PORT COMMISSIONER MCKINLEY DIES

DAYTON - Columbia County Port Commissioner Dale McKinley died on September 11. He was elected to the Commission in 2009 and was nearing the end of his first six-year term.

McKinley was raised in Dayton, graduating from Dayton High School in 1967. He was the brother of John, Dan and David McKinley, and Jean Jones, all of Dayton or Waitsburg.

After attending Washington State University, McKinley worked in the seed production industry for many years. He worked at the Seneca Foods seed division in Dayton at the time of his death.

Port Manager Jennie Dickinson said that the two remaining Port Commissioners, Gene Warren and Earle Marvin, will likely ask for letters of interest in the next few weeks from people who may want to fill the vacant position. Since McKinley's term was set to end in 2015, she said that the person chosen will most likely be able serve out the remainder of the term and have the option of running for re-election next year.