John Calhoun announces for port commissioner
June 24, 2003
Forks Forum
Local resident John Calhoun has announced his candidacy for Port of
Port Angeles Commissioner from District 3, the seat being vacated
by Glen Beckman.
A major goal is to invigorate the leadership of the port, Calhoun
said. I’m going to run a vigorous campaign.I will stress three themes
in my campaign: economic development, economic development and economic
development, he said. The theme is presented in this way to make a
point; economic development is the primary function of the Port of
Port Angeles and that there is more than one way to achieve it. We
need to expand the portfolio of approaches and investments.
According to Calhoun, important issues face the port are:
All these issues, and more to come, must be resolved
with a common test for success; does the resolution of the issue enhance
sustainable economic development of the County? he said.
Sustainable economic growth is the goal, according to
Calhoun, and that’s determined by:
The port is the only statutory authority for economic development
in the county. I want to he sure it carries out that responsibility,
he said The three port commissioners represent different areas of
the county and I want to be sure that the West End is represented
by someone who knows and understands the West End.
The port has the authority to tax up to 45 cents per $1,000 assessed
valuation in property taxes countywide so we want to be sure we’re
well represented on the commission, Calhoun said.
I want to change the kind of contribution the port makes to the West
End and be sure that it is different than it has been in the past,
he said. The port has the authority to enter into economic development
partnerships with cities which they’ve underutilized in the past.
Being Port Commissioner is a continuation of public service and concern
for the well-being of the West End, he added. I’m interested in making
this a West End campaign with a West End team.
Calhoun is 59 years old and has lived in the West End for 23 years.
He and his wife of 39 year, Judy, have two daughters and four grandchildren.
I enjoy community service, landscape design and construction, and
international travel, he said.
Calhoun earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forest Management from
the University of California at Humboldt and is a graduate of the
Washington Agriculture and Forestry Leadership Program.
He is currently employed by the University of Washington. He serves
as Director of the Olympic Natural Resources Center (ONRC) in Forks
and is the College Lands Manager. As Director of ONRC, I lead programs
of research, education and outreach helping to integrate ecological
values into commercial management of forest and marine resources in
support of resource dependent communities, he said. In these capacities
I am accountable to the public for management and care of over $40
million in assets with an annual operation and research budget in
excess of $3 million.
Before becoming Director of ONRC in 1995, Calhoun worked 28 years
with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources where he
held positions including the Department Director of Habitat Conservation
Planning from 1993 to 1995 and as Olympic Region Manager from 1982
to 1993. He was awarded the Governor’s Distinguished Management Leadership
Award in recognition of sustained outstanding leadership and notable
contributions in reducing costs and improving services to the public.
Calhoun is a Certified Professional Forester and member of the Society
of American Foresters.
Service to community, the state and the region is a dominating theme
in Calhoun’s life. This public service ethic comes from a high level
of personal concern for the wellbeing of our region, he said. Working
to enhance the capacity of rural communities during changing economic
times has been the special focus of my professional career and volunteer
service.
Selected recognition for these efforts include:
o United Way of Clallam County, Distinguished Service Award
o To Honor Your Service to Education award from Quillayute Valley
School District for serving as levy and bond issue chairman year after
year
o Certificate of Merit in recognition of outstanding community leadership
and contributions to the improvement of public education in the State
of Washington by the Washington Association of School Administrators
o Certificate of appreciation for serving on the Forks Chamber of
Commerce board of directors.
Choosing a career of public service, honoring the public trust to
manage the public’s assets, allows me the opportunity to contribute
to our community both professionally and privately through volunteer
service, he said.