Conley considers five-member commission

MOSES LAKE— A longtime Grant County man is running for Port of Moses Lake Commissioner.

Mike Conley faces Bill Ecret in the November election for Commissioner No. 1, replacing Kent Jones, who moved out of his district and cannot seek re-election for the same position.

The position is a six-year term.

Conley pointed to 17 years in which he worked to strengthen economic growth in Grant County and his knowledge of state laws pertinent to port district operations.

Conley worked as a port district manager for 17 years, and noted he knows the difference between a "manager" and a "commissioner." His experience includes time as manager for the Port of Mattawa and the Port of Warden.

"Micromanaging by the commission is a dangerous area I know how to avoid," he said.

Conley also has more than 20 years of commercial banking experience and 12 years as a Grant County Public Utilities District commissioner.

"I respect the current commissioners for the job they do and involvement in the community," Conley said. "I bring a fresh perspective to watch over this wonderful asset and will bring a new forward-looking perspective for the port and for the growth in our area."

Conley plans to work "aggressively" to increase the port district's public visibility.

He says he faces no challenges in running for the position.

"Being semi-retired, I have the time, energy and knowledge to do a good job for the people of the Moses Lake Port District," he said.

Conley said he strongly supports economic growth which increases the ability of residents' children and grandchildren to stay and work in the community while still maintaining quality of life.

"I am involved in my community; I listen to public input and concerns, especially from the citizens of the Moses Lake Port area," he said.

Conley believes commercial air service at Grant County International Airport is the most important pressing issue the port district currently faces.

"The port is losing almost a million dollars a year of federal support by not having a passenger service," he said. "The longer we go without this service, the harder it will be to attract a commercial carrier. The port must be realistic about what type of service we can attract. The port needs a stronger marketing focus directed to this issue and it needs to be done by the port's own marketing expert. We cannot let others do this for us."

Conley said he is comfortable with the current work being done to increase railroad service to the airport property.

"It will take some time and lots of dollars to accomplish this, but as our industrial base grows at the port, better rail service is necessary," he said.

Conley also pointed to the fact the port district's buildings are all leased up.

"We need to explore the construction of generic buildings to house incoming manufacturing industries," he said. "I have found in my past experience companies do not want to wait a year or more for a facility to be built."

Conley believes the port must become more visible in the community.

"I think the commissioners are doing a good job, but staff needs to be more active," he said. "I would consider moving to a five-member commission, having served on the five-member PUD commission. There are some advantages of having a five-member commission. Plus, it would also give the public more interaction with the commissioners."