June 11, 2001 — Source readers are clear about wanting, not only a reduction in the number of senators serving the territory, but also more accountability. In last week's Source poll, developed to accompany hearings on all three islands to review Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg's bill to reduce the Senate to nine members, 38 percent of respondents said they wanted a nine-member Senate, with four senators in each district elected to geographic district seats and one member elected on St. John.
A simple nine members with four elected district-wide on St. Croix, four on St. Thomas and one on St. John ran neck-and-neck with nine members, four in each district and one on St. John being elected to numbered seats, with 22 percent and 21 percent respectively.
However, 64 percent of those responding to the poll wanted to see some kind of accountability, by either subdistricting or numbered seats.
Only 2 percent were happy with the current status of the V.I. Legislature.
The polls results were consistent with the findings of last week's hearings, general dissatisfaction with the current status of the Legislature.
Here are the poll results:
To be the most effective and accountable, the V.I. legislature should be made up of:
1. 15 members as at present, 7 elected districtwide in each district and 1 from St. John elected territorywide.
STT (4) STX (5) STJ (0) Total 9 = 2 percent
2. 15 members, but each senator except the 1 at-large elected to a designated seat.
STT (&) STX (6) STJ (2) total 15 = 3 percent
3. 15 members, but each senator except the 1 at-large elected from a subdistrict.
STT (8) STX (2) STJ (0) Total 10 = 2 percent
4. 9 members, with 4 elected districtwide in each district and 1 from St.John elected territorywide.
STT (8) STX (13) STJ (1) Total 22 = 5 percent
5. 9 members, with 4 elected districtwide on St. Croix, 4 on St. Thomas and 1 on St. John.
STT (49) STX (44) STJ (2) Total 95 = 22 percent
6. 9 members, with 4 in each district elected to geographic subdistrict seats and 1 elected on St. John.
STT (103) STX (56) STJ (7) Total 166 = 38 percent
7. 9 members, with 4 in each district elected to designated seats and 1 elected on St. John.
STT (53) STX (34) STJ (7) Total 92 = 21 percent
8. More than 15 members.
STT (6) STX (1) STJ (1) Total 8 = 1 percent
9. 11 members.
STT (21) STX (5) STJ (0)Total 26 = 6 percent
This is not intended to be a scientific poll. But we feel that, as a rough gauge of how Source readers feel about issues confronting the territory, the results are interesting and worth considering. And we hope that you will consider voting in this week's poll and those to come.
