I wanted to be among the first here to congratulate commissioner-elect Mary McClure. The Port of Kingston’s moving into a new chapter and “You’re off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So get on your way!” (Dr. Seuss).

I got to know Mary through her husband Jimmy James, a fellow “B” dock marina rat, and she has a heart for our community. Having observed her leadership of Kitsap County Coordinating Council, as well as the Village Green project, I’ve seen the skills she will bring to the port.

The Village Green building, something no one thought an unincorporated community could do, is founded on Harry Truman’s credo, “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”

This year, the port completed acquiring a line of public waterfront property extending from Barrett Road to North Beach and was awarded a grant to build a park where the Kingston Inn was. This is something unique in Kitsap County, and perhaps Puget Sound. Just imagine the possibilities!

Though we’ve had two years of stormy seas, our community is resilient, and there’s no limit to what Kingston can do once we set our minds to it. To quote Ecclesiastes (and the 1965 No. 1 hit “Turn, Turn, Turn”), “There is a season and time for every purpose under heaven. A time to tear down and a time to build, … a time to be silent, a time to speak, … a time you may embrace.”

Welcome, Mary!

Walt Elliott
Kingston