Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Was
Senator Hill, it’s time to put your money where your mouth was and bring forward that bill cutting Senate and some other high Government salaries to help the homeless.
You made quite a show during the August 6th Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) hearing. Following Senator Nellie O’Reilly’s sincere presentation asking that some higher income government employees take a 5% cut and redirect the funds to HHS homeless programs, you declared that all government employees making more than $85,000 per year, including the Senators, should take a pay cut to $65,000 to help the homeless.
“Let’s all go back down to $65,000,” you were quoted as saying. “Let’s bring a bill at the next session to reduce salaries for Government employees making $85,000 and above.” (see article link below)
Senator, that’s one approach. But we think you went a bit too far. It is neither practical nor desirable to reduce every Government salary over $85k to $65k. This would severely compromise our ability to attract well qualified practitioners in several areas that require highly skilled individuals, and that would achieve nothing.
Many questioned your sincerity, particularly considering your historical stand on the provisions in Act 6905 that raised the Senate and Executive branch salaries in the first place. A bill that would return these salaries to the pre-Act 6905 levels would be welcome. After the ruthless grilling you gave to the testifiers that evening about their salaries and willingness to take a pay cut, we expect that you will come forward with a proposal this week.
We hope you’ve also convinced your fellow Legislators to jump on your wagon because they certainly didn’t give your proposal any rousing support that night. Some, as we recall, stated outright that they’d have nothing to do with it.
Senator Adlah “Foncie” Donastorg wrote to you and declared his support for the bill you said you’d bring forward. He’s even willing to co-sponsor the bill once you get it written. And according to the most recent Legislative Calendar, the next full session is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.
You are the President, and we’re sure that if you really want it, you’ll find a way to make it work.
The homeless in our community are counting on you.
Frenchie, a mut can step up right now and win the 2010 governor’s election. De Jongh is finish. They man and those around him are corrupted and low life thieves. Reality is no one wants to talk about voting for de jongh because he is finish. The question is not who will oppose de jongh…the question is who will be the next governor.
As anonymous says it was the pro dejongh media that painted a pretty picture of the present governor.I have been to most of the forums and to this date,in my opinion the Governor have never any directly on any issue. I have never heard Candidate Mapp angry or vindicative to his opponents.What changes did the Governor implemented?
Cora, not Donna T.
Sorry. I was typing so fast.
SEEN HERE IN THIS PHOTO IS LOUIS P. HILL SENATE PRESIDENT OF THE 28TH VIRGIN ISLANDS LEGISLATURE.
http://thedominican.net/images/article_images/hill.jpg
SEVERAL MONTHS AGO STEVEN VAN BEVERHOUDT, VIRGIN ISLANDS INSPECTOR GENERAL, TOLD SENATE PRESIDENT LOUIS P. HILL ON THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE THAT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS INSPECTOR GENERAL’S OFFICE WAS CONDUCTING A JOINT AUDIT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR INSPECTOR GENERAL’S OFFICE. MR. VAN BEVERHOUDT TOLD THIS SENATE PRESIDENT THAT HIS 28TH LEGISLATURE WAS THE TARGET OF THE JOINT AUDIT/INVESTIGATION. THE SHOCKING LOOK ON THE FACE OF THIS SENATE PRESIDENT WAS TELLING. THE VIRGIN ISLANDS LEGISLATURE WAS PREVIOUSLY AUDITED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR INSPECTOR GENERAL’S OFFICE IN DECEMBER 2000. BELOW INFORMATION IS TAKEN FROM THIS AUDIT REPORT.
Mission Statement: The Office of Inspector General conducts and supervises audits and investigations of Department of the Interior and insular area government programs and operations to prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse in programs and operations.
How to Report Fraud, Waste, and Abuse: Fraud, waste, and abuse in Government are the concern of everyone – Office of Inspector General staff, Departmental employees, and the general public. We actively solicit “ALLEGATIONS” of any inefficient and wasteful practices, fraud, and abuse related to Departmental or insular area programs and operations.
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=interior&docid=f:01-i-107.pdf
THE FOLLOWING ALLEGATION IS PROVIDED TO FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS:
CHECK SENATE PRESIDENT LOUIS P. HILL “LIST OF EMPLOYEES” FROM THE JANUARY 2007 TO PRESENT. YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A (MALE) EMPLOYEE ASSIGNED TO HIS OFFICE THAT AND ON THE OFFICIAL “VIRGIN ISLANDS LEGISLATURE PAYROLL”. INTERVIEW THE SENATE PRESIDENT OFFICE STAFF UNDER OATH REGARDING HIS EMPLOYEE LISTING AND ASK WHO ON THE LIST HAVE NOT REPORTED FOR WORK IN THIS SENATE PRESIDENT OFFICE BUT HAVE BEEN RECEIVING A CHECK FROM THE VI LEGISLATURE PAYROLL. THE “MALE” EMPLOYEE YOU’RE LOOKING FOR HAS BEEN WORKING AT THE “PRIVATE RESIDENCE” OF THE SENATE PRESIDENT IN ESTATE PETERBORG ON ST. THOMAS, VIRGIN ISLANDS. THIS EMPLOYEE HAS IN FACT BEEN DOING CONSTRUCTION HOME IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SENATE PRESIDENT PRIVATE RESIDENCE AND PROVIDED PAYMENTS THROUGH THE SENATE PRESIDENT EMPLOYEE PAYROLL. A NEW LOWER LEVEL APARTMENT WAS ADDED TO THIS SENATE PRESIDENT PETERBORG MANSION BY THIS EMPLOYEE WITHIN THIS YEAR. THERE WAS ALSO A SWIMMING POOL ADDITION TO THIS MANSION WITHIN THE PAST 6 MONTHS. CHECK WHO DID THE APARTMENT CONSTRUCTION WORK AND ASK FOR MATERIAL RECEIPTS TO SEE IF ANY MATERIAL (BUYER) NAMES APPEAR. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS SENATE PRESIDENT HAS PLACE SOMEONE ON HIS PAYROLL FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF PAYING FOR CONSTRUCTION LABOR AT HIS PRIVATE RESIDENCE.
IF THIS ALLEGATION IS PROPERLY INVESTIGATED THE TRUTH WILL COME TO LIGHT. THERE ARE OTHER EMPLOYEES IN THE LEGISLATURE THAT IS AWARE OF THIS FRAUD BY THE SENATE PRESIDENT.
It’s ironic that after ten years, we find ourselves in this same position. I think I understand why Vargrave Richards was so reluctant to run for governor. He was probably afraid that if he had win, this audit report would have come back to haunt him in a BIG way.
Check government building permit offices to see if building permits applications were filed and issued. Check his construction contracts and see who did the additions to his house. The immigration status should be checked on the individuals that worked on his apartment addition especially the pool. This senator should not be violating US Immigration Laws and employing illegal aliens to work on his private estate.
Please people, come out and support AFD this weekend. PLEASE.
Where, When and How? Give everyone details. Please.
As far as I know AFD is having a food sale at his Four Winds headquarters on Saturday. YOu can probably call his office and get details or tickets.
DONASTORD/NELSON 2010?
I think he can beat DeJongh. As a matter of fact, I know he can.
At time point, even Homer Simpson can beat Gov. deJongh.
I like the idea of a Donastorg/ Nelson ticket. I would support it.
I would support that ticket. I think it would be very strong. Although,I think the people of St. Croix are determined to have a “Crucian” governor.
What if crucians like Positive Nelson or Kenneth Mapp run for office. Would you vote for them?
I think that Nelson would be a good candidate.
I am compelled to support Donastorg/Nelson for several reasons. I think a ticket like this would be a nightmare for dejongh. Mapp devisive statements last election could come back to haunt him. I am not sure Mapp would be able to garner the support he needs on St. Thomas. We however see Donastorg holding his own and St. Thomas and Nelson delivering the votes on St. Croix. I have voted on Nelson everytime he runs but the question is whether or not he is willing to run second to Donastorg who has a lot more experience and feared well against both Mapp and dejongh in the debates last election. Donastorg/Nelson is definately a workable ticket. I think they might be the only ticket that can actually defeat dejongh. Let’s see what happens.
What about Bert B or Jimmie O or Nellie? I think any one of them could be in the second spot on a ticket.
Dejongh looks vulnerable so many will take a shot. What will Greg F do if John D is indicted and doesn’t run?
I am not sure Greg F may be able to assume the office especially when he may have to explain accepting a check from a corporation he issued a letter of good standings to when they had not fullfiled their franchise taxes for more than 10 years. Just when I thought Greg F was different. He is definately part of the Cabal.