PORT TOWNSEND — Fending off challenger Leif Erickson’s calls to cut port expenses, incumbent Port of Port Townsend Commissioner Herb Beck defended the port’s investments in economic development — from the heavy haulout facility Beck fought to bring to the shipyard to a proposed airport light industrial park.
“I took a lot of heat for that,” Beck recalled, talking about the 330-ton heavy haulout facility that was built in the 1990s after Admiral Marine relocated to Port Angeles.
“I want your vote but don’t mess with success,” Beck, 71, told more than 30 attending Monday’s Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Elks Lodge, echoing his campaign motto.
Beck said today he hears from marine trades operators who say they would not be in business had the heavy haulout facility not been installed at the port’s Boat Haven marina.
“This, my friends, is economic development — the ripple effect,” Beck said, also touting a reconstructed Point Hudson Marina and port offices that lease office space, contain laundry and shower facilities for recreational vehicle campers and boaters, and created a new location for T’s Restaurant in the former nurses quarters building near the marina’s entrance.
He also cited improvements to the Quilcene marina and industrial park named for Beck that has allowed Coast Seafood to expand its shellfish seed-growing operation.
Nov. 3 election
Erickson, Townsend Bay Marine’s production manager, opposes Beck for the District No. 3 seat that the Quilcene beef farmer has held since the 1970s.
Following a primary election that eliminated a third challenger, Beck and Erickson are campaigning toward the Nov. 3 general election.
Erickson, 58, disclosed that he has a potential conflict working for yacht builder Townsend Bay Marine.
After 14 years of working at the port’s Boat Haven industrial park, Erickson said, “I have watched the port make decisions that have driven people away. The port needs someone that knows the marine business.”
Erickson contends that the port needs to reduce its spending, citing a “cash shortage” that will exists once the port borrows money through bonding to replace the dilapidated AB Dock slips in the Boat Haven marina.
Erickson said he believe the port should focus on replacing that Lower Port Hadlock boat ramp, which is plagued by sand that washes in and covers it over.
He also called for leaving the port’s 20 acres of Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park as a natural area.
Erickson was critical of the port’s enforcement of environmental violations in the boat and ship work yards.
Beck said he hoped the proposed 24-acre airport “eco park” light industrial site the port proposes at Jefferson County International Airport could come to fruition through a public-private partnership.
“Just like the haulout, nobody thought it was a good idea but look what happened,” Beck said of boat yard business expansion.
Elevated boat ramp
Beck said the port commissioners found that a new, elevated boat ramp at Lower Hadlock would cost about $1 million and involve adding upland grounds for parking boat trailers.
When Beck said the port was financially “on the borderline,” Erickson said it was time to cut spending.
Erickson said port spending cant be done “on the backs of moorage tenants” at the marina.
Beck said he would support combining marina improvements with the replacement of the 70-ton haulout facility for smaller vessels.
The 70-ton haulout would be surveyed soon to determine its condition.
Erickson said the 70-ton haulout should have only two more years of life.
He said he was on the citizen advisory committee that recommended redesigning the AB Docks at the marina for more smaller boats.
“You shouldn’t base moorage rates on those in Seattle,” Erickson said.
Beck countered saying, “We can’t give away the moorage rates. We have to stay solvent.”
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com