Give Mascarenas a chance
Published 6:06 pm Friday, October 8, 2010
The vacuum created by Connie Niva’s departure from the Port of Everett Commission with two years left on her term drew five candidates to finish the term. Four of them bring years of pertinent experience and a ready knowledge of port issues to the race, which voters throughout the port district will decide in the Nov. 3 election.
In our view, two candidates stand out: David Mascarenas, a longtime watchdog and critic of the port who likely is more familiar with the port’s recent history than any of his opponents, and Mark Wolken, an Everett businessman with key experience in the private and public sector, and on major municipal development projects.
Mascarenas represents change. He advocates expanding the port commission from three to five members (Wolken says he leans in that direction) and requiring a public vote for all port tax levies and bonds. As one of the citizens suing the port over the Collins Building, Mascarenas would be a vote for its preservation. He also would bring a long and consistent history of advocating for greater public access to the waterfront.
Wolken represents stability. His extensive experience in project planning and working with municipalities is a plus, as is his history of bringing a practical approach to problem-solving. Wolken sees the creation and retention of jobs and managing the port in a predictable, accountable way as the top two issues. Both are central to the port’s main mission, which is economic development.
The port is, however, a public taxing district, and many of Mascarenas’ criticisms are valid. The commission has refused in recent years to bring the expansion to five members to a public vote, a mistake in our view. The state’s open public meetings law forbids a majority of any public board from discussing substantive issues outside of a public meeting, which leaves three-member commissions too staff-driven in many cases. Mascarenas would ensure the issue gets a thorough hearing.
We also think it would be healthy to have full, public discussions on the future of the Collins Building, whether the port is doing enough to provide public access, and if the public should vote on levies and bonds.
We think Mascarenas should be given a chance to follow through on these issues by serving the final two years of this term.
Of the other candidates, former port commissioner Tom Stiger and businessman Fred Taucher both bring good credentials.
Stiger has a pertinent background and, because he is retired, says he has the time to devote to the job. He doesn’t bring many new ideas to the table, however.
Taucher, who lost to Niva four years ago, says his experience in international trade would be an asset in exploring new trade relationships and bringing more business to the port. An example, he says, could be bringing German auto imports through here.
Political newcomer Sean Edwards is an Everett firefighter who worked on the port’s maintenance crew 20 years ago, and says he has followed the port’s activities with interest since then. His current assignment to the state firefighting academy as a trainer shows his leadership potential, and we applaud his desire to serve. His knowledge of port issues, however, lacks the depth of others in the field.
