PORT ANGELES — Former Sequim City Council member Paul McHugh took the oath of office Monday as the newest Port of Port Angeles commissioner after he was appointed by board President John Calhoun and newly elected Commissioner Jim Hallett.
McHugh, a former Sequim City Council member, was selected unanimously to fill out the two-year unexpired term of Jim McEntire’s Sequim-area District 1 seat held by Jim McEntire.
McEntire was elected Nov. 8 to the Clallam County board of commissioners, the same day Hallett was elected unopposed to the port commission.
Calhoun and Hallett had pared a field of 12 applicants for McEntire’s position to four finalists who gave five-minute presentations at the port’s regular Monday meeting.
The other finalists were Clallam County Sheriff’s Office cold-case investigator Sterling Epps, chiropractor and land developer Shawn Hankins and retired aeronautical engineer Gerald Stiles.
Following the presentations and one question each from the commissioners, Calhoun and Hallett went into executive session.
When they returned, each briefly praised all the candidates before Hallett nominated McHugh and Calhoun seconded the motion without discussion.
Hallett and Calhoun did not explain why they selected McHugh.
Calhoun said he and Hallett were “serious and complete” in their discussion of the candidates’ qualifications during the executive session, which the public cannot attend.
“All four [finalists] would make excellent commissioners, but we can only choose one,” Calhoun said.
During public comments that began Monday’s meeting, several citizens stepped forward to make their recommendations to the commission.
Former port Commissioner George Schoenfeldt, whose position Hallett ran for after Schoenfeldt decided not to seek reelection, recommended Hankins.
McHugh touts experience
During his presentation McHugh, a retired real estate broker who served eight years on the Sequim City Council, touted his experience as an elected official and emphasized his support of the port’s “strategic plan and vision.”
“I understand how local government works and what the roles and responsibilities are of an elected commissioner,” McHugh said.
McHugh also said his 35 years of experience in real estate gave him experience in local economic development and pledged he would not be a “rubber stamp” commissioner.
“I’m a salesman,” he added.
“I think it’s important to be marketing the [North Olympic] Peninsula.”
Calhoun asked McHugh what part of his life experience would be most critical for predicting success as a port commissioner.
McHugh cited his willingness and interest in engaging with constituents.
Hallett asked HcHugh how the port is doing and what it can do better.
“It’s important for the port to diversify the economy of the North Olympic Peninsula,” McHugh said.
“The port can follow up on what it’s doing.”
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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-417-3536 or at paul.gottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.