Citizens for a Better Port

05/21/2026

Citizens for a Better Port | May 2026

05/08/2026

“The case highlights broader questions about infrastructure oversight, public utility management, and accountability in local government operations.” AND the retaliation of those who were seeking that accountability.

Criminal investigation continues into unauthorized water hookups at Richland AirportThe Brief• City of Richland shut off unauthorized water hookups serving about a dozen private hangars at Richland Airport after discovery

05/07/2026

“Three Port of Benton commissioners — Scott Keller, Bill O’Neil, and Lori Stevens — are facing a recall effort driven by allegations of corruption — including the gifting of public funds through illegal water hookups at the Richland Airport — as well as retaliation against a whistleblower.”

Published May 6, 2026 | Port of Benton Watch

05/06/2026

Friends in low places: Update on the Port of Benton Commissioners recall

By Dori Luzzo Gilmour

“We believe that the commissioners, like all public officials, have an ongoing obligation to follow the law; and it was clear from the Port’s own internal investigation that they were actively violating the law.”

(Story in comments)

Citizens for a Better Port

04/30/2026

Current Recall Status: WA State Supreme Court of Appeals

https://acdocportal.courts.wa.gov/PublicAccess/search_sc.html

Case No. 1052537

The Washington State Appellate Courts Public Case Document Search is provided as a public service by the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) and the Appellate Courts.

04/02/2026

Recall efforts against the three Port of Benton commissioners will proceed, though a judge slashed some of the charges against the elected officials.

04/01/2026

“They're staying in their positions, they're continuing to fight the process, and they're continuing to have their lawyers paid by the port,” said attorney Doug McKinley. “So all of this cost is occurring to the taxpayers, and it could all be stopped if they simply stepped down.”

KENNEWICK, Wash. - A recall effort targeting three Port of Benton commissioners will move forward after a judge ruled the allegations against them meet the lega

03/31/2026

Judge OKs petitions to recall 3 port officials for violating WA law, retaliation

03/31/2026

Three commissioners. Three recall proceedings. All three cleared to move forward. The central finding is consistent across all three orders: the Port of Benton’s commissioners appear to have retaliated against employees who had the courage to bring forward concerns about misconduct — stripping the Executive Director of her authority and removing the auditor.

A Benton County Superior Court judge ruled today that recall elections can move forward against Commissioners O'Neil, Keller, and Stevens. Here's what it means — and what it doesn't.

03/30/2026

Today is a significant day for accountability at the Port of Benton.

This morning, Benton County Superior Court Judge Diana N. Ruff issued orders in all three recall proceedings — against Commissioners O'Neil, Stevens, and Keller — finding sufficient legal and factual grounds for recall elections to proceed.

Here is what the court found:

All three commissioners may be recalled for retaliating against Port Executive Director Diahann Howard and the Port Auditor after Director. Howard brought allegations of wrongdoing by Commissioner Keller to the full Board. The demotion and suspension occurred just two weeks after she had received a positive performance evaluation. The court called this a manifest abuse of discretion and a violation of their oath of office.

Commissioner Keller faces a second ballot charge: that he failed to disclose his ownership of The Axe, LLC — a company that holds a lease with the Port of Benton — on mandatory financial disclosure filings for three consecutive years, under penalty of perjury.

I know some of you have also been tracking the hangar utility infrastructure issue. The court did not uphold those specific charges, not because the conduct isn't concerning, but because the recall statute requires a very specific showing of actions taken while in office. That issue remains worth public attention — through audits, records requests, and continued scrutiny.

For now, all three recall campaigns are cleared to move forward.

I've posted a full article on Substack with a complete, plain-language breakdown of every charge the court reviewed. Please read it, share it widely, and help us make sure the voters of each district know what's at stake.

https://open.substack.com/pub/portwatchtc/p/court-clears-path-for-recall-of-all?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web

To contribute towards the Port of Benton Recall efforts:

Please use the link below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdexl7sHlrtUu2p2m0QS3Bw23bfIZR3EDv8cswpcKe6oViMCA/viewform?usp=header

Contributions can be made electronically or by check. Per RCW 42.17A C4BP is required to report the name of the contributor and the amount of each contribution.

If you prefer to contribute by check please download the form and mail to:
Citizens for A Better Port
5440 Hershey Lane
West Richland, WA 99353

If you have questions about the recall, the process, or how your contribution will be used, reply to this email. We are happy to answer.

It’s our port. Our future. Thank you for your continued support.

Ret. Judge Eugene Pratt
Citizens for a Better Port

P.S. Forward this to someone in the Tri-Cities who cares about how public money is managed. The recall needs broad community awareness to succeed.

Mail in Address: 5440 Hershey Lane West Richland, WA 99353