Citizens for a Better Port
Accountability at the Port of Benton — Backed by the Courts, Driven by Citizens
To stay informed on recall progress-Substack: portwatchtc@substack.com
Why Recall?
Stop the corruption, waste and abuse of the Port of Benton Commissioners (Richland, WA).
The Recall: WA. Supreme Court order July 2, 2026, recall charges upheld. We now have until August 27 to collect signatures to recall the commissioners on the November Ballot
Retaliation Findings: Howard suspension, Myers termination
Financial Costs: legal fees ($200K+ investigation, $80K+ Gravis, $40K Goodstein), $76,980 in unpaid utilities, to date known impact to taxpayer, $3.19M
Who can sign the petition? -only voters within the Port of Benton’s district can sign the petition
Get the background:
Tumbleweird Articles, By Dori Luzzo Gilmour
1. March 5, 2026 — "In the wake of corruption investigations, Port of Benton Commissioners may be ousted"
https://tumbleweird.org/investigations-port-commissioners/
Covers the initial Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt investigation findings against Commissioner Scott Keller and the formation of the Citizens for a Better Port recall committee.
2. March 16, 2026 — "Residents rise to recall"
https://tumbleweird.org/residents-rise-to-recall/
Covers the formal recall petitions filed against all three commissioners and the legal recall timeline.
3. May 6, 2026 — "Friends in low places: Update on the Port of Benton Commissioners recall"
https://tumbleweird.org/friends-in-low-places/
The May update in the series Port of Benton update "Rise to Recall"
4. June 11, 2026 — "Port of Benton update: Former CFO Speaks out as criminal investigation begins"
https://tumbleweird.org/port-of-benton-update/
Alicia Myers interview, plus detail on the criminal referral to the Franklin County Sheriff.
5. July 2, 2026 — "PORT OF BENTON UPDATE: The cost to taxpayers"
https://tumbleweird.org/the-cost-to-taxpayers/
Covers both the taxpayer-cost angle and includes the Supreme Court of Washington's July 2 ruling that the recall can proceed
6. July 31, 2026 - Port of Benton update: Port tenants paying the price"
Covers over a year of code enforcement and disconnection notices, only one of the fifteen Butler Loop hangar tenants has actually made progress toward fixing illicit utility connections — most have not.
Petition Map
If you live in the Port of Benton District, please sign all three petitions for recall of each of the commissioners.
Wautoma Springs Winery in Prosser is a standing location for signing the petition.
We will also be at Richland and Prosser’s weekly farmers markets.
Please see social media for weekly locations and pop-up locations or email us and we will connect with you!
Get Involved
Sign the Petition — We will be at community events and pop locations, email us or track us via social media for updates
Attend a Port Meeting —Commission - Port of Benton
Volunteer / Join the Signature Drive — contact us to get connected: citizens4abetterport@gmail.com
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Donate
Donations are used in accordance with WA Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) per RCW 42.17A recodified as Title 29B RCW (i.e. records requests, printing/signature-gathering costs, legal review, outreach, etc)
Suggested donation tiers (e.g., $25 / $50 / $100 / $250/ Other)
We have no paid staff but do have in kind legal and research support in addition to paid legal review.
Disclaimer we are required to collect information from our donors. Any donation over $250 also requires employment information. Reporting will be submitted per PDC requirements RCW 29B.
About Us
Who we are: community-led group formed to advocate for transparent, accountable Port leadership
What we do: records requests, public education, organizing the recall effort
Our Mission is education, accountability and to stop public corruption
Leadership: Eugene Pratt, President, Alison Moore, Treasurer
"Why we formed" — brief origin tied to the 2025 utility violations and Feb 2026 port investigation