Veteran vs. newcomer in port race

  • Mike Benbow Herald Writer
  • Monday, October 22, 2007 6:50pm
  • Business

EVERETT — Voters who will choose the next commissioner for the Port of Everett’s District 3 have two distinct choices: a veteran of the three-member panel who wants to continue his involvement in its major projects and a newcomer challenging some of those projects and the very structure of the commission.

Don Hopkins is seeking re-election to his fourth six-year term. And if he wins this time, he said, it will clearly be his last. “I want that out and known up front,” he said in a recent interview.

Michael Hoffmann is a newcomer who said the commission needs a fresh voice — and more than one. He would like to see the panel increased to five members and the terms reduced to four years.

“I think the most important thing is to get better representation,” he said of his five-commissioner plan. “I think the community has a good idea of where it wants to go. I think with that kind of stimulation at the port, we’ll see lots of things happen.”

Hopkins is interested in “keeping all the major projects rolling,” noting the port is at a key point in its history.

After many years when its piers have set relatively idle, cargo is again pouring into the port, Hopkins said. He noted that last year, the port went from occasional ship visits to having three shipping lines make regular deliveries. More shippers are interested, he added.

“We’re giving them special treatment in Everett,” he said. “Other shipping lines are starting to realize that moving from being a small fish at a big port to a big fish at a small port can be a good thing.”

Hopkins said that he’s developed good relationships in Russia and Asia through the years and would like to continue to use those partnerships to build business at the port.

He also wants to continue to transition from an industrial center through such projects as the $400 million redevelopment project in which the port has partnered with Maritime Trust of Chicago. The eventual plan calls for 660 condominiums on the waterfront, with retail shops and office buildings.

“It’s the biggest project the port has ever done,” Hopkins said. “It’s really key to the community.”

Hoffmann agreed the project is important, but he’s critical of degree of public access it allows to the waterfront, a major issue in his campaign.

He would like to see more access on the water, and not just in the Maritime Trust project.

As ports reduce their industrial components on the waterfront, they need to provide varied access and integrate it better with the community, Hoffmann said.

Hoffmann said he also opposes a new $6 million port administration building that would be part of the redevelopment. He said he supports the points made by Commissioner Phil Bannan, who essentially said a new building is unnecessary and too expensive.

During a 2-1 vote to proceed on the project, with Hopkins and Commissioner Connie Niva voting against Bannan, Hoffman said there was little discussion of Bannan’s points because he clearly was going to be outvoted.

Hoffman said the vote was an example of why he supports increasing the commission to five members, a move he believes would add diversity and force deeper discussion.

Hopkins, who is retired from his work with the Longshoreman’s Union, noted that he wants to continue boosting shipping at the port because it has added about 50 new longshore jobs in the community.

“It’s building back up here like it used to be,” he said.

Hopkins, who keeps a boat in the marina that he visits frequently, described himself as “a walking ear for the boaters down there.” It’s a task he’d like to continue to pursue.

Hoffman noted that the port’s District 3 is away from the waterfront and that its residents don’t follow port activities closely. He’d like to increase communication, get more people involved and use port assets to improve the community.

“I’m not sure they’re all the well connected to the citizens,” he said of the port.

Reporter Mike Benbow: 425-339-3459 or benbow@heraldnet.com.

Port commission candidates

Name: Don Hopkins

Age: 65

Occupation: Retired from Longshoremen’s Union.

Hometown: Everett

Web site: None

Name: Michael Hoffmann

Age: 42

Occupation: architectural designer

Hometown: Everett

Web site: Hoffmann4port.com

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Business

A closing sign hangs above the entrance of the Big Lots at Evergreen and Madison on Monday, July 22, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Big Lots announces it will shutter Everett and Lynnwood stores

The Marysville store will remain open for now. The retailer reported declining sales in the first quarter of the year.

George Montemor poses for a photo in front of his office in Lynnwood, Washington on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Despite high mortgage rates, Snohomish County home market still competitive

Snohomish County homes priced from $550K to $850K are pulling in multiple offers and selling quickly.

Henry M. Jackson High School’s robotic team, Jack in the Bot, shake hands at the 2024 Indiana Robotics Invitational.(Henry M. Jackson High School)
Mill Creek robotics team — Jack in the Bot — wins big

Henry M. Jackson High School students took first place at the Indiana Robotic Invitational for the second year in a row.

The computer science and robotics and artificial intelligence department faculty includes (left to right) faculty department head Allison Obourn; Dean Carey Schroyer; Ishaani Priyadarshini; ROBAI department head Sirine Maalej and Charlene Lugli. PHOTO: Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College.
Edmonds College to offer 2 new four-year degree programs

The college is accepting applications for bachelor programs in computer science as well as robotics and artificial intelligence.

FILE — Boeing 737 MAX8 airplanes on the assembly line at the Boeing plant in Renton, Wash., on March 27, 2019. Boeing said on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, that it was shaking up the leadership in its commercial airplanes unit after a harrowing incident last month during which a piece fell off a 737 Max 9 jet in flight. (Ruth Fremson/The New York Times)
Federal judge rejects Boeing’s guilty plea related to 737 Max crashes

The plea agreement included a fine of up to $487 million and three years of probation.

Neetha Hsu practices a command with Marley, left, and Andie Holsten practices with Oshie, right, during a puppy training class at The Everett Zoom Room in Everett, Washington on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Tricks of the trade: New Everett dog training gym is a people-pleaser

Everett Zoom Room offers training for puppies, dogs and their owners: “We don’t train dogs, we train the people who love them.”

Andy Bronson/ The Herald 

Everett mayor Ray Stephenson looks over the city on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2015 in Everett, Wa. Stephanson sees  Utah’s “housing first” model – dealing with homelessness first before tackling related issues – is one Everett and Snohomish County should adopt.

Local:issuesStephanson

Shot on: 1/5/16
Economic Alliance taps former Everett mayor as CEO

Ray Stephanson will serve as the interim leader of the Snohomish County group.

Molbak's Garden + Home in Woodinville, Washington will close on Jan. 28. (Photo courtesy of Molbak's)
After tumultuous year, Molbak’s is being demolished in Woodinville

The beloved garden store closed in January. And a fundraising initiative to revitalize the space fell short.

Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, Advanced Manufacturing Skills Center executive director Larry Cluphf, Boeing Director of manufacturing and safety Cameron Myers, Edmonds College President Amit Singh, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, July 2 celebrating the opening of a new fuselage training lab at Paine Field. Credit: Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College
‘Magic happens’: Paine Field aerospace center dedicates new hands-on lab

Last month, Edmonds College officials cut the ribbon on a new training lab — a section of a 12-ton Boeing 767 tanker.

Gov. Jay Inslee presents CEO Fredrik Hellstrom with the Swedish flag during a grand opening ceremony for Sweden-based Echandia on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Swedish battery maker opens first U.S. facility in Marysville

Echandia’s marine battery systems power everything from tug boats to passenger and car ferries.

Helion Energy CEO and co-founder David Kirtley talks to Governor Jay Inslee about Trenta, Helion’s 6th fusion prototype, during a tour of their facility on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
State grants Everett-based Helion a fusion energy license

The permit allows Helion to use radioactive materials to operate the company’s fusion generator.

People walk past the new J.sweets storefront in Alderwood Mall on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Japanese-style sweets shop to open in Lynnwood

J. Sweets, offering traditional Japanese and western style treats opens, could open by early August at the Alderwood mall.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.