The Port Authority Governing Board wants the Senate Rules Committee to expedite consideration of the governor's nominees to fill the two board vacancies. The need for it to do so was evident at Wednesday's regular meeting, which was prematurely adjourned when vice chair Robert O'Connor lost a quorum as two St. Croix members left to catch return flights from St. Thomas.
Five members constitute a quorum on the nine-member board, which currently has seven members in place. Rafael Jackson, who as Tourism commissioner-designate chairs the board, was absent Wednesday. The departure of the two St. Croix residents left four members present.
Attorney General Iver Stridiron, who serves on the board by virtue of his position, said the board should have Port Authority executive director Gordon A. Finch write to Sen. Violet Anne Golden, the Rules Committee chair, urging the panel to move the nominations of Kent Bernier and Leslie Milliner through the consideration process.
O'Connor said pressing matters are pending before the board, which cannot act without a quorum. Also, he said, the fact that Jackson will often be unable to chair board meetings due to schedule conflicts "underscores our desire to have the nominees considered."
The start of Wednesday's meeting was delayed, also for lack of a quorum, until board member Harold Thompson Jr., who serves in his capacity as Public Works commissioner, arrived.
