Allyn commish resigns

Port of Allyn Commissioner Ted Jackson has resigned, the remaining port commissioners said at a special meeting Jan. 23.

Commissioner Judy Scott read Jackson’s terse resignation letter at the meeting.

“Please accept this as my resignation letter as Port of Allyn Commissioner District. I have returned the Port of Allyn computer, cellphone, office key, and credit card to Travis Merrill. I have also provided Travis Merrill with the computer and cell phone passwords. Sincerely, Ted Jackson,” the letter said.

The port has seen recent upheaval with two executive directors dying in less than three months and an executive assistant quitting less than three weeks after being hired.

Interim Executive Director LeAnn Dennis died Christmas Day. She was appointed in October to replace Executive Director Lary Coppola, who died Sept. 30.

Commissioners appointed Patty Noel as interim executive assistant Jan. 1, but by the Jan. 17 meeting, Noel had left the job without public explanation.

Jackson seemed frustrated at the port’s Jan. 17 special meeting to discuss budget issues.

After brainstorming ways to save money like slashing spending on travel, canceling unnecessary software subscriptions, and buying toilet paper at Costco, Commissioners Judy Scott suggested ending the purchasing of branded merchandise, such as the port ‘s Allyn Days hats.

“We didn’t really make anything off of it,” Scott said.

Jackson disagreed.

“I’d like to tell you there are a whole lot of people who want our hats,” Jackson said. “I was fishing up in Alaska and I met a gentleman who had a Port of Allyn hat. I think those are great hats.”

Jackson became more upset at Scott’s suggestion to forego signing a new lobbyist contact. Scott said the port previously used a lobbyist with the law firm Gordon Thomas Honeywell, but the contract was up.

“We don’t have to say forever no … but maybe we should wait until we get our feet back on the ground to sign another contract,” Scott suggested.

“I hope we don’t get rid of our lobbyist,” Jackson said. “We’re trying to build a new pier. It has to be done and it’s going to take a three-or-four-year-period to get the new pier done at the Port of Allyn. If we don’t have a lobbyist, we’re not going to have the funding.”

Interim Executive Director Travis Merrill then told the commissioners the estimate for the new pier is $4 million.

“So how are we going to get those funds?” Jackson asked.

“We’re just trying to have the discussion,” Commissioner John Sheridan told Jackson.

“I don’t know who ‘we’ are,” Jackson said. “Come on folks. We’ve got to pick it up. The lobbyist has done a great job for us.” Jackson said lobbyists were responsible for allowing the port to purchase the Oyster House and move it to port property.

“Let’s not throw these people under the bus,” he said.

Later on in the meeting, Sheridan and Scott said they would personally pay to hire an employment referral firm to help with the executive director search.

“I will rule against anyone putting their personal money into hiring your next employee,” Jackson said.

“I can donate to the Port of Allyn any time I want,” Sheridan shot back.

“Of course, I’m going to be overruled again,” Jackson said.

Mason County Commissioner Randy Neatherlin was in the audience at the meeting and gave some of his thoughts about the budget during public comments.

“You’re going to have to fight for quarters,” Neatherlin said. He suggested the port might want to consider selling Kayak Park.

“I’d like to ask you, since you’ve been talking so much, which commissioner asked you to be part of the Port of Allyn?” Jackson asked Neatherlin at the end of the meeting. “It wasn’t me and it would never be me.”

Neatherlin said he was the one who called Jackson’s fellow commissioners.

Jackson resigned before the following meeting Jan. 23.

The port set Jan. 23 special meeting to continue budget discussions, but quickly tabled the conversation because the two remaining commissioners were still “in discovery” with accountant Erin Civilla regarding the budget, Scott said.

The commissioners voted to hire a part-time office worker, at no more than 20 hours a week, to help out Merrill.

“We should not move forward with anything. We should not move forward spending another dime,” Sheridan said.