Let Me Call You “Sweetheart”
Hill’s Motives Called “Political” by Pemberton and “Sweetheart” comments refuted by Sen. Richards
Senate President Louis Patrick Hill says he rebid the Legislative broadcast contract to save money and address the “sweetheart” deal WDHP owner Hugh Pemberton had with previous Legislatures.
Former Senate President and current Senator Usie Richards took issue with that statement, and said that he, and the previous Senate presidents who were involved in the contract since its inception had no part in any “sweetheart” deal.
And owner Pemberton said the whole thing is “personal and political” because he refused to comply with Hill’s demand that he fire radio host Mario Moorehead and clamp down on callers who oppose the current Administration.
“It had nothing to do with a sweetheart deal,” he said. “If I had do what I was told to do, I would have the Senate today.”
Controversy continues to swirl around Hill’s decision to terminate the contract held since 2001 by WDHP to do live broadcasts of the Legislative sessions. In a statement on Monday, Hill said he became concerned about the cost of the contract when he became Senate president last spring and decided it should be rebid in an attempt to save money. The new contract, which has been awarded to an as yet undisclosed station, is reported to save $10,000 over the agreement with Pemberton, according to Hill.
Pemberton, who responded to Hill’s comments on the Moorehead show Monday, laughed at the “sweetheart” comment, and was candid about the financial arrangement the station had with the Legislature. For a 12-hour broadcast, the station charged $28.42 per hour, compared to the $385 per hour charge for other customers.
Richards shot back at Hill’s assertions as well, taking issue with the insinuation that he, and previous Senate presidents, had made a deal with Pemberton that was financially irresponsible.
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Pemberton summarized his view of the entire situation and based on what we’ve seen, he put it best.
“This was a big foot political move,” he said. “He (Hill) has a power problem.”
Donastorg or Mapp. Donastorg and Mapp. I love it. That way Gov. deJongh will definitely be re-elected. Good thing!
Anonymous,
Whom are you trying to fool?
The very thought of Mapp and Donastorg as a team strikes tremendous fear in the heart and soul of the Dejongh regime.
The way i see . Anybody could beat the deJongh team.. deJongh stop fooling yourself , You cant win. The ship has sunk .
As we all can see if we do not get rid of Senator Hill once and for all, the Virgin Islands will be in much worst state. He do not care about the people of the Virgin Islands, this is just a way for him to elevate himself. We must STOP the BLEEDING and get rid of Hill FAST!!!!!
As I mentioned on an earlier blog I’m a newcomer to CIF and trying,as best as I’m able,to catch up with the many issues and players involved in this year’s elections and somehow fathom what is really going on.One thing I’ve pretty much figured out and that is many are displeased with Senator Hill’s performance as Senate President.I can understand people finding fault with someone’s style of leadership and their supposedly not being as strong a
personality as they would like.But when I hear folks bellyaching about how uppity a person he is and calling for his resignation and return to his native country,one wonders how did he ever make it to the senate and become
Senate President at that.The people had to have known who Mr.Hill was and from whence he came prior to their voting him into office.And sure,I can understand voters becoming disenfranchised,but you don’t have to resort to such puerile behavior as to calling the man all sorts names.No.You have your say at the ballot box.
……my comment ‘is awaiting moderation’? What on earth does that mean?
So much criticizing of deJongh why dont you talk about Mapp who has a huge problem with the law ?.. why is that being hidden Mapp is no better than the Governor , so leave the governor alone… Mapp has been accused of Conflict of interest, and God knows what else.
Did anyone hear Hill say (during the Wednesday senate hearing)that he would pursue having one Alpine plant in St. Croix with St. Thomas’ garbage barged here?
Anonymous,
Did you say we should leave the governor alone?
1. Did not he use “public funds” to enhance his “private residence?”
2. Did not he give away the territory’s “Public Rum Tax Funds” money to “Private Rum-Producing Corporations?”
Because of the horrendous Diageo Deal, our “Rum Tax” is now in jeopardy in the Congress; and as a result, Cruzan Rum (no fault to them) has realized an un-anticipated WINDFALL in the millions of dollars.
In the event you don’t understand, let say for example last year the Virgin Islands had received one-hundred million dollars ($100,000,000.00) from the Rum Taxes, the government would have received ninety-six million($96,000,000.00) and Cruzan Rum would have received four million($4,000,000.00).
The new arrangement now would increase Cruzan Rum’s share to forty-six million ($46,000,000.00), and the government’s share will be reduced to fifty-four million dollars ($54,000,000.00).
Yes, that is right! Next year the government will experience an actual reduction of Rum Taxes in the millions!
Why are you all failing to mention the FACT that DONNA CHRISTIANSEN was the one who brought this Diageo Deal to Governor deJongh? By the way, why is our mail still going to Puerto Rico? Tell me, what is DONNA CHRISTINSEN doing for the people of the Virgin Islands? I hope Senator Malone will beat her in November.
If Senator Hill has/had the “balls” to pull the contract from “Mr. P” because of “Mario” and did so with impunity, I can see why he thinks he can as well send trash from St. Thomas to St. Croix.
While he is at it, he may even consider sending all of their homeless and mentally ill persons (no comparison) in boatloads to St. Croix where they can walk our streets and greet our cruise ship passengers.
Senator Hill can do these things because (in part) of the support he enjoys from his St. Croix Senate Majority members: Sanes, Thurland, and Wayne James .
As Herb says, “We like it so.”
#111, I believe you to be correct, but I get the feeling Hill has some backing from the A+ senator. Why else would Raffie have the gall to come here to be a Cruzan senator, unless he believes he can do it ’cause someone from STT told him so. Then, when he looses, we are stuck with him while he tries to build character for the 2012 election…oh, the mentally challenged are coming!
dont stop the carnival,
Raffie’s ASSIGNED task, tactic, objective, strategy, goal, aim, mission or however you may decide to “term it” is to “shift- the-topic-of-discussion” away from the administration.
Being fully aware of this, why then do Mario “encourage” him in a dialogue is beyond me.
Because your beloved is not as politically astute as Raffie. Raffie has many fooled with this new brand of politics. He is actually in the deJongh’s camp. Read between his lines. Also, the General is clever in his support for the current administration. Mario is too far into space to realize that the General is the biggest deJonge supporter.Satire is good for the soul!
Anonymous #114, is right. It is sad for me to admit but, I too find it likely that both Raffie and the General appear to be DeWolf supporters.
However, Mario is super intelligent and his converstions have led me to feel that he has figured them out.
Raffie was never a concern of mine, who could ever take him seriously. But, I am wondering what happened to the General? Sad indeed.
“The General”, “Rafie”, and “Marcus” are all political operatives of “The Administration.”
The three blind mice!
I understand that the new station that has been awarded the contract does not have internet access. So the Legislature is now paying an additional $30,000 to provide internet access to the audio broadcast.
So, Hill cancels a contract to save $10,000 and then has to spend an additional $30,000 for internet broadcast…
Hmmmmmm