Chamber meeting Tuesday to focus on Lawrence

THE CO-CHAIRMAN OF a group of 15 Sequim chamber members asking for more information about Lee Lawrence’s firing said his demands had been met by the chamber’s e-mailed “Public Statement related to the Dismissal of the Chamber Executive Director.”

Gilbert Simon said Friday that the allegations against Lawrence were serious.

“As an employer confronted with circumstances like that, I’d have no choice but to ask him to leave,” Simon said.

“If it’s truthful, it’s between his conscience and his family.

“If not, the chamber board has basically destroyed itself.”

The group threatened last week to attend the chamber meeting Tuesday, amend the chamber’s by-laws, remove the current directors and officers and install a new interim board.

On Saturday, Simon, who with his wife owns Sequim Village Glass in Carlsborg, said the group instead would question the board on the following points:

  • The lack of an audit to substantiate rumors that Lawrence had improperly used a chamber credit card for personal purchases.

    Simon said Lawrence had reimbursed the chamber for gasoline he had bought with the credit card.

  • “Certain commercial transactions” that could be “self-dealing and/or conflicts of interest.”

    Simon said these included buying badges for Sequim’s Irrigation Festival, commissioning a business survey and redesigning the chamber’s Web site.

  • The board currently having no treasurer.

  • Who would bear responsibility for legal fees, settlements and judgments from any lawsuit over Lawrence’s firing.

    Lawrence said he hadn’t decided whether to attend Tuesday’s meeting.

    It starts at noon in the Sequim Elks Lodge, 143 Port Williams Road.

    The meeting is open to the public, and seating will be available for those who are having lunch.

    The chamber canceled a planned program on heart health and stress management so that the meeting can be a forum devoted to a discussion about Lawrence’s firing.

  • More in News

    School measures, fire district propositions passing

    Port Townsend and Brinnon school district measures were passing… Continue reading

    Port of Port Townsend Harbormaster Kristian Ferrero, right, watches as a crew from Seattle Global Diving and Salvage work to remove a derelict catamaran that was stuck in the sand for weeks on a beach at the Water Front Inn on Washington Street in Port Townsend. The boat had been sunk off of Indian Point for weeks before a series of storms pushed it to this beach last week. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
    Derelict boat removal

    Port of Port Townsend Harbormaster Kristian Ferrero, right, watches as a crew… Continue reading

    Rob Birman has served as Centrum’s executive director for 14 years. When the arts nonprofit completes its search for its next leader, Birman will transition into a role focused on capital fundraising and overseeing capital projects for buildings Centrum oversees. (Centrum)
    Centrum signs lease to remain at Fort Worden for next 35 years

    Executive director will transition into role focused on fundraising

    Clallam approves contracts with several agencies

    Funding for reimbursement, equipment replacement

    Mark and Linda Secord have been named Marrowstone Island Citizens of the Year for 2025.
    Secords named Marrowstone Island citizens of year

    Mark and Linda Secord have been chosen as Marrowstone… Continue reading

    The members of the 2026 Rhody Festival royalty are, from left, Princess Payton Frank, Queen Lorelei Turner and 2025 Queen Taylor Frank. The 2026 queen was crowned by the outgoing queen during a ceremony at Chimacum High School on Saturday. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
    Rhody coronation

    The members of the 2026 Rhody Festival royalty are, from left, Princess… Continue reading

    Jefferson considering new site for solid waste

    Commissioners direct further exploration

    Public feedback still shaping Clallam ordinance on RV usage

    Community Development department set to move sections of its proposal

    Jen Colmore, Sequim Food Bank’s community engagement coordinator, has been hired as the executive director. She will start in her new role after outgoing director Andra Smith starts as executive director of the Washington Food Coalition later this month. (Sequim Food Bank)
    Sequim Food Bank hires new executive director

    Sequim organization tabs engagement coordinator

    Sara Nicholls, executive director of the Dungeness Valley Health and Wellness Clinic, also known as the Sequim Free Clinic, inspects food items that are free to any patient who needs them. Soroptimist International of Sequim sponsors the food pantry, she said. (Austin James)
    Sequim Free Clinic to celebrate 25th year

    Volunteer-driven nonprofit will reach quarter-century mark in October

    Weekly flight operations scheduled

    Field carrier landing practice operations will take place for aircraft… Continue reading

    “Angel” Alleacya Boulia, 26, of St. Louis, Mo., was last seen shopping in Port Angeles on Nov. 17, National Park Service officials said. Her rented vehicle was located Nov. 30 at the Sol Duc trailhead in Olympic National Park. (National Park Service)
    Body of missing person found in Sol Duc Valley

    Remains believed to be St. Louis woman