PORT TOWNSEND — A months-long legal battle that pitted Discovery Bay residents and county officials against Security Services Northwest has culminated in a hearing examiner decision that shuts down the company’s entire Gardiner-area operation.
Jefferson County Hearing Examiner Irv Berteig’s decision released Wednesday denies Security Services’ appeal of two county stop work orders issued because the company failed to acquire necessary building permits.
The decision calls for the closing of all of Security Services’ administrative and dispatch offices off Old Gardiner Road, along with its shooting ranges.
The shooting ranges have been used for security guard certification, and more recently for homeland security-related military and paramilitary training that produced reverberating gunfire that residents heard around the bay.
Security Services employs at least 100 people on and off the North Olympic Peninsula and is based on the 3,700-acre Gunstone family property operated as Discovery Bay Land Co.
“His enthusiasm and drive is obvious. His ability as a salesman is equally obvious,” Berteig’s decision states, referring to Security Services founder and president Joe D’Amico.
“However, he has been consistent in avoiding compliance with building, health and zoning regulations.
“As an examiner, I was left with the conclusion that much of his testimony is not credible.
“His oral testimony admitting his mistakes does not change the facts. The rule of law must prevail.”
Company jeopardized
D’Amico founded Security Services in 1988 after the Gunstone family hired him to protect their shellfish-rich shorelands and uplands around the western shores of Discovery Bay.
He now has 21 days from Wednesday to appeal Berteig’s decision in Jefferson County Superior Court, county officials said.
“Subsequently, no activity that Joe is performing on the Gunstone property is lawful,” said Al Scalf, county director of Community Development, one of those who testified before Bertieg.
“Joe is faced with a decision point of requesting any land-use permit he can obtain from the county . . . which would modify his activities.”
Contacted late Wednesday afternoon on his way home from Neah Bay, D’Amico said he had not read Berteig’s decision and was advised by his attorneys not to comment.
