During my weekly review of the news from the town I grew up in, I came across an article that caused me to say enough is enough.
I have to say something.
The article I am referring to reported on a Port of Centralia employee filing a conflict of interest charge against Commissioner Peter Lahmann. Certainly newsworthy for a local newspaper. Let the process play out and see what the outcome is. Report it factually.
At the same time, 733 people (and growing) have joined a Facebook group concerned about the administration of the port. Yet, to my knowledge, there has not been any interviews or reporting of what issues have caused the formation of such a large group. One person, a port employee, files a claim versus 733 people concerned about the port operation. Which entity gets the headline in your reporting?
To be clear, there are multiple issues of concern that caused 733 people to join together to monitor the port administration’s policies and behaviors on varied issues. These issues include: public meeting practices, public records requests, lack of transparency, potential meetings and discussions of port business separate from commissioner Lahmann and inadequate lead time of information provided to commissioner Lahmann by port staff.
There have been several instances where he received information less than 24 hours before a commission vote was taken. He abstained from voting simply because he didn’t have time to properly analyze the information provided. There have been extensive change orders totalling almost $1 million on phase one of the WinCo project. Another topic is using variable types of technology that would allow citizens to attend meetings virtually. And then there is the director’s employment contract.
Peter Lahmann is a lifelong public servant leader in Centralia, Lewis County and the state of Washington. This includes working for the benefit of our veterans.
The Chronicle’s lack of balanced reporting on citizen concerns about the administration of the Port of Centralia is appalling.
Jeff Mason
Centralia
