No shortage of ideas: Port of Olympia District 1 candidates share vision for port

This much is certain: Whoever is elected to the Port of Olympia commission this November likely will pursue the idea of a “food hub,” creating a central location for farmers to process their produce.

That idea has gained support from all of the candidates on the fall ballot: District 3 candidates E.J. Zita and Jerry Farmer, and District 1 candidates Joe Downing and incumbent George Barner.

Downing and Barner shared their ideas for the port with the editorial board Wednesday; Zita and Farmer met with the board Tuesday.

Downing, a senior financial examiner with the state, thinks the port needs to diversify its cargo at the marine terminal, so as to avoid the ups and downs in business the terminal has recently experienced.

But he also acknowledges that he’s not sure a deep water port in Olympia is workable long term. “I believe in giving the marine terminal a shot, but I am open to longer-term planning,” he said.

Downing also believes in beefing up the port’s other business units, such as the Olympia Regional Airport. He suggested Kenmore Air, perhaps best known for its seaplane business, could be a good fit in the area, making Olympia a departure point for Kenmore destinations in Puget Sound and Canada.

Downing also likes the idea of the port purchasing vacant property on West Bay, such as the former Reliable Steel site, and extending walking trails to the area.

Barner is seeking a third term on the three-member port commission.

He believes strongly in the marine terminal, the quality of the longshore workers in Olympia, the used crane the port recently purchased, and the background and hiring of Len Faucher, the port’s marine terminal director.

“I think we have a robust future,” Barner said about the terminal.

He also would like to see the port sell some of its unused property — the port typically leases its land instead — and then use that money in two ways: Apply some of the money to the budget so the port might lower the property tax levy rate, and re-invest the rest in small parcels of land that could be leased for agriculture and ag-related needs.

The port’s property tax levy, also known as a millage rate, is about 18 cents per $1,000 of assessed property.

On the fundraising front, Downing has a commanding lead, according to state Public Disclosure Commission data. He has so far raised about $23,000 in total fundraising, including $4,000 in cash contributions from Clydia Cuykendall, his top cash donor, the data show. Downing and Cuykendall were former colleagues on the Port of Olympia Citizens Advisory Committee.

Barner has raised about $5,500, the data show. His top cash donor is the Thurston Lewis Mason Central Labor Council with a contribution of $500.

This story was originally published September 16, 2015 at 4:19 PM with the headline "No shortage of ideas: Port of Olympia District 1 candidates share vision for port."