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PSC Chairwoman Finds Some Journalists 'Unforgivable'

Dear Source,
In recent days, a number of stories have appeared in local newspapers that seek to cast a dark shadow upon the Virgin Islands Pubic Service Commission and the work its members do on behalf of all Virgin Islanders. Adding fuel to the smoke, several Senatorial candidates have elected to give radio interviews and comments calling for the resignation of the Commissions members and Senatorial Hearings of its conduct.
As Chairman of the Public Service Commission, I have been advised by my colleagues to dismiss the effort of some people to disparage the good work of this body since the allegations are totally unfounded and merit no response from the Commission. However, as Chairwoman of this Commission and personally touched by these irresponsible attacks, I am compelled to offer some personal comment. The continued effort of some to capture the publics imagination with stories of conspiracy — in the days prior to elections — cannot escape unchallenged and merits some response to balance the scales of justice.
As a long-serving member of this Commission I have made every effort to remain untouched by the political rhetoric so divisive to our community.but so common to it. Many of my predecessors made their own effort to avoid the taint of politics and found themselves victims of personal ambition and political agendas. I admire them for the courage they showed in the face of pressure to compromise their workand agonize for the condemnation they suffered from press and politicians.
I remain committed to following in the footsteps of those who passed here before me. I remain unfazed by these voices of irresponsibility for I know I have done nothing wrong. I have advised my colleagues that we are not here to engage in political debate or personal drama; instead, we have an important mission to ensure the availability and affordability of basic services to our communities and we must not lose sight of that in the current atmosphere of hysteria.
To say the least, remaining untouched and unaffected by competing political agendas has not been easy..but the call to public service demands itand I will continue to do it to the best of my ability. Public service is hard work, it demands balancing the scales between conflicting views.but we must always keep in mind the interests of not only those we serve today but the generations of Virgin Islanders that follow us. As a teach, I am continually reminded of the fact that we will be judged not only by our peers but by the generations that follow us did we do everything we could to ensure their success
It is increasingly apparent that some individuals in both public life and private enterprise who believe this Commission can be exploited for their own personal gain. They level unfounded allegations, unsubstantiated claims, and unkind words about individuals who have given of their time and talent to serve the people of this community with no compensation and no gratitude.
I find it unforgivable that anyone who calls themselves a professional journalist can make allegations such as those made by some local publications with absolutely no effort to seek corroboration before rushing off to judge this bodys work. This not only unprofessionalit is unconscionable.and clearly demonstrates this is not an effort to simply report a story but part of a much larger effort to intimidate this Commissions members and bend its will to its own.
As the Chairman of the Virgin Islands Public Service Commission, a lifelong professional educator and native-born child of these islands, I find this most recent effort a direct challenge to my integrity, my intelligence and my intentions to serve the people of the Virgin Islands. I am extremely disappointed in the lack of professionalism evidenced by so many of those that have chosen to attack this Commission and the hard-working people who serve as Commissioners.
As a small community we struggle to find able and willing people to give their time and share their talents for the benefit of others. The work of this Commission is time-consuming and challenging — and to have some in our community that believe it their right to reward them for their sacrifice with insults, threats and lies. I am personally outraged at the public conduct of some we have chosen to lead us. I am saddened that our children must witness the petty behavior of some, the jealousy of others and the silence of so many in the face of grievous wrong.
I am writing this open letter today to state, unequivocally, that I have no intention of bowing to the wishes of the mob — it is not them that I serve and it is not them that I listen to. I have committed no wrong, I have failed no one, I have nothing to apologize for. I will not succumb to the character assassination and gossiping that have shaped the publics image of this Commission, myself and my colleagues. I remain committed to serving the interests of all the people of these islands — and I know that the community at large recognizes these childish games for what they are. Nothing more need be said. I remain your faithful and trusted public servant as I hope my colleagues will as well.
Alecia Wells
Chairwoman
Virgin Islands Public Service Commission

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