OLYMPIA — Now that the disputed governor’s election has landed in court, the North Olympic Peninsula’s three state lawmakers are focusing on the abandoned state Department of Transportation graving yard, tsunamis and other assorted issues.
“It’s been an interesting week,” said Rep. Jim Buck, R-Joyce.
“We made history. We questioned whether a vote should be certified and we lost.
“The overwhelming majority who contacted me wanted a revote, by a margin of two to one.”
Buck represents the 24th Legislative District along with House Majority Leader Lynn Kessler and Sen. Jim Hargrove, both D-Hoquiam.
The district covers Clallam and Jefferson counties along with part of Grays Harbor County.
Kessler said it’s hard for her and her two 24th District colleagues to deal with the issue while keeping emotions in check.
“It doesn’t help if everyone gets emotional and say things they wish they hadn’t,” she said.
“We’re meeting with House Transportation Chairman Ed Murray, D-Seattle, and (Transportation) Secretary Doug MacDonald on Monday (today). We’ve met with the governor,” Kessler said.
“We are working all that we can, seeing what we can do,” she said.
“Until the door is totally shut, we are going to keep pushing to keep the jobs in that area while respecting the wishes of the tribe. It’s a balancing act.”
Sen. Hargrove agreed that “the graving yard is a top agenda item for us here.”
“I’m not sure about any solutions but we’re exploring every last option,” he said.
Hargrove said he hasn’t approached the issue of investigative hearings yet, but he’s exploring any possibility to keep the project in Port Angeles — even temporarily, just to get bridge fixed.