Candidates for governor back Delaware dredging

The port of Philadelphia and ports of the Delaware River are at a crossroads, and the river's shipping channel must be deepened for jobs and Pennsylvania's future, five candidates seeking to be the state's next governor said yesterday.

Speaking at a candidates's forum, each pledged to get the 45-foot channel dredging completed, and funded. If elected, they said they would try, first by conciliation, then by confrontation, if necessary, to convince their N.J. political counterparts, including Gov. Christie, that digging the navigation channel five feet deeper is a win for both states.

"People from New Jersey work in Philadelphia. They are supporters of the Eagles and the Phillies. This is a region," Auditor General Jack Wagner, a Democrat, told an audience of about 100 maritime and port officials.

"We have the same interests here. This is no longer a regional economy or a national economy, it's a world economy," Wagner said.

Five of the six gubernatorial hopefuls spoke at the event hosted by the Seamen's Church Institute of Philadelphia and South Jersey at the Sheet Metal Workers Union Hall in South Philadelphia.

State Sen. Anthony Williams (D., Pa.) drew laughter when he joked that he was "probably the only guy" based on physical stature who could take Gov. Christie on "in a fight. We're big guys. Whoever wins, wins."

Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, a Democrat, said, if elected governor, he would "have an intelligent conversation" with Christie. "I'd make sure all the facts were on the table: how many people from New Jersey actually work in and will benefit from these ports. We've got to get beyond the politics to help Gov. Christie get to a win in support of this."

Reaching consensus is a good idea, but "the time for conciliation is probably past us," Democratic Montgomery County Commissioner Joseph Hoeffel told the crowd, gathered for the Institute's Spirit of Port award luncheon.

"We need to exercise political clout and confront this issue," said Hoeffel, a three-term former congressman, who favored deepening while his counterpart across the river, U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews (D., N.J.) opposed it.

"The next governor should sit down with Gov. Christie, of course, but I don't think we can convince them to change their position," Hoeffel said. "I think their position is based on protecting the New York port. The dredging has begun. We can't back down. We've got to keep the money flowing for it."

Attorney General Tom Corbett, the lone Republican at the gathering, said his office participated in Pennsylvania's lawsuit to begin the deepening, opposing lawsuits against the project by Delaware, New Jersey, and several environmental groups.

Corbett said he looked to Pennsylvania's delegation to fight the battle in Congress for federal funding for the $300 million, six-year, 102.5-mile dredging.

"Because it will be a battle," Corbett said. "We are going to have to go in with allies, other congressmen. That being said, I'm not afraid to file litigation on behalf of Pennsylvania."

The five candidates - only State Rep. Sam Rohrer (R., Berks) was not present - spoke of the need to increase port security and invest in port infrastructure.

They favored a "mixed use" for waterfront development, with jobs for both the ports and the casino industry. "But consistent with the priority use which is the port system," Wagner said.

Corbett said the waterfront was an industrial zone, and "should remain an industrial zone. I'd rather have the hardworking blue collar jobs there."

Williams said plans for a casino did not encroach on the port. "The question is around congestion. We should have both sets of jobs."

With a deeper Delaware, and the potential for bigger ships and commerce, the Philadelphia port must have "land for the growth of cargo," Onorato said. "You can accommodate the casinos, somewhere, somehow, but I want to make sure we are not putting the casino" in a spot "where 20 years from now we're sorry we don't have that land."

Hoeffel said, "We can have all that if we plan it right, everything from walking trails, to the ports, retail, condos, and restaurants."

Williams said he favored Pa. House bill 666 to transfer 198 acres at the Navy Yard to a new Southport Marine Terminal.

The bill, introduced by State Rep. William Keller, a South Philadelphia Democrat and former longshoreman, contends that the 198 acres belongs to the state under "riparian land" rights. It was once part of the Delaware River bed and was filled in by the Navy, which in 2000 deeded the land to the city.

Williams wants to give terminal developers a large enough parcel to build the berths, docks and warehouses to accommodate more container cargo ships. The bill has passed the House and is awaiting a vote in the Senate.

"The Port of Philadelphia is Pennsylvania's front door to the world," Wagner said. "We have to maximize that potential."