09/19/2011: "FH Port Redistricting"

The Port Commission will hold a public hearing to gather comments on proposed port commissioner district lines The hearing will take place on September 28th at 5 p.m. at Ernie’s Café, Friday Harbor Airport.

On September 14, the Friday Harbor Port Commission reviewed recommendations from staff to re-draw the port commissioner district lines in order to balance population among the three districts. The 2010 U.S. Census revealed that while the entire port district has increased in population, growth has not been evenly distributed.

State law requires the Port to rebalance district population after every U.S. Census. The Friday Harbor Port District is comprised of San Juan Island. Port commission districts in ports that are smaller than county-wide may have different boundaries than the county’s legislative districts. The Port has until December to adopt a revised district map and to submit the plan to the San Juan County Auditor.
The changes under consideration involve several census blocks in San Juan Valley, along the north part of Roche Harbor Road, and in Hannah Heights. Most of the new district lines would fall along County roads.

Currently, Port Commission District #1 is served by Mike Ahrenius,
District #2 by Barbara Marrett, and
District #3 by Greg Hertel.

The Commissioners serve six-year terms, with one election every two years. Voters in each commissioner district vote in the primary election, but all voters in the Port District vote in the general election. This year Commissioner Marrett is running unopposed for reelection in District #2.

Written comments may be dropped off at the Port office, or mailed to P. O. Box 889, Friday Harbor 98250 or e-mailed to deannae@portfridayharbor.org. For additional information or questions about the recommended changes, please contact Port Director Marilyn O’Connor at 378-2688.