Businessman appreciates impact West had on him as young man

I met Jim West in the early 1980s when I was attending Lewis and Clark High School (Class of ‘86). I’m not sure of the exact timing of our acquaintance but over the course of three to four years, I got to know Jim fairly well.

Jim taught me how to scuba dive – a hobby I enjoy to this day.

• Jim led me and group of a dozen boys on a scuba diving trip to the Florida Keys in 1986. A trip which taught me about camaraderie and still provides many fond memories.

• Jim taught me some of my first lessons in business when I worked as an employee in his scuba diving shop.

• Jim introduced me to politics when I served as an intern for him in the Washington state Legislature.

In all of these situations, I was a minor and Jim had an opportunity to take advantage of me. I was alone with him for extended periods of time; I even stayed with Jim at his apartment in Olympia while serving as his intern. At absolutely NO time did Jim ever touch me sexually, take advantage of me, make inappropriate sexual comments, abuse his authority, misuse his position of trust, nor did he make me feel uncomfortable in any way. On the contrary, Jim was a man of integrity, honesty and decency.

Jim introduced me to new sports, business and politics. Along the way, Jim taught me a lot about life. He was a mentor to me and many other young men. He spent countless hours of his life and, in many ways, dedicated his career to the positive development and growth of young people. I, for one, wish there were more people like Jim West in this world.

While I do have some concerns about the motivations of The Spokesman-Review and the accusers, I don’t have any about Jim West. He is a man who had only kindness, charity and generosity in his heart.

I encourage the hundreds of other young men in whose lives Jim served as a positive influence to come forward with their stories.