Ron Reimann good match for Port of Pasco board

Greg Crook has spent a lot of time at Port of Pasco meetings, mostly because he has had a business interest at the Tri-Cities Airport. He is young and energetic and up to speed on port issues.

Ron Reimann, on the other hand, is not so young and would bring to the port a lifetime of experience in agriculture and other interests important to Pasco's future.

Both seem to be qualified candidates for the job in different ways. In this case, we're going with the experience.

The candidates agree that the biggest problem for the port is the aging staff and board. There will likely be some retirements in the port's future and a corresponding loss of institutional knowledge.

But Reimann's in the better position to fill the gap. His farming background makes him the best match for the port's needs if there is a major transition.

Reimann is a proven community leader with a history of service that includes terms on the Warden and Star school boards and the Franklin PUD rate advisory committee.

And he is an industry leader. His credentials include terms as president of Columbia Snake River Irrigators Association and the Washington State Potato Commission.

As a result of that experience, Reimann has some good ideas for improving the port's food processing complex and for pursuing a corn receiving and drying facility at the port terminals.

We were impressed by Crook's knowledge of port operations, but have one concern about his campaign. Crook runs Tri-City Aviation, which is a plus and a negative in our book.

In the plus column, it gives him hands-on knowledge about the airport. In the negative column, it may be hard to distance his work from his board duties.

Crook says he has checked with the state to see if his business interests constitute a conflict of interest for serving as a port commissioner.

Even if the state thinks that is OK, we would still like to see him voluntarily distance himself from that enterprise if he's elected.

But even without that issue, we think Reimann is the better choice. He has the right mix of skills and experience to fill the post.

The Tri-City Herald editorial board recommends Ron Reimann for the Port of Pasco.

This story was originally published October 18, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Ron Reimann good match for Port of Pasco board ."