Commissioners serve 6-year-terms and supervise the Port of Port Angeles holdings, including the Boat Haven, at the Port Angeles Harbor, William R. Fairchild International Airport in Port Angeles and John Wayne Marina on Sequim Bay. Brad Collins and John Calhoun are contesting for District 3, open to residents of the county’s West End.

John Calhoun
I am seeking re-election because we have made great progress in transforming the port from a status quo organization into a dynamic, innovative agent for economic development in the county, yet there is much more we can do.

I am passionate about economic development and innovation as the means to create jobs and steward our environment. Under my steady leadership, we are transforming the culture of the port.
I am emphasizing open, public meetings, service to constituents and achieving goals through partnerships, not turf battles.

Under my leadership, the port is implementing its first comprehensive strategic plan, and we are measuring results through our first economic impact study. We have taken bold but reasoned steps to achieve or economic development goals: recruitment of the NOAA research fleet, holding Rayonier and the Department of Ecology responsible for cleanup at the old pulp mill site, re-opened the K-Ply mill and reduced property taxes for the first time in history.

In my second term, my goal is to create or support 1,000 new family-wage jobs over the next six years. And we must provide affordable housing to retain workers. This is ambitious but not unreasonable.

The port district is countywide. It is important to keep a balanced perspective on the commission. We now have a commissioner from Sequim and Port Angeles, and I am from Forks.

My opponent is from Port Angeles. Two commissioners from Port Angeles will overload influence in favor of Port Angeles. A balanced regional perspective should be maintained.

Brad Collins
The nation has committed vast financial resources to recover from the deep recession everyone is experiencing. With unemployment near 10 percent in Clallam County, the port must position our community to participate as recovery happens. 

For the Port of Port Angeles, this means not just leasing out highly valuable airport and waterfront properties but aggressively advancing projects with the prospect of family-wage jobs. I will measure the success of the port’s efforts to retain and create jobs needed for our economic recovery. I will work hard to bring more jobs to our community now, not 10 years from now.

I have a set of professional skills and experiences useful for putting the port’s assets to work by expediting developments that create employment opportunities.

Expertise in:
• Land-use planning, building permits and construction standards
• Environmental review process and shoreline management policies
• Private and public development projects and best practices
• Facilitation of interagency communications and partnerships
My knowledge from conducting public hearings for over 15 years as Port Angeles Community Development director ensures an open decision-making process. My long-standing leadership on salmon recovery efforts attests to an appreciation for public trust lands requiring the port’s stewardship of marine shorelines. 

For 20 years I have served Clallam County in many community leadership roles, bringing people together. My broad experiences and professional skills can address the urgency for job creation in the port’s investment and development actions that will set the course for Clallam County’s future.