Judging by the disappearance of so many long-term tenants in the last three years, I’m pretty sure the threat of “I’m outta here” bears no weight within the Poulsbo Port Commission or port office.

I have the opportunity to hear and be a part of many discussions regarding the attitude and actions of the Port Commission and management. General consensus is very troubling. It’s sad and disgusting how little regard they give to their tenants, the people paying their wages.

We have a commission spending their time and our funds toward projects benefiting the city and compromising the integrity of the port.  Our restrooms and land-based facilities all need an update; worse yet, our docks and breakwater are living on borrowed time. It will be interesting hearing the financial numbers it will cost us, the port, to collaborate on this shared facility.

The further boaters must walk to the restrooms, the more likely they are to pump overboard instead. In general, our tenants are pretty good about pumping out or using the facilities, but the transient boaters are not as “well trained.” So, move the restrooms further away and tell them it’s a publicly shared restroom … How do you think that will go over!? Is this part of Port of Poulsbo’s big plan in cleaning up Liberty Bay?

Our docks were “used” when they were first installed; docks other marinas felt the need to upgrade are the docks we have been using for years. A great plan at the time, however, judging by their current condition, replacement is needed. Is this a priority as it should be?

Breakwater … Check the pictures posted on the Poulsbo Boaters’ Association Facebook page. We’ve all heard the breakwater woes. The commission has convinced us “It’s OK for a while” since their quick fix. Take a wander around the breakwater on a minus tide if you are able. Where does the replacement fall in the “bathroom scheme”?

Has anyone noticed the “port workshop/boathouse” lately?? It appears to be floating on uncovered Styrofoam. They should be the first in bringing their own boathouse up to code. Notice all the white Styrofoam floating around the B and C dock. Strong likelihood much of it is coming from the port boathouse. Where is that in the grand scheme? Cleaning the bay up … pshhh.

Parking … Wow! A very sticky subject that pains each and every tenant here. The City of Poulsbo is plagued with their own parking issues. With the addition of more liveaboards, we all feel pretty much “screwed” in the parking department. With that thought … Why are the Port employees consuming 30 percent of the port’s available waterfront parking? How can this be!? Who does that! I know of no businesses that make a point of consuming potential customer parking spots. This is but a small example of the previously mentioned attitude within management and commission.

The port selling ice … Really!? Ports were developed for economic development of the community. Here we have a port competing with a local business. Sure, the price of a bag of ice is 50 cents more but … Now that person buying the bag of ice from the port won’t be wandering the aisles of our local grocery store.

Sagging bulkhead at the Science Center side parking … Sloughing and backfilling bulkhead above the port office … It’s been mentioned, but where is that in the plan?

Has anyone walked down the D dock ramp on a minus tide; better yet, try hauling a cart down it. Dangerous! It certainly doesn’t meet any kind of ADA-consistent code — not even close.

I’ll end my rant with a quote at a port meeting from our wonderful commissioner, Mr. Jim Rutledge: “We’re not running a marina here.” There you go! That pretty much sums it all up. It’s the Port of Poulsbo Commission and office attitude all rolled into one statement.

Aaron Wenholz
Poulsbo