Meet the Candidates - The Wrangell Port Commission

Gary Morrison, write-in candidate, running for two three-year seats

Occupation and experience

Retired, formerly of the U.S. Forest Service for 38 years, and former Alaska State Parks Director. Has sat on a number of BLM and USFS boards.

Why do you wish to run for the Port Commission?

"I think my management experience and background, and my interest in the marine environment, boating and interest in furthering the economy of Wrangell, I think I have something I can contribute and want to try to help further that effort here in Wrangell."

What's an issue you would like to see addressed by the Port Commission over the next few years?

"There's a number of them that I think are important, and I'm not sure how I would rate one higher than the other. I think one is we have to continue to encourage and expand our boatyard facilities and our commercial efforts here for that. If that means developing something down at the old mill site I would be interested in learning how much that would cost and whether we can afford to do that. As for the harbors I think it's very important we maintain the ones we have, but we really need to upgrade the one at Shoemaker. I think that's quite a priority, particularly safety things out there. The first thing that comes to my mind is the walk ramp down to the boat launch. That needs work first and I think we ought to do that. And then bite off the repair of Shoemaker in pieces rather than do nothing out there until we have enough money to do everything."

John Yeager, incumbent, running for two three-year seats

Occupation and experience:

Fishing guide and commercial fisherman, longtime member of Port Commission, both as commissioner and current vice chair.

Why do you want to continue serving on the Port Commission?

"A couple different reasons. The one reason is that the town itself as well as the port and other entities are on a growth trend, and we're really getting a great name for ourselves out there, in particular the Harbor Department, with The Marine Service Center and Heritage Harbor. I want to stay on so I can help in any way possible see that grow further, and also maintain a good work balance between the port and harbors and boat owners. We're here to serve them, and they come first."

The Shoemaker Bay renovation was passed over for state funding this summer. If it happens again next year, what are some other funding options you would like to pursue in order to complete the project?

"At this point I don't have any specific funding options or places to go. I think what we will have to do is formulate a plan to see what we can handle to do more of in-house. But we need to focus on the people down at Shoemaker now, keep them safe and make sure there's a good dock to use, and keep that available. I think it's important to keep that going as much as possible. I feel that that is always going to be on our radar. I don't know how active we're going to continue to pursue that. That is one of the revenue generators of the port, as you know. I don't want to get us into a position that we were in just recently. I think that we can't afford to go five or six years down the road without adjusting anything."