WHAT IS GOING ON AT THE PORT OF SHELTON?Submitted to Shelton Blog by Tom Davis Mason County Progressive
The following is an email sent on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010 at 5:12 PM, from John Dobson, Executive Director, Port of Shelton, to John E. Shambaugh, WSDOT Aviation Senior Planner:
Thanks JohnThe above was obtained as part of a Public Information Disclosure Request.
FYI…we won a Temporary Restraining Order against Hall equities today. We technically have a clear shot to get to the hearings Board Decision on October 27th. That said we think Hall’s attorneys will file an appeal on Monday. But for now I am ecstatic. Amazing what $75,000 can buy.
John F. Dobson
It’s "amazing what $75,000 can buy". Yes, indeed, John, especially when it’s the public’s money you’re talking about. So what was this $75,000 for? Legal fees? The email doesn’t specify but, for the sake of argument, let’s just say the Port spent $75,000 of public funds to fight the development of 300 homes. But how can that be? At a time when the Port is accusing opponents of biomass as being insensitive to the local job situation, it is, behind the scenes, doing everything in its power to derail a solid business proposal that would provide 100s of job opportunities to Mason County residents, as well as a steady stream of revenue for the empty coffers of local government?
And not only that. The City of Shelton is turning out street lights to save a couple of bucks while the Port is awash in money - public money - to the tune of about 1.5 million dollars in RESERVES.
This is what happens when one man, in this case, Port Commissioner Jay Hupp, is allowed to run unchecked by the City, the County and, most of all, by the people of Mason County.
The question every reasonable person should be asking is:
WHAT IS GOING ON AT THE PORT OF SHELTON?
Executive Director John Dobson & Commissioner Jay Hupp
Shelton Blog Invites Mr. Dobson to comment if he so wishes.
Photo by Christine
Executive Director John Dobson & Commissioner Jay HuppShelton Blog Invites Mr. Dobson to comment if he so wishes.
Photo by Christine
If the Port has money in reserve, as a public utility they ought to use it in service of Port properties and facilities (other than their precious airport). How about an upgrade to the marina?
ReplyDeleteIt is my fervent hope that some day Simpson will not be spewing poison into the air in our harbor. I am hopeful that in the future the Shelton waterfront might be a place that invites families and tourists to hang out and support local business (think of Olympia's waterfront). In that event, a nice marina would be a real plus for future business interests.
If we could get the Hupp to pull his head out of his ... plane ... and look at other port properties that might be improved...
Conley Watson submitted this comment:
ReplyDeleteHow right you are Tom. The Port is crying poor mouth all the way to the bank , Just think how much they will gain from Pud's 3 water line that WE are paying for and all they are trying to do is give us ADAGE and POLLUTANTS along with bad water and poor health , I best stop .
Shouldn't this be in Letters to the Editor? Every citizen possible in Mason County should be made aware of this.
ReplyDeleteI have sent a copy of this post to Commissioners Lynda Ring Erickson ("Thanks for keeping me in the loop, again") and Jerry Lingle (no response yet), and also to Editor Jesse Mullen. Uh, oh, gotta' go, there's a plane headed toward my house...
ReplyDeletesubmitted by Dick Curtis
ReplyDeleteTo Quote: "Amazing What $75,000 Can Buy!"
As was stated, maybe it was for legal fees to fight a venture guaranteed to provide "Local Jobs and Revenue streams" to Mason County.
OR....
Maybe this $75,000 was for influencing something like a "Restraining Order" on these 300 homes and resultant LOCAL Jobs?
OR....
Maybe the $75,000 was for $$$$$ used Without Public Support to facilitate a Private Interest of Hupp, Wallitner and Dobson in the expansion of "Their Personal Airport"? Of course, at what cost to the public without any true benefit to that same public?
Now, I ask, if the Port of Shelton has $1.5 Million in "Reserves", why forever did Hupp and Wallitner need to RAISE THE TAXES of the already stressed district citizens by 1%? (This is the legal amount that can be levied without consent of the citizens.)
Oh my, is it not time for all of us to ask: "What Else is Going On at the Port of Shelton?"