Clarifying ShirtBuilders' role with irrigation district

MOSES LAKE —  I am writing this letter to the community at large regarding a recent Rich Archer campaign flyer mailing that included the name of my business, ShirtBuilders, information pertaining  to work done for the Moses Lake Irrigation & Rehabilitation District and additional information that could lead to negative or wrong conclusions.

My heightened concern about this particular mailing comes from the fact that its intent was to create a negative or angry response in the reader. Hence the heading “Warning, this may make you mad.” After some personal thought and consultation with fellow community business people I came to the conclusion that some kind of response was warranted. This would clarify the information in the mailer pertaining to ShirtBuilders as well as bringing some truthful context to what was being implied with the information in the flyer. I appreciate the Columbia Basin Herald giving me a place to do so.

I spoke to Rich Archer directly about this matter when I first received the mailer on Dec 3. He expressed surprise at hearing my business name was in his flyer and stated that someone had put the flyer together. When asked he would not provide me with the name of that individual until he had spoken with them and received their okay. We continued our discussion on Friday, Dec 4, at which time Rich said he had read the flyer before it was sent but, had either not noted the reference to ShirtBuilders or tied no undue importance to it. He also indicated that the flyer had been a team effort rather than a single individual and was reluctant to point anyone out or share the names of the people involved. We discussed the concerns I had and Rich indicated the final responsibility was his and that he wished to apologize sincerely for what had happened. He indicated that due to limited information, assumptions were made or implied and greater thought should have been given to what was put together regarding the use of my business name and the information associated with it. I have accepted Rich’s apology and consider the matter resolved between him and I. 

That being said, let me clarify the information pertaining to ShirtBuilders and its dealings with the district in the flyer. I requested and received permission from the district to do so.

In the mailer it was stated that the sum of $5,233.45 was spent at ShirtBuilders for caps, T-shirts, and uniforms for the employees (approximately 2 to 4 employees). The implication being that a considerable sum of money was spent on very few people.

First of all, let me state that these monies were paid to ShirtBuilders on five different invoices over a period of 6 months. All the orders were quoted then confirmed and authorized by the irrigation district in the same manner as we do with many of our other customers.

Two of these invoices were for approximately half of the amount listed and were directly related to employee uniforms. From what I can discern from our internal work order information, this involved items for at least 10 different individuals based on names associated with items listed.  From what I recall in taking the order, this list included regular staff, seasonal staff and directors. To confirm this, one can contact the district office. We only have name information and not position information in our data.

Two other invoices for approximately 25 percent of the total amount listed were for district caps. In speaking with the purchasing individual at the district, they indicated that some of these were used for the employees of the district. The majority has been used and is still being used for volunteer appreciation gifts during events such as the fishing derby for kids, as well as good will promotional items for people in the district. To confirm this, one can contact the district office

The last invoice is in the amount of $1,306.64 (tax included) was for shirts that were given to the 80 students and instructors that participated in a week long Water Quality Institute for elementary, middle school and high school students. Nine community minded businesses each paid a sponsor fee to support this program and its scholarship fund. Their efforts were honored by having their names on the back of these shirts. More information regarding this program is available at the district as well.

I hope, from the above information, one can clearly see how business was conducted by ShirtBuilders with the district. I also hope one can see in a truer light and having a better understanding of the information that was in Mr. Archer’s campaign flyer rather than being misled by how this information was framed to elicit a negative response.

I hope this clears up any misconceptions that may have arisen about ShirtBuilders and the work that was done for the Moses Lake Irrigation & Rehabilitation District. We are proud and grateful to have been a part of this great community for the last 28 years. We have experienced the depth of that community during the last year as we recovered and rebuilt from our devastating fire. We look forward to being a forthright and worthwhile member of this community into the future.