PORT ANGELES — The public gets its first chance today to sound off on Mike Wiley Jr.’s effort to be named to a disputed position on the Clallam Conservation District board of supervisors.
State Conservation Commission Chairwoman Lynn Bahrych, Vice Chairman Fred Colvin and Executive Director Mark Clark will host a 2 ½-hour session to gather comments beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Port Angeles City Council chambers at City Hall, 321 E. Fifth St.
Wiley, a 19-year-old Peninsula College student from Joyce, defeated incumbent Don Hatler, a 72-year-old Sequim resident who raises donkeys, 114-60 on Feb. 18 after waging a write-in campaign three days before the election in which neither knew the other was running.
Commission staff has recommended Wiley not be seated, saying he was not a landowner when he filed for the position.
After his victory, his parents transferred 1 percent of their property to him.
His supporters claim he needed to be a landowner only when seated.
The commission will decide whether to seat Wiley or allow Hatler to continue in the position during an 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. May 21 meeting at Oxford Suites, 9550 NW Silverdale Way in Silverdale, when the election will be certified.
Tonight, Bahrych, Colvin, Clark and commission staff will be available from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Public comments will be taken from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., although commission members will not respond to questions.
Time for comments will be limited based on the number of those wanting to testify. Comments also can be submitted in writing at the meeting.
Tonight’s meeting was scheduled in light of the Hood Canal Bridge being closed for repairs for six weeks beginning at 12:01 a.m. Friday, Commission elections coordinator Tom Salzer said.
County Republican Party Chairman Dick Pilling said Tuesday he expects 20 to 30 Wiley supporters at the meeting.
“Hatler’s future is behind him,” Pilling said.
“The decisions the conservation board makes right now relative to conserving our resources do not take effect until years from now, when Hatler and most of his donkeys are gone.”
Hatler responded that decisions such as awarding grants to fence cattle away from streams and irrigation ditches have immediate impact.
“It’s ludicrous to think people in their early 70s these days are over the hill,” he added.
Wiley is a self-described conservative Republican being championed by the county Republican Party.
Hatler is a self-described conservationist who, in 2006, defeated incumbent Steve Marble 620-127.
Wiley did not return calls for comment Tuesday afternoon.
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Staff writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-417-3536 or at paul.gottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.
