Ozias tops in Clallam commissioner beauty contest results

PORT ANGELES — Incumbent Mark Ozias was the clear leader in the primary beauty contest for the Sequim-area Clallam County Commissioner District 1 position.

Partisan races must be included on primary ballots — which are generally reserved for races with three or more candidates — even if only two candidates have filed. The results may be interesting but the vote that matters is in November.

Results from Tuesday’s initial count and another count late Wednesday showed Ozias, a Democrat, earning 4,181 votes to Republican Brandon Janisse’s 2,618, or 61.24 percent of the vote compared to 38.35 percent. Another count is planned by 4:30 p.m. today.

Those results mean Ozias will be listed first on the Nov. 5 ballot.

“I’m pleased to see the results and it encourages me to work hard between now and November so I can improve on that number,” Ozias said when reached by phone Wednesday.

Janisse, currently a Sequim City Council member, said he is “disheartened” at the results, but that he won’t “dwell in the past.”

“I’m moving forward and getting the word out there on what I would like to accomplish,” Janisse said. “I’ll continue moving forward doorbelling and letting people know what I stand for.”

Both candidates speculated that the higher voter turnout in their race, which was at 31.76 percent, could be attributed to the high visibility of the position and the interest surrounding the Jamestown S’Kallam Tribe’s proposed medication-assisted treatment center planned for Sequim.

The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe plans to build a $20 million facility.

The first phase involves building a 15,000-square-foot building to house the MAT clinic on a 20-acre parcel in Sequim. The second phase, which Olympic Medical Center will help with, involves adding a 16-bed inpatient psychiatric evaluation and treatment facility.

“I’m happy whenever people are paying attention to local government and choosing to use their voice,” Ozias said.

Ozias said that though county government is not involved with the proposed facility, he expects it to become a campaign issue.

“I understand why some folks who live in Sequim are concerned and understand many people have questions,” Ozias said.

“I’m well aware there is a lot of misinformation … and I’m going to do my best to provide accurate information.”

Janisse said he wanted to learn more about the proposal before taking a stand either way.

“It’s hard to give an answer without hearing what the tribe has to say,” Janisse said. “I have concerns, as everyone else does.”

Janisse said he plans to attend the tribe’s informational meeting concerning the facility this evening. It is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Guy Cole Event Center, 202 N. Blake Ave.

Ozias said his top campaign issue is working on building effective county government. He said that means to continue to work with commissioners and citizens around the county and to set priorities.

He said that means looking at capital planning, emergency management planning and facilities needs, and continuing to look closely at projects like the Dungeness off-channel reservoir.

Janisse said the top issue he would like to see addressed is housing.

He proposes opening “different allowable uses” to increase the amount of single-family and multi-family residences. He also wants to look at the county’s fee structures.

________

Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsula dailynews.com.

More in News

Carissa Guiley of Silverdale, left, along with daughters Mia Guiley, 5, and Evelyn Guiley, 8, peer over a rocky bluff at a sea stack in Crescent Bay on Saturday near Port Crescent. The family was on an outing at Salt Creek County Recreation Area. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
What’s over the edge?

Carissa Guiley of Silverdale, left, along with daughters Mia Guiley, 5, and… Continue reading

Examiner approves Habitat project

Wetland buffer limits size to 45 units

Sequim caps municipal funding for next year’s budget

Council members share concerns about deadlines, limits

KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
June Ward, 10, examines a wooden paddle she is decorating as her father, Jack Ward of Port Angeles, works on his own paddle during a craft-making session on Friday at the Elwha Klallam Heritage Center in Port Angeles. The paddles are among the thousands of gifts being created for participants in the 2025 Tribal Canoe Journey, hosted this year by the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. The event begins with the landing of dozens of native canoes at the mouth of the Elwha River on July 31 and continues with five days of celebration on the Lower Elwha reservation west of Port Angeles. As many as 10,000 indigenous peoples are expected to take part. The public is invited to help with giftmaking sessions, scheduled daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Heritage Center.
Canoe paddle crafts

June Ward, 10, examines a wooden paddle she is decorating as her… Continue reading

Ralph Henry Keil and Ginny Grimm.
Long lost sailor to be honored at graduation

An honorary diploma will be presented to the family of… Continue reading

Singers to workshop vocal instruments at Fort Worden

One hundred and fifty singers to join together in song

Jefferson County fire danger risk level to move to high

Designation will prohibit fireworks over Fourth of July weekend

Candidate forums to be presented next week

The League of Women Voters of Clallam County and… Continue reading

Port Townsend City Council candidate forum set for next month

The League of Women Voters of Jefferson County will… Continue reading

Jefferson County to host series of community conversations

Jefferson County will conduct a series of Community Conversations… Continue reading

Denise Thornton of Sequim deadheads roses on a flower display at the Sequim Botanical Garden at the Water Reuse Demonstration Park at Carrie Blake Park on Wednesday in Sequim. Thornton, a volunteer gardener, was taking part in a work party to maintain the beauty of the garden. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Rose display

Denise Thornton of Sequim deadheads roses on a flower display at the… Continue reading