The Times recommends: Ryan Calkins for Port of Seattle, Position 1

During his first tenure on the Seattle Ports Commission, Ryan Calkins has shown himself to be a strong voice for environmental sustainability and his understanding of the port’s mission as an engine of economic development in the region.

He is the best choice in the race for commissioner position 1.

Calkins, a business consultant at a nonprofit that supports low-income entrepreneurs, said his decisions in the commission are always guided by considering the public interest implications. This includes supporting measures that create economic activity and jobs with living wages while minimizing negative environmental impacts on neighboring communities and beyond.

The incumbent wisely believes that ports that support the green economy will be in a better position than those that are not prepared. Part of this effort is the ongoing installation of shore power in the Port of Seattle, which has dray truck charging infrastructure and is working to accommodate sustainable aviation fuels at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

“We have to be ready to make the investment now that we know we are going in that direction,” said Calkins. “We’re going to fly cleaner planes and sail cleaner ships, and that’s where we want to take the lead.”

The other candidate in the running, Norman Sigler, owns a recruiting company and previously ran unsuccessfully for the commission in 2015. His campaign focus on environmental issues seems ill-considered to the incumbent. He fails to argue that change is needed.

Calkins’ proudest achievement as commissioner was the opening of the region’s first maritime high school, he said, which welcomed its first grade last month. The school, which guides students interested in maritime professions, aims to address labor shortages and increase overall diversity in order to attract more women and colored students.

“It sums up what I really want to do is make sure the Port of Seattle is driving the kind of economic activity that benefits real families in our community,” he said.

Voters should re-elect Calkins to position 1 port commissioner.

The Seattle Times editorial staff
Members are the editor of the editorial page Kate Riley, Frank A. Blethen, Luis Carrasco, Alex Fryer, Jennifer Hemmingsen, Mark Higgins, Derrick Nunnally and William K. Blethen (retired).