Doherty takes the CDA board to task
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, October 1st, 2025 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
MORROW & UMATILLA COUNTIES – The Columbia Development Authority held a
board meeting Tuesday via Zoom, and a member of the public took them to task on
several points. Kelly Doherty’s written questions regarding the board charged with the
economic development of the former Umatilla Chemical Weapons Depot have become
part of the public record.
Doherty used to serve on the CDA board as a representative from the Port of Morrow.
The board for the port removed her from that position about a year ago. Doherty, who
filed Tuesday to run to serve on the Morrow County Board of Commissioners, remains
on the port’s board.
This is the document she made part of the record:
1.) Today marks nearly one year after a vote was held to reset unauthorized wage
increases. To my knowledge only Greg Smith’s wage was reduced to the previous
compensation. Emily Collins and Debbie Pedro wages have not been reset. The last
time I asked, none have repaid the retroactive compensation. The failure of a public
official to act, also known as nonfeasance , can lead and has led to the loss and
misappropriation of public money. When this failure is willful and sever, it can constitute
a criminal offense such as misconduct in public office, with severe penalties.
This board continues to demonstrate gross negligence and
carelessness regarding legal obligations. This willful abuse of power undermines the
public’s trust. Please read your IGA as it clearly identifies the board to set all
compensation. Mr. Smith indicated in a public meeting he would not require staff to do
so, Mr. Smith does not have that authority.
The misuse of public money and the negligence in oversight of the is board is
appalling. You are entrusted with government money, with the proper utilization and
management thereof. Your position requires holding those responsible for the misuse
and embezzlement of those funds accountable for their actions. This board has allowed
the wrongful diversion of public funds to continue, you all have been aware, yet you
have done nothing. You have assumed a position of authority and responsibility but
have failed to act. Your primary role is to manage, safeguard , transfer and disburse the
funds belonging to the government and the public. Criminal negligence entails an
intensified, gross or reckless failure to exercise reasonable care, demonstrating a
complete disregard for the legal repercussions of your actions.. At the one year mark,
you have surpassed ordinary negligence.
2.) Today on your agenda is a discussion on the annexation of the Morrow County
side of the property. I read the declaration made by Greg Smith to the Circuit Court, signed subject to perjury. Page 2, item 5, states ” during the same April 25, 2023,meeting, CDA’s board also approved a motion directing CDA to request annexation of a portion of the CDA’s property within Morrow County in Boardman Fire Recue District’s service district.” property described as exhibit (1). We all know that the motion did not contain any such verbiage about annexation. Perhaps Mr. Wenholz would like to
address this. We know by listening to the video this is inaccurate. We also know that the
intent of the motion was to give us temporary coverage to meet the obligations to the
Insurance company. Comments made by Chair Puzey were not any part of the motion
made by Mr. Wenholz. Is this Board willing to sacrifice perjury? Willfully telling an
untruth.
3.) This Board lost a significant Federal funding source for lack of fiscal
oversight, unverified time cards, unauthorized compensation, and it still continues to
plague this Board today. If someone in this room can confirm how many hours of paid
vacation time is allotted to staff I would like to know that number. Does anyone realize
that Greg Smith has been logging 4 hours of regular pay and 4 hours of paid vacation
for months on end, totaling nearly 500 hours last I checked. Does anyone care?
4.) Last week’s meeting was canceled, because Oregon public meeting laws require an
electronic form of public attendance, ADA compliance and public services, like
bathrooms. Boarding a bus, supplying driver’s license and attending a ribbon cutting
ceremony should never be a requirement of a public meeting. Providing a recording of
the meeting after the fact is not in alignment with House Bill 2560,requireing a remote
option whenever possible. There were a number of better choices available. Where is
the leadership, the public is waiting for this Board to conduct its business in an open
and transparent way, not hide in some remote area that restricts the publics access to
its decision makers and its decisions.
I submitted a grievance about the executive session that was held at the last meeting,
not even a response. So, I sent it on to ethics. There is so much to do and the agenda
today is bare of substance.
Doherty’s written testimony was accepted and made part of the public record. It was not
discussed.
File photo of Kelly Doherty from the Port of Morrow
