Honorable V.I. Senators:
Good afternoon, On behalf of my 29 employees, myself and all the residents of the Virgin Islands and especially St Croix I ask you to vote “Yes” on the HOVENSA Amendment Monday November 4th.
Senators who reside on St. Croix. We cannot take another blow to our economy. Our island needs jobs, fuel and food at a reasonable cost now. I am 67 years old. This has been my home since 1963. My life both personal and business is here. I met my wife here in 1962 on a blind date that my dad set up. I attended CVI in the mid-60s both full time on the St. Thomas and later at the St Croix campus. In 1966 got married on St. Croix. In 1969 took over my dad’s business. Both of our children are Cruzan’s being born at Charles Harwood in 1970 and 1978.
My son is taking over the business as I am in my twilight years. More than anything for him, his family and fellow Virgin Islanders who are his age or younger they need a future! Too many of our young Virgin Islanders leave when they are out of high school or college. The loss of the refinery has had catastrophic implications towards jobs for all Virgin Islanders. By voting “Yes,” fuel at reasonable prices and an opportunity to sell the refinery will allow the economy to continue and not spiral to the ground and cause calamity on St. Croix – much higher fuel prices, more crime and unemployment. For our company alone I foresee at least a 50% reduction in our workforce.
For those senators who think a storage facility can be built overnight, permitting, construction, time lag on shipping I believe would take a full year to be put into operation. With the approval of agreement this would give us time to build storage facilities elsewhere, or if the refinery is sold and begins operation once again the future becomes much brighter.
In closing, this vote affects each and every Virgin Islander’s pocketbook whether they are a business owner, teacher, student, government employee, doctor, lawyer, social worker or retiree. If you think our roads are congested now add an additional 100 ISO Tanks.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
William Bohlke Sr.
St. Croix
