Of all the local public jurisdictions with elected positions, none has more of a business focus and mission than does a port. Perhaps that is why we’ve so closely followed the race for District 2 Commissioner at the Port of Vancouver.
Here we have a race where the successful candidate – either Eric LaBrant or Lisa Ross – will not only inherit a port that is near capacity in its property for lease, but one that is holding some of the only shovel-ready land for industrial development in Clark County.
By most business accounts, the port is in one of its most successful periods ever as it brings to conclusion the West Vancouver Freight Access Project, which has been in development since 2008. But when things are going well, there is often something that overshadows success. For the port commission, that something is the vocal dissatisfaction with use of executive session and the subsequent lease with Vancouver Energy for an oil-by-rail marine transfer terminal.
Many will define the two candidates for the vacant commission seat solely by their opposing positions on the use of executive session and the terminal. However, LaBrant and Ross share some interesting similarities. For example, they are both primarily private-side business people. Ross, a CPA, has a short stint in government of about six months in the last 12 years, with the balance split between nonprofit organizations and for-profit companies. LaBrant is an accounts receivables professional who has had his own business and is currently working at a freight forwarding company. Both are from the financial side of business, and familiarity with numbers and budgets we see as a good thing given the size of the port’s budget.
The two candidates are both graduates of Western Governor’s University, an online university supported by 19 U.S. Governors. Ross indicated via email that she has multiple undergraduate degrees (a B.A. in philosophy and a B.S. in accounting) as well as an M.B.A. in management. LaBrant’s undergraduate degree, for which he is in his last semester, will be a B.S. in business management.
Among other similarities between LaBrant and Ross is the desire to help create a strong, vibrant community with good jobs and a healthy environment. They are both well read on the issues of the day and of the operations and mission of ports in the state of Washington, and specifically the Port of Vancouver.
How the candidates articulate their understanding of the issues and their proposed solutions is where the differences really begin to differentiate one from the other. For starters, LaBrant is adamantly opposed to the oil terminal, while Ross is for letting the established review process play out and siting it if the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) recommends it.
The focus of their campaigns, by our observation, points to another difference. Ross points to the recent successes of the port and looks to build on that. LaBrant’s focus is on the terminal and on making the process of decision-making by the commission more transparent.
When asked about the kind of jobs they envision at the Port of Vancouver in the next 10 years, LaBrant sees manufacturing and traded-sector jobs, while Ross sees jobs across a mix of uses – from Terminal 1 redevelopment with professional white collar and hi-tech jobs, to more traditional uses at Centennial Park.
I started out talking about the business nature of ports and specifically the Port of Vancouver. We find it hard to argue with the growth and profitability demonstrated by the port over the last 10 years. Consequently, we believe the next commissioner needs to have a firm grip on a wide array of business practices and be committed to sound business principles.
Eric LaBrant is a promising political figure. He cares, is willing to get engaged and takes the time to understand the issues. His adamant position against the terminal we see as potentially counter-productive in the event the oil terminal is sited. Therefore, we simply don’t believe the port commissioner role is the right position for him at this time.
Lisa Ross has the academic and professional management experience to responsibly weigh the issues and make sound business decisions. She also has a vision consistent with that of the Port of Vancouver that will serve her well, regardless of whether the proposed oil terminal is sited or not.
