(Editor’s Note: It appears we are not the only ones who strongly oppose, and question the value of, Sen. Wayne James’ use of taxpayer money and the “Twin Cities” agreement with Montescudaio, Italy. Now comes information, directly from Italy that $13,500 of the $16k in expenses he submitted for his most recent journey appear to be for expenses...
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Was she there to defend the budget proposal or the Governor? In a singsong presentation on the proposed FY2011 budget for the Office of the Governor, presenter Nellie C. Varlack was in turn petulant, proprietary and protective of her boss, Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. And the tone and content of her presentation caused...
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Now that the holiday weekend is over it’s time to turn attention back to the financial business of the FY 2011 budget now under discussion in the Legislature. The budget, submitted by Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. on June 11, forecasts a total budget of $1.2 billion, with $781.9 million coming from the General...
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The list of those slated for termination from the Juan F. Luis Hospital in the Administration’s “contingency plan” included 54 positions calculated to meet the 25% budget reduction threatened in the event the most recent borrowing plan was not approved. A list of those employees who were targeted, attached here, shows 20 nursing services...
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The temper tantrum continued from Government House on Monday when Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. used a “press conference” to bash those senators who voted against the latest borrowing bill last week. On a day when most expected to hear strong language about the “Mother’s Day Massacre” weekend, the community was once again subjected...
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Saturday night the rage boiled over and Sen. Sammuel Sanes found himself on the fist end of the frustration being felt by Virgin Islanders after the Legislature’s 8-7 approval of $500 million in borrowing last week. During an event at the Chicken Shack, Sanes was punched in the eye by someone in attendance while explaining...
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To the eight of you who voted yes: Why didn’t you just bring the checkbook and hand it over? That’s what you did last night. You let a stacked deck of whining government agency talking heads and high priced lackeys come to you with nothing more than obstinacy and arrogance. You allowed Governor John...
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In the early morning hours on Wednesday, the Senate voted 8-7 to grant the Administration the authority to borrow another $250 million to operate the Virgin Islands government. Voting in favor of the bill were Sens. Carlton “Ital” Dowe, Louis P. Hill, Wayne James, Sammuel Sanes, Patrick Simeon Sprauve, Michael Thurland, Celestino A. White...
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So is Sen. Craig Barshinger the “swing vote” in today’s determination of an additional half-billion in borrowing that has been requested by the Administration? Apparently the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce thinks so. As Sen. Neville James stated during this afternoon’s hearing, and as CIF is confirming with a copy of the email below,...
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As of this writing, the Senate is listening to testimony from Government agencies on how at 25% cut in funding would affect their operations. Sen. President Louis Hill stated early in the session that all government agencies had been notified that should the Governor’s latest request to borrow $500 million be rejected that budget...
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Anyone listening would swear he had nothing to do with it. In a taped message that presented his myopic view of the circumstances that led to the current “fiscal crisis,” Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr., today blamed everything from the global economy to the Legislature. But in 13 minutes and 40 seconds, he never once took...
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By Kendall M. Griffith, MD, FACC, FSCAI It is with humility and trepidation that I write this letter to the editor. I humbly beg the forgiveness of my superiors and my colleagues. However, I believe that there are times when one must stand up for what is right and let the consequences fall where...
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As we’ve listened to all the evasive chatter from the Administration’s financial team about the fiscal crisis and the need for more borrowing, only one thing has become clear. The real financial status of the Territory is as clear as mud. While we await the Legislature’s action on May 4 concerning the latest request to borrow another $¼ billion,...
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They dared to delay their decision on yet another $250 million in borrowing and the Governor is very unhappy. Within hours of the Senate’s vote on Thursday to defer action on the Administration’s request for another 1/4 BILLION DOLLARS in borrowing to shore up the FY 2010 and 2011 budgets, Governor John P. deJongh,...
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Sen. Neville James opened Thursday’s Senate session by making swift work of consideration of the additional $250 million in borrowing requested by the Administration to shore up the FY 2010 and 2011 budgets. NEVILLE DELAY THE BORROWING By a vote of 13-1-1 the measure to delay consideration until the next full session was approved. And...
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More than half of the contributions Delegate to Congress Donna Christensen has received in the current election cycle are linked to a Washington contractor who is the subject of a federal inquiry.
According to an article today in the Washington Post, Christensen has received at least $37,000 from contractor Jeffrey Thompson, who is suspected of using “straw” or phantom donors to evade contribution limits that are set for candidates running for office. His operations have drawn the attention of Federal authorities.
According to the article, Thompson’s accounting firm Thompson, Cobb, Brazilio and Associates, has 189 contracts with the federal government, worth $17.1 million. The company has done some business in the Virgin Islands, auditing grant funds awarded by the U.S. Department of Education and the Federal Highway Administration. TCBA recently advertised for an accounting position based in Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands.
Recently, Christensen has urged the Federal Election Commission to investigate the election system of the Virgin Islands, citing public discontent with the way the Board of Elections in operating. Perhaps this current development will hasten their acceptance of her request.
As many of you heard recently, CIF President Michael Springer, at left, delivered the first in a series of radio announcements that will target specific issues and offer analysis on our most pressing concerns.
The feedback on the comments was extremely positive, so CIF will sponsor then as often as possible, and we thank those of you who have already donated! But airtime costs money and we're seeking your help.
If you'd like to help keep our voices on the air, please donate whatever you can using the PayPal button below. We thank you in advance for your support.
