The Port Townsend Leader reported serious irregularities with the operations at Fort Worden by the Public Development Authority (PDA) and the PDA Board of Directors is depending on the interim …
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The Port Townsend Leader reported serious irregularities with the operations at Fort Worden by the Public Development Authority (PDA) and the PDA Board of Directors is depending on the interim executive director to correct the problems. His plan is for a complete reorganization of the PDA into separate entities and to do it as soon as possible.
What is happening at Fort Worden may require a complete reorganization, but this should include an extensive public process under the direction of the city.
Washington state law RCW 35.21.745 requires any city, town, or county that creates a PDA to control and oversee the PDA’s operation and funds in order to ensure that the PDA is reasonably accomplishing its purpose and to correct any deficiencies.
The issues reported were significant. The PDA was inappropriately using 19 credit cards for operations including an American Express card with an outstanding balance of $60,000 and Bank of America cards with interest rates of 29 percent. The interest cost on just the Bank of America cards was $1,500 per month.
Over a million dollars intended for specific projects was diverted for other uses and the PDA had over $300,000 of delinquent debts. There was an alleged misappropriation of $10,000 and state auditors, a private investigator, a former district attorney, and the PT police department are reviewing activities of the PDA. The results of these reviews are unknown.
When the Fort Worden PDA was created more than 10 years ago, there were numerous public meetings of residents including state park and elected officials. There were many opportunities for public questions and discussions with public input into the final organization and purpose of the PDA.
Now the PDA board says that they will remedy what has happened and the public should support and be patient. They might feel that way, but the city of Port Townsend should step in and as required by RCW 35.21.745, the city should control and oversee the PDA’s reorganization.
To be successful, this must include an extensive public process like when the PDA was first created.
Bob Gray
PORT TOWNSEND
