Durney will run for re-election in Hoquiam

Hoquiam Mayor Jack Durney said Friday that he will run for re-election in the fall.

“I continue to have the energy, enthusiasm and passion about serving my home town,” said Durney, now in his fourth term. “My grandfather Durney came to Hoquiam in the 1880s, built our family home at 5th and K where my father was born and I grew up, and a town that my family business — now in its third generation — is located.”

Durney is the only person ever to serve as mayor of Hoquiam and Aberdeen. He was mayor of Aberdeen in early 1980s.

Official candidate filing is in May.

“With the help of about 200-plus residents 10 years ago, we created the Hometown Hoquiam strategic plan to improve sidewalks, abate dangerous structures, improve our police protection by focusing on community policing and re-opening our jail, improve our parks, make the necessary updates to our aging underground infrastructure, and focus more on economic development,” Durney said. “With the cooperation of a great city council, I believe I have brought to the city a strong management team who over time have made the changes and come up with the creative ideas that have allowed Hoquiam to fulfill these goals.”

Looking forward, Durney said among his priorities is “making sure that our Hoquiam waterfront does not become a massive tank farm and that Hoquiam is more proactive rather than reactive about industrial development.” He was referring to proposals to locate oil storage facilities in Hoquiam.

“Other priorities include finding opportunities to grow housing (as with the new Summerhaven Homes development past Woodlawn), following through on our water and sewer infrastructure, expanding even further recreational opportunities, and focusing even further on working collaboratively with Aberdeen and Cosmopolis on joint public safety opportunity to reduce costs and improve service,” the mayor said.