Loading ...
FORMER PORTS AUTHORITY CHAIRMAN DIVULGES DETAILS OF GOVERNOR’S INVOLVEMENT IN PORT SALE
Gov. Mark Sanford attempted to influence the state’s multi-million dollar sale of Port Royal in an attempt to win the deal for a campaign contributor, the former chairman of the State Ports Authority said Wednesday.
Bill Stern told lawmakers that the governor urged him to reconsider developer Jim Chaffin, who The Palmetto Scoop reported in February had given thousands of dollars to Sanford, after Chaffin’s bid for the development rights to the port property came in far below the appraised value of the land.
According to the Associated Press:
Stern says the governor asked him to negotiate with Chaffin for a higher bid and the state should do business with the Hilton Head Island developer.
Both Stern and Sanford in previous interviews with The Associated Press have denied the governor tried to steer the sale to a specific developer.
Stern is telling lawmakers about the Port Royal deal during questions over his reappointment to the ports board. [AP]
I had previously broken the news that Chaffin and his wife gave $4,000 to Sanford over a one-year period prior to the finalization of the port deal. State Ethics Commission reports showed a Nov. 18, 2005 contribution from Chaffin to Sanford in the amount of $2,500 as well as a $500 donation on Sept. 28, 2006. His wife Betsy gave an additional $1,000 on the same date as Chaffin’s first contribution.
Following my story, the AP found that Sanford received an additional $4,850 from the Chaffins.
Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer denied the claims and said the governor was only trying to help the state find the most reputable developer who could offer a high enough bid for the land.
Developing…
The only negatives about Port Royal are political.
Please back off.
Gov. Sanford is the best we have had in decades.
When you compare him to Hodges it is no contest.
When you consider the progress our state has accomplished your dissent is political and meaningless.
Fred Wildman
fwildman@aol,com
122 Colonial Commons Lane
Columbia, SC 29209
A Republican since 1958 the year after Army discharge when we came to Columbia.
And Sanford CARRIED pigs into the state house?
Governor Sanford had the courage to stand up to the federal bullies against the intrusive Real National ID Card. Now they will surely throw everything they have against him to discredit our courageous governor. We the People stand by our man and thank Gov. Sanford for his wonderful service to our state and for defending our God-given freedoms.
I wish someone would ask Governor Sanford the following question:
How much money have the 6 known nonprofits, that Governor Sanford is involved with, received from anyone associated with the Port Royal Port (its operation or sale).
The real money is in Sanford’s nonprofits. They have millions in them…and the people giving the money are giving the orders. The taxpayers have taken a back seat.
Sanford should disclose, and disclose now.
hey…looks like tumpy campbell was on the money…maybe some of you bashers need to give him some ataboys………..shows that maybe bill stern will bend the truth if he needs to…is he still on the board??????? this subject is getting old though…..we’ll see how it all turns out….
It never ceases to amaze me that there are people who will automatically launch into complete denial before all of the facts are out. I feel certain that the Governor will have a response and Mr. Stern will be asked to elaborate. Wrong and right transcends party lines. I am not so naive as to believe that campaign contributions do not matter when seeking and receiving support.
So Chaffin made the highest bid on the property, and then Sanford influenced things by telling the commission to renegotiate a way to get even more money from Chaffin for the land?
Uhh…?
Who else and how much ?????
Testimony: Governor Mark Sanford made REPEATED efforts to sell to a FAVORED DEVELOPER
SANFORD PUSHED HARD for a FAVORED DEVELOPER
Both of Chaffin/Light offers for Port Royal Port were too far below the appraised value of the land.
Bill Stern of the Ports Authority said he had “three, four or five discussions with the governor” about the sale. “Stern’s description of Sanford’s advocacy goes beyond the governor’s description of his efforts”.
“(Sanford) pushed hard for me to try to make a deal with him,” said Stern, who was chairman of the Ports Authority at the time”…
“Stern said one of his conversations with the governor lasted 45 minutes and left him “irritated”….
Sen. Jake Knotts said:
…“But I don’t think the governor had a right to try to direct a contract to a friend or campaign contributor.”
Another attempt to HELP/SELL to Chaffin/Light:
The Ports Authority reached a $26 million deal in November with ANOTHER firm, Port Royal Harbour LLC. But Sanford expressed concerns about the personal reputation of one of the company’s leaders…
“Bill Stern said he and Sanford have clashed frequently on port issues”…
Bottomline, GOVERNOR SANFORD PUSHED HARD for a FAVORED DEVELOPER to the very end.
http://www.thestate.com/local/story/371095.html
In a competitive environment if you negotiate with one you negotiate with all. In this case Sanford should have recommended that the Authority negotiate with both of the developers and not just Chaffin. That would have been above board and not subject to these type of innuendo attacks.
That Sanford expressed concerns about the financial capability of Port Royal Harbour LLC is not surprising considering, a few months later, that deal fell through because of financial problems. Duh.
Corruption or incompetence? Probably the later.
Governor Mark Sanford withdraws workers’ comp board nominee
Gov. Mark Sanford withdrew the embattled nomination today of Columbia attorney Samuel F. Painter to serve on the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission.
Painter was recommended by the governor to serve a five-year at-large term on the commission, which resolves injury disputes and settlements between injured workers and their employees.
Painter had been under intense questioning from members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, specifically due to his involvement in composing a set of executive orders last year, that sought to influence the guidelines workers’ compensation commissioners used in settling claims.
Painter had been for a third day of committee questioning later today.
http://thestatecom.typepad.com/ygatoday/2008/04/sanford-withdra.html
VIDEO ON WORKER’S COMP – RE: SANFORD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgkySCB5pSM