It is with deep sadness that the family announces the passing of Rosalind Virginia Liburd also known as Rose and Rosie, on Monday August 25, 2025. She was 78 years old. She was preceded in death by her sister Hyacinth A. Johnson and her son Alistair D. Liburd, Sr.
Rosalind Virginia Liburd
She is survived by her husband Bernard Liburd Sr., daughters, Jennifer Owens, Donna Liburd-Laurent and Barbara Merrifield; sons, Bernard Liburd, Jr. and Brandon Liburd, Sr.; son-in-law, Alvin Merrifield, Sr.; daughter-in-law, Tiffany Liburd; granddaughters, Tyquasha Liburd, Donnelsa Laurent, Kaylanna Liburd, Jaden Merrifield, Breanna Liburd and Ava Liburd; grandsons, Bijan Owens, Akeem Laurent, Alistair Liburd, Jr., Alvin Merrifield, Jr., Justin Liburd, Aiden Liburd and Brandon Liburd Jr.; great-grand daughters, Ray’nel Leerdam, Maddison Laurent and Sah’Nai Liburd; great-grand sons, Mason Laurent, Raymond Leerdam Jr.,
She will be missed by her sisters Audrey (Deloris) Charles, Pearett Maynard, Magalyn (Alinda) Franks; Brothers Michael Maynard and Roy Maynard, a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, nephews and loving friends.
Special family friends; Lori Pickering, Goldene Tonge and Mrs. Cynthia Stapleton
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the viewing at Turnbull’s Funeral Home on Monday, Sept 15, 2025, from 4-6PM.
The funeral service will be held at the Jehovah Witness Kingdom Hall, Sept 16, 2025 viewing from 9 to 10 a.m. with service to follow immediately after at 10 a.m. Interment will be at Smith Bay Eastern Cemetery. Tributes can be sent to barbara.jat@gmail.com no later than September 5, 2025.Funeral arrangement by Turnbull’s Funeral Home
Shot to death at the Galleon House Inn in Charlotte Amalie on Aug. 29, Maireni Heredia Tiburcio’s body was discovered on a bloodied bed covered by a comforter and a pillow pressed over her head. In court documents this week, forensic investigators detailed finding soot and a hole in the pillow, evidence that a gun had likely been fired through it to muffle the sound.
A single 9mm shell casing was recovered from the floor, but no firearm was found.
According to the documents, surveillance video showed the 42-year-old arriving at the inn the previous afternoon and waiting on the patio until her estranged husband, 54-year-old Tizoni A. Mahoney, joined her. Witnesses told police Mahoney had phoned the hotel several times earlier that day, asking to rent a room “for a few hours.” Staff checked the couple in under his name, and the two walked together to their first-floor room. By 9:33 a.m. the next morning, Mahoney was seen on video leaving the hotel alone
When they failed to check out by 11 a.m., documents said staff used a master key to enter the room and found Tiburcio unresponsive. One employee told police she initially tried to nudge her awake before realizing she was lying in a pool of blood. Emergency medical technicians confirmed Tiburcio had no vital signs at 12:26 p.m.
Police said there were no signs of forced entry. Valuables, including jewelry, money, and an Apple Watch, were left untouched inside the locked room, ruling out robbery. Detectives noted rigor mortis had begun to set in when they arrived.
Not long after, Mahoney appeared at the Virgin Islands Police Department’s Richard Callwood Command. In court documents, officers said he was crying, hitting himself, and repeating, “she worked voodoo on me, she work voodoo on me.” A VIPD sergeant reported that he also blurted, “they kill my wife, I going to kill them, I swear I going kill them,” while muttering about a court order keeping them apart. Once dispatch confirmed he was the suspect, Mahoney was detained. He refused to give a statement when read his rights.
A Pattern of Violence
The homicide capped a summer of escalating abuse. Tiburcio told police that the violence began almost immediately after their June 16 wedding. She said Mahoney beat her unconscious at least once, dragging her from a shower and choking her. He became enraged over trivialities — once accusing her of infidelity after noticing fingerprints on furniture. He allegedly told her she was hiding affairs with both his and her family members.
Tiburcio’s children told police they were unaware their mother had even married Mahoney.
She also reported that Mahoney repeatedly drove her to remote areas of St. Thomas and pointed a firearm at her head, telling her he could kill her. On several occasions, he drove her to the airport and threatened to have her deported. On July 3, she said, she leapt from a moving rental car to escape him, fearing for her life.
Police arrested Mahoney later that month on domestic violence charges. Despite the severity of the allegations and the law requiring judges to weigh the threat to victims in bail hearings, a magistrate judge on July 9 allowed him to post $15,000 bail with conditions: find employment, avoid alcohol and drugs, and stay away from Tiburcio’s home and workplace. On Aug. 13, Superior Court Judge Denise M. Francois recused herself from the case, citing her personal ties to Mahoney and his family.
Mahoney remains in custody at the Bureau of Corrections. According to the probable cause fact sheet, prosecutors have listed nine charges in total, including first- and second-degree murder, multiple counts of assault, firearm and ammunition violations, contempt of court, and possession of a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school. His arraignment is set for Sept. 19, when the court will formally read the charges and enter a plea.
U.S. District Court Chief Judge Robert Molloy granted a preliminary injunction against the V.I. Housing Finance Authority this week after a contractor alleged a series of procurement policy violations. (Shutterstock image)
A federal judge Monday granted a preliminary injunction sought by environmental engineering and consulting firm Gandee and Associates, which alleged a series of procurement policy violations, conflicts of interest and “grossly inflated” contracts awarded by the V.I. Housing Finance Authority.
The firm filed its civil complaint against the VIHFA and two of the agency’s top executives in June, claiming that VIHFA arbitrarily rescinded seven contract awards after Gandee pointed out differences between the scope of work described in contract documents and the agency’s request for qualifications. Molloy wrote in a blistering opinion filed this week that when Gandee attempted to communicate the discrepancies to VIHFA, “the message rang flat.”
“It was distorted, disputed, ignored, and refuted, as it traveled up the ranks and across procurement, contracting, and legal departments at VIHFA — finally culminating in the instant federal lawsuit that could easily have been averted had VIHFA simply adhered to its own published policies and procedures,” he wrote. “Instead, VIHFA appears to have doubled down in a brazen display of disregard for its duty to the public.”
Gandee responded to two requests for qualification VIHFA issued in 2024 but was not invited to bid on the first batch of contracts. According to court documents, at least five of those were awarded to Tysam Tech. Gandee alleged that a conflict of interest existed because VIHFA’s former senior environmental manager, Kyora Veira, began working for the rival bidder three days after leaving the agency in May 2024. Molloy acknowledged the evidence Gandee presented but wrote that the point was moot because nearly all of the work under that RFQ had been completed.
After responding to a second RFQ in 2024, Gandee bid on eight more environmental assessment projects and was awarded seven. Those were later rescinded when the firm noted irregularities in the scope of work described in the contracts. Despite attempts to protest the agency’s rescissions, “G&A was never afforded a hearing, much less a rational conversation, before or after VIHFA rescinded its contracts,” Molloy noted.
“Unfortunately, and somewhat incredulously, VIHFA flatly refused to correct the contracts. The Court finds this extremely baffling,” Molloy wrote, adding that agency employees called to testify in August quickly acknowledged the discrepancies. “It is unclear why VIHFA curtly dismissed G&A’s concerns with this glaring inconsistency and did not afford it the attention it deserved.”
Molloy found that termination provisions outlined in the contract “significantly constrained” the agency’s discretion to rescind them except in cases of contractor default, insufficient federal funding or noncompliance with federal guidelines.
“Not one of the awarded contracts permitted termination simply for VIHFA’s convenience and VIHFA did not offer justifiable cause for rescinding any of G&A’s awards,” he wrote.
At least one of the contracts VIHFA clawed back was awarded to Tysam Tech, whose bid came in nearly 500% higher than Gandee’s. According to a letter of non-award the Ohio company received, Gandee was not selected for the eighth project because it was “not the lowest responsive bidder.” That project, for work at Sejah Farm, was awarded to Tysam Tech for $35,255. Gandee bid $11,000. Molloy wrote that there “is reason to believe that public funds may be saved by a reevaluation of the awards” and that in “more than one instance, VIHFA failed to adhere to its own rules.”
Molloy wrote that “the record strongly suggests a violation of duty has occurred, and it unfolded like the ‘Emperor’s New Clothes’ — the bare truth was laid out but no one at VIHFA spoke up.”
The NHC is currently monitoring a tropical wave in the Atlantic basin with a high chance of development over the next seven days. (Photo courtesy NHC)
A tropical disturbance located in the eastern Atlantic is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms, and forecasters at the National Hurricane Center say a tropical depression is likely to form later this week or over the weekend as it moves across the Atlantic.
The NHC on Tuesday said environmental conditions will be favorable for gradual development, giving the system a 30% chance of formation within 48 hours and a 70% chance over the next seven days.
“A tropical wave is located over the far eastern tropical Atlantic southwest of the Cabo Verde islands and continues to produce disorganized showers and thunderstorms,” according to an update from the NHC on Tuesday evening. “Environmental conditions remain conducive for gradual development of this system during the next several days, and a tropical depression is likely to form late this week or this weekend.”
The NHC defines a tropical depression as “a tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 38 mph or less.”
“This system is expected to move westward to west-northwestward at around 15 mph across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic into early next week,” the NHC added.
Are Impacts Possible Across the Caribbean?
The Source contacted Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather’s lead hurricane expert, to learn more about this tropical wave and if the USVI and Puerto Rico could experience any possible impacts in the coming days as it moves across the Main Development Region between the west coast of Africa and the Caribbean. If the disturbance intensifies into a tropical storm, with maximum sustained winds of at least 39 mph, it would be named Gabrielle, the seventh-named cyclone of this year’s Atlantic hurricane season.
“AccuWeather has been watching this tropical wave for days, and we have been concerned that it could become our next named storm in the Atlantic,” DaSilva said.
DaSilva went on to say that, while there is still plenty of time to learn where the storm may travel, computer forecast models have indicated the disturbance may pass near the Caribbean islands.
“Forecast trends have been moving a little more west with this wave over the last day or so. As a result, folks in the northeastern Caribbean need to be watching this tropical wave very closely,” DaSilva warned.
DaSilva said that in the short term, the disturbance will encounter dry air and wind shear. However, conditions will become more favorable during the week as the storm moves west to west-northwest.
A graphic depicting the progression of a tropical cyclone. (Photo courtesy FOX Weather)
“The wave is moving through an area of dry air right now which should limit short-term development,” DaSilva explained. “The wind shear is also forecast to decrease as it moves west. The storm is being pushed west by the Bermuda High. If the tropical wave ends up strengthening faster, it will have a tendency to pull farther north and that could allow it to move north of the islands. If it stays weaker, then it would likely move more west toward the islands. If there will be any rain and wind impacts, it looks like they would occur around the middle of next week,” DaSilva added.
A Potentially Busy September in the TropicsThe Atlantic hurricane season reaches its climatological peak around Sept. 10, and DaSilva stressed that tropical activity could become very busy soon.
“As we move through September, wind shear and dry air are expected to decrease across the Main Development Region. This can allow the ‘tropical wave train’ to become very active during the middle of the month as more waves move off the west coast of Africa,” DaSilva stated. “We are concerned about a rapid uptick in development toward the middle of September,” he said.
Sea surface temperatures remain very warm, and DaSilva noted that last month, Hurricane Erin temporarily cooled the waters through upwelling, which brought deeper, cooler water to the surface. The temperature of the waters in Erin’s wake has already begun to increase.
“As far as the upwelling from Hurricane Erin goes, water temperatures have started to rebound off the East Coast,” DaSilva said. “They are still warm enough to support a hurricane, however it will take another week or so to get back to near where they were before Erin moved through.”
NOAA Global Tropics Hazards Outlook
According to a Global Tropics Hazards Outlook released Tuesday, there will be an elevated chance of cyclonic development across the Atlantic basin. The forecast tool, which is issued weekly by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center, provides insight into potential activity across tropical basins up to three weeks in advance.
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center released its weekly Global Tropics Hazards Outlook on Tuesday, Sept. 2. NOAA highlighted areas near the western Caribbean and within the Main Development Region – the zone between the west coast of Africa and the Caribbean – as having increased chances for tropical activity in September. (Photo courtesy NOAA)
In its latest update, NOAA said that portions of the Atlantic basin may experience a 20-40% chance of cyclonic development during the “Week Two” outlook period, which runs from Sept. 10 until Sept. 16. A 40-60% chance of tropical cyclogenesis is forecast across the Main Development Region in the “Week Three” outlook, running from Sept. 17 through 23.
Areas across the western Caribbean Sea and the Gulf are also likely to see an increased chance of development.
Additionally, the Eastern Pacific basin, which continues to remain active, is also expected to experience an elevated risk for cyclonic development in the coming weeks.
El Niño Southern Oscillation Phase May Contribute to More Activity
DaSilva explained that the current phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation may help to create conditions that are favorable for cyclonic development. ENSO, which encompasses El Niño, La Nina and a neutral phase, can influence atmospheric conditions in ways that either enhance or inhibit cyclone formation.
Environmental conditions are forecast to be favorable for more cyclonic development next week as more tropical waves are expected to emerge off the west coast of Africa. (Photo courtesy AccuWeather)
“We continue to trend toward a La Niña phase,” DaSilva said. “Even if one isn’t officially declared this fall, it is looking more and more likely that conditions will still behave like a La Niña. This means fewer periods of wind shear across the Atlantic, especially in October and November. This is what happened last year, and it led to a very busy end to the season. I think we can see a very busy end to the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.”
The Source connected with Phil Klotzbach, Ph.D., a senior research scientist in the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University, for additional information about the current phase of ENSO.
While an ENSO-neutral phase is ongoing, forecasters expect weather conditions to be close to La Nina pattern, which can help influence the development of cyclones in the Atlantic. (Photo courtesy NOAA and CSU)
“Currently, sea surface temperatures are slightly warmer than the La Nina threshold,” Klotzbach said. “We’re currently at about -0.4°C in the Niño 3.4 region, where NOAA measures sea surface temperatures for El Niño/La Nina, while the La Nina threshold is -0.5°C.”
“NOAA waits several weeks to make sure that the -0.5°C threshold is met to make sure it’s not a transient event. Therefore, the odds of La Nina being declared in the next few weeks are low,” explained Klotzbach. “However, whether the Niño 3.4 region is at -0.4°C or -0.5°C does not matter a tremendous amount in terms of the tropical circulation. Generally, a cool neutral ENSO phase, which we currently have, combined with a very warm Atlantic, which we also have, favors a busy hurricane season,” Klotzbach noted.
Local Weather Information and Staying Informed
Finally, the National Weather Service in San Juan, Puerto Rico, reminded individuals on Tuesday about weather-related threats that will continue to affect the USVI and Puerto Rico over the coming days, including the chance of rainfall and thunderstorms, particularly on Friday and into the weekend, gusty winds, and very warm temperatures with the potential for heat alerts.
It is crucial to remember that the forecast can change very quickly. USVI residents and visitors are encouraged to continue to remain prepared. Weather information is available from the NWS, the NHC, and NOAA.
Additionally, the local weather forecast for the U.S. Virgin Islands is regularly updated on the Source Weather Page and VI Source YouTube Channel. A weekly Tropical Outlook article from the Source is also published throughout hurricane season to provide in-depth updates.
Residents and visitors can find additional weather alerts and preparedness information from the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency.
Three Virgins, the winner of the 2025 Kallaloo Festival. (Photo by Nekisha Isaac)
At the end of September, kallaloo lovers will be able to eat their fill at the third annual “Kallaloo Festival” on St. Thomas, where some of the best kallaloo can be found.
The event, created by Nekisha Isaac, is a competition to decide who can make the best kallaloo, also spelled callaloo. Held right in the heart of downtown, at the Emancipation Garden, locals, tourists, and participants can indulge in the cuisine. Originally slated to be held this past Sunday, Isaac postponed the event to Saturday, Sept. 27, from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. The event will feature food and clothing sales, music, and more activities that both adults and children can enjoy.
Nikita Isaac and her children enjoy the 2024 Kallaloo Festival. (Photo by Nekisha Isaac)
When asked what inspired her to start the festival, Isaac said, “This one day I was sleeping and I just woke up with the idea of doing the festival. I was looking at different islands and how they prepare their callaloo and realized that everyone has a different way of making it, as far as the different ingredients and what they use to make their kallalloo.” Isaac added that, “They’re not just St. Thomians that live in St. Thomas. Since we have a different diversity of people living in St. Thomas, people can come out and taste different kinds of callaloo from different origins.”
Additionally, Isaac said the Kallaloo Festival is a way to prevent the territory from “losing our culture,” and noted that the dish was introduced during the enslavement of people in the African diaspora. Isaac has been hosting the event once a year since 2023.
Attendees have fun at the 2024 Kallaloo Festival in Emancipation Garden. (Photo by Nekisha Isaac)
“When I first started the competition back in 2023, and posted on social media it was crazy. I’m doing it for the love of my people, the love of my culture,” she said.
Isaac added that after she shared information about the Kallaloo Festival, controversy between which island should host a food festival in the territory erupted. It essentially inspired the creation of other festivals.
“It became a little tension between St. Thomas and St. Croix,” Isaac said. “After that, my Kallaloo Festival was used as an opening for other vendors, then we were hit with the pate festival and the tart wars and what not. The Kallaloo Festival was the face at that given moment,” she said. “Because of the others that came out, they kind of like blocked the Kallaloo Festival from a lot of different things. But for me, I didn’t let it bother me, I just continued going. Especially knowing that I don’t really have help, I do it all by myself.”
Moko jumbies, steel pan, Jam Band, and more will provide entertainment at the event this year. There might even be a chance to watch or participate in maypole dancing. Isaac said she wants “to give it a cultural feel.”
Snuggle Blossom at the 2024 Kallaloo Festival. (Photo by Nekisha Isaac)
The Kallaloo Festival will also have a johnny cake competition this year, with some participants competing for the best kallaloo and johnny cake title.
“Three Virgins have been winning consistently,” Isaac said of the competition. She is looking forward to seeing who will take the title this year and to seeing people out and enjoying themselves.
“The first year I could count on my fingers how many people attended,” said Isaac, and last year there were many more attendees. This year, she wants to change the setup to make it easier for spectators to participate.
“We’re going to be changing the setup for the vendors. Last year, the setup was inside, outside, and then it rained. So what we’re going to have is all the competitors facing the bandstand to make it easier for attendees to see who is competing.”
Currently, about 20 to 25 vendors will be present for the festival, but Isaac said the numbers can increase. Persons interested in becoming a vendor, providing a sponsorship, or donation can reach Isaac at 470-313-0515 or by email at kalaloofestival@gmail.com.
Bartenders at the 2024 Kallaloo Festival. (Photo by Nekisha Isaac)
For Isaac, hosting this festival is ironic because she never liked cooking growing up.
“I have been cooking approximately 22 years,” said Isaac. “When I was growing up, I didn’t like the kitchen. When she [my mom] wasn’t looking I would throw a lil tip of her lil seasonings inside of her food when she was cooking, and I was like ‘Okay, I have something here going’.”
Isaac added that callaloo is one of her favorite dishes to make, especially seafood kallaloo.
“For kallaloo it’s a very distinct dish and nobody really knows much about it, especially the tourists,” said Isaac. “Kallaloo is a dish that’s not mainly made every single day … For a parent to cook it at home consistently, that rarely happens.”
Isaac said she is taking the Kallaloo Festival to Atlanta, Georgia, next year.
“I’m thinking on doing other festivals as well, thinking of using our fruits, using soursops and sugar apples. Thinking about doing a grill festival as well,” she said. “I’ve been receiving a lot of feedback and calls. It’s a lot of work behind the scenes because it’s just me alone, so I just thank God because He gave me this vision and He gave it to me for a reason. I was actually speaking to a Crucian when I started it [Kallaloo Festival] and he said ‘Do it. This event can be such a big event, even if it’s just 10 people who come.’”
Isaac ended by saying she hopes for the government to create a budget for the different festivals to help offset costs.
“It can be a big thing for the islands, for everyone to win,” said Isaac.
AARP Virgin Islands has identified three legislative priorities to help protect the territory’s seniors following two Elder Justice Summit sessions this summer, in partnership with the V.I. Human Services Department.
Troy De Chabert-Schuster (Submitted photo)
These gatherings brought together legislators, financial professionals, advocates, legal professionals, first responders, law enforcement, and mandated reporters, the nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older said in a press release.
“The consensus was clear: existing protections are insufficient. Findings from the first two sessions have shaped AARP V.I.’s legislative priorities, and the organization has pledged to lead the charge in advancing changes that will safeguard the financial futures of our elders,” the release stated.
“So many of our territory’s elders and disabled adults find themselves vulnerable to abuse and exploitation by not only strangers, but often by their caregivers and relatives. We need to ensure that our aging population can live their remaining years safely and with dignity,” said AARP Virgin Islands State Director Troy De Chabert-Schuster.
AARP V.I. has already briefed Senators Novelle E. Francis Jr., Avery L. Lewis, Kurt A. Vialet, Kenneth L. Gittens, and Marvin A. Blyden of the 36th Legislature, and has engaged the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, according to the release.
The advocacy campaign centers on three priorities:
Enact Oversight and Enforcement by the Division of Banking, Insurance and Financial Regulations.
By law, the Division of Banking, Insurance and Financial Regulations, under the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, is legally responsible for implementing financial regulatory protections in the territory. AARP V.I. is urging the division to adopt and enforce protocols modeled after the Office of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions (OCIF) in Puerto Rico, specifically Regulation 9368. This regulation provides for:
Annual training: Mandate recurring training for all financial institution staff to detect, prevent, and respond to elder financial exploitation.
Standardized reporting: Require the use of a uniform Adult Protective Services (APS) reporting form to ensure consistency, accuracy, and timely communication of suspected cases of abuse or exploitation.
Civil immunity: Provide liability protections to financial professionals and individuals who report suspected exploitation in good faith.
Enforcement and penalties: Impose penalties, including fines up to $5,000 per violation, for institutions that fail to comply with regulation mandates.
Enact the “Protection of Specified Adults Act”
AARP V.I. will champion for legislation modeled on Florida Statutes, Section 415.1034, which authorize financial institutions to delay transactions when exploitation is suspected. The law requires notification of trusted contacts within three business days, establishes an initial 15-day hold, and allows for an extension of up to 30 business days if justified.
Enact Mandated Reporting for Notaries Public
AARP V.I. proposes an amendment to Title 34, Section 453 of the Virgin Islands Code to include notaries public among the list of mandated reporters of elder abuse and financial exploitation. Notaries often witness or authenticate major financial and legal transactions, making them vital partners in detecting and reporting abuse.
These proposed changes reflect AARP’s core priorities of financial resilience and security, the release stated.
“Across the United States, AARP works to safeguard the financial futures of older adults and their families. In the Virgin Islands, where elders often live longer but with limited resources, the financial harm caused by exploitation is devastating for both the victims and their families and strains our community,” it said.
“Our elders are our living history. They deserve protection, not abandonment. At AARP, we will continue to advocate on the principle that every Virgin Islander should be able to age with dignity, respect, and free from abuse,” said Pamela Toussaint, associate state director of Advocacy and Outreach for AARP V.I.
Looking ahead, the third and final session of the Elder Justice Summit series will take place on Sept. 25 on both St. Croix and St. Thomas. This session will focus on caregiving and the needs of caregivers themselves and the public is invited to participate, the release stated. Details will be forthcoming.
Editor’s Note: A Source article published Aug. 31 explored the differences between the Legislature’s 2013 sexual harassment policy and how a recent internal review of Sen. Angel Bolques Jr. by the Committee on Ethical Conduct was handled. In the wake of this story, Sen. Marise James has issued this call to action.
As we celebrate and recognize Labor Day, a day dedicated to honoring the contributions of working people, we must also confront the conditions that still persist in our workplaces. Chief among them is the continued failure to provide a safe, respectful environment free from sexual harassment. While we champion the rights of workers, we cannot ignore the structural and cultural failures that allow harassment to go unreported, unaddressed, or unresolved.
Sen. Marise C. James (Photo courtesy V.I. Legislature)
True respect for labor must include a commitment to dignity, safety, and accountability in every workplace — including the Virgin Islands Legislature.
The National Women’s Defense League has spent the past decade tracking sexual harassment in state governments. Their findings are sobering: between 2013 and 2024, there were 400 allegations involving 145 sitting lawmakers. The true number is likely three times higher, due to underreporting. Harassment drives women out of political spaces, silences voices, and shapes policy through fear. But women are not the only ones harmed. Men are victims, too. Any credible policy must protect everyone.
Now consider this: our Legislature has just 15 members. Yet in the past five years, three senators have been accused of harassment or misconduct. That rate would be scandalous anywhere. Here, it has too often been treated as politics as usual.
This raises serious concerns about our workplace culture, our commitment to accountability, and the adequacy of our complaint and enforcement mechanisms. The public is asking important questions: Who investigated the complaints? Why was the accused senator allowed to vote on a matter involving himself? When was the Legislature’s sexual harassment policy last updated? Are digital forms of harassment, like sexting or cyberstalking, even addressed?
Unfortunately, the answers point to a system that is outdated and deeply flawed — a policy essentially left to gather dust. First adopted in 2005 under Senate President Lorraine Berry, it marked the Legislature’s first attempt to put such rules in writing. Eight years later, in 2013, Senate President Shawn Michael Malone issued an update. But in the 12 years since, nothing has changed.
Our current policy has not kept pace with the way harassment has evolved. Technology changes quickly, and with it, so do the tools people use to harm others. What began as policies meant to address in-person misconduct have not been updated to reflect online abuse — sexting, cyberstalking, image-based exploitation, or other technology-facilitated harassment. The result is a policy frozen in time.
Even worse, the investigative process is handled internally. Senators are asked to police themselves. That creates conflicts of interest, silences staff and employees who fear retaliation, and erodes trust among the very people we serve. It is no wonder that so many believe their complaints will be buried.
Other states have recognized these same problems and acted. Missouri brought in external investigators for complaints involving lawmakers. Maryland requires an independent investigator for all statehouse harassment cases. New Mexico overhauled its process to ensure outside review. North Carolina and California turned to bipartisan ethics commissions. These examples remind us that the problem is not unique — but also that solutions are within reach.
My colleague Sen. Kenneth Gittens has proposed extending the statute of limitations for filing complaints. That is an important step — but it is not enough. Real reform in the Virgin Islands must go further. We must update the definition of harassment to include digital abuse. We must establish an independent investigative process, free from political influence. We must align legislative rules with an updated policy, eliminating contradictions. We must guarantee confidentiality, prevent retaliation, and provide clear disciplinary steps— from censure to removal. And we must preserve legislative authority for final discipline, but only after a fair, outside review.
These are not abstract ideals. They are proven best practices, recommended by the National Conference of State Legislatures and already adopted in statehouses across the country.
But policy is words on paper. Culture is how people live those words. What we need is a Legislature where victims feel safe to speak, where staff and employees know they will be protected, where public trust is not eroded, and silence is no longer the norm.
This is not about public posturing. It is about whether the people of the Virgin Islands can believe in the integrity of their government. Good governance demands more than passing laws; it requires living by them, modeling fairness, and holding ourselves to the same standards we ask of others.
On this Labor Day, when we honor the value of work, let us also honor the dignity of workers. Safety. Respect. Accountability. These are not extras. They are the bedrock of labor, and they are the bedrock of good governance.
The people of the Virgin Islands deserve nothing less.
— Marise C. James is a Senator in the 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands.
Editor’s Note: Opinion articles do not represent the views of the Virgin Islands Source newsroom and are the sole expressed opinion of the writer. Submissions can be made to visource@gmail.com.
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. highlighted the advantages of doing business in the U.S. Virgin Islands while participating in the annual Urban Golf Weekend in Miami, a high-profile networking event that draws entrepreneurs, innovators, and business leaders from across multiple industries, Goverment House announced in a press release.
During the gathering, Bryan engaged with a diverse group of entrepreneurs to discuss the territory’s appeal as a strategic hub for trade and entrepreneurship. He pointed to the benefits of the Virgin Islands’ free trade zone status, particularly for individuals and businesses involved in import and export, saying it allows access to broader markets while avoiding costly tariffs, according to the press release.
“Our free trade zone positioning offers a real opportunity for those interested in global commerce,” Bryan said, according to a press release. “We continue to promote policies that support entrepreneurship, drive economic growth, and open new paths for investment.”
The governor emphasized that the territory remains committed to building partnerships that support both local and international business, and said his administration is focused on long-term development goals tied to Vision 2040 — including growing the tourism sector, expanding entrepreneurial opportunities, and creating a more resilient economy, the press release stated.
In recognition of his public service and leadership in economic development, Bryan was presented with the Eagle Award by Urban Golf Weekend founders Clifford Addison and his partners. The award honors his work in expanding opportunities for underserved communities, the release stated.
“This event was not only a tremendous success but also an important moment to share the Virgin Islands’ story,” Bryan said. “We are excited about the interest and enthusiasm we received, especially from the African American community, and we look forward to welcoming new entrepreneurs and investors to our shores.”
Urban Golf Weekend blends business engagement with philanthropy. In addition to networking and dialogue, the event also serves as a fundraiser, with proceeds going toward scholarships that help students pursue higher education and career advancement. Bryan noted that this aligns with the Virgin Islands’ broader vision for inclusive, sustainable growth, the release stated.
Shameful? Dysfunctional? Unproductive? How should Virgin Islanders describe the Board of Elections’ meeting of Thursday, Aug. 7, which quickly devolved into a fracas with members walking out, thereby breaking the quorum. According to media reports, the session was so chaotic that the meeting’s stenographer had to plead with the Board members to cease shouting over each other so that she could record who was speaking and what was being said.
Nothing on the agenda was accomplished within those 90 minutes, except an embarrassing display of petulant and contentious behavior by a group of elected adults, charged with doing the people’s business. And, indeed, there were important matters that needed to be addressed in advance of presentations to be given at the Legislature by the Board Chair on Bill No 36-0073 and by the Supervisor of Elections on their status and operations. One can only wonder what the Supervisor could truthfully report to the senators about “status and operations.”
Not only was the meeting of Aug. 7 a waste of time, it was a waste of taxpayers’ money. One board member flew to St. Croix for the meeting which, due to no fault of his own, was cancelled when some members walked out, thereby breaking the quorum.
Interestingly, a member of the V.I. Constitutional Committee who attended the meeting on Aug. 7 pledged to write a constitution that would help address challenges of the current election system. If only that was the help they really needed. The League of Women Voters of the Virgin Islands (LWV V.I.) is of the opinion that what is most needed at this time is not yet another set of laws. Instead, there may be both long- and short-term remedies to consider so that the Board can finally function in fulfillment of its responsibilities. The LWV V.I. offers some short- and long-term suggestions for consideration below.
To begin with the short-term, the first is one that could be accomplished by the Board itself. Specifically, Board members have had time since Aug. 7 to reflect on that infamous meeting and should have begun to think about how future meetings must be conducted in order to fulfill the responsibilities for which they were elected. They should have also vowed to focus on correcting the ways in which they interact with each other. But, can they? Did they? As no information has been released in this regard, the LWV V.I. suggests that in the short term, the Board should immediately seek training for its members on how to conduct productive meetings; how to handle and resolve differences of opinions; how to speak with civility to each other; how to focus on and fulfill their mandates; how to plan. To do this, we suggest short-term training for both the Board and the System with emphasis on the suggestions we have listed above.
In the long-term, LWV V.I. encourages the voters to become adept at vetting candidates. We must insist that candidates provide evidence of their ability to work collaboratively with others. There was a time in V.I. history when this fix did occur. “Back in the day,” similar disruptive behaviors were common on the floor of the V.I. Legislature. Eventually, disgusted voters moved to replace the disrupters with individuals who were focused on working collaboratively with their colleagues for the betterment of the territory. Yes, the irascible and contentious were voted out and better replacements were voted in. That was the long-term fix. We can do it again. We must.
In the last election period (2024), the LWV V.I. interviewed candidates for seats on the Boards of Election and Education for the first time in its televised programs. Due to insufficient funding, we were unable to pay for televised shows that were longer than 30 minutes for the boards. Clearly, more attention must be given to the candidates for these positions. The League looks to the community to partner with us in such future endeavors. Visit our website at www.lwvvi.org.
Until voters again have the opportunity to demonstrate their disappointment by their vote (the long-term fix), consideration must be given to the League’s short-term suggestion or the suggestions of others for both short- and long-term fixes, as these behaviors of Aug. 7 are NOT acceptable for an entity that is essential to our democracy as is the Board of Elections.
Finally, the League reminds everyone that as a democracy with a republican form of government, we depend on an election system and the Elections Board to develop election policies, rules and regulations, and to implement trustworthy elections. Voters, let your voices be heard regarding your dissatisfaction. Insist that the Board of Elections honor the trust placed in them by your vote. Remember: in a democracy the voter is in the driver’s seat. Take charge!
— Submitted on behalf of the League of Women Voters of the USVI, by Gwen-Marie Moolenaar, PresidentEditor’s Note: Opinion articles do not represent the views of the Virgin Islands Source newsroom and are the sole expressed opinion of the writer. Submissions can be made to visource@gmail.com.
36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands Calendar Sept. 4 – Sept. 12
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2025Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety
10:00 A.M.
Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room
The 36th Legislature’s Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety will meet on Thursday,
September 4, 2025, at 10:00 A.M. in the Frits E. Lawaetz Conference Room on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.BLOCK I 10:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.
Bill No. 36-0144 – An act amending title 14 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 113 to define and prohibit assault
rifles, ban suppressors and silencers, and requiring safety training for licensed rifles and shotgun holders; prohibiting large-capacity magazines and preventing the illegal sales of firearms, firearm accessories and ammunition
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Mario Brooks, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Police Department
Honorable Gordon Rhea, Esq., Attorney General of the Virgin Islands, Virgin Islands Department of Justice
Mr. Antonio Emanuel, Director, Office of Gun Violence Prevention, Office of the Governor
BLOCK II 11:15 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.
Bill No. 36-0105 – An act amending title 7 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 13, subchapter III by prohibiting the possession, sale, or manufacture of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, delta-6 THC, delta-8 THC and delta- 10 THC products in the Virgin Islands and for other related purposes
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Mario Brooks, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Police Department
Honorable Gordon Rhea, Esq., Attorney General of the Virgin Islands, Virgin Islands Department of Justice
Honorable Justa Encarnacion, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Health
Honorable Louis E. Petersen, PhD, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture
Honorable H. Nathalie Hodge, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs
Ms. Joanne Moorehead, Executive Director, Virgin Islands Office of Cannabis Regulation
Ms. Riise Richards, Chair, Virgin Islands Industrial Hemp Commission, Deputy Commissioner, VI
Department of Agriculture
Mr. Duane Howell, Executive Director, ARCH Institute
LUNCH BREAK 12:30 P.M. – 1:00 P.M.BLOCK III 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.
Bill No. 36-0123 – An act amending title 20 Virgin Islands Code, part II, chapter 43, subchapter I, section 493 making it unlawful for a person who has 0.04 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his blood to operate a commercial motor vehicle, and making it unlawful for a person under the age of 21 years who has any detectable amount of alcohol in his blood, to operate a motor vehicle
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Mario M. Brooks, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Police Department
Honorable Gordon Rhea, Esq., Virgin Islands Attorney General, Virgin Islands Department of Justice
Ms. Julie Smith Todman, Esq., Chief Public Defender, Virgin Islands Office of the Public Defender
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 08, 2025
Committee on Rules and Judiciary
10:00 A.M.
Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room
The 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands Committee on Rules and Judiciary has scheduled a hearing for 10:00
A.M. on Monday, September 08, 2025, in the Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room on St. Croix. The purpose of the meeting is to receive testimony and consider the following legislative measures:BLOCK I 10:00 A.M. – 11:30 A.M.
Mr. Roy Moorehead, Governor’s Nominee, Board of Parole
Mr. Damian M. Cartwright, Governor’s Nominee, Virgin Islands Board of Land Use Appeals
BLOCK II 11:30 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.
Mr. Xavier A. Acevedo, Governor’s Nominee, Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Governing Board
Dr. Safiya George, Governor’s Nominee, Virgin Islands Government Hospitals and Health Facilities Corporation Board of Directors
LUNCH 1:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.BLOCK III 2:00 P.M. – 3:30 P.M.
Bill No. 36-0101 An act to provide for continuity of operations in the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands inthe event of prolonged judicial vacancies.
Invited Testifiers:
Ms. Regina deChabert Petersen, Administrator of the Courts, Judicial Branch of the Virgin Islands
Mr. J. Russel B. Pate, Esq., President, Virgin Islands Bar Association
Honorable Gordon C. Rhea, Esq., Attorney General, Department of Justice
Ms. Julie S. Todman, Esq., Chief Territorial Public Defender, V.I. Office of the Territorial Public Defender
BLOCK IV 3:30 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
Bill No. 36-0112 An act amending title 4 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 31, section 516 increasing the filing fee for general civil complaints in the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands and title 5 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 41, section 426 allowing for the collection of nine percent prejudgment interest when an offer of judgment is filed with the court.
Invited Testifiers:
Ms. Regina deChabert Petersen, Administrator of the Courts, Judicial Branch of the Virgin Islands
Mr. J. Russel B. Pate, Esq., President, Virgin Islands Bar Association
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2025
Committee on Housing, Transportation and Telecommunications
10:00 A.M.
Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall
The Committee on Housing, Transportation & Telecommunications has scheduled a meeting for Wednesday,
September 10, 2025, in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas.
VIHA Operations, Challenges, and Opportunities
The Committee will receive testimony on the Virgin Islands Housing Authority’s operations, challenges, and
opportunities. Areas of focus include agency updates on operations and maintenance issues, the Housing Choice
Voucher Program, and progress in community rehabilitation. Testimony will also address the Williams Delight
sale and related funding assistance, as well as the impact of federal-level policy changes on VIHA’s funding and
overall operations.
Invited Testifier:
Dwayne Alexander, Executive Director, Virgin Islands Housing AuthorityBLOCK II 12:30 PM
Homeownership and Housing Development Programs
The Committee will also hear testimony on the status of homeownership and housing development programs.
This includes updates on funding and progress of current initiatives, the availability and utilization of funds
for affordable housing, and the effects of federal policy changes on funding streams, operations, and programs.
Invited Testifiers:
Eugene Jones, Executive Director, Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority
Adrienne Williams-Octalien, Executive Director, Office of Disaster Recovery
Wayne L. Biggs, Chief Executive Officer, VI Economic Development Authority
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2025
Committee on Rules and Judiciary
10:00 A.M.
Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall
FRIDAY,
SEPTEMBER 12, 202
Committee on Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure and Planning
10:00 A.M.
Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room
