Heated veterans question off burner for a week

PORT ANGELES — A proposal to combine the Clallam County veterans assistant with a Serenity House program to help offenders re-enter society will receive at least another week of study.

But no matter how long the discussion lasts, it’s unlikely Mike Chapman will back it.

He won’t, at least, unless the veterans assistant remains a county employee who answers to county commissioners, including Chapman, R-Port Angeles.

The commissioners’ work session on the discussion Monday drew about a dozen veterans who divided themselves on opposite sides of the room — and opposing viewpoints.

The vets grumbled at each other as they spoke for or against the project, but Chapman struck the hottest sparks when he snapped at Commissioner Steve Tharinger, D-Dungeness.

When Tharinger recommended that Chapman discuss the issue with county staff, Chapman fired back, “I’ve already done that. Quit telling me what to do with my own time.”

The meeting’s mood returned to congeniality after commissioners moved off the veterans issue.

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