“Each agency, in accordance with published rules, shall make available for public inspection and copying all public records …” — RCW 42.56.070

Violations of the Public Records Act have cost the Port of Kingston $166,000 in sanctions and attorney’s fees, and more can be expected; a lawsuit similar to Beth Brewster’s is on the court docket.

The fact is, all of this never should have happened. And the port commission bears responsibility.

The Port of Kingston/Beth Brewster dispute began in 2013 when then-port director David Malone evicted Brewster’s business, Kingston Adventures, from the marina over a lease agreement. Malone’s handling of the matter was heavy-handed and Brewster believed he was retaliating against her for questioning the port’s management practices in public. The port district office, under Malone’s management, failed to properly respond to Brewster’s public records requests, and that seemed to bolster Brewster’s claims of retaliation.

Where was the port commission in all of this? The commission, elected by the public, has ultimate authority over the management of the port district. But in managing its manager, the commission failed miserably.

Contrast past management with that of current port executive director Jim Pivarnik; he has done a commendable job of mending relationships and getting good management practices in place.

The money the port district will be paying out in sanctions and attorneys’ fees this year should be an issue during the November election, when one of three commission positions will be on the ballot (see story on page A14). We expect questions to be asked as well during the campaign for North Kitsap Fire &Rescue Board of Commissioners, whose district paid $675,000 to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit in 2015 and is now being sued for negligence in a fatal collision; and North Kitsap School Board, where those responsible to the board have grappled with issues ranging from timely communication with parents on issues related to their children, to sexual activity on a bus for students with special needs.

Elected leadership must be held accountable.