Chief
02-28-2008, 05:25 PM
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/353088_portreorg29.html?source=rss
By JENNIFER LANGSTON
P-I REPORTER
Following a critical state audit, the Port of Seattle announced Thursday it will create a new division to oversee capital projects -- from airport upgrades to cruise terminals to future development projects.
Chief Executive Officer Tay Yoshitani said the change will allow the port to have more centralized oversight of complex, difficult construction projects, which were the subject of the audit.
The audit concluded the port's construction program wasted millions of dollars, failed to rigorously negotiate with contractors, appeared to favor certain businesses and sometimes broke state law when awarding contracts. It also has spawned a federal criminal investigation.
While the port disputed some of the findings, it is implementing dozens of auditor recommendations. Thursday's internal reorganization, however, was not among those.
In the past, oversight of building projects was fractured, Yoshitani said, with project managers reporting to seaport and airport directors who focus on satisfying tenants such as airlines and shipping companies.
Engineers and construction managers, meanwhile, were housed in another division.
"It made it very, very difficult to have a set of standards that was consistent throughout the organization ... and there was no one in charge of it," Yoshitani said. "We're going to have one system."
State Auditor Brian Sonntag, whose office released the audit in December, called the changes encouraging.
"It sounds like they are trying to get a good grip on the accountability part so the commissioners as well as the administration can exercise the oversight that's necessary," he said.
**SCHNIPP**
Stop right there, that's all you need to know.
Exactly right Mr. Sontag, and ultimately under Washington Law, it is the Port Commissioners who are accountable for what is going on up there, and more importantly, what has been allowed to go on up there...
This is why selecting Port Commissioners is important, and why you need to vote responsible people into all public offices, instead of putting some one-hit wonder into office that just needed a second career and a paycheck like the voters up in Pugetopolis obviously did.
Contrast these reports with the proven performance numbers from our Port of Vancouver, and although there is plenty to discuss, we can knock on wood and be thankful that we don't have these kinds of legal messes on our hands.
Food for thought, Port haters...
8)
By JENNIFER LANGSTON
P-I REPORTER
Following a critical state audit, the Port of Seattle announced Thursday it will create a new division to oversee capital projects -- from airport upgrades to cruise terminals to future development projects.
Chief Executive Officer Tay Yoshitani said the change will allow the port to have more centralized oversight of complex, difficult construction projects, which were the subject of the audit.
The audit concluded the port's construction program wasted millions of dollars, failed to rigorously negotiate with contractors, appeared to favor certain businesses and sometimes broke state law when awarding contracts. It also has spawned a federal criminal investigation.
While the port disputed some of the findings, it is implementing dozens of auditor recommendations. Thursday's internal reorganization, however, was not among those.
In the past, oversight of building projects was fractured, Yoshitani said, with project managers reporting to seaport and airport directors who focus on satisfying tenants such as airlines and shipping companies.
Engineers and construction managers, meanwhile, were housed in another division.
"It made it very, very difficult to have a set of standards that was consistent throughout the organization ... and there was no one in charge of it," Yoshitani said. "We're going to have one system."
State Auditor Brian Sonntag, whose office released the audit in December, called the changes encouraging.
"It sounds like they are trying to get a good grip on the accountability part so the commissioners as well as the administration can exercise the oversight that's necessary," he said.
**SCHNIPP**
Stop right there, that's all you need to know.
Exactly right Mr. Sontag, and ultimately under Washington Law, it is the Port Commissioners who are accountable for what is going on up there, and more importantly, what has been allowed to go on up there...
This is why selecting Port Commissioners is important, and why you need to vote responsible people into all public offices, instead of putting some one-hit wonder into office that just needed a second career and a paycheck like the voters up in Pugetopolis obviously did.
Contrast these reports with the proven performance numbers from our Port of Vancouver, and although there is plenty to discuss, we can knock on wood and be thankful that we don't have these kinds of legal messes on our hands.
Food for thought, Port haters...
8)