By fitsnews – November 13, 2011
How’s this for irony?
Less than a week after royally screwing over the Port of Charleston (and effectively eliminating any chance of there ever being a Port of Jasper), S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley is scheduled to deliver her thoughts on the state of South Carolina’s port system.
According to a source close to the Propeller Club of Charleston, S.C. – which hosts the annual “State of the Port” gathering – Haley is scheduled to speak for five to seven minutes at the beginning of this event.
A year ago Haley – then governor-elect – attended this same event and issued a stern warning to our neighbors on the other side of the Savannah River.
“You now have a governor who does not like to lose,” Haley said during her speech. “Georgia has had their way with us for way too long, and I don’t have the patience to let it happen anymore.”
Last Thursday, however, Haley’s SCDHEC board inexplicably permitted Georgia to proceed with its plans to deepen the Savannah River – enhancing its competitive advantage at the expense of the Port of Charleston, which has seen its competitive position plummet in recent years. More importantly, the decision likely amounts to a death knell for a proposed Jasper County port – effectively giving South Carolina’s seal of approval to Georgia’s plan to stab our state in the back regarding the development of this deep water port.
Bottom line? South Carolina stands to lose out on hundreds of millions of dollars over the coming decades.
Haley’s decision has drawn the ire of leaders in both political parties – and could result in legal action against her administration from the Savannah River Maritime Commission, which is statutorily charged with representing the state of South Carolina in these matters.
It has also prompted lawmakers to call for an investigation into allegations that Haley received fiscal and political considerations from interests connected with the Port of Savannah in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, one State Senator has demanded the resignations of each member of the SCDHEC board.
So … what will Haley say at this event to counter all of the criticism she’s received?
Stay tuned …
