QUILCENE — Residents of Quilcene have formed a committee to bring their issues concerning the Herb Beck Marina to Port of Port Townsend officials.
The Linger Longer Committee, named after the road that connects the small town of Quilcene to the Herb Beck Marina, has had three meetings with about 16 community members coming out to share the issues they’d like to see port officials address, members said.
“Our group represents a wide array of Quilcene residents and stakeholders, including Coast Seafoods, adjacent land owners, local fishermen and families who depend on the facilities for many aspects of their daily lives,” said committee member Heather Burns.
Committee members were formally introduced during the Port of Port Townsend commissioners’ Wednesday afternoon meeting.
The four committee members in attendance used the public comment part of the meeting to outline the Linger Longer panel’s main issues.
Burns said they want to see the port ensure that this year’s shrimp season opening, which starts May 14, goes smoothly.
“It’s a very crowded marina, and without the expertise of our former harbormaster, it could get chaotic,” Burns said.
Committee members are also concerned about the former harbormaster, Jim Speer, whose contract was terminated in February. Speer and his wife, Donna, have been asked to leave the port-owned home they’ve lived in for more than two decades near Herb Beck Marina.
The port has given the Speers a deadline of moving out by the end of the month. Committee members asked port officials to allow them to live in the home until they can find a new place to live.
The committee members also said many of the facilities at the Herb Beck Marina have fallen into disrepair, especially the bathrooms.
Burns said a large hole was in the floor of the women’s shower for about a year.
Port officials have said they are working to fix some of the damage in the bathroom facilities.
Committee members also brought up boat launch ramp at the marina, which Burns said is now unsafe.
“They seemed willing to hear that and make it an item to focus on,” Burns said.
Burns said the committee also has long-term goals for the marina, many of which focus on making the facilities clean, safe and accessible.
“We’re just ensuring that the economy for our small town is being attended to,” Burns said. “Our marina is kind of the heart, and it brings in a lot of money, directly and indirectly through tourism, to Quilcene.”
The committee is planning to have biweekly meetings, starting with a committee meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, April 24, at the Quilcene Yacht Club at the corner of Rodgers Street and U.S. Highway 101 in Quilcene.
At Wednesday’s meeting, Burns invited Port of Port Townsend commissioners to attend.
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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Cydney McFarland can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 55052, or at cmcfarland@peninsuladailynews.com.
