Port of Kalama stroll opens eyes to beauty, service, leadership and success done well

On one of those recent glorious Pacific Northwest days, after work I walked from my house to the Port of Kalama, then to Ahles Point and then retraced my steps to get back home. That climb up Elm Street seems to get tougher with age and an expanding waistline. With age also comes retrospection and a greater appreciation for the wonders, both natural and manmade, that surround us.

The walk down Elm Street takes me under the freeway to the train overpass walkway. I don’t remember when the full chainlink cage was built to keep stuff from falling onto the tracks; I think I remember it before the cage. On that elevated walkway there is a stand that once housed something about the area in view, but now it is just a steel plate on a stand with “gang” markings. I guess that is yet another sign of the times.

Once at the Port of Kalama the sense of order, beauty and tourist bustle takes over. The vegetation by McMenamins is well done, and so is the landscaping in the entire Port facility. I also noticed the dock which is used by the American Cruise Lines. Tour buses take the passengers to visit Mount St. Helens at the Johnston Ridge Observatory; now, with the road washout, I wonder what will be done?

The totem poles, the playground, the amphitheater, the tennis courts, etc. line the walk along the Columbia. The benches in the shape of huge marine cleats are a nice touch.

The clients of the Port of Kalama are not captive, so the Port must earn its clients with the beauty, facilities, services, and innovation they provide.

The odd thing for me is to see that this quasi-governmental entity, the Port of Kalama, can be very productive and financially successful while eschewing the use of tax dollars. I think tax dollars (the power of taxation) typically is destructive. Why aren’t all ports like this? One key reason is leadership. Another reason is the addiction to tax money. We all know what easy money does, don’t we?

The collection of flowers in the neighborhoods along this walk should be mentioned. When I drive, I don’t see them, but when I walk their splendor and mystery will cause me to stop so that I can appreciate them properly. I then recall the admonition given to me long ago by my daughter, “Dad, it’s not the end point, it is the journey.” She noted that I worry too much to the extent that I lose perspective of the beauty of my circumstances.

But let me tell you a little bit about another remarkably successful governmental venture here in Cowlitz County. It is the landfill, which is operated by the County Public Works Department (PWD). As with the Port of Kalama, the landfill has an administration that has pride and vision to be the best and to provide the most for the owners, you the citizens of Cowlitz County. The landfill provides around $7 million a year in revenue to the County General Fund; that is about 12 percent of the General Fund. Imagine if we had to make up that revenue from property taxes; we would have to get 35 percent more from your property taxes.

The landfill also provides the citizens of Cowlitz County the cheapest garbage rates in the state. The most expensive rates in the state are nearly eight times our rates. How do they do all this? The PWD runs the landfill as a business. In competition with other waste management companies, it seeks out customers from surrounding counties. With just waste from Cowlitz County, the landfill would not even be able to pay for itself. Roughly, the landfill accepts an equal amount of waste from outside the county as it does from inside the county.

The landfill is a good business; it will remain viable even in a business downturn. The biggest risk likely is political. We owe thanks to the commissioners who had the vision to buy the landfill.

Shortly we will have elections, and I hope that the citizens by now have learned just how serious election consequences are; your ballot is worth much more than just a last-minute thought.

Remember to be very wary of candidates who have a vision for you and your money. Public office is not a proper playground for personal ambitions; it is an obligation to serve the people in a manner that is transparent and in keeping with the rules of our Republic. Your money and lifestyle are not legitimate targets in a free society.

Look at the voting records of incumbents: Claw back your liberties with judicious votes this (and every) election.