Fantum, Just to set the record straight. The individuals involved were not elected or appointed. I don't see any substance to this story. Our paper loves to create controversy. And I do not approve of what these individuals said in their E-Mails. Also there was a substantial cost to produce these records and they found only two questionable comments. And before I get jumped on about the redaction of any mention about the solid waste. That info was already known by the public. Sounds like it was a fishing expedition.

The five-member Port of Tacoma Commission is the governing body of the Port of Tacoma. The Commission sets policy and authorizes major expenditures. Therefore, they are ultimately responsible for what their staff and consultants do or don't do. The Commission appoints an Executive Director, who is responsible for the executive leadership of the Port. Commissioners are elected to four-year terms by voters in Pierce County, Washington. This is the time when the ultimate authority comes to play.

Fantum, Thanks for the lesson. I am very familiar with how Port commissions work. I have been involved with the Port of Olympia for the past 16 years representing the longshoremen here in Olympia. So, with the logic you present. Any impropriety, mistakes or outright violations of the law by an employee should ultimately be born by the port commission, even if they were not aware of it. The port commissions in Washington State do not oversee the daily workings of the Ports. Like you said the executive director is responsible for this and his employees. I still don't see any smoking gun here to get excited about.

I take no pleasure from knowing that the public may have been denied public information and that those that seek such information are spoken of in devisive tones. Unfortunately, this has been a pattern of behavior with the Port of Tacoma - especially the commissioners and senior directing staff. For years the Port went around open meeting laws by meeting in small "affinity groups" of two commissioners. Public document requests were ignored or stifled. By following open meeting laws and providing requested documents are two methods which enable an informed public to judge what is done or not done in the public interest. We are not talking about a custodian taking home ink pens. (I do not mean to disparage custodians). We are talking money. The peoples money. A new state performance audit hammers the Port of Seattle for wasting nearly $100 million on sloppy and improper management of contracting and construction. I wish they would look at Tacoma next.

I don't know much about the past transgressions of the Port of Tacoma. I do know that some (not all) records requests at the Port of Olympia have been outrageous. The Olympian did a good job of pointing out one by Walt Jorgensen. That was one of many. If the commissioners in Tacoma are violating the law they need to be called on it. The issue here, in my opinion does not rise to that level. There was no money or decisions involved in the e-mails. Just opinions of some staff members. Not sure of what money you are talking about regarding the TNT article.