Responding to Gov. Charles W. Turnbull's announcement that Thursday's payday would be delayed, Delegate Donna Christian-Christensen praised him Wednesday for his candor and called on Virgin Islanders not to panic.
"We have known the financial situation of the Virgin Islands government for a long while, and Gov. Turnbull has been honest with all of us about the true state of our finances, warning us early on of an impending payless payday," she said.
"Although this is a crisis situation, we should not panic. Instead, we should use this as an opportunity to enact the financial policies that will put the community back on the road to wellness."
Christensen said she empathizes with those who will not receive checks Thursday, calling it "a difficult situation" that "has repercussions not only for government employees, but for the business community and wider community on a whole."
She recommended the implementation of a community-based strategic plan at the recent economic summit to promote growth and development using all segments of the community.
She said her office continues to work with the federal government and the Turnbull administration to find short- and long-term solutions to our problems.
