The Port - Last Rites

That’s it? That’s all we get? 

The Good Soldier: Fralin

A restructuring of the port’s operator?

I expected a more dramatic turn of events – with tempers flaring, people jumping from the World Trade Center, the governor’s helicopter landing on the WTC’s roof to quell the riots, a major TV channel in tow, probably Fox News, and Attorney general Ken Cuccinelli declaring that everything and everyone is unconstitutional.

Nope. Everything is formal, quiet and sedate. What fun is that?
After 18 months of haggling, feuding, fuming and jerking around APM Terminals, JP Morgan Chase and VIT, the Virginia Board Authority “voted today to restructure its operating company and overhaul the port’s long-term strategy.”

VPA's new executive director

This, after millions of dollars spent on consultants, staff time and two public relations’ firms to “convey a message.”

This, after the resignation of executive director, Jerry Bridges, the installment of an interim director, Rodney Oliver, a finance guy, and the benching of Jeff Keever to the sidelines (and getting paid handsomely to stand by) and the retirement of Joe Dorto, everyone’s boogeyman.

More has happened at the VPA over the past 12 months than at VIT and yet the “port’s operator will be restructured.”
 
Not the VPA.

You could have asked anyone on the docks or at the D’Egg Diner in downtown Norfolk and they would have given the same answer for a fraction of the cost.

What am I missing?

It astonishes me that the board would undertake a restructuring or re-organization at the same time they are evaluating bids from private companies.

Re-structure first. See if it works. If it doesn’t, evaluate the bids.
Someone told me that the reorganization is just buying time.

The VPA released a statement, explaining in too much gov-speak or lawyer speak what has happened, what will happen and the fact that “we are transforming The Port of Virginia.”

"We will move forward as a stronger, leaner organization that is better-positioned to serve the ocean carriers and port customers, attract cargo to Virginia and be more accountable to Virginia taxpayers,” said William Fralin, the board’s chairman.

Mr. Fralin, just for your information, the ocean carriers are the port’s customers.

Just for the record, the shipping lines pay the dock fees, the container fees and the labor fees, not XYZ exporter in Roanoke, Virginia.

The board will convert VIT from a non-stock corporation to a single member Virginia limited liability corporation under more direct control by the VPA, the statement said.

You mean VIT was in charge all this time and not the VPA?

And here I thought VIT served at the will of the VPA.

” The new structure will eliminate duplications, increase efficiencies and reduce costs,” the statement said.

But the board will hire a permanent executive director and chief commercial officer to lead the streamlined organization.

I beg your pardon?

The VPA has four deputy directors now and a general manager of VIT.

This is streamlining?

I confess.

I have been critical of Governor Bob McDonnell, Secretary of Transportation, Sean Connaughton, and the VPA board throughout this entire fiasco.

I confess.

My criticism has been harsh.

But…

What makes a fool is an inability to take even his own good advice.

William Faulkner, Light in August