Kaine letter slams Navy's study to move warships to Mayport

I do not care what the Gov or anyone else wants. It is the Navy's decision to make and they have that right. Keep politics out of it as it is a military decision. Haven't we learned in the last 50 years politicians and military action should never be mixed? The Navy will let us know what they are going to do in good time. I hope they stay but if they go, I wish them well and will miss them.

I like the ships and jets being located in VA for more than one reason. However, if the USN decides it is in the best interest of their operational plans, I hope they go with relocating the carrier.

What happened to thinking about our country before ourselves. I am a Republican but I have to say it is a Democrat whose words about our country hold valuable meaning to me, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." JFK of course. I quoted from memory so it may not be exactly as said.

I have read alot of misinformed comments and obviously biased comments and even better yet people who just don't understand...
The more ships and sailors you have in this area the better it is for our economy...yes the state gets more taxes...yes because of the state's cowardice of properly managing of our road ways we have a traffic problem...but with more sailors we sell more cars, houses, and family products via our stores which employs our citizens....now what was the real problem?

The report failed to explore the cumulative effects of a busier base on marine life and endangered species such as the manatee.
(Nobody ever gives a da*n about marine life until it's convenient for their cause. Case in point, take a look at the Elizabeth river.)

Let's consider the impacts on Hampton Roads and other ports that could lose ships.
(Hampton Roads is too crowded. It lacks the infrastructure to support the current fleet levels without additional taxing. Housing is too expensive for enlisted families. Personal Property taxes.)

The Navy estimates it would cost nearly $500 million to ready Mayport for a nuclear carrier.
(That's 500 million, not billion. Which is cheaper, a 5 billion dollar third crossing or a 500 million dollar pier project FL.. Point is when looking at the big picture, that isn't really a lot of money.)

Moving some Navy assets is a win/win for Hampton Roads... If we could only require they take a proprotional amount of jets.

It's all about the money. I'm sure the Gov don't care about the enviornment, or how much we the tax payers pay for anything except what Taxes he can collect here in the state. Let the ships go not if he can help it. Needs them sailor to Pay the increase housing, gas, food, road, air, water, and what every other taxes we can come up with to charge them. Unless that is they fly jets. Now them they can roll on out. Don't need you don't want you. It's a shame that Gov Kaine only thinks of our men and women in the services when it affects his own pockets.

The junior Bush is no longer the Florida governor. The Florida governor, and has been since January 2007, is Charlie Crist

This is old news rehashed endlessly. No cause for alarm, folks; the sound you are hearing is the tax dollars being sucked out of your wallets, to pay for yet ANOTHER base closure/dispersal/realignmnent study. I didnt realize we still had that sort of money in reserve to throw around. Oh well, i guess we need to find something to keep the govt bureaucrats busy.

Gov.Jedd is not happy until he gets something from Virginia, if he can't get jets then he'll try ships. It's not a Homeland security thing, it's not a Latin American thing (if you're a fool and listen to Obama these countries are not a threat) It's big tax money thing. Florida could stand to gain millions in tax money and profits in local businesses. Florday lost a ship or two and will be losing a few more so what do they do? They take from Norfolk. Why not from another Naval base?

IF the ships go yes traffic may be down a little but so will the money that they bring, the state and city has to find another way to (from citizens) to get the money. Some folks seem to have this false impression that if the Navy goes so will the danger of being attacked, Not true but if it makes you feel better we won't say anything.
So remember a move like this would help Florida and Gov. Jedd not the Navy.

One official is quoted as saying: "We have the deep water; we have the infrastructure in place." While the former is true, the latter is false. I believe the gentleman who said this has never tried to drive through the Midtown Tunnel from Norfolk to Portsmouth between 3:00 and 6:00pm on a weekday. I also doubt that he has driven toward the Naval Base on any number of roads from 6:00 to 9:00am on a weekday. If the Navy were to relocate some ships from Norfolk to Mayport, then it would ease our already overcrowded roads without having to place a toll on any bridge or tunnel.

Come on, be reasonable - they went thru a lot of trouble to steal that half a billion dollars - of course it's theirs...

Anyone who thinks this is a military issue please put you head back on your desk and go back to sleep. An aircraft carrier named for Bush Sr. going to the state that gave Bush Jr. the 2000 elections that was run by a Governor name Bush? Sure this is purely a military issue. And that says nothing about the half billion dollar just to get the area ready for the carrier.
Bush's term is near the end. It is time for him to make the pay backs, good or bad.

Being a Navy veteran and now a Navy wife and also having the privilage of living in both FL and VA during my Navy career I would like to say that FL is a much easier place to live. Like most say there are no state taxes or property taxes on cars, also you don'thave to have your cars inspected in FL. Things are just easier for Navy families down there. I live here because I do have a good job though, the best job I could ask for after being in the Navy. But the traffic here is crazy with all of the military bases around. Also, for those of you who want us to leave because you don't like the traffic, don't like the jet noise, don't like all of us being here why don't you go over and fight in Iraq and other counrties yourself. You want us to leave but we are the reason you have your freedom. Unless you yourself are in the military you really don't have any room to speak about the situation and since you do have the freedom to speak like that all I have to say is, your welcome. I did my job my 7 years in the Navy for you to be able to say that and now I am doing my job as a proud Navy wife to support my husband doing his job so you can say that! I would like to thank the people in Hamp

Why do the feds feel like they have a HALF BILLION DOLLARS to play musical chairs???? Hey...it's not their money...

Funny how people are A-O-K with the Navy pulling it's ship out to FL but when it comes to the jets leaving Oceana, there is a huge stink about it. I say get rid of all the VA bases, put one in each coastal state and let everyone put up with the military. Suffolk has the right idea of using the military and federal government in the private, tech industry but not directly using the military instatution to base its economy on. The average income of a resident in Northern Suffolk now blasts that of VB due to these high tech jobs. Not to mention the quality of people that are atrracked to the area becouse of this.

The Navy is seeking to increase the quality of life of its sailors due to the current and future political outlook both in latin america and the mid-east with the present deployment schedules. The Navy is also seeking to "not put all the eggs, in one basket" so to speak. Virginia Beach IS NOT helping by announcing ANOTHER development and Gov. Kaine IS NOT helping by whining about it. The quality of life for enlisted or officer,would be far better off in Mayport and surrounding areas than Norfolk. The security of the fleet and yes, "My Navy" is more important than Kaine and the "Myer Lansky" crew in Virginia Beach stuffing thier off shore bank accounts! Wake up! Ford already left! Norfolk and Virginia Beach should wake up and start "keel hauling" the politicians that have destroyed this area for the last 20 years.

"No state income taxes, few tolls, lower taxes. and sailor friendly, no wonder the Navy is thinking about moving."

The only problem with moving to Florida is that you have to live there. Having done so twice, I assure you it's not attractive after the first few months. If you ever read about some really despicable crime, look at where it happened. 99% of the time it will be in Florida. We used to take bets on it but no one is willing to bet against me anymore.

Go to Florida Navy and take Oceana with you....

Hey, its a win win...the Navy gets to disperse its assets (just like we did in the mid 80s when I was in the service), AND it will greatly reduce traffic in the Hampton Roads area. Whats not to like? Oh, yes, the POLS won't like the decrease in tax base....boohoo.

One catastrophe in Norfolk could severely interrupt or disable a significant portion of naval operations. Isn't it better to diversify?

After years of base closures, too many assets are crowded into too few locations. The Navy needs to expand and diversify its bases and the need for this should be obvious.

Too much is going on in the world and the Navy is spread too thin with too few ships. Hopefully the politicians are starting to realize this and more ships will be built. If this happens, then both Norfolk and Mayport will have all the naval activity they can handle.

Kaine is the weakest Governor Virginia has ever had. They won't mention him much in VA History books.

He Says:

"Given the importance of what is at stake, the potential for significant environmental impacts, and the millions of federal taxpayer dollars to be spent, the limited comment period will undercut the Navy's ability to make the most informed decision possible," Kaine wrote.

He means HE will lose millions of federal dollars...He could care LESS about "environmental impacts" or "taxpayer dollars"..He wants HIS dollars here...thats the real story...And like others here have said, the state govt has no authority to butt in on national strategic decisions. I also agree with the cheaper taxes, warmer weather, nicer folks that actually would LOVE to see the navy stay there.

If you think the cost of living in FL is cheaper than it is here, you need a lesson in economics. Taxes are taxes, no matter how they come at you- directly or indirectly. Because Florida doesn't have an income tax doesn't make it less taxing. You also need to compare income levels to the cost of living. This area is by far more economical to live in than Duval County.

The Pearl Harbor analogies are really tired. There would be no conventional attack on Hampton Roads, only nuclear. It is doubtful that such an attack would be selective- i.e. you're going to fry in FL as well. Economics should be considered. If basing the ships in FL can save money, then so be it. If leaving them here is a better choice, then let them stay here. Since when doesn't the military worry about the cost of doing things?

Jacksonville is more "Navy Friendly" than Hampton Roads? Tell me again why they voted down the fighter jet base???

P.S.- there was a Memorial Day ceremony in Norfolk. It was at the McArthur Memorial...

We have people complaining about the overload of traffic, insufficient infrastructure to support the population, lack of affordable housing. I am retired Navy and would like nothing more than keeping the ships here, but by moving a carrier and two big decks to Jax, it would signficiantly reduce the traffic and infrastructure problems. The article also mentions the strategic value of relocating the ships closer to problem areas. That one or two day difference in getting to a "hot zone" can make a big difference.

and you are all welcome to live here and stay here forever. Your ships and jets too. But why does this sound like a typical Navy run assesment?

"The Navy failed to fully consider environmental impacts of moving thousands of sailors and their families, the Virginia report said. It also failed to explore the cumulative effects of a busier base on marine life and endangered species such as the manatee"

Just like they failed to study the enviromental impacts of the new OLF in Carolina. Wasting more of my money. If any of us treated our employers monies the same way the Navy or the U.S. Gov't treats the taxpayers $$ we would be fired in a New York minute! See all the waste? and it happens time and time again, and then they have the nerve to ask for more?

Apparently Jacksonville doesn't give the the Navy the single fingered salute at every opportunity. Much like the beautiful Memorial Day extravaganza that Norfolk put on to honor our fallen shipmates and soldiers. I think it's funny that Kaine thinks he has anything to say about it now except for whining.

Gov Kaine is having a "hissie fit" about the Navy spending $500 million to get Mayport updated for having carriers placed there. It is ok for the Navy to spend more than that to have an OLF built in Virginia. The Navy has already spent that amount studing areas for the OLF, and, they haven't even finished yet, let alone buying properties and building the strip. Kaine thinks it is fine for the Navy to keep spending our tax money, as long as it benefits Virginia Beach. The Navy and the Governor needs to accept the fact that VB and Chesapeake have outgrown Oceana, and, continues to grow.

This could solve the harrowing traffic problems in our area!

For those that think Charleston is a viable plan, remember they shut it down for a good reason. The Cooper River had to be dredged so often, it was to costly...It would cost many times more than the cost to upgrade Mayport. I did not want to leave as I personally loved the area...Yes, it could support the small ships but that is too costly as well due to fuel cost which would be incurred to transit to the Carrier Battle Groups operating areas. I for one, do not want a repeat of Pearl Harbor which is what we are facing if we let Florida go away. Norfolk can afford to spare one carrier as it has more than any port now even with the loss of 1-2....It is kind of funny that we don't want a Master Jet training facility due to noise but we also don't want to lose a carrier..You cannot have 100% of everything.

I suggest the navy look at Charleston too. Both Jacksonville and Charleston are very navy friendly. Norfolk Naval Station can be useful as a moth ball fleet operations and large hull home port.

Build the infrastructure and disperse the ships to Newport, Charleston, Jacksonville, Texas, etc., for strategic purposes. No. Consolidate the ships to one or two ports and shut down the redundant support facilities to save money. No. Build the infrastructure and disperse the ships to Newport, Charleston, Jacksonville, Texas, etc., for strategic purposes. No. Yada, yada, yada. How many times have we seen this drill?