Conduct Port business at Port meetings

The July 22 Olympian ran an article “Rumors of military shipments aired at Olympia gathering.”

The gathering was hosted by Commissioner Zita. While the article noted that Commissioner Zita was acting as a private citizen, the article also noted her elected position of commissioner which was probably also noted by the attendees.

First, Commissioner Zita is an elected official and should conduct Port business under the rules established for Port Commissioners. The claim of being a private citizen is disingenuous — who would have come to that meeting if it was hosted by ‘private citizen’ Zita? As it was, former and current City of Olympia officials were given a public stage to spread, fear, doubt and uncertainty by claiming military shipments will be starting shortly, an assertion which was denied by JBLM.

Second, regarding the ‘risks’ associated with military shipments. The risk is that some citizens might violate the law and obstruct the right to use the public roads. It is hypocritical that the people ‘concerned’ about public safety are the ones that are threatening public safety and also increasing the costs of protecting the public.

It appears to me that the net result of this meeting is an unnecessary public controversy generated by some elected leaders and some citizens. I hope that in the future commissioner Zita will conduct public business under regular order.

This story was originally published August 4, 2016 at 2:42 PM with the headline "Conduct Port business at Port meetings."