Port of Port Angeles panel bids exiting commissioner goodbye

PORT ANGELES — The Port of Port Angeles officially bid farewell to Commissioner Paul McHugh on Monday at the commissioners’ regular meeting, the final one of the year.

Port Commissioner John Calhoun read a resolution in recognition of McHugh’s two years of service to the port.

“Paul McHugh has worked tirelessly to encourage economic development and infrastructure investment so that the port continues to be a catalyst for economic growth,” Calhoun read into the record.

The resolution listed the projects McHugh worked on — the redevelopment of the KPly property and the Black Ball ferry terminal, several environmental stewardships projects, port marine terminal improvements and improvements at airports.

He represented the port at the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association, the WPPA Legislative Committee, the Sequim Chamber of Commerce, the North Olympic Peninsula Resource Conservation and Development council, Sequim Bay Yacht Club and the Clallam County Public Development authority.

“I have enjoyed our association. Thank you very much,” McHugh told Calhoun after the resolution was read and he shook hands with Calhoun and Port Commissioner Jim Hallett.

The regularly scheduled Dec. 23 meeting, which would have been the last scheduled meeting of the year, was cancelled because of Christmas.

McHugh would be called to attend any emergency or special Port meetings if they are called before

Dec. 31.

In late 2011, Hallett and Calhoun selected McHugh from a field of 12 candidates to fill current Clallam County Commissioner Jim McEntire’s unexpired term.

McHugh served as vice president and secretary of the commission during his partial term.

Colleen McAleer, who defeated McHugh in the August primary and challenger Del DelaBarre in November, was not at the meeting.

McAleer, who is the port’s director of business development, was in Korea, Calhoun said.

She will become the first female Port of Port Angeles commissioner when she is sworn when her term begins Jan. 1.

Hallett said McAleer has resigned from the business development position, and her last day as a port employee will be Dec. 31.

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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.

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