As the only candidate running for Port of Vancouver commissioner this fall, former Clark County Councilor Temple Lentz aims to bring her experience in transportation policy to the role.
Lentz, president and CEO at The Historic Trust, filed to run in May for the port position. She is seeking to replace retiring port Commissioner Jack Burkman in District 3, which covers central and southeast Vancouver.
The Port of Vancouver, Lentz said, is one of the region’s largest economic drivers, and she wants to support that work as a commissioner.
“Washington, being one of the most freight-dependent states in the nation, really relies on all of its ports for so much of our state’s economic stability,” Lentz said. “The fact that we have such an important piece of that infrastructure here in Vancouver, I think is a real benefit to the community.”
Lentz wants more people to know about the important role the port plays in the region.
“I want to be sure that the port retains strong, thoughtful leadership, and I feel like I can provide that,” she said.
Lentz said her work on the Clark County Council introduced her to an array of transportation issues, ultimately leading to her appointment to the state’s Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board. She’s served as chair of the board since 2022.
As the Trump administration seeks to bring manufacturing back in the United States and place tariffs on international trade, the future for ports around the country is uncertain.
That uncertainty is something Lentz thinks has been most difficult for ports and their business tenants.
“A business can plan for reduced revenue or having to change the types of revenue or different diversification methods. But when you don’t know from one day, one week, one month to the next whether a decision that was made is going to stick or entirely change, it’s really hard to plan,” Lentz said.
She thinks the Port of Vancouver is better situated than many to weather the uncertainty. The port has worked to diversify its products and trade partners, she added.
“At least so far, that’s allowed them to navigate sort of the ups and downs,” Lentz said.
Leaders at the port and its partner Vancouver Bulk Terminal broke ground on a soda ash shipping facility earlier this year.
Lentz hopes the port can pursue similar durable tenants in the future and potentially help current tenants make infrastructure adjustments to become more stable.
The port’s Terminal 5 is a large property, without a main tenant after a controversial oil terminal project was halted there in 2017.
Lentz said she hopes the port can secure a tenant there that is in a future-building business.
“I’m open to what that might mean,” she said. “What I really like to see us doing is supporting and working with businesses that are moving towards the future.”
That could be additional renewable energy resources or products like soda ash, Lentz said.
Commissioners don’t do the day-to-day work at the port.
Lentz said the port’s board of commissioners should instead be setting and bolstering the vision for where the port is going to go.
“And that’s in partnership with leadership staff but representing the community,” she said.
Vancouver port commissioners are paid $1,412.28 monthly, according to the port’s website, as well as $161 per day for port-related meetings, up to 120 meetings per year. They’re also eligible for health benefits and expense reimbursements.
Ballots will be mailed for this fall’s general and special election Oct. 17. The election will be held Nov. 4.
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