PORT TOWNSEND — Candidates for City Council expressed desires of making contributions to Port Townsend as a payback for how the town has enhanced their lives.
“I have considered Port Townsend to be the real home in my life,” said Position 6 candidate Amy Smith, 33, who spent time as a homeless youth in Seattle prior to moving to Port Townsend and assuming her current job as executive director of the Boiler Room.
“I came to Port Townsend, and it pretty much saved my life, and I’d really like to return the favor and help this place that I love so much grow and continue to thrive.”
Smith was one of six candidates — four competitive and two unopposed — who appeared before about 70 people at the Quimper Grange in a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters, the American Society of University Women and the Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader.
The debate was moderated by Fred Obee, who retired as the Leader’s general manager earlier this year.
“I came to Port Townsend to live here for a year and about six months later decided to make my life here,” said Paul Rice, 32, Smith’s opponent.
“Four years later, I want to become part of Port Townsend’s culture and governance and bring it into a future that is successful and accessible to everyone.”
All of those in the contested races are younger than 40. Their election could bring a fresh perspective to city government, candidates say.
The youngest member of the current council, Kris Nelson, is 45. Four of the seven members are older than 60.
Position 7 candidates David Faber, 32, and Travis Keena, 39, both grew up in Port Townsend and said they would never want to live anywhere else.
Both agreed infrastructure should not be created to serve tourism.
“People don’t come here because of anything that we build; they come here because it’s a great place,” Keena said.
“I think the infrastructure here should be built more for the people who live here and less to lure people here in some capacity.”
Said Faber: “We need to have a town that is attractive and capitalizes on the assets that we already have but still supports the viable community that lives here.
“Port Townsend became a wonderful tourist place because people were moving here and living here, but it’s really hard to pit one against the other because they are two sides of the same coin.”
In response to a question about the eventual replacement of City Manager David Timmons, who began in the position in 1999, Keena said he favored a return to the strong mayor form of government.
“I think we should elect the mayor and he should provide functions in the same way as a city manager does now,” he said.
“When you have a city manager, a city ends up getting run more like a business than a city, and I don’t believe a city manager is the best option for how Port Townsend operates.”
Saying he would probably not be able to bring about that change, Keena said he’d like to recruit a city manager locally, noting that Timmons moved to Port Townsend from Vermont.
“It would be nice if somebody from the region who knew a little more about what we are all about was hired,” Keena said.
Faber disagreed, saying, “The city manager format has worked out quite well for Port Townsend.”
“I think David Timmons has done a great job being resourceful in finding money for city programs,” Rice said.
“But many people feel frustrated and disconnected with their city manager and feel that he is some kind of otherworldly figure, so for our next city manager, we should find someone who is collaborative.”
Smith said collaboration is important on all levels of government.
“The very first step to effectiveness on the City Council is acknowledging and admitting that you are one of seven elected to represent the people,” she said.
“So my opinion is not more important than anyone else’s, and it’s OK to change your mind and not know the answers as long as you are willing to hear people.”
During the second half of the debate, the four contested candidates were joined by Deborah Stinson, 59, Position 3, and Robert Gray, 67, Position 4, both unchallenged incumbents seeking a second term.
Responding to a question about attracting businesses, Stinson said big-box stores — chain stores — should not be allowed into Port Townsend.
“They know they aren’t welcome here. They’re not really who we are, but they don’t want us either,” she said.
“We have an ordinance in place that does control chain stores.
“I think that it is working for us so far and don’t see a reason to change that.”
Gray, the last to answer the question, turned it around.
“We need to take care of our teenagers, who have told us they need things to do and places to shop,” he said.
“I don’t see a problem with smaller chain stores.
“I don’t think we need a Walmart or a Fred Meyer, but our teenagers aren’t wearing clothes from any of the stores in town.”
The next City Council candidate forum will be sponsored by the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and will be at noon Monday, Sept. 28, at the Elks Club, 555 Otto St.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
