ASTORIA, Ore. — Candidates vying for a seat on the Port of Astoria Commission this May agree on at least one thing so far: Something needs to be done about the East Mooring Basin.
These days, its docks see more foot traffic from sea lions than from fishermen. Last year, the port removed a deteriorating causeway that had partially collapsed in 2021.
But Tom Brownson, a former Astoria city councilor who announced his candidacy for the port’s Position 1 seat this week, told KMUN he suspects he differs in just about every other way from his opponent, incumbent Jim Campbell.
Campbell, who has a background in marine construction and aviation, has served multiple terms on the Port Commission, from 1965 to 1977 and from 2013 through the present.
He has been a proponent of bringing more cargo to the port to build revenue streams. If reelected, he considers this one of his priorities, along with improving the Astoria Regional Airport and rehabilitating Pier 2, a longtime port priority and home to Bornstein Seafoods and Da Yang Seafood.
“I think my vision of the port is considerably different than (Brownson’s),” Campbell said, adding that he hasn’t heard Brownson’s specific criticisms yet, but: “It would seem that he’s been a little narrow in his vision.”
Brownson, a retired small business owner, has been involved with the port as a boat owner, a member of the Astoria Yacht Club and as a tenant. He does not think Campbell’s hopes for bringing in cargo are realistic.
Brownson said he is impressed by the direction the port has taken in recent years. If elected to the commission, Brownson said his priorities include helping the port continue in this positive direction and pushing forward on redevelopment of the waterfront near the West Mooring Basin. When Brownson was still on the Astoria City Council, that council gave the port final approval on zoning changes necessary for the plan’s implementation.
Brownson opted not to run for reelection to the city council in November and felt ready to move on when his term ended. He has decided to make a bid to return to public service now for several reasons.
“One is that I really enjoyed the service that I did with the city,” he said. “It was interesting. I learned a lot. I got to know about how the city works and I enjoyed it from that aspect and I really would miss that.”
To Brownson, the port and its commission represent a smaller, more focused entity — a place where his experience as a former city councilor could be useful, but where the role could be less demanding.
So far, the Position 1 seat is the only contested Port Commission race. Incumbent Dirk Rohne, a dairy farmer and former Clatsop County commissioner, is running for reelection to his Position 2 seat. Newcomer Thaddeus Fickle has filed for Position 5, currently held by Frank Spence, who has announced he will not seek reelection.
Potential candidates in the May 20 regular district election have until March 20 to file.