Washington Tire: Residents Call for Port Manager's Sacking

US industry publication Tire Review has reported the latest chapter in the Washington Tire Corporation saga: It appears the costs involved in the failed Washington Tire deal have prompted residents near the proposed Port of Ephrata, Washington factory site into action. Residents have signed a petition requesting the termination of Mike Wren, manager of the Port of Ephrata.

The petition states the residents are “greatly concerned” about Wren’s “mismanagement of the Port of Ephrata…Specifically, his incompetence and poor judgment regarding Washington Tire Company.” It also states the Washington Tire deal cost taxpayers thousands and “has caused great embarrassment and humiliation to the Ephrata community.”

Washington Tire Corporation originally claimed it planned to build a US$1 billion, 18-building plant on a 97-acre parcel of land adjacent to the local airport. Wren and Port of Ephrata officials became suspicious in August after they learned WTC President Abraham Hengyucius’ real name is actually Hengyu Zhang, and demanded proof that WTC is a legally incorporated company. In the end, the Port of Ephrata called off its land sale deal with WTC. Less than a month after the Port ended negotiations with WTC and Hengyucius, a local surveying and engineering firm sued WTC for non-payment

Columbia Northwest Engineering, based in nearby Moses Lake, Washington, is suing WTC, seeking the $40,000 it claims it is owed for services rendered in 2008-09. Specifically, the company said it performed surveying, site development planning, land segregation and plat applications for the project, but has not been paid for any of its work.