Letters to the editor for Oct. 24
Port candidate Evans addresses conflict of interest
My name is Amy Evans. I am running for Port Commissioner. A few weeks ago, there was a Letter to the Editor stating I have been paid $1.57 million dollars for my work leasing Port real estate to Panattoni. (Public records confirm I have been paid $0.00.) Last weekend, The Olympian Editorial Board did not endorse my campaign based on my work leasing one Port property. With the major terms already agreed upon and my work completed prior to taking office, I believed the perceived or actual conflict of interest was minimal, but concern remained.
To eliminate this concern, I am foregoing any monetary compensation for my work leasing this parcel to Panattoni. Our campaign limited campaign contributions to $250 per person per election, because we believe in taking the money out of politics. Over 200 individuals/organizations have contributed to our grassroots campaign, including diverse and bipartisan stakeholders like ILWU Local 47 Longshoremen and many private business owners. I am committed to serving ALL of Thurston County.
I am hopeful foregoing my fee for the work I have done further evidences this commitment. As we continue to look at the work we do with an equity lens, I think it is important to recognize, my privilege is what allows me to complete work without pay. If we intend to build diverse leadership groups, I hope we will hold space for those who may have contributed to one of the Port’s business lines previously and do not have this privilege. With collaboration, more is possible.
Amy Evans, Olympia
Vote for new Port leadership
The Port Commissioners, having wasted millions of Thurston County taxpayer dollars on the Swantown Marina private fuel dock, the Big Blue Crane, the building complex in Lacey, leasing 200 acres for a warehouse near Bush Middle School — they are overstating net cash in the Port’s financials.
Will they upgrade the Tumwater airport for passenger traffic with all the ensuing road traffic and flight path noise?
Bob Iyall listens to the people, while his opponent and like-minded backers support tax subsidies for big business.
Bob Iyall gets things done. Bob is a Nisqually Indian Tribal elder. A 40+ year journeyman with the Bricklayers Union, Bob received his MBA in 2009 and joined the Nisqually Board in 2011. Bob is now the CEO of the Tribe’s enterprise businesses that include the Red Wind Casino and all the small businesses that include construction, retail commerce, telecommunications and hospitality that employ 800 Thurston County community members.
When the old guard refused to help bring broadband to the reservation, Bob and the Tribe looked for options and are laying their own fiber optics. The new Thurston County Commissioners are inking a deal with the Tribe to lay fiber optics from Rochester to Littlerock and Gate.
The Tribe created a corporation similar to the Port, but their business model is profitable, and they donate 3% of their profits to local charities. The Tribe’s revenues are much larger than the Port’s so Bob’s experience is perfect to fix the Port.
Vote Bob Iyall and Joel Hansen.
Florence Vincent, Tenino
City Council needs fresh eyes
Retired now, I conducted a private law practice here for 36 years and had the opportunity to observe Olympia city government function up close. I have the impression that the current Olympia City Council is guilty of some group think. Because of this, long-standing problems have not been effectively and creatively addressed.
A healthy, safe, diverse, affordable housing mix in the city is critical for the long term. There is current progress being made in downtown housing, but more could be done.
Innovative efforts to revitalize downtown and other commercial districts within the city are also lagging. My experience in representing development interests in Thurston County was that Olympia was the most difficult and restrictive, so most commercial and residential developers avoided Olympia.
The homelessness crisis has persisted now for several years without meaningful progress. A more proactive mixture of compassionate, remedial policies and actions rather than the current seemingly laissez faire approach is necessary.
Spence Weigand’s real estate background, his long family connection to the history of our city, and his proactive, thoughtful and unique approach to the foregoing list of issues would be a valuable addition to the City Council. I am for a fresh set of eyes and fresh voice in Olympia’s governance, and a challenge to the singularity of thought and slow movement of the current council.
Please vote for Spence Weigand for City Council position 7.
Richard L. Ditlevson, Olympia