Political Translations: Senators on Accountability

February 14, 2008

If you were surprised by comments from Senators of the Minority Caucus on the failure of the PSC to regulate Innovative Telephone, we have deciphered the political double-talk and hereby present our translation.

Sen. Russell stated: “Why was he [Prosser] allowed to squander million of dollars, when millions in employees’ pension contributions were not paid?”

Translation: Why are we [Senators] allowed to squander VI Government funds when hundreds of millions in unfunded liabilities continue to plague the GERS pension fund?

Sen. James stated: “The more that is unearthed by the court-appointed trustee, Stan Springel, the more we realize how derelict the Public Service Commission was in their duty to regulate Jeffrey Prosser and the telephone company.”

Translation: The more corruption that is unearthed by federal agencies, the more we realize how derelict the Virgin Islands Legislature has been in our duty to perform oversight of the Virgin Islands Government.

Sen. James stated: “It appears that it is not a matter of ‘if’ but rather ‘when’ some type of criminal action is filed as a result of blatant disregard for the utility company’s financial stability.”

Translation: It appears that it is not a matter of ‘if’ but rather ‘when’ the people of the Virgin Islands will realize that we [Senators] have blatantly disregarded our duty to serve them.

Sen. Russell stated: “What happened to the PSC? Their mandate is to regulate utilities and protect our residents. However, because they failed to do their job, some Virgin Islanders are suffering.”

Translation: What happened to the Senators? Our mandate is to pass laws and to protect our residents through oversight. However, because we failed to do our jobs, many Virgin Islanders are suffering.

Sen. Serville stated: “Prosser was given a large tax break, yet little or no investments were made in the infrastructure of the telephone, cable or any of the companies that he had exclusive right to operate.”

Translation: We took a large pay raise, yet conducted little or no oversight of the PSC, WAPA, GERS or any government agency.

Sen. Hill stated: “There is absolutely no excuse for the PSC to watch the lavish spending by the Prossers and do nothing. Their job responsibility is clear, but they fell down on their duty in an enormous way.”

Translation: There is absolutely no excuse for the Legislature to watch the wasteful spending of government resources and do nothing. Our responsibility is clear, but we fell down on our duty in an enormous way.

Sen. Hill stated: “I think the time for such action has passed and we need to look ahead. It is my hope that as time goes on, some members will complete their terms and the Governor will appoint new members. There are several on the board right now who would not be approved if reappointed… Hopefully we will have some new members before the year is out.”

Translation: I think the time for such action has passed, due to our failure to act. It is my hope, that as time goes on, members of this body will complete their terms and the people will elect new Senators. There are several in this body [Senate] right now who would not be re-elected if they tried. Hopefully the people of the Virgin Islands will have some new Senators before the year is out.

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2 Responses to “ Political Translations: Senators on Accountability ”

  1. Thinking Cap on February 15, 2008 at 9:34 pm

    That was funny! You should have titled it “things you’ll never hear our senators say”.

  2. Concerned on February 28, 2008 at 12:28 am

    People, we have a serious crisis on our hands. How on earth can Senators sit and give away millions of dollars (ACT 6969) to organizations, some of whom have not even started up “business.” These organizations have tossed fund raising out the window and resorted to relying solely on the Government giving them money. To make matters worse, where is the accountability. Who monitors these agencies? Where is the money being spent? Can these questions truly be answered? Yet Government offices are grossly under funded. Classrooms are bare and textbooks are outdated. What has gone wrong???? What happened to the days of fundraising? Practically every sporting organization is receiving monies from the Government, whether young or old. The question is…What are they REALLY doing with the money. Is anyone else seeing this? Senators wake up!!!! The coffee is beyond brewing…it is burning!!!