Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
November 19, 2015 8:18 a.m.
At the November 17, 2015 Regular Meeting of the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) City Attorney Tammi Bach reported that Attorney Clyde Davis had notified her that the annual $50K payment from OHPA in lieu of taxes would not be immediately forthcoming. He cited a recent court case that cast questions on the constitutionality of so-called PILOT payments around the state. Bach’s reply to Davis is presented below:
So the gloves are off?
Good article again from Suanne. Not quite no gloves, with Tammy’s letter. But probably, given the present make up of the OHPA, and our governor, Rick Scott (who has hosed both Arron and Janet Adkins). Willful ignorance exists as a legal concept. Time for the Port Commissioners to personally do their own homework and dig into the granular details of port security.
Chuck I think that’s the Case. Last night at their Meeting, the Port Commissioners Rejected any thought of accepting any changes proposed by Frank Santry or suggested Modifications by Rep. Adkins. So After a year and a half of stonewalling on any Changes to the Port Master Plan, and not any constructive discussion of their Charter Modifications, they have decided to form a committee to address Charter amendments. Perhaps some results by Aug. of 2016. As for a Hasmet Protocol, for their Port response was. “How about the Hospital or Golf Course, they have Hazardous Materials” do they have a Plan. Is a Ludicrous response, going to pass as an intelligent answer to a serious question? This Community has been held hostage, by this group and their Lawyer for the last 18 months. When this mess with our Port started. Commissioner Bruce stated that the Authority would answer all of our question. They have answered None, and more questions have been brought forth by our Citizens about the Mismanagement of this Port. I think it past time to have a discussion of eliminating the Port Authority. It’s redundant. The Nassau County Economic Development Board has the same function. We have a hired hand (Kinder Morgan) running the operation at the Port, With oversight from our County/City Commissioners, I would suggest it would be run more efficiently At the Dec.7th Meeting a petition will be handed to our legislators requesting Changes to the OHPA Charter. Less than 20% of registered voters showed up at the Polls to Vote for our City Commissioners. These are the same electorate that have signed the Petition. This group always vote. One Last Comment would be. I think the States Attorney General should precede with an investigation of the relationship between Kinder Morgan and the Authority.