Last month I dangled words suggesting a commissioner recall may be in order. Let me clarify. Official recalls must go to the ballot, and it’s too late for that type of action. So let's just call this a vote of no confidence that I will be inviting the public in the community to consider. The goal is to light a fire under this person to acknowledge and act on his responsibilities, or get out of the way and let someone else hold his position as commissioner next year when his term is up.

Who pray tell have I targeted for this, well none other than Mr. Steve Heacock. What has me up in arms, two simple statements made that are shocking to me.

• In February I suggested to all three commissioners that the Port might consider convening a public working group to help develop project models to facilitate more open communication between the Port and the citizens of Kingston. I asked each commissioner to respond to my idea individually. Mary and Laura did, Steve did not. On March 8th, when pressed on why he didn’t respond while the other commissioners had, he wrote: “Each commissioner has their own view regarding this redevelopment project/proposal so sharing those views individually seems counter to Governance rules to me.” Isn’t the whole idea of having commissioners represent constituents, that questions and issues and ideas can be discussed directly one on one? I guess Steve thinks his thoughts are private. IT’S A PUBLIC OFFICE.
• The other statement was in the aftermath of Ray Carpenter’s death. At a Port workshop, Mary McClure suggested that those attending should be allowed to continue with their comments, that frankly weren’t very flattering to the Port. Steve first rejected that recommendation, then quickly changed position, with a caveat. He would support more public comment as long as those comments weren’t complaints. I guess he only wants to hear flattery.

A signature petition declaring “No Confidence” will be available in a week or so. I look forward to those that have a similar opinion to mine signing this petition, which I will present to the Port later this year.  Please address any questions or comments to Jack Lott, jlott@shuttlesmart.net, 360-340-4040.

The August RBAW newsletter has several interesting articles which are outlined below.  Click the link if you'd like to read the full text:  www.rbaw.org

• The 2024 RBAW Annual Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, November 9th at the Tacoma Yacht Club - a Zoom webinar option will also be available.
• Washington Recreational Boater - Pumpout Facility Assessment—RBAW and a coalition of partners were able to identify funding in the 2023 WA legislative session to help Washington State Parks update their statewide recreational pumpout facilities assessment to identify current capabilities and needs for recreational boaters This confidential survey seeks to collect key information from recreational boaters that will aid in future plans and investments to support fixed and mobile services. This survey should take you < 10 minutes, is very user friendly if you’re on your mobile device . . . and if you complete the survey, you can enter a drawing to win a $250 Visa gift card. Thanks in advance for completing this survey, and feel free to forward this on to fellow boaters!
  Take the Survey
  
• An Expansive Summer for MindTheZone—MindTheZone, RBAW's initiative to raise awareness about the five seaplane advisory buoys on Lake Union, has had a measurable impact this summer. It's been another busy summer on the lake with boaters of all kinds participating in the fun! For more information, visit mindthezone.org.
• Workshop on Shaping 2025 Education, Outreach, and Communication Efforts;
• Watercraft Excise Tax - Annual Rulemaking—As part of RBAW’s 2024 Legislative Priorities for boaters, we are working to make the annual watercraft excise tax depreciation schedule fairer for boaters that have owned the same vessel for 15-years or more. As part of these efforts, please click HERE to read RBAW's comments to the Department of Revenue’s rulemaking relating to WAC 458-20-23801 and the watercraft excise tax depreciation schedule (CR 101 / WSR 24-14-090). Additionally, RBAW President Bob Wise attended the August 6 hearing where he personally delivered these comments.