Port Canaveral commissioner candidates debate environment, development

Dave Berman | Florida Today

Show Caption Hide Caption Port Commissioner candidate forum Three candidates running for a seat as a Port Commissioner attended a forum at Fish Lips at Port Canaveral.

Canaveral Port Authority candidate Robyn Hattaway says she doesn't think much of opponent Malcolm "Mac" McLouth's idea for cleaning up the Indian River Lagoon by cutting a weir near the Avocet Lagoon area at the west end of the port.

During a port commissioner candidate forum Wednesday, Hattaway said she could not support McLouth's idea, saying she would not waste port money pursuing what she calls "fuzzy science" and a "risky idea."

Hattaway and McLouth are in an Aug. 28 Republican primary for port commissioner in District 5. The winner will face Democrat Maurice Boudreau in the Nov. 6 general election.

The incumbent District 5 port commissioner, Tom Weinberg, a Republican, is not seeking re-election, and has endorsed Hattaway in this election.

McLouth contends that transferring ocean water through the man-made weir into the Banana River would be a good way to help reduce the brown algae in the lagoon.

Hattaway said finding environmental solutions for the Indian River Lagoon is one of her key issues. But she said the weir McLouth is proposing would present a "high-risk," as it would be located not far from the area where petroleum products are transported.

Boudreau did not address this issue during the forum. But, in a later interview, Boudreau said he believes Brevard County government would have the lead role on lagoon restoration issues. He said the port should play a supporting role, in conjunction with whatever help the county needs.

More: Canaveral Port Authority candidates debate decades of experience vs. 'new leadership'

More: Meet the candidates running for Canaveral Port Authority District 5

More: Proposed aquarium run by Brevard Zoo at Port Canaveral gets $10M commitment from hotel tax

More: Brevard County Commission approves Jetty Park land deal with port, ending long dispute

Candidates' issues

Here's what the three candidates had to say on some of the other issues addressed at the forum, which was sponsored by the Propeller Club of Port Canaveral, a maritime-focused organization. The forum was held at Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill in the port's Cove area.

• Boudreau said, if elected, he would work to rebuild the port's relations with the surrounding community, port tenants and Brevard County government, as well as addressing traffic issues caused by cruise ship passengers driving to and from the port.

He said the port needs to devise a better "exit plan" for longtime tenants "who helped build the port," for when they move out of their port facilities.

Boudreau said he supports a proposed aquarium at the port, saying it would be "a good start" toward attracting more local residents to the port.

• Hattaway said, in addition to the environment, the economy and jobs, along with public safety and security, are among her major issues.

She noted that she has received an endorsement from Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, whose agency oversees law enforcement at the port.

• McLouth said he would like to see the port develop more recreational amenities on the 9.6 acres of land at Jetty Park that the port recently bought from the county.

He also would like to see smaller fishing, recreational and work boats relocated from the Cove area of the port to the Avocet Lagoon area.

Experience, endorsements

• Boudreau, a resident of Merritt Island, is a real estate broker, a business broker and president of the East Merritt Island Homeowners Association. He also previously served as a volunteer "port ambassador" for Port Commissioner Bob Harvey.

Boudreau so far has contributed $1,000 of his own money to the campaign and spent $627. He said he plans to begin his campaign fundraising after the primary, when he knows who his Republican opponent will be.

• Hattaway, a resident of Merritt Island, is an attorney who also runs a family real estate business.

Hattaway has been endorsed by Weinberg and Port Authority Chairman Wayne Justice.

In endorsing Hattaway, Justice said: “The next generation of Brevard’s citizens are ready for leadership positions. Candidate Hattaway has sharp, fresh, concise, independent ideas, coupled with energy and the commitment to do the right thing. For four years I have staunchly fought to dispel the decades old image of 'good old boys' running Port Canaveral. The port has experienced unprecedented, environmentally sound, transparent growth during these four years, while steadily improving our relationships with our port partner constituents. I firmly believe Robyn represents our modern future, instead of re-establishing the past.”

Weinberg said Hattaway has "incredible credentials," including her experience as an attorney in business contracts and property leases.

"Bright, energetic and capable, Robyn Hattaway is committed to preserving our environment, while focusing on the business of the port," Weinberg said.

Hattaway has raised $36,460 in cash and $2,102 in in-kind contributions for her campaign, and spent $19,633. Among her contributors are companies that have had large construction contracts with the port, and companies and individuals connected to the local hotel industry.

• McLouth previously served for more than three decades as a Canaveral Port Authority commissioner — from 1967 to 1996, then from 2008 to 2010. McLouth also was the port's deputy executive director of business development from 1996 to 2000, then was the port's executive director and chief executive officer from 2000 to 2004. McLouth, a resident of Cocoa Beach, also was a professional engineer.

McLouth has been endorsed by Port Commissioner Jerry Allender.

Allender said McLouth "has the experience and the knowledge that we desperately need on the port commission."

McLouth has raised $15,895 in cash and $278 in in-kind contributions for his campaign, and spent $12,496.

Port Authority Vice Chairman Micah Loyd and Harvey have not announced a candidate endorsement so far.

All five current port commissioners are Republicans. Allender and Justice are unopposed in their re-elections this year. Harvey and Loyd are completing the second year of their first four-year terms.

Canaveral Port Authority District 5 includes the Cocoa Beach/Cape Canaveral area and parts of Merritt Island.

Port commissioners are paid $10,444 a year and have a four-year term.

Port commissioners must be a resident of the district they run for, but voters in all five port districts elect all the commissioners.

Dave Berman is government editor at FLORIDA TODAY.

Contact Berman at 321-242-3649

or dberman@floridatoday.com.

Twitter: @bydaveberman

Facebook: /dave.berman.54

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