Port Executive Director Eron Berg and Port Commissioner Pam Petranek christen the port's new 75 Ton Travel lift with a Port Townsend Brewery bottle wrapped in burlap: https://www.ptleader.com/stories/new-75-ton-travelift-gets-welcoming-bash,80842#:~:text=Plus, the new lift has,to fit on the lift.
Accomplishments
Here are a few more wins for our port and community during my leadership:
1. REPAIRING CORE INFRASTRUCTURE: Our Port has rebuilt the north jetty at Point Hudson with construction of the south jetty scheduled to begin this fall. With my leadership we created a citizen group to ensure alignment with community expectations of historical, practical, and funding. Other projects in the works; Quilcene & Gardiner boat ramp replacements.
2. AFFORDABLE ACCESS: I have listened and worked with port tenants for lease & moorage rates to be reasonable & affordable for local access to both our working and recreational waterfronts, which include 3 marinas, 6 boat ramps, working boatyards, and many businesses. Our moorage and yard are the leading revenue generators overall.
3. RETAIN, SUPPORT, AND EXPAND MARINE TRADES AND SMALL BUSINESSES
*MARINE TRADES: Our boatyard has gone from “boatyard blues” (2018 KPTZ interview) to record numbers of boats hauled out during the past 4 years. Small businesses have started, expanded, and been retained. We are now planning boatyard expansion.
I co-host “Our Working Waterfront” interviews which are part of our Washington State National Maritime Heritage recognition & archives. Every month, KPTZ’S Chris Bricker, along with co-hosts Port Commissioner Pam Petranek and Port of Port Townsend’s Director Eron Berg, bring you the news, issues, and stories of the people that make up our vibrant maritime community. Check out the Working Waterfront Archives for all the recordings.
*FISHERMEN: Commercial fisheries in Alaska & Washington-- I am a voice for salmon habitat support through Washington Public Ports Association. Our small commercial fisheries businesses serve, feed, and benefit our local communities.
*FARMERS: Building on the success of our working waterfront, our port is currently in the process of purchasing the Short Family farm, 250 acres in the county, to keep our valuable farmland in the hands of local farmers & growing agriculture sector. State funding & port net operating income is paying for this[ no loans, no IDD funds. The intention is for......As a vendor at our farmers market, I am closely connected with our farming communities needs & values, who are 100% excited about our port’s support of this valuable sector. In addition, our port can work on re-establishing a healthy salmon habitat in Chimacum Creek that runs through this property.
4. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND SOUND BUSINESS PRACTICES
5. INFORMED PUBLIC DEBATE... Quilcene planning, farm committee, ...
Our port was established by the voters in 1924, let's keep this great work and direction going strong!
*PAM'S COMMUNITY WORK:
JC Economic Dev. board member 2021, 2022, 2023 -present--helped seek & direct new leadership & direction
JC Marine Resources board member 2020, 2021--helped with kelp and eel grass studies to inform county commission & state parks
PT Marine Trades Association board trustee 2017-2020--helped lead economic impact study, political voice for marine trades businesses
Co-lead citizen maritime advisory group - present
Co-lead Jefferson County Marine Trades Economic Study - present
Co-host "Our Working Waterfront" local radio KPTZ - present
