Squalicum Harbor Fishermen's Memorial
Dedication Ceremony
May 31, 1999
Transcribed by Jerri Williams
Port Recognition Speaker: Jim Darling
Tom Glenn: It is my pleasure now to introduce to you the executive director of the Port of Bellingham, Mr. Jim Darling.
Jim Darling:
Thank you Tom. On behalf of everyone, I would like to thank Tom and the
committee for organizing such a thoughtful dedication today. They have done
a great job.
On behalf of the Port’s Board of Commissioners and our staff, we are proud to have had an opportunity to make this memorial a reality and play a small role in doing so.
Zuanich Point Park named for former commissioner Pete Zuanich ….if you could wave….in the back….is an ideal setting for the memorial. As you can see we are in the process of expanding the park…[applause as Pete waves to the crowd]…
As you can see we are in the process of expanding the park and giving a new face lift to provide better access for the community to the waterfront.
And the park is designed for a number of users in mind. From summer picnics to community festivals like the upcoming maritime festival that will be here in August to quiet meditation here in the memorial’s plaza.
Also as part of the expansion we’ll soon be starting construction on a new community lodge building that will be directly on that end of the park where the gravel is as you came in. And that will be open for small groups for social events and meetings later this fall.
A number of people at the Port worked on this memorial effort with the committee. But I would like to give some special recognition today to one in particular Carol Williams.
Carol is responsible for designing and building this park including the memorial plaza and the surround ground.
The quality of the park and its ability to meet needs of many, many users reflects Carol’s skills and dedication to her craft.
This park is our community. And the opportunity to get down to the water and it is quickly becoming one of the treasures of Bellingham. And now it is home to this great memorial.
We believe that Dr. Fairbanks’s work will soon be a strong visual connection to our community’s rich maritime tradition.
On behalf of the Port and our Board of Commissioners, let us express our appreciation to the many individuals on the committee who worked untold hours to make this a reality. Their efforts will be appreciated and live on for generations to come and I’d like to thank them. And thank you. [applause]
Tom Glenn: And now you get the chance to meet the chairperson of the Squalicum Harbor Fishermen’s Memorial Committee Tina Schwindt. Tina…. Conclusion & Thank You