July 27, 2016 1:00 a.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 third in a series of five questions posed.

OHPA District 1 Candidates

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

Candidate Robert "Bob" Sturgess OHPA District 1

How would you improve the information flow between OHPA  the City of Fernandina Beach and Nassau County citizens?

"This question presumes there is information flow between these three entities. The question is ambiguous to me. But I’ll start with the fact that the recent, former Chairman of the Port Authority Board asked an attorney last year to gather information sufficient to sue Nassau County citizens who tried to speak out against the Port’s abuse of power. He wanted OHPA (the Port Authority) to sue the citizens for “tort interference” and “class action” (which from a legal perspective is very funny). So at the get-go, I am not sure how to deal with a question regarding information flow when the Port Authority has already threatened to sue some citizens for asking questions or speaking out.

The OHPA minutes reflect discussions that can’t be found. The website makes claims that are either exaggerated or untrue. The avenues for “information flow”, however, seem directly proportional to the interest of the citizens in what the Port Authority (OHPA) is doing, such as following the PAB (Planning Advisory Board) discussions. In my personal experience, the Port Authority and the City and County appear to be forthcoming, but again, how would I know what information is not ‘flowing’?

Since there is no incumbent in this election that we three Republicans are campaigning to fill in the primary, none of us have firsthand knowledge or complete knowledge of the communications between the Port Authority and the City of Fernandina except what they want us to know. This is an ‘open election’ between candidates who have never been on the Board of the Port Authority. We cannot know whether we are told everything, but that will only change if the citizens demand it. On the other hand, if I am elected, I will assure there is nothing concealed from Nassau County citizens, which obviously includes Fernandina Beach.

I have heard from an extraordinarily reliable person that the Port Authority is planning everything from water management for Crawford Diamond to a strip club at the beach. I was told also that regarding these and other ideas, “No plans have been drawn, at least in the public side.” I interpret that to mean the public is only told what OHPA wants it to know, when OHPA wants us to know it, and only after the plans are made and “have been drawn.” Frankly, I can see the logic of that, provided the cities and citizens have ultimate authority over what happens in their city.

But I will know when I take office whether the “information flow” between the Port Authority and the cities and citizens is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. If it is not, I will make sure it becomes so."

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

Edward T. Coop, Candidate OHPA, Dist 1

How would you improve the information flow between OHPA  the City of Fernandina Beach and Nassau County citizens?

"I would like to see monthly meetings held in various locations so to encourage our citizens to attend the meetings.  With the meetings held at only one location it is difficult for those on the far side of the county to attend.  If this is not feasible solution then I advocate the broadcasting of OHPA meetings on the cable tv public information channel or even on the OHPA website, http:/www.portoffernandina.org."

Pat K. Gass, Candidate OHPA District 1

How would you improve the information flow between OHPA the City of Fernandina Beach and Nassau County citizens?

"Information flow is vital in local government, I will petition all city councils or similar governing bodies in Nassau county to send a liaison with the authority to speak on the behalf of their organization to attend all OPHA meetings and report back to their municipalities. I understand that it might not be possible for all to attend our meetings so I will inquire with the Clerk of Court to have the meetings available on the internet."

District 2 Candidates

Jimmy Dubberly, Incumbent Danny Fullwood

Jimmy Dubberly, Candidate OHPA District 2

How would you improve the information flow between OHPA, the City of Fernandina Beach and Nassau County citizens?

"OHPA needs to be more transparent in regards to what they are doing. The meetings should be streamed live at least over the internet and recorded for those who could not make the meetings. Meeting notices should be advertised not only on their website but in the newspaper and other social media avenues. In the advertisement it should have topics of discussion so that people can attend and ask questions or even oppose anything they may not agree with.

The current problem with OHPA is that they have a tremendous amount of power and they use it to bully the City of Fernandina Beach and Nassau County citizens. When they have been asked to be a team player they have refused. Political and Community leaders should work together not against each other in a show of power."

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

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

How would you improve the information flow between OHPA, the City of Fernandina Beach and Nassau County citizens?

"I would recommend that OHPA hire, when money is available, a public relations officer. Until money becomes available, OHPA should appoint a commissioner to serve on a Public Relations Committee. This person would meet with each county government on a regular basis to listen to any concerns that part of the county may have in regards to port operations. Or the Charter Committee could remain intact with changes as needed and meet on a quarterly basis for the same purpose."