Caribbean Net News: New USVI Governor meets with legislators

ST JOHN, USVI: On Tuesday, US Virgin Islands Governor John deJongh and Lt Governor Gregory Francis met with the 15 legislators of the territory to advance talks on the administration's legislative priorities and to expand on some of the broader themes offered in the State of the Territory address on January 22.

"We want to signal a new working relationship between Government House and the Legislature with our aim being to improve government operations, stimulate our economy, and improve the lives of our children," deJongh said. The Governor said that he see both the budget process and the Senate consideration of nominees to be a collaborative effort, rather than adversarial.

He used the meeting to lay out several legislative priorities, including: creation of a Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation, transfer of the Housing Component and the Community Development Block Grant program to the VI Housing Finance Authority; move the Energy office back to the Office of the Governor and to take action to spread out the payment deadlines for two real property tax bills which will come due in this calendar year.

Governor deJongh further stressed the need for the legislative and executive branches of government to brainstorm about a health care bill, strategies to improve the quality of life for VI residents, and to address the needs of the homeless and deficiencies in the mental health care system.

He talked about a need to allocate additional funding for critical operations in the territory, such as the 911 system which has been criticized in recent weeks by local media.

Governor deJongh also announced the appointment of three island administrators on Tuesday. Barbara Petersen, who has a background in marketing and public relations administration, will serve as St Thomas-Water Island Administrator. The Governor described Petersen as a "detail- oriented problem solver."

Leona Smith replaces Julian Harley as the St John Administrator. Smith's most recent position was that of coordinator of St John operations of the Licensing and Consumer Affairs Department. She holds a BS degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College. Smith said Tuesday that "St John is unique in its own way and stands out as the Gem of the Caribbean."

Back...

Printable version