County board fills port vacancy

The Wahkiakum County board of commissioners appointed Skamokawa resident Brian J. O'Connor to fill a vacancy on the board of commissioners of Port District No. 2.

The position has been vacant since Kyle Gribskov's term ended December 31, 2007; he had declined to run for re-election. Port Commissioners Carlton Appelo and Kayrene Gilbertsen tried unsuccessfully to find a replacement in 2008, and in January, asked county commissioners to assume the responsibility, as provided in state law.

County Commissioners Dan Cothren, Blair Brady and Lisa Marsyla had two applicants for the job, O'Connor, who attended the Tuesday meeting, and Jesse D. Abbitt, who was unavailable.

O'Connor owns and operates O'Connor Construction. He moved into the Skamokawa area about 10 years ago.

"I believe my experience as a contractor will be good for the port," he said. "I don't have any agenda."

O'Connor is also a member of the Skamokawa Fire Department and has been active as a coach in youth sports.

Abbitt, who lives on Covered Bridge Road, Grays River, is a retired officer and supervisor from Snohomish County corrections department.

The position will be on the fall election ballots; who ever is elected will complete the last four years of the six-year term which started last year.