The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Sailing enthusiast and retired dentist Doug Martin of Puget Island has told the Port No. 2 Commission that he and his family want to give the port 51 acres they own on Coffee Pot Island.

It could offer recreational opportunities for the community and potentially generate revenue for the port and area businesses, Martin said at the port's meeting last week.

"This is an awesome opportunity for us," said Commissioner Brian O'Connor, echoing the response of others.

In their preliminary discussion, the commission and Martin kicked around some ideas -- develop a park and campground, build a boat launch, and in addition to the fishing that already occurs, offer sailing and kayaking lessons. (River sailing drew Martin to the county from Lake Oswego in 1997). Mike Linn of Skamokawa suggested the project could be long-term.

Commissioners took no action. "It has just come to us," O'Connor said. "We need to think about it a little bit."

The commission has been thinking about acting as its own treasurer -- instead of filling that role through Wahkiakum County as it has in the past.

Commissioners approved a resolution to adopt an "internal control system" in August. Janet Bryan, port office manager, will be assistant treasurer/auditor and Commissioner Kayrene Gilbertsen will be treasurer.

Commissioners decided on the change after George Fox of Fox & Company CPAs of Vancouver, outlined the in-house system. He said it will simplify doing business, provide essential checks and balances and enable the port "to do things more cheaply."

There will not be a conflict of interest if a commissioner acts as treasurer, Fox said. He said by electronic mail on Thursday that "the Port is exercising its statutory authority when it acts as its own treasurer and no conflict can exist since the authority is specifically delegated to Port districts as a power that all Port districts ( with more than $100K of non-tax receipts per year) have."

"I want to get this started as soon as possible," O'Connor said at the meeting. Gilbertsen agreed: "I think it's a win-win for us."

The port notified the county of the change on Thursday.

In other business:

-- Gilbertsen reported that 30 local booths are signed up for the Vista Park 30th anniversary celebration on July 30. "Everyone is stepping up and participating," she said.

-- Gene Healy introduced himself as the new commissioner for Wahkiakum PUD No. 1.

-- The quarterly financial report showed an ending cash balance in June of $107,054 of which $26,000 is restricted. June revenue of $17,062 reflects a downturn due to the cold, wet weather that affected camping at Vista Park.