Friday, January 8, 2010
Grant County makes secret bid for BMW plant, is in the race for $200M auto-part factory
Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle) - by Steve Wilhelm Staff Writer
Thanks in large part to its inexpensive, carbon-neutral hydropower, Grant County is in the running to win a $200 million factory to make carbon-fiber material for next-generation electric BMW cars.
The factory, expected to cover 200,000 square feet and employ 180 people, would be built later this year on land outside Moses Lake, officials said. Moses Lake is competing against another location, probably in Canada, and a decision is expected this month, perhaps as early as this week.
The factory would be built as part of a joint venture between German luxury automaker BMW Group and SGL Group, a $2.3 billion German maker of carbon-based products.
The plant would be the first to bring major automotive-related production to the state. If successful, it could attract other automotive-related plants keen to use inexpensive hydropower generated by dams controlled by the Grant County Public Utility District.
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Volunteers express outrage and demand investigation of Moses Lake Food Board of Directors
ReplyDeleteMOSES LAKE — On the heels of the recent sudden resignation of longtime Moses Lake Food Bank Executive Director Linda Finlay, several Moses Lake Food Bank volunteers are speaking about how some of the Board members unfairly forced her to resign and are demanding an investigation of the Board.
On April 29th, in a prepared statement Linda Finlay stated “..... after 29 years with .... the Moses Lake Food Bank, I resigned due to circumstances beyond my control. I cherish the opportunity I had to freely help so many people for so many years.”
Since April 29th several resignations of food bank volunteers have occurred in support of Linda Finlay.
Volunteer Bruce Diehl said he thought Finlay’s resignation was “for the worse.”
Volunteer Bunny Coker stated the volunteers were shunned by the Food Bank Board members which is a shame. "What is the Food Bank Board of Directors hiding!," said Coker.
Diehl and Coker said they will quit volunteering at the food bank.
Volunteer Jeff Powell said he will not return to the food bank under the current board. With different leadership, he would be happy to return, he said.
Food Bank supporter Bob Johnson said “Board member Glen Goodman is responsible for this. He forced Linda Finlay to resign. I am going to start a petition to the Moses Lake Food Bank and ask Glen's resignation from the Board of Directors at the Moses Lake Food Bank. "
Vera Hurd, a loyal supporter of the Food Bank said “15 volunteers resign at the same as the Executive Director…What is wrong with this picture??? I think the public should know the other side of the story.”
"The members of this Board should search their souls. In our country we have become all too familiar with the dishonesty and behind-the-door politicking....it's time for a State audit and legal inquiry to make sure the by-laws, letters of incorporation, etc. are all in order," stated Judie Champie, long time volunteer to the Moses Lake Food Bank.
According to Food Bank volunteer Jeff Williams, “I've volunteered at the Food Bank for several years and I can tell you that a couple of the Board Members of Moses Lake Food Bank are control freaks. One in particular, Glen Goodman, drives everyone crazy. I think Glen's rude and overbearing style drove Linda Finlay crazy. I would vote to have Linda come back and that Glen Goodman resign.”
"Those of us who have volunteered at the food bank know the underlying reason for Linda' resignation. The total lack of support for her, the refusal of the board to recognize the value of the volunteers and the subversive actions taken against Linda is the primary reason. Why did the board chairman step down at the meeting?" said Ron Zumwalt, long time Moses Lake Food Bank volunteer.
“This is a power play by Board Member Glen Goodman and his cohorts,” said volunteer Lisa Jones. “Glen wanted to micromanage everyone and he suffocated Linda and the volunteers with his over controlling and obsessive compulsive behavior.”
Don Larson said “As a person who has donated time to the food bank, it seems that this board has something to hide….The board has SHUNNED their volunteers for many years, no wonder they all resigned. Those of us who know Linda Finlay and how she dedicated her life to the food bank…there are some serious issues going on at those board meetings that are not open to the public for her to leave so abruptly….Why does the food bank run so successfully for many, many years under the direction of Linda Finlay and then she all of a sudden resigns! Sounds like an official inquiry should be done on this board?"
"I volunteered once at the Food Bank last year. One of the Board Members at the Food Bank, Glen Goodman, was yelling at Linda and some of the volunteers. Anyhow, I can see why Linda resigned. I wouldn't want to take that kind of abuse on a daily basis,” stated volunteer Steve Smith.