Port Commission Candidates

Not sure who to vote for in the primaries? The ballots are due August 3 so make sure to vote and drop off your ballot at one of the convenient locations around town!

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, 350 Tacoma cannot endorse any candidates but we are allowed to send out questionnaires and share the answers received. So we sent five questions to all of the candidates below.

These were the questions:

  1. What are your top three priorities should you become a commissioner?
  2. What role do you think the Puyallup Tribe should play in decision making?
  3. What role do you see for green/renewable industry in the Port of Tacoma?
  4. Green New Deal? Yes or No
  5. Ban fossil fuel expansion? Yes or No

Here are the answers we received (but did not hear back from everyone):

Port Commission Position 1

Laura Gilbert

  1. What are your top three priorities should you become a commissioner? 
    Ensure the Port aligns with the will of its stakeholders, try to get marine research companies to come to and work in Tacoma and ensure whatever course we make, we leave the Sound and Tacoma better off than when we inherited it.
  2. What role do you think the Puyallup Tribe should play in decision making?
    I think all tribes should have a greater influence on what happens within our state.  I would like to see that more clearly stated in law.  I believe it to be an imperative morally and to honor our treaties.
  3. What role do you see for green/renewable industry in the Port of Tacoma?
    This should be of primary concern for our future.  I don’t believe we can wait to begin a green future with temporary stopgaps.  We must commit fully to creating a 21st century green society.
  4. Green New Deal? Yes or No.
    Yes, but it must evolve.
  5. Ban fossil fuel expansion?
    Yes or No.  Yes, but we must ensure that we take care of people while doing it.

Port Commission Position 2

Elizabeth Pew

  1. What are your top three priorities should you become a commissioner?
    As Port Commissioner, my priorities are People, Planet and Progress. My primary commitment is to the health and success of our Pierce County community members. My interest environmentally is two-fold: 1. the Port must act as a responsible steward of our immediate environment and 2. It is in the best interest of the Port, our tenants, and our economy to take proactive leadership in adaptive technologies and energy solutions. Climate change is a threat to our current trade capabilities and we should take an offensive stance to get ahead of the fallout over the next few decades. Not to mention how disruptive the recent heat wave has been to all of us in our daily lives, to the maintenance of individual health and wellbeing, and even interruption of businesses because of closures due to lack of A/C or overheated equipment.
  2. What role do you think the Puyallup Tribe should play in decision making?
    The Puyallup Tribe should be acknowledged as a sovereign nation with land rights and should be seen as a foundational partner in decisions related to the tideflats and surrounding areas.
  3. What role do you see for green/renewable industry in the Port of Tacoma?
    I would like to see the Port of Tacoma as an industry leader in innovation, locally and globally. Green/renewable energy is the only viable option moving forward. It would be in our best interest to lead the charge in this transition for the benefit of our environment, community members, AND industries.
  4. Green New Deal? Yes or No.
    Yes
  5. Ban fossil fuel expansion?
    Yes

Port Commission Position 4

Don Meyer

  1. What are your top three priorities should you become a commissioner?
    I believe the Port’s decision-making process must consider impacts from three viewpoints—financial, economic and environmental. All three play a key role in the long-term success of a contemporary port. Three of my priorities are job creation by modernizing our terminals and waterways to accommodate the ever increasing size of ships; decreasing CHG and DPM emissions from port operations/facilities (shore power for ships, electrification of cargo handling equipment and allowing only clean idle trucks access to our terminals-440 trucks scrapped or cleaned up) and full implementation of our habitat enhancement strategy (with an emphasis on fish habitat 134 acres). I remain a strong advocate for completion of SR 167 and Canyon Road extension to allow trucks direct access in/out of the tideflats.  Property tax collections must be based on business need rather than assessed value of a taxpayer’s home.
  2. What role do you think the Puyallup Tribe should play in decision making?
    Under the Puyallup Land Claim Settlement, consultation is one of the ways to discuss projects and issues while hopefully finding a pathway to address disagreements. There is even a dispute resolution process specified in the settlement agreement. The tribe retains the legal right to challenge any decision through appropriate administrative/judicial processes. Although I am not a legal expert, consent means approval. The tribe deserves and entitled to comment/consult on projects but it does not include approval. When tribal members approved the agreement, clear title to properties owned by non-tribal individuals/ businesses on the reservation was granted. Tribal jurisdiction for policing, zoning, and general government matters was also removed for the same property owners. The tribe in turn received compensation like cash, land and other economic development program support. I am committed to following the settlement agreement process in a good faith manner. It is also important to note that this agreement was approved by the majority of tribal members with congressional action and signed by the President of the United States. It is a federal law.

    As a person who participated in the Puyallup Tribe Land Claim Settlement, I always felt that both entities could be beneficial to each other. The tribe has a significant parcel of property on the Blair Waterway that was part of the settlement. Shortly after the settlement, I was involved with the tribe in securing a possible maritime tenant. Unfortunately, that early attempt failed because the prospective tenant was unsure of the tribe’s employment requirements. The port has the customer expertise and access to customers that is currently being shared with the tribe and with the expectation of a possible joint venture. Our efforts to improve fish habitat (134 acres) is a collaborative project. So, I see a business relationship and a resource relationship that can help each organization achieve their goals. I remain committed to our efforts for a better consultation process to resolve differences.
  3. What role do you see for green/renewable industry in the Port of Tacoma?
    I see numerous roles for the port like seeking maritime cargo opportunities and facilities. My advocacy is focused on renewable fuel for existing facilities in the tideflats given the clean fuel standard recently enacted of 10% and possibly going to 20%. The port currently handles smaller component parts for wind turbines and I would favor providing incentives on vacant port lands for the manufacturing of solar/wind components. I would also favor becoming the preferred port for handling the larger turbine components such as the propeller-like blades used to generate electricity. Off shore wind farms are being explored and this would require water access between the manufacturer and the installation contractor. I would advocate this is a great use of vacant port land. The best example of this concept is the Paulsboro Marine Terminal in southern New Jersey where the facility is dedicated to the offshore wind power industry.
  4. Green New Deal? Yes or No
    Yes
  5. Ban fossil fuel expansion? Yes or No
    Yes

Mary Bacon

  1. What are your top three priorities should you become a commissioner?
    My priorities are economic development through job growth and infrastructure improvements, promoting innovation and sustainable technologies, and resource management through conservation and responsible utilization.  I have advocated for workers and employment issues while the President of a labor union and as a scientist, I identify ways to improve established processes.  My experience will ensure our port is ready to adapt to climate change in an environmentally and fiscally responsible manner.
  2. What role do you think the Puyallup Tribe should play in decision making?
    Forty-seven years ago, the Boldt Decision affirmed treaty rights and I support the Boldt Decision.  I recognize the Puyallup Tribe’s treaty rights and aim to secure thoughtful and informed tribal consent through diplomacy and understanding.  Our Port Commissioners are representatives of Pierce County and they have a responsibility to engage in meaningful conversations and improving relations between our Port and the Puyallup Tribe.
  3. What role do you see for green/renewable industry in the Port of Tacoma?
    By capitalizing on prospects from innovative concepts, the Port of Tacoma can be a pioneer in green businesses and sustainable industrial practices on the waterfront.  “Carbon neutral” alternatives are being developed or are improving, and as science advances, so will options for fossil fuels.
  4. Green New Deal? Yes or No
    Yes
  5. Ban fossil fuel expansion? Yes or No
    Yes.
    I oppose the expansion of fossil fuel resources because fossil fuels are neither infinite nor sustainable.  We must invest in innovative technologies and reduce our dependency on environmentally toxic constituents like coal and petroleum-based products and acknowledge and prevent the environmental stresses associated with methanol and natural gas production.