Meet the Candidates - Port Commission 1 unexpired term until October 2015

Name: John M. Martin

Age: 63 years old

Occupation: Retired teacher/ carpenter apprentice

What is your previous experience on boards or other relevant experience related to the position you are seeking?

I am a lifetime Wrangellite. As a young man, I fished commercially, served a tour in the U.S. Coast Guard, and worked my way through college on tugboats in the Gulf of Alaska.

It has always been important to me to give back to my hometown and I have done so on a number of boards and committees. The hospital board and various native community projects have provided me with a variety of experiences and skills. I consider myself an effective problem-solver and a solid team player.

What do you see as the most pressing issue currently for the Port Commission?

The Wrangell Harbor Department appears to be well organized and has a very competent crew. I am certain they will bring me up to speed as to what are the most pressing issues. Having said that… We need to finish the boat yard project and Shoemaker Bay needs attention. As always, financial resources for operations, maintenance, and future growth need to be secured.

How to you propose to attract more business to Wrangell’s port facilities?

We can attract more business to our port facilities by building on the systems and services we have in place. We can continue to refine the boat yard operations and help the vendors expand their services. Maintaining good relationships with our customers is always critical. It is important to have a good working plan that is a reflection of our mission and goals.