Ecret would start with tenants' needs

MOSES LAKE — Bill Ecret hopes to bring energy and enthusiasm to the Port of Moses Lake.

Ecret faces Mike Conley in the November election for Commissioner District No. 1, replacing Kent Jones, who moved out of his district and cannot seek re-election for the same position.

The position is a six-year term.

"I am a progressive, forward-thinking individual," Ecret said. "We need to remember the issues and decisions we make today are not short term, but a foundation for the future of our community. We also need to take care of our existing tenants at the port. I would like to have input from all of them, find out their needs and plans for the future, and start there."

Ecret does not believe running for the position presents any challenges for him.

"I work in the communication industry as an on-air personality and also regularly broadcast news and commercials," he said. "In order to avoid any appearance of taking unfair advantage of that exposure, I will not be on the airwaves again until after the election."

A lifetime resident of Grant County and Moses Lake, Ecret has served as a Moses Lake Parks and Recreation commissioner, a Moses Lake planning commissioner and currently serves on the Moses Lake City Council.

"My experience on the Moses Lake City Council assures my ability to work with the existing port commissioners," Ecret said. "As a sitting Moses Lake city councilman, the port commission and the City of Moses Lake will have an even better working relationship."

Ecret is also a member of Transco, a contributing member of Vision 2020 and serves on several other local and regional boards.

Ecret believes commercial air service at Grant County International Airport is essential if the area is going to continue to grow, and crucial to the airport's survival.

Service is crucial to residents and to the businesses and industries which have economic activity dependent on the airport, he added.

"There are also the employees not only at the Grant County International Airport, but in the private sector that support the passengers that use the facility, like restaurants, hotels and other service industries that would benefit greatly," he said.

Increasing railroad service to the airport property is a mutual benefit for the port and the Moses Lake community, Ecret said.

"Building a more direct line will provide a better access to existing and potential industrial sites at the port," he said. "It will also help regional economic development. If more shipping is done by rail versus trucking, the wear and tear on our state and local roadways would decrease and save us thousands of dollars."

Many existing port tenants would expand their businesses, adding more jobs and increasing the tax base for the community, Ecret said.

The port needs to continue to promote itself aggressively, Ecret added, and must improve and expand its existing infrastructure.

"It's hard to promote the Port of Moses Lake as a great place for business and industries to locate, if you don't have the infrastructure to support them," he said.

Ecret believes it's important to have a good balance of jobs and maintain the quality of life in Moses Lake and the surrounding area.

"With an expanded infrastructure, more industrial customers and commercial air service, our port will be able to provide improved safety, continued growth and more opportunities for the port district, Moses Lake and the Columbia Basin," he said.