Rep. Greg Smith’s House Bill 2797 would add two commissioners to the Port of Morrow, to be appointed by the governor, as with the Port of Portland. His rationale is that the port has become too successful to be run by locals and outside “experts” are needed.

Aside from the gross insult to the current board and its electors, Smith’s proposal misses important distinctions between the ports.

The Port of Portland was established in 1891 by the Oregon Legislature. Its commissioners have always been appointed by the governor and approved by the Legislature. Its responsibilities now include a major international airport, four marine terminals and six industrial parks. The Port of Portland has an annual budget of about $3 billion.

By contrast, the Port of Morrow was established in 1958 by a group of motivated Morrow County citizens, and its first board of commissioners represented every community in the county. The second largest port in Oregon, its annual budget approaches $500 million. This “big industry,” as Smith puts it, has grown entirely under the auspices of elected commissioners from within our county. (Full disclosure: my husband was appointed to the board last year.)

One has to wonder what Smith’s actual motivation is in wanting to cede local authority to state control. Voters of House Direct 57 should not let it happen.

Lea Mathieu

Ione