By Jimmy Roller

Journal reporter

San Juan County’s new port director Ted Fitzgerald was introduced at Wednesday’s June 6 port commission meeting at the San Juan Island Yacht Club. It was Fitzgerald’s second day on the job, and he was just getting settled in after moving to the San Juans by boat from his old home of Brookings, Ore.

Fitzgerald said he has received a lot of advice since his cruise up the Washington coast, and met many people. He added that while his old home isn’t an island, it faces many of the same issues of isolation and unique difficulties with infrastructure that the islands face. He says it takes a certain type of character to appreciate living in a place like this and he can see that character in islanders.

“(Where I come from) It’s not an Island but it’s very remote, so it takes you hours to get anywhere, we have limited service, and limited stores, so you have to learn to like where you are,” Fitzgerald said. “I can see the people that do live here actually like it, and it’s just a gorgeous place.”

Fitzgerald said he doesn’t see any changes that need to be made immediately, and is impressed by how well the port’s facilities are maintained and run. He will now be looking to fill whatever role the community needs him to fill.

“My goal is to try to fit in to what you guys are doing,” Fitzgerald said. “I don’t want to be trying to push my impressions onto anyone else because obviously what we have here is a great running facility. I’m ecstatic to be here.”