I have attended Port of Centralia Commission meetings in person and online for at least two years now.
I have been disappointed in the actions of two commissioners and the director.
Julie Shaffley is asking to be re-elected soon, but I believe it is time for new energy and teamwork among all, a fresh new face full of energy and ideas.
These present commissioners, including Julie, have worked against my elected representative commissioner for years. I believe they have verbally abused him during meetings and have had him investigated, because he was helping veterans, costing him and all of us a ton of money.
The center of the problem is Executive Director Kyle Heaton, who happens to have been awarded one of the highest salaries in this state for his position and was given a golden parachute employment contract signed by Julie Shaffley, which makes his dismissal nearly impossible.
He sits with his back to citizens, making unkind remarks to another commissioner and grimacing and chewing gum during meetings of commissioners and citizens.
These three people mentioned above seem to take offense at any question or refuse to take citizens’ questions if, in their view, it is not port-related. In fact, they react loudly by interrupting them and telling them to sit down and stop talking.
You will find the latest altercation by reviewing their online video of their last meeting. They in fact overreacted to a longtime retired citizen by accusing her of attempting to take someone’s camera, filming her when she was merely attempting to distort the filming with her waving fingers. They in fact tossed her out of the meeting, escorted by the guard (they recently hired because they fear their citizens.) This is ridiculous. Time for change.
Thankfully, this caustic situation can now be rectified with your vote to bring in a fresh and bright new face. Her name is Ally Pickard.
Ally Pickard is a fine young citizen, a wife, mother and career lady with an extensive background in various government contracts, among other attributes you can read about online on her website.
She is anxious to work for the citizens of Centralia and all of Lewis County with new fresh views and ideas. It is time we all got along. Please vote for Ally. She will be key to a new exciting direction.
Jennifer West
Centralia
