The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON – The Columbia Port Commissioners held their regular meeting at 5 p.m. on September 14, 2022, at the Port of Columbia and on Zoom. Commissioners present were Genie Crowe, Seth Bryan, and the Executive Director, Jennie Dickinson. Members of the public attended using Zoom and in person. Johnny Watts did not attend.

Dayton Resident Teresa Eier addressed her comments during public comment to Commissioner Bryan. She said Columbia County Commissioner Chuck Amerein told her to investigate issues for herself, which she said she had.

The commenter asked Bryan, “So upon investigation, I do have some concerns. Seth, it is my understanding that you run a Dayton Uncensored Facebook page?”

Bryan answered, “Do we keep this to port business? This is not a question-and-answer period; this is a comment period.”

The commentator said she was concerned about the FB page because it contains “libel, harassment, and character assassination of our current library director that’s being allowed on that page, with commentary calling him a pedophile and other things.”

She said an elected port commissioner who allows and participates in such discussions with the apparent goal of firing the Library Director could expose the Port to lawsuits for libel and character assassination.

She concluded by saying those in public office should be working for unity, not division, and it was unprofessional to be doing this. She provided the commissioners with printed examples of some of the content from the Facebook page.

The Commissioners approved the last meeting’s minutes, budget report, and vouchers. Next, the commissioners discussed the budget which they are developing for next year.

Bryan expressed opposition to taking the one percent tax rate increase allowed by law. The one percent hike would supplement the revenue of the Port by about $4,700 next year; however, it would not cover inflation.

Reporting on assets, Sweet Treats Bakeshop will be moving to Blue Mountain Station, at the space being vacated by Mama Monacelli’s Kitchen in October.

The Fall Festival will be held at Blue Mountain Station on September 24, 2022. 

Near the close of the meeting, Bryan inquired about the $12,000 quote to appraise the railroad right-of-way. Bryan recommended, “going down that avenue.” He wanted to start working towards the direction of selling the right-of-way.

Crowe asked, “So, what you suggest is that we spend that $12,000 on an appraisal?”

Bryan answered, “I think it’s going to be necessary to get an appraisal of the value of it before we even know if we’re going to have a solid offer on it.”

Dickinson said, “If you want to do it, it’s O.K. But that would be the risk that you spend $12,000 for something you decide is not worth doing or don’t want to do.”

Bryan responded, “And that would be a risk that we have to assess whether it’s smart to sell or not if it’s going to be in the interest of the community for economic development and whatnot. But I just hate to wait and sit on it, just let it sit there idle, while we could be working two things at once and working towards that direction if we find it’s something viable or not.”

Crowe adjourned the meeting at 5:58 p.m.