Ocean Highway & Port Authority receives Charter Advisory Committee recommendations

Submitted by Susan Hardee Steger

September 15, 2016 1:34 p.m.

Citizens Advisory Committee Vice-chair Terry Powell presents recommendations to OHPA.

After holding open meetings at various locations throughout Nassau County, the Charter Advisory Committee (CAC) formed by the Ocean Highway & Port Authority (OHPA) presented  recommendations to OHPA board members at the regular meeting on Wednesday. Terry Powell, vice chair of the CAC, addressed the board and provided a summary of the CAC’s recommendations.

The majority of CAC members supported non-partisan elections, no change to OHPA’s eminent domain powers, expanding the OHPA’s current hazardous material reports, and supporting the Special Act that grants special powers in the OHPA.

The committee did suggest that the port authority honor local government building codes, and update its authority “for more modern projects and possibly the elimination of antiquated authority.” The CAC suggested no limits  within the charter on truck, rail, and passenger ship traffic, but recommended "accurate projections and actual historical data" on future master plans. On mandating the hiring of an employee port director, the committee took no formal position.

OHPA members Carrol Franklin, OHPA Attorney Clyde Davis, Chair Danny Fullwood, Adam Salzburg, and Richard Bruce. Ronnie Braddock was not in attendance.

OHPA board members received the report with appreciation, but offered no comments on the CAC's recommendations.

For months, concerned citizens have raised objections to increased truck traffic, eminent domain powers, hazardous materials, port expansion, and support for non-partisan elections to allow all voters regardless of party afflication to be included in elections.  The formation of the CAC as previously reported by Suanne Z. Thamm, reporter-news analyst, “was formed to create a county-wide committee to conduct a full review of the existing charter for the purpose of updating the document that was originally created in the 1940’s.”

The CAC whose members were approved by OHPA, included Chairman Jon Lasserre, Vice-chair Terry Powell, Jack Baily, Cari Cahill, Colin Campbell, Mike Cole, Hugh Graham, Dale Martin, Frank Santry, Karen Schexnayder, and Michael Stokes.

Powell praised the committee members for their professionalism, courtesy, and mutual respect.

In the event the OHPA approves charter changes, the recommendations are forwarded to the Nassau County Legislative Delegation for consideration during a future legislative session.