Press Release
June 8, 2016 1:00 a.m.
Bob Sturgess has practiced law in Nassau’s Fourth Judicial Circuit for over two decades, and was a Senior Staff Attorney at the Florida First District Court of Appeal, where appeals from Nassau County Circuit Court are heard. Bob is also a mediator certified by the Florida Supreme Court, and is an approved court-appointed arbitrator. He further serves as a church, or “congregational”, mediator of disputes within and between churches. He has represented several conservative parties in his long career, such the Republican Party of Florida, the Florida Association of Counties Trust, and the Commissioners who serve the counties in that Trust.
Bob believes an OHPA Commissioner should know the law, and know how to interpret and apply the law. As both an experienced attorney and a certified mediator, he understands how to apply the law in the way that benefits the citizens, and in a way that brings the OHPA board members and the citizens together. The next OHPA board will be presented many new and renewal contracts, all of which were written by attorneys and have complexities only an experienced attorney can fully appreciate.
OHPA has become a governmental unit that has self-proclaimed it can do anything it wants. It believes, hypothetically it can transport any manner of hazardous material through your town, or even take citizens’ land to bury or create an open-air storage facility for such materials. Under its theory of eminent domain, OHPA has pronounced through its Charter it can take the property of any Nassau citizen or city, and can do so without the Constitutional due process showing of a ‘public purpose’. As it stands, the Strategic Master Plan for the Port characterizes the citizens and cities merely as “constraints.” Bob believes bringing benefits to Nassau’s citizens is the legal and operative purpose of OHPA, rather than citizens being a ‘constraint.’
Bob’s professional website is www.mediationfirstcoast.com. He is also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, a former vice-president of the Christian Legal Society, and has the highest of attorney peer review ratings. He graduated from the University of Georgia, and his daughter recently received her degree from Florida State University in Tallahassee. He and his wife live in Fernandina Beach.
Contact information: (904) 343-4779 [email protected]
Editor’s Note: Sturgess will face candidates Edward Coop (R), Pat K. Gass (R), and Coleman Langshaw (D) in District 1. Richard Bruce current port commission for District 1 has not announced his intention to run.
A great choice for critical oversight and positive guidance of the OHPA.
I know Bob, and he is well informed about the issues surrounding the Port Authority, and would be a welcomed addition to the Commission.
Bob Sturgess, I feel is the Individual we have needed on the OHPA Commission, to both take advantage of growth opportunities for the Port of Fernandina, but in doing so, protect the Citizens of this Community, and our Quality of Life. It’s time this Commission, considers the people of this Community as Stack holders in the Operation of our Port. I think with Bobs election, and the help of other individuals on the Commission, That can happen. Thank You Bob for stepping forward.