Are you aware of a fraudulent Facebook page impersonating the Port of Centralia by using the real Port’s trademark, intellectual properties and name?
This imposter Facebook page has the appearance of being the real Port of Centralia or backed by that agency. It is also calling itself a “political organization” and has the appearance of support from Port of Centralia Commissioner Julie Shaffley, Centralia Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston, Chronicle and Silver Agency owner Chad Taylor and a few others with ties to the Port.
Why is The Chronicle not reporting about this fraudulent Facebook page, its creator and supporters? Well, that’s obvious.
On March 27, Kyle Wheeler, a private citizen, sent a letter to the Port of Centralia requesting an investigation of Commissioner Shaffley for her possible involvement with this imposter Facebook page. As of this writing, the Port has not yet responded to the request, though a staff member acknowledged receipt of the request.
At the April 17 port meeting, I commented on the ethics of the Port when determining who they will investigate. I asked for a response to my comment, per Commissioner Kyle Markstrom’s instructions, and have not yet received a response.
The lack of responses and action regarding this matter leads me to wonder about the ethics and integrity of our port.
Why would the real Port of Centralia ignore the fraudulent use of their trademark, intellectual properties and name, unless the real port is behind the creation and use? The imposter page is solely used in retaliation for my providing truthful information about the port on my Facebook group.
We are supporting the Port of Centralia with our tax dollars. We have a right to expect transparency with a full investigation of all involved in this matter. Time to hold the Port of Centralia and everyone involved accountable.
Jan Banevich
Centralia
In response to claims on website disclosure
Last week, Kristen Chilson of Northway Strategies, a paid contractor for the Lewis County Republican Party, wrote to you here about my alleged failure to disclose information.
I’d like to respond directly.
Kristen Chilson wrote what she wrote because she is a paid political operative on behalf of the Lewis County Republican Party. That is a verifiable fact on the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) website.
Chilson is also the daughter of two executive board members of the Lewis County Republican Party, Greg and Elizabeth Rohr.
Chilson alleges failure to disclose on my part because she doesn’t like that I provided website structure for a political action committee (PAC), which is essentially a business service that she, herself, also provides as paid political contractor under the name Northway Strategies. Now, let’s not neglect the fact that she knows I provided this service because it was, in fact, disclosed to the PDC.
Furthermore, had she asked or done any actual fact-checking at all, she would have learned that I in no way authored, wrote, provided or otherwise made records requests for any content on the website that she’s so unhappy about. I provided structure only. None of the investigative work featured on the site was done by myself. It was provided to me in sets by the PAC itself.
They complain about the $500 fee and that I must be getting paid another way, somehow, that is unreported. Well, the fact I provided no content for the site is why that fee is so reasonable. Again, had she asked the publication or myself, she would have been informed of that.
Most interesting to me is that,
