PORT ANGELES — Port of Port Angeles District 1 Commissioner Colleen McAleer announced Monday she intends to run for re-election this year.
McAleer, president of the nonprofit Washington Business Alliance, which advocates business principles be applied to state government, was elected to her first term as port commissioner in 2014.
Prior to her election, the Sequim resident worked as the director of business development at the port.
McAleer, 49, hasn’t held any other elected positions.
She said Monday that the port — which relies heavily on timber exports for revenue — needs to diversify its revenue sources.
“That’s why we supported and created the CRTC [Composite Recycling and Technology Center],” she said.
She said she began working on development of the CRTC in 2012 while she worked at the port.
One of the port’s other top goals is to bring commercial air service back to Port Angeles.
McAleer said that for air service between Fairchild International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to return, “we’re going to have to eliminate all costs with it.”
She said the port is working with U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer’s office on how to make the port eligible for the federal Essential Air Service program.
She said the community also needs to show that it will use the air service and that the price needs to be under $100.
McAleer said she is especially proud that the port did not spend any of its own money on the cleanup at the former KPly mill site at 439 Marine Drive.
“The 18-acre waterfront property will be redeveloped as a Marine Trades Industrial Park, supporting the retention and creation of many family-wage jobs,” she said.
Candidate filing week is May 15-19.
If more than two candidates file for an open position, the top two vote-getters in an Aug. 1 primary face-off will proceed to the Nov. 7 general election.
________
Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@penin suladailynews.com.