Oct. 11, 2006 – John deJongh, Democratic candidate for governor, today called upon the Public Services Commission (PSC) to fulfill its duty to Virgin Islands residents by conducting full public hearings on the possible effects the reported pledge of VITELCO assets in the Prosser bankruptcy cases might have on telephone customers and phone company workers.
The public not only has a right to know, it has the right to understand the risks and benefits of whatever the proposed actions might be on both customers and employees, deJongh asserted. This can only be achieved after a full public process, including public hearings, is completed by the PSC. The PSC has a duty to ratepayers which cannot be fulfilled in haste, in secret, or behind closed doors. Speed should not be the PSCs goal; clarity and the protection of the public interest should be their goal, continued deJongh. The only fair way to clear up the confusion and rumors surrounding this issue is to hold full public hearings and lay all facts on the table.
We cannot risk any disruption or decline in the quality of our landline phone service if we are to build our economy, attract new businesses to the territory, and improve the quality of life for all Virgin Islands residents, deJongh concluded.
