The Governor’s Race Is On!
Sen. Terrence "Positive" Nelson
Senator Terrence “Positive” Nelson reaffirmed his intention to run for Governor of the Virgin Islands at a news conference on Wednesday.
The three-term St. Croix senator, member of the Independent Citizens Movement (ICM) party, has been the top vote getter on St. Croix in the last two elections. He did not announce a running mate, but said he has two top candidates, one from St. Thomas and one from St. John.
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He said he would announce his running mate as soon as plans were concrete, but assured the community it would be someone who wants good government and has the talent to oversee the workings of the banking and insurance industries.
In addition to his experience as a senator, Nelson outlined his background in teaching, labor relations and community activism and said he will continue to be proactive in promoting accountabilty.
Relative to the ongoing matter of Governor John P. deJongh, Jr.’s use of public funds to renovate his private residence at Estate Mafolie, Nelson said the matter should be handled by the courts, particularly “since there’s been no remorse,” shown by the Governor. He emphasized that his stand on the matter was not related to his candidacy, but that the Governor’s decision to dispute the US Inspector General’s report that held him responsible for improper use of public funds was troubling.
“It is immoral… it is repulsive to think that this gross action can be denied publicly,” Nelson said.
And unlike the hopeful vision of the future the Governor attempted to paint in Monday’s State of the Territory address, Nelson said he believes the atmosphere in the Virgin Islands is one of fear and uncertainty, and that the problems will only be solved through good leadership.
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I can understand if we import labor for a “specialized” position that cannot be found on-island – but I heavily suspect that in this case, the outsiders have been brought in to box food out of our mouths, so to speak.
While the “outside workers” take bread out of the mouths of some residents other residents actaully love it when Hovensa has its “turn-around.”
1.Property owners make money by renting to them.
2.Taxi operators make money by transporting them all over.
3.The small stores realize increased sales.
4.The fast-food businesses realize increased sales.
5.The bars on the boardwalk make lots of money.
6.The lil drug dealers make some money.
7.The prostitutes make some money.
8.The hotels make money.
9.Some car rentals make money.
10.Canebay businesses make lots of money.
For some, as we can see, it’s a great deal!
Hey, you guys! I was walking down by Waterfront, and I saw a gray van with a picture of Governor deJongh and Lt. Governor Francis pasted on its side with slogan “Together for Tommorow.” I tried to go closer to get a better look at it, but I coudn’t. It’s obvious that the governor is getting a head start in his reelection bid.
This is an urgent message to Foncie, Verne Hodge, Positive, or whoever is planning to run for governor this year. If you are planning to run, you need to get your campaign started RIGHT NOW! This is the time for us to band together! The times have never been so urgent!
Soldier Crab,
Who appoints/hires the Commissioner of Labor and who appoints persons to sit on the boards & commissions of these various agencies?
As far as I can see, the Virgin Islands government is in cahoots with these businesses. How many EDC businesses actually hire “qualified” Virgin Islanders in management positions. Or is it that the Virgin Islands does not produce persons who can read, right, comprehend and perform the duties required as is told to us?
At some of the hotels in St. Thomas, you the only way you can get employment is to sign a waiver which actually leaves you without protection from your employer, because you must go through the arbitration process with persons picked by the hotel to listen to your case. If you don’t sign the waiver, you are not hired.
So if I feel I’ve been wrongfully dismissed and my only recourse is through arbitration, will I get a fair hearing from those who are still employed by the same hotel? I think not. The hotel also forces the dismissed employee to pay a portion of the arbitration cost.
I just got fired, where I am going to find money to defend myself, I’ve been living a hand to mouth existence and now I’ve got to find another job so me & my family can eat. The employers know this so most people don’t bother fighting a million/billion dollar company unless someone is willing to represent them. And we are still expected to smile VI Styleé.
There are many skilled workers/laborers on St. Croix who can do the work HOVENSA requires. I actually know several people who have been fired only to have their “close” job opened under a different company/division and given to people who were flown in here. I ask again, where is the Department of Labor in all of this.
@ ‘ENLIGHTENME’: It is the Governor who proposes to the legislature whom he/she wants to be the head of any department or
agency and,based on that proposal,the legislature,after hearing from the appointee,either votes to confirm or deny the Governor’s
proposal.At least that was the process (back in the day) when I
lived,worked,walked and limed amongst the good people of the Virgin Islands.
As to hotel workers having to ’sign a waiver’ in
order to get a job..I’m not familiar with that at all.Are the unions o.k.with that? Sounds weird to me and I don’t blame you for not wanting to be a part of any of that and having some prejudicial entity (a board consisting of members hand-picked by the employer)adjudicate any grievances you might have with your employer.I wish I could be of better assistance to you my friend,but I’m unable to.
Rather than leave you ‘hanging’,though,I’m going to ask either the Honorable ‘CLOCK’ or ‘ENOUGH’,via this medium, if he/she would be able to further assist you in this matter.
You come across as a hard-working family man who is trying to provide for self and family.
Hang in there my friend,help is on the way.
Soldier Crab, that is nice of you to help his story is so sad, I am so sick of these big business people doing what they want with us, but can’t he still try to get unemployment, the company would still have to come and tell why he was let go. so much bad things are happening to our people under this Gov because he is one of them, Sick of it.
@T on February 12, 2010 at 3:59 pm
The governor’s re-election campaign has been out in full force since after Christmas, and maybe even before that. The “Together” t-shirts were seen on St. Croix at events all through the holidays. They were out in full force at the Christmas 2nd Day Horse Race and expect them to be out in full force again this weekend on St. Croix.
The slogan is…..
1 Territory
1 People
1 Future
Some one said that they forgot to put “1 Thief” on t-shirt too. LOL
That sounds like ‘little man’ Hill’s slogan during the 2008 Senatorial Election. If I remember correctly it was, 1 people, 1 destiny, 1 future.
Hah! deJongh is a train wreck!
Well this train need to wreck soon, I don’t know how much of this I can take.
“We can do better 2010″
yes We can do better, right now anything is better than what we have now,who is “We can do better 2010″ ?
Thats Mapp a governor hopeful ..If Donastorg doesnt run , Ill be home in November on election day . I would not waste my time going to the poll.
@Solidier Crab,
Thank you for the confidence, however; I’m afraid this may be out of my jurisdiction. Nevertheless, I would suggest that an attorney specializing in Labor law and practices (on St Croix and St Thomas, there are a few good ones that may be willing to take on your efforts pro-bono) look into this whole issue of the waiver. Waiver or not, it could be that your rights were violated by being obligated to sign the document in the first place and that should be challenged in court.
Secondly, I would raise hell! Does Senator Richards know about your situation? If not, call him. I believe he is the Chairman of the Labor Commitee. You should also try to make contact with Senator Donastorg, Senator O’Reilly, Senator Nelson, Senator Malone and Senator James. I wouldn’t even bother with the others, they appear to be quite useless.
Thirdly, involve the Commissioner of Labor. I seriously doubt you would receive a valid response. But, who knows? It’s a major election year and the current Administration is desperate for votes.
Lastly and most importantly, make your voice be heard! Make the public aware of your concern. You have the radio stations, blog etc.
With due diligence things will change for the better. Stand by your convictions.
Good luck and don’t give up!
Correction: ‘Soldier Crab”
lets not forget (1)TERM, THATS ALL FOR DEwolf and his gang of BANDITS.
Has anyone know the Virgin Island to be this bad before? I know that we have had people in office that acted like fools, but I can’t remember a time in my 50+ years that things has been this bad, and for me it is not about not liking the Gov or any of his people, things are just bad for most people.
Ok, we have had enough of dejongh. Here is the new slogan;
1 Territory
1 People
1 Future
1 Thief
1 Term…….
He needs to pay back the money and be degone…
T-shirts and bumpers are going on sale shortly.
“Anyone But John” 2010
We will post some locations shortly where one can pick up these collectors item.
It is time for A NEW VISION and A NEW DIRECTION:Mapp/Donastorg 2010!
@T-shirt Club,
If I may offer a suggestion. Instead of ‘John’ replace it with ‘deJongh’.
‘Anyone But deJongh’
That makes the message even stronger. There is no mistaking who ‘deJongh’ is.