Port of Allyn begins search for new commissioner

The Port of Allyn will be posting applications on its website for the District 2 Commissioner position, current commissioners said at the Feb. 5 meeting.

The post is open after Commissioner Ted Jackson’s sudden resignation Jan. 19.

Jim Freeman, a prospective candidate, introduced himself at the meeting and said he “wanted to give back to the community.”

Freeman grew up in Port Orchard and currently lives in LakeLand Village. He’s spent most of his career in the waterworks industry and works at the Belfair water district.

“There’s certainly been issues at the Belfair water district but not in the last seven years,” he said.

Interim Executive Director Travis Merrill said they had to appoint a new commissioner within 90 days of Jackson’s resignation.

Commissioner Judy Scott first suggested they take applications through Feb. 16.

“Why can’t we wait until the end of February?” Commissioner John Sheridan asked.

They agreed to accept applications through Feb. 29.

Merrill said the commissioners were required to nominate at least one candidate during a meeting of a governing body.

“It doesn’t necessarily have to happen tonight, but we do have an applicant here. I would take care of the fact that we do have an applicant here who’s very interested and nominate him,” Merrill said.

“We can nominate Jim and still take applications through the 29th,” Scott said.

Sheridan didn’t see the need to hurry.

“To be fair, I don’t know anything about Jim right now,” he said.

Commissioners agreed to wait until March to nominate a candidate.

Scott said she met with the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office to find out how the port could be in compliance with opening Sweetwater Park. The park is in Belfair next to the Salmon Center.

Scott said it will probably be after Earth Day, April 20, before they open the park because they are planning on having a trash cleanup.

During the public comments, Jeff Carey said he’d like to see Sweetwater Park stay in the community, “but it just does not seem to fit where the port is.”

Ken VanBuskirk also commented on Sweetwater Park.

“I sent you a link to the Department of Ecology that shows that property is still on the confirmed and suspected contaminated sites. It was never removed,” he said.

According to VanBuskirk, the port’s former Executive Director Lary Coppola recommended surplussing or transferring the property.

“I really think it’s not a good place for a park,” VanBuskirk said.

In an effort to boost port funds, Scott and Sheridan said they were waiving all compensation for 2024.

They also discussed ways to trim the budget with Merrill, who recommended several unused services, including duplicate Adobe subscriptions, be canceled.

“We have an account with Wave for internet service for security cameras at the North Shore. As you are well aware, we do not have security cameras at the North Shore,” Merrill told the commissioners. He said they were spending $216 a month for the service and have cameras, but they aren’t set up. Canceling it would be a “no brainer,” he said.

Merrill also recommended cutting the Dockwa platform the port is using at the Allyn waterfront that allows boaters to book moorage online. It would save $868 a year, he said.

Sheridan was happy with the recommendations.

“Let’s keep getting rid of things we don’t need,” he said.

Scott ended the meeting feeling hopeful.

“It’s been a little rough, but it’s going to be OK,” she said.