CHIMACUM — Jefferson County Republicans — saying they are frustrated with local, state and federal government — are inviting North Olympic Peninsula residents to a party — the “Mad as Hell Tea Party” — this Saturday at the Chimacum Grange.

The protest will start at 2 p.m. in front of the grange, 9572 Rhody Drive.

It will be the first such demonstration in Jefferson County. Several other rallies were conducted in Sequim and Port Angeles last year.

Ron Gregory, county Republican Party chairman — who expects to see a lot of flag and sign wavers in attendance — said that those who are unhappy with land-use issues, water issues, lack of jobs creation and high taxes should attend.

“All those who are irritated and upset should be there,” he said, including the statewide Citizens Alliance for Property Reform and Olympic Stewardship Foundation, Jefferson County group.

“The number one issue right now would be property rights,” Gregory said.

He referred to the county’s recent adoption of deeper shoreline buffers for future home development, which critics said will devalue property and be more costly for home owners.

Water issues, such as the state Department of Ecology’s in-stream flow rule that restrict water use in Chimacum Valley, are another property rights concern, he said.

Taxes and government are two other major issues, Gregory said.

“People no longer feel that government is working for them,” he said.

Gregory said he expects people to attend the protest from all across the Peninsula.

“The word has gone out from Port Angeles to Port Townsend,” he said, adding that the Concerned Citizens of Clallam County are expected to be represented at the grange demonstration.

“If there is a common theme running through all of this, it would be it’s grassroots local stuff.”

The impetus for the Tea Party movement is excessive government spending and taxation.

The American Tea Party Movement’s mission is to attract, educate, organize, and mobilize citizens to secure public policy consistent with its three core values of fiscal responsibility, constitutionally limited government and free markets.

The organization supports fiscal responsibility, constitutionally limited government and free markets.

________

Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@ peninsuladailynews.com.