Dear Sir/Madame:
The recent op-ed piece by Mike Abbott entitled “Don’t Privatize Virginia’s Ports”is absolutely correct and right on target.
Based on my past experience and service as a member of the Board of the Virginia Ports Authority, and my long standing personal interests in statewide transportation and economic development, I was puzzled and suspected substantial trouble for Virginia, when in June of 2011 the Secretary of Transportation, without notice to the Board, told investor attendees at a luncheon meeting in New York City that Virginia was open to accept unsolicited proposals to sell and/or long term lease the entire ports system of the Virginia Ports Authority, that is: all port facilities and supporting assets in Norfolk, Portsmouth, Newport News and Front Royal, Virginia.
In my judgment, the assets of the Virginia Ports Authority and the Washington Dulles Airport (MWAA) are the two main economic bookends, the State’s Business Crown Jewels, which help to drive our vibrant statewide economy in a big way.
Why would this Governor even consider selling this asset? What could be on his mind? Why weren’t the Board Chair, Board members and Senior Leaders in the House and Senate of Virginia advised in advance of this back door and peculiar announcement, made by his Transportation Cabinet member out of state?
Incidentally, our VPA Board had previously decided and turned back this matter because it was a lousy deal for Virginia.
Now in a strange way, here it comes again. After a year of discussions, reading, thinking and digging, I know why: This Governor wants to sell as quickly as he can, Virginia Ports Authority assets and dump the considerable cash – multi billions of dollars – into roads in Northern, Eastern and Central Virginia. This is where the voters and money are.
Further, are there other pertinent, critical matters which need to be highlighted, investigated and answered by this Governor and his Secretary?:
1. Has the Norfolk/Southern Corporation which owns the vital, adjacent Lambert’s Point Coal Loading Piers Facility been consulted and asked to weigh in? If so, what did Norfolk/Southern say? How will this action affect them, their operations, Virginia’s coal production, all of western Virginia? Will turning all Ports systems over to a possible foreign owned corporation affect their operations?
2. Has the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) of the U.S. Navy been asked to consult and render his opinion representing the Navy and our national security? What did the CNO say?
3. Has the Army Corps of Engineers, responsible to keep the main channels, dredged and open to 50′ to 55′ in depth, been consulted and asked to comment? If so, what did the Army Corps say?
4. How does the Federal Government feel about a possible foreign owned corporation being the owner/landlord next door to our largest East Coast warship and service port facilities and its attendant secrets and activities? The Navy Seals train in and around this area.
5. Why is there such a current rush to a decision by September/October? What’s the hurry. Governor?
6. Will the Chatham, Virginia, proposed deep mining location for uranium, with its possibility to produce toxic water and a resulting massive drinking water pollution disaster be involved in these overall
discussions and negotiations? 60 million gallons of water drawdown per day comes out of Lake Gaston supplying the Virginia Ports Authority, the United States Navy and all citizens of Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Finally, in 2015 the mega transport ships from Asia will begin to clear a much wider Panama Canal. By then, business will be booming in Virginia. We will own and operate the closest deep seaport entry to the Canal at 55′ which is served by two (2) major east coast railroads. Why should we now even consider selling this State owned treasure just as it is poised to help all of Virginia prosper – and sell it possibly to a foreign corporation?
It is my hope that now as Virginia is being dragged quickly toward a grossly uninformed decision by this Governor, many of Virginia’s more practical, better informed, and experienced leaders with cooler heads and a longer term view of what is best for Virginia and its citizens, will begin to take notice, weighin and comment.
For my part, I have been around Virginia a long time; served in the Senate of Virginia for eight (8) years; served on any number of statewide Commissions,
Authorities, and Boards, and 1 have never seen a worse business proposition or process. This deal is even worse in my judgment than this Governor’s recent proposition to sell our ABC liquor stores which fortunately was rejected by the General Assembly.
Forewarned is Forearmed!
Former Senator J. Granger Macfarlane
