Compiled by Ralph Nichols

The Times/News last week contacted candidates for Highline-area elective offices whose names appear on the Nov. 6 general election ballot.

Questions asked in each race and their answers appear below.

All candidates on the ballot are listed. However, due to space constraints only those with opponents were asked to respond to questions.

* incumbent.

Port of Seattle Commission

1. Do you favor the demolition of the Lora Lake Apartments?

2. Do you think the Port of Seattle is managed in a financially responsible manner? If no, how will you change the financial management?

3. What will you do to prevent Port of Seattle seaport business from going to other ports?

Position 2

Bob Edwards*

1. I have opposed and voted against the plan to tear down these affordable homes for nearly a year now, and have worked with my colleagues and King County to find an acceptable compromise to protect these homes.

2. Since I took office, we've created 30,000 new Port-related jobs, doubled cargo container capacity and increased revenues at both the airport and the seaport. Still, we can always do better which is why as part of the Audit Committee, I helped institute policies for contracting that will ensure a more transparent and fiscally sound process.

3. Our competitive advantage is to be the cleanest, greenest port on the West Coast and to fix our transportation system. That's why I helped negotiate the Puget Sound Maritime Air Emissions Inventory that will lead to a reduction in air pollution by up to 70 percent, invested nearly $20 million in Puget Sound cleanup as well as voted to fund the last mile of light rail to Sea-Tac and have worked to come up with plans to solve our worst chokepoints on I-405 and state highways 509 and 520.

Gael Tarleton

1. I am not in favor of the current plan to demolish the Lora Lake Apartments. The Port has failed in its responsibility to show leadership on this issue. My opponent would have done better by the housing community to have worked this issue out two or three years ago.

2. I do not believe the Port of Seattle is managed responsibly. Third runway cost overruns, baggage screening cost overruns, musical terminals for cruise and container ships have all contributed to a severe public distrust. The Port of Seattle has one of the most generous tax subsidies in the country and they still lack to operate in the black. My opponent was Commission President when the State Auditor gave the Port a failing grade on its financial performance - TWO YEARS IN A ROW.

3. The Port of Tacoma is eating our lunch. Vancouver, British Columbia isn't far behind. They have shown real leadership and they have a vision for what a port needs to be competitive in the 21st century. We need to change the way we do business so shippers can move their exports and imports through the Port to their final markets much faster.

Position 5

Bill Bryant

1. As someone who has served as a volunteer overnight supervisor in a homeless shelter, I know low income housing helps people transition from the streets into the workforce, so my heart is with preserving those housing units. But the commission should have decided that years ago. Just because it's an election year doesn't justify commissioners reneging on agreements.

2. The SeaTac baggage system cost overruns reveal the absence of any financial accountability at the port. My opponent admitted, "I don't think the port commission has in the last many years been a very effective watchdog" and "[the port commission] undertakes a lot of projects that are really wasteful..." That is unacceptable. We need to change the port commission and install financial systems that hold specific people accountable for delivering projects on time and on budget.

3. To keep business we must be able to move freight to the American Midwest faster than other West Coast ports. Eliminating freight-related traffic bottlenecks and partnering with South King County cities to improve truck and rail corridors is essential to keeping business.

Alec Fisken*

1. I oppose the demolition of the Lora Lake units that are not eliminated by FAA regulation.

2. No. The Port is financially irresponsible. The cure is to phase out the tax levy over 10 years.

3. I'll make sure we're working with other ports (ports are exempt from anti-trust rules) to coordinate rates and environmental regulations