Letter: Blow cannot equally serve port and FIND district
Editor: On any commission, a majority makes the decisions. The measures Bill Leary, in a guest column on Monday, would crown Carl Blow (incumbent commissioner) with were advanced not just by Blow, and were passed unanimously on their merits.
My strong support for funding the Regatta of Lights is a board effort. I will continue to advocate for the improvement of Port St. Augustine. Importantly in times ahead, we must have rules that will enhance our long-standing port image, not label St. Augustine as exclusive and anti-boating.
The challenge was made when Blow got himself appointed also to the FIND (Florida Inland Navigational District) Commission in 2009 and chose also to retain his seat with Port.
That move sealed Port Commissioners from consulting full time with their St. Johns FIND Commissioner regarding port business. Sunshine Laws prohibit that outside of the public meeting room. Taxpayers and progress get shortchanged when lines of communication get funneled into three hours of a public meeting per month. I seek reform: I opened Port Commission Seat 3 for a new commissioner and am running against Blow.
On our FIND funding feasibility of a marine barge terminal at the airport (The Record, Oct 21): At our last port meeting FIND/Port Commissioner Blow made no mention of the proposed terminal, which is in the port district. The news took me by surprise. I look forward to meaningful discussion on that proposal, with your Port Commission examining not just economic merits but environmental effects. Especially fuel transfers in the Guana Tolomato Reserve domain are questionable.
Between now and Nov. 16 your Port Commissioners are Sunshined against talking with their FIND/Port Commissioner. Is barge traffic part of the complexion of St. Augustine?
Blow serves the port well, as do all your Port Commissioners. We just don't need the silence and conflicts inherent with one person holding two commissionerships so closely connected.
Jay Bliss
ASA, USCG Lic. Capt.
St.Augustine Port Commissioner
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