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Residents urge Clallam County commissioners to reconsider Heritage Advisory Board appointment
Summary
Dozens of public commenters urged Clallam County commissioners to halt or reconsider the appointment of Derek Eberly to the Heritage Advisory Board, citing past land-use disputes, alleged conflicts of interest and calls for more vetting; the appointment was included in and approved as part of the consent agenda.
Dozens of residents used the Jan. 13 public-comment periods to urge Clallam County commissioners to reconsider an appointment to the county’s Heritage Advisory Board, alleging conflicts tied to past land‑use disputes and calling for more vetting.
The speakers — including Joe Tobler of Jamestown Road and Denise Lapiosqua of Sequim — said the candidate, identified in public remarks as Derek Eberly, has a record that, they said, demonstrates a pattern of private actions that conflict with preservation of shared heritage. "This is not a personal attack… it is a record of someone repeatedly aligned with efforts to privatize, restrict, or eliminate public access," Joe Tobler said, arguing the appointment sends "a troubling message" about the board’s independence.
Several commenters tied the candidate to a high‑profile Town Road dispute, saying the road’s closure and related decisions had public-safety consequences. Tobler told the board that during the period surrounding the road closure "a home burned down" and that an investigation later "found no evidence to support the claims," a detail he cited to argue against appointing someone tied to those events.
Other speakers raised concerns about perceived fraternization and political ties between commissioners and the nominee, and several urged the board to provide fuller vetting and clearer documentation before confirming the appointment.
County staff and commissioners did not pull the appointment for separate discussion. The resolution appointing members to the Heritage Advisory Board was part of the consent agenda and "moved and seconded" for approval; the consent agenda — which included vouchers and minutes as well as the appointments — passed by voice vote.
Why it matters: commenters interpreted the Heritage Advisory Board role as a guardianship of public access and history; they said appointing someone with prior involvement in contested land‑use disputes undermines public trust. The board did not record separate debate on that specific appointment during the meeting.
What’s next: Because the appointment was approved as part of the consent agenda, members were authorized under that resolution; members of the public said they will continue to press the board for reconsideration and follow‑up, and some asked commissioners to revisit appointment procedures and vetting.
Sources: Public comments during the Jan. 13 Clallam County commissioners meeting (multiple speakers).
