Op-ed

Following is the transcript of V.I. Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett's opening statement Tuesday at the 10th hearing of the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, of which she is the ranking member. The subcommittee is chaired by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio).

Even if Almighty God Himself came down and said, "Elections System of the Virgin Islands, y'all have time to appeal Judge Molloy's Jan. 10, 2024 ruling on election unconstitutionality," as a current Board Member, I know there was, is, nor will be no money to appeal it. The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure allow 30 days for appeals as a civilian; 60 days for government officials. Understanding the background is equally as important.

I read with interest that the Estate Whim Museum on St. Croix made it on the list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. It is a good thing, I think, that Whim Museum was listed as an “Endangered Historic Place” because for too long this Caribbean gem of history in the American Virgin Islands has been setting there deteriorating into the rich Crucian fertile soil.

In his biweekly column, Langley Shazor speaks to issues important to men within the territory. This week’s topic discusses finding the best version of yourself.

In his biweekly column, Langley Shazor speaks to issues important to men within the territory. This week’s introduces The Lounge.

In the culture of the Virgin Islands, there is an old saying by the older people: “Whenever it rained on New Year’s Day, it would be a dry year.” Old people of yesterday lived by the signs and wonders of nature. They didn’t live by technological devices telling them about the weather. We are so modernized today that we have lost touch with nature. This year, when it comes to the weather, it is unusual. If you have been paying attention, we have been getting rain in months that are normally dry.

In her bi-weekly column, “State of the Territory,” former Sen. Janelle K. Sarauw delves deeper into issues of concern for V.I. residents.

The bridges in the Virgin Islands are being repaired and maintained if needed, which is a good thing for motorists. However, what most residents of the Virgin Islands don’t know is that we have historic bridges dating back hundreds of years to the Danish occupation of the islands, and they are protected under the law. I hope the contractor or contractors are working with the V.I. State Historic Preservation Office.

In the past 20 years, humanity has seen huge advancements in just about every industry. This progression can be attributed to varying factors, including broader access to educational opportunities and more collaboration among neighboring countries around the world. 

I read with interest the other day in the V.I. Source where Commissioner Jean-Pierre Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources was explaining to a meeting of the League of Women Voters a possible plan to establish a transient mooring system within the Magens Bay Beach ecosystem. He talked about the charter boat industry and its importance to our islands’ economy.

In her bi-weekly column, “State of the Territory,” former Sen. Janelle K. Sarauw delves deeper into issues of concern for V.I. residents and for the month of March, Women's History and V.I. History.

I grew up hearing that men rule the world. Is that really true? Women have played major roles in human history. Too often, women who have played critical roles in changing world history are overlooked. For example, it was a woman named Mary Magdalene who played a critical role in world history by spreading the good news of mankind that Christ had risen from the dead. March is Virgin Islands History Month. Therefore, I will briefly discuss the impact local women had on local and world history.

The remote community of Coral Bay, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands has been under the threat of a 144-slip mega yacht marina development for more than a decade now.

Developments in recent weeks suggest that Haiti, a country of 11 million, is careening toward anarchy. This grave situation is likely to trigger massive movements of people internally, from the capital, Port au Prince, with a population of approximately 3 million, to provincial towns and successive waves of outmigration to nearby countries and territories, including the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Around the world, people are living with mental illness, and the resources and support needed to help this community of people are lacking. More specifically, these resources are almost non-existent right here at home in the territory. And on Tuesday, due to the minimal support we have, a man lost his life and another is possibly going to prison for murder. 

Perhaps it’s a common human experience, as we age, to reminisce about the past and feel a profound sadness for what no longer exists. A few months ago, I drove through Frederiksted, and there, I had to pause, overcome by a strong torrent of emotion. I cried like a helpless, abandoned child. Yes, I’m a grown man, and though I’m not ashamed (perhaps just a little), I wept uncontrollably for a few minutes.

In the last few months, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced monumental awards for rebuilding critical infrastructure in the Virgin Islands related to destruction from hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. The announcement of over $928 million for the rebuild of Roy L Schneider Regional Hospital, along with the previously announced $834 million for the Juan F. Luis Hospital, creates a tremendous opportunity to become a regional powerhouse for healthcare.

With changing demographics, the Virgin Islands of the United States needs to make it absolutely clear to its residents the territory does not have a Constitution, and it needs one to be ratified. But first, qualified delegates need to run to be seated as Delegates to the 6th Constitutional Convention. That election is set to take place this coming November 5, 2024.

As I embark on the task of expressing my journey in the realm of politics, I find myself traversing the tumultuous terrain that has defined my existence—a landscape marked by victories, challenges, and an unyielding quest for justice. It's a narrative that commences with the resounding echoes of my family's legacy, resonating through the corridors of power and shaping my destiny from an early age.