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
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