DOCKSIDE - Port Freeport

FROM THE BRIDGEA.J. “Pete” Reixach, Jr.Executive Port Director/CEOSeaports are entitledto harbor tax fundsAt Port Freeport, we have been blessed withcontinuing success, even at a time of nationaleconomic downturn. But ports throughout thecountry are challenged by the fact that they arenot getting federal funding to which they areentitled.The Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT) wasestablished by Congress in 1986 to use fundscollected from owners of imported cargospecifically to help keep U.S. navigation channels open for commerce.However, as much as half of the approximately $1.4 billion in annual HMTcollections is used for unrelated purposes while the surplus of collections hasgrown to nearly $5 billion. The surplus is anticipated to soar to $8 billion by2011, according to a report last year by the U.S. Government AccountabilityOffice.At the same time, vital dredging needs of U.S. harbors and channels aregoing unfunded, as efforts to secure funding through federal appropriationsprocesses fall short. Indeed, our nation’s ability to handle critical commerceis dwindling while the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund surplus is swelling.In an era when government leaders are looking for ways to provide economicstimulus, doesn’t it make sense to give a boost to the sustainment of maritimecommerce by using money that is supposedly dedicated for such investment?Not only as the top appointed executive of Port Freeport but also in mynewly elected role as vice chairman of the U.S. Delegation of the AmericanAssociation of Port Authorities, I am committed to doing all I can to see thatports benefit from federal funding to which they are entitled.While we appreciate all the hard work and past support of our friends atthe U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, the U.S. Congress, our clients, as well aslocal and state representatives, bottom line, we need to use the HMT fundsfor their intended purpose, maintenance dredging of our nation’s seaports.Your support in this effort is appreciated, so that we can continue to beconfident in saying…Stay tuned. The best is yet to come!PORT COMMISSIONJames F. Brown, Jr.ChairmanThomas S. PerrymanVice ChairmanRavi K. SinghaniaSecretaryBill TerryAssistant SecretaryJohn W. DamonPort CommissionerJ.M. “Mike” LowreyPort CommissionerGeorge T. Wommack, Jr.General CounselDIRECTORSA.J. “Pete” Reixach, Jr.Executive Port Director/CEOPhyllis SaathoffManaging DirectorDavid M. KnuckeyDirector of Engineering/ConstructionAl DurelDirector of OperationsMichael WilsonDirector of Trade DevelopmentRick BenavidezDirector of Safety and Securityport freeport1dockside