Port Commissioner vote coming up?

jonah · Since 20 Jul 2006 169 Posts Hood River Stoked

I'm starting to see signs posted in HR for people that are running for Port Commissioner.

Does anybody have info on where the runners stand on kite access?

Should this topic be posted in the public group, so everyone can discuss, provide input, and debate voting for the most kite-friendly commissioner? Or would that be a bad thing for Port relations?

forrest · Thu Apr 30, 09 4:58 am

I've looked into it a bit and unfortunately, if the CGKA recommends a candidate we'll never be able to receive a 501c3 non-profit status. My original plan was to interview all the candidates and make a recommendation.

John Davies stated that he'd like to come to our next CGKA meeting and speak with us and our members. If you'd be interested in this, and are a resident of Hood River county (can register to vote), I can arrange it.

You can take this thread to the public section rather than here and discuss the candidates, no problem.

Bettyboarder · Thu Apr 30, 09 8:14 am

Hi Jonah - I moved this over to the main section.

jonah · Since 20 Jul 2006 169 Posts Hood River Stoked

Okay, I'll start with the only candidate I have met so far. I have spoken with Jim Davies about kite/windsurf access issues on the port.

My stance is that I would like to see solutions that are equitable for both windsurfers and kiters, and take into consideration both points of view.

Jim had mentioned that he had spoken with Forrest on a few occasions, and that they had discussed ways to improve kite access (such as ways to make the Hook a more viable kite launch without interfering with windsurfing there). Jim seemed to be in favor of working with both CGKA and CGWA, and to find solutions that are win-win for everybody.

I was left with the impression that Jim would be a good advocate for the kite community, and would be fair and reasonable when dealing with conflict between windsurfers/kiters.

Anyone care to share other perspectives or other candidates?
Thanks

shred_da_gorge · Thu Apr 30, 09 7:20 pm

What's the election deadline? Have we gotten ballots in the mail yet? I'm still registered in Hood River but moved to California and was planning to register for the upcoming special measures here (the state's going broke - again). If the timing is right I can get both in (not that my vote matters... Wink

).

Link

jonah · Since 20 Jul 2006 169 Posts Hood River Stoked

Haven't received my ballot yet. Not sure when vote is, but I notice on the port website that 3 board positions expire June 30, 09.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1872 Posts XTreme Poster

Would it be possible for Jon Davies to post his official position on kiteboarding access on the HR Port waterfront, including the Event Site?

Not looking to exclude my windsurfing brothers and sisters in any way whatsoever, but I am looking for a more logical balance based upon numbers doing each activity, and the seasonal high water in the spring (April- early June) that makes launching difficult from the submerged bar, while the lawn goes mostly unused on weekdays in the late spring.

Eric

forrest · Fri May 01, 09 9:12 am

I have an email in to John inviting him to join this discussion on NWKite.

JPNicol · Since 01 May 2009 3 Posts New Member

My name is Jeff Nicol. I am one of the 6 candidates for the upcoming Hood River Port election. I created a mini-FAQ to respond to some of the questions raised on this thread:

Q: When is the election?
A: Ballots are due May 19, 2009.

Q: When is the last day to register?
A: New voter registrations needed to be post-marked 21 days before the election, so we're now past that date. However, if you were already registered and need to make some sort of an update, you can go to the Hood River County Elections (601 State) and re-register. I believe you can do that all the way until the bitter end.

Q: When to the ballots come out?
A: They were mailed today, so most folks will have them by Monday. Remember, Oregon is now all vote-by-mail.

Q: Who is running for which spots?
A: There are five seats on the Hood River Port Commission. Three of these seats are up for grabs at this election:
* Position 1: I am running against Fred Duckwall (incumbent since '01)
* Position 2: Jon Davies vs. Rich McBride
* Position 3: Scott Parsons vs. Kathy Watson (incumbent since '04)

Q: Do I just vote for the top 3 candidates out of the 6 candidates?
A: Not exactly. There are three distinct positions with two candidates running for each. So, for example, your choices for Position 1 will be me (Jeff Nicol), Fred Duckwall, or you can do a write in. Obviously, Jeff Nicol is the best choice! Very Happy

Q: What are the candidates' respective positions?
A: KIHR AM 1340 interviewed each of us over the past couple of weeks. If you missed those interviews, the Hood River News has sent us questions we'll each provide written responses to. The Hood River News will post the responses in the Wednesday (May 6th) edition. NOTE: Unfortunately, the Hood River News did not specifically ask us to respond to anything regarding kiting access...

Q: OK, so what is your position on kiting access?
A: I am very happy to see how organized and vocal the kiting community has become, especially via the efforts of the CGKA. The CGKA and the CGWA have been working pretty well together on figuring out how both user communities can share the waterfront property. I know there's a pilot program, where the groups identified an area on the east side of the Event Site for kite pumping, etc. And, while I've heard more than one kiter refer to the enlargement of the spit as a "Gift from God", I do understand how the Spit becomes marginally useful when the river is at full pool...

Going forward, I feel the Port needs to act as facilitator between the user groups when it comes to figuring out how best to share the waterfront. The port should do a lot of listening; they should not play dictators and hand down rules from an uninformed position. The more the CGKA, CGWA and the Port work together, the better educated the Port will be when it comes to making use decisions.

Q: What is your opponent's position on kiting access?
A: Absolutely no idea. You'll have to ask him yourself.

* * * *

Thanks for letting me respond! I'd be happy to address any additional questions you may have. I can also be reached on email at goprivacy<at>yahoo.com.

Sincerely,
Jeff Nicol

forrest · Sun May 03, 09 4:33 pm

Jon Davies has agreed to answer some questions. What would you guys like to ask him? I'll compile a list and then post the responses here.

97031 · Mon May 04, 09 2:51 pm

For anyone interested, the Hood River News will be publishing a big spread on Wednesday about the election, featuring question and answer format inverviews from each of the candidates.

forrest · Tue May 05, 09 4:36 am

Adam, Any chance some of that could be posted on here after the newspaper has been out for a few days?

97031 · Tue May 05, 09 6:59 am

It will be posted on our web site after it comes out: hoodrivernews.com

Rather than copying and pasting to NWkite, maybe you can just post a link to our site and people can read it there.

JPNicol · Since 01 May 2009 3 Posts New Member

FYI: It looks like there will be an open public forum with the Hood River Port candidates next week...

When? 7.00-8.30 PM, Thursday, May 14th

Where? The Wacoma Building (Embarq), 902 Wasco Street, HR

I think there will be additional details published in the Hood River News sometime soon.

-Jeff Nicol

jonah · Since 20 Jul 2006 169 Posts Hood River Stoked

Here are the interviews with the candidates:

http://www.hoodrivernews.com/News%20stories/2009/036_news_port.htm

http://www.hoodrivernews.com/News%20stories/2009/037_news_port.htm

Unfortunately, everyone pretty much says the same thing, so it's hard to make a decision based on this Q&A.

The most astonishing piece of info is this:

"We’re also planning to break ground on the first new building on the waterfront in 25 years."

Can you believe the Port basically has done absolutely NOTHING with the perfectly usable waterfront land for 25 freaking years?? Where is the outrage? This land could have been made into public parks, or buildings for windsurfing/kiteboarding shops & lessons, or other small businesses. Instead, we got fabulous fields of dirt and grass... for 25 years. Seems like it's time for some new ideas infused into the Port.

I'd say vote for the challengers (except I know Kathy Watson and she has only been on for a couple of years, and I think she has great intentions and ideas).

I know Fred Duckwall has been on the port forever, so I'd favor challenger Jeff Nicol.

Jon Davies (as per my previous post) seems to have positive ideas.

Not trying to dictate here, but at least get some discussion going so we can really know who we're voting for, not just what they choose to tell the newspaper.

kyle.vh · Since 11 Jul 2007 713 Posts city of angels Addicted

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Thanks for all the info guys. I'd vote if I could, but hope that enough votes go in to make a positive impact.