Port expansion is a state, not parochial, issue

e-mail this story discuss this issue in our forums Guest column • Renee Middleton: We all must join together to stop domestic violence (04/28/05) • Mark B. Kent: Port expansion is a state, not parochial, issue (04/28/05) • Ben Haskew: Southern Connector increasingly proves its worth (04/27/05) • Mark Sanford: Budget must keep promises before making new ones (04/26/05) • Tom Swatzel: School choice program would help many, hurt none (04/25/05) More details Mark B. Kent of Greenville is Gov. Mark Sanford's interim appointee to the State Ports Authority.

Three years ago, the General Assembly passed legislation directing the SPA to the Naval Base in North Charleston for future port expansion and restricting the use of Daniel Island. Moreover, as an interim appointee of the SPA Board, I have supported SPA's development of North Charleston and its recent endeavor to develop a port in Jasper County.

I have also supported and been actively involved in determining the "best way to dispose of this valuable asset" because that is the desire of this administration. Therefore, when asked during my Senate confirmation hearing about my position on Daniel Island, I thought nothing of giving my personal opinion as a businessman — leverage your assets. From my perspective, the Legislature and the SPA had long resolved that issue and no personal opinions espoused by me during that hearing would have changed the direction of port expansion.

After the hearing, I commented to Sens. Larry Grooms and Chip Campsen, both members of the Senate Transportation Committee, that I erred in not realizing the continued sensitivity surrounding Daniel Island, even though in my mind it was an area already legislatively protected. It is unfortunate there is such great distrust between the residents of Charleston and the General Assembly that remarks such as mine could create such a firestorm.

Regardless of the outcome of my appointment, I am hopeful that when the dust settles all parties will have reached a comfort level and port expansion can proceed for the good of the state.

As to my fitness as an appointee under this administration or any other, I previously served for seven years under two governors representing two different political parties as a member of the Board of Health and Environmental Control.

As their appointee, I made a point of representing all the citizens of South Carolina, the governors and the platforms of their administrations, the wishes of the General Assembly, and the laws of this state. Given the same opportunity under this administration, I would serve the state of South Carolina with honor and distinction.

The Lowcountry is a wonderful part of the state. I have been accused of not respecting the "quality of life" in this region. To my fellow Charleston County taxpayers: If I lacked respect for the Lowcountry and its quality of life issues, I surely would not be an active taxpayer and homeowner in Charleston County. However, my respect for quality of life is not limited to Charleston or Greenville; there are quality of life issues that reach all the four corners of this State.

These are the same four corners of the state that are served by the Port of Charleston, requiring those who serve on its board to contemplate the effects of their decisions on the entire state, not just the city it created.