget approval. This was just simple incompetence on staff's part, but they attempted to shift the blame to the elected District Supervisors - conveniently just the ones who dared to question staff. This blame shift effort was effectively marshalled by Pickett and his friends at the Olympian as a talking point to justify his "election" to the Conservation District. https://www.wethegoverned. com/paul-picketts-charge-cover-up-corruption-at-thurston-co... 10/25/2018 Paul Pickett's Charge: Cover Up Corruption at Thurston Conservation District I We the G Weird "elections," long history of corruption, rewarding employees who are under investigation Conservation Districts were originally created in the 1930s as a way to help farmers develop more effective farming practices and help provide government assistance to ensure a more efficient and effective use of agricultural land. Today, conservation districts primarily exist as locally funded entities which act as conduits for millions of dollars of government grants - mostly for environmental projects. While the Thurston Conservation District actively applies for federal, state, local, and other Page 4 of 14 Today's conservation district is focused more on obtaining grant cash than conserving soil... grants, they are also funded by local property taxes. Hundreds of millions of dollars have flowed through the various conservation districts in Washington State over the past few years, and the TCD actively helped distribute many of these grants. These were the buses used to move gullible Evergreen College students to the Thurston Conservation District Plant sale to vote for Pickett earlier this year. One legacy of the history of the Conservation District is the strange and bizarre "elections" process. Instead of all eligible voters receiving ballots, local voters must request their ballots from the Conservation District Staff (and now the Thurston County Auditor), or they can attend the one day plant sale in early March located at the Tumwater warehouse location and vote in person. Since staff was understandably concerned about their activities receiving possible public exposure, they recruited reliably gullible Evergreen College students and bussed them to the plant sale to support the staff choice of Paul Pickett to lead the coverup and become the newest Thurston Conservation District Supervisor. In a rare point of agreement between this author and the Washington State League of Women's Voters, there has been widespread recognition that this strange method of voting for Conservation District Supervisors is ripe for corruption and fraud. There is clearly a need to reform it, summarized in a 2011 study (linked here). https://www.wethegoverned. com/paul-picketts-charge-cover-up-corruption-at-thurston-co... 10/25/2018 Paul Pickett's Charge: Cover Up Corruption at Thurston Conservation District I We the G... Page 5 of 14 Conservation Districts have been exposed, on occasion, for kick -back schemes around the state. Usually these are scandals involving a clique of farmers who realize they can easily take control of the local conservation district and steer the grant dollars to themselves. This happened at the Thurston Conservation District back in 1999- 2000, and the Olympian even reported on it multiple times (linked here). Today, the Olympian has decided to bury the scandals, support the corruption, and pretend the unpaid Board of Supervisors who have the audacity to question staff for missing funds, wasting tax dollars, and incestuous grant schemes are "harassing" the staff by daring to ask questions. •r' ATM TCD employee Sarah Moorhead Unless you go to Evergreen State College - where your duty is to vote to cover up corruption and join the scam Interestingly, staff member at TCD at the time - Kathleen Whalen- who was under investigation for shady financial activities by Supervisors in 2014 when she predictably, received the "employee of the year" nomination from the Washington Association of District Employees at the time. While Kathleen Whalen, who was being investigated by the current TC Board of Supervisors, wisely "retired" from her position, other local staff who were being investigated included Sarah Moorehead, interim executive director has also been selected as employee of the year by the same association which effectively covered for Whalen's misdeeds in the past. Moorehead made the extra effort to ensure she could not be fired from the Conservation District by filing a complaint with the Sarah Moorehead gets employee of the year award just in time to hold off investigation - a tradition at the TCCD https://www.wethegoverned. com/paul-picketts-charge-cover-up-corruption-at-thurston-co... 10/25/2018 Paul Pickett's Charge: Cover Up Corruption at Thurston Conservation District I We the G... Page 6 of 14 State's Human Rights Commission, presumably for the crime of potentially being held accountable for her actions. Another employee being investigated at the time - Amy Franks (who also filed a complaint with the HRC)- wisely jumped ship and brought her baggage to the Pierce County Conservation District. Amy Hatch-Winecka is the prime grant writer and directs many grants to her husband's non-profit Losing lawsuit, giving raises to corrupt employees, and attempting to remove supervisors who expose the truth. Amy Hatch-Winecka is an employee of the Thurston County Conservation District (see link here). For years, she was also an employee of the Mason County Conservation District. This author filed a records request in late 2015, which led, in part to her termination from the Mason Conservation District (see letter here, and after she agreed to not sue them, the final agreement here). Part of the Mason Conservation District's concerns were the questionable no -bid grant distribution to her close friends and husband, Lance Winecka. Amy's husband Lance is the Executive Director of the South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group, which is a local non-profit organization which consumes much of the pass- through grant funds written for the TCD by his wife, Amy. In Washington State, approximately $226 million of federal salmon recovery funds were distributed in the last biennial budget. Most of these funds are distributed by the 47 local conservation districts like TCD. The monitoring, supervision, and auditing Lance Winecka's non-profit gets to cash his wife's grant checks for no -bid of how these funds are spent appears to be very contracts slipshod, uneven, and incestuous, as Amy and Lance Winecka's example demonstrate. However, while this might be considered https: //www.wethegoverned. com/paul-picketts-charge-cover-up-corruption-at-thurston-co... 10/25/2018 Paul Pickett's Charge: Cover Up Corruption at Thurston Conservation District I We the G... Page 7 of 14 unethical in Mason County, in Thurston County, it is worthy of a raise and promotion. ^ In fact, Amy Hatch-Winecka usually directs accusations of "harassment" at anyone who dares to question her questionable behavior. The TCD appears more comfortable living with this corruption, conflicts of interests, and the appearance of nepotistic taxpayer cash transfers. For example see below: MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT 9efween South Puget Sound Saluron Enhancement Group and Thurston Conservation District 711138greetaerrt iS made arra entered into tletweer the South Puget Sound Skil (nswnafler referred to as SPSSEG) and the 'rhurston Conservation D,stnct (heminarler re'erred to as TCD) I, PURPOSE The purpose of this Agreement is for SPSSEG to p:ovi4e services as outlined wllwn the Allooments to arts Menxirariduar: Baum Pugh Sound SEG will work with TCD to complete the Iaska as outMted wrthm the Allachmcnls 11, RELATIONSHIP The pasties agree 1hal they intend to act yointly pursuant to their authority to accomplish the purpose reciled herein No separate `egal antity is created by this Agraernont tit. READ AGENCY Lead agency for tin gramw, and administrator for this Interlocal Agreernent m TCO IV. FtIMNCING Finaitrdng for aclivitioz undo, this agreement will be prrnreed by Washington State Department of Conwwce; US fish and Wildlife Service; and the Puget Sound Partnership through an agreement with the Recreation and Conservation Office SMUG wA be reirnbursed by TGD for expenses Incurred carrying out the responsibdities of this agreement, Subsequenf to receipt of payment frrom the granting agencylles) on a quarterly basin. Quarters will run from July 1 -September X. October 1 - December 31 danuary t - Moo 31; and April 1 - Jww 30 SPSSEG will bopAkWAhullopielkewestily authorized in the agreement as specified in dee li tYmetka. Deputy Der"o. ur80Dn Corise' r"+�hon Drslnct 2518 Ferguson St SW Building 1_ Suile A Tumwattr, WA 90912 g_nh1r villMurstont d.Com Lane Vllinecira, Execularo Duedot `Si W Puget Sound Salmon Enhanccrr A Group 6700Mortlo Way, Suite 112 aym;iWL WA 98518 380.412.0608 VL DUROW16N The effectivu dWe of IN% agrer-.ment Is July 1, 2015. The agreement shali a rplre on Detomber 31, 2019 unless+-xtrnded by m41 ;d agreement of twM parties Nothing Shady or Nepotistic about this - wife and husband determine an work authorized and spent between TCD and SPSSEG. No need to look closely at this. V https://www.wethegoverned. com/paul-picketts-charge-cover-up-corruption-at-thurston-co... 10/25/2018 Paul Pickett's Charge: Cover Up Corruption at Thurston Conservation District I We the G... Page 8 of 14 On June 15, 2018, a Thurston County Superior Court hearing determined that TCD Supervisor Eric Johnson was entitled to records he requested and that WSU violated the Public Records Act in attempting to withhold the Thurston Conservation District Staff emails Additionally, staff, most of whom are graduates of Evergreen College, appear to be colluding to ensure that nobody ever looks too closely at their actions. A series of concerns have been raised for years by a variety of Conservation District Supervisors. A particularly effective and thoughtful summary of these concerns was drafted by former Board Supervisor Jim Goche in a letter sent to the Washington State Conservation Commission (linked here, here, and here). Interestingly, the State Conservation Commission has been refusing to provide responses to records requests, while at the same time, WSU (the entity who hosts the emails for the Conservation District) recently lost a lawsuit filed by Eric Johnson, one of the Thurston Conservation District Board of Supervisors who is trying to audit the questionable actions of staff (see video of court hearing linked here). We won't know the full damages until a hearing in front of Thurston County Superior Court Judge Schaller on Friday, but we https://www.wethegoverned. com/paul-picketts-charge-cover-up-corruption-at-thurston-co... 10/25/2018 Paul Pickett's Charge: Cover Up Corruption at Thurston Conservation District I We the G... Page 9 of 14 do know they can't hide these records from the public Eric Johnson - TCD Supervisor who dared to question staff and now must 00� anymore. be punished and removed. Instead of cleaning up the corruption and incompetence, Pickett was "'elected" on the bandwagon of removing the TCD Supervisors who were questioning staff and digging into the corruption. This is Pickett's priority. The State Conservation Commission is coordinating with Pickett in this effort and just notified Eric Johnson (see here and here), who dared to question the corruption, that they are intervening to remove him from office. Remember, the highest priority of the State Conservation Commission and Pickett is to cover up wrongdoing. Secondly, Pickett has coordinated an effort to file recall petitions on the other two unpaid elected TCD Supervisors - Richard Mankamyer and Linda Powell for daring to question staff, which, of course is "harassment." Except TCD Staff - don't question them Of particular note, is the fact that one of the State Conservation Commission's claims against Supervisor Johnson is that he "enriched" himself by being the recipient of Conservation District funds. This is a fascinating accusation since nearly every elected supervisor on all 47 local Conservation Districts has been or is a current recipient of these funds. In the 1999/2000 scandal, several local Thurston County Conservation District Supervisors were recipients of far more significant grant funds under genuinely questionable circumstances, but since they were willing to cover up staff corruption at the time, the State Conservation District was fine with that. This recent effort to remove Supervisor Eric Johnson demands a serious effort by state and federal investigative agencies to deeply investigate the Washington State Conservation Commission for its efforts to cover up corruption and blame those who wish to expose the truth. This was effectively detailed by former Thurston County Conservation District Supervisor Jim Goche in his letters to the State Commission (see here, here, and here). Longtime public records activist Arthur West was even recruited into the Pickett circus and has made a cameo v https://www.wethegoverned. com/paul-picketts-charge-cover-up-corruption-at-thurston-co... 10/25/2018 Paul Pickett's Charge: Cover Up Corruption at Thurston Conservation District I We the ... Page 10 of 14 an Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) lawsuit (see here) against the three supervisors who dared to question the corruption and incompetence of staff. Although this author appreciates some of West's Public Records Act cases, and we have found ourselves testifying on the same side in proposed open government legislative hearings in the past, this is not one of West's better cases as he has clearly let himself become a tool of the corrupt in this case. State Conservation Commission joins the cover up, keeps the cash flowing, Pickett's priorities align Arthur West, longtime Public Records Act activist, joined in the TCD circus with an OPMA lawsuit against the supervisors who dared to question staff (photo: Save Tacoma Water) The State Conservation Commission appears to have been entirely focused on removing pesky elected Conservation Board Supervisors who are willing to dig into unlawful actions by staff, rather than get to the bottom of the corruption and incompetence. The State Conservation Commission has a long history of doing this because it is better to bury a scandal than to fix the underlying problems which produce those scandals. Keeping the money train alive is far more important than uncovering the truth. Of more significant, state-wide impact is the very structure and existence of the State Conservation Commission. The structure of grant distribution lacks even basic oversight and has become a mega -dollar transfer program using mostly no -bid contracts to special interests who can easily control or manipulate staff, supervisors, and the goofy "elections" to ensure the money train keeps rolling along. If it really is going to be an agricultural program, then it should be abolished as an independent entity, moved from being housed in the Department of Ecology headquarters, and transferred to the Department of Agriculture. If we are going to admit that it functions https://www.wethegoverned. com/paul-picketts-charge-cover-up-corruption-at-thurston-co... 10/25/2018 Paul Pickett's Charge: Cover Up Corruption at Thurston Conservation District I We the ... Page 11 of 14 primarily as a grant transfer entity for special interests, then why pretend to be independant with "'elected"' supervisors? Whatever the state legislature ultimately decides, this creaky, corrupt entity that only punishes people who question the corruption and not the corrupt demands radical intervention. When senior government managers and staff find themselves in hot water and want to cover up their corruption, they must find willing accomplices, and Paul Pickett is eager to oblige. He works at the Department of Ecology which shares their building with the State Conservation Commission, so he can walk downstairs, compare notes, and get his marching orders. Corruption is easier than you think and it pays pretty well. Why question it? Pickett's charge is to cover up corruption in the Thurston Conservation District, and he is charging full speed ahead. If Pickett can get rid of the supervisors who dare to question staff, then, according to the State Conservation Commission and the legion of grant grifters, the TCCD will be in good hands once again. https://www. wethegoverned. com/paul-picketts-charge-cover-up-corruption-at-thurston-co... 10/25/2018 Paul Pickett's Charge: Cover Up Corruption at Thurston Conservation District I We the ... Page 12 of 14 OUR CONSTITUTION BEGINS WITH THE PHRASE "WE THE PEOPLE." IT WAS THE FOUNDER'S INTENT THAT GOVERNMENT BE CREATED BY THE PEOPLE, TO SERVE THE PEOPLE. IT WASN'T THEIR INTENTION FOR THE PEOPLE TO SERVE THE GOVERNMENT. IT WAS ALWAYS INTENDED THAT GOVERNMENT WHICH FAILED TO SERVE THE PEOPLE SHOULD BE "ALTERED OR ABOLISHED." UNTIL WE RETURN TO THE FOUNDER'S INTENT, WE REMAIN WE THE GOVERNED... Additional Background articles and documents: The Stranger - Evergreen Ranks as One of the Worst Colleges in the U.S. for Free Speech Gang Green and the Government Staff Infection May 31, 2018 - Letter to Washington State Conservation Commission from Jim Goche, former Thurston County Conservation District Supervisor May 31, 2018 - Appendix 1 to Letter to WSCC from Jim Goche May 31, 2018 - Appendix 2 to Letter to WSCC from Jim Goche (Olympian Articles from 1999 - 2000 about corruption in Thurston Conservation District) April 20, 2018 - Ltr from State Conservation Commission to Thurston County Conservation District Supervisor Mankamyer (targeted Supervisor who is attempting to question staff) June 15, 2018 - Eric Johnson v. WSU Energy Program Office - Summary Judgement hearing - Judge Schaller presiding July 18, 2018 - Washington State Conservation Commission Letter to Eric Johnson saying they will act to remove him from his unpaid appointed position (for daring to question staff's misuse of resources and incompetence) https ://www.wethegoverned. com/paul-picketts-charge-cover-up-corruption-at-thurston-co... 10/25/2018 Paul Pickett's Charge: Cover Up Corruption at Thurston Conservation District I We the ... Page 13 of 14 July 16, 2018 - WSCC - Final Investigative "'Report" on how to get rid of Eric Johnson and any other TCD supervisor who dares to question staff's corruption and incompetence (61 pages) July 12, 2018 - Arthur West lawsuit against the three TCD supervisors who dared to question staff's corruption and incompetence for potential OPMA violations. LeagueOfWomenVotersofWashington_WashingtonStateConservationDistricts_2011 South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group February 5, 2016 - MCD letter to Amy Hatch-Winecka identifying why she would be fired from their employment April 5, 2016 - MCD separation agreement for Amy Hatch-Winecka March 8, 2018 - Eric Johnson v. WSU - Thurston Superior Court #18-2-00943-34 -defendant answer to original complaint July 13, 2018 - Eric Johnson v. WSU - Thurston Superior Court #18-2-00943-34 - defendant's response to plaintiff's opening brief on penalties, attorney fees and costs June 4, 2018 - Eric Johnson v. WSU - Thurston Superior Court #18-2-00943-34 - defendant's response to plaintiff's briefing on liability February 16, 2018 - Eric Johnson v. WSU - Thurston Superior Court #18-2-00943-34 - complete original complaint July 16, 2018 - Eric Johnson v. WSU - Thurston Superior Court #18-2-00943-34 -Plaintiff's Penalty Reply Brief May 15, 2018 - Eric Johnson v. WSU - Thurston Superior Court #18-2-00943-34 - Plaintiff's Opening Brief https://www.wethegoverned.com/paul-picketts-charge-cover-up-corruption-at-thurston-co... 10/25/2018 Paul Pickett's Charge: Cover Up Corruption at Thurston Conservation District I We the ... Page 14 of 14 April 14, 2018 - Washington State Green Party recognizes Paul Pickett as a member in good standing in case they delete or remove this post, here is screen capture linked below: The Green Party of Washington State (GPWA) will be hosting our annual Spring Gathering on Saturday April 14th in Fife and all interested are welcome to attend! We will hear from our candidates and officeholders. Elections will also be held for our new GPWA Coordinating Council and GPUS delegates and alternates. We will meet from 12:30 - 5:30 pm at The Poodle Dog Restaurant in Fife. Agenda 12:30 - 1pm: Set up, Order Lunch 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Introductions, Reports from Officeholders Green Party members currently in elected positions: Renata Rollins - City Council Member, Olympia EJ Zita - Port Commissioner. Thurston County Paul Pickett - Thurston Conservation District (tentative) Glen Morgan http://www.wethegovemed.com Executive Director and Founder of We the Governed https ://www.wethegoverned. com/paul-picketts-charge-cover-up-corruption-at-thurston-co... 10/25/2018 WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY JEFFERSON COUNTY EXTENSION �/ Jefferson County Board of Commissioners PO Box 1220 Port Townsend, WA 98368 Dear Commissioners, C I C-6, � /14 6v L V I am writing to express WSU Jefferson County Extension's strong support for the Conservation District's request to adopt a system of Rates and Charges to provide the District with long-term, stable funding. The faculty and staff of WSU Clallam County Extension are engaged every day in working with private landowners, particularly farmers and others in the agricultural sector, to help foster profitable farming systems. We see firsthand the tremendous value and services that the Conservation District provides to these clients. The Jefferson Conservation District is our close partner in many education, outreach and planning efforts and provides an invaluable resource for landowners. The Conservation District has been challenged in recent years with shrinking state funds. Local support through an assessment would allow the District to maintain services much needed by the citizens of Jefferson County. We hope you will support the Jefferson Conservation District in securing long-term, stable funding so it may continue providing important services for the landowners of Jefferson County. Sincerely, Clea Rome Director WSU Jefferson County Extension