Clallam Democrats Rising - February 2025
Vol. 2, #1 - February 2025
Editor’s Note
The Midterms will be here sooner than we think. Primary season begins in March. And the Clallam County Democrats are working with our Indivisible partners to turn last November’s Blue Wave into this year’s unstoppable Blue Tsunami. After pausing to mourn the deaths of activists murdered for exercising their First Amendment rights, we look ahead to ways we can prepare for the Washington State Democratic Convention in June — by canvassing, assuring voters have the right ID to vote, registering voters, helping them get to the polls — and making sure they have the opportunity to exercise their fundamental right to vote in free and fair elections.
In the February issue of Clallam Democrats Rising:
Chair’s Corner: Acts of courage
Local Impacts, Local Actions
WA State Legislature: Make your voice be heard
County Commissioners: biggest wins of 2025
Update on Canadian Tourism impacts
Feature Articles:
Building Community
When Rapid Response Training is not enough
In the ‘Big Tent’ of the Democratic Party, what’s in a name?
Empowering a new generation of Democrats
Making local, renewable sources of energy generation a reality
Read on, enjoy, take action!
Courage and action make a difference
Now more than ever, we are all being called to action. Whether it means standing up to the ICE goons being unleashed in communities to threaten, kidnap and kill immigrants and innocent citizens, opposing the rise of fascism and Christian nationalism, standing up against all forms of injustice, or lending your voice to causes that matter, our courage is essential. In moments of immeasurable strife, it’s easy to feel powerless or remain silent. Yet history reminds us that real change begins when people choose to speak up and act.
Acts of courage come in many forms: from quietly writing postcards advocating for change, contacting our elected officials, joining street protests, checking in on friends or neighbors, or donating to support a candidate or cause. Each of these actions, no matter how small, contributes to a larger movement for justice and unity.
Let’s challenge ourselves to step forward and take meaningful action. By coming together, supporting one another, and refusing to be silent, we can build a stronger, more united community. Remember these words by Nelson Mandela: “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.” Don’t wait for someone else. Courage is contagious; when one stands up, others follow.
I’m proud to be surrounded by all of you in this fight for our country. You give me hope, strength, and courage!
In solidarity,
Ellen Menshew
Chair, Clallam County Democrats
chair@clallamdems.org
Let your voice be heard!
The Washington State Legislature’s 2026 session began January 12, 2026, as a 60-day short session to adjust the state’s biennial budget. Many bills relating to community safety for our most vulnerable neighbors have to make it through multiple committees before the session wraps, around March 12. That means multiple chances for you to make your voice heard! Sign up for weekly alerts through Jefferson County Immigrant Rights Advocates (JCIRA) or Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN.)
Washington State Legislature
Oympia Office (360) 786-7646
Legislative Hotline (800) 562-6000
Senator Mike Chapman
email: mike.Chapman@leg.wa.gov
Website: senatedemocrats.wa.gov/chapman
Senate Democrates on Facebook: facebook.com/SenateDemocrats
Be part of the action
Track every bill, committee, and more at leg.wa.gov
Watch every minute of the action at tvw.org
Comment or testify on every single bill that gets a hearing:
leg.wa.gov/learn-and-participate/how-to-participate-in-the-lawmaking-process
County Commissioners celebrate 2025 accomplishments
Democratic County Commissioners Mike French and Mark Ozias shared with Clallam Democrats Rising some of the accomplishments they consider most significant in 2025— “wins” that were achieved despite the challenges of inflation and funding shortfalls.
Among his highlights, District 3 Commissioner Mike French named:
$6 million invested in infrastructure and supporting economic development through the Opportunity Fund.
Progress on a new Joint Public Safety Facility, which will support 911 and Emergency Management when the project reaches completion in 2026.
Investing millions of dollars to support affordable housing, including a 36-unit apartment building near downtown Port Angeles.
Investments in a high-quality workforce and critical management positions.
Coordinating in the regional Recompete effort, which is investing over $35 million to help create good jobs.
District 1 Commissioner Mark Ozias saw significant progress in several areas:
Increased efficiency through a “Combined Clinical Services” health care team to provide health care services in both the adult jail and the juvenile detention facility, rather than having two separate and independent teams. The combined services leverage funding and reduce costs, helping those exiting our custody to be much better positioned to continue their care, already connected to community partners who can help them improve their health and reduce recidivism.
Agreement with Commissioner French on the importance of progress on a Public Safety Facility.
And the achievement of which he was especially proud, reducing overdose deaths and promoting public health through the Harm Reduction Health Center. “This effort is producing real progress: a 33% reduction in overdose deaths from 2023 to 2024, and an additional reduction of 35% in our overdose death rate from 2024 to 2025.”
To read more details about the Commissioners’ “big wins” for 2025 in their own voices, see “County Commissioners celebrate 2025 Achievements.”
Update on Canadian Tourism impacts
Last July, Clallam Democrats Rising published an article by Gary DeYoung describing how Republican policies are hurting tourism in Clallam County. In particular, DeYoung showed how tourist visits from Victoria have dropped significantly. Recent articles brought this issue back to our attention.
On December 21, 2025, The Travel reported how Canadian visitors were being treated at the U.S. border. Canadians have been fingerprinted and photographed, and detained at the border for non-criminal incidents or charges that had been dropped years before. In one incident, U.S. border officers asked a visitor crossing from Windsor, Ontario to step out of the car, where he was handcuffed, photographed, and fingerprinted. It turned out they were looking for someone else with the same name.
Canadians are paying attention and changing their travel plans. Travel and Tour World reports a 36% decline in vehicle crossings from British Columbia. Looking at statistics for travelers from Victoria to Port Angeles on the Coho ferry, visits have dropped an average of 20% from February through November 2025. The figure below illustrates the visit data. We need to continue the fight to stop this anti-immigrant madness. The Immigration Action Committee meets on the second Tuesday of the month, 6 p.m. on Zoom. For more information and to get a Zoom link to attend the meeting, contact the Action Committee Chair.
Building Community
How can we better communicate and build our local communities? On Wednesday, January 14, our community was honored to have Anthony Flaccavento, Executive Director of the Rural Urban Bridge Initiative (RUBI), join us for a discussion of how his organization can help rural communities like ours achieve these goals. In a special article for Clallam Democrats Rising, Alex Fane, a member of Clallam County Democrats and Indivisible Sequim, reflects on what he learned from that discussion.
What do I do when Rapid Response Training is not enough?
Upon learning about the murder of Renee Nicole Good on January 7, Clallam County Immigration Action Group member Linda Middleton captured her sorrow and confusion in a personal essay for Clallam Democrats Rising.
The chair of the Immigration Action Group responds to the fears we’re all wrestling with in the wake of the murders of activists in Minnesota by federal agents. She outlines immigration actions you can take today — not just in spite of your fear, but because of it.
What is a Democrat — really?
Writer Tina Tyler explores the labels behind a wide range of ideological viewpoints that co-exist, sometimes uneasily, within the ‘big tent’ of the Democratic Party. How do you react when you hear that a fellow Democrat is “liberal,” “centrist,” “progressive,” “socialist,” or identifies as a “Social Democrat”? Are you 100 percent sure you know what these labels really mean?
Empowering a New Generation (Part 2)
Writer Paul Pickett interviews a young activist in the thriving Clark County Young Democrats, an organization for people 18 through 35 looking to make good trouble and political change. How can we bring that same kind of energy and excitement to Clallam County?
Clallam PUD pursues local power generation
On our isolated North Olympic Peninsula “island,” Clallam County activists see an urgent need for energy independence using local renewable energy sources. Clallam Public Utility District (our PUD) now shares that concern and is taking action. Paul Pickett explored the PUD’s current local energy generation projects with Shailesh Shere, PUD Assistant General Manager, PUD Commissioners Ken Hays and Phyllis Bernard, and local activist Brian Grad.
Learn about the Constitution during challenging times, Feb. 16-Mar. 16
Kick off President’s Day with a fascinating series on the U.S. Constitution. For six Mondays (Feb. 16 & 23; March 2, 9, 16, & 23) starting at 6 p.m., be part of Alex, Jim and Jay ‘splain the Constitution, retired American History teacher Tom Peet’s new series of Civics Education. Learn about the Federalist Papers, written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay, where the ideas for the U.S. Constitution came from, and what those ideas mean for America today. Classes will be held at Democratic Headquarters, 124 W 1st, Port Angeles. Sign up via the link on the clallamdemocrats.org website calendar. Or, participate on Zoom via this LINK.
Vigil for Democracy, Fridays, 2:30-3:30 p.m., Four Corners: WA/Sequim Aves
Join us every Friday for a peaceful vigil for community members to meet and support each other as we work together to save our democracy. We’ll gather at the four corners in Sequim (Washington Street and Sequim Avenue). Bring signs to “Save our Democracy.”
Practice true community every Saturday, from 1-3 p.m. in P.A., Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28
Many of our fellow community members are unhoused, food insecure, battling addiction, and suffering from illness and loneliness. Help the most vulnerable in our community by showing up at Jesse Webster Park at 3rd & Eunice St., behind Swains, with warm clothing, food (especially sandwiches), and a willing pair of hands to set-up, serve, and clean up. Sponsored by Tree Park Collective, a 501(c)(3) organization.
Take-Action Thursdays continue! Feb. 5, 12, 19, & 26, 4:30 p.m.
On Thursday afternoons, drop by Clallam County Democrats headquarters to enjoy a meal with like-minded people and discuss ways we can take positive action to preserve our democracy. Bring your preferred beverage, your appetite, and your ideas. HQ is located at 124-A West First St. in Port Angeles.
Support immigrants living in Clallam County, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 6 p.m.
The Immigration Action Committee meets Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 6 p.m. on Zoom. We have a lot going on, so join us to find out more. We meet on the second Tuesday of the month. For more information and to get a Zoom link to attend the meeting on February 1- contact the Action Committee Chair.
CHAT n CHEW No-Host Lunch, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 12 p.m.
Every third Tuesday of the month is a chance to get together for a visit over lunch. No RSVP needed. Everyone is welcome! Meet at Asian Buffet (near Harbor Freight) in Port Angeles Plaza, 1940 E 1st St. Cost: $20.
Stay tuned for all of our exciting winter events!
Click here to:
We need your stories! Submit your ideas to newsletter@clallamdems.org. Deadline for March newsletter submissions is Tuesday, Feb. 24.
Thank you for reading, and for being a part of the change and resistance our country needs. Together, we will defend Democracy. Stay active, and we’ll see you next month!
Working with Our Allied Partners in Wise Environmental Stewardship:
- Center for Responsible Forestry
- Earth Law Center
- Elwha Legacy Forests
- Friends of Ennis Creek
- Legacy Forest Defense Coalition
- Olympic Climate Action
