BetterDonkey.org

Skip to content

Port of No Return

Submitted by amy on January 18, 2006 - 9:37pm.

You probably noticed-- savvy follower of politics that you are-- that we had an election a couple of months ago. You probably also noticed that there were a lot of random positions up for election, including Port Commissioners.

It's probably less likely that you have much of an idea of who the Port Commission candidates were, much less what the Port of Seattle actually does. We tried to help you out a little bit around here, and the BetterDonkey position went like this: the Port is a big fat entity that spends a lot of money, $60 million of it yours-- and that it's about time we all started paying attention.

Well. Speaking of paying attention, the State audited the Port of Seattle, and found that the port can't account for $504,258 in inappropriate spending, and is at high risk of abuse in key departments.

Highlights, courtesy of the Seattle P-I:

  • Couldn't provide receipts for $95,050 in credit card charges, even as two employees who made personal purchases on that account were being investigated by port police. Classic.
  • Lost $300,000 when it paid to sponsor the canceled Pacific Rim Sports Summit without a contract or guarantee of a refund. No contract?? Dude, even I know you need to get it in writing, and I'm drunk right now.
  • Contributed $18,000 supposedly to help keep a non-profit housing organization solvent at the request of port commissioner Paige Miller, who was on the group's board (and ran a stinker of a City Council campaign against Richard Conlin). Inappropriate use of influence, anyone?
  • Gave $13,000 to a variety of environmental, school and children's groups-- which is great if you're the United Way, but the Port of Seattle runs ports, not a charity.

This is no first offense. In fact, just in 1999 an audit showed many of the same problems at the Port... and they've gotten much, much worse. Awesome.

I'm totally grossed out. Because guess what? We reelected (well, probably not we as in you and me, 'cause we actually put a little thought into the port this time around, but you know, We the People, or whatever) a bunch of these financial mismanagement superstars to the commission!!

Here's an idea: Head on over to the Port of Seattle Contact Page and send the Port Commission a message. Tell them it's high time they get their act together, stop abusing their authority, and start running the Port like the vital economic engine it's supposed to be... not like the embarrassment it is today.

Posted in Seattle Politics | amy's blog
You know, the Port of

You know, the Port of Seattle has an indoor stream running through the Seattle headquarters. Now that is government efficiency.

I say the Democrats show some fiscal responsibility and repeal the property tax that goes to the Port. If the Port has control over the airport and sea port and is able to charge for using those services, why do they also need a property tax? Especially if they can't keep track of their money and choose to spend it on things like in-door streams that are locked away from the public.

Submitted by chrisz on January 19, 2006 - 10:09am.
Huh?

An indoor stream locked away from the public? What exactly are you referring to?

I thought their headquarters was on Pier 69. How is it possible to have a stream if your building is on a pier? Also, they offer tours of their headquarters to see the historic building and the artwork housed there. So, I'm a little confused.

This doesn't change the fact that they need to be fiscally responsible... I'm just not sure what this "indoor stream" has to do with anything.

Submitted by annemariem on January 20, 2006 - 8:46am.
That’s right, an indoor stream

That’s right, they have an indoor stream at their headquarters on Pier 69 (It doesn’t make any sense to me either).

I did a little googling, and came up with a page talking about the designer who created it.

his work at the Garden of Remembrance at Benaroya Hall, the indoor stream at Port of Seattle Headquarters at Pier 69, and the Japanese American Historical Plaza at Portland's riverfront...

And a description on the Port's website.

Pier 69 also is Port of Seattle headquarters. This three-story building is an architectural wonder, with atrium-like openings, a 400-foot (122-meter) fountain and stream and artwork from numerous leading Northwest artists.

I guess my point is that there are plenty of better things to spend our money on.
I mean if the Port can build an indoor stream on a pier, while losing 500,000 dollars and turning the 3rd runway from a $430 million project scheduled to be completed in 2000 into an $1.2 billion project set to be completed in 2008. I say its time we took some of the money we're giving them back and put it to better use.

Submitted by chrisz on January 20, 2006 - 9:47pm.

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.