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A State of Emergency, Molasses, WAPA

Dear Source:
I wrote an editorial that appeared on Nov 20, 2007 in this forum. I have been raising the concerns within in just about every other media outlet in the territory ever since. There were many who agreed with my position on many of the issues, and there were those who outright rejected my arguments. Many of the objectors felt that I was premature in declaring a state of emergency in Energy, and others felt that I was blaming HOVENSA for the Government's shortcomings. I was not. I was simply stressing the one-sidedness of the HOVENSA agreement. Unfortunately, it took WAPA's new Chief Executive to come along and convince Virgin Islands residents that there is in fact an energy State of Emergency. 2 cents per barrel has finally hit home. Is it now okay for me to refer to our energy situation as a state of emergency?
Wake up Virgin Islands Residents. I frequently wonder why we teach our children to look both ways before crossing the street, yet the 18-wheeler coming down the street with screeching brakes always has to hit us before we know it's coming. How do Senators consent to subsidizing molasses @ 16 cents per barrel for 60 years, and criticize those who agreed to 2 cents per barrel – modifiable after 20 years? Things that make you go hmmmmm.
Dwane A. Callwood
St. Thomas

Editor's note: We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to source@viaccess.net.

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