I have not contributed to the paper for awhile not wanting to change the focus from the need to pass the school bonds, but it’s time to get back to reporting what is going on at the port commissioner meetings, or should I say meeting in the singular. Last year the port held public meetings on the second and fourth Mondays unless it fell on a holiday. In 2024 that changed to only one meeting per month and the location now is the Willapa Interpretive Center building.

On Feb. 27 the second meeting of the year was held. The room was packed with people, standing-room only. Again, or should I say as always, the agenda failed to list any written comments submitted via the “box” from previous meetings. And like always, there was nothing on the agenda allowing for public, or should I say port-user and taxpayer, verbal comment. It would seem the “box” is simply a rectangular trash receptacle rather than a round trash can, as during the meeting I heard several comments about not getting any response to comments submitted in previous meetings. Personally, I believe comments brought to the commissioners is the right way to conduct business as it allows a broader scope of an issue and reduces negative rumors.

The commissioners are only the voice of their constituents who make up the port district. Yes, I agree some issues can test the patience of both sides of an issue but it’s the job of the chairman to find methods to keep things positive and civil. But for some time now, the Port of Peninsula commissioner meetings have been doing everything possible to make the public unwelcome — meetings held outside in cold weather, meetings held in an equipment bay, rescheduling of their meetings without due cause, and closing of meetings abruptly.

The meetings themselves have changed in length as you can note on the YouTube videos. They used to be one-hour meetings starting at 11 a.m. going until around noon. Now the meetings are rushed and closed out in less than 30 minutes. So, not too long ago the public meetings ran for two hours per month, and now it’s down to half an hour per month.

I’m not sure the public is getting their money’s worth anymore when one looks at this from the hourly cost of representation. Phil Martin, the chair, based on the public meeting time, is getting paid over $2,600 per hour, Bill Derion is getting $1,250 per hour, and myself $940 per hour. I’ll let the reader draw their own conclusions to this. You would think the public would get what they’re paying for. And to clarify, the chairperson does get more by statutory definition.

I would encourage you to attend if you can or ask your district commissioner for his comments.

CHUCK MIKKOLA

Ocean Park