EDITOR’S NOTE: The May 18th ballot features dozens of opportunities to serve your community on local boards for our schools, ports, transportation district, recreation districts, water districts, fire districts and more. There is not a voters pamphlet for a primary/special election, therefore the Pioneer provides this opportunity for candidates to tell voters about themselves and the position they are seeking, even if running unopposed.
Tillamook County Pioneer CANDIDATE’S STATEMENT – 5 minute “why we should vote for you” pitch; include information about why you are running for the position and your TOP 3 most-important-issues facing the board/organization you wish to serve on.
MEET THE CANDIDATE: Damian Laviolette, Port of Nehalem Position #4*
I am excited to announce my decision to run for the Port of Nehalem Position #4. I bring a diverse work background to the table, including 20 years of Active Duty in the Military, corporate banking, small business, and local government. I have lived locally in the community, out of the County, out of the State, and outside of the Nation. In 2019 Teah and I were fortunate enough to return to the area to run the family business and raise our children in the same communities where we grew up.
Nehalem Bay and the local communities surrounding it are critical to the survival of our family and family business. The success of the Port of Nehalem is directly tied to the continued success of our family business and its survival on the bay. I am familiar with many of the State, County, and local entities the Port interacts with today as well as many of the challenges facing the Port, surrounding communities, and residents.
Over the past 43 years and counting my family to include: mother, father, brother, sister-in-law and now my wife and I have ran/operated the Jetty Fishery LLC, Marina and RV Park on Nehalem Bay. As the last business entity and some of the last residents on Nehalem Bay before it touches the
Pacific Ocean, we have a significant stake in the area. Our business is primarily tourism driven and in turn often helps surrounding local businesses or vice versa/we help to support other each other. Although not the largest employer in the region by far, we do also consistently provide 4-16 local and/or seasonal jobs. As a resident, business owner, and employer the issues facing the Port of Nehalem are meaningful and relevant.
I would seek to utilize twenty plus combined years of business ownership, training, higher education, risk management, regulatory compliance, and financial management experience to the Port of Nehalem’s benefit. This experience would also hopefully through the Port of Nehalem benefit the
residents, businesses, and tourists visiting the area.
Three key goals:
One – Learn the organization, role, responsibilities, and issues
Two – Develop the Port of Nehalem capabilities and seek out potential revenue/growth/efficiency
opportunities
Three – Enhance existing and/or develop three to five-year strategic plan for the Port of Nehalem
with transparency to the public
(*Damian Laviolette is also running for a position on the NKN School Board.)
