

(Airdate: January 19, 2024) Co-hosts Jim Burke and Heidi Eisenhour talked about an Olympic Peninsula Strategic Plan with Steve Shively of the Jefferson County Tourism Marketing Group and Marsha Massey, Executive Director of The Olympic Peninsula Tourism Council.

(Airdate: January 12, 2024) Jim Burke and co-host Kate Dean talk with Monte Reinders, Director of Public Works and Willie Bence, Director of Emergency Management about the sudden snow storm on January 11 and the condition of the roads, the continuing cold snap, and what people can expect over the next few days in Jefferson County. Options for the unhoused here in the County were also discussed, including the Winter Welcoming Center at the Pope Marine Building in PT, which will be open 24 hours until at least Monday January 15.

(Airdate: January 5, 2024) Jim Burke and co-host County Commissioner Greg Brotherton welcome Cindy Brooks, The Director of EDC Team Jefferson. The Economic Development Council is competing to gain a large grant for the North Olympic Peninsula (Clallam and Jefferson Counties and local tribes) from the Federal Government under The RECOMPETE Act. The grant would help EDC create a pilot program to help address underemployment in 25-54 age range. The Program is designed to help remove “barriers to employment.”

(Airdate: December 22, 2023) This week on County Connections Commissioner Kate Dean and her co-host Jim Burke speak with Jefferson County Tax Assessor Jeff Chapman about TAXES! Jeff explains the way properties are valued and the process of drawing up those fun tax bills that start getting sent out in February, as well as the effect that voter-approved lid-lifts for Fire and Rescue and EMS will have on property owners bottom lines next year.

(Airdate: December 15, 2023) Taylor Clark spoke with Jefferson County Commissioner Greg Brotherton as Greg took stock of what has been happening at the county in 2023 as well as looking forward to 2024. We talked about a range of topics, including the pool dialogue, local delivery tax, and even AI. Housing too.

(Airdate: December 1, 2023) Guest host Taylor Clark spoke with Mark McCauley, Jefferson County Administrator and Judy Shepherd, Jefferson County Finance Manager about the county budget process. The biannual budget will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners this Monday, December 4. This is the end of a process that began in October. Listen in to find out more about how the budget is created.

(Airdate: October 27, 2023) Jim Burke‘s co-host was County Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour. Their guests are John Bellow of Spring Rain Farm, Nichole Witham of Chimacum Farm Stand, and Amanda Millholland of Jefferson County Farmer’s Markets. They talked about the “end of the growing season” which really never ends.

