Senator Hill’s Quote
It was a most revealing comment; a comment that highlighted a fatal flaw in the direction some of our “leaders” believe will be beneficial to the Virgin Islands.
Just before the conclusion of two days of hearings on the now approved Diageo deal – hearings that contained impassioned testimony for and against – Senator Hill took the opportunity to verbalize a view that reminds us of the central issue blocking Territorial unity.
“You know, the longer I serve in the Senate, the more I understand why St. Croix is the way it is — because the political leadership for years has caused St. Croix to be in the position it is in today.”
Well, well, well.
Senator, with all due respect, we don’t think you understand at all. So, for your sake and the sake of those who share your view, here are a few things for you to consider.
This issue is so much larger than the Diageo deal that it is essential to be very clear about what is at stake, now and in the future.
St. Croix is open to opportunities – real opportunities that translate into economic development designed to benefit our entire community and not just a chosen few.
Opportunities that enhance – not exploit – the unique potential that St. Croix has to offer.
That potential does not lie in the type of development that continues unabated on St. Thomas. For all the big hotels, luxury condominiums, shopping areas, restaurants and cruise ships, many residents still have to work multiple jobs just to survive. They continue to face the challenges of finding money to pay WAPA’s soaring electric rates, living with ever rising levels of crime, and the choice between gas and groceries. They spend their days in snarled traffic, which wastes the majority of the overpriced gas, and, despite its cost, must cope with regular power outages and rotating power interruptions, like the one experienced less than 6 hours after the Diageo vote.
This potential does not lie in continuing to offer “investors” huge tax breaks and other benefits while residents struggle to pay their taxes.
This potential does not lie in committing hundreds of millions of dollars of public funds to any venture while we continue to live with a crumbling infrastructure, a substandard educational system, pervasive crime and an untrained work force.
This potential does lie in co-ventures with business and industry that are willing to invest in training and development in return for the dollars we are willing to spend to get them here. It lies in partnerships that respect our culture and ecology and recognize the mutual value in building a relationship that will reap long term benefits and not just an immediate infusion of cash for their capital development.
The potential does lie in open negotiations that allow time for public comment and review so that the community can support the initiatives our “leadership” brings forward.
It is quite troubling that some of those who have been elected to guide the Territories into the future fail to grasp these simple truths. It is even more disturbing to realize that in the “Together We Can” era, our elected officials would rather cast aspersions on past St. Croix leadership than work to craft agreements that would truly benefit the big islands’ overall economic and future health. We will all be more successful when that day comes.
We can only hope that the longer Senator Hill and his colleagues serve in the Senate, the more they’ll understand that St. Croix is in the “position that it is in” for numerous reasons – but to place it at the feet of past leadership shows a dangerously narrow view that will not solve our problems.
Now do you understand?
Hey Michael, I’m not a big supporter…however you are right about Senator Hill, he has no right to make those commentsm
You are too damn right!!! How the heck can he talk about “past leadership”, when he just voted in favor of that DIABLO acontract. Don’t call it a deal, cause it’s a steal on Diageo’s part and a near death sentence on the VI Government’s part. The only message that contract sends is that the we’re open for business and we’ve left 12 FOOLS to guard the inventory. The entire Virgin Islands is in the state of disarray becuase of the likes of you, Senator Hill. Along with Roosevelt David, David Jones, Holland Redfield, the “Dem Boys” Gang (Old-school Democrats), Charles Turnbull, Alric AND Nathan Simmonds, Celestino White, Carlton THOU shall Not Steal, Foncie “I need someone new to whine about” Donastorg, Rocky Liburd (and the rest of the 2cents per barrel gang). The hurtful thing is that you have demonstrated your inability to learn from past decisions and bad agreements entered into on the people’s behalf. As a St Thomian, I DEMAND that you apologize to the people of St. Croix for a quote that shall follow you all the rest of your days here in the Virgin Islands. Kiss you Asspirations to be governor GOODBYE.
My thoughts exactly, Dem Man!
He has a right, and its that same old mentality you guys have that is keeping us back. Hill is 100% right. Plus, even though I don’t support this administration, the use the same tactics that goverment in every municipality in the states use to lore big business. You guys need to wake up and stop living in the old days.
Thats from a CRUCIAN THAT HAS FOCUS.
I agree with the perceptive analysis of your article. I would also like to commend you for the exceptional job you have done and continue to do with providing a balance and objective perspective regarding some of the many problems which ensnares us. It is quite evident that you have an undying love and passion for the people and the Virgin Islands at large. As a regular reader of your articles, I propose that you seek elective office. I’m convinced that you possess the love, intellect and vision to right so many of the wrongs which envelop us. We must do the things we think we can’t do- E. Roosevelt.
Thanks for your support Carter.
Hey, haven’t you guys saw who’s running for senate??? David Jones….What a waste, this guy have sold us out BIG time with Hovensa “2 Cents a Barrel” and “Paul no future Golden”. People we have to get out on September 13 and send a strong message…FORWARD THINKING, NOT BACKWARD THINKING.
Do I become your enemy because I tell you the truth? Are we disgusted with the statement or because the statement has some element of truth to it? Or do we feel that a St. Thomas senator has no right to utter such? Many Crusians have made similar statements (perhaps different words) themselves. I’ve heard one or more present St. Croix senator express that while the senators from St. Thomas would often stick together and hold one head, those from St. Croix fight among themselves. Well perhaps not this time, since five of them voted no.
maybe senator hill comment is lffensive but isn’t true we on st. croix always argue negativewly when a project is coming our wa6
Why do we continue to go back and forth on this issue? The bottom line should be…is this something that we can live with? Can we view this as an investment in any way, is this a deal worth investing in, can this really do something positive for our territory? Our representatives are paid well to hash these matters out on our behalf; they need to lay aside the blame and let us work together for the best interest of the people of the VI. To all I say, learning from the past should put you in a better position to make an intelligent decision today from which we all benefit tomorrow, do your job…serve the people that’s why we elected you.
TO Anonymous:
Of course you are right…Crucians don’t like their dirty laundry to be aired. Hill did just that.
Each time you look at your Electrical Bill, and now your Water Bill via WAPA, dont cast too much of the blame on the Utility, search the back of your mind for all those who continue to help outsiders milk the V.I. cash cow that appears to have “six teats”. Senator Hill and company only says what he has been advocating for some time. “Crucians are foolish”. What the heck, we cant vote for him so he can afford to throw darts at us, but we can certainly remember the “Crucians?” who support his mind set. Who says one term is not enough to figgure out an incumbent?
Wow look what we come too when a sitting St. Thomas Senator would openly suggest that CRUCIAN people are stupid and are self-distructive. On his part it may appear that we are behaving stupid, but I must applaud the strenght of the five brave St. Croix Senators who are will to stop the abuse of the hard working and suffering Crucian people who are struggling to make ends meet. We can’t with-stand another company coming and raiding our economy and creat continued hardship on the people of St. Croix. I will give my full support to the five Senators who have the vision for the future of St. Croix and it’s people. We going to hear the fall out of this Diageo deal in 10 years by then I will be retired and have nothing to look forward too.