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Wednesday, Nov. 04, 2009

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Port of Kennewick: Novakovich takes lead

By Drew Foster, Herald staff writer

Jeff Losey spent election night in New Orleans, but it was Skip Novakovich who was in a reveling mood after ending Tuesday night leading the Port of Kennewick Commission race.

Incumbent David Hanson, who was unopposed for the Position 3, District 1 seat, received 13,259 votes, or about 98.3 percent of ballots cast. No matter how the Position 1, District 3 race panned out, Hanson said a good commissioner was going to be elected.

"I can sure live with either port commissioner," Hanson said Tuesday. "I know them both; either one will do a fine job."

Early returns showed Novakovich receiving 8,624 votes, or 54 percent, to Losey's 7,285, or 46 percent.

"I feel confident with that kind of spread," Novakovich said Tuesday evening, shortly after returns were released.

He also felt relieved. "I had a headache and stomachache all day."

Novakovich didn't spend long basking in what looked like an election night victory as his statements quickly shifted from tempered jubilation to praise of his opponent to what's topping his commission agenda.

The future of Kennewick's Vista Field was a central topic in the commission race, and one both Losey and Novakovich agreed upon. Neither candidate wanted to see Vista Field closed. Both also wanted to explore options to expand Vista Field.

If the election results hold, Novakovich plans to vote as soon as possible to keep the facility open and eventually look at how it can be expanded. He called Vista Field a "huge economic asset" that "belongs to the community" and said it could take decades to re-establish an airfield in Kennewick if Vista Field were to close.

Novakovich, a retired Army lieutenant colonel, has more than two decades of experience in community service and development and previously said that knowledge how would make him a valuable commissioner.

Novakovich's position, which holds a two-year, unexpired term, will pay $200 a month, plus benefits and a per-diem of $104 a day when he attends port-related meetings.

Hanson's six-year position, beginning in 2010, will pay a monthly salary of $850 plus benefits.



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