Port of Seattle Commissioner Rob Holland on Wednesday resigned his position as one of the five elected officials who oversee all Port operations. Holland was finishing up his first term this year and had not announced yet if he was seeking re-election.
The resignation comes after a Seattle Times article documented questionable behavior by Holland, including the use of a Port of Seattle credit card for personal expenses.
In December Holland was the focus of reports by the KING 5 Investigators that showed he was behind a controversial motion to give favorable terms to a handful of Sea-Tac airport business owners. Holland and Commissioner John Creighton supported the plan despite advice from Port staff, Port lawyers and the Federal Aviation Administration that the policy was discriminatory and against federal regulations.
KING 5 reported the business owners set to benefit were Holland's biggest campaign donors when he ran, unsuccessfully, for a seat in the Washington State Legislature.
Holland's resignation was submitted to King County Council Chair Larry Gossett and is effective March 15. His departure creates a second open position on the elected commission, as Gael Tarleton resigned her seat after she was elected to the state House.
The Port Commission will appoint two new commissioners who will serve until November. According to the Port, the public will have two opportunities to listen to and interact with Commission candidates at public meetings: 6 p.m. on Feb. 26 at the Downtown Seattle Public Library and 6 p.m. on Feb. 27 at the Renton City Council chambers. The Commission expects to make the two appointments in early March.
