What Did You Think Of The Governor’s Address?
Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr.
In his hour long State of the Territory address, Governor John P. deJongh, Jr., recited an extensive list of achievements and planned progress. He covered all the expected areas, including crime; the financial state of the Territory; economic development, specifically the Diageo, Cruzan and Alpine projects; the environment; agriculture; and tourism.
What he did not discuss was the report from the Inspector General on the Mafoliegate issue.
We have posted the speech below. We’d like to know what you think.
Anonymous @10:05 What makes you think the IG will provide you with a list of who wrote letters?
Most of what is said here is nonsense. The opinions expressed in anger and frustration are not based on facts. They are based on personal feelings. Governments have checks & balances. Your hate for the Governor does not over-power the love for him. Misery likes company, but those in the camp to destroy the Governor is a minority.
Why does a call for truth and justice come across as “hate” to you, Anonymous????
Your truths are not facts. The facts are glaring, but you are in deep-seated denial.
These are facts:
1.The Governor resides at Mafolie.
2. Public funds were used to install security measures at his home.
3.An IG Report recommends that he return the funds to use for road projects only.
4.The report says the funds were not used for purpose intended.
5.The Governor says Act 6917 reprogrammed the funds for the security upgrades.
Opinions:
1.The Governor chose not to live at the official governor’s resident, because he is more comfortable & secured at home.
2.He used public funds to install security improvements with the understanding that the funds were intended for resurfacing of roads and other projects not relating to roads.He promises to make payment when is no longer in office.
3.The IG’s and the AG ‘s opinions are in conflict. The Governor thinks the AG has the authority to advise him ; he is going to ignore the IG and follow the Ag’s recommendation.
4.All the officials involve in the process share the same interpretation of the language.They are intelligent and competent.
5.The Governor is not going to be charged with any crime and the process has been transparent, The signatures affixed to the documents are legible and there is no doubt each step taken was authorized.
What above is not true?
So ‘Anonymous’,given the ‘facts’ and ‘opinions’ you have cited,
are you saying that a governor has every legal right to circumvent and subvert the intent and consent of the legislature? Is that what you want us to believe? Hey,my vision isn’t all that good,but from where I’m seated I see that as a
blatant attempt of one branch of government (the Executive)to encroach upon that of another (the Legislative).
I am saying you can not refute facts, but we can debate the issue until we are blue in our faces. Your opinions will still remain such.My opinion is that the Governor followed a procedure and accepted the advices of the AG and his legal counsel.He did not act based on whim. He did not conduct any illegal act. The IG Report did not charge him with a crime.It was only meant to give the appearance of wrongdoings. It did not change my opinion. This governor is our best choice for 2010 and he will rise above the pettiness of his opponents.
It was meant to only give the appearance of wrongdoings?
You need help.
To anonymous @ 11:57am:
The bigger question we should be asking is not whether the choice the governor made was legal, but was it morally correct. With many of struggling to make end’s meet, what message is he sending when he decides to renovate his house under the guise of security enhancement? Worse, what message is he sending when he questions the credibility of a audit report from the IG’s office while his own integrity is in question?
‘ANONYMOUS’,My concern is not one of MORALITY or CRIMINALITY.It is,as I explained,one of ENCROACHMENT.A matter that should be taken most seriously by all concerned.Unless,of course,there has been an amenment to the V.I.Code that allows for such activity.
But I’m not aware of any such thing and therefore holding to the
premise that there are three separate but co-equal branches of government.The Executive Branch which PROPOSES;the Legislative which DISPOSES and the JUDICIAL….which,as you know,looks for and prosecutes those crooks who try to abuse and otherwise misuse your system of government.YOU happen to have YOUR views
and opinions on the matter and OTHERS have THEIRS.Democracy at work.
T, I agree. Even if the correct paperwork had slipped through, why would it be okay for the Governor to spend a cool half mil on his OWN PRIVATE HOUSE.
It is not okay even if it is perfectly legal. But in this case it was UNETHICAL, IMMORAL and ILLEGAL.
I think the crux of this whole matter is that the Governor was hoping that this something would have coolly pass us by and we would not have notice that he illegally obtain permission to take the people money and do with it as he pleases, while we were not aware of this activity. Because he was so confident of his actions, he did not find it necessary to tighten up the loose ends ( Ratification by the boards to use the funds) that he let that procedure’s lapse. Also he needed a stool pigeon and got Dowe to slip it through the back door of the legislature proceedings hoping that too will go unnoticed. This was a deliberated plan that was well thought out by all parties involved. Some kick backs or special projects was the pay back for this getting in and out of the legislature in the manner for which it was presented. Anybody with and average intelligence can figure this out. Dewolf must have step on the wrong persons toes and they open pandora’s box. Now I heard that he’s about to fire someone from the VI Lottery who he suspects leaked out that information, stay tuned. The fall out is beginning. The casualty of war will be revealed soon.
……not to worry.It’s all coming down the pike and,at some point,it’ll be too late for some to ‘stand from under’.Not sure if Virgin Islanders are familiar with the saying ‘crappo goin’ smoke your pipe’,but if you aren’t,my hunch is alu goin’ find out real soon.Time for this here ‘Owl’to go cuddle up with other
‘Owl’.Night-night!!
I am appalled by the politics laid out for us peons to soak up and digest. DeJongh is calculating and abusive, not to mention disinterested in ANYONE who lives in our community without the funds to support him.
DeJongh has sent LT Gov Francis to Williams Delight to get votes for him, as IF DeJongh gives a hoot about Williams Delight residents. Wasn’t DeJongh the one who brought in Midway Mortgage to make offers to the 14 homeowners who mananged to actually buy their homes? Midway made these 14 homeowners an offer on the side to relocate them to other neighborhoods, no price a barrier.
DeJongh has figured that the only way to fight crime in WD is to PLOW THE NEIGHBORHOOD! And, he has Ms. Blackman to support this endeavor…Ms. Blackman should be ashamed for her conduct, and ashamed for whatever pittance she will receive from DeJongh to accomplish bulldozing the neighborhood.
PLEASE, nobody who reads this who lives in WD believe that what the gov tells you is the truth. The Gov knows WD is a hotspot for re-election, so he is going to say things that will get your vote. IF he really had concerns, then WHY is that dumpsite still there? Why are there no lights for the ballpark? Why do the drug dealers still deal in plain daylight? Why do the police not do ANYTHING to improve community morale?
All because DeJongh has decided that to get rid of crime in STX, One just has to plow down history and desires, then it is all supposed to go away.
Heck, will the average person see through his agenda and crap?