Port lays out its needs to its new congressional representative
On the wish list: New railway tracks, more customs agents for times when Trump visits.
RIVIERA BEACH — The Port of Palm Beach has a new congressman — Rep. Alcee Hastings — and Wednesday port officials gave Hastings an overview of the port’s operations and outlined some of its needs, from new railroad tracks to more customs inspectors when President Donald Trump is visiting.
Since redistricting, the 162-acre port is in Hastings’ district for the first time, but Hastings, D-Delray Beach, stressed that as a longtime member of Congress, he’s familiar with the port’s issues and those of South Florida’s other two ports. Previously, the port was in U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel’s district.
“I’m happy to be your pitchman in Congress,” Hastings said.
Manuel Almira, the port’s executive director, said when Trump is in town, there aren’t enough customs agents to handle the Grand Celebration cruise ship’s passengers. At times, passengers have had to wait as long as five hours to disembark.
Almira said that’s because the eight inspectors based at the port are called to smaller airports from Vero Beach to Boca Raton to assist with increased flights at those facilities. When Trump visits Mara-Lago, flight restrictions affecting private aircraft are in place at Palm Beach International Airport and other airports within 30 miles.
Hastings agreed additional funding is needed. He said he’s also heard from farming constituents in western Palm Beach County who can’t fly their crop