By STEPHEN L. SWANN
The pace is quickening at the Port of Poulsbo. Even though the weather is not yet tropical, boaters and yacht clubs are finding their way to Poulsbo and the jewel of Liberty Bay.
It is certainly no secret that Anderson Parkway, along the Poulsbo Waterfront, is under renovation by the city’s paving contractor. To lessen the burden imposed on all of us seeking a downtown parking spot, the port commissioners have decided to waive collection of parking fees in February at the Port’s new lot on the 19000 block of Jensen Way.
The next time you are in town, give the Port of Poulsbo Parking Center a try … you can’t beat the February price.
Our busy Port is now an active member of the Poulsbo Marketing Coalition and a good friend of HDPA (Historical Downtown Poulsbo Association) and the Chamber of Commerce.
Monthly meetings and a challenging agenda well reflect our collective interest in our community. For example, planning is under way for American Cruise Line’s inaugural visit on April 5. Poulsbo’s duty Vikings are planning a special welcome for passengers of this cruise ship, which exceeds 200 feet in length. Standby for arrival details.
Combined efforts by the City and the Port to eliminate the presence of derelict vessels have been quite successful. DNR (Department of Natural Resources) is charged by statute with keeping Liberty Bay clear of the boats that just seem to mysteriously appear at anchor in our waters. The Scuttlebutt previously noted the removal of five derelicts in recent weeks.
The Port, which provided moorage to DNR for these boats, just received almost $5,000 from this agency for temporary moorage. The junkers are gone, and Port District residents have a few more dollars in their Port account.
Report suspected abandoned vessels to the Poulsbo Police Department, 779-3113 or mhowerton@cityofpoulsbo.com.
The Port is losing its port manager in late February. The name and face of Kirk Stickels, a Port institution for quite a few years here in Poulsbo, have appeared in various newspapers over the last few weeks. Kirk and Jan, his wife and supervisor, are heading back to New Zealand to complete construction of their new home and get more beach time.
Kirk’s accomplishments include securing a $40,000 grant for a new sewage pump-out station, and locking in weekly cruise ship visits by the American Cruise Line.
Our search for his replacement is under way. Staff advises us that the calls and applications are rolling in.
The duties of the manager of our small marina-port are quite extensive. The manager is responsible for supervising a small staff, and is actively involved in marketing, budgeting, procurement, maintenance, tenant relations, good PR … and most importantly, keeping the commissioners happy. Under our current organization, the manager is also the harbormaster for the marina, which is in itself a full-time job.
We encourage inquiries about this vacancy. Letters of interest to the Port are encouraged; more information may be obtained by contacting the Port office at 779-9905. The application period will remain open for several weeks.
The commissioners, emp-loyees, tenants and guests of the Port of Poulsbo (www.portofpoulsbo.com) wish you a safe visit to Poulsbo’s spectacular Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park and a safe transit on Liberty Bay. Bring your friends and families down to the Port’s marina; most of our docks are open to the public and we are here for you. (Watch us by webcam at www.siteground315.com/~longship/.)
Port Quiz: Where are the headlights on a submarine? Send your best guess to the Port’s email address, commissioner.swann@portofpoulsbo.com. The first three responders with the correct answer will be acknowledged in The Scuttlebutt.
Want to offer a nautical quiz question for March? Just send us an email with your suggestion.
— Stephen L. Swann is a Port of Poulsbo commissioner. Contact him at commissioner.swann@portofpoulsbo.com
