People in Tampa's maritime trades like to say there aren't any secrets on the docks, a reference to the Port of Tampa's hyperactive rumor mill.
But Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio has established a formal channel to hear what's going on. She named harbor pilot John Timmel to a new position as her liaison to the port and maritime community.
Timmel is a familiar face around the waterfront. He runs the nonprofit group that restored the World War II-era cargo ship SS American Victory as a museum and tribute to the U.S. Merchant Marine. He's also involved in maritime organizations, including a harbor safety committee.
His appointment raised some eyebrows. The mayor sits on the board of the Tampa Port Authority, and some staffers at the agency privately questioned why she needed an outside adviser.
But leaders of a group representing businesses that do work at the port are delighted. The group bumped heads with the port authority over a new security gate on Hooker's Point and has complained the agency doesn't listen to business concerns.
"We certainly saw it as a good sign that she appointed someone to give her a different view than the port authority staff gives her," said lawyer Tim Shusta, who serves as a director of the Port of Tampa Maritime Industries Association.
Timmel will report monthly to Iorio about issues and pass along concerns of various interests at the port. He introduced the business group's leaders to the mayor last month but insists the organization wants to move away from confrontation with the port authority.
"Their goal is looking to work with the port authority, not against the port authority," Timmel said.
