Trains, Brains & Megadeals
All right, Mr. DeMille, Jeff's ready for his close-up.
Jeff Tozzer is proud of his family history on the Peninsula, noting his pioneer heritage dating back to the 1860s. To learn more about his family history, in 2021, Jeff submitted a question and photo to the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Newsletter, vol. 42, I. 9, Sept. 2021, page 16. (File located below.) The article explains, “Jeff McInnes Tozzer, a descendant of the pioneer McInnes family, found a photo in old family archives that may have belonged to the McInnes side of his family. He wrote asking for help identifying the people in the photo.” The article quotes Jeff, “‘the McInnes’ have farmed Jamestown Road for generations and were friends with many Jamestown Tribal members.’” He asks, “‘Would any of your tribal elders be able to identify the people in this photo?’”
This family history (“friends for many generations”) with the Tribe is important context in light of Jeff’s frequent articles painting the Tribe as “them” versus “us.” To put this in recent historical context, as recently as the fall of 2021—well after MAT clinics, COVID and a QAnon Mayor divided Sequim—Jeff was at least amicable with the Tribe, as well as his ties to Jamestown (the area) and generational friendships. CC Watchdog early readers will remember the origin of Jeff Tozzer’s posts were centered around Towne Road. (One Dec 2023 post.) Could Towne Road really have been the impetus for this switch in opinion?
Though I could follow the thread that Towne Road is what got Jeff interested in local politics, including attending public meetings, sharing information with fellow neighbors, and even running for elected positions, including future elections. I couldn’t quite go so far as to understand how, in two years, Jeff went from sending family photos to the Jamestown Tribe, to viciously attacking the Tribe, Tribal Sovereignty, and Tribal residents.
Further, how could this man described as always offering “a helping hand, huge smile, and can be counted on to be the ‘class clown’” change so much? (Tim’s Place.)
I decided to do a bit more digging beyond Towne Road.
McInnes & Mrs. Tozzer: Jeff’s Ties to the McInnes Family
We can’t talk about Jeff’s issues with the Tribe, without talking about Jeff’s pioneer family history. Jeff is proud of his pioneer heritage established through his mother, Judith Tozzer (née McInnes). In 2018, Dave McInnes, serving as the Grand Marshall for that year’s Irrigation Festival, notes the McInnes family in Sequim, “dates back to his great, great-uncle Don McInnes settling in the Dungeness area in the 1860’s.” (April 25, 2018. Sequim Gazette.)
The book, Sequim: Pioneer Family Histories from: 1850 - 1962, includes McInnes history; moreover, Doug McInnes was an editor of the book. (p. 5. Museum & Arts Center. Sequim, WA. 2001.) I would have thought the McInnes family would have their own “family story,” but they do not. Instead, they are mentioned in other pioneer families’ stories, as friends (p. 24), landlords (p. 83) and as land sellers (“A few years later [Max Schmuck] purchased 160 acres from Donald McInnes, directly east of Earnest’s farm.” p. 207).
Max Schmuck might be the “Seattleite” Jeff claims “swindled” them out of land; though, Max was born in Germany, and immigrated to New York (not Seattle). His brother, Earnest moved from Germany to Sequim (and was neighbors to the McInnes family). Max followed his brother—arriving by train in Seattle where upon Max took a ferry to Port Williams. Not quite Seattleites; though Max and Earnest Schmuck are considered pioneers in our area. It was the Schmucks who made the former McInnes land turn a profit with a dairy, and they kept the Schmuck diary in operation till 1943. Today we residents enjoy driving down Schmuck Road (not McInnes Road) to see the elk and swans. (pgs. 207-208)
The fact that Doug McInnes was an editor for Sequim’s official pioneer family history, and he didn’t find reason to include a “McInnes Family Story” might indicate the family history is “not-so-noteworthy.” It also hints at business failings. Two of the three appearances of the McInnes family history in the book center around leasing land (instead of using it for their farming business), and eventually selling a large trek of the land to another pioneer who was able to make a profit on the land for decades.
Why is this important? Jeff claims his land has been taken from him, by extension. He notes Seattleites took advantage of the McInnes family many generations ago. (Link.) Though, he never mentions the local, pioneer Schmuck family buying 160 acres from the McInnes pioneer family. SUMGUI further breaks down the business choices the McInnes family made, ultimately noting, “It’s not that they were taken advantage of. It is that there must have been MASSIVE failures for years to arrive at that point.” (Link.)
While I don’t mean to pick at an entire family lineage—in fact, many of the McInnes family members seems like wonderful, upstanding residents—Jeff’s victimization requires his readers to look a bit further at his family history, inevitably pulling innocent McInneses into the fray. In this case, we learn about a historic family who, even in the early years of settlement, were selling of their holdings just to survive.
Perhaps Jeff’s recent animosity with the Tribe is his own way of coping with generational loss?
Maybe Jeff is angry at the McInnes side of his family, for selling his land generations before he was a thought?
As Jeff continues to write posts, his vitriol and misinformation has spread from his obsession with Towne Road to the Tribes, politicians, public employees, local government, local media, medical facilities, local farmers, pioneer families, his own family, and non-profits.
Of course, Jeff hasn’t always lived in Sequim. Prior to 2021, when he wrote that letter to the Tribe, he was living in Seattle. Maybe something happened to Jeff while he was living as a Seattleite? Something terrible that planted a seed that festered in Jeff’s heart, ultimately souring him on nearly every institution in the community he believes his family pioneered.
The General: A Personal Injury Complaint
On August 26th and 27th, 2020 (one year prior to writing to the Jamestown Tribe about that family photo), Jeff Tozzer was “operating a train” (¶11 line 4 of complaint included below.) During his journey, Jeff (presumably others) experienced, “violent shaking, moving rapidly and severely laterally back and forth, in an action often described as ‘truck hunting.’” (¶16 lines 16-17.) Unlike a Buster Keaton movie that would score laughs, this incident caused Jeff, “injury, fear and anxiety.” (¶18 line 23.)
Jeff’s total injuries are important:
“Plaintiff sustained sever, permanent and disabling physical injuries including lingering vertigo and nausea, injuries to his neck and back, including to the bones, muscles, tissues, ligaments, and internal parts thereof, and further injuries to his muscular and skeletal systems; and that Plaintiff has suffered in the past and will continue in the future to suffer pain and anguish and loss of enjoyment of life; and that Plaintiff was otherwise injured and potentially permanently disabled.” (¶24)
Jeff’s lawyer knew he had a Clallam County Cash Cow because railroads fall under “strict liability,” in many cases shifting the burden of proof on the defendant (the railroad) not the plaintiff (Jeff). His lawyer also seemed to know to focus on physical injuries, not the “anguish and loss of enjoyment of life” because physical injury damages (money) is not taxed as income (at least at the time of this lawsuit). The fact that Jeff hired a seemingly competent attorney is important; specifically, it’s unlikely a good attorney would make basic mistakes taught in Civil Procedure—a first year law school course.
Dismissal of Complaint
The complaint also lays out “negligence” on the part of the railroad; though, there is no response from the railroad in the public record. Instead, the next filing, a mere four days 1 hour and 50 minutes later, is from the plaintiff (Jeff) filing for an Order of Dismissal. This was a Voluntary Dismissal, and the court outlines the reasoning that the Plaintiff’s Motion (Jeff’s motion) provides. Succinctly, it’s based on procedural reasoning, not substantive issues.
These types of dismissals are fairly common when the plaintiff reaches a settlement with the defendant. Typically, the settlement agreement outlines that the plaintiff will file to dismiss the case, and it may even enumerate on what grounds. Often these grounds look like a failing on the Plaintiff’s part (to save face for the Defendant—Defendants pay extra to save face).
In Jeff’s case, it was in part dismissed because “the Defendant in this case has not been served or appeared.” (¶2 of Dismissal above.) Based on the quality of the complaint, the timing of the Dismissal filing by the moving party (Plaintiff-Jeff), I highly doubt Jeff’s attorney failed to serve the defendant or perform the other procedural issues raised. Instead, it looks like Jeff settled with the Railroad (I’ll back this claim up later). The reader should note that it is not uncommon for negotiations to have taken place for several months prior to a Plaintiff filing in court. Sometimes, the filing is what prompts the other side to finally settle out of court.
These types of settlements usually include an enforceable “non disclosure clause,” meaning Jeff (and sometimes the other parties) cannot discuss this case or its resolution.
Let’s assume Jeff’s claim is accurate, that Jeff was injured, and that his dismissal is because he reached a settlement. Consider the following open ended questions (Jeff loves to use open ended questions to pretend to make a point):
If Jeff sued the railroad for his injuries, why does he lack compassion for other community members who—by no fault of their own—are suffering and in need of help? In his blog, he takes a “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” attitude, but in real life, Jeff will sue if he feels injured.
Why would Jeff champion railroads if he also sued them for negligence that resulted in being “potentially permanently disabled?” Jeff notes his love of railroads as a kid, and how he desires to preserve the history of railroads in this area, yet he personally has been a victim of their practices.
Does Jeff have any permanent disabilities?
Could these injuries be the cause for Jeff’s shift in personality and mood, perhaps one of the many disabilities his attorney references?
Could Jeff be benefiting from (or have benefited from) public taxpayer funds by virtue of his former railroad employer receiving Federal “Grants” in at least 2023-24?
What financial impact might this lawsuit have on Jeff, and could it be enabling him to pursue CC Watchdog?
Mr. Tozzer Goes to Washington: Jeff’s Publicly Disclosed Finances
On May 17th, 2024, Jeff submitted and certified his financial disclosures to seek public office. His first reportable income is from “BNSF Railway Co.” This would be the defendant in his lawsuit. Of course, this doesn’t tell us the character of his income: settlement, retirement, ongoing employment; though, we can pretty much rule out the last two. We also learn about Jeff’s self-employment as an “Innkeeper.” These are his only two forms of income under the “Income” section.
He does, however, have assets that also generate passive income. We also don’t know when or how he acquired these assets. It’s possible, maybe even highly likely, most are from his railroad settlement.
Take for example Jeff’s annual passive income of between $200k and $499k from stocks held in just one of three Charles Schwab accounts. Read that sentence again. Don’t believe me; find the entire PDF of his public disclosure below or online. In this one account, his corpus is valued at over $1,000,000—there is no higher valuation on these forms meaning his account, based purely on the income, is substantially higher than $1,000,000.
His assessed real estate values are over $1.6m. He inherited this land—keep in mind—so next time he seeks sympathy for his family selling their land prior to gifting it to him, ask yourself, did you inherit $1.6m worth of land and then complain about not getting more?
His Credit Union and First Federal accounts are in excess of $190k. These are his checking accounts. Do you have nearly $200k sitting in checking and savings accounts?
His Vanguard 401k account is valued between $750k-$1m. This is likely untouched income, growing so he may one day retire…
Did Jeff’s abbreviated stint as a train engineer really make him a multi-millionaire through hard work? Maybe it was his stint as a Flight Attendant based out of D.C. prior to working for the railroads? Or did he benefit from inheritances and a lawsuit?
I’ve been actively keeping Douglas Miner (Doug is Jeff’s partner) out of my posts, but it’s important to note that most of Jeff’s financial accounts include Doug. Therefore, one must ask, could this amassed wealth come from Doug? Based on Doug’s Linkedin, his last job (which he held for over 6 years) was the Director of Quality at BioLife Solutions, Inc., with a salary roughly between $130,000 - $209,000. Based purely on work history and living in Seattle, though it’s likely Doug has contributed to the household finances, it’s unlikely he is the sole reason Jeff is, today, a multi-millionaire. (I’m choosing not to focus more on Doug’s income/assets/wealth, but after some digging, I doubt folks will find a hidden golden egg in Doug’s past that would explain all this away.)
Wag the Watchdog: Jeff on Charter Review
Mr. Tozzer is an elected official. He is also a self-proclaimed watchdog who champions transparency, accountability, and public access to government. Yet, Mr. Tozzer, who is elected to the Charter Review Commission, finds himself—or should I say—“Clallam County Watchdog” under fire. Here’s a quote from April 5th “Personal Agenda or Public Interest” post:
“On Thursday evening, the CRC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee spent two hours discussing a proposed rule aimed not at censorship of the public, but at restricting the speech of commissioners themselves—particularly those who publish content online, such as Substack writers. The committee repeatedly cited claims of ‘attacks,’ ‘intimidation,’ ‘retaliation,’ and ‘harassment’ stemming from Clallam County Watchdog.” (Link)
Jeff is talking about himself when he says “Clallam County Watchdog.” We know this because of other Watchdog posts (March 29, April 2) he published about an incident involving, of all things, a public comment—Jeff even provides a link to the comment on his March 29th post.
The person commenting noted how Jeff altered images in his articles (something I noted in my first post, though about a different subject), she also noted the unusual nature of an elected official hearing a public comment, then later engaging in discourse on “social media” (Clallam County Watchdog). This incident resulted in fellow Charter Review Commissioner Jim Stoffer stating, “I would like to add potential violations of the OPMA [Open Public Meetings Act] and First Amendment for discussion.” (Link.) The concern from the commission is that this could have a “chilling effect” on public comment, if members of the public fear their comments will be manipulated later and used to foment anger.
Frankly, this style is the basis of Jeff’s entire Substack: attend a public meeting, take a small piece of information from it, upload a portion of a document, and pose a bunch of leading questions that get a rise of out of folks.
Another concern, why is an elected official waiting to respond to public comments on his private media outlet? Isn’t this a transparency issue—his response isn’t on the record, at least not an official record. Isn’t this also an accountability issue, based in particular on Jeff’s standards when he talks about public meetings on Sovereign Tribal land?
Jeff lives by “that’s good for thee, but not for me.” He’s a hypocrite. He’s constantly demanding our elected official uphold the highest standards. He notes they have elevated duties, as elected officials, such as a high fiduciary duty, disclosure of conflicts, and accountability while in office and in all practices. Jeff, however, does not believe these elevated duties apply to him, as an elected official. Instead, he’s still behaving like an unelected citizen. He wants to run his Substack without hinderance, fact-checking, or being called out for violating his duty to serve all of us.
The most insulting part, Jeff is now claiming (once again!) victimhood; he’s afraid his speech will be curtailed because of his actions on CC Watchdog and his role as an elected member of a commission. He is afraid someone will hold him responsible. Jeff doesn’t care about the public’s speech—when we protest at national park layoffs, comment at his public meetings, questing his facts on substack—Jeff only cares about his speech.
Jeff is even posting about the Charter Review Committee today, then launched into completely unrelated tangents centered around the word “American.” What’s going on, Jeff? Are you ok? Are you stable enough to be an elected official? Are voters watching?
The Tozzer of Oz or Kansas: Jamestown/Sequim, Washington
Jeff lives in Sequim, but Doug lives in “Jamestown, Washington,” even though both live at the same address (see check image below, which Jeff posted on his blog on 12/22/24). Check out Doug’s Instagram (@dugminer), such as this adorable post from March 21st. Indeed, in an Oct 11, 2023 Letter to the Editor of the Sequim Gazette, Doug notes he’s from “Jamestown.” In point of fact, Doug really does live in an unincorporated community and census-designated place referred to as “Jamestown.”
It is fascinating that Doug aligns himself with the community of Jamestown, and by extension, the historical and current residents of that area: Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal members. Though the community of 412 people only has 37 residents who identify as Native American, “[o]f the 639 places in Washington, Jamestown is ranked #37 in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population.” (Link.)
Remember how I opened this article: Jeff’s 2021 letter to the Jamestown Tribe asking about information on folks in the photo? Jeff thinks the photo was taken at “Jamestown Beach,” meaning in the community of Jamestown. His relatives have lived in Jamestown for generations; yet, sometime after 2021, Jeff started making a concerted effort to distance himself from this part of his heritage, meanwhile his partner, who by all accounts isn’t from here, is currently aligning with the community of Jamestown. Go Doug!
Now to write like Jeff: Is it intentional that Doug aligns with Jamestown, and is it equally intentional that Jeff does not? Maybe this is Doug’s attempt to distance himself from Jeff’s vitriol? Maybe when you’ve left your city life and city job/salary to become a gardener, artist and AirBnB host, you’re relying on your partner’s income, and the only way you can take a stand against your partner, without jeopardizing your finances, is through small acts like “living” in a different community than your partner?
Jeff’s Trinity: DOGE, Jesus & Charles Schwab
Jeff receives money from USAID—look at his public disclosure forms! Let me explain. Remember when Jeff used a Christian Right-wing website that was pretending to be an official DOGE website to highlight how local non-profits get money from USAID? (Note that you can read about the “historical case for Christianity” while uncovering taxpayer largesse; this might be why most Christian groups do not appear on this website. Also, link to Jeff’s article.)
The exceedingly unreadable and blurry flowcharts Jeff posted to his blog, apparently showed arrows going from USAID to financial institutions like Fidelity Investments Charitable Fund and Schwab Charitable Fund. From Schwab Charitable Fund arrows would go to non-profits. Jeff made an equivocation: That must mean the money from Schwab came from USAID! (Notably, the website Jeff used has changed dramatically, and it’s almost impossible to recreate these “links.”)
Jeff needs a lesson in banking, accounts, and comingling of funds. Lines from USAID to a bank would indicate USAID put money into a bank account (or “fund”). Lines from the bank to a non-profit indicates money when from the bank to a non-profit. Those lines DO NOT show you “whose” money it is, the “character” of the money, or the types of accounts.
So who is Fidelity Investments Charitable Fund and Schwab Charitable Fund? These are the ‘charitable arms” of some of the largest financial institutions in the United States. These firms offer “Donor Advised Funds.” What horrible entities use Donor Advised Funds, you ask? Private individuals, often very wealthy ones. It’s a tax scheme mostly used by the wealthy to offset their taxes without actually donating a thing.
What this means is private individuals with gobs of money are offsetting taxes in Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) in the year they make the contribution to the fund (not to a non-profit). Conceivable, they then request the financial institutions to donate those funds to non-profits. The money from these institutions is from private individuals using DAFs, a vehicle most in the non-profit would agree primarily benefits the private wealthy individual and the firms who earn interest on the money they don’t technically have to give to non-profits. It’s a scheme that Jeff would like you to think is USAID.
Furthermore, donor privacy laws mean non-profits cannot—without permission from the donor—release private donor information. And, donors shouldn’t feel compelled to name themselves. Some folks give with extra humility; some folks post their donation checks online. On Jeff’s charts, private donors remain private and he gets to pretend they’re donations are from USAID.
Jeff has multiple accounts with Charles Schwab, as we saw on his public disclosures. I wonder how much money he received from USAID? You know, after getting his railroad settlement (that may include tax payer “grant” funds).
Jeff also highlights USAID funds coming from an evil and unknowable entity, “Seattle Foundation.” Seattle Foundation, by virtue of being a foundation, has publicly required tax and financial disclosures, something Jeff leaves out. It’s pretty easy to see from their website that, Seattle Foundation offers Donor Advised Funds, too, in addition to their more traditional foundation grant making services and assisting in establishing family foundations. (Link & Link.) If the Seattle Foundation gives a church foodbank a check from a private individual’s “Donor Advised Fund,” is that taxpayer money from USAID? According to Jeff, it is.
Jeff may be delusional. On that note, perhaps something more insidious is happening to Jeff’s mind.
Tozzer, Interrupted: A Demented Mind
We can’t say for sure what caused Jeff to turn against the Tribe, and eventually the entire community. Remember, this is the same guy who in Fall of 2021 noted generations of friendships between Tribal members and Jeff’s family. He noted this when he reached out to the Tribe seeking helping in identifying individuals in an old photo containing a relative of his. Jeff was also made a Tim’s Place Hero, and featured in a volunteer spotlight for being “loved by participants and volunteers equally.”
Where’s the disconnect?
Towne Road may have given Jeff the training grounds and means to be a disruptor, but something more must be at hand. The railroad injury could have caused lasting damage, sever neck injuries can be indicative of brain damage, for example. Jeff’s attorney notes the extensive injuries to Jeff’s neck and spine, including organs (the brain is an organ). Yet, time has passed since the incident on the train, and Jeff’s irascible and paranoid behavior seems recently pronounced, if not, new.
I do suspect the railroad incident has given Jeff a lot of free time to pursue Clallam County Watchdog.
Despite Jeff’s pride in being a pioneer, his perception that his family was swindled out of their land maybe a contributing factor. Yet again, this isn’t a new circumstance, but it does give him three things: (1) a perceived “historic claim” to this place, (2) a sense of authority because of this history, and (3) a Munchausen-esque fight against constructed pseudo-injustices.
I suspect there’s something else in Jeff’s family history that could be a contributing factor in this personality shift.
If you thought I crossed a line before, wait till I wade into this one. Jeff’s mom passed from memory issues. (Obituary & Tim’s Place Article.) Some of the earliest signs of dementia include changes in behavior and mood, temporary lapses in judgment, poor reasoning skills, and confusion around familiar places. It is particularly important to look out for these concerns when a member of someone’s biological family had dementia. (Cleveland Clinic.)
Is it possible that our community is experiencing the musing of a demented mind, who is also in an elected position? To me, there’s room to worry about Jeff’s health and mental wellbeing. I hope those close to Jeff are looking for the signs of this insidious disease so that he might receive the help he needs.
Notes about this post:
Though I could have shared private details, I chose instead to stick exclusively to publicly available information—anyone can “google it.” Where possible I uploaded the entire, original sources and/or links.
If you think I crossed too many lines; ask yourself how many lines Jeff has crossed. How many flames has Jeff stoked, encouraging others to cross lines?
Legal and financial analysis should not be construed as advice; furthermore, I have in no way presented myself as an expert in these areas, and I have not presented myself as someone who is licensed to practice law or who is a certified accountant.
There has been a lot of handwringing in the Clallam County Watchdog comments section around my anonymity. For too long I pretended that CC Watchdog would run its course; that folks would realize the tiny berries of “truth” Jeff writes about aren’t worth trapsing through his briar patch of lies. Though many original followers have become far more skeptical of Jeff—evening calling him out—he continues to build an audience. I write for these new people, and for those he continues to hurt with his lies. I remain anonymous because I want to be able to put Mr. Tozzer’s blog behind me, and I hope many of you will join me.
Outstanding article! I had recently subscribed to the WatchDog after hearing some friends repeatedly refer to it. My initial thoughts are that Jeff is a biased muckraker who is fed by many with similar or even crazier beliefs.
Keep up the good work. I may join you in commenting on Jeff’s work but I don’t want the harassment that may come from doing so.
Take care.
Excellent and thank you.