Martin says marine service facility a big draw for Wrangell

John Martin's first watercraft "would have been the canoe I got when I was 13." Now 72 years old, he has had "a number of boats" and a number of years on boards and councils in the community.

Martin is seeking his third term on the port commission in Tuesday's municipal election. He also has served on the WCA tribal council, the hospital board, and "I did a tour on the museum board."

Martin is unopposed for a three-year term on the port commission. He and Chris Buness are the only two declared candidates whose names will be on the ballot for the two seats.

"Anything that happens on the water is interesting," said Martin, who, as a 25 year old, paddled with a group from Wrangell to Seattle in 43 days. "We did 20 miles or 10 hours, whatever came first."

When not on the water, Martin was in the classroom. He retired after 25 years as a teacher in Wrangell schools, kindergarten through middle school.

He also thinks long term when it comes to the port and harbors. "If we could get in the habit of setting a little money away" to meet maintenance and improvement needs. "You're always going to be looking for money."

Maintenance is nonstop, he said. "Everything is just waiting to sink," commenting that new floats are needed at the Inner Harbor and Reliance.

Unlike harbor maintenance, which is an expense, boat maintenance can be an economic plus for the community, Martin said. "We're so fortunate to have the Wrangell marine service facility" which provides repair and maintenance services for commercial and recreational boats - in particular, drawing in boats from out of town for work by Wrangell's skilled workforce.

In addition to overseeing the service facility, the port commission sets rates for the harbors, which Martin said Wrangell works to keep competitive with other communities. "We've always thought our rates are in the middle, but our services are above that."