Nassau County’s Ocean, Highway & Port Authority is the governing body for the Fernandina Port, and has policy-making, budgeting, and general oversight responsibilities for all port activities. Its five members come from the five voting districts of Nassau County that are also used for county commission and school board seats.
In District 1, incumbent commissioner Miriam Hill faces a challenge from Danny Fullwood. As both candidates are Republicans, and no Democrats or other candidates filed to enter the race, their August primary will be open to all voters, regardless of party affiliation.
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News4Jax sent a questionnaire to each candidate asking about their background and their views on several issues. Scroll down to read the responses of those seeking your vote -- in their own words.
Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically by party and are presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4Jax staff.
Danny Fullwood
Occupation: Retired
Age: 76
Family: Joann, Wife of 53 years
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Education
Political experience: Nassau County Republican Executive Committee, Vice President of the Westside Republican, Lifetime Republican
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
1. Improve port infrastructure and safety by replacing old equipment and developing safety standards and training.
2. Adopt resiliency plan. Work with the City of Fernandina to incorporate flood protection along Front Street.
3. Update Customs and Border facilities. Build a new modern facility to monitor and maintain border safety and protection.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
Experience: I am the only commissioner who has worked with 3 different port operators.
Leadership: I have been elected 6 times by my fellow commissioners as chairman of the Board. I developed 2 county wide stakeholder committees to update the Port Authority State Charter and create a new 10 year master plan.
Knowledge: I have served longer than the other 4 commissioners combined which gave me a unique perspective on how the port can contribute to the people and the local governments.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
Creating jobs for local citizens, making the port a safe place to work and contributing to the economic development of the county.
Campaign website: fullwood4port.com
Campaign social media: None
Miriam Hill
Occupation: Lawyer focused on corporate/commercial law. 14 years experience in securities, publicly traded companies, and public - private partnerships.
Age: 43
Family: Husband Chris, daughter (6), son Gavin (23)
Education: JD FSU College of Law with Honors
Harvard Kennedy School Executive Program-IME
University of North Florida MBA
Augusta University BBA Finance
Political experience: ‘3.5 years as Commissioner District 1 for Ocean Highway and Port Authority. Current Chair of Ocean Highway and Port Authority.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
1. The Ocean Highway and Port Authority needs to end legal disputes that have resulted from years of questionable decision making by the prior board. Following my election to the board in 2020, I led efforts to settle litigation between OHPA and the City of Fernandina. This case was the direct result of the 2018 board’s decision to enter into a long term operating agreement with Worldwide Terminals against the advice of the board’s attorney. These same commissioners remained committed to “never settling” the case while simultaneously voting to double their own salary.
2. The second major issue is the denial of property tax exemption by the Nassau County Property Appraiser. This case is another example of the high cost of the decision made by the 2018 board to enter into an operating agreement with WorldWide Terminals, against the advice of the Board’s attorney.
3. Finally, the same board members that voted in favor of that operating agreement are now trying to sell port property. They claim the money is needed to cover O&M at the Port and fund investments, although they have not provided any business plan. This is yet another example of short-sighted “solutions” for long-term problems. OHPA should never sell public land without full transparency and accountability for how funds will be spent, and demonstration that the sale is in the public interest. Commissioners shouldn’t be allowed to enrich themselves while selling off land due their own poor fiscal management.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I have 14 years experience as a lawyer representing large and small businesses in NE Florida. Fiduciary duty and accountability are the bedrock of my practice. I have applied my experience in local government law to my service as Commissioner. In 2023 I was elected Chair by my fellow board members. I also succeeded in passing an ethics policy for the OHPA board, something which was not supported by all of the commissioners but was very much needed.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
Maybe I got it from my Dad, who always said, “a place for everything and everything in its place,” but I do think a lot about how I leave things. I think where we are leaving things for the next board, the next generation? Will they find a house in order or will they spend all their time trying to make up for our mistakes? And I hope my being on the OHPA board—as a working professional 43 year old mom—inspires the next generation to lean in and get involved with local government, the chamber, community nonprofits, or their church— wherever they are passionate and see an opportunity for leadership. A small, thoughtful group of people can truly change the lives of many. Thank you for the opportunity and support! Please vote on or before August 20!
Campaign website: Votemiriamhill.com