“Oversights” Nothing New For deJongh Adminstration
It had been a while since the last Administration “oversight.”
But based on its history, no one should be surprised at the Administration’s statements last week that “oversight or omission” was the reason that Attorney General Vincent Frazer’s $120,000 salary exceeded the cap in place when his annual pay was established.
This latest incident comes after controversy around the Governor’s Nov. 7 Executive Order that raised the salary cap for his top level officials to $130,000 from its former $115,000. The action was required, according to the Governor, to secure the employment of two new commissioners, Henry White Jr., for the Police Department and Dr. Mercedes Dullum for the Department of Health.
You just can’t find adequate local talent, we suppose, and the governor said this was the only way to secure the “high caliber” of individual he wants in his cabinet.
Frazer has been making $120,000 since January, 2010, which would have put his salary in violation of the Executive Order that was in place at the time, When asked about this apparent violation, Government House Spokesman Jean Greaux, long known for his credible and succinct explanations of the actions of this Administration, responded that the lack of amendment to the previous Executive Order was an “omission or oversight” and that Frazer’s salary had to be raised because negotiations with the AG Staff has resulted in some subordinates making more money than Frazer was making at the time.
And, in case you were wondering, there’s no guarantee this won’t happen again, Greaux informed the public.
“As the Executive Order is not a legal requirement there is nothing that prevents another oversight should this class of salaries be adjusted in the future,” he wrote.
But these little omissions are nothing new for this Administration,
Remember when the Mafolie hearings were in process? Oversights were rampant during the second round of hearings in January, 2010, into how some $500,000 in public funds ended up approved for improvements at the Governor’s Estate Mafolie home.
And furthermore, the Committee questioned, why did it take 30 months for the Public Finance Authority to approve the “reprogrammed” funds that paid for the renovations at Governor John deJongh’s private residence? The funds for the work were approved in October 2009 for work that began early in 2007.
It was an “oversight.”
There were even “oversights” in recording who was at that infamous PFA meeting.
In a letter dated January 21, 2010, to PFA Executive Director Julito Francis, court reporter Vashti O. Gerald-Berry said, “Upon review of my written notes of attendance, it is correct that Attorney (Adam) Christian was not in attendance on October 6, 2009, hence the reason for the amended title page.” Gerald-Berry is a court reporter for Theodore A. Dorsett and Associates, Registered Professional Court Reporters.
“It is evident that there was an oversight on my part in not removing Attorney Adam Christian’s name from the title page,” she wrote. (Italics added)/span>
Remember Christian and his role in the Mafolie cover up? By this time, Atty. Adam Christian was Judge Adam Christian – draw your own conclusions.
We remind you of a comment made by Sen. Neville James while chairing the committee meetings into the Mafolie matter. His sentiments are true now as they were then, and will remain part of the legacy of this Administration.
When responding to the PFA’s assertion that the delayed reprogramming of the Mafolie funds was an “oversight” this is what he said.
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“Oversight “” 2 – Adam Christian Wasn’t Really At The Meeting
No I didn’t come here because the natives left. I didn’t know the natives left until I got here. I came here because I have family here and the VI is a part of the US. I more or less moved from one state to another.
ok, but that’s clearly not what you said originally. That recant was necessary though.
How is it that the phrase “for the most part” can get “a few” so ill-at-eased?
I suggest you read LIFE IN THE LEFT LANE by Emy Thomas, a mainland-er who wrote a book about life in the USVI.
Here are a few excerpts for her book as she describes life here as she views it from her perspective:
“…a complex surprises of a foreign culture.”
“…puzzling paradoxes…”
“…logic is elusive…”
“…simple errands routinely morph into monumental mission…”
If you keep it up, I can retort all day and night with many more excerpts!
OVERSIGHT = FUBAR
FUBAR = Fu*&$D UP BEYOND REPAIR.
Some easy pre-Thanksgiving Day math!