CALHOUN ANNOUNCES BID FOR SECOND PORT TERM

By Chris Cook - Forks Forum Editor

Port of Port Angeles Commissioner John Calhoun of Forks is seeking a second term. He was  elected first in 2004.
Calhoun represents the West End (District III) on the Port of Port Angeles board, and completes his first term this year. Calhoun also has since 1995 been the director of the University of Washington’s Olympic Natural Resources Center (ONRC) in Forks. He was on staff with the state Department of Natural Resources from 1967 prior to becoming the ONRC director.

 “Our county wide port district must play a key role in addressing the serious economic challenges we face,” Calhoun told the Forks Forum in a prepared statement. “Steady and innovative leadership will be required.”

The West End port commissioner has recently been active in promoting and attracting biomass projects to Forks. He is working with City of Forks Attorney/Planner Rod Fleck on a $1 million state-funded grant for a wood-burning system that would heat the Forks Middle School and sections of Forks High School, plus generate electricity through use of a micro-turbine system.

The Legislature last week renewed the grant, giving the project a second year to be completed within.
“I am seeking to be returned to the District III Commission position to continue the transformation of the Port District and the economic development effort within the county-wide port district,” he said. “I offer experience, professional leadership, and a passion for innovation to achieve shared goals.”

“As commissioner,” he added, “I will build on the progress we have made over the last few years to tackle the challenges we face today. Innovative approaches will be required—we can’t continue business as usual during these extraordinary times.”
 Calhoun addressed his role within the Port of Port Angeles: “Priority one is to put people back to work and provide leadership in economic development for the entire county, Port Commissioners must provide vigorous, innovative leadership, make wise and careful decisions—avoiding ‘turf wars’ and petty personality conflicts, and keeping port property taxes and fees low during these economically stressful times. 

Bob McChesney, executive director of the Port of Port Angeles since 2004, last week was offered  the director of the Port of Edmonds post, but hasn’t announced a decision yet.

Calhoun voted last year against the firing of Port Deputy Executive Director David Hagiwara. Hagiwara was fired when the other two port commissioners chose that option, and permanently removed the job title from the port. Hagiwara was rehired in December as trade and economic development director for the Port of Port Angeles.