PORT ANGELES — Port of Port Angeles Commissioner John Calhoun has announced he will run for a second term.
Calhoun, who represents the West End’s District III, is the president of the board of commissioners.
“As commissioner, I will build on the progress we have made over the last few years to tackle the challenges we face today,” Calhoun, 64, said in a written statement.
“Innovative approaches will be required — we can’t continue business as usual during these extraordinary times.”
Calhoun must file his candidacy with the Clallam County Auditor’s Office by June 5.
No others have expressed an intention to run for the six-year term.
If Calhoun is challenged by two or more opponents, he will face a primary election in his District III on Aug. 18. The top two candidates would then advance to the general election on Nov. 3.
If Calhoun has one opponent or is unopposed, he will advance to the county-wide general election.
The elections for the three port commissioners are staggered two years apart. The other commissioners are George Schoenfeldt and Jim McEntire.
Job-creating engine
The Port of Port Angeles is an engine for creating jobs, Calhoun said, and economic development is its primary function.
“New lines of business and avenues of economic development must be identified and developed,” he said. “I look forward to discussing my ideas during the campaign to come.”
Calhoun, of Forks, said he supports eventual redevelopment of the Rayonier site on the Port Angeles waterfront.
The property has been an Ecology cleanup site since 2000 and is contaminated with pockets of PCBs, dioxins, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead and other hazardous material created during the 68 years a Rayonier pulp mill operated there. The mill closed in 1997.
Remnants of an ancient Lower Elwha Klallam village are buried under some of the property, and the tribe is a partner in the state-supervised cleanup.
“I will vigorously pursue the cleanup and redevelopment of the Rayonier mill site in partnership with the city of Port Angeles, tribes and the citizens of Clallam County,” he said.
“Providing for public protection from contaminants and the discovery and protections of cultural values on the site are essential prerequisites to redevelopment.”
Calhoun said he will continue to support the Harbor-Works Public Development Authority.
“We have the opportunity to turn this fallow, contaminated land into the crown jewel of Port Angeles Harbor,” he said.
Harbor-Works was created by the port and the city of Port Angeles last May to assist in the environmental cleanup of the Rayonier property and direct its redevelopment.
Exploring the economic development in biomass, encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit and the cleanup and redevelopment of the KPly mill site — which is on port property on Marine Drive — are other positions he holds.
Calhoun also said he supports the recording of executive sessions and strict adherence to the Open Public Meetings Act.
Themes
Calhoun said his campaign will focus on the following themes:
• “Priority one is to put people back to work and provide leadership in economic development for the entire county.”
• “Port commissioners must provide vigorous, innovative leadership, make wise and careful decisions, avoiding ‘turf wars’ and petty personality conflicts.”
• “Keeping port property taxes and fees low during these economically stressful times.”
Since taking office in January 2004, Calhoun said he has helped to bring an end to internal bickering on the board, lead in the establishment of a strategic planning process, built partnerships with cities, the county and tribes and has lead efforts to transform the culture of the port.
In addition to his duties at the port, Calhoun is also the director of the University of Washington Olympic Natural Resource Center, a position he has held since 1995.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
