(Editor’s note: In this week’s edition of the Weekly, Steve Adam’s answers were accidentally omitted from the paper. We apologize for this mistake.)
The Islands’ Weekly is running a series of Q&As with the Port of Lopez Commissioners candidates. The Q&As will run Sept. 22, 29, Oct.6 and 13 Oct.
Questions:
1. Please name three specific goals you hope to achieve while on the Port.
2. Name three specific challenges you see facing the Port and what strategies you have in mind for navigating solutions.
Steve Adams
(Port of Lopez, commissioner, position 2)
Make Lopez Airport safer. Trees on both ends of the runway have made landing dangerous, particularly at night. On Sept. 19 2012, the FAA listed both ends of the runway unsafe. “Not solving this problem is a hazard and liability to our community.” (Jim Ghiglione, Lopez Fire Chief). As commissioner, I have made removing this hazard a priority.
On the north end, after exploring multiple options, the owner chose to sell. The Port owning this property, removing the trees and maintaining pasture is the the best solution. This purchase qualifies for FAA reimbursement. The commercial grade trees will pay for their removal.
On the south end the port has an easement to trim trees. Unfortunately, the high topping costs repeated every decade, and past precedent of the Port paying these costs, makes trimming unfeasible. The owners of a key property offered to sell, which allowed the Port to remove the trees and gain valuable rental property. For long range financial security and safety the Port is ahead owning these important properties.
Keep the port operating economically at the lowest tax rate listed in the Washington State Airports Public Ports Association survey. Continue making wise long range fiscal decisions, reaching Net-Zero energy use, adding new rental income, decreasing financial liabilities (tree trimming). Port tax rate is lower than the school, fire, library or solid waste.Complete a new FAA airport long range master plan with public input.
For more information http://www.steveadamsforport.com/Campaign.htm
Ed Kilduff
(Port of Lopez, commissioner, position 2)
1. First, I want to change our Port’s relationship with the Lopez public. I especially want our airport to be a good neighbor by impacting surrounding properties as little as possible. Second, the financial bleeding at our Port has to stop. We are currently in a hole that will take decades to overcome. Because of bad choices made by the Commissioners over the last several years, we need to make extra efforts to reduce expenses and increase revenues. Third, we need to come into compliance with FAA requirements. Above and beyond tree issues, we’re also blowing it when it comes to the requirements related to FAA grant assurances. The only reason we haven’t been found out yet is because the FAA hasn’t audited us.
2. First, we are challenged by what our future port and airport will look like. My personal hope is that our airport remains an appropriately scaled rural airport without a fueling station, or further expansion, or improvements for jets. But, I’d like to know what others think, and our Port needs to reach out to the full spectrum of our community. Second, we have financial challenges constraining everything we do for the next 20 years. The counter strategy is to pick apart every red cent in our Port and airport budget to squeeze value out of it. Third, we are challenged in meeting FAA requirements. The strategy there is to admit our faults and work more closely with the FAA to come into compliance.
Kenn Aufderhar
(Port of Lopez, commissioner, position 1)
1. The first goal I see for the port would be to continue helping the Port reach their solution of removing the danger of the trees now growing into the airport approach path. The challenge is to work with the property owners to reach a mutually agreed upon permanent solution that prevents this issue from becoming a problem again in the future and to do so within the confines of the Port’s budget.
Another goal is the creation of a well thought out and forward thinking FAA Master Plan that will provide the Port with the FAA funding in the future for major improvements and capital expenditures. These types of expenses are ongoing for airports and the challenge will be to address what Lopez will be needing so that when the time comes the funding will be available.
Perhaps the most important goal would be to listen to and work with the community. I would like to open up more lines of communication between the Port commissioners and the citizens along with presenting an overall Port plan to the public to help them become better informed on port activities, its projects and the importance of these to the community. By design the airport is there to serve pilots, local and off island, yet it greatly benefits our whole community in ways our citizens may not know.
2. The challenge for me would be to help clear up misconceptions and educate the community on the port and its duties.
