PORT ANGELES — A rift between the Port Angeles Downtown Association and some of its members is carrying into the organization’s board elections.
Seven of the board’s 13 positions are up for grabs this month, and several dissenting members are throwing their hats in the ring.
Fifteen PADA members have filed as candidates, seven of whom are supporting a pledge to allow members to vote on at least some of the association’s events, to “restore accountability and transparency,” and to do more to seek a state business and occupation tax credit.
Ballots went out to the group’s approximately 190 members earlier this month and are due Thursday.
Petition
Those behind the pledge include Kevin Tracy and Don Zeller, downtown business owners and board candidates who also organized a no-confidence petition earlier this year that requested the city of Port Angeles audit the downtown association.
The petition was spurred by their view that the board is out of touch with its membership.
The review found PADA in compliance with its contract with City Hall that requires it promote economic development downtown, improve the area’s appearance, maintain parking lots and participate in the state’s Main Street Program, though staff did recommend more outreach on the part of the board to the membership.
Tracy, owner of Tracy Wealth Management and a former board member who resigned in February over disagreements with the organization, said he hasn’t seen enough of an improvement.
“We want to make sure that downtown members feel that they have a say . . . in what happens in their downtown,” he said.
PADA President Jack Harmon said he disagrees with the view that the board doesn’t do enough to get the input of its members.
“It’s a totally open process,” he said.
“I would hope that the members know we are totally available.”
Tax credit
In regards to the tax credit, made available to businesses in a Main Street program, Harmon said it’s only available to business owners who apply for it with the state and that the downtown organization doesn’t have a role.
Since the petition was presented, the board has addressed some of the concerns by creating “block captains,” which act as go-betweens for members on blocks throughout downtown.
Zeller, who owns Zeller’s Antique Mall, said he supports the use of block captains but still thinks members need to have more control over some of the board’s decisions, such as with events.
He said events need to serve the purpose of benefitting retail and criticized the use of a venue outside of downtown for the organization’s Steam Ball, a steampunk concert.
Harmon said the event was held at the Masonic Lodge, six blocks from downtown, because the Elks Naval Lodge at First and Lincoln streets wasn’t large enough.
He said the association made $1,500 from the event.
Eric Brown, a board member seeking re-election, said the board is making progress in addressing concerns from members.
“There’s always room for improvement,” he acknowledged.
Brown, co-owner of Brown’s Outdoor, said he could support having some events voted on by the membership but noted it could get complicated.
“I would look at that thing on an individual basis,” he said.
Brian Winters, another board member seeking re-election, said he agrees that the organization needs to be more transparent and do a better job at seeking input.
But in regards to event planning, he said, it’s hard to have “events that benefit everyone.”
“You can’t agree with everyone all the time,” said Winters, vice president of E-Z Pawn.
Candidates
Along with Tracy and Zeller, candidates supporting the pledge are business owners Dave Long, Oven Spoonful; Trisa Chomica, Trisa and Co. Interior Design; Brian Hansen, R Bar; and Gail Nivala, Special Eyes, as well as Catherine Harper, downtown resident and building owner.
Other candidates in addition to Brown and Winters are Richard Stephens, Peninsula Daily News account executive; Ernst-Ulrich Schafer, Ernst Fine Arts Photography owner; Robert Nicholls, White Crane Martial Arts owner; Jan Harbick, Five SeaSuns Bed & Breakfast Inn owner; Jake Oppelt, Next Door owner; and Melissa Abrams, Rissa’s Barely Consignment owner.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
