In today’s troubled times, it’s especially gratifying to see some truly decent people stepping up to run for local office.
One of those is Bruce Emery, running for director of the Clallam County Department of Community Development (DCD).
I had the pleasure of working alongside Bruce in DCD for several years.
Quite often I would hear him telling land-owners something they didn’t want to hear.
It wasn’t an easy job, explaining laws and regulations to folks who didn’t want to hear about those things but just wanted to get their project done.
Nonetheless, Bruce would patiently explain how the rules, by and large, were in place to protect us all from one another; who wants a Midway Metals mess in their neighborhood?
Or to protect the environment that protects our air, water, food, recreation and the rest.
He’d describe things like the water cycle, septic system operation and what wetlands do for us; but he didn’t stop there.
He’d invite landowners to zoom out and describe their underlying objective rather than the specific building plan, so he could help them find a solution that would meet their objectives alongside society’s best interests.
It’s that kind of extra-mile work that gives Clallam DCD staff such a generally positive reputation.
I think Bruce is well supported by the current DCD staff, because they know he’s been there behind the counter as well as on the other side.
With Bruce’s experience, decency and collaborative leadership background, he will be a truly great DCD director.
Ed Chadd
Port Angeles