PREPARED, PROGRESSIVE, PROACTIVE LEADERSHIP
Good Day,
My name is Lorna A.C. Thomas, No. 30 on the ballot, running for selection as a delegate to the Fifth Constitutional Convention from the District of St. Thomas/St. John. My academic preparation includes a high school degree from the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School and a Bachelors of Arts degree from Princeton University in American History with a Program Certificate in African-American Studies. I have been privileged and delighted to work with some of the most progressive public and private sector organizations and employers which allowed me to hone my skills in financial services, sales and marketing, business development, strategic planning, due diligence and consultancy. I pride myself on being a critical thinker and adept negotiator, who combines extensive experience with strategic alliances in business, governmental as well as local and national political environments. I maintain elected and appointed leadership and general membership positions in a wide array of philanthropic, business, and political organizations.
Fifty-three years have passed since the adoption of the Organic Act of 1954, which was written and adopted without our advice and consent. Thirty-one years have passed since the Congressional authorization allowing us to design a constitution of our choosing. I believe, to paraphrase the words of Mahatma Gandhi, that we have the responsibility to be the change we want to see in this world. All of us, especially my generation of Virgin Islanders, have the responsibility to take charge, participate and be counted. We should be ashamed if we not only refuse to serve and participate, but if we fail to ensure the construction and adoption of a durable, fair and responsive document.
Our constitution must be a durable document which serves as a framework to protect our basic rights and liberties, empower citizens by giving us a greater voice in government structure and policy implementation, and be responsive to our needs. This document should recognize, respect and reinforce our dual identity as American citizens and Caribbean people. I believe in the establishment of local government, sub-districting or numbered seats to increase the accountability of Senators, revision of the initiative and referendum process, and devising a reasonable and rational mechanism for amending the document.
Please, remember to go and vote on Tuesday, November 12. All polling places will be open from 7am to 7pm. If you are not able to vote in person on Election Day, please go to the offices of the Board of Election and cast an absentee ballot. Tell your friends; take you children and grandchildren with you when you vote so they may have a better understanding of their civic duties. Remember that, by law, all employers must grant employees two hours to vote, period. If any employee has a problem, contact the Board of Elections at 774-3107 on St. Thomas, 776-6535 on St. John or 773-1021 on St. Croix for assistance.
On Election Day, please vote for Lorna A.C. Thomas, # 30 on your ballot.
