Group of port tenants wants director gone

A group of Port of Tampa tenants listed 11 grievances with port director Richard Wainio in opposing renewal or extension of his contract in a letter Thursday to Tampa Port Authority board members.

Board Chairman Larry Shipp characterized the letter as an "unwarranted personal attack made for its shock value," and Wainio said the issues the Port of Tampa Maritime Industries Association raised were "flat-out incorrect or so vague I don't know what they are talking about."

"It's a small group of people who have their own agenda," Wainio said. "They want control."

Wainio, 61, who has received favorable board reviews since he was hired in 2005, did not get a copy of the letter directly and said he would leave the issues to the board. The PTMIA letter to Shipp, forwarded to the six other board members, said a review of Wainio's record over 6½ years overwhelmingly supports a vote of "no confidence" from concerns over a decline of cargo tonnage vessel calls, operating revenue and other issues.

The letter said "unorthodox accounting practices were recently used in recognition of over $4 million of non-operating revenue during FY 2010."

Wainio said that issue has been explained and the port's accountant would respond if the board said it was necessary.

The PTMIA represents 47 maritime businesses at the port. Its officers and directors include representatives of three major companies — CSX Transportation, international phosphate giant Mosaic Co. and tanker company Overseas Shipping Group — along with smaller, local companies.

Tampa attorney and PTMIA President Tim Shusta would not reveal the three companies he said did not vote in favor of the letter, or whether any of the major companies supported it.

"The vote of 'no confidence' says it all," he said.

A 2005 state law expanded the Tampa Port Authority board from five to seven members, with the PTMIA and another local maritime group proposing candidates to the governor for the two additional positions.

"The same issues have been addressed since I've been a board member," Shipp said. "There's nothing new here, nothing that hasn't been explained over and over. Ships don't come to port if there's no local business (in this economy).

"There are some things we could take a closer look at. Maybe we haven't been strong enough on those with accounts in arrears."