Secretary of State defends harbor plan

Secretary of State defends harbor plan

The matter of who should control harbors in cities along the coast is expected to be a hot issue in this year’s Secretary of State race. Incumbent Delbert Hosemann wants the cities to sign tidelands leases with the state while city leaders object to the plan.

Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann says he wants the harbors to be subject to tidelands leases for one primary reason.

“What it gives us is balance. My requirements are that it be public. When I came down, there were plans for condos around the Gulfport harbor. That means you can’t go fishing. That means restricted parking. Those kinds of things are not public.”

WLOX
4/5/11