PORT TOWNSEND — Bowing to pressure from several Tri-Area business owners and lone Republican Commissioner Pat Rodgers, Jefferson County commissioners on Tuesday delayed repealing a policy that earmarks Community Investment Fund dollars for Tri-Area sewer system construction.
Tri-Area business owners turned out at the courthouse to protest the proposed repeal of the ordinance approved in December by Republican county commissioners, two of whom were defeated in the Nov. 2 general election.
Most of the business people were concerned that the two new commissioners, both Democrats, were attempting to derail the development of a sewer system in the Tri-Area.
County Administrator John Fischbach said the county was already set to seek requests for proposals to build the system.
Joe Lovato, co-owner of Hadlock Building Supply, said the lack of a sewer system in Port Hadlock kept his business, which uses a septic system, from developing about 6,000 square feet.
He said he has seen his business grow from five to 40 employees over the years.
“This is an economically distressed community and we need the jobs,” Lovato said.
County tax revenues
John “Duke” Shold, owner of Port Hadlock-based Shold Excavating Inc., voiced his protest of repealing the ordinance.
“I want to remind you gentlemen that you support the voters of the Tri-Area,” he told the commissioners, adding that development of a sewage system would generate needed county tax revenues.
Tri-Area businessman Steve St. Clair asked the commissioners if they were meeting to “roll back some progress to extend county growth.”
“Let the county grow,” said St. Clair. “If you’re holding back for a personal agenda, then you are making a mistake.”
Joy Baisch of Brinnon said it appeared that the county was heading toward “studying and studying again.”
“The due diligence has been done and now we’re heading for a train wreck again,” she said, recalling years of county budget history.
“Now you’re ready to yank those rails up again.”
Fischbach said the Tri-Area sewer system was not heading in that direction.
As a matter of fact, he said, on Feb. 2 he and county Public Works Director Frank Gifford will be meeting with a county consultant firm to call for requests for proposals to begin engineering work on the proposal.
