The St. Augustine Port, Waterway and Beach District was originally established by the Florida Legislature in the late 1930s to fulfill a requirement of the Army Corps of Engineers’ St. Augustine Inlet project.
The legislation gave the district ad valorem taxing authority as well as a broad range of authority for building warehouses, wharfs, bridges and other structures for the commercial development of the port.
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Five at-large elected commissioners govern the district, each serving four-year terms, with staggered terms. Two seats on the board are on this November’s ballot.
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 and are presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4Jax staff.
| GROUP 2 CANDIDATES |
Doreen Duffy
This candidate has not yet responded to email invitations to complete the News4JAX candidate questionnaire. If any responses are received, they will be promptly added in this space.
Campaign website: None found
Nicholas Binder
Binder, the current Group 2 commissioner, has not yet responded to email invitations to complete the News4JAX candidate questionnaire. If any responses are received, they will be promptly added to this space.
Campaign website: None found
| GROUP 4 CANDIDATES |
Christopher K. Way
Occupation: Manufacturing
Age: 67
Family: Wife: Pam, Daughter: Ashley, son in law: Justin Williams, Granddaughters: Bennett (8) and Scout (6)
Education: Hard Knocks U.
Political experience: I have been on the Port & Waterway for 7.5 years.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Dealing with the massive increase in boating and safety on the water. I grew up in St. Augustine and know our marine needs and the need to support our law enforcement agencies that patrol our waters. I have been tasked by the Commission to be the point man on the Genovar property at the north west foot of the 312 Bridge. The county with the help of the Port & Waterway recently purchased this property to increase access to our waterways by building a state of the art boat ramp and park.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
As mentioned, I was raised in St. Augustine and have had several business during my career and am well educated on our waterway and the needs going forward.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
To be remembered as a level headed local that cares deeply about my home town and to be remembered for doing as much as possible to support our law enforcement and fire departments needs to keep pace with the explosive growth we are experiencing.
Campaign website: Nothing yet
Campaign social media: Nothing yet
Sandy Flowers
Occupation: Retired Disabled American Express Travel
Age: 61
Family: (No response)
Education: Bishop England HS Charleston SC
Trident Tech College Charleston SC
Travel School Atlanta GA
Currently returning to school for Paralegal certificate
Political experience: Served four years as Commissioner of St Augustine Port Waterway and Beach Commission 2018-2022
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Operate legally in all aspects
Honor the Port Charter to build a Port city in addition to new access points to our beaches and waterways
If we cannot honor our charter and deliver to the taxpayers, we should endeavor to dissolve the commission entirely.
See my work against corruption at Facebook.com/commissionersandyflowers
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
First hand experience dealing with the Port and its misrepresentation of the taxpayers. I fought hard to bring us into compliance with the law and will continue to do so like nobody else on that commission ever did!
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
She gave our district the public access and representation they deserved. Again, check out my archives at Facebook.com/vommissionersandyflowers
Campaign website: Sandy4sjc.org This site is currently unpublished but we are working on it.
Campaign social media: Facebook