Early Background:
Some Thoughts on Business and Community :
Creating a Positive Business Development Climate:
I am a firm believer that strong and vibrant communities grow from stable families that depend on a predictable job base. That job base, in turn, depends on business friendly policy, planning and regulations. I have spent the last 35 years working to better the regulatory and business development environment in Mason County but that line of thinking is not without opposition as not everyone agrees with a pro-business philosophy. However, that does not dampen my enthusiasm for support and development of private enterprise.
Mason County Fairgrounds
As basic background to the issue, the following paper is provided at http://www.scribd.com/doc/153502093/The-Fair-Grounds-Relocation-Question-Revision-10-Apr-13. Having fought to save this vital community asset for the better part of 30 years I was optimistic that it could be done, until recently.
A PROUD 93 YEAR MASON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS HISTORY
- Born in Idaho but grew up in Centralia, Washington where I finished High School.
- Earned a Bachelor of Science from Brigham Young U. and a Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine U.
- Spent 20 years flying multi-engine aircraft for the Navy and graduated from the US Naval War College.
- Taught business management courses for the University of Alaska for three years.
- Owned and operated a small publishing business in Shelton, Washington and served seven years on the Mason County Planning Commission.
- Served seven years on the Economic Development Council of Mason County (EDC) Board of Directors.
- Served 14 years on the EDC staff in dedicated economic development work.
- Helped create, and served three years as chairman of the Columbia Pacific Conservation and Economic Development District.
- Served five years on the board of directors for the Washington State Rural Development Council.
- Served six years as an elected Commissioner for the Port of Shelton, WA.
- Currently involved in business development consulting and historical research projects.
Some Thoughts on Business and Community :
Creating a Positive Business Development Climate:
I am a firm believer that strong and vibrant communities grow from stable families that depend on a predictable job base. That job base, in turn, depends on business friendly policy, planning and regulations. I have spent the last 35 years working to better the regulatory and business development environment in Mason County but that line of thinking is not without opposition as not everyone agrees with a pro-business philosophy. However, that does not dampen my enthusiasm for support and development of private enterprise.
Mason County Fairgrounds
As basic background to the issue, the following paper is provided at http://www.scribd.com/doc/153502093/The-Fair-Grounds-Relocation-Question-Revision-10-Apr-13. Having fought to save this vital community asset for the better part of 30 years I was optimistic that it could be done, until recently.
A PROUD 93 YEAR MASON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS HISTORY
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AND A SHAMEFUL DEMISE
The Port of Shelton Commissioners recently reduced the Mason County Fairgrounds to a trash heap as a result of years of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) coercion and disinformation over land use authority and funding. As noted in the background paper, linked above, the FAA has no land use authority but often imposes their will through threats to withhold airport maintenance grant funding. Faced with a similar situation some years ago, Chehalis airport authorities suggested that they would rather close the airport than relinquish local control to the FAA. Fortunately, a reasonable compromise was found that favored the community position. Too bad that was not the case here.
The Port of Shelton Commissioners recently reduced the Mason County Fairgrounds to a trash heap as a result of years of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) coercion and disinformation over land use authority and funding. As noted in the background paper, linked above, the FAA has no land use authority but often imposes their will through threats to withhold airport maintenance grant funding. Faced with a similar situation some years ago, Chehalis airport authorities suggested that they would rather close the airport than relinquish local control to the FAA. Fortunately, a reasonable compromise was found that favored the community position. Too bad that was not the case here.
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