Harbor Dispute Heats Up and Cools

Tensions over management of Channel Islands Harbor boiled over Tuesday as one Ventura County supervisor who is up for reelection in November accused another of trying to unseat him.

The testy exchange between Supervisor John Flynn, whose Oxnard-based district includes the harbor, and Supervisor Steve Bennett came after a public hearing on the harbor and the pace of improvements being made there.

Flynn had requested the hearing on behalf of harbor neighbors, dozens of whom showed up at the board meeting to voice their dissatisfaction with management of the county-owned facility. Several renovation and improvement projects are underway at the 41-year-old harbor.

The neighbors’ request for frequent status reports on upgrades and a more “inclusive” planning process at the picturesque marina was rebuffed by supervisors. Instead, the board voted unanimously to direct County Executive Officer Johnny Johnston to fill the board in on progress at the harbor later this year and to possibly hold a public workshop to further air concerns.

Flynn, who is up for reelection in November, was initially upset that the board did not go along with his request for frequent status reports. Visibly flushed, he accused board Chairman Bennett of trying to make him look bad before constituents.

“The issue is this: Mr. Bennett is very intent on seeing Mr. Flynn defeated in November,” Flynn said. “He has two votes and he would like three.”

Bennett responded that Flynn’s charge supported his contention that the harbor has been beset by troubles recently because of “erratic leadership.”

“I would offer it is that kind of behavior that is making more problems at the harbor,” Bennett said.

In the end, though, Flynn voted with the majority on the motion brought by Bennett, saying it encompassed all of his recommendations.

“I may have lost this little skirmish here, but I have won the battle,” Flynn said to supportive hoots by audience members.

The board’s action came after the panel heard harsh testimony about the harbor from several speakers. One after another, they ticked off a list of deteriorated properties and problem leases and harbor projects.

Nick Fisher, who used to operate a small market in the Harbor Landing retail development, said he finally pulled out because of too many lease constrictions and increasing vacancies.

Mark Graves blamed harbor Director Lyn Krieger for a series of legal challenges to marina projects, including a Boating Instruction and Safety Center that harbor residents oppose. The California Coastal Commission voted in February to block development of the boating center at the harbor, saying the project was inconsistent with the facility’s overall zoning plan.

“There is no doubt that Lyn Krieger ... led to layers upon layers of lawsuits,” said Graves, president of a local boating group.

But Krieger also had supporters, including Larry Janss, who is trying to bring the tall ship Tole Mour to the harbor for educational tours. He said Krieger has done an excellent job despite heated opposition by residents to many of the upgrades underway.

“The rancor that has been shown will scare away developers. And I think that is the point,” Janss said from the speaker’s podium. “I can feel arrows being shot in my back. But sometimes you have to just stand up for what you believe in.”

Supervisor Judy Mikels chided Flynn for orchestrating “a show” for residents whose votes he hopes to capture in November. She noted that Flynn had initially supported the boating center, but changed his vote late last year when it became apparent he would face stiff competition in his election campaign.