PORT ANGELES — Port of Port Angeles Commissioner Steven Burke has resigned amid mounting conflict with fellow commissioners, tied in part to ongoing issues surrounding the Shore Aquatic Center.
In a letter to the board submitted Thursday, Burke says he will step down as District 2 commissioner effective Friday. He wrote that recent actions have made it impossible for him to effectively serve.
The resignation was submitted one day before a formal resolution to censure Burke was set to be introduced at a special meeting May 1st. Earlier this week, commissioners had already signaled their intent to censure him and called for his resignation.
The dispute centers on concerns about Burke’s conduct and his outside role as executive director of the William Shore Memorial Pool, where he has been on administrative leave amid financial and management issues. A state audit alleging potential fraud and questionable spending tied to his tenure was released last November.
In his resignation letter, Burke does not directly address those allegations but says the circumstances would limit his ability to represent constituents, adding that when public service is hindered, “it is appropriate to step aside.”
Burke served on the port commission for ten years.