Erhardt quietly resigns position

POULSBO — Just weeks ago, the Port of Poulsbo concluded the search for a new commissioner.

This week, a new search — this time for a new harbor manager — will be getting underway.

Port of Poulsbo Harbor Manager Warren “Ed” Erhardt recently resigned his position after nearly two years on the job. Port Commission President Tony DeCarlo said the resignation was in the form of a letter and cited personal reasons for the departure.

Erhardt could not be reached for comment.

Prior to the announcement, Erhardt had been on leave from the port for about two weeks. Port Auditor Carol Tripp had been appointed by commissioners as the acting harbor manager and will remain in the position until a replacement is found.

DeCarlo said he and the rest of the commissioners planned to meet this week to discuss the next steps and initiate a search. He added that one of the talking points would be the position itself and whether or not to rename it or completely change the duties it might carry.

“I think we’re going to be doing some things a little differently this time but I need to discuss it with the other commissioners,” DeCarlo said.

During Erhardt’s tenure with the port, the state entity created a new comprehensive plan and participated in a joint effort with the City of Poulsbo to find solutions for the city’s sloughing bulkhead and the port’s aging breakwater.

DeCarlo recalled that one of Erhardt’s first projects as harbor manager was overseeing the installation of a new fire suppression system throughout the port. Dry pipes installed along the length of the docks allowed for the use of both water and the Poulsbo Fire Department’s Compressed Air Foam (CAF) systems in the event of fire within the port’s boundaries.

“That was something that the fire department had been wanting us to put in there for a while,” DeCarlo said.

In 2003, Erhardt was also instrumental in the Port of Poulsbo becoming the first port in Washington to take part in a statewide derelict boat removal program. A ceremony to remove the boat, which had drifted into port boundaries, was covered by news outlets statewide.

Erhardt had recently been elected one of the newest members of the Greater Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce Board. Chamber president Pat McFadden said Erhardt’s resignation from his port position does not preclude him from holding the chamber position if he chooses. She added that she has not had any contact with Erhardt since hearing of him leaving the port.

“He remains on the board,” McFadden said. “You’re elected as a person, not a business. So he’s still on the board unless he chooses to resign.”

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