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Port of Astoria Introduces New Director - Reveals Balance Sheet - May Rent Dredge

In a generally upbeat meeting the Port of Astoria Commission made several references to a new person “driving the bus”. The new person is Jack Crider, who will be hired on as the new Port Executive Director on July 1st. Crider was previously the Director at the Port of Tillamook. “I’m happy to be here, I’ve watched this Port for a long time…I’m still not official, but I’m trying to get up to speed as quickly as possible,” stated Crider after he was introduced by Port Commission Chair Dan Hess. Later in the meeting Interim Director Ron Larsen also had praise for Crider, “I’m happy with the direction the Port is going with the hiring of Jack.”


At the request of new Commissioner Floyd Holcom, Port staff released a balance sheet for the last 11 months. Finance officer Colleen Browne put the report together. “For the 11 months ending May 30th….you get the idea that we have made a profit even though we are not in the business of making a profit,” stated Browne. After the presentation Commissioner Holcom stated, “It answers a lot of basic questions.” “These comments about the Port going bankrupt, you can defiantly see that it is not the case….before it was a good question that nobody could identify,” continued Holcum. In other finance news Commissioner Hunsinger commented about some of the posts that Tom Freel posts on his Coastwatch website. “I read on his blog about an audit and 80% of his readers agree,” said Hunsinger. He also stated that he was not impressed with Freel’s blog at times because “he has his own agenda”. Future Port Executive Directer Jack Crider responded that he was already thinking about that and has been in contact with a few companies already and suggested Moss Adams. “They’re not cheap, but you get what you pay for and they do excellent audits,” said Crider.

In other business the Port heard from Brian Lofgren of Underwater Earth Movers. Lofgren wants to enter into an tentative agreement to rent the Port’s dredge for the month of August. His company uses a smaller dredge and wants to use a larger one for a project on the Cowlitz River that would remove ash from the 1980 Mt. St. Helens eruption. The Army Corps of Engineers is paying for the project and will bid it out on Tuesday. All 4 Commissioners were in support of renting the dredge because of Lofgren’s experience, the near $300,000 fee, and possibility of using Lofgren’s equipment for some of the Port’s own dredging. They voted unanimously to allow Crider to work out a contract with Underwater Earth Movers.

The Commission also heard from Lora Eddy who handles Environmental issues. She reported on the transportation grant that the Port is set to receive from ODOT to extend the Riverwalk through Port property. The West Astor Renewal District is matching part of the $730,000 Grant and will chip in about $83,000.

Notes

The Port Balance sheet can be viewed here.

The Port Asset sheet can be viewed here.

The Port Liabilities and Capitol viewed here.

Kathy Sanders was absent because her Father in Law passed away.

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