PORT ANGELES — Longtime employee and airport supporter Arlen Olson was honored Monday as he retired as the airport overseer in Sekiu.
The Port of Port Angeles commissioners, who own the airport, also heard a report from Executive Director Jeff Robb that Clallam County Fire District No. 5 will take over the tasks performed by Olson.
The port will pay the district $300 per month to mow the grass, maintain the runway and make sure the lights are on at the appropriate times.
“Arlen has been a tremendous advocate for the Sekiu airport,” Robb said.
“We will backfill his position, but it won’t be done with nearly the passion that he has for the airport.”
Olson, whose retirement is effective today, pushed for the airport to be opened in the 1960s and has overseen the maintenance and operations of the airport since 2001, Robb said.
‘Value insight’
“We value his insight and wisdom and passion for the community,” Robb said.
Commissioner John Calhoun said he valued both Olson’s input as well as the importance of the airport.
“It is hard to find opportunities for us to make contributions to the West End community, and that little airport is one of the only pieces of real estate that we own out on the West End,” he said.
“It has always been marginal and always in question whether we should keep it open, but it means a tremendous amount to the community,” Calhoun added.
“The port commission has supported it through the years, and we felt like we could because Arlen Olson has been such a contributor. We really appreciate him and will miss him at the airport.”
Doug Sandau will remain airport and marinas manager, but the fire district will handle maintenance of the area around the airport.
In December, the port negotiated a lease with Clallam County Fire District No. 5 to house some equipment at the airport.
The lease of about $6,000 a year allows the fire district to keep a fire truck in a hangar in case of emergencies.
Occasionally, U.S. Highway 101 will be blocked or a fire will need more immediate attention in the Sekiu area, so fire district officials wanted to set up some equipment closer to the area.
In other business, the commissioners voted to allow staff to auction off a boat called the Aly Claire that had been abandoned at the Port Angeles Boat Haven.
The auction will be scheduled and announced at a later time.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.