October 18, 2016 1:00 a.m.
Editor’s Note: The Fernandina Observer posed five questions to the two remaining candidates for Ocean Highway and Port Authority. During this week we will post their responses. We provided Candidate Robert “Bob” Sturgess an opportunity to update his responses previously posted beginning July 25 in the Fernandina Observer.
The Fernandina Observer will hold its 5th annual Candidate Forum Thursday, October 20 at 6:45 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers at the corner of N 2nd and Ash Streets. Candidates for City Commission and OHPA will appear. Please join us.
Coleman Carnegie Langshaw
District 1
Why do you support or not support changing the current OHPA charter?
I support changing the charter, because like any such of a governing document, it should not remain static, and should be modified to reflect the needs and desires of the community it represents. It is a healthy thing to periodically re-examine such things to help the visioning process for our future. This being said, I do not necessarily advocate changing something wholesale or just for change sake. Changing the charter, must be done with care and appreciation of its purpose, so as to better its ultimate purpose.
How do you see the future of the Port of Fernandina with respect to footprint of port operation, type of cargo handled, and traffic?
I think that there is little space for expansion for environmental and community reasons. The port should continue to handle cargo for which it was originally intended, such as timber products and break bulk items. It makes no sense to bring in great volumes of hazardous cargo into our port and through our community, than is already occurring under the constraints of state and Federal guidelines. While it is important not to hamstring the business of the port, with undue constraints, we have to be aware that bringing in certain items, can be an expensive proposition (for safety and environmental compliance reasons) and would not make sense financially.
I support the port and I want the business to grow, and I believe that looking westward (beyond the bridge and towards the middle and west side of the county) is where safe, controllable and sustainable growth can occur in conjunction with the port, such as an inter-modal transfer facility, warehousing, chipping facility, etc..
How would you improve the information flow between OHPA, the City of Fernandina Beach and Nassau County citizens?
Communication between these entities is easy, all the OHPA has to do is try. I think a representative of the OHPA should meet monthly with the City, Town and County Managers, and that there should be quarterly (if needed) or annual joint meetings between the OHPA and the other governmental entities.
I also think the OHPA should hold their meetings at the various city and town halls instead of at the County Commission chambers. We need to bring the OHPA to the people, and the elected officials need to be the ones coming to the people, instead of the people coming to them.
Robert “Bob” Sturgess
OHPA Candidate
District 1
Why do you support or not support changing the current OHPA (Port Authority) charter?
The current OHPA charter was recently examined by an appointed Advisory Board consisting of Nassau County citizens, who held their meetings in public at various locations around the county this year. Their recommendations – and decisions to not make recommendations – were reviewed and accepted by OHPA. It is a somewhat moot point, therefore, to consider supporting or not supporting changes to the Charter. (This answer is written prior to OHPA’s meeting scheduled for October 19th, at which time further action may be taken regarding the Charter.)
Regarding the accepted recommendations of the Advisory Board, I would primarily have supported changes to Section 12, which allows OHPA to bypass the wishes of local governments and authorities. I believe the Nassau County municipalities’ Constitutional right to Home Rule should be restored. Further, the major issue not considered by either the Advisory Board or OHPA is that the Charter may violate both substantive and procedural due process to the extent recent amendments thwart the legislative purpose of the charter and citizens’ opportunity to be heard via judicial or administrative proceedings. I support changing the Charter because it projects an oversized governmental entity, and nowhere states how it will benefit citizens.
How do you see the future of OHPA (the Port Authority) with respect to the footprint of port operation, type of cargo handled, and traffic?
The strength and viability of all ports depend on America’s and the world’s economy. It appears our port is operating at about one third its capacity, and its future may be affected by upcoming international trade deals and revisions, the Panama Canal expansion, and how well the Port Authority navigates its way around the many legal and operational challenges it will face in the next several years.
The Port Authority’s sole legislative purpose and its stated mission, however, is to provide benefits to the citizens of Nassau County. The Port Authority should only take actions that provide a demonstrable benefit to you, our cities and their businesses. (As an creation of the state legislature, the Port does not pay taxes.) The possibilities for the port are endless and must flow with the times, laws, markets, economics, regulations, and strategic alliances, as well as the forecasting of these components.
Unfortunately, the Port Authority contractually relinquished all operational control of the port to Kinder Morgan (and its subsidiary Nassau Terminals, LLC) decades ago. Being perhaps the largest energy infrastructure business in North America, Kinder Morgan has occasional conflicts with the public’s best interests. Kinder Morgan does what is best for its shareholders, including its recent attempt to move coal through our county without notifying the Port Authority or the City. Since the Port Authority’s contract with Kinder Morgan gives OHPA no recourse for damages if, for example, Kinder Morgan moves or stores unwanted HAZMAT materials in the county, the footprint and future of the port should involve either a renegotiation with Kinder Morgan or some other entity that primarily benefits us.
How would you improve the information flow between OHPA (the Port Authority), the City of Fernandina Beach and Nassau County citizens?
This question presumes there is information flow between these three entities. Last year, however, the then-Chairman of the Port Authority Board asked an attorney to gather information sufficient to sue Nassau County citizens who tried to speak out against the Port’s alleged abuse of power. He wanted the Port Authority to sue the citizens for “tort interference” and “class action” (which from a legal perspective seems frivolous). So at the outset, I am not sure how to address a question regarding information flow when the Port Authority has already threatened to sue some citizens for asking questions or speaking out.
Since there is no incumbent in this county-wide Port election, neither candidate has firsthand or complete knowledge of the communications between the Port Authority and the City of Fernandina. We cannot know whether we are told everything. The Port’s website, for example, makes statements that appear exaggerated or untrue, but the same website could be utilized to improve information flow. I will assure, though, there will be nothing concealed from Nassau County citizens, and there certainly will be no threats of reprisal against citizens who speak out. Interested citizens are an invaluable asset and must be treated as such before an exchange of information can flow freely.