The Port of Seattle needs new leadership. Current Port commissioners have allowed the Port staff to run the King County taxpayers into a $4.73 billion public debt and they keep spending.

Rising airport costs are forcing the airline business away.

We need to rework the commission and the Port staff. To do this we need to elect the right commissioners for the job.

This year we have eight of the new candidates running who could be much more beneficial than those who have caused the current condition.

The CASE Organization is having a Candidate Forum to hear and question these candidates at the Sept. 7 CASE meeting. It is being held at the ERAC Building, 15675 Ambaum Blvd. S.W., in Burien from 7 to 9 p.m.

All candidates have been invited and will have equal time to speak on their own merits. You are urged to attend this event to hear and understand each candidate's position: the third runway costs for airline operations, their visions for our communities, environmental mitigation and current financing issues.

One huge issue is that Southwest Airlines has proposed moving its service to King County International Airport (Boeing Field) because of the rising costs.

This will be a good meeting to attend to meet the candidates and hear a brief update on the pollution permit and runway construction.

Collectively we can change our futures.

Jim Bartlemay

Des Moines