The Port of Grays Harbor has announced its procedures and schedule for appointing a new District 2 Commissioner following Commissioner Jack Thompson’s sudden and unexpected passing earlier this month, according to Kayla Dunlap, Port public affairs manager.

Applications will be accepted Oct. 29-Nov. 9 via email, district2commission@portgrays.org, or by delivery to either the Port’s main office located at 111 S. Wooding St., Aberdeen, WA 98520 or at the Westport Marina’s main office located at 326 Lamb St., Westport, WA 98595.

Qualifying applicants must be a registered voter in Grays Harbor County District 2, which takes in the southwest corner of the county and includes Aberdeen, Westport and Grayland. Completed applications, along with proof of residency from the Grays Harbor County Auditor’s Office and proof of voter registration, are due no later than 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9. An optional orientation of Port facilities, properties and operations will be offered at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, at the Port’s main office for interested candidates.

Following the application deadline, an executive session will be held at the end of the regularly scheduled commission meeting Tuesday, Nov. 13, to review District 2 candidate qualifications. The meeting will then resume to select the individuals to be interviewed at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 26, during a special commission meeting. Following the public interviews, the commission will adjourn into executive session — no decision will be made.

On Tuesday, Nov. 27 at 3 p.m., another special meeting will be held to discuss the merits of the candidates in public session and vote on the candidate to be appointed. The appointment lasts until the next regular Port election in November of 2019, at which time anyone seeking to run for the position will have to stand for election. The winner of the November 2019 election will serve out the unexpired term for the District 2 position through December 31, 2023.

The full appointment procedures and schedule are available on the Port’s website, portofgraysharbor.com, at the Port’s main office and Westport Marina office. The application will be available at all locations Oct. 29. For more information or questions, please contact Mike Folkers, director of finance and administration, 360-533-9504 or mfolkers@portgrays.org, or Public Affairs Manager Kayla Dunlap, 360-533-9590 or kdunlap@portgrays.org.