r/portangeles

Hello! My wife and I (both early 30s) are moving to the area for a job in Sequim. We're coming from remote Alaska, and we like to do all things outdoors (rafting, kayaking, sailing, climbing, running, biking, hunting, fishing). My wife works in public health and will be looking for a job. We can and will be buying a house.

Just wondering if anyone has thoughts on whether or not we should move to Sequim, PA, or Port Townsend. Online the commutes from any of these places seem fine, unless there's something I'm missing? We want to be close to the outdoor activities listed above, but also be near good schools and safe neighborhoods.

How much should job availability play into this? We figure if we're in Sequim and my wife gets a job anywhere from PA to Port Townsend, the commute wouldn't be that bad. But if we're in PA, then that kind of rules out jobs in PT.

Are we missing something about the commutes? What are the benefits of outdoor access in each place? Is PT or Sequim too far away from the mountains to be there every weekend? Just looking for some local opinions

Seegars

This was posted by a community member and more folks should see it

First off, let me state I am not a fan of Mike French.  I think the County Board has failed in many areas.  That is why I initially I found Jake Seegers campaign message attractive, but then I started digging deeper into Jake and his associations.  I did this because he is an unknown in this area.   After some research, my biggest issue with Jake is a lack of transparency and not reporting certain associations.   

First, public finance disclosure law of Washington State requires that a candidate is required to report all entities for which they served as an officer, director, general partner or board member. That would include entities located out of state, since the law doesn't narrow the requirement based on location.   This requirement is for the reporting period, or within a year of them filing their disclosure.  For Seegers, this would be from October 25, 2024 to October 25, 2025 (the date he filed:  \[https://my.pdc.wa.gov/registration/public/-/#/public/registration/67238\\\](https://my.pdc.wa.gov/registration/public/-/#/public/registration/67238)).   

Since at least 2017, Jacob P. Seegers (Jake) has been a director on the board of the Seegers Foundation, located in Dallas Texas. \[https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/752001868\\\](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/752001868).  However, no disclosure of his involvement in the Board was made. 

This foundation appears to have been established by his grandparents, Paul R. Seegers and Phyllis Seegers.   Paul R. Seegers is the retired CEO of Centex Homes, one of the largest home builders at the time in Texas.   The Seegers Foundation primarily grants money to faith-based organizations, health charities, and educational nonprofits. You can view the list of grantees in the document here (page 11):  \[https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/752001868/202531339349104038/full\\\](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/752001868/202531339349104038/full)

Suffice to say, some of these organizations are very conservative and not very inclusive.  But besides that, a regular grantee for several years is 4PA.  I find it interesting that in 2024, 4PA received a grant from the Seegers Foundation in the amount of $25,000.  That is great for 4PA, but why no public acknowledgement of receiving the grant in 2024 and the years prior?  News releases and social media posts from 4PA were plenty when they received a similar grant from First Fed for the same amount.    More importantly, why hasn’t Seegers disclosed his position with the Seegers Foundation and the grants made locally.  This may or may not be another campaign finance disclosure issue, but will let others pursue this question.  But still, where is the transparency? 

Also, the narrative promoted by the campaign that Jake’s story beings in the Sierra Madre Mountains providing medical care with is parents, but fails to mention that the Seegers Foundation provides grants to Mexico Medical Missions, a non-profit that operates a hospital in Samachique and provides medical care to the Tarahumara people in the Sierra Madre Mountains.   Worthy outreach and contributions, but why not be transparent?

Second, the biggest Seegers campaign expenditure is to a business called Project Tandem, 102 E 1st St , Port Angeles.   The purpose of the payments is for Design/graphic art, etc.: Seegers '26 Campaign, 4th payment. Continued marketing, website maintenance, videography, posting of articles.  See link:  \[https://www.pdc.wa.gov/political-disclosure-reporting-data/browse-search-data/candidates/3382056#expenditures\\\](https://www.pdc.wa.gov/political-disclosure-reporting-data/browse-search-data/candidates/3382056#expenditures).

However, if you go to 102 East 1\^(st) there is no business listing on the building for Project Tandem.  It appears to be a business using the co working space at Wander Fuca.  In addition, there is no businesses registration information for the principals of the business.  This is important for  transparency to ensure we all know who is behind this business.   Are they posting content on social media as “supporters” and not disclosing their business relationship with the campaign?   No way to know without disclosure.   Where is the transparency?

Third, recently Jake posted an article about petitioning for the reopening of the Olympic Hot Springs Road.   Great idea!  However, Jake did not disclose that he could potentially benefit financially from reopening the road.  Jake, through his real estate holding company, REV Operating, LLC (registered in the State of Colorado) owns three parcels located north of the Elwha Ranger Station.   These parcels were apparently for smaller privately owned cabins that no longer exist, but some of the parcels are still privately owned within the Park.  Obviously, if the road is reopened, vehicular access would be restored to these parcels and potentially the value would increase.  Why would not this be disclosed in the article?   Again, transparency is lacking.

In summary, my research has made me very hesitant about Seegers.   My concern is that if he is not being transparent about the items above, is there a hidden agenda in his campaign?   I look at his signs and the word “Build” stands out.   Considering his and his family’s history in development I am not sure what that means, but hopefully it does mean out of state businesses building unaffordable homes in the County and artificially driving up our assessed valuations and with it our property taxes.  Look closely at the contributions to the campaign, with money coming from Texas and California and this amplifies my concerns.  \[https://www.pdc.wa.gov/political-disclosure-reporting-data/browse-search-data/candidates/3382056#contributions\\\](https://www.pdc.wa.gov/political-disclosure-reporting-data/browse-search-data/candidates/3382056#contributions).  

PS.  This is all public information and not doxxing. As a candidate for public office your life is an open book.  If you don’t want to be an open book, don’t run for office. 

Edit:I did not write or research this. U/YuriPNW did [https://www.reddit.com/r/portangeles/comments/1t0uns0/comment/okte9pr/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web3x&utm\_name=web3xcss&utm\_term=1&utm\_content=share\_button](https://www.reddit.com/r/portangeles/comments/1t0uns0/comment/okte9pr/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

I've lived here about 10 years and something that still baffles me is how much bad luck I have with local businesses being unreliable. I'm talking about lawn service, home repairs, vehicle repairs, etc. Anything where we are arranging for someone to meet me somewhere, like at my house, I've had about a 50% success rate with them actually showing up. When I call to follow up, it's usually that something came up and they were just not bothered to inform me, but occasionally I've had people pretend they don't know who I am and others that just ghost.

I've asked some locals about this and I've been told everyone here operates on "Peninsula time". Has that been others' experience? Or am I doing something wrong here?

Hey neighbors across the water, Victoria BC here. If you are looking for a fun event the last Saturday in May, come check out the Fernwood Cat Walk.

May 30, 2-4 pm

Take a walk thru the Fernwood neighborhood and check out the resident felines who will be on display. Free and fluffy.

fernwoodcatwalk.com

I 64 M and my Wife 60F have been outdoors People all thru 35 years of Marriage loving Hiking Biking Surf Sports, and Paddling for many years.

All those Action sports leave us with a big appetite and thirst!

What are local options for Craft Breweries, or any remarkable Ethnic food places in Clallam County or a reasonable drive for special Meals?

We are Gourmet cooks thru years of practice and can pull off good family style meals in Indian , Japanese, a little Ethiopian, and Thai and Mexican food.

But of these varied Cuisines are there any Restaurants you would recommend?

If I found a Solid Craft Brewery With Hazy IPAs and some Fruity Sours, and some Ethiopian Food, or an Indian Chaat snack stop

I would be Over the Moon!

We have all seen the signs, maybe looked at his website, or the flood of interest of conservatives on Facebook. Curious what people's opinions of him are.

While I still need to do more research, some of his supporters and his seemingly support for criminalization of homelessness and opposition for harm reduction concern me.

Curious what other think.

What’s the deal with that seedy looking massage place on the corner of Race and Front? I haven’t noticed the “open” sign lit up until just now as I drove by, and it’s 9pm. It is not listed on Google. Do sketchy happy ending massage parlors really just exist out in the open like that??

Just east of the bridge on 8, is it the Strait View Church? There was a gaggle of people standing around looking at a car sized hole in the building.

Hey there, I just moved to PA not too long ago and am a total coffee addict. So far only been to Fog town, Lincoln st, and New day eatery and loved all of them. But I want to know what places everyone else recommends or drinks I should try and thank you in advance!!

https://pabuildingsvscars.com/

We encourage you to check out the website before additional calls are made for updating the map. It takes time to process and verify a crash, find news links and update the website. We strive to be as fast as we can.

We do encourage you to check out our updated sites and updated verification of the crash sites.

Please use the notification options on the website as those are the fastest methods to notify us.

Be safe and may your foundations hold you firm.

Looking for recommendation for a local plumber. Thank you in advance!

Are there any current initiatives to have a flock camera by Taco Bell removed?

Happened again. A full size truck mounted the sidewalk, took out a few signs and mailboxes, then drove into (and almost out the other side of) the Baptist Church on 8th between the bridges.

Thankfully everyone in the church was OK.

It’s disheartened to say that something came up last minute and I can't make it to the Philadelphia 76ers playoff games this week. We have our seats for Friday and on Sunday (Lower Level 101, Row 17) that we need to find a home for since they shouldn't go to waste. If any fellow fans are looking to be there in person, please shoot me a PM! I'd much rather these go to someone from this community than a random resale site.....

#Direct action

I don't know of anything in particular this month

#Meetings

###North Olympic DSA

General meeting - Thursday May 28th, 6:30PM; Campfire Clubhouse (Jessie Webster Park behind Swains in Port Angeles) or online

###Indivisible Port Angeles

The monthly general meeting is not yet scheduled

###Indivisible Sequim

General Meeting Saturday May 9th, mid afternoon (contact them for location and specific time)

#Weekly Events

(PLEASE comment below if you know about events that I don't!)

###Queer and Trans yoga

Wednesdays 5pm-6pm; campfire clubhouse (south end of jessie webster park), - $15/class, NOTAFLOF

###Treepark Collective Mutual Aid Support & Harm Reduction (MASHR)

food and supplies distribution: Saturdays 1-3; at Jessie Webster park, volunteers always welcome!

community art night; 3rd mondays (5/18) 6-8pm; Port Angeles Public Library

###Food Bank sorting party - every other Wednesday (5/6, 5/20, 6/3), 4:00-5:30pm, Port Angeles Food bank

Help quality check and sort community food bank donations! Other volunteer opportunities are available, but the sorting party is the best "introductory" volunteer position.

###City Council Meetings - 1st and 3rd tuesdays 6:30-10:00pm, Port Angeles city hall

5/5 - happy cinco de Mayo! we're going to push for a permanent ban on ALPRs and argue against increasing the number of police officers in the city

5/18 - most of the items from the homelessness meeting are due on this day

###Popup protest (Sequim) - Friday 3-4pm, Washington st./Sequim ave

Maybe stop by and give these folks something actually helpful they could be doing?

###Popup protest (Port Angeles) - Saturday 12-1pm, Port Angeles courthouse lawn

Maybe stop by and give these folks something actually helpful they could be doing?

#Elections

It's filing week! The current candidate list (per the PDC - plus a bit of research)

Pos 1:

• Adam Bernbaum (Democrat, incumbent)
• Ted Bowen (Independent)
• Aiden Hamilton (Republican)

Pos 2:

• Patrick DePoe (Democrat)
• Mark Hodgson (Democrat)
• Kaylee Kuehn (Democrat)
• Bradley Nemo Callaway (Democrat/Socialist)
• Marcia Kelbon (Independent, former Republican)