Weinberg lauded as he ends tenure as Port Canaveral commissioner

Tom Weinberg was honored Wednesday for his work as a port commissioner, as he attended the final Canaveral Port Authority meeting of his eight-year tenure.

Weinberg decided not to seek re-election this year, and will officially be out of office at the time of the next Port Authority meeting on Dec. 5. He cited his belief in term limits for not to seeking a third term.

In a resolution approved by the Port Authority commissioners, Weinberg was called "a tireless advocate for ensuring Port Canaveral remains safe, secure and responsive to the public through efforts such as advocating for the transitioning of private security services to Brevard County Sheriff’s Office; ensuring the protection and preservation of Jetty Park; and facilitating public access to Port Authority agendas and meetings."

More:Port Canaveral has record year in revenue, cruise, cargo business

More:Two-term Port Commissioner Weinberg won't seek re-election; HOA president Boudreau to run

Weinberg was elected port commissioner from District 5 in 2010, running on a platform of economic development, security, accountability and environmental protection. He defeated fellow Republicans Malcolm "Mac" McLouth, who was the incumbent, and Vittoria Barkley in a Republican primary. He then defeated Democrat Peter Nichols in the general election.

Weinberg was re-elected without opposition in 2014.

Weinberg served the Canaveral Port Authority as chairman in 2013, 2014 and 2017; vice chairman in 2012; and secretary/treasurer in 2011, 2015, 2016 and 2018.

During Weinberg’s tenure, Port Canaveral’s annual revenue increased from $47 million to more than $103 million.

Weinberg proposed and facilitated the creation and implementation of a citizens’ Charter Review Commission for the port charter, which was the first major review in the charter’s 60-year history.

The resolution said Weinberg "has a deep love for and appreciation of the port’s unique and fragile environment, and, as commissioner, has consistently sought to achieve a balance between sometimes competing interests. Our community is better for his having served as port commissioner."

In his farewell comments, Weinberg said it was "really kind of wonderful to hear those accolades."

Weinberg said "there's a lot to be proud of" about the port's development, and he complimented the port's staff and fellow commissioners. 

He cited the Port Authority's increased transparency, including developing agendas early; posting agenda documents online; and allowing public comment before, rather than after, votes are taken. He also noted the port charter change that implemented term limits for port commissioners.

Weinberg cited an area the port should be continuing to work at — communications with the public.

"We're not as good as we should be," Weinberg said. "We'll never be perfect. We'll never do it as well as some people want. We'll never have enough community meetings. But we've got to keep working at it. And I think a lot of people have done that."

In noting the port's growth and expanded infrastructure, Weinberg said: "The port is substantially different today. We're the envy in the state, and I really believe that. It's been my honor and pleasure to serve you the last eight years."

Weinberg's career in public service included positions as chief of staff for then-U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez and deputy county administrator for Orange County. Currently, he is a director of Merritt Island-based Fidelity Bank of Florida.

On Tuesday, voters in the five port districts will choose either Democrat Maurice Boudreau or Republican Robyn Hattaway to succeed Weinberg.

Canaveral Port Authority District 5 includes the Cocoa Beach/Cape Canaveral area and parts of Merritt Island. Port commissioners must live in the district they represent, but voters in all five port districts elect all five commissioners.

Two other port commissioners were re-elected this year without opposition: Jerry Allender in District 1 and Wayne Justice in District 3.

The other two commissioners are in the middle of their first four-year term: Micah Loyd in District 2 and Bob Harvey in District 4.

All five current commissioners are Republicans.

Port commissioners are paid $10,444 a year.

Port ambassadors honored, too

Separately, the Port Authority recognized Jim Handley and Jay Honeycutt — who were Weinberg's two volunteer "port ambassadors" for the last eight years — for their service to the port.

Handley was a former IBM executive, and Honeycutt was a former Kennedy Space Center director.

Port commissioners gave both the designation of "port ambassador emeritus."

"I can't thank them enough for their dedicated service," Weinberg said. "It's been a great eight years."

Handley said it "has just been incredible what has happened at the port" in the last eight years, and that Weinberg played a big role in much of it, as well as being a problem-solver.

"He has been a leader. He has been a doer, a results-oriented guy," Handley said. "He has made made hard decisions. He's made things happen. He's an incredible person. Politically, he's so astute that he knows how to play the game and how to make it happen. This port would not be where it is today without Tom, I believe."

Weinberg's successor will be able to nominate his or her own port ambassadors.

Student art encourages voting

Brevard County Supervisor of Elections Lori Scott has recognized the winners of the fifth-annual Launch the Vote Student Art Contest for fourth- and fifth-graders in Brevard.

The winners were presented with a resolution, sponsored by County Commission Chair Rita Pritchett, during a recent County Commission meeting. They were joined by representatives of event sponsor Chick-fil-A and the restaurant chain's iconic cow mascots.

There were 262 entries from 12 elementary schools.

Winners were:

• First Place: Ashley Nicole Rogers of Pineapple Cove Classical Academy.

• Second Place: London Olivia Thomas of Longleaf Elementary School.

• Third Place: Anna Livengood of Pineapple Cove Classical Academy.

• Honorable Mentions: Emmeline Carpenter of Apollo Elementary, Sela Brooke Horgan of Longleaf Elementary, Benjamin Pritchett of Ralph Williams Elementary.

• Chick-fil-A Award: Emily Livengood of Pineapple Cove Classical Academy.

• Chick-fil-A Honorable Mention: Ansleigh Delaine Friday of Pineapple Cove Classical Academy.

“I am always amazed to see the level of creativity in the artwork submitted by the students showcasing their interest in the electoral process,” Scott said in announcing the winners. “There was a high-level of excitement during the reception, when the winners were presented with medals, ribbons, their certificate and prizes from our wonderful community partners, Chick-fil-A.”

The County Commission recognized the students "for their exceptional artistic talent, patriotism and tremendous enthusiasm for the electoral process."

Students were asked to create artwork in conjunction with the Launch the Vote
theme, encouraging voter participation and highlighting the importance of voting.

Winning artwork will be displayed in the Supervisor of Elections Viera Office for the next year. During November, Chick-fil-A restaurants throughout Brevard County will display the artwork of the first-, second- and third-place winners and the Chick-fil-A Award winner. 

"Their artwork is amazing," Scott said during the County Commission meeting, adding that the winners have demonstrated patriotism and a "passion about our country."

"And they're all future voters, they have assured me," Scott added.

The competition was judged by Westanna Bobbitt, Malak Hammad and Kelly McKibben.

Dave Berman is government editor at FLORIDA TODAY.

His Political Spin column runs Sundays in FLORIDA TODAY.

Contact Berman at 321-242-3649

or dberman@floridatoday.com.

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