Port=~                   P.O. Box 1209
Seattle, WA 981 11-1 209
of Seattle                   Tel: (206) 787-3000
\\\\ w. p.H1so:aule.org.
February 26, 2013
Fellow citizen,
My core beliefas an elected leader is that my efforts must foremost be driven by what best
serves the public interest. Like anyone in elected office, I am also mindful ofhow things might
play politically when I consider my actions. Regardless, I am always compelled to take that path
that best serves those that have elected me.
Folks, we have to raise Seattle Port Commissioner salaries, which are now set at a token $6000
per year. We must do this not for the benefit ofcommissioners, but for the public good. There
are two reasons this change must be made.
First, we intend our government to be a representative democracy - that is "ofthe people, by the
people, and for the people". For this to be true, average citizens must be reasonably able to serve
in elected office. But that is not the case when it comes to serving on the Port Commission. The
vast majority ofus simply can'tafford to give away halfour working hours, no matter how much
we might be drawn to public service.
The trifling salary imposes an unstated, but all too real, financial hurdle for those who might
otherwise wish to run for the office. Ifyou have to work full time to pay your bills, you will not
apply. As a citizen, this notion offends me. We are a diverse county - geographically,
ethnically, culturally, politically, and economically. We need the port commissioners to embody
and reflect this diversity.
Second, the work ofa Seattle Port Commissioner is critical to the continued job and economic
growth in this region. It is not a ceremonial office. The role requires a substantial commitment
oftime and effort and we need it to be done well.
The jobs we create through the Port may well be the reason our kids decide to stay here and are
able to make a good living. Well-educated, globally astute, technically savvy graduates can be
paid livable wages thanks to the role the Port plays in our economy. Today, almost 200,000 jobs
around our region depend on the public assets created by the Port - shipping terminals, SeaTac
airport, passenger cruise facilities, and Fishermen'sTerminal. Our plan is to add another
100,000 jobs more while reducing our ecological footprint as we do.
The citizens created the Port ofSeattle for just that purpose a hundred years ago to insure that the
economic growth spawned by our natural harbor served the residents ofKing County and not
just the profits ofrailroads, timber companies, and shipping lines. The Port is a voterempowered
economic development agency ofvital importance to our State. There are 75 ports
in Washington, doing everything from developing data centers to incubating startup wineries and

ours is by far the largest and most significant. Our Port has an annual operating and capital
budget of around a billion dollars, about 1,800 employees, and over 6 billion dollars in assets.
The port district is ALL ofKing County and includes almost two million residents, over one
million voters, and just under 40 cities. The job ofan elected Commissioner is more than
overseeing the Port - it is serving all ofthese constituencies and advancing our collective
economic interests. We need the Commission to be a leading voice on issues across the region
from transportation policy, to shoreline management, to air quality, to tax policy, to workforce
training, to name just some. Our region'seconomy is an ecosystem that must work together. It
is a bigjob to be thoughtfully and usefully engaged everywhere it matters. In my opinion, that is
exactly the job ofa Seattle Port Commissioner and ifit is not done well, we'll all be worse off.
At the February 261h meeting ofthe Port ofSeattle Commission, I announced that I will introduce
a resolution proposing that salary for a commissioner be set at the same level as a part-time
Washington State legislator, starting 2014. Ifadopted by the Commission, those elected to office
at this year'sgeneral election in November would have an annual salary of$42,106 versus the
current salary of$6,000.
Ifre-elected, I intend to personally waive the increase, which state law specifically allows. I do
this not because I don'twant a pay raise, but because I want it to be clear that I am motivated to
take action because I believe it is in the public'sinterest to do so. As one who'sserved in this
office for over three years now, I can attest to the reasonableness ofthe salary I'mproposing. It
is appropriate and it has precedent with other part time elected officials. I hope more civicallyminded
citizens agree and will consider candidacy for a Port position. It is an important,
challenging office worthy oftheir talents and the public investment.
I make this proposal now because we will have four out ofthe five commission seats on the
ballot this year due to Commissioner Tarleton's election to the legislature and her subsequent
resignation from the commission. And, I'mone.
In the last election cycle, only one ofthe two Port positions on the ballot had an opponent in the
primary and the cycle before that one ofthe three positions had only one candidate. This is a
poor recipe for an effective government.
Voters deserve choices - and we all need an effective Seattle Port Commission. I believe this
change will help in both regards.
Sincerely,


Tom Albro


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