HomeMy WebLinkAbout121323 email Constituent question about_ literally_ poopALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
Hi Commissioners!
This was going to be an email just to Greg, because I met him socially and liked him (and called him, he responded and then I dropped the ball….) But when I looked up his office info,
I read all your bios and you all seem cool, so I’m doing the spammy thing and emailing you all because I think this is simple, but could have huge impact.
The background, quickly: I own a gorgeous lot in the Olympic Canal Tracts in Brinnon. I am hopelessly in love with it, and the Duckabush on which it sits. We have a lovely home, with
a happy septic system, all is well. I had been hoping to put in a new septic system for a small outbuilding that I wanted to turn into a little cottage for our kids so they could escape
us when we’re all up there together. That’s not possible, I get it, I have no issues with that. I’m gonna paint the walls and turn it into an adorable studio in which I may or may not
write a great novel someday. (probably not, but the fantasy lives.)
Now, the issue: In the process of finding out that I can’t have septic there, I discovered that it is currently not legal in Jefferson county to have a trailer pumped. As in, if a trailer
has a bathroom in it, it’s not legal to have the waste pumped in exactly the same way that an port-a-potty is pumped. I also learned that the OCT is well-known for having people living
in trailers (true) who just dump their waste onto the ground (also true) because they can’t have it pumped. I had a fantastic (truly) conversation with Emma Erickson about it, and understand
that the altruistic underpinnings of the regulation rests in wanting people to live in “better” conditions.
Herein lies my greatest dream. The code is currently written to say that dwellings have to have “adequate sanitation.” And somehow, having a port-a-potty pumped is adequate. But having
a much nicer, easier to clean and more protected from the elements trailer bathroom pumped is not. (It is in Mason County.) If, without having to change any codes or regulations, we
could change how we interpret the word “adequate” to allow having trailers pumped, that would change lives. I have spoken with so many people (I am on the HOA board of the OCT) about
this, and everyone would rather have their trailers pumped than deal with a port-a-potty. The people who just use their property recreationally wouldn’t magically start living there
full time. And the people who do live full time in trailers aren’t doing it because they really want to, they don’t have a choice, and this would both improve their lives and probably
their own adherence to the rules. And nothing has to change except how the word “adequate” is interpreted, thus making it legal for people to show a valid contract with a pumper, just
like they do for Port-a-potties. (Which, by the way, are scary because there’s enough crime, homelessness and squatting in the area that having those presents a very real security risk.
Unless you put a lock on them, but can you imagine fumbling with a lock in the middle of the night when you “gotta go?”)
So, all that said, is there someone, anyone, I can talk to about making this small change that I think would have enormous impact?
I also want to throw my hat in to work on a decades long project to get actual water and sewage to homes in Brinnon, but that’s, obviously, a much harder haul.
Are any of you willing to talk to me about this? Help me with this? Or should I try to come to a meeting? What’s the best way to move this forward?
With enthusiasm and gratitude for all you do for our gorgeous corner of the world – Alyssa Royse
____
Alyssa Royse
(She / Her. Not into hugs.)
* Rocket Community Fitness <http://www.rocketcommunityfitness.com/>
* Rocket on Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/rocketcommunityfitness/>
* Speaking and Consulting <http://www.alyssaroyse.com/>