This week, In a special Fund Drive edition of County Connections, Jim Burke and co-host Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour welcome Jefferson County Department of Public Works Director/County Engineer Al Cairns and Tracy Grisman, Chair and District #1 Citizen Representative on SWAC (Solid Waste Advisory Commitee). They discuss solid waste, recycling, the upcoming plans for county-wide solid waste curbside service, and the relocation of the Transfer station.
Also. on Monday, October 27 at the Transfer Station from 5-7 pm is the unveiling of artwork developed through the A.I.R.E. program (Artist In Residency and Education) which brings focus to recycling and uses actual trash for the assemblage.(Airdate: October 17, 2025) Jim Burke and Commissioner Heather Dudley-Nollette are joined by Karen Affeld, Director of the North Olympic Development Council. They discuss what the Council does for Jefferson AND Clallam County business development and preservation of the environment (the built and the natural environment.) The area has a high number of unemployed among 25-54 year-olds and qualified for a non-compete grant from the federal government to spur job growth.
You can find out more and offer support to the N.O.D.C. by going to their website: https://www.noprcd.org/(Airdate: October 10, 2025) This week on County Connections, Jim Burke and co-host Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour welcome Jessica Lowe, who is the Director of the Jefferson County Children’s Advocacy Center. From their webpage: “In response to the needs of Jefferson County, efforts are currently underway by the Olympic Peninsula YMCA and community partners to develop an accredited Child Advocacy Center where children who experience abuse, and non-offending family members, can come for safety, justice and healing.”
The Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) has a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) that draws on a dozen local agencies and keeping focus on the child so they avoid having to recount the abuse to many different people repeatedly, reducing further trauma. The CAC occupies the space vacated by KPTZ Radio after they moved to the New KPTZ station at Fort Worden. To find out more and to support the CAC go to their webpage.(Airdate: October 3, 2025) Jim Burke and Commissioner Heather Dudley-Nollette welcome Shawn Frederick, Director of Central services to the program, and discuss how the department supports the county administration behind the scenes with facilities management, and support the public to through the IT department. There is a community meeting in the west end at the Hoh Tribal Center on October 22nd, from 6-8pm, and anyone may view the meeting on the county website at https://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/
(Airdate: September 26, 2025) Commissioner Greg Brotherton and Jim Burke welcome Josh Peters, County Administrator and Drummer with Abracadabra Trip. They discuss a series of community meetings that have been happening at community centers throughout the county, and one that is coming up at the Hoh Tribal Center in the west end of the county on October 22 at 6pm. Go to co.jefferson.wa.us to attend virtually or get more information.
Reminder to listeners to ask questions of Dr. Berry or Willie Bence by writing to: [email protected] by Friday October 3 at 12 noon to be answered on Monday, October 6 at 9:45am during the BOCC public Health Report.(Airdate: September 19, 2025) This week on County Connections, Betsy Carlson, chair of Jefferson Marine Resources Committee (MRC) and Citizen Science Coordinator for Port Townsend Marine Science Center (PTMSC), and Neil Harrington, Environmental Biologist for the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, and a member of MRC, speak with Jim Burke and Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour about the MRC, and the committees work to protect and improve shoreline and marine habitat in Jefferson County. The next meeting of the MRC is Tuesday October 7 from 6 to 8pm at the WSU extension in Port Hadlock and is open to the public. More info at https://jeffersonmrc.org/.
Jim Burke and co-host Commissioner Greg Brotherton welcome Viet Nam combat vet John Hamilton. John is the chair of the County Veteran’s Advisory Committee, and Service officer for The Veteran’s Assistance Fund. John, Greg, and Jim discuss “The Wall That Heals,” a 3/4 replica of the Viet Nam Veteran’s Memorial which is on display 24 hours a day from Thursday afternoon 9/11/25 through 2pm Sunday 9/14/25 at The Jefferson County Airport. They also discuss the Veteran’s Advisory Board and the Veteran’s assistance fund. Tuesdays from 9am to noon John is at the Port Townsend Community Center to assist veterans signing up for benefits. For info on The Wall That Heals go to the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial website. For veterans services, go to this link.
(Airdate: September 5, 2025) This week, Jim Burke and co-host Commissioner Heather Dudley-Nollette welcome Superior Court Judge Brandon Mack. Part of Heather’s County 101 series, we learn about how the superior Court is set up in Jefferson County and how it serves the people: all the people. We also learn a bit about Judge Mack’s journey to the bench.
(Airdate: August 29, 2025) Commissioner Greg Brotherton and co-host Jim Burke welcome David Baalif, Exeutive Director, and Phoebe Reid, Community Workforce Coordinator. Both with EDC Team Jefferson. The Economic Development Council (EDC) Team Jefferson focuses on high-leverage, place-based activities that improve the economic well-being and quality of life for people in Jefferson County, and the living systems in which we are embedded. They seek mentors and those looking to expand their businesses who might need guidance, training and other resources. The website is: https://www.edcteamjefferson.org/.
(Airdate: August 22, 2025) JIm Burke and co-host Commissioner Heather Dudley-Nollette welcome Director of Emergency Management Willie Bence and Danny Milholland, Head of The Production Alliance. They discuss the ways DEM and the PRODUCTION ALLIANCE work together to host events that build community involvement and resilience, such as Airport Day, The All-County Picnic (now PREPAREDNESS DAY – https://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/1067/Preparedness-Planning – neighborhood-preparedness/), The Connectivity Summit, The Farm Tour, Boatyard BBQ and Port Townsend Pride.
