Hiring Freeze: Lots of Chiefs in Justice
Today we take a look at more than $500,000 in salaries and benefits that have been added to the payroll of the Department of Justice during the “freeze.”
Justice is the most critical partner of law enforcement. Without efficient prosecution, effective law enforcement is severely compromised. And for that, you need a solid group of prosecutors – and that’s where we expect the budget should be spent.
Instead, in what we’ve been able to gather, we see more evidence of top-heavy staffing with more emphasis on bureaucracy and support than prosecution. And if these large dollars are being spent there should be some visible results. Nearly $200,000 of the positions highlighted here are for a Director and Assistant Director of Corrections – and the only significant activity we’re aware of in this area is the deportation of local inmates to stateside facilities.
CIF would welcome a full roster of the Department’s resources – perhaps there is some balance in personnel we cannot see based on the documents we’ve been able to obtain.
As a final note, we are still working to obtain the financial disclosure forms we requested from Atty. General Vincent Frazer on August 4. To date, we have received no response. We will keep you posted.
You are right, Native. The majority of us did wanted a first lady, a banker, businessman and a family man. The reason is that at the time, John deJongh represented real change, while the other candidate were portrayed as examples of the status quo. Also, compared to the competition, he was a safe bet. Now, we all know that he does not resemble anything like the image he depicted in his campaign.
Busted had it right in #7 – “We are severely lacking in political maturity.”
This is understandable. We have only been free to elect our own Governor for about 40 years, while we are still virtually a colony of the United States. The Government of the United States is some 200+ years old and they still have not gotten it right. Just look at the mess they are in.
We say we want change here in the VI – then we repeatedly vote the same people into office. Or, at the very least, we vote for those who perpetuate the same policies.
Until we, ourselves, change; until we stop being selfish and self-serving; until we cease putting ourselves first, we will continue to elect the same selfish, self-serving politicians. They are nothing else, but a reflection of the collective.
Let us not forget the ‘other’ James brother, Trevor. He was hired by Nelville in the 27th legislature as his ‘education policy advisor’, whatever that is, but I am sure it paid well.
Prior to that, Trevor was the subject of a scathing audit when he headed up the STX race track………he walked with several thousands of dollars from raiding the bank account. No receipts, no accountability, all under Wayne Bigg’s nose while Bigg’s served as chairman of the board of the race track. Family ties, friends all. No one in the AG office has indicted Trevor…..who says crime does not pay? Maybe Trevor can head up the Racino in STX if it goes through from brother Nelville’s efforts and make a few grand more on the side.