Patty Lent: Bremerton not just a ferry dock

Editor’s note: This is the fourth of a five-part series looking at the candidates running for mayor of Bremerton. Part three can be found here

If Bremerton were a sports team, Patty Lent thinks she would be the best coach.

“We have a lot of players,” she said. “But the players are not sure of the team’s goals. I will be able to put them in the positions where they are best suited.”

Lent has held many positions throughout her life that she said make her a qualified mayoral candidate, including mortgage banker, airline marketer and lobbyist, national sales director, community college instructor, small business owner and travel consultant.

Her experience also includes four years as a Kitsap County commissioner where she served on many boards including the Washington State County Road Administration Board, Washington State Association of Counties, Puget Sound Regional Council, GMA Policy Board and Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council.

Lent said skills, like marketing and public relations, public speaking, negotiation, conflict resolution, problem solving, organization and leadership will help her unite Bremerton and bring vitality to the entire city.

“My plan is to collaborate with the citizens and the city council members of each of the nine districts,” she said. “I want to enable the unity of one Bremerton to foster continued growth and vitality, and still maintain diversity in each neighborhood.”

Lent said this will take more education and training and she plans to work on securing more jobs in the South Kitsap Industrial Area. She also proposes utilizing the Port of Bremerton’s marina expansion and working with existing agencies and volunteer groups.

“Bremerton is an enviable place to live, work, and play,” she said. “Friendly people, affordable housing, award-winning schools, resident activism and innovative leadership. Bremerton is a great city and as your mayor I plan on working to make it even better!”

Lent said Cary Bozeman did a great job with the downtown area while he was mayor, but she wants to do even more.

“Now that we have a pedestrian friendly downtown, we need pedestrians,” she said. “We need jobs, we need a better scheduled ferry service and road transportation that services the growth and allows for this vision to be realized for all.”