POHA POS?

[sailfastliveslow]

No offense to the POHA that wants to fill in our Bay, but the Texas Sunset Commish sure ain't got much use for 'em.   Read 'em and weep POHA commishs:

http://www.portofhouston.com/static/gen/inside-the-port/Government/PHA-SunsetReport-080312.pdf

[sailfastliveslow]

The Port of Houston Authority is not a broken organization, despite the
image that may appear through the harsh glare of the media spotlight or a
cursory reading of this report?s findings.  Certainly, the Authority has had its
missteps and the scrutiny and criticism those missteps attract are justified. 
However, nothing is gained from dwelling on the details of past controversies,
except to learn from them and guide the way forward.  The negative attention
and resulting Sunset review were a wake-up call for the Authority.  It has
work to do to restore public trust and respond creatively to the challenges
ahead.

[sailfastliveslow]

Issue 1
Clear Actions Must be Taken to Restore Trust in the Port Commission?s Ability
to Carry Out Its Important Mission.

[sailfastliveslow]

Issue 5
Use of the Authority?s Promotion and Development Fund Requires Additional
Controls and Transparency to Avoid Future Controversy and Distraction.   

[Emma]

Issue 2
The Authority Lacks a Proactive Public Engagement Strategy Necessary to Improve Stakeholder Trust

From the sunset reviews findings on this issue:
Beyond the recent events that have eroded public trust in the Authority and
led to general skepticism about its operations, discussed elsewhere in this
report, specific issues related to the Authority?s relationship with neighboring
communities and other stakeholders were also apparent during the Sunset
review.  This tension is exemplified by the ongoing controversy over the
Authority?s handling of a permit application to dredge the channel near its
Bayport facilities.  Public concern about permitting processes for a project
of this magnitude is not surprising, but issues regarding its Bayport facilities
are one area where the Authority has professed to have learned some lessons
about community involvement from its past experience, which led to palpable
disenchantment in the community.  Ongoing controversy regarding the
Authority?s operations at the Bayport facility indicates relations between the
Authority and these communities are still tense and require attention.