Port Commissioner John Creighton on Century Agenda Goals

If asked, Port Commissioner John Creighton could provide an entire speech about why he'd like to be reelected to his seat in 2013. He could site his effectiveness in office, his ability to bridge the gap between a diverse group of stakeholders, his work making sure the Port listened to and worked closely with the communities that surround the Port and his deeply held conviction that performing work in public office provides its own rewards. John Creighton might also provide one other reason for his campaign, and his hopes for reelection. The Port has put together a serious set of goals for the coming years, and John Creighton wants to ensure that they come to fruition.

According to the Port of Seattle website, the commission would like to add 100,000 jobs to the Port of Seattle, bringing the total number of jobs the Port provides to a whopping 300,000. Raising employment in this way means increasing air cargo volume, growing seaport container volume and increasing the economic value of maritime work. In addition, the commission would like to advance Seattle as a tourism destination, allowing more dollars to flow into the economy on a regular basis.

This is an ambitious agenda, and it's likely that commissioners will need to work closely together to ensure that all milestones and goals are met on a regular basis. They'll need to build strong links to the business community, and they'll need to ensure that residents of King County understand what they want to accomplish, and why it matters. Since John Creighton is well respected by both the business community and labor, the environmental community and neighborhood advocates, he is in an excellent position to handle these tasks. He also believes in the promise of Seattle, and would find it personally satisfying to see the influence of the city grow.