This month, I’ll take over the Kingston Port Commission position held by Tom Coultas over the past 23 years. Kingston has been blessed by his record of achievement and it is an honor for him to pass his torch on to me.

Consider how the port has changed since Tom first took the reins as a commissioner. We had an aged and purely functional marina, which has since become a modern Puget Sound maritime destination. From an unattractive parking area, the port created a park and amphitheatre that’s the center for our downtown and community events. With the North Beach Park, we have the most accessible waterfront of any Kitsap town or city.

Once teetering on bankruptcy, Tom made the port flush with capital reserves while also reducing our tax rate by 65 percent. This achievement, at a time when all other governments are in financial distress, is testimony to Tom’s close attention to port resources and his tenacity to ensure that the public receive value for every penny spent.

Thank you for your earnest and heartfelt work down at the port, Tom.

Walt Elliott
Kingston