Port hears sides debate war shipping
By Jim Szymanski
The Olympian
13 June 06
http://159.54.227.3/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060613/
NEWS/606130359&SearchID=73248067412877

OLYMPIA - Port commissioners listened to the pros and cons regarding the
war in Iraq on Monday but did not change their policy of accepting
war-related military shipments.

In back and forth testimony, 16 people told commissioners either that
they supported the policy or that the port should change it and refuse
military ships.

More than 50 people testified on the shipments to the City Council last
week.

About 35 people were arrested and an estimated $7,500 of damage was done
to port property at protests during a shipment of Army equipment to Iraq
two weeks ago.

None of the three commissioners made a motion to re-think a port policy
of accepting military shipments.

Last year, the port collected nearly $1.8 million in revenue from
military shipments, 72 percent of its overall marine cargo revenue of
about $2.5 million, the port reported.

Two years ago, when military shipments resumed at the Port of Olympia
for the first time after 17 years, the commissioners hosted a similar
hearing attended by about 150 people at The Olympia Center. Monday's
hearing was at the General Administration Building Auditorium on the
Capitol Campus.

After hearing 45 minutes of testimony, Commissioner Paul Telford said
the port should be open to a variety of shipping customers.

"If the U.S. government wants to make shipments here, that's what the
docks are for," Telford said.

But several opponents charged that the war is an illegal occupation of
Iraq that port officials should not enable by moving military supplies
to and from the fighting.

"I think you should shut your own gates" to military shipments, said
Drew Hendricks, who was arrested two weeks ago for trying to close port
gates with a bicycle lock.

Telford and commissioner Bob Van Schoorl said they support peaceful
protests but criticized the few who broke a port fence and defaced the
property with spray paint.

"When a fracas starts, you're part of the problem if you don't distance
yourself," Telford said.

Before Monday night's hearing, the port supplied data that showed that
the percentage of port marine terminal revenues from war-related
shipments rose sharply from 2004 through 2005. Military shipments
accounted for about 32 percent of the port's 2004 marine terminal cargo
revenues of $2.8 million, and 72 percent of the 2005 revenues of about
$2.5 million. The military percentage of business increased in 2005
because port shipments of timber dropped off, port spokeswoman Patti
Grant said.

Those who say the war is illegal and immoral called on commissioners to
refuse military business.

"You, as elected port commissioners, should uphold the dignity of our
town," Josh Elliott said.

But others said they support the U.S. military's role in Iraq. One was
Teresa LaBouff, who said her brother, Douglas, was killed fighting in
the war in January.

"I 100 percent support our military and their mission there," she said.

Despite the disagreements, tempers didn't flare.

Commissioner Steve Pottle congratulated all who testified for keeping
their cool on what he termed a difficult evening.

The war, Van Schoorl said, is emotional and distasteful.

He expressed hope that the war's eventual end could put to rest the
community's emotional struggle about it.

"No one wishes that we were in a war," Van Schoorl said. "This war will
end. God, please let it end."

/Jim Szymanski is business editor of The Olympian. He can be reached at
360-357-0748 or jszymanski@theolympian.com/

------------------------------------------------------------------------