Thanks for your support of Fire District 3

Clallam County Fire District 3 is grateful to the community for the recent election results. As of this

writing, citizens have approved a general fire levy lid lift by over 60 percent.

We understand that increases in property taxes are hard for many in our community. With this in mind, we truly appreciate that our community values the service that we provide and continues to invest in the funding of the Fire District.

This returns the levy to $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2019. The levy will maintain at or near that rate for six years, but cannot go over $1.50/$1,000 by state law.

Our general levy is important in that it provides a majority of funding for emergency services. The lid lift will help us maintain service levels, emergency preparedness, improve staffing where possible, train personnel, and fund some facility and apparatus needs.

We take this trust you have placed in us very seriously. We will report back regularly on how your tax dollars are being spent to save lives and property.

In the meantime, thank you again for supporting Clallam County Fire District No.3. We wish you and your families a safe and joyful holiday season.

Ben Andrews

Chief, Clallam County Fire District 3

Broaden definition of security

“Women want physical security.” This statement, made recently by our highest elected official, spews ironic rhetoric which clouds and narrows the topic of security.

Almost everyone wants security in her/his life. Safety revolves around the “how.”

Prevention, such as workplace wages, day care, opportunities; clean drinking water, air; community policing; comprehensive gun safety classes with background checks, strict laws; mandatory high school life skills classes covering diet and exercise, civics, sex education, parenting decisions, respecting personal boundaries, will help immensely. Especially, parent responsibility to raise confident, compassionate, egalitarian children – or not have kids if unable/unwilling to provide such care and direction.

Protecting all of humanity from discrimination and violence, whether one’s race, gender, ethnicity, spiritual belief, sexual identity, class, annual income, health, handicap, etcetera, requires each of us to examine our attitudes. Then we ensure rules of law, which encompass our vast differences and needs, are followed in our communities, states, nation.

One race, class of women doesn’t need more protection than the rest of us. To promote this false, hurtful priority divides communities, rather than provide viable environments for all to live with contentment, joy, security.

Gayle Brauner

Port Angeles