By Pat Jenkins The Dispatch Voters throughout Pierce County face choices in the general election for leaders of the Port of Tacoma, a regional economic generator with influence well beyond the city in its name. Two seats on the Port Commission will be filled in voting that will begin after the county elections department mails ballots to voters Oct. 15 and end Nov. 3, the last day that ballots can be cast. The races for four-year terms pit incumbent Don Johnson against Bruce Cook and incumbent Clare Petrich against Dick Walters. The winners will join the rest of the five-member commission in having their hands on the helm of a port whose real estate and marine cargo operations support more than 29,000 jobs and generate nearly $3 billion in economic activity, according to port officials.
Don Johnson
Johnson, a commissioner for eight years, said his experience in office and in private business will help in guiding the new Northwest Seaport Alliance, a working agreement between the ports of Tacoma and Seattle. He cites his 37 years of helping run Simpson Tacoma Kraft Co. before retiring in 2008 as general manager. "I have significant experience in developing and implementing strategic plans that have successfully addressed environmental and competitiveGÇ¥ issues in "an evolving market,GÇ¥ he said. On that note, Johnson next wants to meet the goals of the alliance and the Port of Tacoma to create jobs and drive the economy. And he supports two environment-oriented projects -¡- the process for liquid natural gas to replace oil-based fuel for TOTE ships, and a methanol plant that converts natural gas to methanol that will be shipped to China to replace coal feed stock. He noted the methanol project will invest $3.5 billion in Tacoma, provide 1,000 construction jobs and about 250 full-time jobs after the plant is operational .
Bruce Cook
Cook has no experience in elected office, but he has a 40-year background in business and as a financial consultant. That includes roles in banking in Arkansas and as a research director for a program affiliated with the University of Texas, where he was part of a private markets team responsible for investments totaling $500 million per year. He advocates paying off or refinancing general obligation bonds issued by the port, forming a regional advisory board to advise the commissioners, increasing cargo volumes and jobs, and "strong relationships" with the public, railroads and trucking companies, and other "relevant constituencies" such as other government agencies and unions representing longshoremen.
Clare Petrich
A commission member for 19 years (she said "continuity on the commissionGÇ¥ ensures a strong transition into Northwest Seaport Alliance), Petrich's professional experience is in maritime affairs, trade, marina management and economic development. To continue work that has provided 28,000 family-wage jobs in Pierce County and Washington, the port must attract diversified cargo, new manufacturing jobs and real estate developments in Pierce County. Another key, she said, is transportation improvements such completion of State Route 167, Port of Tacoma Road access points and rail service for the benefit of port customers in the Northwest and nationally. She calls for collaboration with the Legislature and labor groups, "expansion of our maritime terminals so we can meet the needs of larger ships,GÇ¥ and "more diverse economic investments.GÇ¥
Dick Walters
A former Navy captain whose 26 years of active and reserve duty included time in Vietnam, Walters has worked in the wood products industry in management, sales, contractual relations and accounting. He supports improvements in transportation infrastructure, commercial development in pursuit of skilled blue-collar jobs and the port's profitability, investment in technology and security, more public input ("The port can't learn a thing from the citizens of Pierce County if we are the ones doing all the talking and little if any of the listening," he said), and diversified employment. He said his leadership skills from the Navy and private business can help achieve economic growth and more engagement with local businesses and research facilities "to bring our level of abilities to the top as world-class with no peers."
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