Port 1 working on boat show, emergency ladders

At the Port District 1 Board of Commissioner’s meeting last Thursday, the July boat show, the recent audit and safety ladders were on the agenda.

Commissioner Bob Kizziar gave an update on the plans for his special project, this year’s Wooden Boat Show. The boat show usually coincides with Bald Eagle Days festivities, but has been moved to another weekend this summer.

“We have a couple boats that have already committed,” Kizziar said, “and a few people who have committed to give lectures in the breezeway.”

Commissioners discussed advertising, T-shirts, vendors and the possibility of adding a sailboat race or a parade of boats. Kizziar hopes to see the event grow in the coming years with increased advertisement and a “broader reach.” He would eventually like to be able invite recognized names in the boating world to speak in Cathlamet.

“My whole goal in doing this is to have a restaurant that can stay in business and a town where people are happy,” Kizziar said. “I’m open for as many ideas as I can get traction on. I don’t see why between the town and the Port we don’t have something going every weekend. The nature of things is they are either growing or dying.”

“It’s worthwhile to get something like that going,” Commissioner Gary Quigley said. “The boat show in Port Townsend started small but it’s now a big event. There is a lot of money coming in for that.”

“That’s how they all started,” said Bonds. “Leavenworth and those towns. Now they are prospering. You have to have people with open minds that are willing to work together. Hopefully we’re getting to that point.”

According to Kizziar, the Cathlamet Yacht Club had been discussing a safety ladder for one of the docks in the marina.

“Everything that I’ve read in any magazine in the last three years really recommends a safety ladder,” Kizziar said. “You try to get someone up on that dock, especially if they’ve been partying. Or if they fall off alone at night, there is no way they can get back up. I would like to see one on the end of each dock.”

Quigley agreed. “It wouldn’t take up too much room and it’s set up so you wouldn’t bash into it and damage your boat.”

“It’s not going to be any problem,” Port Manager Jackie Lea added. “And if it saves somebody, it’s worth having. Even if it just helps one person.”

Bonds and Quigley agreed. The commissioners will continue to discuss the safety ladders while seeking partnership with other local groups before they commit to any purchases.

In other news, Lea and her staff are busy taking reservations and readying the marina for the warmer months with painting and repairs.

The port passed the audit by Washington State Auditor’s Office for the period of January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2013.

“They couldn’t find anything wrong,” Kizziar said, “and the auditors said we should be proud of it. I told them it’s because of the great staff we have. I want to 100 percent thank them for proving again 10 years in a row that we’ve had no dings.”

Quigley and Bonds added their praises to Lea and her staff.