The Port of Bremerton leaders seem to think “transparency” is the key to winning back the public’s trust.

New Port CEO Cary Bozeman declared at a July 14 port meeting that earning the public’s trust is the port’s “most urgent priority.”

To build trust, Bozeman told all port staff the agency should adopt a seven-step action plan to include meetings with the public.

I think this would be a waste of time and resources.

The port’s action plan should include a solid method and commitment to creating a self-supporting operation.

After all, the Port of Bremerton’s own mission statement says, “Our long-term goal is to reduce reliance on taxes to cover operations.”

This has been the goal for many years, but when will we see a real commitment to it?

Like Independent columnist Bob Meadows says, “The port must learn to pay its own way.”

I want the port to live up to its commitment and become self-sustaining. And I want lower taxes.

If the port can’t be self-sustaining at some point in the very near future, then put the marinas and the industrial park up for sale.

It’s as simple as that.

ROB DAUGHERTY

Olalla