Public comment heated up Port Commissioner meeting

DAYTON – The Port of Columbia Commissioners held their regular meeting at 5 p.m. on March 13, 2024, in the port office. Commissioners present were Seth Bryan, Johnny Watts, Mike Spring, and the Executive Director, Jennie Dickinson.

The meeting was called to order and opened for public comment. Several citizens spoke of Bryan’s remarks from the last meeting about Dickinson after Watts and Bryan declined to offer her a new contract.

Most commenters supported Dickinson; some called for Bryan to resign, and others asked for more professional conduct from the commissioners. One commenter was concerned that Bryan and Watts were representing the Columbia County Conservatives and not all county residents

Speaking in support of Dickinson, Julia Mead said it saddened her to see someone who has had the best interests of Columbia County attacked so personally.

Addressing Bryan, Mead said, “I think you’ve wounded the community.”

Regarding Bryan, Skip Mead said he was embarrassed by what he saw and told Watts that he was disappointed in him.

Dave Harvey said the controversy over the port director’s employment was not good for business or the community and suggested Bryan try apologizing to Dickinson for his comments.

Amy Rosenberg said she had worked with Dickinson on projects and was impressed by Dickinson,

Several people took exception to Bryan’s wife, who pointedly laughed at commenters as they spoke.

Gene Warren ended the comment period by saying he was tired of everyone criticizing others.

Phil Neumann, the CEO of Mainstem Malt, gave a presentation to the commissioners about the malting process. The quality of malt is essential to the finished flavor profile of the beverage, particularly beer. The facility in Dayton would be a craft malt facility, which is more prized by craft and premium beverage producers than industrial malt.

Mainstem Malt works with several Southeast Washington and Northeast Oregon growers, including Warren Farms. Initially, Mainstem Malt hopes to build an 11,000-square-foot building to process about 3.3 million pounds annually and have about seven full-time positions. The completion target for the facility is June 2026.

Following the presentation, the commissioners approved authorizing the port director to submit a loan application to CERB (Community Economic Revitalization Board) for partial funding for the Craft Malt Project.

Spring suggested that the commissioners hold an executive session with their attorney to discuss the ramifications of discussing inappropriate material in public sessions.

The meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m. The next meeting of the Port Commissioners is scheduled for 5 p.m., April 10, 2024.