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?
Guy Davidson
Moving forward with and implementation of the Anacortes Futures Project.
The Port has the responsibility of working within the city’s Master Plan to implement economic development decisions and stimulate job growth through the waterfront areas and in transportation and tourism related issues. I have a vision of a vibrant and exciting future for Anacortes which through stewardship of existing resources and leadership for future planning will make it come to fruition.
Keith Rubin
Twenty-nine years ago I discovered Anacortes and made it my home. I fell in love with Anacortes then and I love it here even more today. I feel a duty to give something back to my community, as those who have leadership skills, time, and good health should. In the coming term, I will help the Port Commission become more strategic while focusing on the Port’s role in economic development and continuing to build public trust.
2. In your opinion, what are Anacortes’ main issues going forward?
Guy Davidson
Anacortes is at a crossroads in deciding which direction to take in planning for the future. We are deciding what are our priorities are as a community and trying to figure out how to put those ideas into a plan of action. Key issues that will be forefront over the next few years will be:
- Access to our Fidalgo Bay waterfront.
- Development surrounding the Cap Sante Marina.
- Options for making the airport more economically viable.
- Stimulating job creation along the Guemes Channel.
- Development of the South Fidalgo Bay Industrial Area.
Keith Rubin
Anacortes is changing. Community leaders, with input from the public, need to manage that change. Rather than reacting to every proposal that comes along, Anacortes needs to plan for the future.
3. What is your vision for Anacortes and how might that be best achieved?
Guy Davidson
Anacortes is a vibrant, bustling seaside town with a wide variety of businesses and residents. As the Gateway to Island recreation, Anacortes offers a charming tourism feel, with lively restaurants and quirky, interesting small shops. As a boating haven, the marinas, boat storage and small boat repair and maintenance facilities are a magnet for the boating community. Our deep water port access provides for an energetic industrial waterfront which provides boat repair and trade opportunities. The active retirement community loves both the access to outdoor activities as well as first rate medical facilities. And all residents and tourists alike enjoy the boardwalk along the waterfront, stretching from the ferry terminal through downtown and along the Tommy Thompson Trail to the eastern edge of Fidalgo Island.
Embracing the vision for our town and galvanizing community support for this vision will enable us to take meaningful first steps in attracting new business investment in the town. The Anacortes Futures Project started the dialogue with a clear outline of various scenarios and how they would impact the town. Finding a balanced approach that will satisfy concerns of overbuilding and not wanting to lose the charm we all love is the next step.
Keith Rubin
We live on an Island and are surrounded by water. Yet our public and commercial areas mostly focus inward around the route to the ferry dock. At the same time, we have some old industrial sites on the waterfront that are vacant. This is a unique and rare opportunity. If we plan today, we can have it all: small town atmosphere, bustling commercial area with public space that will draw residents and visitors, and industry with family wage jobs.
4. How do you feel that local business interests, especially those of small business, have been represented by local government? What would you change?
Guy Davidson
Local government has been mostly concerned with maintaining the status quo and managing the town as it is. Decisions have been made reactively to situations as they arise without placing them into the context of an overreaching master plan that defines what our town wants to look like 20 years from now.
Keith Rubin
The Port has improved in the last few years. We have partnered with business and sponsored numerous events at Cap Sante Boat Haven, the Port Warehouse and Curtis Wharf to draw more business. Confidence in the Port has improved but we can always do better.
5. Have you read the Chamber’s Futures Report? Did you reach any conclusions? How might this information be used in your next term?
Guy Davidson
The Anacortes Futures Project was an important first step in showing us how we can look at our town and how we can use tools to assess various options. The best thing about the Project is that it didn’t state any preferences or conclusions: the ideas and evaluations are there for us all to see, assess and start our own process of planning for the future.
The Port can take a lead role in the implementation of some of the ideas, as they translate into waterfront access, job creation and transportation and tourism issues.
Keith Rubin
Yes. It is a good beginning and more work is needed with support from the City and Port. The public must be engaged in the process.
6. What other comments relevant to your candidacy would you like to offer?
Guy Davidson
Everything we do as elected public officials needs to be done with the future of Anacortes in mind. Its tourism future, its economic future and job base, its future as an active retirement mecca, its future as a great boating destination and its future as an environmentally sustainable and responsible city.
As an investor in The Majestic Inn and Spa, I represent a strong commitment to Anacortes and the Historic Downtown corridor. I believe we can bring that same set of ideals and commitment to other areas of our town. And as the Broker/Owner of Coastal Realty and the first Certified Green Real Estate Broker in Skagit County, I believe we should lead the way in showing how to protect our environment.
Keith Rubin
While many government agencies are suffering in the current economic downturn, Port of Anacortes is firing on all cylinders. The result is that our local economy is better off than many communities. Port of Anacortes leads in economic development, environmental stewardship, and public access.