July 28, 2016 8:10 p.m.

Editor's Note: A Fernandina Observer Town Hall Meeting involving candidates for the Ocean Highway & Port Authority scheduled for July 15, was cancelled due to a tragic accident that claimed the life of an employee at the Port of Fernandina. Since scheduling another Town Hall within a short period of time was not possible, we presented candidates with five questions and asked for their written responses. This is the last in a series of five questions posed.

OHPA District 1 Candidates

Edward T. Coop, Pat K. Gass, Robert "Bob" Sturgess

Pat K. Gass, Candidate OHPA District 1

How would you go about crafting a master plan for the Port of Fernandina?

"In ten years, when it is time for an updated OHPA Master Plan, I would use a consultant to do the heavy lifting.  About a year out I would see that we begin to review the proposed plan during the monthly OHPA meetings to make sure everything is covered.  I would also ask that the Master Plan be color coded.  All those items mandated by federal government would have a color and all those items mandated by state government would have a different color.  The third color would signal all those items which may be changed.  This method would cut down on confusion about what may and may not be changed.  I will ask that we set up a committee of citizens to review the proposed Master Plan independent of the commission and ask them to make recommendations to the commission."

Candidate Robert "Bob" Sturgess OHPA District 1

How would you go about crafting a master plan for the Port of Fernandina?

"This question probably refers to the “strategic plan” required by section 311.14(2) (Florida Statutes), which states, “Each port shall develop a strategic plan with a 10-year horizon.”  Such a plan is also a prerequisite to FDOT / Florida Seaports Council funding.

The plan adopted in June 2014 by the Port Authority was titled, “Strategic Master Plan”, so I will presume that is why this question refers to a “master plan.”  But the statute is very clear about how to “go about crafting”  such a plan, including the requirement of components related to increasing business, infrastructure development and improvement, intermodal transportation facilities, etc.

Accordingly, I will further presume this questioner does not want to know how I would comply with section 311.14(2) and its various components in crafting a new master plan, but what I would change about the Strategic Master Plan in existence.  (I will stick to the script and refer to it as the “Master Plan”.)  In general, the current Master Plan is almost silly in that it plans to increase the port ten-fold or more in coming decades.  It is thoroughly unrealistic, but nevertheless a reflection of the Port Authority’s desire to overtake the County.

More specifically, the component of the Master Plan that is the most offensive is the part of the plan written in compliance with subsection 311.14(2)(d)  (Florida Statutes).  It states each Port’s plan must contain, “A component that identifies physical, environmental, and regulatory barriers to achievement of the plan’s goals and provides recommendations for overcoming those barriers.” (emphasis added).

It turns out that you, I and our cities are the “barriers” the Master Plan emphasizes.  In fact, we and our rights and property are referenced as “constraints” to the Port Authority. In the inches-thick Master Plan, there is not one express mention of how the Port Authority can benefit the citizens of Nassau County.

The Port Authority’s legislative purpose, however, confirmed by appellate courts, is to benefit us.  So not only does the Port Authority have no intention of benefiting us, but we are mere “barriers” and “constraints”.  As referenced in my answer to the first question, the Port Authority’s solution is its ability to exercise its virtually unlimited powers. That is, the Master Plan solves the problem of us “constraints” by simply exercising its authority over us.

We and our property and our cities are not ‘constraints’ on the Port’s Authority, as we are called in the Master Plan.  Instead, we citizens are the intended beneficiaries of the Port Authority.  I will work with the other Commissioners and the citizens and cities to assure the Master Plan’s primary purpose is to do nothing unless it benefits you, and does nothing to harm you, your property, or your city."

Click here to view press release submitted to the Fernandina Observer.

Edward T. Coop, Candidate OHPA, Dist 1

How would you go about crafting a master plan for the Port of Fernandina?

"In 2014 a pending 10 year master plan was in the works.  Until that plans is finalized or revised by the current authority it would be a waste of man hours and money to duplicate or replace the plan. Port, highway, railway and airport development were all considered in the 2014 plan and since I am not a members of the Authority I cannot speak to the current state of the plan.  I understand in 2015 the plan was delayed due to consideration of hazardous material transport issues."

District 2 Candidates

Jimmy Dubberly, Incumbent Danny Fullwood

Incumbent Danny Fullwood Candidate for Ocean Highway & Port Authority District 2.

How would you go about crafting a master plan for the Port of Fernandina?

"The present master plan is good for the next 10 years, however, if I were involved, I would set up a committee similar to the Charter Revision Committee. This would allow all parts of the county to have input that may affect that part of the county."

How would you go about crafting a master plan for the Port of Fernandina?

Jimmy Dubberly, Candidate OHPA District 2

"The Port Authority needs to engage with all the municipalities within Nassau County and develop and long-term master plan. This creates unity within our community to achieve a common goal for the better of Nassau County and the residents.

The Master Plan needs to provide a near and long-term strategy for the port that ensures the delivery of needed infrastructure that is fiscally responsible and sustainable, recognizes the value of transportation investments, and supports operational excellence through innovation.

Master Plan depends upon collaboration and collective problem solving. Thus, multiple constituencies and stakeholder groups should be involved throughout the planning process. By bringing residents and community leaders together for dialogues and design sessions is important to integrate issues across disciplines and allow constituent groups to address areas of common concern.  In Nassau County we have municipalities with their own unique heritage and we need to make sure we keep those and not lose or destroy them."

Click here to view Dubberly Press Release submitted to the Fernandina Observer.