By FITSNews || S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford has always said that the “government that governs locally, governs best,” but in the case of a former state port site, he just can’t stop meddling – even after winning the issue.
Sanford – who owns a plantation just a few miles away from the site in question – views the development planned for the property as a major part of his local legacy, however at this point he’s just holding things up in an effort to force his vision on a town that doesn’t want it.
Prior to being offered for sale in 2006, the Port of Port Royal facility handled breakbulk cargo for the S.C. State Ports Authority. Sanford has repeatedly tried to get the agency to sell the property – and has repeatedly criticized the agency for dragging its feet.
For years, the governor has been personally engaged in the sale and disposition of this property. In fact, he narrowly dodged a major scandal in 2008 when a developer he accused of being a “womanizer” (how ironic is that?) failed to come up with the money required to purchase it.
Many suspected that Sanford had disparaged the developer in an attempt to steer the contract to a political donor.
Now Sanford is once again holding up the $16.75 million sale of the property because … get this … the designs submitted by the new developer do not include a 10-acre waterfront part that he wants for the 51-acre site.
“He’s nuts,” said a Beaufort business owner who initially supported Sanford’s intervention in the deal, but has now grown weary of his meddling.
“Nobody wants (the park) and it’s a deal breaker for any prospective buyer,” the businessman says.
The budget board responsible for approving the sale meets again on August 10. Hopefully, by that point the governor will have decided to put the best interests of the state’s taxpayers ahead of his desire to play God in his home county.
By @PerezHiltonSays July 1, 2010 at 2:50 pm
We like parks, rest stops are nice too.
By sclawboy July 1, 2010 at 3:18 pm
I hear Will likes park bathrooms.
By Philip Branton July 1, 2010 at 3:19 pm
Those “PARK ANGELS” are really frisky…!!
Does this mean that Darla Moore can do WHAT…!?
By Louis July 1, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Sanford has stated frequently and publicly that his selection of SPA board members was based on his personal relationships with them — not their business experience or acumen. He did not know real estate mogul Harry Butler from Adam’s house cat, but appointed him to SPA’s board once Butler and his family members made large contributions to Sanford. The same is true of Commerce Secretary Joe Taylor.
Sanford’s ignorance and lack of concern about the shipping industry (except when the SPA angered him) was the reason the legislature in 2009 passed a law restricting future governors from appointing ignorant but wealthy campaign donors to SPA’s board. SPA members are now required to have expertise in one of ten different “skill sets” or “areas of expertise” (such as an expert in banking, railroads, importing, exporting, etc.).
Future SPA board members will now be “vetted” (screened) by the Senate Transportation Committee, which will send a “short list” of three candidates to the governor from which to choose.
So this is Sanford’s “legacy” — selectively and unsuccessfully “micro-managing” the SPA to the point that the legislature for the first time since the SPA was created in 1945 changed the law to keep his ignorant hands off of it.
Reminds me of the phone calls U.S. Rep. Sanford made to the Marine Corps Air Base complaining that their jets were spoiling his cocktail party.
Sanford is the male version of Gloria Vanderbilt: “poor little rich boy.”
By Louis July 1, 2010 at 5:38 pm
Sanford has stated frequently and publicly that his selection of SPA board members was based on his personal relationships with them — not their business experience or acumen. He did not know real estate mogul Harry Butler from Adam’s house cat, but appointed him to SPA’s board once Butler and his family members made large contributions to Sanford. The same is true of Commerce Secretary Joe Taylor.
Sanford’s ignorance and lack of concern about the shipping industry (except when the SPA angered him) was the reason the legislature in 2009 passed a law restricting future governors from appointing ignorant but wealthy campaign donors to SPA’s board. SPA members are now required to have expertise in one of ten different “skill sets” or “areas of expertise” (such as an expert in banking, railroads, importing, exporting, etc.).
Future SPA board members will now be “vetted” (screened) by the Senate Transportation Committee, which will send a “short list” of three candidates to the governor from which to choose.
So this is Sanford’s “legacy” — selectively and unsuccessfully “micro-managing” the SPA to the point that the legislature for the first time since the SPA was created in 1945 changed the law to keep his ignorant hands off of it.
Reminds me of the phone calls U.S. Rep. Sanford made to the Marine Corps Air Base complaining that their noisy jets were spoiling his cocktail party.
Sanford is the male version of Gloria Vanderbilt: “poor little rich boy.”
By Huhhh??? July 1, 2010 at 5:55 pm
and, Louis, he’s made the same messes at the other cabinet agencies and in the governor’s office agencies when he can.
By ceilidh10 July 1, 2010 at 9:08 pm
how long with this crap with the GOP keeping going on, as we elect one GOP guv after another, and the people are always neglected because rich GOP men have to have it their way.
We actually used to have governors in the 60s and 70s who actually did things to help the citizens of SC.
Real change in SC would be to dump the Republicans.
By mike traynor July 1, 2010 at 11:50 pm
Sanford wants a public park next to a port. Who does he think he is . . . Joe Riley????
By Mrs. Krabitz July 2, 2010 at 5:58 am
yet another example of the Sanford hypocrisy.
His words are utterly meaningless.
What a happy day for all South Carolinians when this
cretinous douchecanoe gets OUT OF OUR LIVES!
By Cancerman July 2, 2010 at 7:38 am
Will Folks the liar at it again?