In this issue
Wolves split with Riders, Eagles, A-8
Railroaders ready rails for 20th show, B-1 Wednesday, September 18, 2019
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Vol. 46, Number 38
Two withdraw from school board races One race remains contested for November ballot BY MATTHEW NASH Sequim Gazette
Races for seats on the Sequim School Board of Directors narrowed in recent weeks, as two candidates dropped out to leave just one race contested. Charles W. Smith III, a real estate broker with Professional Realty Services, and Jerry Mote, a property manager, said they’ve dropped out of their respective races.
Smith was running for the Director at Large seat No. 5 against Eric Pickens, a first grade teacher at Port Angeles’ Franklin Elementary SMITH School, while Mote filed as an official write-in candidate against Larry Jeffryes, a retired teacher. That leaves seat No. 3, with incum-
bent Jim Stoffer seeking reelection against challenger Beth Smithson. Smith’s name will remain on the Nov. 5 ballot because it was too late for his name to be taken off when he withdrew on Sept. 12. He said his decision to withdraw was due to personal reasons. Since his decision, Smith said, he’s deleted his candidate social media presence, taken down his campaign signs, and does not plan to attend an
upcoming League of Women Voters of Clallam County candidate forum, set for 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6, at the Sequim Civic Center. Mote, an assistant football coach at Sequim High School for six years, said he withdrew his candidacy after he learned that staff members cannot be board directors. “I prefer to keep coaching football,” he said. Mote said he didn’t campaign and only told a few people of his intentions to run. He said his application went in
during the filing period this summer, but there was an issue with his voter registration address and physical address so he had to clear it up in order to be an official candidate. When asked why he wanted on the board, Mote said, “I thought I could make a difference and help.” “I’m not a political person,” he said. Mote has four children in Sequim schools, ranging from fifth grade to high school junior.
See SCHOOL BOARD, A-11
In 2017, George Peterson, seen here with Shyla the dog, purchased Peninsula Nursery with the vision to create a place for community. Now he’s facing backlash from community members for his support of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s medication-assisted treatment facility and has seen his business drop “significantly” in the past month. Karen Willcutt started as a real estate broker in November 2018 with Town & Country in Sequim. She’s experienced drug addiction herself and seen it in her family. Willcutt recently stepped down from a leadership role with the group Save Our Sequim in opposition of placing a medication-assisted treatment facility in Sequim because her workload increases so much. Sequim Gazette photos by Matthew Nash
Businesses take sides on MAT clinic discussion
Nursery, restaurant face boycotts BY MATTHEW NASH
town S’Klallam tribe’s proposed medication-assisted treatment (MAT) facility. The divide in Sequim is becomThousands of comments pering more evident over the James- meate social media for and against
Sequim Gazette
the clinic. Letters to the editor are becoming more prevalent on the matter and yard signs and window placards are showing up across the area. Some business owners have taken a stand in their own ways, too. Both George Peterson, owner
of Peninsula Nursery, and Karen Willcutt, a broker with Town & Country Real Estate, have been affected by addiction and both say they care deeply for their community. The two, however, stand on different sides of the conversation. Peterson publicly support the
proposed clinic because of its potential to support people with addiction, while Willcutt said she fears it could bring in more drugs and crime to the area.
See MAT, A-10
State officals concerned about vape-related lung illnesses Peninsula pot retailers: Vape products tested, safe BY MICHAEL DASHIELL Sequim Gazette
State officials are monitoring an ongoing investigation headed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration, following an outbreak of severe lung illnesses associated with vaping products. U.S. health officials said on Sept. 12 that there are 380 confirmed and probable cases of vaping-related
breathing illnesses in 36 states and one territory. Washington State Department of Health officials on Sept. 16 confirm two new cases of severe pulmonary disease linked to vaping. The cases, identified by the Spokane Regional Health District, are both living in Spokane County, bringing the state’s total to three. The first reported case was a resident of King County. “The symptoms of these
cation director/spokesman, said CDC and FDA officials are recommending that people not use vaping products as the investigation continues. “We’re taking it very seriously,” Smith said last week. All three confirmed cases reported vaping prior to illness but to date we have not identified a product, device or additive that are common to all three cases, Department of Health officials said. Investigations into the specifics of products, device and additives are ongoing. Smith said the liquor and
patients match what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have asked all state and local health jurisdictions to be on the lookout for in regards to the nationwide investigation into this matter,” Washington State Health Officer Kathy Lofy said in a press release this week. “This is now a state-wide outbreak,” she said. Brian Smith, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board communi-
“This is now a state-wide outbreak.” Kathy Lofy Washington state health officer
cannabis board officials recently met with Washington State Department of Health leaders, representatives with the governor’s office and industry officials, and plan to meet with leaders from other states early this week regarding the outbreak. Smith said on Sept. 13 he anticipates state officials will soon issue a public health notice.
On its website, the state Department of Health department notes: “If you continue to use vaping devices, you should monitor yourself for symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath, chest pain) and promptly seek medical attention if you have concerns about your health. You should never buy vaping
See VAPING, A-6
Arts & Entertainment B-1 • Business B-8 • Opinion A-12 • Obituaries A-14 • Schools B-7 • Sports A-7 • Classifieds C-1 • Crossword Section C
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36 Months
▲63 ▼52
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