Jefferson County is our state’s most venerable county. In fact, it places ninth oldest of all America’s 3,144 counties.

Is it me, or are mature folk with electric cars arriving every minute? The median house price in Port Townsend shot up 12 percent in 2016, boosted by cash offers.

A family looking for a rental? That’s a fool’s game, as spare bedrooms are only for Airbnb sightseers, now.

Twentysomething vagabond looking for lodging? Well, Fort Worden evicted the hostellers and caters to glampers these days.

Port Townsend might be the palest city in Washington, as non-whites are less than 7 percent in our fair town.

After 60 years observing America, I’ve come to a conclusion – there’s a reason why there aren’t any minorities around.

If our city decides to make Port Townsend a sanctuary for those without passports, why not make it a refuge for young, poor and off-white people, too.

Buying local is a fine ambition.

This Christmas I bought a Little Chief fish smoker for a 12-year-old angler. List price is $125. The sticker at the local department store read $179. It was $92 on Amazon.

I felt guilty even looking online, so I bought it at Swain’s in Port Angeles for $95. Since I’d driven to PA, I replaced my cracked windshield, too, saving another $100.

Regular was 30 cents cheaper at the Safeway pump 45 miles farther west from Port Townsend’s grocer.

While filling up, I whacked my funny bone; the Washington State Hospital Association advises me an elbow replacement in PA costs less than half what a new one does in my town.

What gives, why all the extra expense in Port Townsend? Change happens imperceptibly. Citizens, take stock of yourselves.

STEPHEN WORKMAN

Port Townsend