Port Commission candidates include incumbents, newcomers

Yahoo

27-03-2025

Pier 2
Pier 2 in Astoria is a hub for major seafood industry on the North Coast.
Candidates are competing for a say in the Port of Astoria's future as the organization navigates a number of key issues — among them, progress on a waterfront master plan, a multimillion-dollar Pier 2 rehabilitation project and efforts to address conditions at the East Mooring Basin.
The May 20 election features three Port Commission positions on voters' ballots.
Position 1
In Position 1, incumbent James Campbell is facing former Astoria City Councilor Thomas Brownson.
Campbell, the commission's treasurer, brings 24 years of experience, including a stint on the board that began in 2013. In that time, he said he's provided critical leadership in moving the Port from near financial disaster to solvency, and has made strong contributions to a number of Port projects, including the Port Strategic Plan and Boatyard Plan and successful audits.
Campbell said he hopes to use his past experience in marine construction to contribute to the continuation of projects like the reconstruction of Pier 2, which is home to Bornstein Seafoods and Da Yang Seafood, as well as progress at the airport and updates at the East Mooring Basin, whose deteriorating causeway was removed last year.
In addition to time on the Astoria City Council, Brownson has also served on the John Day Water District Board and the county's property value appeals board. He said his priorities include working toward waterfront redevelopment near the Port's West Mooring Basin and work on the East Mooring Basin.
Position 2
In Position 2, incumbent Dirk Rohne is up against Thomas Jenkins.
Rohne, a former Clatsop County commissioner who operates a dairy farm with his wife in Brownsmead, is running for his third term on the commission. When he first ran, he said the Port was in financial trouble, losing lawsuits and returning unspent grant money to the state — but with a change in its board and management, it began to rebuild relationships with partners and stabilize.
'This stabilization and the following successes, like a thriving and growing boat yard, development at the airport, a 25 million dollar federal infusion to rebuild Pier 2, and now an execution of the Central Waterfront Plan point to steady progress. I would like to continue to support the Port's steady success, and believe I have the experience to be best positioned to do so,' Rohne wrote in a statement.
Jenkins works with the Oregon Department of Emergency Management, coordinating emergency preparedness and response in four counties, including Clatsop County. He's also a recently retired Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy with prior service in the U.S. Air Force.
'I'm running to become a commissioner because both my military and civilian careers have informed me of how important it is to keep our ports open, functioning safely, and integrated into the broader community that they occupy," Jenkins wrote. "I want to work with the other commissioners and the port's staff to promote sustainable economic development that brings living-wage jobs to our region, protects the natural environment surrounding the Port of Astoria, and to renew our connections to the communities served by the port."
Position 5
Frank Spence, who currently serves in Position 5, is not running for reelection, creating an opening for two newcomers — Thaddeus Fickel and Rob Seitz.
Fickel, a commercial pilot who works in remote sensing, said he's been inspired by Astoria's community since moving to the city and wants to do his part to help the Port thrive.
'As both user and tenant of the Port facilities, I'm uniquely positioned to understand the challenges faced by those who depend on this public resource for their livelihood as well as recreation. I will endeavor to listen first and speak second; to carefully weigh possible outcomes and champion the course that seems to affect the most good for the most people,' Fickel wrote in a statement.
Seitz, who owns South Bay Wild Fish House with his wife, has lived in Astoria for more than two decades and brings a background in commercial fishing. If elected, he said his priorities would include the implementation of the waterfront master plan, making repairs to Pier 2 and bringing the East Mooring Basin back into useful working order to create more places to park boats and access the waterfront.
'Over the years I've benefited from port services and I feel like I'm in a position to give some back. The port is on a good course and I would like to see that continue,' Seitz wrote.