Fort Worden is a defining feature of our community here in Port Townsend, and our citizens need a better explanation of the proposed reorganization plan. The Fort Worden Public Development Authority should offer the public an opportunity for meaningful involvement.

“Mistakes were made,” admitted the PDA Board Treasurer, and a fix is surely needed. But why restructure the public PDA as a nonprofit corporation?

The rush to complete this by the end of the year is a mistake. The impact of COVID on Fort hospitality operations may seem like the problem is sudden and urgent, but the real issue is a lack of board oversight and accurate public reporting.

The structure of the PDA isn’t what makes future fundraising difficult. The Fort Worden Foundation is already set up to accept charitable contributions from donors wanting an income tax deduction.

The proposed new structure, with fewer requirements for public notice and information sharing, isn’t the answer. We need more public scrutiny, not less. We just need the right people and a renewed commitment to the mission of the PDA.

Mark Blatter
PORT TOWNSEND