HomeMy WebLinkAboutPeninsula Sportsman LLCHTFCommentFrom:Peninsula Sportsman LLC
To:Housing Taskforce
Cc:shelter4jc@outlook.com
Subject:comment; proposed Homeless Camp relocation
Date:Wednesday, June 9, 2021 10:15:37 AM
Attachments:Horse Park Homeless Camp letter BOCC 2021.pdf
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Jefferson County Homeless Housing Taskforce,
Our family, business, home and forestland have shared a property line with the County for many
years. They are just one of our neighbors in this area of Cape George Road. Over the years we have
endured a substantial clear-cut, consistent illegal dumping, shooting, wildfires, crime and trespass
from the adjacent property as Jefferson County has consistently proved to be a bad neighbor. We
have opposed development plans for the neighboring land while supporting its use as a managed
forest property providing income to the County and a multi-use trail system enjoyed by many. The
County’s recent proposal to relocate a failing homeless camp to this parcel outside of town is simply
another terrible decision for their land and this neighborhood. We would be surprised by this most
recent proposal had it not been for the County’s history of grand ideas then subsequent neglect for
this “horse park” property at 1172 Cape George Road.
We received a brief voicemail on our business line an hour prior to Monday’s 6/7 commission
meeting when District 3 commissioner Brotherton proposed this idea of moving the homeless camp
from the fairgrounds into our neighborhood. Not a single neighbor in our area had received notice
that this proposal was on the BOCC agenda that day. Our District 1 representative Kate Dean and
District 2 Heidi Eisenhour appeared equally uninformed on the proposal during the virtual meeting.
Commissioner Brotherton proposed that after having spoken at length to all the stakeholders
involved that the decision to relocate the homeless camp to this particular site is the best option.
Only now does this community know about the proposal.
This proposed, county sponsored homeless camp off the 50mph “highway” section of Cape George
Road has NONE of the following- potable water, hydrant for fire suppression, sewer, electrical
infrastructure, cell/ phone service, monitoring, hygiene, safety or life services to support the 50+
people planning to relocate. It is located miles from town and there is no public transportation on
Cape George Road. Over the past year, the currently existing fairgrounds camp includes a myriad of
vehicles, tents, derelict RV’s, pets and homeless with a failing record and reputation for trespass,
substance abuse, crime and overdose. The idea to simply drop these people in a small gravel pit off-
road in the woods, away from town with no living resources and no social welfare access is a certain
disaster for the camp and surrounding residents. If the County is looking to dump unfortunate
people in a game of Survivor, wouldn’t Cappy’s Trails be the closer and equally ridiculous option?
Our family has operated a successful business and maintained our own acres of forestland here for
nearly 25 years. We have a home, raising a family here and along with our neighbors are concerned
for the property, safety and security of ourselves, our neighbors and those that utilize these multi-
use recreational trails. We implore the County commissioner board and task force to explore a more
suitable alternative for this homeless situation. I can assure you that our family and our neighbors
will not accept this terribly inadequate proposal without a fight and that is certainly not what is best
for the homeless community.
David & Tiffany Drewry Family; 1280 Cape George Road, Port Townsend
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Capt. Dave Drewry
Peninsula Sportsman LLC
Port Townsend, Washington