It was a busy day at the 35th Legislature of the Virgin Islands Committee on Rules and Judiciary as Gov. Albert Bryan Jr.’s nominations for the V.I. Supreme Court, the Human Services Department, and V.I. Fire and Emergency Medical Services were approved and sent on to the full Senate body for confirmation.
Chaired by Sen. Diane T. Capehart, members met in the Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room on Wednesday. During the hearing considerations for bills, resolutions, and leases were also discussed
Bryan’s nominee for V.I. Supreme Court Justice, Harold W. L. Willocks, raised a few eyebrows with a shorter-than-expected testimony. Senators have described this portion of the confirmation process as a “job interview,” which gives them the chance to fully vet each candidate.
In response, Willocks described himself as shy and said he doesn’t really like to speak about himself. “I decided that I can help the people of the Virgin Island more sitting on the Supreme Court bench than I could as a trial judge and that convinced me on making the determination,” he said.
Willocks has an extensive legal background, serving in positions such as presiding judge of the V.I. Superior Court, chief public defender and an assistant attorney general.
Averil E. George, commissioner-nominee for the V.I. Human Services Department, “brought the sunshine,” said Capehart, who described a room filled with supporters wearing yellow. George hit the ground running with her testimony of better customer service and updating processes.
George has been acting in the role a little under six months and added that among her priorities is filling out the department’s tight staff, particularly with eligible social workers. Senators have long lamented Human Services’ ability to respond to a backlog of critical complaints, particularly child welfare and abuse, and described George’s job as a “heavy lift.”
Referencing the death on Saturday of nine-year-old Ja’Queda Isaac, Sen. Kenneth Gittens added that he was concerned about the quality of and access to wrap-around services within government, and while not placing blame on any one agency, commented about the need for the community to get more involved when they see someone hurting.
“We can’t just sit back and say that isn’t my business,” he said. “It’s all of our business.”
Wrapping up the nominations, senators also gave the green light to Antonio Stevens, who has been serving in the role of V.I. Fire and Emergency Medical Services acting director since the death of Daryl George. Stevens is a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces and has more than 17 years of experience in the V.I. Fire Service.
Later, bills on criminal history, the Government Employees’ Retirement System loan program, the creation of a chronic disease and diabetes registry and establishing a minimum amount for child support were all approved.
The bills:
- Require the Personnel director to develop and implement fair chance hiring policies for those convicted of crimes, which Sen. Marise James, presenting on behalf of sponsor Sen. Donna Frett-Gregory, said would help alleviate the territory’s manpower shortage;
- Establish a deadline for GERS to re-implement its loan program, remove the $10 million annual aggregate amount and 8 percent interest rate cap, limit the system’s liability to $75,000 and require the loans to be structured so that the payoff date occurs before the retiree reaches the age of 70;
- Create a Territorial Chronic Kidney Disease and Diabetes Registry under the Health Department that will serve as a data repository for diagnosed patients; and
- Increase the baseline payment for child support from $250 to $1,000 for the first child and from $60 to $150 for each additional child.
Senators approved all bills and additional resolutions honoring outstanding Virgin Islanders: Fennella Cooper for her contributions to the fields of education, sports and culture; Viggo E. Sewer for his contribution to renaming East End Road; and Bernice Alma Turnbull for her dedication to the Virgin Islands. A bill renaming a portion of Gamle Gade after William A. Industrious also moved on.
The following leases were also approved: the lease agreement between the government of the Virgin Islands and Pro Mar Services, Inc., and a lease agreement for Plot No. B Lagoon Street Complex.
Senators present at Wednesday’s committee meeting included Chair Diane T. Capehart, Vice-Chair Milton E. Potter, committee members Angel L. Bolques Jr., Kenneth L. Gittens, Franklin D. Johnson, Marise James, Carla J. Joseph, and non-committee members Dwayne M. DeGraff, Novelle E. Francis Jr., Donna A. Frett-Gregory, and Ray Fonseca.
