KINGSTON — Come Nov. 8, Kingston will have a new port commissioner. Some 4,069 ballots were mailed to Kingston Port District voters for the general election, according to the Kitsap County Auditor Elections Office.
Ballots can be dropped into the 24-hour box at Poulsbo Fire Station, 911 NE Liberty Road, Poulsbo, until 8 p.m. Nov. 8. Mailed ballots must be postmarked Nov. 8.
In the Aug. 16 primary, Walt Elliott received 323 votes, Jerry Kirchner received 231, and Tom Coultas received 160.
Elliott and Kirschner — one an accomplished Navy captain with long volunteer credentials, the other an accomplished corporate manager building his local volunteer credentials — spent the campaign trying to differentiate themselves from one another.
Their differences on several issues were subtle. Their work backgrounds gave the clearest idea of how they would do the job of commissioner if elected.
Elliott is a retired commanding officer of two naval vessels, ran a $600 million-per-year research company and started two small businesses. Kirschner worked at a Fortune 100 pharmaceutical company for 26 years; he was in management for 20 of those years.
During the second forum held for the candidates Oct. 12, how the port handles a full marina became a differentiating topic. Both agreed long wait lists for moorage slips were a problem, especially for Kingston residents who don’t have a slip at the marina.
“This is a real problem, a very real problem,” Elliott said. “We have a great marina, but what’s a great marina if you can’t use it?”
Elliott suggested the port begin charging out-of-area boaters more for slips. He knows there could be legal ramifications of raising rates for people outside the Kingston zip code, but it could keep “bargain hunters” out of the marina, he said.
Kirschner said raising rates for non-Kingston resident would not work. Instead, the port could look at a wait list from a business standpoint and consider expanding moorage options, he said.
“I think (a wait list) is something we have to live with,” Kirschner said, adding if those Kingston residents were truly ready to pay for a slip, he would consider expanding the marina.
Both candidates believe in making Kingston a vibrant economic center, but they differ on how they would go about doing that.
Elliott said if elected, he would listen to the public’s input to form the port’s vision and goals. His work with community organizations within Kingston would help the port build partnerships to “move Kingston forward.”
“The port commissioners’ job is (the public’s) agenda,” Elliott said.
While he is impressed with Elliott’s military background, Kirschner said the port would benefit from someone that worked in business management. He believes making decisions based on numbers is sound practice. He said when it comes down to it, the public should steer the port’s vision. However, if economic development does not become a focus, the port may lose an opportunity to thrive.
“There are opportunities for continued growth,” he said. “It’s time for the commission and port to focus on economic development … If we don’t have that focus, we will miss that opportunity.”
More than 30 residents attended the Oct. 12 forum in the Kingston Cove Yacht Club. The forum was sponsored by the Kingston Chamber of Commerce.
Port of Kingston commissioners serve six-year terms. They are empowered by state law to set objectives, policies and overall direction for the port district. They wield considerable authority: They can exercise the right of eminent domain, levy and collect assessments on property within the district without voter approval to provide services to the public, and issue bonds and impose excess levies for specific purposes.
