Bill authorizing partisan elections for OHPA heads to Governor Scott for signature

An Opinion

Submitted by Michael Harrison

June 1, 2015 1:00 a.m.

Audience in attendance at Rep. Janet Adkins' April meeting on citizen concerns over port master plan.

Having passed both Houses at the State Legislature, House Bill 1201 was sent to Gov. Scott on May 27 for his signature. This bill calls for election of the Ocean Highway and Port Authority (OHPA) Commissioners to be held Partisan, and was opposed strongly locally by voters from both main parties.

Although protests from Amelia Island residents have not stopped the progress of this bill through the legislature, they have undoubtedly raised the level of awareness in Tallahassee that there are problems at OHPA, and Rep. Janet Adkins is now working to address them.

HB1201 is not the main problem in the Port’s affairs, but it certainly does not help. Although it is a long shot, it may be worthwhile to email Gov. Scott via http://www.flgov.com/contact-gov-scott/email-the-governor/ to ask him to withhold his signature.

I just wrote him:

Please do not sign HB 1201 into law. Your research will show that Rep. Adkins is already dealing well with an inflamed situation at the Port of Fernandina. Partisan election to OHPA only fans the flames. Nassau County needs as many candidates for OHPA as possible, and as many voters. Partisan elections limit both.

Please do not sign this bill.

Thank you.

Mike.