Port Commissioners Hear from Lyons Ferry Operator

STARBUCK – The Port of Columbia Commissioners held their monthly meeting on June 14 at Lyons Ferry Marina.

Jim MacArthur, who, along with his wife, Angela, operates the marina facility, including campground, restaurant and store, spoke to the commissioners regarding frustrations they are having this year. These include slow progress on repairs to the marina, inability to secure full staffing in the restaurant, and weather that, except for Memorial Day weekend, put a damper on business early in the year.

MacArthur called it “the toughest year.”

MacArthur said there have also been some safety issues, which takes a lot of his time. He said when construction ends each Friday, he has the additional task of having to secure construction areas, until construction begins again each Monday.

“They’re doing a great job with what they are doing. It’s taking a long time,” MacArthur said about the pace of the construction.

“Other than that, I am trying to find staff for the restaurant,” said MacArthur, who has had three people quit, and needs wait staff and cooks.

Pay is not the issue, MacArthur said. A waitperson can make around $20 per hour, he said.

The long commute may problematic, and MacArthur said he is considering providing housing for future staff.

Port Manager Jennie Dickinson agreed that finding line cooks, and people skilled in other trades, is difficult. She said she recently attended an Economic Development Career Summit sponsored by the state, and she hopes to meet with school district officials to work on providing additional opportunities for students in vocational education, she said.

On the bright side, MacArthur told the commissioners he is close to getting financing for work he intends to do in the winter months, to build some cabins and add a laundry facility at the marina.

For now, the MacArthurs have reduced hours of operation at the restaurant. Hours are posted on the website at: http://www.lyonsferrykoa.com.

For job information, contact MacArthur by phone at: (509) 399-8020 or by email at: ifmkoa@gmail.com.