Tom Weinberg News

Port Canaveral informs that Florida Governor Rick Scott has signed into law a major overhaul of the Port’s 60-year-old charter, which resulted from a nine-month community review and input process and received bi-partisan legislative support. It is the first complete review and analysis of charter revisions in the Port’s history. “The Charter revisions set the stage for the Port’s governance for a decade until the next review is required,” said Canaveral Port Authority Commission Chairman Tom Weinberg. “The Commission-appointed Charter Review Committee hosted 18 public meetings and engaged in dialogue necessary for moving the Port forward while preserving its heritage. Improved processes for approval and borrowing of money for Port projects.

Florida Governor Rick Scott is expected to sign bipartisan, community-supported legislation that enacts major changes to the Port Authority Charter for the first time in Port Canaveral’s 60-year history. As a Special District created by the Florida Legislature, the Canaveral Port Authority occasionally has sought legislative approval for specific charter amendments. However, this is the first time the entire charter fully has been reviewed and revised. The current five-member Commission appointed a Charter Review Committee comprised of 10 business and civic leaders…

Dispute remains over who pays for maintenance costs for federal channel. The $35 million harbor widening and deepening project at Port Canaveral to allow larger ships greater safety margins for sailing in and out of the port is scheduled to begin next month with completion in November 2014. The project to widen Port Canaveral’s 400-feet wide harbor by 100 feet and deepen the entrance by two feet to 46 feet cleared the final two U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permitting hurdles last week.

Thomas "Tom" Weinberg will serve a second consecutive term as Chairman of the Canaveral Port Authority Board, accepting the job after an unanimous vote during the January Commission meeting. A fourth-generation Brevard County, Florida resident elected from District 5, Weinberg begin his Board tenure in January 2011. He is a licensed realtor who has held several local, state and federal positions, including Chief of Staff for former U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez and Deputy County Administrator for Orange County, Florida government.

Construction has begun on the new estimated $50.5 million Cruise Terminal 1, the first to be located on the south side of Canaveral harbor and that will allow passengers and crew to walk to nearby dining and entertainment options for the first time. Port Canaveral commissioners unanimously approved selection of local firm Ivey’s Construction of Merritt Island, Florida to build the 187,500 square foot facility, which is scheduled to open in November 2014. Current boat ramps at…

In an unanimous vote, Port Canaveral Commissioners have approved building a new $80-85 million cruise terminal and 1.000-vehicle parking facility that is scheduled to open in November 2014. The 185,000-square-foot terminal will be located on the south side of the harbor in the Cove restaurant and retail area. “Couple this month’s opening of the new Exploration Tower at Port Canaveral with the restaurants, retail, and entertainment currently available, then add in our plans for additional Cove expansion, and the passengers and crew who will sail from this new terminal will have destination options available for the first time within walking distance of their ship,” said Port Canaveral CEO John E. Walsh.

Canaveral Port Authority formally welcomed the 'Enchantment of the Seas' to its new homeport in Florida. The Port Authoritiy hosted about 100 community leaders aboard Royal Caribbean cruise ship for the traditional 'Plaque and Key Ceremony'. Enchantment of the Seas will sail year-round from the port on three- and four-day Bahamas voyages. In the picture from left: Commissioners John H. Evans and Jerry Allender; Enchantment of the Seas Capt. Gus Andersson; and Commissioners Tom Weinberg; Frank Sullivan; and R. Bruce Deardoff.

Cocoa Beach resident Tom Weinberg will serve as Chairman of the Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners for 2013. The former Chief of Staff for former Florida Sen. Mel Martinez was elected unanimously to the position during the first meeting of the year for the Board. Also elected were Titusville attorney Jerry Allender as Vice Chairman and Cocoa citrus grower Frank Sullivan as Secretary/Treasurer. Titusville attorney John H. Evans begins his first term on the Board. Also serving will be Merritt Island auto dealership owner Bruce Deardoff, the immediate past Chairman of the Board.