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

    From left to right are Indigo Gould, Hazel Windstorm, Eli Hill, Stuart Dow, Mateu Yearian and Hugh Wentzel.
    Port Townsend Knowledge Bowl team wins consecutive state championships

    The Knowledge Bowl team from Port Townsend High School has… Continue reading

    Bob Edgington of 2 Grade LLC excavating, which donated its resources, pulls dirt from around the base of an orca sculpture at the Dream Playground at Erickson Playfield on Thursday during site preparation to rebuild the Port Angeles play facility, which was partially destroyed by an arson fire on Dec. 20. A community build for the replacement playground is scheduled for May 15-19 with numerous volunteer slots available. Signups are available at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904084DA4AC23A5F85-47934048-dream#/. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
    Site preparation at Dream Playground

    Bob Edgington of 2 Grade LLC excavating, which donated its resources, pulls… Continue reading

    Rayonier Inc. is selling more than 115,000 acres in four units across the West Olympic Peninsula last week as the company looks to sell $1 billion worth of assets. (Courtesy photo / Rayonier Inc.)
    Rayonier to sell West End timberland

    Plans call for debt restructuring; bids due in June

    Port Angeles port approves contract for Maritime Trade Center bid

    Utilities installation, paving part of project at 18-acre site

    Port Angeles to hire personnel to operate day ambulance

    The Port Angeles Fire Department will be able to… Continue reading

    Port Angeles City Hall parking lot closed for construction

    Work crews from Bruch and Bruch Construction, Inc. will… Continue reading

    Teen photo contest open for submissions

    The Jefferson County Library is accepting submissions for Teen… Continue reading

    Letters of inquiry for grant cycle due May 15

    The Olympic View Community Foundation and the Seattle Foundation will… Continue reading

    Amy DeQuay of Port Angeles, right, signs up for information at a table staffed by Christopher Allen and Mary Sue French of the Port Angeles Arts Council during a Volunteer Fair on Wednesday at Vern Burton Community Center in Port Angeles. The event, organized by the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce, brought together numerous North Olympic Peninsula agencies that offer people a chance to get involved in their communities. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
    Volunteer fair in Port Angeles

    Amy DeQuay of Port Angeles, right, signs up for information at a… Continue reading

    Luncheon to raise funds for women with cancer

    The Kathleen Sutton Fund will host its third spring… Continue reading

    Among those volunteering are rowers from Port Townsend, Port Angeles and Sequim. Pictured from left to right are WendyRae Johnson of Port Angeles; Gail Clark and Lynn Gilles, both of Sequim, Jean Heessels-Petit of Sequim; Christi Jolly, Dennis Miller, Carolyn DeSalvo and Frank DeSalvo, all of Sequim; and Rudy Heessels, Amy Holms and Guy Lawrence, all of Sequim.
    Sequim Bay Yacht Club to host opening day ceremonies

    The Sequim Bay Yacht Club will host free boat rides… Continue reading

    Serve Washington presented service award

    Serve Washington presented its Washington State Volunteer Service Award to… Continue reading