OLYMPIA – State transportation commissioners agreed Tuesday to rename the Clinton ferry terminal for Jack Metcalf, the Whidbey Island Republican who blazed a unique path in a lengthy political career.
“We all knew him as a person who cared deeply about the state,” chairman Dick Ford said before commissioners voted unanimously for the change. “There’s strong, strong support for recognizing his strong support for the state.”
Metcalf served 24 years in the Legislature and six years in Congress, retiring in 2001. He died March 15 at age 79.
Norma Metcalf, Jack’s widow, and two of the couple’s four daughters, Gayle Metcalf and Lea Headley, were on hand for the vote.
“This so warms our hearts,” Norma Metcalf told commissioners, noting it was the “frosting on the cake” of deeds honoring her husband’s public service.
This is the only state-run ferry terminal named for a living or deceased person. It will be several weeks before a plaque or sign will be installed.
Commissioners voted on the honor a few minutes after adopting formal rules for naming highways and facilities.
Jack Metcalf was born in Marysville and spent most of his life on Whidbey Island. He built a home in Langley that for a time he and his wife ran as the Log Castle Bed and Breakfast.
Metcalf taught 30 years in public schools, nearly all of that time in secondary schools in Everett. He held elected office over parts of five decades, with stints in the state House of Representatives and state Senate before he entered Congress. He also lost a couple races, including one against incumbent U.S. Sen. Warren Magnuson.
On Tuesday, no one opposed establishing the “Jack Metcalf Ferry Terminal.” That’s unlike what occurred in the last legislative session.
A handful of lawmakers successfully blocked the House of Representatives from voting on a measure honoring Metcalf and seeking the name change.
Those legislators disagreed with Metcalf’s staunch conservative politics and didn’t feel he deserved such public acclaim.
State senators did, on the session’s final day, vote to recognize Metcalf and back the renaming request. State Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, introduced the resolution that chamber sent to transportation commissioners.
Norma Metcalf said she knew foes might show up Tuesday.
“In politics, there’s always that possibility,” she said. “I didn’t think it was probable.”
Rep. Chris Strow, R-Freeland, who served as Metcalf’s chief of staff in Congress, pushed unsuccessfully for the House resolution. He did get 63 representatives and senators from both parties to sign a letter backing the terminal name change.
“I’m just tickled pink that it happened,” said Strow, a close Metcalf family friend.
Rep. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, who also worked for Metcalf, said, “It is very appropriate. Jack Metcalf did most of his politicking on the ferry between Mukilteo and Clinton as he headed home and back to work.”
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