Presentations:
Scott Wilson, Steve Gray and Lori Leavitt, having completed their membership requirements, were presented their official membership badges, certificates of membership, and copies of the 4-Way Test. Congratulations Scott, Steve and Lori; and welcome into full membership in the Rotary Club of Bellingham.
Rud Browne, the day's Minister of Fun, reminded members that the Rotary Club of Bellingham's practice of giving Happy Bucks -- the opportunity to show gratitude -- is almost 100 years old. He then gave Club members the opportunity to express their gratitude for their good fortune, including: loving and being loved, having children in our lives, being blessed with a predominately healthy life, having or having had a good career, being able to look back and appreciate having lived a good life, and more. All of us are so very blessed, there should have been a lot of happy bucks put on the tables.
Del Vandekerk introduced Port of Seattle Commissioner Bill Bryant who spoke on the topic, "Transforming our Ports to Meet the Needs of Our Time."
Mr. Bryant stated that the Interstate Highway System was launched under the leadership of President Eisenhower. In the 1960's and 70's, the federal highway system and the Washington State Interstate highways were built. In the 1980's, we shifted our priorities and started to spend our dollars on other priorities. We have neglected our infrastructure so that we now have badly deteriorated highways because of over $120 billion dollars in deferred maintenance and an outdated system for funding.
He reported on the work done by the Commissioners of the Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma that has resulted in consolidating the two Ports into one entity. Why, he asked? Jobs, was his answer. In the past, the two Ports competed while their combined market share was going down and the market share of Ports in British Columbia was going up. To compete with British Columbia, the two Ports needed to consolidate, upgrade and become more efficient.
Shipping companies have consolidated so there are now fewer, bigger companies. These bigger companies are ordering bigger ships. The Ports must make significant investments in remodeling and upgrading their terminals in preparation for the bigger ships. However, for the Ports to be truly efficient and competitive several issues need to be addressed:
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The federal and state transportation systems need to be improved/upgraded.
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Harbor Maintenance Tax needs to be changed. All Ports pay this tax which is given to harbors for dredging. Our Ports are naturally deep ports and do not need dredging but pay the tax anyhow.
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The Canadian railroads are working with the Canadian government to help British Columbia be the gateway to the United States Midwest, including adjusting their fees. Nothing like this is happening here.
Regarding SeaTac Airport, Mr. Bryant reported that SeaTac is the fastest growing large airport in the US. SeaTac is a 1972 facility that was not built for the number of people using it now and not built to handle the post-9/11 security requirements. An example of a recent necessary expense is $55 million to replace every elevator and escalator, which had served years beyond their original planned useful life. Plans for changes and upgrades include:
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Build a new North satellite, which will be the Alaska flagship terminal.
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Remove and rebuild the center runway.
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Gut and redo the main terminal, including a single new baggage system to serve the entire airport, replacing 6 existing small baggage systems.
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Build a new international arrival hall, which would accommodate Delta Airlines plan to move its international hub from Tokyo to SeaTac.
Mr. Bryant closed by saying, "In the 1960's and 1970's, we built a highway system and built an economy based upon that highway system. We have let the highway system go. We need to address that highway system for economic growth."
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