Note To Sen. Hill: The Only “Hostage” Is The Truth
VI contractor moves quickly to correct "misconception" about road repair delays
Sen. President Louis P. Hill
Those road repairs would be moving a lot quicker around here if there were only contractors who had the equipment and commitment to get them done. That, in essence, is what Department of Public Works Commissioner Darryl Smalls told the Legislature Wednesday when questioned about the lack of progress on already funded road repair projects in the Virgin Islands.
But the president of Virgin islands Paving says Smalls is incorrect, and quickly corrected the “misconception” in a letter to the Senate president on Thursday.
Smalls continued his testimony by saying that he’s asked the contractors to lease more equipment to get the work done, but, alas, with little success.
This prompted Senate President Louis Patrick Hill to make this statement:
“So the companies are holding us hostage,” he said.
Not so, says VI Paving President Robert Schierloh. His company did respond to Smalls’ concerns about the disparity between the amount of work to be done and the available resources by securing a loan from Banco Popular and spending $1 million on new equipment since last October.
So naturally he was concerned with both Smalls’ testimony and Hill’s response.
In his letter to Hill, dated Feb.4, 2010, Schierloh wrote, “We are contacting you to correct a misconception that was created on the above referenced hearing dated February 3, 2010,” referring to Smalls’ comments.
Schierloh went on to write that in addition to purchasing additional equipment to meet the needs of the road work, the company has also invested in a quality control laboratory that is the only “certified testing laboratory for road repair in the Virgin Islands.”
And just to be clear, he added, “Virgin Islands Paving Company has been assisting the Department of Public Works with road construction projects for 28 years and we believe that we are upholding our commitment to our community to try and meet the demands placed on us.”
He attached the loan confirmation and a list of all the new equipment to the letter (attached below).
So again, we are left to wonder. Was Smalls’ unaware of the sizeable investment one of his primary contractors had made to meet the growing road repair needs? Did he forget about it under the pressure of testifying to the Legislature?
Surely he’d want to be clear about this, particularly when the Senate was visibly frustrated with the slow pace with which these projects are being completed.
We’re just glad that the Senate President has better idea now of whom and what is really holding these projects “hostage.” And it doesn’t look like it’s VI Paving.
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Donastorg
@ Anonymous 5:34
The pressure is on and dewolf is about to loose his seat. We don’t care if Liberachi or Elton John at this point runs for governor. We don’t want “JOHN”! Get it in your tick skull.
I;m watching the senate hearing with the DOE and what a disappointment with those so call leaders simple things that they should know senator dowe is telling them and they are all there with eggs on their faces. But they hsve no probkem in getting travel vouchers for themselves. Simple things of haven’t things stamped into your office, following up on matter for the children to travel. What a dam shame!!!!
Superintendent not taking full charge for their action.! What a dam shame and then they have the nerve to be sending out letter telling the employees what they will do in this is not adhered to.
The commissioner of Education doesn’t have a full grip of ther department is seems as if the acting com is the one that calls all of the show I hope that other will look they are on right now.
These are the ones that are getting the big salaries.