The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

To The Eagle:

I did not go to meetings in regards to the new junk/waste ordinance. I did not feel that it applied to me. I also voted against the ordinance.

The ordinance basically says that your neighbors have a right to not have to look at anything that they feel is junk on your property. But it actually does not matter who is offended by something on your property, anyone can file a claim against anyone. This is a county ordinance, but you only have to comply if someone files a complaint against you. I think that everyone in the county should have to comply, including the county, the Town of Cathlamet, all the people who work for the county and others that work in our community that have properties that could be in violation.

I would say that at least 80 percent of the properties on the Island could be in violation. You may not even know that your are in violation. Anything on your property that is two cubic feet or more can be considered junk. Do you have an old antique tractor? Well, it doesn’t run, so it may be junk. Two cubic feet of yard ornaments may be considered junk. Two cubic feet of wood? Better be sheltered. A business? You’re not exempt.

And who determines if your stuff is junk? A health department employee. Your property may not be a health hazard (maybe mentally to someone) and the health department employee is making that decision in his own opinion (with some guidelines). Our tax dollars pay for this. I saw him working on a Saturday. Accommodation for people who work, I would be willing to bet he’s getting paid time and a half if not even double pay. Are our property taxes going to be raised?

You can petition with the commissioners only after you fail to comply and get a fine and pay that fine. If you fail to comply the sheriff can come on your private property and remove your stuff at your expense.

I know who complained against us and I know they trespassed on my property. I was shown pictures by the health department that they took while trespassing on my property. Does this ordinance now mean that anyone can break the law and trespass?

We have not had our official inspection yet but a friend of ours has and was told she has to get rid of her shed. I had no idea that buildings were included in this ordinance. So now do the old barns in our community that have so much history and character have to all be torn down? And what’s next? Are we going to be told how to upkeep our homes and yards?

I would like to start a petition to get rid of the ordinance. I do not think that everyone knew what they were voting on and I think that many would change their vote if they did know. I would also bet that a majority of the people that voted for it are in violation themselves.

Sue Kuller

Puget Island