PORT TOWNSEND — A small group of homeless people who have shifted between two local campgrounds since the Port Townsend Winter Shelter closed in March have indicated they don’t plan to move when their allotted time at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds campground expires Thursday.
“Every 10 days we have been required to move,” said Barbara Morey during the public comment period at the Jefferson County commissioners meeting Monday.
Morey is the treasurer for the Affordable Housing Action Group advocacy organization that has raised the money to fund the campers’ stays.
“When our 10 days is up this Thursday, we will pay for another 10 days. We will follow all the rules, but we will not be moving.”
Morey said that six people, four women and two men, are currently living at the site which includes two trailers and an occasional tent.
The group has changed and has only one original member from its formation in March.
The group first settled at the fairgrounds, asking permission from manager Bill McIntire, who stated he did not want the group to camp at the fairgrounds.
The group ignored McIntire’s wishes and checked into the fairgrounds for 10 days.
Since that time, it has alternated between the campgrounds and Fort Worden State Park, which has a similar limit.
Fees are cheaper at the fairgrounds — $20 a night compared to Fort Worden which can be more than twice that.
Morey said that the six people who are currently in the camp are disabled, so the enforcement of the 10-day rule constitutes discrimination.
“There is no discrimination,” McIntire said. “We just want people to follow the rules.”
McIntire said it was important for campers to vacate every 10 days in order to mow the lawn and clean the area.
He indicated that he might accept the group’s moving from one site to another without having to leave the campgrounds.
Elizabeth Chorneau, one of the campers, said she didn’t agree with that assessment, adding that the fairground staff has mowed regularly around the area in which they are staying.
The mowing often occurs at 7:30 a.m., something that an advocate of the encampment, Julia Cochrane, characterized as “harassment.”
Sue McIntire, who with her husband manages the fairgrounds, would not comment as to what they would do if the group declines to follow the rules.
She said there has been little or no direct contact between the encampment tenants, their advocates and the fair management.
Additionally, there has been no direct contact between county officials and fair management to discuss a resolution, Sue McIntire said.
Bill McIntire said that all encampment tenants would need to vacate during the county fair, August 14-16, and all facilities would be shut off October 1.
McIntire called the incident “a mountain over a molehill,” and the tenants don’t want to make it any bigger than it already is.
“This is not civil disobedience,” Chorneau said. “We are not linking our arms or giving a performance. We are just not leaving.”
Those wishing to contribute items to the encampment can contact the Boiler Room at 360-379-8247.
Cash contributions can be taken to any First Federal branch and deposited into an account in the name of “Port Townsend Tent City.”
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
