A point of personal privilege, I want to read a statement into the record.

At our work session on Thursday 22 Sept, I attempted to make 2 points which I want to reiterate.
Interruptions during that meeting prevented the full articulation of these points. I am providing this in
writing as well as reading it, to ensure that I can complete the points.
1. The processes by which decisions are made and policies are set at the Port of Olympia require
investigation, review, and modification. Executive Director Galligan responded with silence and
denials to Port Commissioner requests for information about possible military shipments to the
port. It was later proven by a Request for Public Disclosure that discussions were occurring, and
the E.D. withheld NONclassified information to which Port Commissioners are entitled. This
violates a key principle and responsibility of the Exec. Dir.s job decription. This pattern of
actions behind closed doors, at an agency tasked with fiducial management of public resources,
requires correction. The Washington Public Ports Administration makes it clear that setting
policy is the duty of Port Commissioners.
2. We the Commissioners must set policy that directs the types of shipments that the port accepts,
and do so with extensive public input. We have not yet set policy that discriminates among the
types of cargo that may meet the infrastructure capabilities and mission of the Port of Olympia.
Some Commissioners suggested on 22 Sept that they will support any cargo that can be
physically accommodated, whether it meets port financial measures or not. This conflicts with
the prevailing tendency of public input that we have received. The Executive Director should
ask, not tell, Commissioners what the Ports policies are to be. Legal Council has offered to
write a draft cargo policy for our consideration, based on Commissioner Downings Press
Release. That proposed policy must be reviewed by the public prior to possible adoption by
Commissioners.
3. The process of last Thursdays discussion (and todays meeting) requires a third point. That is,
we must respectfully allow each other to complete our thoughts before interrupting. I ask the
chair to facilitate these meetings in a way that allows each of us to finish our thoughts before
being interrupted or cut off. The discussion on 22 Sept. was fragmented and incomplete
because frequent interruptions disrupted and attempted to sideline my primary points. As
elected representatives, we have an obligation to demonstrate civil behavior. I support the
suggestion that Commissioners participate jointly in a training for more effective teamwork.
Port Commissioner E.J. Zita
Commission meeting, Monday 26 Sept. 2016