June 13, 2001 — The Government Employees Retirement System will hold a pre-retirement planning workshop, for members over 30 years of age, at 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 27, at the GERS Conference Room, 3005 Orange Grove, St.Croix.
Participants will learn about their social security benefits, legal rights, health insurance coverage, system benefits, securing their financial future, and more.
To pre-register or to obtain more information call Ann Forbes-Samuel at 773- 5480. Seating is limited so employees are asked to register early. Pre- registration deadline is Friday, June 22.
PARADIGM LOSES COMPETITION TO YSSIS
June 13, 2001 – Despite having the full support of the V.I. Port Authority planning staff, Paradigm Design's plan to beautify the waterfront apron was rejected by the VIPA board Wednesday. Instead the board awarded the contract to Yssis Group.
The plan was part of a design competition launched last summer that Paradigm won out of five local firms to rehabilitate the pockmarked, patchwork apron that now greets visitors to the Charlotte Amalie Harbor.
After winning the competition, Torgen Johnson, Paradigm president, said he asked Chaneel Callwood of Yssis Design Group to team up with his office to help put the project together. "I had seen Chaneel at a highway workshop where she was very outspoken against the plan for a waterfront highway," Johnson said Wednesday. He told the board he was "very impressed with Callwood's integrity." Callwood agreed and teamed up with Johnson's office.
The two groups worked together until this spring when they had a parting of the ways, creating the two presentations Wednesday.
In introducing the plans, VIPA Director Gordon Finch said, "Paradigm was successful in winning the competition, but unfortunately (after teaming up with Yssis) the two groups had a disagreement in principle, and it is up to us now to decide to whom we should give the contract."
In April the VIPA staff voted for the Paradigm design. However, VIPA's board voted Wednesday 5-1 for Yssis Group.
The remarkably similar design presentations lined either side of the large board room. Each side was given time for a presentation, with the other side waiting outside the room.
Johnson noted that in the past 50 years, the "urban fabric of Charlotte Amalie has become separate from the waterfront," a separation he wants to mend.
Johnson said he sees the waterfront as a linear park eventually extending from Frenchtown to the West Indian Co. He described how the color of the bricks of Fort Christian would be integrated in the waterfront walkways, thus stretching the Fort all along the waterfront with vital crosswalks, "oases," connecting town with the waterfront. The apron would be dotted with tall palms, planters, benches, shade pavilions and a revitalization of what was once a boathouse at Kings Wharf, commonly known as the Coast Guard Dock.
Paradigm designed the new Coral World, where Johnson said he got his feet wet encountering problems unique to the island. After Coral World, Paradigm renovated Emancipation Garden, and is currently completing Post Office Square.
Callwood and John Daniels of Yssis showed their design as essentially the same idea as Paradigm's. Callwood stressed "recapturing the character of the old waterfront" and said she wanted to restore "dignity" to the waterfront. Both sides' presentations included slides of the old waterfront dating back to the 1900s.
Yssis has a nine-year history, Daniels said. The firm is completing the new gymnasium and cafeteria at Bertha C. Boschulte Junior High School. It is also responsible for Café Amici in Riise's Alley and a large housing project in Fortuna.
When asked by board members about the group's falling out with Yssis, Johnson explained that he had shared his digital files of his own drawings with Yssis. "That's a fingerprint there," he said, indicating Yssis's presentation.
Johnson later said Yssis was asked to collaborate on project management and to organize the public participation process. "They did not contribute to the design; that was not their role," he said.
Johnson had nothing but the highest praise for VIPA's staff. "Coming forward with that competition was a miracle," he said.
Losing the bid was a blow, he added. "We've worked tirelessly since last May. We've worked around the clock at times, passionately, trying to do something for St. Thomas." But he was philosophical: "We're trying to get good things done for St. Thomas, and we'll continue."
In attendance and voting for the Yssis design were chairwoman Pamela Richards; Attorney General Iver Stridiron; Dean Plaskett, commissioner of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources; Hector Peguero; Kent Bernier; and Leslie A. Milliner. The sole vote for Paradigm came from former Sen. Robert O'Connor Jr., who said he was impressed with Paradigm's presentation and the work the group did at the new Coral World.
Earlier in the day, when questioned about Bernier's position on the board — he was appointed as a private-sector member but is now a government official — Stridiron said he needed to look into the legality of the matter. It was never mentioned it at the board meeting.
The plan was part of a design competition launched last summer that Paradigm won out of five local firms to rehabilitate the pockmarked, patchwork apron that now greets visitors to the Charlotte Amalie Harbor.
After winning the competition, Torgen Johnson, Paradigm president, said he asked Chaneel Callwood of Yssis Design Group to team up with his office to help put the project together. "I had seen Chaneel at a highway workshop where she was very outspoken against the plan for a waterfront highway," Johnson said Wednesday. He told the board he was "very impressed with Callwood's integrity." Callwood agreed and teamed up with Johnson's office.
The two groups worked together until this spring when they had a parting of the ways, creating the two presentations Wednesday.
In introducing the plans, VIPA Director Gordon Finch said, "Paradigm was successful in winning the competition, but unfortunately (after teaming up with Yssis) the two groups had a disagreement in principle, and it is up to us now to decide to whom we should give the contract."
In April the VIPA staff voted for the Paradigm design. However, VIPA's board voted Wednesday 5-1 for Yssis Group.
The remarkably similar design presentations lined either side of the large board room. Each side was given time for a presentation, with the other side waiting outside the room.
Johnson noted that in the past 50 years, the "urban fabric of Charlotte Amalie has become separate from the waterfront," a separation he wants to mend.
Johnson said he sees the waterfront as a linear park eventually extending from Frenchtown to the West Indian Co. He described how the color of the bricks of Fort Christian would be integrated in the waterfront walkways, thus stretching the Fort all along the waterfront with vital crosswalks, "oases," connecting town with the waterfront. The apron would be dotted with tall palms, planters, benches, shade pavilions and a revitalization of what was once a boathouse at Kings Wharf, commonly known as the Coast Guard Dock.
Paradigm designed the new Coral World, where Johnson said he got his feet wet encountering problems unique to the island. After Coral World, Paradigm renovated Emancipation Garden, and is currently completing Post Office Square.
Callwood and John Daniels of Yssis showed their design as essentially the same idea as Paradigm's. Callwood stressed "recapturing the character of the old waterfront" and said she wanted to restore "dignity" to the waterfront. Both sides' presentations included slides of the old waterfront dating back to the 1900s.
Yssis has a nine-year history, Daniels said. The firm is completing the new gymnasium and cafeteria at Bertha C. Boschulte Junior High School. It is also responsible for Café Amici in Riise's Alley and a large housing project in Fortuna.
When asked by board members about the group's falling out with Yssis, Johnson explained that he had shared his digital files of his own drawings with Yssis. "That's a fingerprint there," he said, indicating Yssis's presentation.
Johnson later said Yssis was asked to collaborate on project management and to organize the public participation process. "They did not contribute to the design; that was not their role," he said.
Johnson had nothing but the highest praise for VIPA's staff. "Coming forward with that competition was a miracle," he said.
Losing the bid was a blow, he added. "We've worked tirelessly since last May. We've worked around the clock at times, passionately, trying to do something for St. Thomas." But he was philosophical: "We're trying to get good things done for St. Thomas, and we'll continue."
In attendance and voting for the Yssis design were chairwoman Pamela Richards; Attorney General Iver Stridiron; Dean Plaskett, commissioner of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources; Hector Peguero; Kent Bernier; and Leslie A. Milliner. The sole vote for Paradigm came from former Sen. Robert O'Connor Jr., who said he was impressed with Paradigm's presentation and the work the group did at the new Coral World.
Earlier in the day, when questioned about Bernier's position on the board — he was appointed as a private-sector member but is now a government official — Stridiron said he needed to look into the legality of the matter. It was never mentioned it at the board meeting.
VIDEO PRODUCTION SUMMER PROGRAM
June 13, 2001 — The Virgin Islands Media Project is accepting applications from students, ages 12 to 17, for a seven-week summer program in video production scheduled from Monday, June 25, until Friday, August 10.
The project is a mass communications training program for youth sponsored by the Law Enforcement Planning Commission.
The program will be held at Jubilation! Christian Channel TV, located at 26A Contant. Students will learn how to operate video equipment for studio and location productions, edit video projects digitally, and produce a public service announcement for television.
The fee for each student is $400 and scholarships are available to those who qualify.
For more information call Gloria Gumbs at 776-7635.
The project is a mass communications training program for youth sponsored by the Law Enforcement Planning Commission.
The program will be held at Jubilation! Christian Channel TV, located at 26A Contant. Students will learn how to operate video equipment for studio and location productions, edit video projects digitally, and produce a public service announcement for television.
The fee for each student is $400 and scholarships are available to those who qualify.
For more information call Gloria Gumbs at 776-7635.
CAHS HOLDS RECITAL
June 13, 2001 — The Charlotte Amalie High School piano lab student recital, held on Tuesday evening at the Ritz Carlton ballroom, was a lively affair. Fifty music students, of varying levels of accomplishment, under the direction of locally renowned piano player and CAHS music teacher John Cahill played a range of classics, show tunes, and folk songs.
A memorable portion of the evening were two rap songs "Hot Fyah" and "No Love" performed by Lenea Industrious and John Antoine.
Cahill commented that each generation is baffled by the music of the other and the C.A.H.S. music program is joining the 21st century by including this popular music in their performances.
Also included in the recital were two horn solos. Dion Van Holten performed a trumpet solo,"Prayer of Saint Gregory" by Alan Hovaness and Deshawn Hendricks played "Adante and Allegro" by Andre Chailleaux.
Detra Davis and Jevaun Jones, former C.A.H.S. students, now attending the University of the Virgin Islands added a vocal dimension to the evening. Davis sang "I Believe in You and Me" accompanied by Jones on piano.
A memorable portion of the evening were two rap songs "Hot Fyah" and "No Love" performed by Lenea Industrious and John Antoine.
Cahill commented that each generation is baffled by the music of the other and the C.A.H.S. music program is joining the 21st century by including this popular music in their performances.
Also included in the recital were two horn solos. Dion Van Holten performed a trumpet solo,"Prayer of Saint Gregory" by Alan Hovaness and Deshawn Hendricks played "Adante and Allegro" by Andre Chailleaux.
Detra Davis and Jevaun Jones, former C.A.H.S. students, now attending the University of the Virgin Islands added a vocal dimension to the evening. Davis sang "I Believe in You and Me" accompanied by Jones on piano.
RESIDENTS WANT SPECIFICS ON COMMERCIAL ZONE
Neighbors of the Harthman family in Tutu want to know what kind of businesses would go into an area behind Tutu Park Mall if it is rezoned for commercial development.
But Arthur Harthman and his representative, Brian Turnbull, said they couldn't discuss what kind of businesses might locate in the area behind Tutu Park Mall until the rezoning from A-1 (agricultural) to C (commercial) is approved.
"Until it is rezoned," said Turnbull, who used to be a planner with the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, "everything we present…is speculative."
He called it a "philosophical" rezoning because of the "appropriateness of the development."
However Harthman said he'd been approached by "people who want to initiate commercial businesses in the V.I." He never said who or what the businesses were.
Most people at Wednesday's public hearing of the Zoning Committee of DPNR thought it was not unreasonable to consider the already heavily commercialized area for further commercial use. But almost to a person, witnesses wanted specifics on what kinds of businesses would go into the 27-plus acre area.
Community activist and former senator Stephanie Scott-Williams, who said she has lived in New Tutu for 30 years, made an impassioned plea to DPNR not to let the property be covered in concrete, and to keep its eye on what kinds of businesses are allowed to go into the development.
"We don't need any more gas stations, or laundromats or dry cleaners," she said.
She admonished the V.I. government for its lack of planning in the area as she brandished an aerial photo showing a variety of malls, homes and buildings surrounding the green area that Harthman wants zoned for commercial use.
And despite Harthman's assurances that he lives in Tutu and wouldn't put a "dump" in his neighborhood, Scott-Williams said that once the area was rezoned, the Harthmans, through death or for other reasons, might not always have control of the area.
Turnbull also reminded the committee several times that the government has the ability to control development.
But committee member Brent Blyden said, "Things imbedded in the land are the responsibility of the land owner."
Part of the area's appropriateness is that the Public Works Department is already running a sewage line through the property that will feed into already existing sewage lines in the area. The development would also be able to use the existing access road into Tutu Park Mall, along with developing the Harthman's private road that would feed onto the Weymouth Rhymer Highway near the Edith Williams Elementary School.
Erva Denham, president of the League of Women Voters of the Virgin Islands, said in a prepared statement read into the record by League board member Colette Monroe that the property "is an obvious area for future commercial development. However, without even a rough sketch to indicate the type of commercial development envisioned by the property owners, there is little or no reason for the area residents to support this zoning change."
Harthman maintained, however, "We do not develop commercial property."
Toward the end of the meeting committee chairwoman Sue Higgins asked Harthman if he would consider a zoning variance — which would specify what types of businesses could be developed — in place of rezoning. Though hedging the question, it seemed clear that was not what Harthman was looking for.
But Arthur Harthman and his representative, Brian Turnbull, said they couldn't discuss what kind of businesses might locate in the area behind Tutu Park Mall until the rezoning from A-1 (agricultural) to C (commercial) is approved.
"Until it is rezoned," said Turnbull, who used to be a planner with the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, "everything we present…is speculative."
He called it a "philosophical" rezoning because of the "appropriateness of the development."
However Harthman said he'd been approached by "people who want to initiate commercial businesses in the V.I." He never said who or what the businesses were.
Most people at Wednesday's public hearing of the Zoning Committee of DPNR thought it was not unreasonable to consider the already heavily commercialized area for further commercial use. But almost to a person, witnesses wanted specifics on what kinds of businesses would go into the 27-plus acre area.
Community activist and former senator Stephanie Scott-Williams, who said she has lived in New Tutu for 30 years, made an impassioned plea to DPNR not to let the property be covered in concrete, and to keep its eye on what kinds of businesses are allowed to go into the development.
"We don't need any more gas stations, or laundromats or dry cleaners," she said.
She admonished the V.I. government for its lack of planning in the area as she brandished an aerial photo showing a variety of malls, homes and buildings surrounding the green area that Harthman wants zoned for commercial use.
And despite Harthman's assurances that he lives in Tutu and wouldn't put a "dump" in his neighborhood, Scott-Williams said that once the area was rezoned, the Harthmans, through death or for other reasons, might not always have control of the area.
Turnbull also reminded the committee several times that the government has the ability to control development.
But committee member Brent Blyden said, "Things imbedded in the land are the responsibility of the land owner."
Part of the area's appropriateness is that the Public Works Department is already running a sewage line through the property that will feed into already existing sewage lines in the area. The development would also be able to use the existing access road into Tutu Park Mall, along with developing the Harthman's private road that would feed onto the Weymouth Rhymer Highway near the Edith Williams Elementary School.
Erva Denham, president of the League of Women Voters of the Virgin Islands, said in a prepared statement read into the record by League board member Colette Monroe that the property "is an obvious area for future commercial development. However, without even a rough sketch to indicate the type of commercial development envisioned by the property owners, there is little or no reason for the area residents to support this zoning change."
Harthman maintained, however, "We do not develop commercial property."
Toward the end of the meeting committee chairwoman Sue Higgins asked Harthman if he would consider a zoning variance — which would specify what types of businesses could be developed — in place of rezoning. Though hedging the question, it seemed clear that was not what Harthman was looking for.
TAX OFFICE POSTS NEW SCHEDULE
June 13, 2001 — The St. John Property Tax Office will be closed on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays beginning Tuesday. The office will be open on Mondays and Wednesdays.
The change was announced in a press release from the Lt. Governor's office and it called the change a temporary situation, with assurances to the public that the efficiency of the office and the assistance to St. John residents won't be compromised.
The change was announced in a press release from the Lt. Governor's office and it called the change a temporary situation, with assurances to the public that the efficiency of the office and the assistance to St. John residents won't be compromised.
VARIANCE VS. REZONING ONLY REAL ISSUE FOR B & B
June 13, 2001 – There were no objections Wednesday to a variance request for the rebuilding of a Hurricane Marilyn-damaged house into an eight-bedroom bed and breakfast in Havensight.
In a Department of Planning and Natural Resources zoning committee public hearing, the biggest concern about Oliver Deligny's request to build the bed and breakfast was that it be handled as a variance, not a rezoning matter.
Deligny, who operates a charter boat business, wants the B&B primarily to house his charter guests before and after their week-long sailing trips, according to his attorney, Derek Hodge.
Attorney Edith Bornn, who lives in the neighborhood, repeatedly questioned Hodge about the rezoning-versus-variance issue.
Another attorney who lives in the area, Paul Hoffman, sent a letter supporting the idea of the bed and breakfast if it is handled as a variance.
Hodge apologized for an original letter sent to DPNR requesting a rezoning, saying, "I miswrote."
"We are requesting a variance," Hodge said over and over – at one point putting his hand to his chest and saying Bornn could ask him to swear to it.
Even the League of Women Voters of the Virgin Islands, which would normally disapprove of a variance according to its statement, supported the plan as long as it is deemed a variance.
Colette C. Monroe, interim chairwoman of the league's Committtee on Planning and Environmental Quality, said, "Bed and breakfasts are generally located in residential areas as they tend to house small numbers of guests for short periods of time and this is consistent with Mr. Deligny's charter business."
DPNR committee chairwoman Sue Higgins explained a variance would only allow Deligny to operate a bed and breakfast, nothing else.
Deligny quelled other concerns about infrastructure for a commercial operation, saying he plans to install a sewage treatment system and has a 65,000 gallon cistern and access to Water and Power Authority potable water.
Jane Sorrelle, who lives below Deligny's property, expressed concern about balconies, bathrooms and air-conditioning units above her property, causing noise and sewage problems, but she did not testify against the variance.
Margit Kanstrup, also a Havensight resident, wondered how the issue had ended with DPNR after it was vetoed by the governor.
Higgins said it had been resubmitted and would have to go through the Legislature's hearing process, too.
In a Department of Planning and Natural Resources zoning committee public hearing, the biggest concern about Oliver Deligny's request to build the bed and breakfast was that it be handled as a variance, not a rezoning matter.
Deligny, who operates a charter boat business, wants the B&B primarily to house his charter guests before and after their week-long sailing trips, according to his attorney, Derek Hodge.
Attorney Edith Bornn, who lives in the neighborhood, repeatedly questioned Hodge about the rezoning-versus-variance issue.
Another attorney who lives in the area, Paul Hoffman, sent a letter supporting the idea of the bed and breakfast if it is handled as a variance.
Hodge apologized for an original letter sent to DPNR requesting a rezoning, saying, "I miswrote."
"We are requesting a variance," Hodge said over and over – at one point putting his hand to his chest and saying Bornn could ask him to swear to it.
Even the League of Women Voters of the Virgin Islands, which would normally disapprove of a variance according to its statement, supported the plan as long as it is deemed a variance.
Colette C. Monroe, interim chairwoman of the league's Committtee on Planning and Environmental Quality, said, "Bed and breakfasts are generally located in residential areas as they tend to house small numbers of guests for short periods of time and this is consistent with Mr. Deligny's charter business."
DPNR committee chairwoman Sue Higgins explained a variance would only allow Deligny to operate a bed and breakfast, nothing else.
Deligny quelled other concerns about infrastructure for a commercial operation, saying he plans to install a sewage treatment system and has a 65,000 gallon cistern and access to Water and Power Authority potable water.
Jane Sorrelle, who lives below Deligny's property, expressed concern about balconies, bathrooms and air-conditioning units above her property, causing noise and sewage problems, but she did not testify against the variance.
Margit Kanstrup, also a Havensight resident, wondered how the issue had ended with DPNR after it was vetoed by the governor.
Higgins said it had been resubmitted and would have to go through the Legislature's hearing process, too.
EDC PROPERTY TAX BENEFITS TO REMAIN
June 13, 2001 — The Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday tabled indefinitely a bill seeking to remove the property tax exemption benefit from the Economic Development Commission’s bag of investment incentives.
Had the bill, proposed by Sen. Adelbert Bryan, been ultimately approved by the Senate in 2001, the V.I. coffers would have seen an infusion of more than $650,000 in property taxes from EDC – formerly the Industrial Development Commission – beneficiaries whose benefits expire by Jan. 15, 2002, said Bernadette Williams, assistant tax assessor with the Internal Revenue Bureau.
In all, Williams said that there are currently 38 businesses in the EDC program that receive about $4.5 million in property tax exemptions. The bill, however, would only affect new businesses that seek EDC benefits or beneficiaries seeking renewal.
Support for removing the property tax exemption from the EDC’s incentives was thin at the Finance Committee hearing. Most senators said that the revenue that would be gained by the proposal is much smaller than what would be lost when investors either pull out or skip the territory altogether.
The EDC’s Nadine Marchena said that many beneficiaries can’t claim the property exemption because they don’t own the land on which they are based. The bill would also deter possible investors interested in buying land for their businesses and hotels. The latter is important because of the need for more hotel rooms on St. Croix, she said.
Sens. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen, Donald "Ducks" Cole, Douglas Canton Jr., Carlton Dowe and Norman Jn Baptiste voted to table the measure indefinitely. Bryan was off-island Tuesday.
Under the EDC program, beneficiaries can receive a 90 percent exemption on local income taxes and 100 percent exemptions on dividends, gross receipts taxes, property taxes and excise taxes.
In other action, the committee approved a federal grant applications for the HIV care program in the Department of Health for $249,330 and $416,724 for the Department of Planning and Natural Resources’ historic preservation office.
Had the bill, proposed by Sen. Adelbert Bryan, been ultimately approved by the Senate in 2001, the V.I. coffers would have seen an infusion of more than $650,000 in property taxes from EDC – formerly the Industrial Development Commission – beneficiaries whose benefits expire by Jan. 15, 2002, said Bernadette Williams, assistant tax assessor with the Internal Revenue Bureau.
In all, Williams said that there are currently 38 businesses in the EDC program that receive about $4.5 million in property tax exemptions. The bill, however, would only affect new businesses that seek EDC benefits or beneficiaries seeking renewal.
Support for removing the property tax exemption from the EDC’s incentives was thin at the Finance Committee hearing. Most senators said that the revenue that would be gained by the proposal is much smaller than what would be lost when investors either pull out or skip the territory altogether.
The EDC’s Nadine Marchena said that many beneficiaries can’t claim the property exemption because they don’t own the land on which they are based. The bill would also deter possible investors interested in buying land for their businesses and hotels. The latter is important because of the need for more hotel rooms on St. Croix, she said.
Sens. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen, Donald "Ducks" Cole, Douglas Canton Jr., Carlton Dowe and Norman Jn Baptiste voted to table the measure indefinitely. Bryan was off-island Tuesday.
Under the EDC program, beneficiaries can receive a 90 percent exemption on local income taxes and 100 percent exemptions on dividends, gross receipts taxes, property taxes and excise taxes.
In other action, the committee approved a federal grant applications for the HIV care program in the Department of Health for $249,330 and $416,724 for the Department of Planning and Natural Resources’ historic preservation office.
SPECIAL PRIS FIXE DINNER MENU FOR JUNE 15TH
Frenchtown Mall * Reservations 774-4349
Limited Seating * Call 774-4349 for Reservations
$27.00 pp includes: Appetizer * Entrée * Dessert
Soup du jour
-or-
Caesar Salad
-or-
Fried Mushrooms
ENTREES:
Chicken breast with gorgonzola, spinach cream sauce
-or-
Seafood Pasta with shrimp, crawfish, mussels & calamari
With a white wine, fresh herb & garlic sauce
-or-
Wiener Schnitzel
DESSERT:
Your choice of fresh homemade dessert
SENATE LIKE A BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK
In the classic movie "Bad Day at Black Rock," one of the villains repeatedly tries to provoke the hero, a one-armed war veteran played by Spencer Tracy, into a fight. In a scene in the town diner, he pushes Tracy off his stool and pours ketchup in his coffee. Tracy won’t be provoked. Finally, in a wonderful moment, the bad guy goes too far and Tracy delivers a karate chop to his throat that sends him sprawling through the front door.
I thought of this scene when I read the latest account of the Virgin Islands Senate’s response to the referendum on reducing the Senate size from 15 to 9. The position of the senators is that "the people" are wrong, and that not enough of them voted on the matter, anyway. For those reasons, the members of one of America’s most pathetic deliberative bodies say that they are not going to reduce the Senate size.
Now "the people" may well be wrong in this matter. They often are. After all, they elected these senators in the first place, none of whom complained about wrong-headedness or low turnout at that time. And, if one looks at the bigger picture, "the people" also elected Nixon and a lot more like him. But that is hardly the point. The rules are the rules. Otherwise you don’t have a democracy.
In taking this extraordinary position, the senators are crossing a threshold. This action goes beyond the buffoonery, incompetence, corruption and embarrassment that are typically associated with the Virgin Islands Senate, at least in recent years. The Senate’s actions and the remarks of several of the senators are a direct frontal assault on democratic principles. The feeble attempts to put either a legal or a good-government spin on their rejection of the clearly expressed will of the people won’t wash.
It appears that a majority of these senators do not view their positions as a public trust. They, like many others in government, view their jobs as property. They feel that they own them, as well as the various perks and opportunities that go with them. And they are hardly about to allow the citizens of the Virgin Islands to take six of them away.
Will they get away with it? Not clear. If they do, it will be another big step in the accelerating decline of the Virgin Islands. What will it take to get a critical mass of the "good guys" in the territory to deliver a karate chop to these lawless officials? Maybe there is nothing. Maybe they can repeatedly pour ketchup in the citizens’ coffee without provoking any outrage or response. Maybe they can’t "go too far." If that is true, the territory will start looking like the cold war socialist kleptocracies of Eastern Europe, where "the people" were mentioned only when it was necessary to justify some new outrage that was about to be hatched.
A People’s Republic of the Virgin Islands would be a terrible thing. This latest provocation can be an opportunity for people to say "enough" and to take the kind of mass action that is needed. Just for the record, at the end of "Bad Day at Black Rock," the good guys win.
I thought of this scene when I read the latest account of the Virgin Islands Senate’s response to the referendum on reducing the Senate size from 15 to 9. The position of the senators is that "the people" are wrong, and that not enough of them voted on the matter, anyway. For those reasons, the members of one of America’s most pathetic deliberative bodies say that they are not going to reduce the Senate size.
Now "the people" may well be wrong in this matter. They often are. After all, they elected these senators in the first place, none of whom complained about wrong-headedness or low turnout at that time. And, if one looks at the bigger picture, "the people" also elected Nixon and a lot more like him. But that is hardly the point. The rules are the rules. Otherwise you don’t have a democracy.
In taking this extraordinary position, the senators are crossing a threshold. This action goes beyond the buffoonery, incompetence, corruption and embarrassment that are typically associated with the Virgin Islands Senate, at least in recent years. The Senate’s actions and the remarks of several of the senators are a direct frontal assault on democratic principles. The feeble attempts to put either a legal or a good-government spin on their rejection of the clearly expressed will of the people won’t wash.
It appears that a majority of these senators do not view their positions as a public trust. They, like many others in government, view their jobs as property. They feel that they own them, as well as the various perks and opportunities that go with them. And they are hardly about to allow the citizens of the Virgin Islands to take six of them away.
Will they get away with it? Not clear. If they do, it will be another big step in the accelerating decline of the Virgin Islands. What will it take to get a critical mass of the "good guys" in the territory to deliver a karate chop to these lawless officials? Maybe there is nothing. Maybe they can repeatedly pour ketchup in the citizens’ coffee without provoking any outrage or response. Maybe they can’t "go too far." If that is true, the territory will start looking like the cold war socialist kleptocracies of Eastern Europe, where "the people" were mentioned only when it was necessary to justify some new outrage that was about to be hatched.
A People’s Republic of the Virgin Islands would be a terrible thing. This latest provocation can be an opportunity for people to say "enough" and to take the kind of mass action that is needed. Just for the record, at the end of "Bad Day at Black Rock," the good guys win.
Editor's note: Management consultant Frank Schneiger has worked with V.I. agencies since 1975, most recently as consultant to United Way of St. Thomas/St. John. He is one of the founders of the St. Thomas/St. John Youth Multiservice Center.
Readers are invited to send comments on this article to source@viaccess.net.
