Genie Crowe appointed to Port vacancy

DAYTON–The Port of Columbia Commissioners appointed Genie Crowe to the District 2 vacancy left by Earle Marvin during the meeting on October 13.

Crowe serves on the Port’s Touchet Valley Trail Steering Committee and has been a regular contributor at Blue Mountain Station, including the Co-op and other activities. She is also presently serving on the Touchet Valley Arts Council.

Executive Director Jennie Dickinson announced after Crowe was sworn in that she is the first woman to hold a Port of Columbia commissioner position. Crowe’s husband Fred previously served as a Port Commissioner. He is serving on the City Council as appointed and is running for that position. They have resided in Columbia County since 2010. Jesse Yost also interviewed for the opening. Bruce Hiebert withdrew his candidacy. Present during the meeting was Port Commissioner candidate Jack Miller running for District No. 3.

The 2022 Budget draft was presented by Dickinson and discussed and is set to be approved during the regular November 10 meeting. Dickinson’s report illustrated the Port’s anticipated beginning cash balance of $225,000 for 2022 will be significantly higher than last year at $68,000 when the Port was awaiting default tax collections. “Our goal has in the past been to have a $100,000 in reserve and we got to have some cash on hand,” said Dickinson. “We’re doing quite well compared to where we started the year and part of it is because of really tightening our belt in 2019 and 2020 because of that unexpected expense at Blue Mountain Station for that second building. But we’ve earned our reserve back plus some partly because I’ve worked with less staff.”

Dickinson said she wasn’t sure how long she would continue without an Economic Development Director and they may consider hiring someone to work in that position part time.

Updates were provided for Port properties. Dickinson addressed one of Commissioner Sean Milligan’s requests that the Rock Hill Trail be maintained. She said the Blues Crew trail maintenance volunteer organization has agreed to help resurface the trail and recommended the use of wood chips. Dickinson told the Commissioners that some of the chips could be provided from a tree on her family property that is currently being removed and the company removing it said they could make it into chips. The Blues Crew also said they have plans to widen the trail in the spring.

An addition of Conestoga Wagons has been proposed to be added to the sleeping options at Lyons Ferry Marina KOA by the concessionaires. These wagons would be hooked up to power at some of the RV spots that don’t get used as often.

Dickinson reported a successful Fall Festival on October 6. Port staff, Co-op Board Members and high school students all volunteered to help at the event.

The Touchet Valley Trail design may be adjusted to be moved along the bike trail on Main Street at points where it’s complicated along Commercial Street, specifically from Cottonwood to Blue Mountain Station. This is getting worked out between Anderson Perry and the Department of Transportation to be presented for proposal.