I grew up in Centralia. Like so many others, my life travels have taken me away from my hometown.
I am actively looking for the right home back in Centralia/Chehalis as I will be relocating there. I’ve always stayed current on local issues via The Chronicle and conversations with people I know.
Clearly the acrimonious relationship between Port of Centralia leadership and citizen owners of the port has degraded to an all time low. In my discussions, I have yet to hear one person say they oppose the port. The predominant message has been lack of transparency and how citizen owners are treated in seeking answers to their questions.
As I have watched video of the meetings, it is clearly evident as to why they feel that way. Harrison Avenue is right up there as well. Citizen owners are allowed three minutes to state their case at commission meetings.
It is stated right from the beginning no questions will be answered. If you want an answer, you must submit a request in writing. The port then has 60 days to respond. That sets the tone.
The executive director has stated he “attracts idiots” at a meeting. He is referring to the citizen owners of the port. That sets a tone.
Citizen owners that raise issues are often ridiculed and cut off by Commission President Kyle Markstrom. That sets a tone.
Hiring security to be present during meetings sets a tone. If you attend or watch the meetings on video you would see how ridiculous that decision and expense is.
Which brings me to the dysfunctional meeting on Oct.17. Clearly the entire meeting was a set up to humiliate a citizen owner that has been a critic of the commission.
What was the catalyst that caused her to become a watchdog on behalf of the community? How she was treated about five years ago when she sought answers when a port project impacted her home and property.
She started a Facebook page to keep the community informed of what the port was doing. There are now over 1,500 people following the page. How many small government entities have generated that level of scrutiny?
There is one common denominator to all this. The executive director and two commissioners that rubberstamp whatever he tells them to. Ms. Shaffley is one of those commissioners.
Ally Pickard is an experienced leader that will not be owned by the executive director or anyone else. She will evaluate each issue on its merit and represent the citizen owners as is her responsibility. That responsibility is not understood by two of the three commissioners currently in position.
Clearly, it’s time for new blood on the Port of Centralia Commission.
Jeff Mason
Puyallup
