PORT TOWNSEND — This week’s meeting with the Navy may be private, but two officials are determined to find ways to bring more information to the public.
Navy officials and county and city representatives will discuss community relations in a private meeting on Naval Magazine Indian Island on Wednesday.
Scheduled to attend the 10 a.m. closed-door meeting are Jefferson County Commissioner Phil Johnson, County Administrator John Fischbach, Port Townsend Mayor Mark Welch and City Manager David Timmons.
Indian Island Commanding Officer Capt. Jonathan Kurtz, Navy attorney Judy Conlow and Public Affairs Officer Chris Haley will attend on behalf of the Navy.
Subs cause of concern
Public concern about Indian Island has risen since the Navy announced plans last year to dock up to two nuclear-powered submarines a year at its munitions-loading pier, which can be seen from the city across Port Townsend Bay.
Conventional weapons on the subs, such as guided Tomahawk missiles and torpedoes, would be loaded and unloaded.
No nuclear weapons will be involved, Kurtz has said.
Johnson said he will ask some fundamental questions about safety, emergency response and environmental concerns.
Johnson also plans to ask the Navy for a public forum.
Navy representatives already have said they will reject such a proposal.
“I’m going to ask them what their concerns are about having a forum,” said Johnson, D-Port Townsend.
“But they’ve been pretty clear that they’re not going to entertain the idea.”
Johnson said he will present a petition signed by nearly 800 Jefferson County residents who are interested in a public forum.
