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Marina, Part II: The Port of Grays Harbor
In 2008, the Port of Grays Harbor collected just over $2 million in taxes. Based on a property assessment of $1.3 billion, and a $.3703 levy, Ocean Shores’ total contribution to the Port was just under $500,000, or a little less than a quarter of the Port’s tax base.
“What the hell are we getting for it?” asks an angry Don Williams. The Ocean Shores home owner then answers his own question:
“We’re not getting anything for it.”
City Councilman Dick Skewis isn’t just mad about this, he’s fighting mad:
“We pay a half million dollars a year to the Port and get nothing for it,” Skewis said
“Maybe we could form our own port district . . . and secede from the Port of Grays Harbor.”
Bob Crumpacker, the alternate liaison on City Council to the Port, is more diplomatic.
“In indirect ways, the Port helps Ocean Shores,” Crumpacker said. “They promote international trade and economic development in the region. They work with the Army Corps of Engineers and others to ensure Channel integrity and to some degree coastal erosion control. And they control Bowerman Field which is the regional airport.
“All of these activities contribute to the economic health of the region.”
On the other hand . .
Crumpacker notes that “The Port also operates the Westport Marina and surrounding facilities. . . . The problem for Ocean Shores is that many of these services and promotions compete directly with enterprises in the North Beach.”
From this point of view, not only is Ocean Shores not getting any direct returns on its $400,000-plus per year to the Port, in some ways it is pumping up its competition.
The Port would argue that is supports the economy of the entire county. “We’re a municipal government charged with economic development . . . providing jobs,” said Gary Nelson, the Port’s executive director.
Clearly, though, the Port is not developing jobs on the North Beach.
Stan Pinnick, the superintendent of the North Beach School District, is also one of the Port of Grays Harbor commissioners.
“Unfortunately,” he said, when asked how the Port helps Ocean Shores, “the Port does not have any properties in Ocean Shores . . . Consequently, we don’t have any direct expenditures in Ocean Shores.
“We try to work with issues of Ocean Shores in more of an indirect way, through the Chamber of Commerce, Grays Harbor Tourism. . . We work on issues of erosion, jetties, the moving of sand.”
But, again, there have been no recent direct expenditures of Port money into Ocean Shores/the North Beach.
Larry Thevik, who has had a crab fishing boat in the Marina for three decades, says “I don’t think we get a great deal in return, speicifically. Obviously, the Port of Grays Harbor supports the economic community and we benefit from business the Port sponsors and creates. But the direct contribution is pretty minimal in my mind.
“I’ve always felt there’s kind of a hole between what we spent and what we get.”
If he had his wish of how Port money could be used in Ocean Shores, he has one simple request: “improving the Marina.”
That’s a little tricky, as the Marina is owned by the Quinault Indian Nation. There is no agreement between the City of Ocean Shores and the Quinaults on the Marina, and the two sides don’t even regularly meet to discuss it.
Some think that if the two could reach an agreement, some of the money that Ocean Shores citizens send to the Port could come back here.
Skewis pushes the importance “to get the Port of Grays Harbor on board dredging our channels,” says Skewis. “The reason I doubt it would happen is because the Marina is privately owned. The Corps of Engineers won’t work on private property.”
No operating agreements between Ocean Shores and the Quinault Nation on the Marina have been presented.
But what if they could develop such an agreement, and if Ocean Shores were to ask the Port for financial assistance of some sort on the Marina?
“We’d have to sit down and review and discuss to see what our legal paramenters would be,” Pinnick said. “I wouldn’t make promises, but I would be there listening.
“We went to a meeting about a year ago at the time when the passenger ferry couldn’t get into the Marina. . . . We had a meeting at the Council of Governments, which brought all the communities together. The owner of the property was going to take the lead, but honestly I haven’t heard anything after that.
“We all know there’s an economic opportunity there,” Pinnick said of the Marina. “But when get into dredging, it’s expensive, in time and in money.
“We would support it, but probably not fund it. We have priorites ourself on our planning as to where our dollars need to go.”
That might be a discouraging scenario, but, again, it’s all hypothetical.
As they say, the squeaky wheel gets the oil. And Ocean Shores has not been squeaking, at least not to the Port.
“I believe the Port of Grays Harbor should recognize the dollar contribution made by the North Beach to our general area and include us more directly in their efforts,” Crumpacker said.
“But the blame for our area feeling slighted also lies with the leadership in Ocean Shores. Our leadership has not been proactive in the past to ask the Port for help when appropriate. “That is starting to change.”
Crumpacker is optimistic about the future of the Marina, and the Port’s contribution to this area:
“. . . The Port Commissioners are good reasonable stewards of their domain of which we in Ocean Shores are a part.
“We here just need to ask!”
For more, including Ocean Shores tax contributions to the Port in the last five years, see northcoastnews.com.
Next week: What does the Quinault Nation plan, for the Marina?
Have you read the North Coast News this week? Strange that what I suggested is what has been brought forward in the past but was blocked by various roadblocks. I guess you and Mr. Monroe and others know better. Yet not one of you has come forward with one idea between you all. That says a great deal about your skill sets. Offer one, just one solution to the marina situation. Show that you have gone beyond the four corners of the room you are in to ask or seek other solutions. Oh, you have not. Just bully people on the comments areas. Even on the issue of speeders you find yourself and Mr. Monroe arguing about what the person said and not the basic idea of speeding or not. Again, the topic here is the MARINA. It is SOLUTIONS or METHODS OF MOVING FORWARD TOWARDS A SOLUTION. Not your garbage mouth attacking people.
Mr. Peck – quit talking (typing) and listen for a change – Mr. Monroe is correct and you are just blabbing along again.
Mr. Newman,
First, maybe Mr. Pinnick, as your friend, can enroll you in a reading comprehension class. For you missed the fact that I said that the city does not have the money to buy the property.
Moreover, Mr. Pinnick’s comments were made as a Port Commissioner explaining the Commission’s position regarding the marina. He may love the North Beach, but he clearly stated the position of the Commission. That position is to invest and develop Port properties.
Second, unlike you, I offered more than one solution. Mine ranged from the owners of the property, the OIN, seeking Federal Funds that are designed to assist economic development of Native American holdings. I also suggested a private funding idea of getting a corporation to develop the property. This has been done by Native American groups all over the country. Maybe you have heard of the Hard Rock Cafe? Also, I suggested a research facility. I also suggested getting the State involved to repair Damon Point State Park. That would bring both tourist and full time residents. Those are all economic solutions to a current blight.
Third, The city currently cannot complete the downtown development because it does not have the money to match the grants it currently has. However, one has to realize that there is more than one economic opportunity in Ocean Shores. The downtown area is just one of them. You might want to consult the city zoning maps.
Fourth, I did not say that the tourism pamphlet disparaged Ocean Shores. I said that we are the economic engine of the county and that it could have done more. We do pay for our own advertising and promotion from the Hotel Tax. We also have Ken Mercer as Tourism Director. However, his other title is Business Development Director.
Fifth, You might want to ask Mr. Pinnick to add geography and civics to your lesson plan. Last time I checked Ocean Shores is a city within the County of Grays Harbor. We do pay city, county and state property taxes. You might also realize that the article specificly spoke to the Port Taxes we pay. I challenge you to show one item the Port has purchased for Ocean Shores.
Sixth, Ocean Shores is trying to improve itself. Have you seen the construction of the new fire department building? Have you seen the new roads? Have you listened to the testing of methods to improve the water? These are improvement efforts. The converting of a blighted marina into another destination would also be an improvement.
Seventh, From your attacking any improvements to the marina, are you saying that you want to have that area remain as it is? That sounds like you do not want any change here in Ocean Shores.
Eighth, Obviously you have missed the fact that the Ocean Shores City Council will be establishing a wetlands bank using the property known as Weatherwax. That will allow wetland property owners both within the city and outside the city to purchase development rights. Those funds will first pay off the bonds for the Weatherwax, but could potentially mean future additional income to the city. That would be a win win. We keep some of the city natural and available to hike in while gaining revenue. I guess you need to look up wasteland.
Ninth, You seem to take my quote of Mr. Pinnick as an personal attack on the man. I did not attack him. I stated just what he stated. He may be your friend, but as a public figure, his statements are open for citicism. It is he who stated the Commission position. Those were his words, “We would support it, but probably not fund it. We have priorites ourself on our planning as to where our dollars need to go.” Maybe you should read them over a few time to understand them better.
Tenth, as to my use of a word that offended you, I am sorry. However, that word means “illegitimate child”. In fact, that word is a biblical word:
Deuteronomy 23:2 (King James Version)
“A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the LORD.”
In the bible there are many references to how “illegitimate child” were treated. Maybe you should be addressing your offense to God. Maybe he will choose other words.
Either way, my point is clear that Ocean Shores is viewed in these terms by the county many times. We are a good source of funds for their projects. Hogan’s Corner water would be funded by our money if we invest. That would pay the development loans for the county. We pay the Port Taxes to support Westport, Hoquiam and Aberdeen where the Port has property. We pay for Police, Fire, and EMT services for the North Beach unincorporated areas. Facts are hard to refute.
So, Mr. Newman, when you have completed your lessons, come up with some solutions to the marina issue. And do stay on topic and keep to the facts.
Well once again Mr. Peck with all the answers for the city.
Last time I checked I believe the City of Ocean Shores has a grant for improvements in the downtown area. Lets see I believe I read an article were the city is going to have to put this project on hold because of lack of funds on the cities part.
So I am not sure where the money is going to come from for the City of Ocean Shores to purchase land nor would I want more land sitting and becoming another wasteland like the Weatherwax property as a city assest. In the process the city would pay more property taxes on land that is going to create more liability for the city than it is really worth.
I have seen the tourist magazine for Grays Harbor County and I would have to say that it not only gives a positive image of Ocean Shores but it represents the city well. It gives an equal amount of coverage for Ocean Shores as it does for the other cities that are located in Grays Harbor County. If I was publishing a toursit information book about Grays Harbor County why would I want to advertise anything for the city. Look at some of the other communities in the county and you will see that these communities are attempting to make improvements to their communities while poor Ocean Shores cries poor. I feel it is more like there are to many people in this community who do not want anything to change and do not want the tourism. On another note, last time I checked I believe we pay somebody through the city to assist with advertising for tourism.
Mr. Pinnick is a friend of mine and I can tell you he is all about promoting the North Beach area. I have seen this not only in his capacity as the North Beach School Superintendant but also as one of the commissioners with The Port of Grays Harbor.
Finally, Mr. Peck I would request that in the future you find a better saying than the one you chose for your comments. I was truly offended by your remark about the City of Ocean Shores being like a blank child.
The only statement in this whole thing that sums it up is: “We would support it, but probably not fund it. We have priorites ourself on our planning as to where our dollars need to go.” made by Stan Pinnick. It says it all. Our tax dollars are being directed to properties they OWN. It is being directed to their priorities. We in Ocean Shores are not a priority. We are more than happy to take your money, but do not expect anything in return. Grays Harbor Tourism does not focus that much on Ocean Shores. Watch the ads. Look at the pamplets. We are the financial engine of the county and yet we are treated like the bastard child. The idea that we benefit that much from Internatioanl Trade or work on the Jetty is negligaible at best.
The real need here is that the QIN goes to the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT and asks for Economic Development Funds from the Department of the Interior. Has anyone asked the The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) whose mission is to:
“… enhance the quality of life, to promote economic opportunity, and to carry out the responsibility to protect and improve the trust assets of American Indians, Indian tribes, and Alaska Natives.”
They could then do the work needed without the need to involve the Port that is a disinterested party here. We would probably need to get the State involved too. Maybe the fill that is removed could be used to improve Damon State Park. Then we have a win win for the community.
The property known as the Marina is owned by the QIN in the form of a corporation known as Quinault Timber and Land. It is not part of the trust. That can be seen on the County of Grays Harbor GIS and Assessor sites. The Casino and Reservation show up as Indian. They have no assessment. The Marina is just another corporation owning land in Grays Harbor and more specifically, Ocean Shores.
The question still out there is what to do.
We have few options. None are easy.
We as a city could buy it. However, we do not have the money to buy nor imprve it without grants.
We could push the idea of some corporation buying it and improving the whole property similar to those marinas in Mexico that cater to tourists. However, we have trouble filling the hotels we currently have and fishing as an industry is questionable in the Northwest these days.
So, who will take the risk? The harbor is not really a boating mecca because it is very shallow in most areas and even hard to kayak in. The only real value is the view and maybe whale watching with some seasonal fishing if possible.
Maybe a Research Institute would work there. That would bring people here to live and provide jobs for people supporting the effort. It may even offer the educational expansion of the area. Maybe even classes and students to attend those classes. Maybe an extension of the University of Washington.
All these are ideas that need to be pursued at all levels of government.
However, none will happen until we, Ocean Shores ASK for it. Maybe a letter campaign to Local, State and Federal Representatives and Agencies. 5000 letters to each of them would maybe enlighten them to our need. Who knows? Tom, maybe a form letter in the North Coast News, Schools, and other organizations in town?