INDIANOLA — What separates three of the four Indianola Port Commission candidates the most may be their vision for the dock’s future.

District 2 candidate Matthew Smith and District 3 candidates Patrick Hatchel and John Lane weighed in Sept. 18 during a candidates forum in the Indianola Club House. District 2 candidate Eric Cookson did not attend. The forum, in the Indianola Clubhouse, was presented by the North Kitsap Herald. An estimated 80 residents attended.

Ideas for the dock ranged from keeping it the way it is, to using it as a venue for public events.

Lane said he would like work done on the substructure of the dock, but would leave the superstructure alone as much as possible. He suggested the port has the ability to add more

features to the dock, such as kayak storage, and widen it to make it more pedestrian friendly, if that’s what taxpayers wanted.

Smith said it’s “critical to maintain the dock’s character.” Smith would like to see public events, such as an art walk featuring local artists, hosted on the dock if a public event is ever deemed safe.

Hatchel said port commissioners need to do what the citizens it represents ask them for.

“The dock is Indianola,” Hatchel said.

When asked what, if anything, it would take for them to support a resolution to close the dock again, the answers were as follows:

Lane: “Hell freezing over.”

Hatchel: “For me, if it was unsafe. If the dock was unsafe I would move to close it.” The only way he would close the dock, he said, is if engineers specifically said it was not safe.

Smith: “Barring any unforeseen catastrophes … But outside that — and until the maintenance issues that have already been identified are complete — I would limit the dock to normal use.” If necessary maintenance is not done, however, he would suggest closing the dock during peak-use times again next summer.

When asked why they are running for commission, Smith said he is well qualified. He would like to heal the tension between the port and community.

In response to a question, Smith — who owns a design-build company — said he is not a licensed architect but is a licensed contractor. He has described himself as an architect in interviews with the North Kitsap Herald; on his blog, www.smith4ipc.blogspot.com (“… feeling well qualified with my years of experience in construction and architecture,…”); and on the Facebook page for his business, Smith’s Design + Build (“… using my experience as an architecture [sic] with a life time of carpentry …”).

“I have described myself as an architect in relation to my understanding of architecture and wooden structures, and having worked in the profession for ‘x’ number of years,” he said later. “It would be illegal for me to advertise myself as an architect in the context of my business.”

Hatchel, who also serves on the Public Facilities District board, said he would like to see the port working for the public. The politics of the port, he said, aren’t important.

Lane, a former editor of the Indianola Breeze, said he is committed to the community. He wants to have a “forward thought process on the future of the dock.”

Neither Hatchel or Lane want to see much in the way of economic development on port property — which consists of the historic dock and a stairway leading to the beach. Lane did say kayak storage is one way to generate revenue.

Smith, on the other hand, suggested another way to look at economic development and how it could benefit the port and community. Ideas such as an art walk, he said, and revenue-raising events could help with the upkeep of the dock.

All candidates believe maintenance of the dock is paramount. Lane pointed out that, if pilings are replaced, creosoted pilings cannot be used. He suggested the port consider wrapping the current pilings with steel to save money and protect the marine environment from creosote leaching into the water.

Smith said he has no “romantic attachment” to the current dock materials, and new materials need to be introduced.

Hatchel said the port needs to wait and see what engineers suggest following an assessment of the dock, and look at alternatives for maintenance.

On the subject of commissioners being paid — they will start receiving $100 a meeting beginning in January — all candidates were unenthusiastic.

Hatchel and Lane said they wouldn’t accept it. Smith said the money is a gesture from the community for the work commissioners do but, to him, “it isn’t make or break.”