No, I Will NOT Be A Candidate For The Port Commission

For the past couple of months, I keep being asked if I intend to run for the Port of Bremerton Commission seat currently held by Larry Stokes. 

The answer is an unequivocal NO. 

That rumor has been circulating for awhile now, and by now I've been asked more times than I can remember if it's true of not. It is not.

How it got started, I'm not really sure, but I've been told by numerous people that Stokes — who if he is elected will be 80 at the end of this next term — has made the statement he will run again just so I can't win that seat. I think that's more than a bit presumptuous on his part, but Larry Stokes is what he is...

I think the genesis of the rumor could be in the fact I've written several Business Journal columns on what I consider to be less than stellar management, and irresponsible stewardship of the public's money by the Port, and it appears paranoia has kicked in on the part of a number of people there. 

I will continue to comment editorially on the Port, but have absolutely NO interest in being a Port Commissioner. I've had my time in the sun where politics is concerned. I've said before that I have no intention of running for public office again — and I don't. I hope that puts this to rest, and that Stokes will step aside, some qualified people will step forward, be elected, and straighten out the huge, money-losing mess the Port of Bremerton has become.