“Whereas the Board of County Commissioners of Jefferson County found 1) unsanitary and unsafe inhabited dwelling accommodations exist in Jefferson County; 2) that there is a shortage of accommodations available to persons of low income and senior citizens with rents or mortgages they can afford; and 3) there is a shortage of safe and sanitary dwellings, apartments, mobile home parks and other living accommodations available for low-income persons and senior citizens in Jefferson County.”

“Whereas it is written in the Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan Goal HSG 1.0, that the County shall encourage and support efforts to provide an adequate supply of housing for County residents of all income groups.”

It’s been 10 years since the above resolutions were promulgated and approved by the county commissioners. Aside for a long-ago rescue of the Garden Court Apartments in Port Hadlock, little or nothing of consequence has been accomplished since.

In the meantime, planning department staffers continue to serve Garth Mann and his Black Point development – a pricey “for members only” gated community alongside the Hood Canal.

Commissioners now talk of a sewage treatment plant that could reduce development costs and thereby offer the possibility of affordable shelter to those in dire need. And it’s true – a sewage treatment plant would help. Yet it, alone, won’t solve the problem. A great deal more in the way of imaginative ideas are needed. Sorry to say, those in charge are largely bereft of such.

A tragedy, for there are some amongst us who have the background and experience to creatively deal with the matters at hand. It’s well past time to bring them to the table.

TODD WEXMAN

Port Townsend