Governor: Confirm or Deny
It appears that before there was an $85,000 Guardhouse and a $98,000 Security Fence, there was a $156,000 driveway laid at Governor John P. deJongh, Jr.’s personal residence.
Yes, we are serious.
The attached documents show that in October, 2007, Darryl Smalls, then Commissioner Designee of the Department of Public Works, gave the notice to proceed on the driveway project to the Better Roads and Asphalt Company of St. Thomas.
Cost of this project? Reportedly, $156,160 of local and federal Highway Funds.
Clearly some explanation is required, and Senator Adlah “Foncie” Donastorg has requested it.
In a letter to the Governor dated July 1, 2009, Sen. Donastorg has challenged deJongh to “confirm or deny specifically as to whether this and other improvement projects actually took place and were paid for in whole or in part with public funds.”
In a separate letter, also dated July 1, Donastorg has also requested that Smalls produce and deliver to him “all documents and records of Public Works Department endeavors associated with repairs and improvements to Governor John deJongh’s personal residence at 23-8 Estate Mafolie” by close of business on July 1.
In our opinion, any responsible public official would promptly refute assertions of the serious nature that these inquiries represent if, in fact, they were incorrect or grounded in inaccurate information.
We’re waiting.
Governor: confirm or deny.
From The 2009 State of the Territory Address.
…”The investigations into past wrongdoing are ongoing. Some have been made public and others remain confidential. Reports of wrongdoing are pursued and will be pursued. The people deserve no less, I demand no less”…
BTW. Commissioner Smalls seemed a little nervous at todays Senate hearing.
In simple terms, what a difference a place makes; what a difference a people make:
In the non-contiguous state of Alaska, the governor is being investigated for the gifts of “private funds” to construct a private lakeside residence.
Most people of Alaska find this troubling.
The governor of Alaska is resigning.
In the non-contiguous territory of the Virgin Islands, the governor is being accused of using “public funds” to enhance his primary residence.
Some people of the Virgin Islands find this acceptable.
According to the governor of Alaska, the governor of the Virgin Islands should be…?????
We all know that this is patently wrong, no matter what flavor spin the Governor and his apologists offer. The question is, what will we do about it?
Is anyone of you avialable to be a part of the up coming plan protest on this matter infront of goverment house?
Date and Time?
Last night I watched Donastorg questioned commissioner small in reference to the work that was done at the governor mansion i would believe my ears and what is was seeing and hearing ( neither was senator varlack) he was very uneasy with the questioning, I ‘m not supprise at all but what i find unbelieveable is that he now wants us to give up 8 unpaid holidays. I’m still asking the question how does the governor and his groonies sleep at night.I ‘m not even going to read the big headline in the paper today i’m so ANGRY.
Roger Morgan is so bias, he actually could read the Solicitor General’s opinion but he says he never saw Jean Greaux statement about “public funds not being used”.
Roger save your credibility and stop the nonsense.
Tell Verdel Petersen everything takes time, just like wine.
Wait the rest is yet to come. Blatant is not the word, Boldfaced is more like it.
The Government seems to pick and choose what legal opinions they want to use. I guess this opinion by Attorney Elliot Davis was music to thier ears. Makes me wonder if he was aware he was opening the door by giving the Governor a blank check for excessive improvements to his home in exclusive Mafolie.
What about the Acting Attorney General Davis’ opinion on the Schneider fiasco? Is this why he isn’t our AG? More Pay For Play?
Kudos to the Senator Rivera-O’Rielly and the Daily News for finally addressing this issue.
That Daily News article was lame. Poinski must have had a hard time even writing it. Another de jongh defender.
I believe de Jongh lives in his house because he does not need to live in the Governor’s mansion at Catherineburg, not because he is better than all of us Virgin Islanders. I’m glad I saw the light a long time ago. Us or at least you crucians are never satisfied it’s as if you will always whine about something. You all seem to love a man like Senator Adlah Donastorg, who in my opinion is just power hungry and will always be. He attacks de Jongh and his administration to create more publicity for when he runs in 2010 (once again). I have a question though, Who was the best Governor of the Virgin Islands that we’ve ever had?
I’ve been waiting for someone to say all of this! Us crucians just bitch and moan all the time for f&*^ sake. This man has started to bring more cruise ships to St. Croix. In a time of financial worry I’m amazed he can do this. He actually brings St. Croix tourism. And the time that we do get tourism the tourist do nothing but complain. We crucians need to learn to fix these things for ourselves and stop complaining that all dem Thomians do is try to screw us over all the time. I swear we are funny people or at least the people in this forum.
I would think that someone who is Attorney General would be the best legal advice. Don’t you think maybe?
Governor de Jongh did not take any of the ppl’s money and I’m that this situation has been cleared up. What was done to the House was a necessity. I know Schneider had renovations doen when he was Governor when I lived in St. Thomas. The other renovations that is being done are being paid out of his family pocket. I truly believe th ppl on this forum are fools who will never be satisfied with any administration. Donastorg is power hungry I believ and Mapp will just lead us down the wrong road. de Jongh Francis 2010!!!!!!!
Crucian4life, can you specifically list some of the improvements you’ve seen since deJongh became governor? I always hear Morgan and others say “he has done a lot of good things” but I never hear what these good things are. Can you help me understand what some of those good things are? A list of approximately 10 positive improvements would be helpful.
As for the acting AG’s opinion, it is too bad this gov’t didn’t save us money and follow District Court Judge Gomez’s opinion on the property tax case. That was a clear cut opinion whose appeal reveals how weak the opinions from the AG’s office are.
i will most definitely give you the 10 things that Governor de Jongh has done good for the Virgin Islands. However please answer my previous question, Puzzled, Who has been our best Virgin Islands’ Governor in the history of the virgin islands? Also please list ten bad things that Governor de Jongh has done for me if you will please since you seem to be an avid anti-de Jongh supporter. Thank you! I will give you numero uno, crime and violence has risen at an alarming rate. And if that is one which I’m sure it isn’t now then you should know that crime has risen all over the Caribbean and not the US Virgin Islands. And the way to attck crime is not a task left to the government alone.
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE STX this matter will be cleared up when your governor is led out of government house in HANDCUFFS.ALL of you who are trying to protect him is in for a rude awakening. THIS GOVERNOR is nothing but a high profile crook who is just for himself.FIRST a parking lot, then a guardhouse, then a fence, what about the security camera system,the AC unit,the generator etc,etc etc.WE will be waiting to see what the federal government is going to do about the corruption that is going on in the VIRGIN ISLANDS.WE were fooled by deWOLF in sheep clothing and his dumb dumb LT. GOVERNOR.
I saw what Crucian4life and mon bijou lover wrote, but what they neglected to state was that the previous administration(specifically Pamela Richards) started the ball rolling on this cruise ship bit. So you need to give jack his jacket! Pamela Richards paved a lot of these roads including Jet Blue coming to St. Croix!
What a travesty when individuals who I believe to be defenders and spin doctors for the Governor would come into this forum and attempt to cloud the issue. I appears they are attempting to make this an issue of the messenger bringing an issue to light. To the best of my knowledge and being of hispanic decendent, and living here on St. Croix all my life, I happen to follow politics in Puerto Rico and I remember a candidate running for Governor bringing to light the misdeed of the Former Governor. Is this not what they are suppose to do. This being the case, why would even the supporters of Governor dejongh attack Senator Donastorg for questioning these expenditures. From all appearances I truly hope they don’t end up with egg in their faces because I know what it feels like to place your trust in someone and the worse outcome emerge. I supported Mapp last election, but I am now convince Donastorg may be the best choice. The attacks and repeated attempts to destroy this man has surely convince me this man has the strength, integrity, committment, fortitude and resiliance to lead this territory. He was unseated as President, he was attacked and rediculed by a body for standing for what he beleives in. On top of this, I still have not heard them disclose any evidence regarding his inability to conduct business. Its really a shame they would continue attacking this man when he has simply done the right thing. I thank each one of you attackers for helping me to make up my mind this time around.
Senators-
At the hearing on this issue please ask how utlities,insurance and staff (cook, gardner, pool guy, housekeeper,nanny,etc.) are paid for at both the Governors residence and mansion. How does this save money? We all knew the Governor were not going to live at Catherinberg but never imagined large and costly improvements would need to be made. Please don’t sell it that it saves money if in reality it doesn’t. Aren’t they doubling the staff.
Also, is this gaurdhouse/gate/fence similiar to the Catherineberg’s? I don’t think so.
Crucians in Focus, Any way to add a counter on your site. I get the feeling you are getting a lot traffic which tells me people care.