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Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchives'REMEMBER BOTANY BAY ON ELECTION DAY!'

'REMEMBER BOTANY BAY ON ELECTION DAY!'

Dear Source,
I write this to clear up any misconception that one may have regarding my position on the Botany Bay giveaway. First, I want Mr. William Karr of Karr & Associates and the Botany Bay Partners to know that I personally have no issues with them and their acquisition of Botany Bay.
Mr. Karr could not speak with such confidence, assuredly and convincingly, if he, like many others who act on behalf of developers and investors, were not guaranteed the support of senators and the governor. I don't blame Mr. Karr for his arrogance and cockiness. When he and others see us continue to elect senators and governors who sell out and give away the Virgin Islands right before our open eyes, it is obvious we love abuse.
Where are the economic opportunities, and for whom? A few jobs cleaning, cooking, groundskeeping and the like don't seem to offer many economic opportunities for our high school graduates. Oh, I forgot, we really are not trying to have an educated or professional work force with our high schools unaccredited and no vocational training programs.
Since we are a tourist-driven economy, we must continue to create/supply an unskilled labor force that will only be able to fill the low-paying jobs. And this is what our leaders call "economic development" and "good for the economy." "Don't Worry, Be Happy!"
We were given the impression by the governor and the Botany Bay 8 senators that rezoning Botany Bay instead of granting a zoning variance and speedily rushing it to the governor for signature would ensure a "great deal" for the Virgin Islands. Was the "great deal" the replacement of sister of the soil, Commissioner Ruby Simmonds, by the educational guru that came with the Botany Bay package? What did we get? We lost accreditation, we lost Ruby, we lost Botany Bay!
I have no issues with the developers and investors. I am thankful that they have not taken any more advantage of us. Senators and Governor, we will remember Botany Bay on election day!
Stephanie Scott-Williams
St. Thomas

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