The two candidates answered questions submitted to them by the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce. Their answers are presented one by one, with the candidates in alphabetical order.
1. What is your #1 priority in the coming term? Why are you running?
John Prosser
My top priority as a port commissioner would be to pursue the successful development of Cap Sante Boat Haven. I believe the Port has a real opportunity to take the lead in developing this CMI zone and add value to the community. To further this effort, I would work with port staff to create long-term win/win situations in which reasonable restrictions are balanced by profitable business opportunities.
I am running for port commissioner because I would like to put my 30 years of business experience to work for Anacortes. I have been active in a range of community service organizations and seek to take my involvement to the next level as an elected public official. I have applied active problem solving and the ability to bring people together throughout my career and would now like to bring these capabilities to the Port.
Bill Short
Besides family wage jobs and environmental cleanups, I believe the Cap Sante Marine Boat Haven offers the best opportunity for economic benefit for Anacortes. We are second in the State for transient boaters, 10,000 vs. 17,000 for Friday Harbor. We currently have the capacity to handle more than 17,000 visiting boats a year. The Salmon Derby and the Trawlerfest are two examples in which the Marina has helped the city economy. The revenue to the town is great with little impact on car traffic. The Marina and the uplands were designed with the help of a citizens advisory committee. They were unanimous in their recommendation to exclude condos or hotels on Port marina property. It is my goal to make the marina and surrounding Port property into a major public marine attraction to be enjoyed by local people and visitors, by land or sea.
2. In your opinion, what are Anacortes’ main issues going forward?
John Prosser
Decrease in taxable retail sales revenue will likely have a significant impact on the city budget over the next two years. The Anacortes Futures Report projects a 30% drop in boat and auto sales and in residential and commercial construction. These industries have struggled during the economic downturn and I don’t anticipate a quick turnaround. The projected decrease in revenue will have to be addressed by city government and other public policy makers.
Secondly, the city of Anacortes is in the process of revising its Shoreline Master Plan. Guidelines adopted over the next six months can have great impact on our community and on the businesses and industries based here. A key issue will be how to create an essential balance between growing the city’s industrial sector and preserving the environmental assets so valued by our community. Deliberation on these issues deserves transparency and all the information our public policy makers can make available.
Bill Short
One problem is the outflow of sales tax dollars to nearby communities due to the lack of selection or high prices. High real estate prices limits in some measure what goods and services can be profitably marketed. A special 2008 edition of the N.W. Business Monthly indicated that due to the high cost of housing and little difference in median household incomes, many people in Anacortes have less discretionary funds than nearby communities.
3. What is your vision for Anacortes and how might that be best achieved?
John Prosser
For the past 15 years, I have felt that one of the keys to Anacortes’ future is development of the MJB property as a link between Cap Sante Boat Haven and the downtown business area. I have watched other communities, such as Granville Island, Portland, Oregon and Nanaimo, B.C.; turn their declining waterfront industrial properties into thriving mixed-use destinations. I believe we can make similar gains in Anacortes.
While the Port has a comprehensive plan, I would not call it a vision until it outlines comprehensive, long-term direction for the city, the private sector and the downtown business community. Before we can realize the goal of successfully developing our waterfront, we must forge a consensus and move forward in a consolidated effort.
Bill Short
It is my vision that Anacortes economic growth will come with the continued expansion of health care, growth in manufacturing, and tourism. The growth in health care is a natural with the elderly moving here. Dakota Creek, Puget Sound Rope and other firms have indicated a need for more facilities. The Port should be able to provide more facilities as finances improve and as the environmental cleanup projects are completed. There should be an increase in oil byproducts exports over Anacortes Port Docks within a year.
4. How do you feel that local business interests, especially those of small business, have been represented by local government?
John Prosser
I believe that small business interests have been very much protected by our city government. The decision not to change zoning along the Highway 20 corridor to allow retail and other businesses that generate sales tax revenue may have long-term financial consequences for the city. Acreage has been purchased by the Samish Tribe and development may pose competition for downtown merchants. I believe it was short-sighted to pass up opportunities to attract Whidbey Island and ferry traffic to businesses that, under new zoning, could have been developed along the corridor.
Bill Short
I have had two small businesses of my own, a restaurant for nine years and a stock brokerage for eighteen years. I believe in supporting local business if the service and price are within reason. I do have a problem with restraint of trade or using the local government to gain an advantage over another business. What would I change: I think that government should review the business regulations and change those that may be very restrictive or burdensome.
5. Have you read the Chamber’s Futures Report? Did you reach any conclusions? How might this information be used in you next term?
John Prosser
I have read the Futures Report and I commend the committee that spent two years and countless hours assembling this information. I am encouraged that the Port, the City and the private sector have formed a task force to review the report and seek consensus on how to proceed.
What I conclude from reading this report is that for our community the status quo offers neither security nor stability going forward. We have a virtual playbook in the Futures Report, and I believe we must begin to implement recommendations that will yield both short- and long-term economic growth and vitality. Thorough deliberation will be a key part of that process, but we must also begin to act on the opportunities before us.
Bill Short
I have read the Chambers Futures Report. I would like to have seen more on how Anacortes could keep sales tax dollars from leaving the city. We need to recruit those businesses that local residences are patronizing elsewhere. The Report is a good tool establishing future economic and social goals. I could use this information in my next term to try to make the Port more accommodating to economic growth and to increase the sales tax revenue.
6. What other comments relevant to your candidacy would you like to offer?
John Prosser
The current economic slowdown is a stark reminder that we can’t depend on business as usual. Here in our community people have lost jobs and homes. We’ve seen retirement nest eggs dwindle and there are newly empty storefronts on Commercial Avenue.
We’re all looking for those “green shoots” economists talk about, but I believe now is the time to seek out new opportunities that can grow as the economy regenerates. In the Anacortes Futures report we have an invaluable resource that tells us where we are as a community and outlines where potential opportunities to grow our economy may lie.
I believe now is the time to begin forging consensus within the community and putting those opportunities to work. I would be honored to be part of this important process.
Bill Short
During my tenure as President of the Anacortes Port Commission in 2008 our Port was awarded “Port of the Year” by the Washington Public Ports Association out of 75 Ports. We also received a national award for ecology restoration from the American Ports Association.
Recent Port accomplishments include beginning construction of the Marine Skill Center (to be completed in 2010), the self-sustaining operation of the airport, and the process of locating an Anthony's Restaurant at the marina. We have begun a 25 million dollar cleanup at the Seafarers Memorial Park. When finished, there will be excellent facilities behind the new breakwater for youth sailing. The Port also had free music concerts this summer at the marina to encourage local business and tourism, and expect more next year.
One concern I have is the desire of developers to acquire Port property to build condos. This was attempted at the airport and at the Marine Skill Center site. There are some Port sites near the marina still at risk. The Marina Public Advisory committee is against such development. I agree.
I need your support to continue the development of the Port and make the marina a first class public marine park to be enjoyed by all people of Anacortes.