Letters to the Editor

To the editor,

[To] Port of Columbia Commissioners Seth Bryan, Mike Spring, and Johnny Watts: Because all three of the Port of Columbia commissioners are new to the business of the Port, we think they should look into the past accomplishments made before their service began:

1-Improvements to and maintenance of the Lyons Ferry Recreational Area.

2-Fiber-Optic broadband internet to the City of Dayton and to parts of the county.

3-The planning and development of Blue Mountain Station, an incubator for new small businesses.

The Port also plays the vital role of providing opportunities for individuals to start a new business, developing a business plan, and helping existing businesses expand. The port offers appraisals to determine the sale price of a property and can provide assistance with local regulations and licensing.

The Port can connect interested individuals with Innovia, a company that offers financial assistance to business startups.

Without someone who has a background in Port of Columbia business and is a competent administrator these vital assets will no longer be readily available to maintain a vital business community and therefore a healthy economy. We believe Jenny Dickenson has served Columbia County admirably and should remain Port of Columbia Executive Director in the future.

Bruce and Heather Hiebert

Dayton, Wash.