The Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks heard a lot Friday from the Department of Human Services and Lutheran Social Services about what they were doing to help the community’s vulnerable.
However, they heard nothing from VIGL representatives about plans for Randall “Doc” James Racetrack.
Sen. Angel. Bolques started Friday’s hearing by saying that VIGL had not been responding to requests for information. He then requested that the Committee issue a subpoena to VIGL.
In April, the Casino Control Commission approved VIGL Operations LLC’s initial license application to operate a casino at the Randal “Doc” James Racetrack on St. Croix.
Human Services, which did show up at the hearing, received some criticism. Sens. Samuel Carrión and Franklin Johnson were concerned about problems at the Herbert Grigg Home for the Aged.
Carrión said he visited the home and found the conditions there unacceptable. Johnson said he was getting phone calls about residents not having basic necessities like wipes and pampers.
Bolques expressed concern over the Knud Hansen Complex on St. Thomas. He said that conditions there with mold were “unacceptable.”
Denelle Baptiste, assistant commissioner of Human Services, said the department was trying to get staff out of the building because it had many issues. In April 2014, the department opened a digital literacy space for seniors there.
Junia John-Straker, CEO of Lutheran Services Social Services, testified, “Our services extend unmatched love and care to children and young adults at the Queen Louise Home, offer essential support to children and families in our Early Head Start Program, and provide comfort to adults with disabilities.”
In the Head Start program, there are 794 students enrolled, according to Baptiste.
In a press release issued after the hearing, Bolgues said, “I want to commend Lutheran Social Services, especially for the incredible work they are doing with Head Start and elderly services. These programs are vital to the well-being of our residents, and I am grateful for their dedication. Regarding the Department of Human Services, I appreciate their efforts and dedication to serving our senior citizens and youth. However, there are several significant challenges that need to be addressed.”
He added that the subpoena was issued to VIGL because “numerous attempts by the Committee to engage VIGL in hearings were met with no clear response as to why they could not attend the requested hearings.”
Bolques, Jr., Carrión, Ray Fonseca, Alma Francis Heyliger, Franklin D. Johnson, and Milton Potter were among the senators present at the committee meeting.
