Comments on: State of Emergency

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 01:38:53 +0000

Mr. Callwood, you are ridiculous. Hovensa is the only company keeping the economy of St. Croix from collapsing. Without Hovensa, thousands of people would be unemployed. If you feel that steeply taxing Hovensa is the solution then that is fine. However, when Hovensa lays off a bunch of its employees, you will be sorry.
You need to start being more appreciative of Hovensa and actually seeing what Hovensa has done for the island, a lot!

By: victor

victor — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 20:54:34 +0000

Thank you Dwwane for filling in the details and clarifying why the government needs to return to the table with Hovensa and others for the betterment of the V.I. Let’s keep the pressure on the government to work for its people. Where are the senators and talk show hosts on this?
Dwane Callwood. I like your intelligence, sense of fairness and that you present only factual information
with documentation to back up what you are say. You are a breath of fresh air. Continue the good work andublic I look forward to seeing you in a more position.

By: Dwane Callwood

Dwane Callwood — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 22:25:01 +0000

Cruzan,
have you EVER read the last agreement between Hess (Hovensa) and the VI government? If you had you would know that the ENTIRE premise upon which Hess got the Government to come to the negotiatuing table to grant the refinery ADDITIONAL CONCESSIONS was the ” state of economic distressthat existed in the oil industry” Oil companies have been reporting record profits almost entirely across the board. If you are not convinced that that is reasonable ground to ask HOVENSA To come back to the table, perhaps you should contact the V.I. Public Finance Authority and inquiry as to the dates and dollar amounts of “Private Activity Bonds” floated on behalf of Hess/Hovensa within the past 7 years alone. While you’re at it, find out from Hovensa how many Millions of dollars they have saved by obtaining capital via the PFA bonds, as opposed to going onto the open Bond market for capital. Want more? There’s also the $1Billion lawsuit filed against HOVENSA by former DPNR Commissioner in reference to some 25 Million BARRELS, not gallons, of oil pumped out of the underground water table beneath Hovensa. Don’t believe the spill exists, email me I can send you the EPA documents. I think I have given you plenty of food for thoughts, or if you’re a Hovensa employee, plenty for you to take back to the spinmasters at Hovensa. Let me set the record straight. Ever since my guest editorial, people have tried to paint me as being anti-Hovensa. I don’t blame nor fault Hovensa one bit, for the agreement and treatment that they’ve recived from the VI government. They are a for-profit business and as such, it is their responsibility to their shareholders to generate as much profit as possible. Any fault or blame has to be placed squrely in the lap of the VI government. I AM NOT anti-Hovensa. I AM NOT anti-EDC benficiaries. I AM PRO-FAIR SHARE. Until my next editorial, Peace to ALL

By: victor

victor — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 22:20:37 +0000

Cruzan, I don’t understand your comment. Are you saying that Hovensa has newly negoiated a contract with the government and that is the only contract they have negoiated over the years? I don’t think so.
Do you agree that Hovensa is reaping benefits from the VI and not giving much in return? Why is Venezula
reaping more benefits from Hovensa than the Virgin Islands? It is about time VI start benefiting from big businesses, especially since we are in a financial crisis. Our WAPA bills could decrease if the
excutive branch demanded more from Hovensa and those businesses who receive big tax exemptions. Let some of the money remain in the islands.

By: Cruzan

Cruzan — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 23:54:43 +0000

How would you like to have your lease on a house or business, or the terms of your mortgage ‘renegotiated’ right after you sign it?

By: Jackie In Cotton Valley

Jackie In Cotton Valley — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 23:41:09 +0000

Chantel, you couldnt have expressed it any better…the business and the rich are thriving while the poor is suffering, Dejongh is clearly for the rich.

By: chantel

chantel — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 16:23:06 +0000

Brilliant thinking Dwane, but do you think those that are looking forward to that money can see the bigger picture you are prresenting? Are we willing to pay WAPA now so that we
can decrease our electric bills now and pay the retro
later after neogiating with Hovensa, EDC etc to reap millions due us? Do our governor and senators have the guts to make the difficult decisions? It does not appear so because the governor signed the bill for the retro payments and he was praised by some senators.
I agree that we are facing a crisis in the V. I. The rich is getting richer and poor is getting poorer. Those of us affected and hurting must stand up. Our public officials must work for us or we must vote them out. I think we need a new slate of senators who are going to specifically address the WAPA , housing, educational and crime situations and, a new governor as well.The businesses and the rich are thriving while the poor is suffering in unimaginable ways. The state of the V. I.is worst than a year ago. Perhaps you should run for senator or governor.

By: Jackie In Cotton Valley

Jackie In Cotton Valley — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 14:05:51 +0000

I agree Dave, this administration has its priority backwards.

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 10:41:19 +0000

Do you really think that this is a priority of this administration? Please…….