2 vie for Port of Walla Walla seat

By Pratik Joshi, Herald staff writer

A credit union president and a businessman will face off in the Nov. 3 general election for the Port of Walla Walla's District 3 commission seat.

The district includes College Place, Touchet, Lowden, Burbank, Eureka, Clyde and the western part of Walla Walla County.

Clarence Anderson and Ron Dunning want to be part of the port's efforts to promote economic development and create new jobs. They also believe the port is doing a good job.

The winner will replace retiring Commissioner Fred Bennett for a six-year term. The position pays $750 a month, and commissioners can be paid $104 a day for attending meetings and representing the port at other programs. The compensation is capped at $9,984 annually.

Anderson, 53, taught business and served as dean of the business school at Walla Walla University before recently taking over as president of Blue Mountain Credit Union in College Place.

The port has recruited several companies in the past and provided great leadership on the Highway 12 project, Anderson said. He plans to continue that and also bring an increased focus on small business.

"Promotion of family wage jobs" will be his focus, said Anderson, who lives in College Place.

Also, he said he would work to make sure air service to and from Walla Walla is maintained and expanded as a tool to promote tourism in the region, he said.

Anderson said as a certified public accountant, he'll "bring strength in financial analysis," and make sure public money is spent carefully.

Anderson serves as a commissioner on the Walla Walla Housing Authority board and previously was on the Blue Mountain Action Council Board. His website is www. electclarenceanderson.com.

Dunning, 62, also wants to help bring jobs into the community.

"I have a lot vested in the community. I want to help it grow," said Dunning, owner of Dunning Irrigation Supply in Lowden and an oil seed crusher in Touchet. "It's my time to give back to the community."

Dunning, a lifelong county resident, said he was a farmer until 1997 when he started a small business. His businesses have grown over the years, generating more than $6 million annually and employing more than 15 workers, said Dunning, who helped start the Touchet Educational Foundation in 2003.

He said his farm and business background will be an asset for the port, which he praised for helping bring Railex to Wallula.

He said he would make sure that economic development continues to the port's top priority.

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Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009

2 vie for Port of Walla Walla seat

By Pratik Joshi, Herald staff writer