Crucians In Focus

At a time when the citizens of this crippling economy are experiencing major cash flow problems, our senators, in addition to raising their own salaries (remember Act No. 6905), continue to support unmerited and unwarranted legislation that continue to raise the cost of living here in the Virgin Islands. In July 2003 the legislature passed a law that cost the Virgin Islands tax payers three million dollars annually for those who imported goods worth more than $1,000 and imposed a tax of 4 percent of its value. It is fair to say that it was gross negligence on the behalf of the Twenty-fifth Legislature for supporting a distressed piece of legislation to help bail out the government out of its financial crisis, with payless paydays looming and a $152.4 million deficit projected for the end of that fiscal year. This tax was enacted by the Twenty-fifth Legislature and signed into law by then Gov. Charles Wesley Turnbull. Read the rest of this entry »

Guest Opinion by Olaf G. “Bronco” Hendricks, M.D.

Whether we want to admit it or not, the relationship between the U.S. and the USVI is basically patriarchal, and the problem this creates is that power, influence and value- dispensation all lie in the hands of these CEO’s of the governing board of directors of our territories-the Washington politicians, some of whom have had some significant influence on the state of our territory for decades. These individuals have local connections, contacts, relatives and partners. To know these local players is to begin to sort out the Crucian incestogram – which describes who is related to whom and how. As expected, these connections, whether officials of our government or not, are often descendants of the old plantocracy or of politicians and powerbrokers of yesteryear – this, in spite of the development of local political powerbase over the past few decades. Read the rest of this entry »

Senators of the 27th Legislature have been singing the same song as they try to explain why Act 6905 has yet to be repealed. They have accused a ‘mystery Senator’ of preempting their efforts by being the first to submit a drafting request. We the voters have a simple choice. We can keep falling for their lies or we can use recent history as our guide. If any Senator wants to repeal Act 6905, he or she can simply make a motion to waive the rules of the Legislature to consider the repeal. The section of Act 6905 that negatively impacted the retirement benefits of first responders was repealed in a similar manner. Listen to Senator White making the motion to consider the bill that included that repeal.

This is an invitation to Governor John deJongh to provide the Virgin Islands public with the qualifications he is seeking in a Commissioner of Education. Kindly submit all qualifications to us so we can engage the public in the process of searching for candidates to promptly fill the post. We agree that “Together We Can” and “Together We Will” assist you in locating qualified candidates.

The Governor’s ‘release’ of Dr. Spampinato’s ‘confidential agreement’ with the Pittsburgh Public School District has raised more questions than it has answered. The following articles will likely make you question the truthfulness of recent public statements and remind you of Act 6905: Read the rest of this entry »

The consideration of Dr. Lynn Spampinato as our next commissioner of education has generated quite a bit of debate. There have been various positions taken on the issue, the latest of which is race. A look through Governor deJongh’s cabinet seems to indicate otherwise. So what is/are the issue(s)? The contract buyouts? The short stints at various assignments? Here’s a few questions that come to our mind: Read the rest of this entry »

On December 28, 2006, we were ‘graced’ by Senator Roosevelt David opening the special session of the 26th Legislature in a word of prayer. He prayed that we would recognize the Legislature is “divine” and “should be respected”. Less than 2 hours later, this senator illustrated why he and many of his fellow “humble servants” aren’t respected. They have a lack of respect for themselves and the people who put them in office and pay their salary. Read the rest of this entry »

On Dec 28, 2006, the 26th Legislature of the Virgin Islands passed Bill # 26-0351 which was signed into law on Dec 29, 2006 by then Governor Charles W. Turnbull as Act # 6905. In summary, this Act accomplished the following:

-Established a new retirement plan for the Legislature.
-Increased the Governor’s salary from $80,000 to $150,000.
-Increased the Lt. Governor’s salary from $75,000 to $125,000.
-Increased the Senator’s salary from $65,000 to the equivalent of the lowest paid commissioner which is currently set at $85,000. Read the rest of this entry »