Guest Opinion by J. J. Estemac I have come to the conclusion that term limits are critical for the survival of true democracy. The democratic system of government in its truest form involves the broadest representation of the populace; all strata of the society are expected to be represented. However, I have seen both...
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Guest Commentary by Ivan Butcher II I remember as a child being told, “Do as I say , not as I do”. So to me this meant that I was to wait until I was old or big enough to do what the adults were doing, which back then there seem to be an...
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Guest Editorial by Jeffrey B. C. Moorhead, Esq. I read Delegate Christensen’s recent contribution to a local publication and, on first reading, thought it to simply be another lame effort to present herself as the national guardian of our territorial interests. But as I read, again, her defense of the “Diageo debacle” I found it...
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Editorial by Ivan Butcher II If History repeats itself, then it is not too farfetched, especially with the chronicle of the Virgin Islands, that one day the Virgin Islands will again be up For Sale. The weak economy and the bleak forecast for the future, the United States, just like Denmark who sold because...
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Guest Commentary By Ivan Butcher II After 40 Years I Am Still Not Accepted. Listening to the position of the Constitutional Delegates and many in the community, who are in support of the disenfranchising those of us who have migrated here and many of us who were invited to come and be productive...
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Retired Guard Paints Bleak Picture of Prison Conditions By Winston Nugent Christmas night I went to the festival village in Frederiksted just for nostalgia’s sake. I wanted to meet some of my friends who I haven’t seen for quite some time. I remembered the days when the village was a place where you could go...
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Guest Opinion by J. J. Estemac The recent trial of a police captain, a police sergeant and a civilian in district court revealed some disturbing facts. Though it is not new, the fact is that the police department, as so many other law enforcement agencies of our government lacks adequate leadership. We the residents,...
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Is Agriculture In The Virgin Islands a Dream Deferred? By Winston Nugent Some day ago I asked Manjack, a fellow co-worker of mine when we were in Freedom City, Frederiksted, eating fungi and salt-fish with okra on the side, why is it that we in this Territory are so nonchalant about the global food...
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Guest Opinion by J.J. Estemac Anyone who is conscious of their surroundings, who is a casual observer, can see the lack of law enforcement in our community. The agencies and people charged with the enforcement of our laws and regulations are blatantly derelict. Does the current administration consider law and order in our community...
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Guest Opinion by J.J. Estemac Many people I have spoken with have expressed their disappointment with the deJongh/Francis administration. Some had entertained some lofty expectations, some idealistic expectations, when they expressed their disappointment with the preceding administration. The basis of their high expectations, as expressed, was that the de Jongh team was going to accentuate family values...
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Letter to the Editor By Shelley Moorhead Nov 21, 2009 Dear Crucians in Focus: I write to today to inquire about the status of Bill No. 26-0089. Citing the more than four (4) years that have transpired since this legislation was introduced by Senator Shawn-Michael Malone and held in the Committee on Government Operations...
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The Art of Sensibility By Winston Nugent Some time ago I heard that the Department of Agriculture has come up with a marketing plan with respect to products created or produced locally to now be labeled as “Virgin Fresh.” Needless to say, my historical and cultural “red-alert-light” went off like a vexed volcano. You...
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(Editors Note: The Public Services Commission will address a Motion for Reconsideration filed against the Alpine Energy Group deal at its meeting Monday, Nov. 23, at 5:30 p.m. in its St. Thomas Office, Barbel Plaza. This week’s guest editorial and the attached news release from Sen. Adlah “Foncie” Donastorg address concerns about the waste-to-energy agreement.)...
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W. Nugent The Underground Economy In Our Public Schools By Winston Nugent The underground economy or black market is 1.) a market where all commerce is conducted without regard to taxation, law or regulations of trade, or 2.) an expression used to describe a market exchange that goes unreported either because it is illegal or because those...
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Guest Opinion by Shelley Moorhead, President, Caribbean Institute for a New Humanity, Inc., and Founder, African-Caribbean Reparations and Resettlement Alliance (ACRRA) I listened with great interest to the special session of the legislature on Tuesday October 27, 2009 called by the governor. I was deeply moved by the distinct pride and honor in Mr....
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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.
