Clallam commissioner proposes values statement for equal treatment

Plan includes gathering feedback from elected officials

PORT ANGELES — Clallam County commissioners will consider an action plan to address institutional discrimination.

Chairman Mark Ozias proposed Monday a statement of values and an eight-point action plan in response to George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis, Minn.

The draft statement, which commissioners will consider in a future meeting, acknowledges the call to action that hundreds of thousands have made at protests, marches and vigils in Clallam County and across the nation to address institutional racism and discrimination.

“We recognize that Clallam County government is an institution and commit to working with other elected officials, staff members from throughout county government and county residents to re-double our efforts to ensure that Clallam County government does not practice, condone or support discrimination of any kind,” the proposed statement reads.

“We believe that all people deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and compassion. We particularly acknowledge the discrimination faced by Native Americans and members of the Hispanic community that marks our region’s past and present, and we commit to a future that continually builds dialogue and relationship with all marginalized peoples throughout Clallam County.”

Ozias said he would solicit feedback from other county elected officials and community leaders before asking his fellow commissioners to approve the values statement and action plan in a “couple of weeks.”

“I think that it’s going to be a really, really valuable conversation and process for the county and for our community, and I’m anxious to delve into it,” Ozias said in a Monday work session.

“Words are fine, but if it’s not accompanied by action and by measurable outcomes, then we’re really just spending time talking,” Ozias added.

The action steps Ozias proposed include:

• Outreach to all elected officials for ideas.

• Outreach to all department heads for ideas.

• Review policies and procedures to ensure the county is adhering to best practices and to identify potential areas of concern.

• Review hiring and outreach practices to ensure that the county is recruiting people of color and others who have traditionally been marginalized.

• Review management and leadership training practices to ensure that people of color and others who have traditionally been marginalized are given equal support and access.

• Work with the county sheriff and appropriate oversight committees to review use of force and other polices specific to law enforcement.

• Consider adding training and/or professional development specific to identifying and addressing discrimination.

• All reports of police brutality will be investigated.

“Really, I tried to put this list together just as a starting point, and I’m very interested to engage others from throughout the organization,” Ozias said in the work session.

“I think good ideas will come from everywhere.”

Commissioner Randy Johnson said he had “no problem” with the proposed statement of values and action plan.

“I find it appropriate,” Johnson said.

“If you don’t keep revisiting issues to say ‘Are we on a trajectory of improvement?’ then I don’t see how we’ll get there,” Johnson added.

“That’s why I’m feeling that we, as a county, certainly should weigh in.”

Commissioner Bill Peach, who was absent from the work session for a planned medical procedure, reviewed an earlier draft and “wanted to make sure that the values statement addressed the Hispanic community in Clallam County,” Ozias said.

Clallam County Administrator Rich Sill said annual training for county employees addresses discrimination.

He added that the Sheriff’s Office, a state-accredited agency, has specific polices around discrimination, standards of conduct and bias-based policing.

“In terms of our employment and hiring practices, this county government virtually matches the demographic makeup of the county,” Sill said.

________

Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office uses this armored vehicle, which is mine-resistant and ambush protected. (Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office)
OPNET to buy armored vehicle

Purchase to help with various situations

Lincoln High School students Azrael Harvey, left, and Tara Coville prepare dressing that will be part of 80 Thanksgiving dinners made from scratch and sold by the Salish Sea Hospitality and Ecotourism program. All meal preparation had to be finished by today, when people will pick up the grab-and-go meals they ordered for Thursday’s holiday. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)
Students at Wildcat Cafe prepare Thanksgiving dinners

Lincoln High School efforts create 80 meals ready to eat

D
Peninsula Home Fund celebrates 35 years

New partnership will focus on grants to nonprofits

A mud slide brought trees down onto power lines on Marine Drive just each of the intersection with Hill Street on Monday. City of Port Angeles crews responded and restored power quickly. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Downed trees

A mud slide brought trees down onto power lines on Marine Drive… Continue reading

Photographers John Gussman, left, and Becky Stinnett contributed their work to Clallam Transit System’s four wrapped buses that feature wildlife and landscapes on the Olympic Peninsula. The project was created to promote tourism and celebrate the beauty of the area. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)
Iconic Peninsula images wrap Clallam Transit buses

Photographers’ scenes encompass community pride

Housing identified as a top priority

Childcare infrastructure another Clallam concern

Giant ornaments will be lit during the Festival of Trees opening ceremony, scheduled for 5 p.m. Wednesday. (Olympic Medical Center Foundation)
Opening ceremony set for Festival of Trees

‘White Christmas’ to be performed in English, S’Klallam

Olympia oyster project receives more funding

Discovery Bay substrate to receive more shells

Code Enforcement Officer Derek Miller, left, watches Detective Trevor Dropp operate a DJI Matrice 30T drone  outside the Port Angeles Police Department. (Port Angeles Police Department)
Drones serve as multi-purpose tools for law enforcement

Agencies use equipment for many tasks, including search and rescue

Sequim Heritage House was built from 1922-24 by Angus Hay, former owner of the Sequim Press, and the home has had five owners in its 100 years of existence. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Sequim’s Heritage House celebrates centennial

Owner hosts open house with family, friends

Haller Foundation awards $350K in grants

More than 50 groups recently received funding from a… Continue reading

Operations scheduled at Bentinck range this week

The land-based demolition range at Bentinck Island will be… Continue reading