Over the years, I have served a full-term on Centralia City Council and brought to the Lewis County Citizens for Lewis County 911 for the communication systems upgrades. The people of this Lewis County passed the ballot measure and understood the benefits of a clear low cost on sales and use tax contributed to by its citizens and visitors alike — “saving life and property.” The funds are protected under state law and monitored by the IRS through an account held at Lewis County.
In this upcoming November election, I feel qualified by endorsing Ally Pickard for Centralia Port Commissioner for District 2 instead and in place of Julie Shaffley. I have attended numerous Port of Centralia meetings, and I am familiar with the outcomes of the port meetings.
That said, I firmly believe Ally Pickard is our clean slate and fresh start as a commissioner for the Port of Centralia. I would welcome you to view her website at pickallypickard.com. I recently attended a forum at Centralia College and witnessed an attempt to derail Ms. Pickard. Fortunately, Ms. Pickard has strength and professionalism when faced with adversity. I won’t name names but clearly some folks are rattled by the possibility of change. Ms. Pickard listens to what the citizens want. The applause gauge was a few more octaves higher than her opponent.
Ms. Pickard will work and improve public relations between the citizens, local entities and businesses and developers through her transparency and accountability. Her knowledge in grant writing is also a plus as well as her background in finance and management. She promises to execute stringent use of public funds “taxes” and provide an open door policy for the citizens of Centralia.
I have dedicated five years of my life as a public servant and I only want what’s best for the City of Centralia. On review, Ms. Shaffley signed off on the employee agreement for the benefit of Director Kyle Heaton, which is extremely costly to the tune of thousands of dollars in monetary and benefits value to the citizens of Centralia. He should be dismissed from his employment.
I have reviewed Director Heaton’s employment agreement and, in my opinion, its terms are horrific and not in the best interests of the citizens of Centralia, “the taxpayer.”
A copy of said agreement is accessible through public records. Ms. Shaffley’s signing of Director Heaton’s employment agreement, in my opinion, brings into question her character and what else she is willing to sign to say “yes” to that burdens the citizens of Centralia with great costs. Said dismissal costs under Heaton’s employment agreement are not only provided to him but also to a spouse and/or domestic partner.
Ms. Shaffley is the owner of Good Health store on Harrison Avenue. She runs a very nice business with excellent products. However, as much as I personally like her and her store, I do not believe she should be re-elected as the Centralia port commissioner. She has voted to increase taxes at Director Heaton’s suggestion, even though Director Heaton said that they didn’t have to but did so because they could.
You can verify and confirm this information by reviewing the Port of Centralia’s recordings (providing they still authentically exist). Ally Pickard attended that same meeting and witnessed this matter, as well as others.
Going forward, if you need a comparison of how ports should be run, you can attend a Port of Chehalis meeting, which is excellent. Way to go guys. For the reasons given above, I endorse Ally Pickard as a Port of Centralia commissioner. She will listen to the citizens’ questions and concerns.
Thank you for exercising your voting rights and consideration for a clean slate and fresh start by Ally Pickard.
Elizabeth Cameron
Centralia
