Port appoints Kristine Meyer as district two commissioner

Tom Kammerzell, Kristine Meyer and John Love pose together after Meyer was appointed to fill out the remainder of Commissioner Dan Boone's term. Below, Meyer prepares to sign documents following her appointment.

The Port of Whitman County has appointed a new commissioner. Kristine Meyer, the president of Avista Foundation, was the only candidate to apply for the position which became open following the death of longtime commissioner Dan Boone, 89, on March 2.

The Port had 90 days to fill Boone's seat, which is up for election this year as well. According to Commissioner Tom Kammerzell, Boone had not planned on filing for re-election. He had served on the Port commission since 2000. Meyer will serve out the remainder of Boone's final six-year term, and to retain the seat, she will have to complete candidate filing in May.

Meyer was appointed at the Port's regular commission meeting April 20, and she was briefly interviewed by Kammerzell and Commissioner John Love. Prior to the interview, Love indicated he was pleased with Meyer as a candidate.

“She's gonna add class to this operation,” said Love. Meyer is the first female commissioner to serve at the Port of Whitman County, appointed or elected.

For the interview last week, Meyer was asked two questions. Love asked her why she was interested in serving as a commissioner.

“I'm interested in the opportunity for community service,” she said. “I haven't been an elected official before, so this is a stretch opportunity for me to grow personally while serving.”

Kammerzell then asked for Meyer's views on the Columbia River dam system.

“Dams serve a really important role for our economy, and there's always opportunity to improve,” she replied. “A well-balanced approach should be considered, but it doesn't call for a breaching.”

After her reply, the two commissioners indicated they were done with their questioning.

“I think you have a well-qualified candidate here,” said Bruce Ensley, Port attorney.

Meyer then asked if she could ask questions.

“What are you looking for in a candidate?” she asked the commissioners.

“We're looking for someone who has the qualifications that you have,” said Love.

“We're looking for someone who will be an active participant in all things that we do,” said Kammerzell.

The commissioners then spoke to the nature of the position, both stating that it is more than just a few meetings a month.

“It does take quite a bit of time,” said Love.

Kammerzell then said he is looking for a candidate to be an active voice.

“We're looking for someone who's actively engaged,” he said. “We don't always have to agree, but we do have to discuss it and talk it out.”

Love then described how the three commissioners work together.

“I am one-third, Tom is one-third and you are one-third,” he explained. “Together, we're a one, and that's the only way that we can succeed.”

Meyer was then asked if she still wanted to proceed, and she indicated that she did. Love motioned to appoint Meyer to the board, and Kammerzell seconded it. Love and Kammerzell serve as president and vice president of the board, respectively, and Meyer will serve as secretary.

Paul Kimmell, regional manager for Avista, also attended the meeting in support of Meyer. Meyer, who lives in rural Pullman between Colton and Pullman, indicated in an interview with the Gazette last week that she plans to continue her employment with the Avista Foundation. She has been with Avista since 2000, and she commutes from Pullman to Spokane for her job, though she sometimes works out of the Pullman office. She said last week that if she were appointed to the Port position, she would be ready to incorporate the Port meetings and duties into her schedule.

“It works out. I have the support of my family and my company,” she said. “We're both committed to community engagement.”