Port Commission Two seats available

Name: David Silva

Age: 58

Occupation: Commercial Fisherman, Speech/Language Therapist

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

As a commercial fisherman, I have had many opportunities over the past six years to utilize our harbor facilities here in Wrangell. My wife and I have leased slips at Shoemaker Harbor and at this time have two slips at Heritage Harbor. We have used the services of many of the businesses in the haul-out yard and have a very good working relationship with these skilled craftsmen. Having spent this past summer fishing throughout Southeast Alaska and accessing a variety of other community’s harbor facilities, I now appreciate even more the accessibility of Wrangell’s harbor services and friendly, professional workers.

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

I feel it is important to develop a long-term plan for our varied port facilities. We are at a turning point, as decisions will need to be made in relation to expanding our boat haul out areas, upgrading Shoemaker Harbor, and utilizing our new and bigger boatlift. We need to continue to encourage individuals with boat systems repair skills to set up shop in our yards. Wrangell is seeing boats coming from all over Southeast Alaska to use our facilities and access our craftsmen. I want to see this continue to expand and grow in a cooperative manner with our Wrangell businesses and needs of our residents.

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

If we have the port facilities to haul out, repair and store small boats to large ones, because we have the best craftsmen and harbor facilities offered anywhere around at a reasonable cost, then related businesses will grow and thrive. Again, we must think not only short term, but also long term to accomplish this goal.