The Islands’ Weekly is running a series of Q&As with the Port of Lopez Commissioners candidates. The Q&As will run Sept. 22, 29, Oct. 6 and Oct. 13 .
Questions:
1. Do you use the airport and/or other port property, if so please describe your use?
2. Do you have a business(es) or business interest on and/or off island?
Kenn Aufderhar
(Running for port commissioner 1)
1. Yes, I use the Lopez airport regularly. The airport has been very beneficial for transporting family when the ferry schedule would not work and for picking up critical parts or supplies that were needed immediately to keep our business running. Our off island employees have also been flown in when the ferries have been canceled or delayed. This has enabled us to keep appointments with customers. It has also been my privilege to assist in flying Lopez residents to and from the mainland hospitals and doctors when they could not travel another way.
2. Our business on island is Bayview Dental. I work the accounting, payroll and budgeting side and have recently built the new office. Commercial construction has been my career and more recently, property management.
The Lopez airport has and will continue to be a very important part of island living by bringing business to our island and in many cases making it possible to live and work here. As other port projects are developed, I am sure they will also serve the residents of Lopez as well.
Steve Adams
(Running for port commissioner 2)
1. Lopez airport is a valuable resource used by all the citizens in our community. During a disaster situation our airport will be a vital off-island link. The airport is important for Med-Flight and is the only medical airplane access. Currently, 90 percent of all Lopez Airport traffic is from off-island providing valuable local commerce by offering alternative access to the island for businesses, visitors, workers, homeowners,
and delivery of overnight mail. Many local pilots contribute to the community by flying residents for medical emergencies and care and are often on standby to fly expecting mothers off. Being able to fly off-island for work makes it possible for some citizens to live here and contribute to our community. Our airport is the second most important access to Lopez and brings thousands of dollars into our community. On Lopez, one of the most important tasks for the commissioners is to serve as airport managers. My many years as a FAA pilot and aircraft mechanic has been invaluable for making responsible decisions and saving expenses for the port, operating at one of the lowest tax rates statewide.
2. I am currently retired from teaching (science/technology) 30 years at Lopez Island High School and 25 years running successful businesses on Lopez. I will continue my long history of community service, including 20 years on the Lopez Fire Department, eight years on San Juan Planning Commission, four years as Port Commissioner and most recently helping move and maintain our community nonprofit gym “Lopez Fit.”
For more info: http://www.steveadamsforport.com/Campaign.htm.
Ed Kilduff
(Running for port commissioner 2)
1. I have no conflicts. Unlike the other port candidates, I am not an airport hangar tenant, and I don’t have storage there either. I use the airport as much as any average member of the public might. By contrast, my opponent is a hangar tenant in Upper Hangar C, which is one of those hangars where our port collects no rent from hangar occupants. The lease for that hangar is set to expire next year, and it remains to be seen what the new lease will look like. If you are confused by the complicated lease and property arrangements at our airport, I explain it all on my website at www.kilduff4port.com.
2. Yes, I have business interests here. From my home on Lopez and from my office in Friday Harbor, I still do quite a bit of work for the federal government related to groundwater and environmental cleanup, in addition to growing local work. I have more than two decades worth of experience complying (and sometimes fighting) with federal rules and regulations, especially the requirements for federal contracting, government accounting, public participation, and environmental compliance.
