Four on ballot for Port of South Whidbey

Published 8:00 am Wednesday, September 7, 2005

On Sept. 20 four candidates will be on the ballot battling for the Port of South Whidbey Position 1 seat now held by two-term incumbent Gene Sears.

All the candidates are expected to face off before voters Sept. 8 at a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters, 7 p.m. in the fireside room of Freeland’s Trinity Lutheran Church.

After the primary election, the top two candidates will advance to the November general election.

Here’s a look at the candidates.

Wallace Russell

When Wallace Russell – “Please, call me Wally” – isn’t cutting hair in his Bayview Barbershop, he likes to hunt and fish and has a keen interest in the quality of boat ramps available on South Whidbey.

“I’ve been to 25 Port meetings over the last five years to get a feel for what they do,” Russell said.

“Their main mission was a boat launch every 10 miles along the coastline. I believe that’s a good thing because fishing is an important part of our island culture,” he said.

Though the focus is there and they seem to operate within the limits of their funding, Russell feels the execution is lacking. That’s the main reason his name is on the Sept. 20 ballot.

“Over time, I became a little unhappy with both the quality of the boat ramps and the amount of time it’s taken to get them built,” Russell said. “I recognize not every project’s roadblocks were caused by the commissioners, but maybe they should write better contracts and ensure everyone does what they’re supposed to do.”

As an example, he cited the long-awaited boat ramp at Bush Point.

“There’s no sign or parking controls for visitors. The Port started the project and should have been more pro-active with those building the facility.”

“When the Port gives a pledge, they need to follow up. They get an ‘A’ for focus but a ‘D’ for implementation,” he said.

Russell, 64, moved to the island in 2000 from Bellevue and he has been a barber since 1959. Over the years he also worked for Owens Corning Fiberglass and

Gene Sears has seen a lot in the 12 years he’s served as commissioner for the Port of South Whidbey.

So why is he running again? At 75, Sears faces three younger challengers in the Sept. 20 port commission election yet believes he’ll win.

“I love South Whidbey and want to see it improved,” Sears said. “We’ve done good work over the years and I want that continued. Besides, I feel pretty good for a fellow my age.”

Sears cited parks, boat ramps and other improvements at Bush and Possession Points, Freeland Park and Clinton Beach as examples of his contributions to the Port. “The Port was instrumental getting the Department of Fisheries to acquire Bush Point and I was a major factor in that process,” he said. “It’s a great place for couples to sit and watch the sunset over the Olympics. Kind of romantic, don’t you think?”

He noted Possession Point has been constantly upgraded over the years with a trail leading to the top of a bluff and “600 feet of precious beach.

Sears said the current contention with Langley over the future of the co-owned boat ramp will be solved.

“We’re going to try our darndest to work with the City of Langley,” Sears said.

Another consideration is Sears’ continued determination to “provide fiscal guardianship” of taxpayer dollars.

He feels he can help the county develop “by getting some of the cars traveling up and down the main road (Highway 525) to stop. Well-designed and built parks and boat ramps certainly add to the island’s appeal and that’s what the Port does.”

Geoff Tapert

Four years ago civil engineer Geoff Tapert attended a Port of South Whidbey meeting and he remembers: “They were talking then about improving Bush Point. I understand that project is soon to be completed but why did it take so long?”

It’s for that reason that Tapert is on the primary ballot seeking Sears’ seat on the commission.

“I find the work the Port does interesting and I’m a strong believer in public service,” Tapert said.

Tapert served on the city of Everett’s planning commission before moving to the island five years ago with his wife, Alison, and their two children (well, actually one child — another was born here).

Alison Tapert chairs the South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District while her husband runs X-Sound Engineering, Inc., specializing in structural engineering and land-use consulting.

“A Port Commissioner needs to balance the goals of economic development and property rights against public access/recreation and the environment,” Tapert said.

He wants to offer his skills “to get things done faster” and help ensure better working relationships between the various public entities.

“It’s frustrating to me reading stories in the paper about people not getting along to solve problems that affect all of us,” he said.

Another concern is the comprehensive plan.

“It must be part of a larger master plan with public involvement at all levels. That’s really crucial,” Tapert added.

Lawrence Dobrin

Lawrence Dobrin believes that “as our population grows, concern for the integrity of the natural beauty that surrounds us must be coupled with the reality that we all have rights to enjoy that beauty.”

Dobrin could not be reached for comment before the Record went to press.

But in the Island County voter pamphlet, Dobrin noted the reasons why voters should put him in office. “I would bring to the table decades of experience in organization building.”

Though he has no pre-conceived ideas on current or pending projects, “My management skills — team-building, organization, financial management and long-range planning — are all valuable assets needed in…the process of developing access to our waters.”

Dobrin also pledged to listen with an open mind as discussions of and commitments to future projects develop.

Dobrin belongs to the South Whidbey Yacht Club and the Lions Club.