Mapp Administration Wants House for Potter

Tuesday, May 19, 2015 VIRGIN ISLANDS The Virgin Islands Daily News 3 Mapp administration wants house for Potter

By JONATHAN AUSTIN Daily News Staff ST. THOMAS — The Mapp administration is trying to provide housing for Lt. Gov. Osbert Potter, though there is no law or tradition of providing for the lieutenant governor’s housing except making available the historic Sion Farm house on St. Croix. In April, Gov. Kenneth Mapp brought up the topic when he said that he was “going to present a plan to the community and the Legislature that we believe could resolve” the issue of the governor and lieutenant governor’s residences once and for all. The Daily News filed a public records request with the Property and Procurement Department last week for documents related to providing housing or private accommodations for Potter, and on Monday, Property and Procurement Commissioner designee Randolph Bennett responded to the request by email. “I have been in discussion on getting Lt. Governor Potter a resi- The west facade of the historic Sion Farm house on St. Croix, traditionally the residence provided for the lieutenant governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands. dence, just as other Lt. Governors in the States, but I do not have a How can we fix this so that our A majority of 28 states contact- New Hampshire, Oregon and contract completed at this time. leaders are treated with the same ed Monday have no provisions for Wyoming — do not have the posi- Once everything is complete and it dignity and respect? As a Warrant Mapp on trip but providing housing to their lieuten- tion of lieutenant governor in their becomes a public document, I will Officer, I do not lie cheat or steal. ant governors. executive branch. provide it,” he wrote. As Commissioner, I am here to itinerary unknown Of those states, 16 said they did Former Virgin Islands Lt. Gov. Regarding whether he would uphold the laws as well. I am here not provide housing or budgeted Gerard James told the Daily News answer questions about the pro- to help improve our community.” Gov. Kenneth Mapp is out of funds for that purpose. on Monday, “I stayed at the gover- posal, Bennett responded — again According to the National the territory until Friday. Two states contacted Monday nor’s mansion on St. Croix, in the by email — “I have no comments Lieutenant Governors Association, During Mapp’s absence, Lt. said any housing expense for the area of Sion Farm. That was my until a final decision is made on headquartered in Florence, Ky., Gov. Osbert Potter will be act- lieutenant governor is covered by housing” while in office. When he the Lt. Governor’s housing. Have only one state provides housing ing governor. the same stipend paid to members had to stay on St. Thomas he said you researched that others for its lieutenant governor. Government House on of their state legislatures when he was housed at the Marriott Governors and Lt. Governors are Association spokeswoman Ann Monday would not provide they are in session: $120 per day Frenchman’s Reef Beach Resort. provided housing?” Thelan said that only Pennsylvania more information about where in Idaho and $179 in Virginia. “There was no housing stipend,” Bennett, who retired as a chief provides housing for the lieuten- Mapp is going, what his itiner- Representatives in the other 10 James said. warrant officer from the Army, ant governor — in a historic ary is or what he is doing on the executive branches contacted Government House confirmed noted that members of the military 2,500-square-foot stone house trip. Monday said they didn’t think Monday that former Lt. Gov. often are entitled to a basic allow- that sits on a state-owned military that their lieutenant governor Gregory Francis also lived at the ance for housing. installation. received a housing allowance but Sion Farm house while in office. “I am not sure what is the issue However, Pennsylvania legisla- to save the more than $200,000 said they would need to verify — Contact Jonathan Austin at here,” Bennett wrote. “Generals tors recently have been debating per year the state spends on and respond later. 714-9104 or email are provided with living quarters. whether to sell the historic home maintenance. Five states — Arizona, Maine, [email protected]. WICO is paying Mapp’s rent, but is not providing details

By JONATHAN AUSTIN Dudley, who WICO hired to respond as a home because of deterioration records request on April 22 with the repeated requests to Property and Daily News Staff to the request. and mold. Property and Procurement Procurement for details about the The Revised Organic Act of 1954 WICO, traditionally a shipping Department, seeking copies of the property, including copies of the ST. THOMAS — An attorney specifies the governor must live on and commerce consortium, was lease and any other paperwork per- lease and any agreements regarding for the West Indian Co. Ltd. con- St. Thomas and actually identifies bought by the Virgin Islands govern- taining to the lease. housing for Mapp. firmed Monday night that WICO Government House as the official ment in 1993. Neither Property and WICO President and CEO Joseph is paying the rent and utilities for residence. Mapp is living in a villa in Estate Procurement nor Government Boschulte has not returned numerous the St. Thomas home used by Gov. Dudley said WICO is responsible Nazareth, on the East End of St. House has ever formally responded messages left at his office and on his Kenneth Mapp, but she said she for the governor’s housing based on Thomas. According to Government to that request. cell phone. needs more time to formally precedence set by Gov. Roy House, the rent for the house is However, on May 4, Government The response came last week, respond to a Daily News public Schneider and Gov. Charles $12,500 per month on a six-month House spokeswoman Kim Jones when Dudley emailed the newspaper records request asking for docu- Turnbull, because they lived in the lease, with an option to renew for changed her previous statements to to say that she had been asked to han- ments regarding the lease. historic Catherineberg estate, which six months. say that WICO is covering the cost dle the request for records. “WICO is, in fact, paying the rent WICO owns. In February, Mapp said that tax- for the rental at no expense to the — Contact Jonathan Austin at for the governor’s temporary resi- Mapp and past governors have payers are covering the bill for the taxpayers. 714-9104 or email dence,” said attorney Adriane said Catherineberg is not appropriate house. The Daily News filed a public The revised statement came after [email protected].

VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A03] | 05/19/15 00:28 | SUPERIMP 2 The Virgin Islands Daily News VIRGIN ISLANDS Thursday, May 28, 2015 George-Counts headed back to work at AG’s Office

accept the plea deal — had been set morning that her suspension would Assistant Attorney General wassuspended for May 22. be revoked, when Mapp and Lt. Gov. in high-profile spat withTerri Griffiths However, several days before the Osbert Potter came to tape a segment hearing, Griffiths filed a notice on “Good Morning, V.I.,” which By JOY BLACKBURN to return,” she said. with the court seeking to withdraw George-Counts co-hosts. Senior/Investigative Reporter Griffiths on Tuesday left the acting the plea, contending that George- Carroll later called her and left a attorney general post when Gov. Counts wasn’t authorized to make message, she said. Assistant Attorney General Denise Kenneth Mapp appointed former the offer. She had no information on wheth- George-Counts said she will be back Superior Court Judge James Carroll George-Counts asserted, though, er she would be staying on the Cohen on the job at the V.I. Justice III to replace her. that she had full authority to do so — case. She said she was just glad to be Denise Terri Department this morning after her Griffiths was only in the post in an and she also contended in court doc- getting back to work. George-Counts Griffiths suspension — ordered last week by “acting” capacity, but her tenure was uments that Griffiths deliberately George-Counts also said she was Terri Griffiths, who was acting attor- marked by controversy. misrepresented to the court the of the plea bargain for Cohen. grateful for all the kind words and ney general at the time — was lifted. She suspended George-Counts on Justice Department’s policy and pro- George-Counts has filed a motion support she received from the com- George-Counts said she got word May 18, after George-Counts offered cedures relating to plea bargains. seeking sanctions against Griffiths, munity — “every hand shake, every Wednesday — the day after Griffiths a plea deal on May 12 in the Jonathan Friday’s hearing — which focused which she said she intends to pursue. card, every text message.” departed the top spot at Justice — Cohen tax case and Cohen accepted, on whether the plea deal should stand Griffiths has not yet responded to “It really meant a lot to me,” she that the suspension would be signing it. — was heated and contentious, and the motion for sanctions. said. revoked. A change of plea hearing — sparks flew. George-Counts said she first got — Contact Joy Blackburn at 714-9145 “I was told that they would like me when a judge would have formally It is not yet clear what will become the news from Mapp on Wednesday or email [email protected]. West Indian Co. Ltd. continues to flout V. I. sunshine law

By JONATHAN AUSTIN include the right to make photo- to respond to the records request. Daily News Staff graphs or photographic copies while Since that time, Dudley has failed the records are in the possession of to turn over any of the requested doc- Virgin Islands ST. THOMAS — In violation of the lawful custodian of the records,” uments or to provide a reason for her the territory’s open records law, the according to the law. refusal to do so. IELY 84 N WS West Indian Co. Ltd. and a St. The law says public records Dudley did say that WICO was DA Thomas attorney representing the “includes all records and documents covering the cost for Mapp’s newspaper APulitzer Prize-‐‑winning company still are ignoring a request of or belonging to this Territory or $12,500-a-month villa in Estate

May11, 2015 for information regarding housing for any branch of government in such Nazareth on St. Thomas, which is Gov. Kenneth Mapp. Territory or any department, board, what Government House had begun resident andCEO TO:Mr. Joseph Boschulte,P The request, filed 17 days ago by council or committee of any branch saying in early May. td. TheWestIndian CompanyL The Daily News, asked WICO, a of government.” Prior to the Gocernment House dis- RMATION government-owned autonomous enti- The Daily News filed its request closure in May, the governor’s office :REQUESTFOR PUBLIC INFO RE ty, to provide copies of any and all on May 11, and asked WICO had said that the taxpayers were pick- contracts, leases, payment schedules, President and Chief Executive ing up the tab for the home. DearMr. Boschulte, News requests payment records and any documents Officer Joseph Boschulte to respond WICO manages cruise ship docks §881),The Virgin IslandsDaily V.I. Open Records Act(3V.I.C. any Underthe chedules,payment recordsand allcontracts,leases,payments in connection with the use of a resi- by May 13. and the Havensight Mall on St. copies of any and aymentinstrumentrelated functionofacontract,lease or p documentscreated to servethe Gov. Kenneth faresidence on St.Thomasfor dence on St. Thomas for Gov. Boschulte did not return phone Thomas. The governor’s chief of ents to secure or provide useo ce, to arrangem itedtoany and allcorresponden informationincludes butisnot lim Kenneth Mapp. messages left on his cell phone or staff, Randy Knight, is chairman of Mapp. The requested rmanager of the property mails exchanged with an ownero notes,documentmarkups ande se of theproperty. On Wednesday, The Daily News office phone, nor did he reply to mes- its board of directors. ownerormanager regarding theu rorelectronic emailed attorney Adriane Dudley — sages left for him. — Contact Jonathan Austin at ocuments andinformationinpape News will accept therequestedd noon The Daily ested informationatorbefore spapershould receivethe requ who is acting as legal counsel in the On May 14, Dudley sent an email 714-9104 or email format,and thenew erequested materialfrom ilyNewsreporter will pick up th Wednesday,May 13, 2015.ADa matter for WICO — and asked her to saying she had been asked by Boschulte [email protected]. [email protected]. your office, or it canbee-mailedt please provide the requested information by is requestorneed clarification, ff have any questionsabout th If youoryoursta [email protected]. the end of the business day. than Austin at 340-714-9104 or contact Daily News reporter Jona iontothismatter She declined. spublic information. Your attent youfor facilitatingaccesstothi Thank ublic's right to know. The V. I. Code says “every citizen tmenttotransparencyand thep Setting the record straight indicates your commi of this Territory shall have the right Sincerely, to examine all public records and to In an article on page 3 of The function” should have indicated that WS THEVIRGIN ISLANDSDAILY NE copy such records, and the news Daily News on Wednesday about the she was referring to previous admin- media may publish such records, governor’s Cabinet nominees, Sen. istrations. Rivera-O’Reilly said she is unless some other provision of the Nereida Rivera-O’Reilly’s quote not yet willing to make the same ditor Gerry Yandel, ExecutiveE Code expressly limits such right or about the executive branch operating statement about the administration of EDITOR GERRY YANDEL,EXECUTIVE s.vi •E-MAIL:gyandel@dailynew requires such records to be kept on “corruption, malfunction and dys- Gov. Kenneth Mapp. 40-714-9106 •FAX:340-776-0740 OFFICE:3 as •St. Thomas, USVI 00802 ds Daily News •9155 Estate Thom POSTAL MAIL:The Virgin Islan secret or confidential. ailynews.com www.virginislandsd “The right to copy records shall

ISSN 2159-3019 Virgin Islands Advertising News Circulation Contact us St.Thomas-St. John St.Thomas-St. John 714-9101 Daily News Publishing Co. Inc. owned DA IELY 84 N WS 714-9141 or 714-9147 714-9106 by VIDN Holdings, LLC publishes The Opinions SUBSCRIPTION RATES: One dollar daily. A Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper Fax: 774-6886 Fax: 776-0740 Virgin Islands Daily News daily, except Send letters, essays, Other subscription rates available on request. Sunday, Christmas Day and New Year’s © 2015 Daily News Publishing Co., Inc. St. Croix St. Croix The publisher reserves the right to change halos and pitchforks, 773-4425 Day, at 9155 Estate Thomas, Charlotte 773-4425 subscription rates during the Amalie, St. Thomas, VI 00802. First cartoons or other Fax: 719-3000 term of a subscription with 30 original material to President Publisher Fax: 773-1621 days notice. The notice may be class postage paid at Charlotte Amalie, Classiﬁeds St. Thomas. U.S.V.I [email protected] Archie Nahigian Jason Robbins made by mail to the subscriber, 714-2222 Sports by notice contained in the 714-9105 714-9107 714-9117 USPS 144-180 Announcements [email protected] [email protected] classiﬁeds newspaper itself or otherwise. @dailynews.vi Fax: 776-0740 Subscription changes may be Printed on Send calendar items Executive Editor Editor At Large implemented by changing the recycled paper POSTMASTER, send Form 3579, Notice and news about your Opinions of Address Change, to: Circulation GerryYandel J. Lowe Davis Mail duration of the subscription. Director, Daily News, 9155 Estate organization to 714-9106 714-9138 9155 EstateThomas 714-9138 ONLINE SUBSCRIPTIONS: Thomas, St. Thomas, VI 00802. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] St.Thomas, VI 00802 [email protected] virginislandsdailynews.newspaperdirect.com

VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A02] | 05/28/15 02:12 | SUPERIMPVI Friday, May 29, 2015 VIRGIN ISLANDS The Virgin Islands Daily News 5 Mapp to ‘sacrifice’ villa Cruise Ships To day-Sunday, May 31 By JONATHAN AUSTIN tion with all of the territorial governors were appointing government secretar- No ships Daily News Staff except Puerto Rico. Upon my return I ies — meaning long before 1970 — will figure out where I may need to the Virgin Islands government provid- Monday, June 1 ST. THOMAS — During the press sleep when I am on the island of St. ed living quarters for the governor and Carnival Liberty (2,974) 7a.m. to 5 p.m. Havensight conference that Gov. Kenneth Mapp Thomas,” he said. the government secretaries,” he said. Tu esday, June 2 called just hours before it took place, Explaining further, Mapp said his “This is not new. We are not the only Norwegian Getaway(3,963) 8a.m. to 6 p.m. Havensight he made the announcement that he decision to find a new place to live was jurisdiction that provides living quar- Carnival Glory(2,974) 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Havensight would give up his $12,500-per-month to demonstrate that he is “prepared to ters for the chief executives; for the top Oasis of the Seas (5,400) 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Crown Bay luxury house on the East End of St. make sacrifices in the furtherance of of the Executive Branch of govern- Thomas. the Cabinet.” ment, given the work that they Wednesday, June 3 Freedom of the Seas (3,634) 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Havensight Mapp said he will move out of the Mapp also acknowledged that the will do.” leased villa he has been occupying in villa rent might create problems for Mapp said he will provide a plan for Thursday, June 4 Estate Nazareth. senators when confronted about it by the accommodations of residences for Carnival Splendor (3,006) 8a.m. to 6 p.m. Havensight “In consideration of the Legislature’s residents. governor and lieutenant governor. concern about the costs of paying these “The mere fact that I was staying at “When I was the lieutenant governor commissioners, I will vacate the resi- this villa and doing what needed to be of the Virgin Islands, I lived in govern- dence at Estate Nazareth — you know done at the villa — in terms of enter- ment housing. I gave up the housing on we’re paying some $12,500 a month taining and what have you — has been the island of St. Thomas to the — on Saturday,” Mapp said. “I have a sticking point for the community,” Department of Agriculture for the pur- made no decision with respect to where he said. poses of their administrative offices,” I should reside on the island of St. The governor also addressed the he said. Thomas, and that is not a priority of issue of providing a home on St. “This is not a creation of the Mapp- mine. Thomas for Lt. Gov. Osbert Potter, Potter administration. This goes back “On Sunday, I will be departing to which Mapp said is proper. almost to the 1960s, when we were the Island of Guam by invitation of the “From the time presidents were doing that, and we’re not changing that Department of Interior, on a collabora- appointing governors, and governors trajectory.” Governor touts his accomplishments

By JONATHAN AUSTIN ees of the government of the Virgin their medical service providers.” Daily News Staff Islands had been waiting to receive their retirement annuities, according Senior centers ST. THOMAS — During his press to Mapp. “The GERS indicated that “We are providing senior citizen conference, Mapp spoke about what they could not pay any of those annu- services five days a week. We are he, Potter and the administration ities because the government owed providing lunch to our senior citi- have accomplished since January. them money,” he said. “The folks zens, and beginning June 15, we are that are before the Legislature wait- going to also give the seniors an The budget ing for confirmation have been able option to receive breakfast,” he said. Mapp announced that his adminis- to pay $2.1 million to the Government “We have been hiring up to 22 addi- tration would deliver the budget on Employees Retirement System, and tional individuals to work the senior time this year. “Tomorrow we will be over 90 percent of those 400-plus citizen program.” releasing the fiscal 2016-2017 bud- government employees are currently He also said his administration has get for the government of the Virgin receiving their retirement annuity.” bought four buses for transportation. Islands, which is estimated, and the senators will see, would be at $1.267 Workers compensation Government pay billion. “No payments were being made to Mapp said that in the past, employ- injured employees in the territory, ees were given raises in election Income tax refunds private or public sector, under the years, or given retroactive pay in an Since Jan. 26, the Department of workmen compensation program and election year, then in the following Finance has paid out more than $12.5 no payments to their medical service year, the government would lay off million in tax refunds, the governor providers were being paid because 1,800 of them and have the Senate said. “The Department of Finance is the workers compensation fund had vote to decrease their pay by 8 processing an additional $5 million been in arrears,” Mapp said. “In the percent. to release to the public over the last four months, we have been able “That is not acceptable and it course of the next 10 days,” he said. to distribute and release, under the should not be done to our workers. workers compensation fund, an addi- We want to move from that method- GERS annuities tional $1.2 million to injured employ- ology and move from that way of When he took office, 416 employ- ers in the territory and to pay bills to operating,” he said.

VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A05] | 05/29/15 01:05 | SUPERIMPVI Mapp delivers $1.27 billion V. I. budget to Legislature

Spending for many departments is frozen or shrinks as spending for Governor’s Office explodes Page 2

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$14,500+

Page 3

Cup players Moravian records Inside Famous artist answers decided hold little-known V. I. student’s letter in pair of Game 7s history of slaves and comes for a visit Page 34 Page 20 Page 8

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VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A01] | 05/30/15 01:53 | SUPERIMPVI Saturday, May 30, 2015 VIRGIN ISLANDS The Virgin Islands Daily News 3 WICO resolution reveals villa details Price thousands higher than previously admitted to; Governor moved into Villa Fratelli Cresta, rang up bill of more than $50,000 before West Indian Co. voted on resolution to pick up tab in exchange for tax credits

By JONATHAN AUSTIN Randy Knight — who also is Mapp’s April 14 that the WICO board consid- generator repairs and all other utilities. not the V.I. government — was paying Daily News Staff chief of staff. ered taking over the expense of hous- However, when WICO took over for Mapp’s villa. It says that the Government of the ing the governor, and the handwritten the Villa Fratelli Cresta lease, it In the last paragraph, the WICO res- ST. THOMAS — A document Virgin Islands entered into a short-term date next to Knight’s signature on the assumed all expenses for the gover- olution says that the cost incurred in released by the West Indian Co., Ltd., rental contract effective Jan. 10, 2015, document is May 14. nor’s residence. providing a temporary residence for on Friday shows that the Mapp with Mr. Jimez Ashby Sr., for the prop- The controversy about where Mapp In February, Government House Mapp “shall offset any liability of Administration has misled the public erty called Villa Fratelli Cresta. lives — and how much the taxpayers spokeswoman Kim Jones said that the WICO to GVI for incurred payments- about the lease of his rented Nazareth It says the lease for the villa was are spending to foot the bill — erupted cost for the governor’s rental was in-lieu of taxes.” villa, misstating the total monthly $12,000 for January and February, and soon after his inaugural events, when $4,000 a month. However, she correct- By law, the company is required to expenses and failing to reveal that thereafter $14,500 — and it indicates he said he couldn’t live in Estate ed that amount shortly thereafter. pay the government $700,000 a year in WICO is offsetting past due tax liabili- that the V.I. government would have Catherineberg on St. Thomas. In April, Mapp publicly said the rent lieu of taxes, but WICO has said it has ties in return for its involvement. paid more than $50,000 for Mapp’s liv- The board resolution notes that the was $12,500 per month, on a six-month not had the funds to pay in years. Despite repeated statements by ing arrangements — not including V.I. government leased Estate lease with an option to renew for six WICO CEO Joseph Boschulte told Mapp that the cost of the house is expenses — before the document was Catherineberg from WICO beginning months. the Senate Finance Committee last $12,500, the monthly lease for the villa ratified and signed by the WICO Dec. 15, 1993, for $1 a year — which However, by that time the cost had September that WICO owed the gov- has been $14,500 since March 1, the board. is automatically renewable from year risen to $14,500 a month, according to ernment $4.7 million in back taxes. document states. GVI “also agreed to pay all expens- to year. The lease noted that the V.I. the WICO document. An attempt to contact Boschulte That doesn’t include expenses. es incurred in the occupancy of the government was responsible for all And again, that didn’t include all the Friday night was not successful. The document, provided by attorney premises, including but not limited to expenses incurred in the use of the extras. — Contact Jonathan Austin at 714-9104 Adriane Dudley, is identified as a reso- electricity, cable, television, telephone, leased premises, including but not lim- Also in April, Jones amended her or email [email protected]. lution approved by the WICO board of internet and other related rental servic- ited to security and service bills; water; initial statements to say that WICO — directors that was signed May 14, es,” according to the resolution. electricity; telephone; cooking gas; 2015, by WICO Board Chairman The resolution says it was not until

VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A03] | 05/30/15 01:08 | SUPERIMPVI Saturday, May 30, 2015 VIRGIN ISLANDS The Virgin Islands Daily News 3 WICO resolution reveals villa details Price thousands higher than previously admitted to; Governor moved into Villa Fratelli Cresta, rang up bill of more than $50,000 before West Indian Co. voted on resolution to pick up tab in exchange for tax credits

VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A03] | 05/30/15 01:08 | SUPERIMPVI 4 The Virgin Islands Daily News VIRGIN ISLANDS Tuesday, June 23, 2015 Mapp’s staff floated villa rental idea in January Newly released documents show it was a Government House plan all along

By JONATHAN AUSTIN The documents show that square-foot Villa Fratelli Cresta had the property. Property and Procurement — saying Daily News Staff Government House asked Property been renting for $12,500 a month; On May 14, Bennett emailed The instead that the West Indian Co. is and Procurement in January to expe- the proposed payment for the gov- Daily News, saying, “I do not have covering the governor’s villa rent. ST. THOMAS — The Mapp dite the lease of the house for ernor of the Virgin Islands would be any information on what you are Mapp and Government House administration has repeatedly tried Mapp. $14,500. asking.” also repeatedly told the public the to distance itself from the lease of a They also show that Government The Daily News was unable to On Monday, The Daily News cost of renting the villa was only fully furnished seven-bedroom, House was involved in negotiating reach Corneiro for comment. emailed Bennett again, asking for $12,500 a month. nine-bath villa with pool, hot tub a residence on St. Thomas for Mapp Government House spokeswom- all documents or contracts prepared A May 11 public record request and fitness center for the governor as early as Jan. 20, 2015, and that an Kim Jones did not respond to for the lease transaction, executed to WICO uncovered the fact that the to live in, but copies of documents the administration wanted Property requests for comment and clarifica- or not. Bennett replied: “I have rent was $14,500 a month, though provided to The Daily News show and Procurement to expedite the tion about the documents. replied earlier to you that this was WICO said in its post-dated resolu- that the proposal to rent the villa can approval of the lease. The copy of the paperwork does not processed through P&P there- tion that the higher rate was effec- be traced right back to Government The cover letter is on Government not show the lease was executed, fore, I do not have the records you tive March 1. House. House stationary and is addressed to and Milliner-Emanuel, who had are seeking.” The WICO documents also However, Randolph Bennett, the Cecila Milliner-Emanuel, who was been named as head of Property and Mapp also has tried to distance showed that the WICO board — commissioner designee for Property the first acting commissioner of the Procurement on Jan. 9, didn’t stay himself from the villa case, saying chaired by Mapp’s chief of staff, and Procurement, maintains his Property and Procurement in that position long. last week during a press conference Randy Knight — had agreed on department has no documents per- Department to be nominated by On April 8, Mapp announced that on St. Croix that he has no involve- April 14 to cover the cost of the taining to the villa on the East End Mapp. Bennett, an Army and State ment in the housing efforts. villa rental, and it post-dated the of St. Thomas and repeatedly has The letter is from Mapp’s deputy Department veteran, would take the “I don’t get involved in the details deal to cover the expenses back to said there are no records on file chief of staff, Rochelle Corneiro, helm of Property and Procurement. of what the lease agreement would Jan. 10. reflecting any government effort to who said: “We thank you in advance Reached Monday night, Milliner- be,” Mapp said. “Let me say for the Earlier this month, the WICO house Gov. Kenneth Mapp. for the expeditious processing of Emanuel referred all questions record there was never a lease board rewrote more resolutions to The documents became public our request,” and suggested that about the lease to Bennett. agreement between Property and now not only say that the landlord after weeks of shifting stories from Property and Procurement call On April 22, The Daily News Procurement and the owner of the agreed to only $12,500 a month, the administration on how much the Government House “should you asked Bennett for documents property.” including utilities, but to erase villa actually cost and who was have any questions or require addi- regarding the villa, including copies Nonetheless, Government House efforts by WICO to get its multi- paying. tional information.” of any and all contracts, leases or wanted the lease, and it wanted the million dollar debt to the govern- The next page appears to be a other documents pertaining to hous- deal to be completed quickly, ment erased if WICO accepted the standard Property and Procurement ing or lodging on St. Thomas for according to the paperwork. responsibility for paying for the form detailing the request, which Mapp. For reasons that remain unclear, villa. noted the firm leasing the house is The request also sought copies of Government House last month — Contact Jonathan Austin at A9 Equipment Leasing LLC. negotiation notes and emails with reversed previous comments about 714-9149 or email It notes that while the 4,830- the management and ownership of the lease being negotiated through [email protected].

VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A04] | 06/23/15 01:51 | SUPERIMPVI Duncan will return for 19th season Back page

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Inside

missing critical data found in originals from agencies Pages 2 and 3 Among the discrepancies: • VITEMA report short 27 pages, including information on potential debt of $500K and overpayment of $250K to some employees

• Department of Planning and Natural Resources report short 22 pages, with whole categories erased, including on local and federal funding

The original Property and Procurement report, left, is a • DPNR report short 22 pages, including details glossy 37-page book. The version provided by Lt. Gov. Osbert Potter on ‘matters requiring priority attention’ is 10 pages, on copy paper.

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VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A01] | 07/03/15 01:24 | SUPERIMPVI 2 The Virgin Islands Daily News VIRGIN ISLANDS Friday, July 3, 2015 Fight for V. I. public records Altered versions of transition reports missing pages of info found in originals

By JONATHAN AUSTIN Department of Planning and • A category titled top priorities Daily News Staff Natural Resources. by relevance. DPNR had supplied a copy to “I don’t know what report was ST. THOMAS — The Mapp The Daily News on June 8 after Access to records actually submitted by the transi- administration has provided The the newspaper had requested the tion team,” Molloy told The Daily Daily News with transition reports information on June 1. News on Thursday. “What I gave from 30 government departments a basic right in U.S. you was what I gave the transition and agencies, but a review of the Missing DPNR information team. I never got a copy of the reports suggests that critical data What was purported to be a com- transition report.” and information has been plete copy of the report that the lieu- “Government accountability is The law defines public records Molloy also said he would not removed. tenant governor provided this week the cornerstone of a democracy. as all records and documents of mind if his data had been edited The changes resulted in reports had 22 fewer pages than the copy pro- The people have a fundamental or belonging to the territory or or truncated, “if they took out that do not provide an accurate vided by the department. right to know what their govern- any branch of government or any stuff to make the report more assessment of A comparison showed that the ment is doing, what it is spend- department, board, council or concise.” the situation following categories had been ing, and how it goes about the committee of any branch of faced by execu- erased: people’s business,” says Jason government. Missing VITEMA info tive department • Details on local and federal Robbins, publisher of The Daily Access to records of govern- The report provided to the news- agencies and funding. News. ment activity is sacrosanct in the paper by V.I. Territorial Emergency departments as • A section that discussed non- It is important that the public United States, and many states Management Agency Director they transitioned personnel costs. can view government documents have laws that require quick Mona Barnes had 37 pages, while from the admin- • A category headed “Findings because the records of govern- responses to requests. the copy given to the newspaper istration of John (Program operations, personnel, ment reveal what is going on in In Georgia, agencies are by Potter was only 10 pages. deJongh Jr. to fiscal management, capital proj- ways many officials don’t want to required to respond to a request Missing from the new VITEMA the administra- Osbert ects, practices, strengths, weak- address. within three days by providing version was: tion of Gov. Potter nesses, etc.).” Access to information is a basic the records or citing why the • The entire 17-page Tier II Kenneth Mapp. • A category titled “Matters right in a democracy. records are exempt from being report. The documents were provided requiring priority attention.” In the territory, lawmakers released. • The entire first two text pages to The Daily News by Lt. Gov. • A 22-page section headed understood that when they In Florida, many of the records of the report. Osbert Potter, who had them deliv- “Tier II Transition Document” that approved the Open Records Act. are available online, 24 hours a • The organization chart. ered to the newspaper’s attorney addressed agency identification. The law gives every resident of day. • The budget summary. on St. Croix. • Organization and budget. the territory the right to examine The V.I. law requires that the • A variety of entries about They were supposed to be com- • Authorizing environment and all public records and to copy government allow inspection of grant funding. plete copies of the transition environmental scan. such records — and the news documents, and that it provide • References to a potential debt reports sought by the newspaper in • Strategic plan highlights, media may publish such records true and accurate documents. of half a million dollars. separate public record requests records management, SWOT anal- — unless some other provision of Nothing allows the government • A section detailing how some that were emailed, faxed or deliv- ysis and emergent/hot issues. the V.I. Code expressly limits to arbitrarily alter, shorten or 911 staff had been underpaid while ered to the departments and agen- • Legislative proposals. such right, or requires such abridge documents before they others were collectively paid a cies of the executive branch begin- Jamal Nielsen, the special assis- records to be kept secret. are released. quarter of a million dollars too ning in late May. tant to DPNR Commissioner des- much. Several agencies and depart- ignee Dawn Henry, told The Daily •Information about 911 certifi- ments responded to the requests in News that “the one we have given cations. a timely manner, and on their own you is the comprehensive version. wide range of alteration was for governor were: • The entry about the VI Alert had provided copies of their tran- “I can’t comment on something the Bureau of Information • Next generation 911 imple- program. sition reports to the newspaper. that we didn’t put together or sub- Technology. mentation details. • A section about the need to The newspaper compared those mit,” he said. “I can’t comment on The copy provided to the news- • A category titled top projects. repair VITEMA’s Hermon Hill earlier copies with the versions what the lieutenant governor’s paper by Director Reuben Molloy • A section titled Agency facility on St. Croix. provided by Potter and identified office submitted. We were not the was 22 pages in length. The copy Initiative Initiation Completion • Sections from the department multiple irregularities, omissions ones that submitted it.” provided this week by the lieuten- Matrix. accomplishments category. and changes. ant governor was 14 pages. • The SWOT — strengths, The VITEMA report provided A report that differed dramati- Missing IT Bureau info Missing from the version weaknesses, opportunities and cally was one said to be for the Another report that showed a delivered by the lieutenant threats — analysis. See REPORTS, next page

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VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A02] | 07/03/15 01:24 | SUPERIMPVI Friday, July 3, 2015 VIRGIN ISLANDS The Virgin Islands Daily News 3 Fight for V. I. public records Salary list coming soon, says Milton Potter

By GERRYYANDEL being removed from the list. ees who have not yet completed the of more than 7,000-plus — fall into Daily News Staff Potter called The Daily News on termination process and were no lon- the category of employees who are Tuesday morning and left a voice- ger employed by the government and in the separation process and Responding to inquiries about the mail, apologizing for the delay, should not be on the list. that the IT department is manually status of a public records request for which he said was because some “I didn’t want you guys to get a reviewing the list to remove those the salaries of government employ- names needed to be removed from list that might have the names of for- names. ees, which The Daily News had the list. mer commissioners in it, because Potter said the list would be requested May 29, Personnel His message did not elaborate why that would be confusing and released no later than the end of next Director designee Milton Potter said the names needed to be removed. create a lot of questions,” he said week. the list would be forthcoming next On Thursday, Potter said the Thursday. “If it is ready before that, I will Milton week because some names were names being removed are of employ- Potter said that about 80 names — get it to you,” he said. Potter “ At this time we are forced to suspect that we cannot trust the Here’s what documents provided to the public by this government. A boss that can’t trust the workers — in this case the government — has to we know is missing hold that worker accountable, sometimes all the way to terminating employment. DPNR — 22 fewer pages than document initially released. — Jason Robbins, publisher of The Daily News What’s missing? •Details on local and federal funding. •Report on non-personnel costs. ment or agency in a red ink. not respond to half-a-dozen calls from •Report on department strengths, weaknesses. REPORTS All the reports provided by the lieu- The Daily News. • Category titled “Matters requiring priority attention.” CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 tenant governor have identical stapling •Strategic plan highlights. in the upper left corner, with the staple Daily News position by the lieutenant governor also ends aligned with the top margin. Jason Robbins, the publisher of The Bureau of Information Te chnology — eight fewer in mid sentence. The Daily News was able to com- Daily News, issued the following state- pages. VITEMA spokeswoman Christine pare earlier copies of transition reports ment in light of what appears to the What’s missing? Lett said she had to verify her state- for the Labor Department; the Finance Mapp administration’s efforts to falsi- • Category about strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and ment before responding. Department; the Department of fy government documents it supplied threats. “What was sent to you was dou- Licensing and Consumer Affairs; and in response to the 30 individual public • Top priorities by relevance. ble-checked. The report that I sent the Department of Agriculture with the record requests for the transition to you was exactly what was in her versions provided by Potter. reports: VITEMA —27 fewer pages. transition brief,” Lett said, referring All of the newer copies had portions “Government accountability is the What’s missing? to the transition report kept on file missing. cornerstone of a democracy. The peo- • The entire first two pages of the report, including the exec- by Barnes. ple have a fundamental right to know utive summary. More missing info what their government is doing, what • The budget summary. Striking similarities In the case of the Agriculture it is spending and how it goes about •References to a potential debt of half a million dollars. Other reports that could be com- Department, the report provided by the the people’s business. The people of •Details of how staff were overpaid a quarter-million pared include one that had been pro- lieutenant governor was completely the Virgin Islands are the boss of the dollars. vided to the news- different than that provided by the Virgin Islands government. This news- • The “new” version ends in mid sentence. paper weeks ago department. paper —just as any individual, any by Property and The Finance Department report pro- company or any other organization has Property and Procurement vided by the lieutenant governor was the right — made a simple request: Procurement —27 fewer pages Commissioner des- missing 35 pages, including spread- Please give us copies of these ignee Randolph sheets and the Tier II report. documents. What’s missing? Bennett. The DLCA report provided by the “It appears that, instead of getting •Organization report. The version pro- lieutenant governor was missing 31 copies, we received abridged, truncat- • Critical notes on all department operations. vided by Bennett pages. ed, edited and possibly even re-written • Transition plan. — prepared by for- The Labor Department report pro- versions that selectively left out infor- • List of hot issues. mer Commissioner vided by the lieutenant governor was mation, for reasons unknown. •Strengths and weaknesses. Lynn Millin- Randolph missing a whopping 531 pages as com- “At this time we are forced to sus- •Report on public auctions. Maduro — is a Bennett pared with the version that was provid- pect that we cannot trust the docu- •Reports on leases. glossy, stapled, ed to the newspaper by the department ments provided to the public by this full-color booklet of 37 pages with a itself. government. A boss that can’t trust the Finance Department —35 fewer pages green cover featuring the seal and The lieutenant governor had taken workers — in this case the government What’s missing? name of the department and its the lead on responding to the newspa- — has to hold that worker accountable, •Spreadsheets. commissioner. per’s public record requests, calling sometimes all the way to terminating • Tier II report of organization, budget. The version provided by the lieuten- Daily News executive editor Gerry employment. •Strengths and weaknesses. ant governor is — as are all the reports Yandel and the newspaper’s legal “We don’t know enough yet to know Potter provided — on copy paper with counsel Kevin Rames. what actions are appropriate, but in DLCA —31 fewer pages. a plain white cover. Potter also talked during Tuesday’s order to restore trust, we must see All the reports provided by the lieu- Government House press conference change.” Labor Department —531 fewer pages. tenant governor have identical plain about his efforts to provide the reports. — Contact Jonathan Austin at covers with the name of the depart- However, on Thursday night, he did 714-9104 or email [email protected].

VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A03] | 07/03/15 01:30 | SUPERIMPVI Tuesday, July 7, 2015 VIRGIN ISLANDS The Virgin Islands Daily News 3 Fight for V. I. public records One report, two vastly different versions VITEMA transition record provided by Lt. Gov. missing chunks of information

Editor’s note: This is the first of VITEMA’s version Security grant funds was misspent a series of articles detailing the on payroll because VITEMA alteration of public records provid- couldn’t verify that the staffers paid ed to The Daily News by Lt. Gov. from the grant actually had done Osbert Potter. any work related to the grant. By JONATHAN AUSTIN The report sent by VITEMA Daily News Staff notes that the territory initially asked to have the debt forgiven. ST. THOMAS — A transition “We would like to note that prior report for the V.I. Territorial to July 2009, the Office of the Emergency Management Agency Adjutant General was the executive offers a wide-ranging look inside head of VITEMA and V.I. Office of an agency that is responsible for Homeland Security. The Director coordinating emergency manage- of VITEMA and the V.I. Office of ment responses in the territory. Homeland Security coordinated However, what was supposed to activities through the Adjutant be a complete copy of the report General,” VITEMA spokeswoman provided to The Daily News by Lt. Christine Lett said Monday regard- Gov. Osbert Potter has large gaps ing the FEMA allegations. in the information, with numerous During the period in question, topics — including discussion of Mel Vanterpool headed the V.I. funding issues and the possible Office of Homeland Security, and misuse of funds — erased. in July 2009, the Emergency The Daily News had asked 30 Management Act of 2009 took government departments for copies effect, reorganizing VITEMA into of transition guides that had been a stand-alone agency, according to created by the outgoing deJongh Lett. The law dissolved the V.I. administration to help guide the Office of Homeland Security and incoming administration of Gov. instead created a homeland security Kenneth Mapp. Potter’s version function within VITEMA. Some departments and agencies “Based on the audit findings, in responded quickly in providing August 2014, FEMA initiated three copies of their transition reports. notices of ‘Potential Debt’ in After several weeks, Potter attempt to recoup $1,179,895 in announced he was going to person- costs it determined was unallow- ally oversee the fulfillment of the able. The audit findings cited the public records request. USVI for sole source procurement The newspaper compared the without prior approval from FEMA, copies of the reports sent by the and for failure to properly maintain agencies with the versions provided records such as personnel by Potter. timesheets,” Lett said. “In a letter Irregularities were evident in dated Jan. 26, 2015, Gov. Mapp every version for which there was a notified FEMA of the Government comparison copy. of the Virgin Islands’ intent to pay On Friday, Potter denied that he for the unallowed costs utilizing a or anyone in his office changed any three-year payment plan.” text in the reports. The three-year payment plan A page-by-page comparison of called for a down payment of the VITEMA report provides $150,000 in March 2015, followed answers to what was removed and by quarterly payments in the what was different. amount of $76,300, until the debt is fully liquidated, according to Lett. Missing pages FEMA approved the governor’s VITEMA provided its report in request on March 4, she said. three different sections totaling 64 also are missing. ard mitigation grants and earth- Emergency Management Agency “In March, the V.I. government pages. Page 7 in the Potter version is quake grants. thought grant money had been mis- made a $150,000 down payment The version provided by Potter is missing. That page in the document spent and steps VITEMA was and has since made an additional only 10 pages. sent directly from VITEMA offered Bigger omissions taking in response to the payment of $150,000 toward the Right off the bat, page 2 — the fiscal year budget summary, Page 10 is where the big omis- allegations. debt, for a total of $300,000,” Lett which outlines agency responsibili- with details about the general, mis- sions begin in the Potter version. However, that text was replaced said. ties, including operations, adminis- cellaneous, non-appropriated and In the version sent directly by with what appears to be a copied- tration and finance, grant manage- federal funds. VITEMA, this section, titled Major and-pasted part of the Inspector 911back pay ment and preparedness — is miss- Page 9 in the Potter version is Issues, has sections numbered one General report about the grant. Page 6 of the Potter version ends ing from the version Potter missing. That page begins with a through seven. with the section header “911Back- provided. continuation of a list that had begun The version supplied by Potter is $568,000 misspent pay,” but that section isn’t in In the Potter version, pages 4 on page 8, detailing information also numbered: 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7. What is missing is FEMA’s argu- VITEMA’s version until page 12. and 5 — which provide the about public assistance disaster Section two was a detailed expla- ment that $568,069 provided to the VITEMA organizational chart — grants. Also missing is a list of haz- nation of how the Federal Virgin Islands in Homeland See RECORDS, next page

VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A03] | 07/07/15 01:23 | SUPERIMPVI 4 The Virgin Islands Daily News VIRGIN ISLANDS Tuesday, July 7, 2015 Fight for V. I. public records

RECORDS Potter’s version also does not have The Potter version is the sentence: “As a result of these CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 missing the statement vendor issues, the dispatchers’ certi- Some highlights fications have lapsed.” that VITEMA had not Page 7 of the Potter version starts “VITEMA is currently working to The copy of the report provided to The Daily News by Lt. Gov. in mid-sentence. paid its “outstanding execute a contract for services ren- Osbert Potter has a number of omissions and discrepancies from the The “911 Back Pay” issue involved dered to pay the vendor, Priority obligation in the report provided directly by VITEMA, including: an analysis of VITEMA departments Dispatch, the $71,950 it is owed,” • Page 2 is missing from the Potter version. from Oct. 1, 2010, through Sept. 30, amount of $71,950 to a Lett said. • Pages 4 and 5 also are missing. 2013. It concluded that 11 employees certification vendor.” VI Alert • FEMA’s allegation that $568,069 was misspent is missing. were underpaid a total of $47,111.02 • Page 7 — which offered the ﬁ scal year budget summary in the for hours they worked and that 47 Potter’s version also Further on in the Potter version, an VITEMA version — is missing from the Potter version. employees received too much pay, entire entry regarding VI Alert, the does not have the • Page 9 of the Potter version is missing. totaling $224,133.29. territory’s emergency alert system for • The section titled ‘Major Issues’ should be numbered 1-7. It is The VITEMA version said the pay sentence: “A s a result of the public, is missing. numbered 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7. issue arose when “dispatchers lost The original VITEMA report noted these vendor issues, the • An entry about 47 employees being overpaid by $224,133.29 is coverage under the United Steel that the Virgin Islands and New York missing. Workers Collective Bargaining dispatchers’ had entered a partnership in 2010 to • The entire VI Alert entry is missing. Agreement which governed their replicate New York’s mass alert and compensation” and because opera- certifications have notification system. The system was tors initially worked two scheduled lapsed.” implemented in the territory and rotating shifts, though “V.I. Code for training took place. the most part does not address rotat- However, the VITEMA’s version licated for their use,” Lett said. “This dition in addition to being overrun by ing shift employees.” None of those details were in the notes that New York was exploring agreement is on hold until New York weeds and brush.” The VITEMA version says that version of the report provided by other options for its system, and it state determines how other jurisdic- Lett said the agency was able to employees were contacted and that Potter. states: “Preparing for the possibility tions should be charged for replica- clean up the facility and grounds so “a payment plan will be created for On Monday, Lett, the VITEMA that an agreement may not be tion and use of the mass alerting sys- the outside can be used for first- those employees who have to make spokeswoman, said, “Employees reached, VITEMA has explored other tem. In the meantime, there will be responder training and other events. repayments to the government.” who owe back pay and who are owed options for mass alerting in the no disruption to the VI Alert VITEMA donated the generator back pay have been notified in writ- USVI.” service.” attached to the facility to the V.I. ing. (This was done prior to Director Lett said the VI Alert mass alert Agriculture Department, she said. Barnes’ arrival at VITEMA),” Lett and notification system remains VITEMA’s St. Croix facility “The facility remains uninhabit- said, referring to VITEMA Director intact. In the section titled “Revitalization able, but it’s the director’s goal to Mona Barnes. “United Steelworkers VI Alert is a replication of NY of the Hermon Hill Facility,” the return VITEMA to Hermon Hill Union, which represents the 911 Alert, and the system originally was Potter version is two paragraphs within the next four years,” Lett said. operators, requested copies of the designed by Buffalo Computer long, while the report that came “This would allow us to house all of back pay documentation to conduct Graphics for the New York State directly from VITEMA has nine our components under one roof and their own review. VITEMA has sub- Office of Homeland Security and paragraphs. eliminate the need for us to pay rent mitted back pay documentation to Emergency Management, according Removed from the version Potter to two landlords. Currently we are United Steelworkers, and we under- to Lett. NY Alert was replicated for provided is any mention of $350,000 renting the DeChabert Building in stand the documents are currently the USVI; however, the hardware received to rehabilitate the building. Christiansted for general staff and under review.” and technical support remains at the Also removed were details about space at a Kingshill complex for our New York State Office of Homeland how the Hermon Hill VITEMA facil- 911 operations.” 911 certification Security and Emergency ity had been vandalized. Finally, numerous entries in the The VITEMA version also Management, she said. “The vandals removed copper tub- agency’s ‘Accomplishments’ catego- includes a section on 911 operator “The initial discussions on use of ing and wires from the building ry have been removed from the ver- certification. the VI Alert system called for resulting in extensive interior dam- sion Potter provided, and the section The Potter version is missing the VITEMA to utilize the system free of age, and the generator and its hous- entitled “Forward to 2015” was statement that VITEMA had not paid charge for two years and then pay ing were also damaged,” the reduced from five paragraphs to two. its “outstanding obligation in the approximately $20,000. However, VITEMA version states. “Despite It ends in mid-sentence. amount of $71,950 to a certification other jurisdictions have requested our best maintenance efforts, the — Contact Jonathan Austin at vendor.” that the mass alerting system be rep- building remains in a deplorable con- 714-9149 or email [email protected].

VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A04] | 07/07/15 01:23 | SUPERIMPVI Thursday, July 9, 2015 VIRGIN ISLANDS The Virgin Islands Daily News 3 Fight for V. I. public records Mapp: Records coming, after I clean up errors

By JONATHAN AUSTIN EXCLUSIVE Daily News Staff Public documents being withheld illegally ST. THOMAS — Gov. Kenneth INTERVIEW Mapp said Tuesday that his Date requested Sent to Regarding Response administration’s delays in releas- October...... Luis Hospital...... Staff and salary list ...... “Too busy”; ignored ing public records are because of the report for the newspaper and April 22 ...... Property and Procurement .Lease for Villa Mapp ...... No records provided antiquated record keeping and was ready to have it delivered. April 22 ...... Property and Procurement .DeJongh property case ....No records provided inaccuracies in data, and he “When they were ready to May 8 ...... Gov. Kenneth Mapp ...... Employee status ...... No records provided described how he told a depart- transmit, I said to them, ‘Well, May 11 ...... Joseph Boschulte/Wico .... Lease for Villa Mapp ...... Delayed and incomplete ment head to not release informa- before you do, just send it to me. May 14 ...... Wayne Biggs/VIEDA ...... List of delinquent loans . .Denial tion because he I want to see it.’” Mapp said. May 15 ...... Legislature ...... Employee status ...... Denial felt it contained The governor did not say May 15 ...... Property and Procurement.. Housing for Lt. Gov...... “I am redacting it.” too many errors. whether he is informed of every May 22 ...... Wayne Biggs/VIEDA ...... List of delinquent loans ...“Too much work.” The comments record request filed with any May 26 ...... Wayne Biggs/VIEDA ...... Seeking reason for denial No response came during a executive branch office. May 26 Senate President Employee list Incomplete records one-on-one dis- Mapp said the Personnel report provided cussion with was forwarded to him and he May 27 ...... Gov. Kenneth Mapp ...... Travel receipts...... No response The Daily News opened it up. May 29 ...... Milton Potter/Personnel. .... Government salary list.....“Names being removed.” on Tuesday. “I have a way, it’s called test Mapp was the veracity, so I just went in. I addressing the Kenneth said, ‘Let me see if I can find an fact that it fre- Mapp old commissioner — the commis- list, so you’ll get two commis- mated system that people can go quently takes sioner of Education. And then I sioners or two people in the same in and pick up information and the government of the Virgin saw the old commissioner of “ position,” he said. say, ‘Here it is.’ And you know Islands weeks or even months to Education,” Mapp told The Daily The point I’m making States have varying laws dictat- that that information is clean and respond to requests for public News. “So then I said, ‘OK, let is the system that ing how quickly the government it’s accurate. records. me see if I can find the new com- must respond to record requests. “If I said that day to the direc- “Our issue of transmitting missioner,’ and there she was. we’re using is terribly Mississippi law says responses tor of Personnel, put a summary information to the media is still And then I found the old commis- old. That’s the issue in generally must occur in one day block on the bottom of all the sal- going to remain difficult until we sioner of Sports, Parks and of receipt of a request, and aries and tell me how much the fix this system,” Mapp said. Recreation, and I found the new our government that according to the website payroll is, that would be if you “There’s a problem we have that’s commissioner,” he said. we have to fix, Ballotpedia.com, 35 states speci- have the whole list, it would be systemic. We don’t have automat- “I changed the salaries of the fy a time within which public inaccurate,” Mapp said. ed systems in the government, we commissioners, with the compro- notwithstanding the documents must either be fur- This is not the first time the gov- have paper systems.” mise we’re working out with the politics. nished, denied or an extension ernor has said he wants a transpar- Mapp described his observa- Legislature, so let me check their requested. The other 15 states and ent government. tions of a records request The salaries,” Mapp said. “So I pulled — Gov. Kenneth Mapp the U.S. Virgin Islands have no In December, as governor-elect, Daily News filed with the V.I. two of them up and they had the time requirement. Mapp went on television and Personnel Division on May 29, old salaries. The territory of Guam updates promised that his administration seeking a list of government “So I said to Milton Potter, I an online government employee would be very open and transpar- employees, their job titles, and said, ‘You can’t send this, this they’re requesting, or some other list maintained by the Pacific ent. He said all government con- their salaries. thing’s not clean. It’s not done.’ leave that needs to be processed, Daily News newspaper. tracts would be posted online for “You’re going to get the per- And then this is what I learned. or they’re in the GERS system but “The point I’m making is the anyone to see, along with all gov- sonnel listing from the govern- That if a person leaves the gov- they haven’t been closed out for system that we’re using is terribly ernment salaries and positions. ment, classified and unclassified, ernment, whether they retire or retirement, so their time — their old,” Mapp said. “That’s the issue “The days of hiding informa- from the Division of Personnel,” resign, until they’re closed out vacation and sick time — hasn’t in our government that we have to tion is over,” he said. Mapp said. they won’t get off the list,” Mapp been audited and transmitted until fix, notwithstanding the politics. — Contact Jonathan Austin at He said Personnel Director des- said. they’ve closed the document. We have to get the systemic piec- 714-9149 or email ignee Milton Potter had prepared “They have annual leave that Their name is going to be on the es from a paper system to an auto- [email protected]. Salary list request still not fulfilled after30-plus days

By GERRYYANDEL Gov. Osbert Potter announced Milton Potter both times — was because some and create a lot of questions,” he Daily News Staff during a press conference that he did not return names were being removed from said. would personally take charge of phone calls to the list. Potter said that about 80 names Despite assurances last week fulfilling that public records The Daily News Two days later, Milton Potter — of more than 7,000-plus — fall that he would do so, V.I. Personnel request, as well as another that on Wednesday. offered a clarification about the into the category of employees Director designee Milton Potter also had been languishing for When he process, saying the names being who are in the separation process still has not fulfilled a public weeks. called last week, removed are of employees who and that the IT department is man- records request that was submit- Osbert Potter ultimately deliv- Milton Potter have not yet completed the termi- ually reviewing the list to remove ted to his office on May 29. ered documents that appeared to said the delay in nation process and were no longer those names. Potter called The Daily News be altered in response to the other Milton providing the employed by the government and At the time, Milton Potter said on June 30 and apologized for the public documents request; how- Potter government sal- should not be on the list. the complete list would be delay in fulfilling the request for ever, there has been no indication ary list — which “I didn’t want you guys to get a released no later than the end of the salaries of government since Milton Potter called that the had been provided twice under list that might have the names of this week. employees. request for government salaries is the deJongh Administration and former commissioners in it, — Contact Gerry Yandel at That same day, his brother, Lt. being fulfilled. was completed in about a week because that would be confusing 714-9106 or email

VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A03] | 07/09/15 01:26 | SUPERIMPVI Neville James refuses to sign gay marriage order

With lieutenant governor off-island, Mapp executive order requires Senate president’s signature Page 7

ONE DOLLAR www.virginislandsdailynews.com

Copyright © 2015 Daily News Publishing Co., Inc. FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2015 84th year, No. 23370 SubpoenaedVILLA MAPP HEARING Senate wants to hear from Knight on how housing Mapp became WICO’s responsibility Page 3

Senators: Te stifiers show disrespect Page 2 Lieutenant governor’s residence costing taxpayers $33,600 a year Page 4

New V. I. Olympic DPNR to Joint task force leader takes part issue order to hunts child predators in first major event rum makers in Virgin Islands Back Page Angel Morales Page 8 Page 5

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VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A01] | 07/10/15 02:06 | SUPERIMPVI Friday, July 10, 2015 VIRGIN ISLANDS The Virgin Islands Daily News 3 “ As I sit here, what comes to mind is I’m truly embarrassed as a Virgin Islander. I want you all to know, if you’re not thinking it, that the world is watching us today. Historical and traditional practices like this one, if it were any place else would have landed somebody’s behind in jail. — Sen. Kenneth Gittens Senate drills for answers on Villa Mapp lease

By JONATHAN AUSTIN dence runs smoothly. Daily News Staff At one point, James read through the invoices listing the costs the villa ST. THOMAS — The Senate’s wanted WICO to pay. Committee in the Whole, voted Asked whether he had looked over Thursday to subpoena Randy Knight, the charges, Boschulte responded: “I the governor’s chief of staff and the have looked over these invoices, and chairman of the board of the West from my perspective it’s trivial Indian Co., to answer questions about because the true payment for the gov- how WICO came to pay to house ernor’s estate was $12,500,” he said. Gov. Kenneth Mapp. Boschulte said WICO negotiated The action came at the end of the total charges down to $12,500 a Thursday’s hearing that delved into month. the entire saga surrounding the rental “That’s what the books show. of a seven-bedroom, nine-bath villa That’s what was finalized, and that’s for Mapp in Estate Nazareth on the what West Indian Co. paid,” he said. East End of St. Thomas for $14,500 “Now, what they billed and they month. wanted to receive, if the bill did not Knight and others had been invited V. I. Legislature Photo by BARRY LEERDAM get renegotiated by WICO, would be to testify under oath before the com- Property and Procurement Commissioner nominee Randolph Bennett, left, prosecutor Renee Gumbs-Carty, Acting Attorney different. But what was paid, and mittee, comprising all 15 senators. General James Carroll III, West Indian Co. Ltd. President Joseph Boschulte, WICO attorney Adriane Dudley, WICO board member what the final cost was, $62,500; Appearing to testify were Joseph Michael Watson and achitect William Taylor are sworn in before the V. I. Legisature on St. Thomas. $12,500 a month, all in.” Boschulte, the president and CEO of But few senators seemed satisfied, WICO; Michael Watson, a member testifiers suggested Thursday that Roach asked. Time and time again, senators though several said the government of the WICO board of directors; Knight was the catalyst for bringing “That is correct, senator,” Watson challenged Watson, Dudley and even must resolve the issue of where the Randolph Bennett, the commissioner the lease agreement for the villa replied. the acting attorney general about governor lives. nominee of the Department of before the WICO board. “So the lease was presented to you whether the whole activity was legal Some suggested that the third floor Property and Procurement; James The senators also were concerned by Mr. Knight, and the board decided and appropriate. of Government House be remodeled Carroll III, the acting V.I. attorney because WICO would not turn over to act, and to decide to make pay- Carroll declined to answer, at times back to a residence, while others sug- general; Adriane Dudley, legal coun- minutes from the meetings during ments consistent with its terms, even saying it was impossible to supply a gested that a committee be set up to sel for WICO; and William Taylor, which the lease was discussed, citing though it was not executed, and even correct answer without research. explore the options. an architect and advisor on govern- a current lawsuit in which WICO’s though this was the first time that you Time and time again, senators Many continued to argue that noth- ment property. Accompanying public or private status is being deter- had seen,” Roach asked. spoke of how upset they were that no ing can be done until the requirement Carroll was Assistant Attorney mined. Watson paused, and Roach one from Government House had in the Revised Organic Act that the General Renee Gumbs-Carty. Watson told the committee that continued. bothered to attend the hearing. governor live in Government House However, absent from the hearing WICO never actually signed a lease “In the absence of minutes that “The real question that needs to be is changed. was Knight and Jimez Ashby, the for the villa. show how you deliberated this, asked,” said James, “and I’m certain Through it all, questions about the owner of Villa Fratelli Cresta. WICO paperwork also shows that you’re basically saying to us that you that none of you will answer it, but Mapp administration’s lack of trans- Ashby’s attorney sent a note saying the government — as the governor convened a meeting April 14, 2015, I’m going to ask it anyway, was there parency drove the discussion. her client was out of the territory on has said — did not sign a lease for Mr. Randolph Knight came, with a Government House influence in the “It is the inconsistency that created a previously scheduled trip. the villa. Mapp moved in only with a proposal, really a lease totally drawn decision-making of the WICO board, this problem, among other things,” But senators said Knight didn’t verbal agreement, and no one in the up — nobody has testified yet as to as it relates to the the governor stay- James said. “The governor’s office even acknowledge his invitation or government paid the rent until WICO who drew it up — and that you voted ing at Villa Fratelli Cresta?” needs to place something on the bother to send his regards. took over that responsibility. to pursue this agreement, to imple- Dudley replied that the board came record. We would have killed two That didn’t go over well, and at In fact, no one at WICO other than ment essentially the terms of that to an independent decision to take birds with one stone, had Mr. Knight one point Senate Vice President Knight apparently knew that the lease lease, that this had been the first con- over the responsibility for the gover- showed up as invited.” Janette Millin Young wondered aloud was going to be presented at the April tact that you had with it,” Roach nor’s lease that initially was set to Sen. Kenneth Gittens was blunt. whether Knight was sitting back, 14 meeting. The lease was not on the asked. cost more than $136,900, excluding “As I sit here, what comes to mind watching the hearing on TV and meeting agenda and there had been “Can the attorney answer for that,” some charges. is I’m truly embarrassed as a Virgin laughing. no prior discussion, senators were Watson responded. Invoices billed by the villa owner Islander. I want you all to know, if Millin Young’s response to told. “No, no, no,” Roach replied. “I to WICO included daily $232 charg- you’re not thinking it, that the world Knight’s indifference came shortly Sen. Tregenza Roach pressed appreciate your deferring to your es for housekeeping and regular $245 is watching us today,” he said. before she made the motion, second- Watson on the board’s willingness to counsel, but I don’t think your coun- charges for the use of a chef for spe- “Historical and traditional practices ed by Sen. Myron Jackson, to sub- agree to pay the governor’s overdue sel advises you each time you vote.” cial events, even though Government like this one, if it were any place else, poena Knight to appear at a later, housing bill and take over payments In the end, Watson said the board House had hired a chef for $65,000 a would have landed somebody’s unscheduled hearing before the through the end of June. unanimously approved the lease, but year who is responsible, according to behind in jail.” Committee of the Whole. “At the time that you had this then the board asked Boschulte and her job description, for preparing — Contact Jonathan Austin at The Senators said they are anxious meeting, this was the first contact legal counsel to make sure it was meals and to ensure that the day-to- 714-9104 or email to hear from Knight because other that you had with this lease,” appropriate. day operations of the governor’s resi- [email protected].

VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A03] | 07/10/15 02:09 | SUPERIMPVI 2 The Virgin Islands Daily News VIRGIN ISLANDS Friday, July 10, 2015 Sanes: ‘I’m like, damn. Something was wrong ...’ Senators ‘disappointed’ with villa testimony by Mapp administration and West Indian Co. officials

By JONATHAN AUSTIN Sanes also joked that he’d read it all before. Daily News Staff “I could have gone to my stack of Daily News,” he said. ST. THOMAS — When it was all over, the “The first word that came out of my mouth; I Senate Committee of the Whole had talked or lis- cannot repeat it,” he said. tened to testimony for 5 hours and 47 minutes on Moments later Sanes didn’t mince words. Thursday regarding housing the governor and the “I’m like, damn. Something was wrong with lieutenant governor and the condition of this picture,” Sanes said. Government House and Catherineberg. Sen. Marvin Blyden quizzed the testifiers about That doesn’t count the unscheduled hearing to one fact. come, when the subpoenaed testimony of Gov. “Where is the governor staying at this moment? Kenneth Mapp’s chief of staff, Randy Knight, Anyone?” will be demanded. There was no response. During the hearing, senators uttered the word “So, on the record, no one knows where the “disappointed” frequently. Others questioned governor is staying?” Blyden asked. whether Knight’s involvement as chairman of Again, no one responded. the board of the West Indian Co. — while serv- Sen. Clifford Graham seemed equally upset, ing in the Mapp administration — is a conflict even if he kept his tone quiet. of interest. “I’m not happy with the facts,” he said. “There are questions that need to be posed to Despite the lack of answers and lack of testifi- Government House,” Senate Vice President ers, at least one — Sen. Nereida Rivera-O’Reilly Janette Millin Young said. — said she had seen worse, and she communicat- Without Knight’s testimony, several senators ed her concern with a humorous barb. said they felt cheated. She said it was odd that some people seemed They also said some testifiers waited until the upset about the current situation, yet she suggest- last minute to turn in their documents or their ed it is not in the same league as when the statements. Legislature reprogrammed nearly $500,000 in Representatives from WICO were chastised for funding from a capital project to pay for security waiting until the end of the day Wednesday to gates and improvements at the home of Gov. John supply their paperwork. The time stamp on the deJongh Jr. copies supplied by WICO President and Chief “A mistake was made. A horrible mistake was Executive Officer Joseph Boschulte shows that it made when monies were reprogrammed from arrived in the office of Senate President Neville capital projects to enhance the former governor’s James at exactly 4:34 p.m. the day before the house, rather than asking WICO to pay for that,” hearing. she said. “Obviously, WICO has said here that it The requests for information went out in June, feels it has the responsibility to provide for tem- Sen. Sammuel Sanes said. porary housing” in the absence of Catherineberg “It took you this long?” he asked, saying being available for use. V. I. Legislature Photo by BARRY LEERDAM such laxity “is disrespect for this branch of — Contact Jonathan Austin at 714-9104 or V. I. Senate President Neville James and Sen. Clifford Graham confer during Thursday’shearing of government.” email [email protected]. the Committee of the Whole on St. Thomas. Plaskett has no plans to ask for revision of Organic Act

By GERRY YA NDEL amend the “I know a motion has been made. Gittens’ staff said Thursday that Senate passes it, it would be a sug- Daily News Staff Revised Organic We were made aware of that,” she two other senators — Nereida gestion of the Legislature to me.” Act of 1954 to told The Daily News on Thursday. Rivera-O’Reilly and Novelle Francis Plaskett said she has met with the Although she said she is aware remove any ambi- “We are monitoring that and our Jr. — say they will sign on to his res- senators and will meet again with of the high emotions and controver- guities about office is reviewing it.” olution, though the Legislature has them to sit down and talk about leg- sy swirling around the housing where the territo- Plaskett said she has no plan at this not taken any action on it at this islation she is working on and legis- issues of Gov. Kenneth Mapp and ry’s chief execu- time to put forth legislation asking point. lation they are working on. Lt. Gov. Osbert Potter, Delegate to tive must reside. for a change to the Organic Act. Even if the Senate passes such a “My focus is related to creating Congress Stacey Plaskett said However, “I’m putting a lot of my energies resolution, it is not binding on economic opportunity and improving Thursday she is focused on other Congress will not into some other areas, things I Plaskett. our quality of life in the territory,” Stacey Plaskett things at this time. undertake such an believe are important to the territo- “It’s a request of the Legislature to she reiterated. Sen. Kenneth Gittens has put forth effort unless Plaskett puts forth legis- ry, like how to grow the economy,” me,” Plaskett said. “At this point, it — Contact Gerry Yandel at a resolution asking Congress to lation asking them to do so. she said. is a suggestion by one senator. If the 714-9106 or email

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VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A02] | 07/10/15 02:21 | SUPERIMPVI Tuesday, July 21, 2015 VIRGIN ISLANDS The Virgin Islands Daily News 3 Potter says he’ll pay for his own pad

By JONATHAN AUSTIN Daily News Staff Lt. Gov. headed ST. THOMAS — Lt. Gov. Osbert Potter will personally take over the to To ronto payment for the Mahogany Run condo rented for him, and he said he has not By JONATHAN AUSTIN stayed a single day in the condo while Daily News Staff it has been rented at taxpayer expense. “This is a matter that has been basi- ST. THOMAS — Lt. Gov. cally causing a lot of distraction, and I Osbert Potter announced want to make sure we get certain infor- Monday that he will be traveling mation clearer to the public, because in out of the territory to Canada the midst of the distraction I don’t think on Wednesday to attend the all of the information surrounding the Pan American Games. lieutenant governor’s residence has As Gov. Kenneth Mapp will actually been placed out there, and also be out of the territory, since it was placed out there, it hasn’t Potter said Finance Department been received as intended to be,” Potter Commissioner nominee said Monday. Valdamier Collens will be acting Potter was speaking at a press con- governor in their absence. ference called while he is acting gover- “On Wednesday, I will be nor to introduce the new Corrections attending as head of the del- Department director. He was out of the egation with our athletes that territory when articles about the condo are participating as a part of were published. the Pan American Games in The debate over renting a condo for Toronto. We have, I think, 18 Potter came on the heels of a saga in athletes that are participating which Government House and Gov. in the Pan American Games Kenneth Mapp repeatedly misstated events.” how much was being spent to provide Potter recently returned from The ocean view from Lt. Gov. Osbert Potter’s Mahogany Run condominium rental on St. Thomas. him with a seven-bedroom, nine-bath a trip to Montana where he at- villa. tended an insurance forum with The Property and Procurement insurance department repre- Department secured the Mahogany sentatives from other states. Run condo for Potter, and Monday he Mapp’s current trip includes said several options had been presented a meeting with U.S. Energy to him. Department Secretary Ernest “There were a few locations that Moniz, in Washington, D.C.; were brought to the table that I basical- touring the National Renewable ly rejected because of the costs,” he Energy Laboratory in Golden, said. Colo., at Moniz’s invitation; During a special hearing, called by meetings and several media the Senate on July 9, to address hous- promotional events in Atlanta The lieutenant ing the governor, questions also arose with Tourism Commissioner governor’s about why taxpayers are housing the nominee Beverly Nicholson- condo features lieutenant governor. Doty; and the summer meet- finishes such Using government funds to house ing of the National Governors as custom the lieutenant governor shocked some Association, scheduled for cabinets and senators, many of whom said they Thursday through Saturday in granite knew of no legal justification for the West Virginia. countertops. action. Mapp is expected back in “As I sit here, what comes to mind is the territory Sunday. Potter said I’m truly embarrassed as a Virgin he will return to the territory Islander,” Sen. Kenneth Gittens said Monday. during the hearing on July 9. “Historical and traditional practices like this one, if it were any place else, would have landed somebody’s behind in jail,” he Finance Authority was once the gov- safety and security for the holder of the “I’m not going to be the last lieutenant Finance Department will issue $5 mil- added. ernment-provided home of the gover- office of the lieutenant governor,” he governor. There are going to be many lion in tax refunds this week. On Monday, Potter repeated what nor’s secretary, Potter said, and sites on said. following. We don’t need to have the “Four million dollars of that will be Property and Procurement St. Croix and St. John had been provid- “Not that I, Osbert Potter, feel per- governor and the lieutenant governor, for the 2014 tax year, and $1 million Commissioner nominee Randolph ed to past lieutenant governors as resi- sonally threatened” anywhere on the whoever they might be in the future, go will be for prior years,” he said. “We Bennett told the Senate: that “a residences while in office. Potter said the islands. “I feel comfortable wherever I through this, like rolling the dice to made the determination that for this fis- dence for the lieutenant governors of housing was provided “not for the indi- am,” he said. “But for the office, and determine if what we are doing is good cal year we will issue $50 million in the Virgin Islands is nothing new. This vidual but for the office.” the office of the lieutenant governor,” or what we are doing is bad,” he said. tax refunds. We have been doing that is not an invention of the Mapp-Potter He said he stays in the St. Croix resi- security personnel felt it was best that a “Something on a more permanent on a regular and consistent basis,” and administration. Residences have been dence when he is there, but the St. John residence be found that was secure and basis I think must be done, and ought are on track with that promise, he said. provided for lieutenant governors from residence needs repairs to make it safe. to be done, and must be done in short “We know how important it is to way back, before the title of the posi- habitable. Potter said Mapp is putting together order,” he said, “so we can put this have tax refund dollars circulating in tion was lieutenant governor. Back then Potter didn’t identify where he has a plan to present to the Legislature to entire debacle behind us.” this economy,” Potter said. the title for the position was govern- been living, but he said the structure provide housing for governors and “It makes a big difference in the ment secretary.” didn’t satisfy security needs. lieutenant governors. Ta x refunds lives of Virgin Islanders who, for the The Government Hill building that “As a result, a location was sought “This has to be something that we Potter also announced that the most part, sit and wait patiently for now houses the offices of the Public that would provide a little bit more must resolve permanently,” Potter said. Internal Revenue Bureau and the their tax returns.”

VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A03] | 07/21/15 00:50 | SUPERIMPVI HOVENSA, buyer seek concessions from V. I.

Sale of port, tank farm contingent on unconditional release from liability Page 2

85th year, No. 23429 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2015 $1

A Pulitzer Prize-Winning Newspaper ST. CROIX ST. JOHN ST. THOMAS TORTOLA CELEBRATING THE PEOPLE, CULTURES AND HISTORY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SINCE 1930 GOVERNOR’S SPENDING Poison expert Mapp drops $5,381.58 disputes DPNR claims on sheets and towels Page 5 Julio Brady, at Miami Macy’s judge and Page 3 These Tommy Hilfiger V. I. leader, Novelty Print Sheets were among the items purchased by Gov. Kenneth dies at 73 Mapp on May 19 at the Macy’s department store Page 4 at Miami’s Dadeland Mall. KEMP’S CALLS

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VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A01] | 09/17/15 01:45 | SUPERIMPVI Thursday, September 17, 2015 VIRGIN ISLANDS The Virgin Islands Daily News 3 GOVERNOR’S SPENDING Excerpts from Go“v. Kenneth Mapp’s “State of the Territory” speech talk- Mapp’s trip to Miami included buying ing about the territory’s precarious ﬁ nancial situation. more than $5,000 in linens for territory “Our government is teetering on the brink of financial collapse. Our By JONATHAN AUSTIN Daily News Staff Editor’s note: This is one of a series ability to deliver basic of reports The Daily News is publishing essential services to our ST. THOMAS — Gov. Kenneth Mapp’s pri- about how the V. I. government is spend- vate trip out of the territory in May included a ing taxpayer money. communities is shopping trip at Macy’s Department Store at diminishing more and Dadeland in Miami, where Mapp bought more than $5,000 worth of towels and bed linens made more each day.” by Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger. Research of the inventory numbers shows that According to documents provided to The Daily Mapp purchased: News by Government House, the governor used • A Ralph Lauren Costa Azzura paisley com- “Clearly, even meeting the his V.I. government credit card to purchase 800- forter for $280.49. Government’s payroll will thread count sheets, shams, bed sets, towels and • A Tommy Hilfiger Boston plaid comforter pillow supports at the department store. set for $84.99. continue to be a Those purchases later were approved as official • A Ralph Lauren Wyatt quilted coverlet or challenge. So my friends, expenditures by Nellie Varlack, the director of shams for $76.49. business and administration at Government • A Tommy Hilfiger Ithaca stripe sheet set for the state of the territory is House. a twin bed for $84.99. critical, and its financial Handwritten notes on the side of the Macy’s Jones said Government House on St. Croix has receipts say that the purchases were for use at a king-size bed, a queen-size bed and twin beds. condition is worsening.” Government House on St. Croix. This Tommy Hilfiger Boston Plaid Comforter was “They’re beautiful, antique Danish beds,” she “Those are the furnishing for Government among Gov. Kenneth Mapp’s picks when he said. “They’re stunning.” House Christiansted. He does stay there occasion- stopped at the Macy’s at Miami’s Dadeland Mall The smaller purchase was for 33 towels and “So, financially, we are ally,” said Government House spokeswoman Kim on May 19. two pillow pads. Representative of the style of not in a good place. In Jones. “Most recently he stayed there for several items Mapp bought was a Hotel Collection days during Tropical Storm Erika.” for a much less rate.” MicroCotton 30-inch by 54-inch bath towel. fact, our territory has Jones couldn’t explain why the purchase of Jones said she didn’t have an answer for why Property and Procurement Commissioner never been in such a state $5,381.58 in linens and towels for a government the governor did the shopping for Government Randolph Bennett said Wednesday that “people facility hadn’t been processed through the House himself. don’t have to come to Property and Procurement in our history. Department of Property and Procurement, the According to receipts from Macy’s that were if they’re buying items” costing $5,000 or less agency tasked with managing properties owned emailed to Carmen Potter in Government House, and can choose what they want in their depart- by the government. Mapp used his government Visa card to pay for ment. “To survive and recover, “I don’t have an answer for that,” she said. one transaction of $4,724.39 on May 19 and “They can come to us for approval, but it’s still which we have the The linens and pillows were shipped to the another the same day of $657.19. their department money,” he said. “Things like Virgin Islands by Paradise Freight, which Jones The larger receipt is for 43 items comprising towels and linens, those are expendable items.” fortitude and ability to do, said is a shipping service that consolidates small pillow pads; bath rugs; mattress covers; bedding; — Contact Jonathan Austin at 714-9104 or will require great courage. shipments into a container “and brings it down and sheets. email [email protected]. Courage to make some Gov. Kenneth Mapp purchased this Hotel Collection difficult decisions, courage 525 thread count 100 percent Egyptian cotton twin sheet set while in Miami. Cost, $110.49. to work with some folks you may not have gotten along with in the past, courage to be transparent and courage to embrace the reality in which we find ourselves.”

“It is important that we all understand that recovering from this financial crisis will require every citizen to do his or her part — no matter how small, how incremental. Lt. Governor Potter and I are committed to working with you to accomplish this.”

VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A03] | 09/17/15 01:56 | SUPERIMPVI 2 The Virgin Islands Daily News VIRGIN ISLANDS Friday, September 18, 2015 ‘Lolo’Willis defiant GOVERNOR’S SPENDING at his sentencing Ta xpayers buy Mapp groceries Also pay overdraft and late fees on his chef’s credit card By JONATHAN AUSTIN Daily News Staff By JONATHAN AUSTIN records note who ate the meals; the pur- ST. THOMAS — Louis “Lolo” Willis was sentenced Thursday by Daily News Staff Editor’s note: This is one of a pose of any meeting at which food was V.I. Superior Court Presiding Judge Michael Dunston to at least two series of reports The Daily News served; or where the cookware was to be years in prison. ST. THOMAS — Gov. Kenneth is publishing about how the V. I. used or where it is kept. Willis had been convicted Aug. 21 for helping Mapp’s chef has spent as much as government is spending taxpayer Brian Wampler, a Fulbright scholar a local construction company avoid paying taxes. $1,611.44 a month in groceries for the money. and chairman of the Political Science The jury convicted Willis, 56, of conspiracy to governor and his staff, but the V.I. gov- Department at Boise State University, evade or defeat tax and aiding and abetting will- ernment failed to pay her credit card bill said the regular use of public funds to ful failure to collect or pay over tax. for two months in a row. paid with cash; and $118.73 on June 16, provide meals for government staffers Willis spoke in his own behalf at his sentenc- Marlene Henderson — the mother of which was paid for with a debit card. and elected officials can undermine the ing, seeking to explain that the charges against the governor’s chief legal counsel, Emile An expenditure authorization dated public trust. him had been improperly filed and that his case Henderson III — was hired in January at June 10 notes that Henderson was reim- “In many places, they are successful in was all part of a federal investigation hanging a salary of $65,000 a year to cook Mapp’s bursed for the May 27 shopping expens- making sure that mayors, governors or over the territory. Louis “Lolo” Willis meals and to maintain his house. es. She did not seek reimbursement for city councils are required to pay for their “There’s a lot coming down, your honor,” he said. The Daily News received copies of her the May 12 or June 16 purchases. own meals,” he told the Daily News. Speaking forcefully, Willis went through documents he said came government credit card statements and The $118.73 purchase from June 16 Successful efforts to build trust pro- from the investigation against him, arguing that the statute of limita- reimbursements as part of a public apparently was covered in an expendi- mote the idea that leaders are “being tions had passed and that he only did something to help an employer records request, and those documents ture authorization request made by the elected; not entitled to a resort lifestyle,” whose company was working repairing schools. show that Henderson has bought grocer- “Office of the Governor” on June 18. he said. He lectured and gestured, at times pointing out his family and friends ies and kitchen supplies routinely, but she Other purchases Henderson made with However, Wampler, whose work seated in the gallery. also has paid cash on shopping trips for her government credit card include addresses efforts to ensure governmental At one point, the stenographer asked the judge to make Willis slow which she was reimbursed. $445.24 worth of kitchenware at KLR accountability, said “there’s no question down so his words could be accurately taken down. The credit card issued to her was over Services on St. Thomas. Two invoices that elected officials abuse the public Willis’ attorney, Treston Moore, earlier had argued the point about its limit for three billing cycles from show she purchased stock pots, ladles, trust.” the statute of limitations to no avail. April through August, and payment was basting spoons, fry pans, a bamboo He cited the successful prosecution of Willis, a former director of the Internal Revenue Bureau and for- past due at least twice. steamer and utensils. a former Virginia governor “convicted of mer executive director of the V.I. Legislature, was arrested Feb. 14, Payments for the credit card were not Government House spokeswoman using public resources to enrich his own 2014, along with Gerard Castor Sr., the president of Balbo noted on the May or June statements. Kim Jones said Thursday that Henderson lifestyle.” Construction, the company that benefited from Willis’ help. The May statement for the Banco “cooks at Government House, both St. Others do bend the rules, he said. Castor pleaded guilty to one count of willful failure to collect or Popular Visa card, which listed a closing Thomas and St. Croix. She serves daily “The way a lot of elected officials play pay over tax as part of a plea deal reached with the government, and date of May 10, included the message food to the governor, his guests and some with this is, they’ll claim that the dinner he later testified against Willis. from the bank that “we have not received of the staff.” is for ‘state good,” Wampler said. The jury found Willis not guilty of assisting in the preparation of your payment of $70” on a balance of Jones said she is “not familiar with the He pointed out, though, that “even at false or fraudulent monthly Gross Receipt Tax returns from 2004 $2,668.13. practices of the business office” and the level of the president, when it is just through 2007 for Balbo Construction. Finance charges of $24.41 were added couldn’t answer for the credit card pay- him and his family, they have to pay for Dunston noted Thursday that the state and the defense made as part of the balance. The billing noted ment situation. the food that they “impassioned and persuasive arguments with regards to the sentence that the account was over its credit limit Regarding whether the V.I. govern- have.” this court should impose.” by $168.13. ment is having trouble paying its credit He rejected the prosecution’s request that Willis pay restitution of The June statement, with a closing card bills, she replied: “Not to my $19,804.18 — the amount of unpaid taxes remaining after Castor paid date of June 10, noted a balance of knowledge. I’m sure it was $100,000 at his sentencing. $2,703.27, with a payment past due and just an oversight.” Prosecutor Denise George Counts asked the court to impose four the card $203.27 over the limit. The reimburse- years in prison for each of the counts against Willis, while Moore Finance charges of $35.14 were listed ments for the asked Dunston to start his deliberation at zero time in prison and move on the June statement. shopping up from there. The May statement detailed 17 charg- trips are Willis faced up to five years for each count. es at grocery stores, while no purchases noted on Under territorial law, Dunston is required to determine whether the were noted on the June statement, which expenditure two counts should be merged for sentencing purposes. is when the card was over its limit and authoriza- He said he did “find merger” and sentenced Willis to two years on past due two months. tions as count one, plus a $5,000 fine. For count two, “were I to sentence it However, groceries still were being being for separately I would sentence you to two years” plus another $5,000 bought. “groceries for A bamboo fine, Dunston said. Henderson’s business expense report governor’s business steamer was Willis currently is serving a federal sentence for bribery and extor- noted that she used a credit card — meals” and “food sup- among the tion, after being sentenced to five years on May 14. apparently a different one — to buy plies for office of the gov- items Dunston said Willis’ territorial sentence will begin at the end of the $115.08 in groceries on May 12; $93.40 ernor.” purchased by federal sentence. worth of groceries on May 27, when she None of the financial Mapp’schef.

ISSN 2159-3019 Advertising News Cir- Contact us St.Thomas-St. John 714-9106 Daily News Publishing Co. Inc. owned 85 culation by VIDN Holdings, LLC publishes The 714-9103 Fax: 776-0740 714-9101 Opinions A Pulitzer Prize-Winning Newspaper Virgin Islands Daily News daily, except Fax: 774-6886 Send letters, essays, ST. CROIX ST. JOHN ST. THOMAS TORTOLA Sports SUBSCRIPTION RATES: One dollar daily. Sunday, Christmas Day and New Year’s St. Croix halos and pitchforks, © 2015 Daily News Publishing Co., Inc. 714-9117 Other subscription rates available on request. Day, at 9155 Estate Thomas, Charlotte 714-9127 Fax: 776-0740 The publisher reserves the Amalie, St. Thomas, VI 00802. First cartoons or other Fax: 773-1621 President Publisher right to change subscription class postage paid at Charlotte Amalie, original material to Opinions Archie Nahigian Jason Robbins Classiﬁeds rates during the term of a sub- St. Thomas. U.S.V.I [email protected] 714-9138 scription with 30 days notice. 714-9105 714-9107 714-2222 The notice may be made by USPS 144-180 Announcements [email protected] [email protected] classiﬁeds [email protected] mail to the subscriber, by notice contained in the newspaper Printed on Send calendar items Executive Editor Editor At Large @dailynews.vi recycled paper POSTMASTER, send Form 3579, Notice and news about your itself or otherwise. Subscription of Address Change, to: Circulation GerryYandel J. Lowe Davis Mail changes may be implemented by Director, Daily News, 9155 Estate organization to 714-9106 714-9138 9155 EstateThomas changing the duration of the subscription. Thomas, St. Thomas, VI 00802. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] St.Thomas, VI 00802

VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A02] | 09/18/15 01:53 | SUPERIMPVI 85th year, No. 23432 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2015 $1

A Pulitzer Prize-Winning Newspaper Emmy Awards Page 41 ST. CROIX ST. JOHN ST. THOMAS TORTOLA CELEBRATING THE PEOPLE, CULTURES AND HISTORY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SINCE 1930 GOVERNOR’S SPENDING Fire Service stretched thin Firefighters at short-staffed stations Mapp has no receipts told to wait for help to arrive for thousands Page 10 charged to government card Page 3 Sailors race back to school Back Page Obama sides against birthright citizenship

for U.S. territories Page 5

Governor spends more than $12,000 on V. I. luxury hotels Page 4

Pope Francis in Cuba Page 11

Did Gov. Kenneth Mapp buy a spoonful of the Golden Opulence Sundae at Serendipity 3 in New Yo rk? Ta xpayers may never know as the receipt for his visit to the Manhattan cafe has been lost. V. I.’s Santana homers Page 48

www.virginislandsdailynews.com Twitter: @VIDailyNews www.facebook.com/virginislandsdailynews ISSN 2159-3019

VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A01] | 09/21/15 01:45 | SUPERIMPVI 2 The Virgin Islands Daily News VIRGIN ISLANDS Monday, September 21, 2015 GOVERNOR’S SPENDING Mapp uses government card for beer, hotels, tickets

By JONATHAN AUSTIN $58.85 at Gourmet Gallery in Havensight. Daily News Staff •On Thursday, May 7, his credit card was charged $32.03 at Moe’s Fresh Market in Red Gov. Kenneth Mapp relies heavily on his gov- Hook. ernment issued credit card, and Government These grocery expenses do not include food House records suggest that nearly everything purchases made by Marlene Henderson, Mapp’s charged to plastic gets paid for by the people. executive chef. Likewise, the statement history of the gover- Mapp did not turn in itemized receipts for nor’s government-issued Visa card shows spiral- most of the purchases at territory grocery stores. ing spending habits in the first seven months of Most receipts provided to support his shop- Mapp’s administration, with charges outpacing ping were receipts that only listed the total payments; balances carried forward from one spent and merchant information. statement period to another; and the imposition One complete receipt was provided in of finance charges. the records released by Government Mapp’s credit limit has been raised at least House, for the March 7 expenditures at once, from $45,000 to $55,000 a month. Moe’s Fresh Market. According to copies of credit card statements The receipt recorded purchases of Coors provided to The Daily News in response to pub- Light, Haagen Das ice cream, vegetables, lic record requests, Government House received bacon, queen snapper fillet, orange juice, the first statement for Mapp’s credit card in Daily News Photo by NOELLE OLIVE nuts, cider, a bag of sweet potatoes, lem- Gov. Kenneth Mapp has been a frequent visitor to Moe’s Fresh Market in Red Hook while February. ons, wine, bread, pasta, beef broth, blue staying at Villa Fratelli Crestaand The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas. Thegovernor has repeatedly It noted no purchases but included a $45 cheese, ham, beef gravy, bananas, eggs, used his government credit card at the store. annual fee. Milk Duds and Nilla Wafers, and an $88 The statement received in March noted beef rib roast, among other grocery $8,097.96 in purchases and that Government The statement showed no new finance charg- ernment credit card, and that his grocery shop- items. House had paid the $45 due on the previous es, and it reflected a credit limit of $45,000. ping trips most often occur on a weekend. statement. Taxpayers paid $1,029.46 for shopping at ter- No grocery allowance The statement received in April noted the July: $26,762 spent ritory grocery stores in March, April and May There appears to be no law or exec- March total of $8,097.96 as its beginning bal- The July 10 statement showed an increase in that was charged to the governor’s government- utive order authorizing a governor to ance, and $2,724.24 in new purchases. the credit limit to $55,000, and a beginning bal- issued credit card. Records reflect that the buy groceries in the territory at tax- It noted that Government House had paid ance of $27,592.10. expenses were approved as for government busi- payer’s expense. $5,882.98, and incurred a finance charge of Purchases for that period were $26,726.22, ness and paid for by taxpayers. According to an executive $103.34. with three payments —on three consecutive days There were a number of charges at Moe’s order signed in 2008 by Gov. The statement received in May noted a begin- — of $4,549.95 on July 7; $17,733.98 posted on Fresh Market in Red Hook, which is close to John deJongh Jr., governor’s are ning balance of $5,042.56, and $3,932.41 in pur- July 8; and $10,228.45 posted on July 9. Villa Fratelli Cresta, the villa where Mapp was entitled to reimbursement for chases. The purchases for that month included about living on the East End of St. Thomas, and The actual expenses while travel- It noted that Government House had paid $7,800 for limo and car services; $3,000 for the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas. ing. $2,218.44, and incurred a finance charge of Marriott, $4,000 for different Ritz properties; •On Saturday, March 7, his credit card was While noting that governor’s $97.08. and $1,700 for American Airlines. charged $355.19 for purchases at Moe’s Fresh have a justification for unusual- The payments reflected on the July statement Market in Red Hook. ly high expenses while travel- June: $33,109 spent totaled $32,612.38, and there were no finance •On Monday, March 9, his credit card was ing, the executive order also The statement received in June noted a begin- charges. charged $66.37 for purchases at Moe’s Fresh notes that government person- ning balance of $6,853.51, and $33,109.45 in Market in Red Hook. nel traveling on official business new purchases. August: $23,331 spent •On Saturday, March 28, his credit card was “shall exercise the same care in The month’s purchases included seven charg- The Aug. 10 statement for the governor’s charged $24.48 for purchases at Moe’s Fresh incurring expenses that a pru- es to airlines totalling more than $18,000; pur- credit card show a beginning balance of Market in Red Hook. dent person would exercise in chases of sheets and bedclothes and other linens $21,705.94, and $23,331.64 in purchases. •On Saturday, April 11, his credit card was traveling on personal busi- from Macy’s totalling about $5,300; and a That month, Mapp spent about $4,400 for charged $46.04 for purchases at Gourmet ness.” charge to the Marriott for $2,400. limo and car services; $6,100 at The Ritz- Gallery in Havensight. The executive order — No. The remaining purchases totalling about Carlton St. Thomas; and $1,600 at a Denver •On Monday, April 13, his credit card was 4392008 — notes that govern- $7,300 came primarily from primarily for meals Marriott. charged $39.96 for purchases at Plaza Extra St. ment personnel are allowed a per and included shipping fees (for the Macy’s pur- Two payments were noted: $5,122.50 posted Thomas. diem for the cost of meals dur- chases) and online purchases of home network- on July 17 and $2,553.20 posted on July 23. •On Saturday, April 25, his credit card was ing the course of authorized ing equipment that was explained as being for Finance charges of $382.19 were added, bring- charged $43.22 for purchases at Moe’s Fresh travel, excluding the cost of Government House. ing the new balance to $37,700.07. Market in Red Hook. alcoholic beverages. The June statement shows that Government •On Sunday, May 3, his credit card was Government House spokes- House had paid $12,371.45 in two different The governor’s groceries used at three St. Thomas grocery stores. It was woman Kim Jones did not installments — one for $6,365.88 posted on May The credit card statements show that Mapp charged $278.29 for purchases at PriceSmart; respond to requests for com- 28, and one for $6,005.58 posted on May 29. has frequently paid for groceries with his gov- $85.03 at Moe’s Fresh Market in Red Hook and ment about this article.

ISSN 2159-3019 Advertising News Circulation Contact us St.Thomas-St. John 714-9106 714-9101 Daily News Publishing Co. Inc. owned 85 by VIDN Holdings, LLC publishes The 714-9103 Fax: 776-0740 Opinions A Pulitzer Prize-Winning Newspaper SUBSCRIPTION RATES: One dollar daily. Virgin Islands Daily News daily, except Fax: 774-6886 Send letters, essays, ST. CROIX ST. JOHN ST. THOMAS TORTOLA Sports Other subscription rates available on request. St. Croix Sunday, Christmas Day and New Year’s halos and pitchforks, © 2015 Daily News Publishing Co., Inc. 714-9117 The publisher reserves the right to change Day, at 9155 Estate Thomas, Charlotte 714-9127 subscription rates during the Fax: 776-0740 Amalie, St. Thomas, VI 00802. First cartoons or other Fax: 773-1621 term of a subscription with 30 President Publisher class postage paid at Charlotte Amalie, original material to Opinions days notice. The notice may be Archie Nahigian Jason Robbins Classiﬁeds made by mail to the subscriber, St. Thomas. U.S.V.I [email protected] 714-9138 714-9105 714-9107 714-2222 by notice contained in the newspaper itself or otherwise. USPS 144-180 Announcements [email protected] [email protected] classiﬁeds [email protected] @dailynews.vi Subscription changes may be Printed on Send calendar items Executive Editor Editor At Large implemented by changing the recycled paper POSTMASTER, send Form 3579, Notice and news about your of Address Change, to: Circulation GerryYandel J. Lowe Davis Mail duration of the subscription. Director, Daily News, 9155 Estate organization to 714-9106 714-9138 9155 EstateThomas ONLINE SUBSCRIPTIONS: Thomas, St. Thomas, VI 00802. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] St.Thomas, VI 00802 virginislandsdailynews.newspaperdirect.com

VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A02] | 09/21/15 01:37 | SUPERIMPVI Monday, September 21, 2015 VIRGIN ISLANDS The Virgin Islands Daily News 3 GOVERNOR’S SPENDING Governor spends thousands on trust alone Missing receipts range from $24.28 spent at Red Hook grocer to $1,223.32 spent at NewYork steak house

By JONATHAN AUSTIN Unanswered questions Daily News Staff At question regarding the receipts Gov. Kenneth Mapp has received and expenditures is whether govern- reimbursement or approval for ment employees other than the gov- numerous expenses for which he ernor were fed at the taxpayers’ could not provide receipts, including expense. a $1,223.32 restaurant bill in New The deJongh executive order says York City. that “per diem expenses shall be The expenses were charged to allowed for the cost of meals pur- Mapp’s government issued credit chased during the course of autho- card and were approved as “legiti- rized travel. mate government expenses” by Any government employees who Nellie Varlack, the director of the received their per diem yet ate when Government House business and the governor put the tab on his gov- administration office. ernment issued credit card may have Some of the expenditures were improperly collected the per diem or further approved by Valdamier improperly eaten at the peoples’ Collens, the Finance Department expense while also collecting per commissioner, while an affidavit for diem. lost/missing receipts for another Likewise, any government employ- batch of purchases was notarized by ee who may have eaten in the territory Emile Henderson III, who is a gov- at meals charged to the governor’s ernment employee working as the credit card may have violated the exec- Daily News Photo by LINDA MORLAND governor’s chief legal counsel. In a March 30 affidavit, Gov. Kenneth Mapp asked for the approval of $828.50 spent at No Bones Cafe in Gallows utive order because it indicates that The affidavits are signed by Mapp, Bay, Christiansted, St. Croix, despite not having receipts for purchases. meal expenses are not authorized when and involve purchases in and out of they are on the island defined as their the territory. official duty station. In his affidavits, Mapp said the Likewise, the executive order says expenses were incurred on behalf of that government employees on travel the government or “are legitimate that does not require an overnight government expenses.” stay “shall be limited to the traveler’s Copies of the lost receipt affidavits transportation expenses.” were included in documents This indicates that they are not Government House provided to The entitled to meals that are paid for by Daily News as response to a number taxpayers. of public records requests. Executive order No itemization The executive order also says that The affidavits include several cred- Gov. Kenneth Mapp has no receipt for the $1,223.32 meal he claims and vouchers “will be submit- it card charges at No Bones Cafe in charged at Sparks Steak House in New Yo rk. ted to the Department of Finance not Christiansted; groceries purchased at later than 10 working days after the Moe’s Fresh Market in Red Hook; a Taxpayers may never know what Gov. Kenneth Mapp spent termination of official travel status.” charge at Cheeseburgers in Paradise just more than $100 on at Serendipity 3 in New Yo rk. The If the governor was traveling when on St. Croix; a charge at Chris restaurant is setting a Guinness World Record in 2007 for the the lost receipt events occurred, he Hideaway in Christiansted; and a world’s most expensive Sundae. may have waited too long to file his purchase at Home Depot on St. claims for the expenses. Croix. of the governor’s credit card state- Christiansted; to accept: The executive order notes that One request for approval of expen- ment noting the total charge. •Acharge of $220 on Saturday, •Acharge of $154 on Saturday, “actual travel expenses may also be ditures is dated March 30, and The governor was apparently not Feb. 14, at No Bones Cafe in March 14, at Chris Hideaway at authorized for government personnel addressed to Collens in the asked to provide an itemized break- Christiansted; Christiansted; who accompany the governor or lieu- Department of Finance. In it, Varlack down of what was purchased; how the •Acharge of $137.50 on Friday, •Acharge of $128 on Wednesday, tenant governor on travel inside and asked for Collens’ “approval to have purchases benefited the government; or Feb. 27, at No Bones Cafe in March 25, at Savant in Christiansted; outside the territorial limits of the the below payments processed by the who ate at meals paid for by Mapp. Christiansted; •Acharge of $24.48 on Saturday, Virgin Islands, in instances in which Department of Finance, Accounting • The $1,223.32 charge on March 28, at Moe’s Fresh Market in the governor or lieutenant governor Division.” Finance charges Tuesday, March 3, at Sparks Steak Red Hook. specifically approve, in writing, the That request was approved by The letter notes that the request House in New York City; application of this subsection to such Collens on April 20, with the added “should be processed as soon as pos- •Acharge of $100.25 on Tuesday, May 20 affidavit personnel based on the circumstanc- note: “Per Section 17, sible in order to avoid the assessing March 3, at Serendipity 3 in New A lost/missing receipt affidavit es of such travel.” Executive Order No. 4392008.” of finance charges.” York City; dated May 20, signed by Mapp and Government House provided no That executive order, signed in However, finance charges were •Acharge of $312 on Wednesday, Varlack and notarized by Henderson, copies of any written approvals in the 2008 by Gov. John deJongh Jr., says being assessed on the credit card March 4, at Cheeseburger in Paradise authorizes: case of restaurant or dining expendi- that receipts for purchases that are to account because the government was in Christiansted; •Acharge of $350 on Sunday, tures within the territory. be paid for by taxpayers must be pro- not paying off the balance on the •Acharge of $66.37 on Monday, April 12, at Home Depot St. Croix; Government House spokeswoman vided to claim those expenses. “The governor’s card. March 9, at Moe’s Fresh Market in •Acharge of $39.96 on Monday, Kim Jones did not reply to messages failure to do so must be fully Red Hook. April 13, at Plaza Extra in Tutu; asking for comment for this article. explained” if the expenses are to be March 30 affidavit •Acharge of $25.98 on Friday, A message left with Collens’ office considered legitimate, the order The lost receipt charges detailed in May 12 affidavit April 17, at Office Max St. Thomas; was not returned. reads. the March 30 letter include: A lost/missing receipt affidavit •Acharge of $32.03 on Thursday, — Contact Jonathan Austin at By way of explanation, •Acharge of $471 on Tuesday, dated May 12, signed by Mapp and May 7, at Moe’s Fresh Market in Red 714-9104 or email Government House provided a copy Feb. 10, at No Bones Cafe in Varlack, authorizes the government Hook. [email protected].

VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A03] | 09/21/15 01:37 | SUPERIMPVI 85th year, No. 23433 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2015 $1

A Pulitzer Prize-Winning Newspaper ST. CROIX ST. JOHN ST. THOMAS TORTOLA CELEBRATING THE PEOPLE, CULTURES AND HISTORY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SINCE 1930 GOVERNOR’S SPENDING Mapp leads the charge: $16,500 for chauffeured cars $10,000 dining locally Pages 3 and 4

A favorite hangout of Gov. Kenneth Mapp is No Bones Cafe in Christiansted, where his government credit card receipts show he has spent $3,295 in 21 visits since early February. On St. Thomas, Mapp charged $896.40 in a single visit to The Cellar in Red Hook. Daily News Photo by LINDA MORLAND

Pope Reunited: Crime Stoppers, V.I. Police back in business Page 2 tours Cuba U.S. Justice Department gives $1.8M for 15 new V. I. police officers Page 6 Page 9 Injuries put the status of star quarterbacks in question Page 38

To mb may solve riddle of the Maccabees Page 17 Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo

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VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A01] | 09/22/15 01:57 | SUPERIMPVI 4 The Virgin Islands Daily News VIRGIN ISLANDS Tuesday, September 22, 2015 GOVERNOR’S SPENDING Mapp, party runup$16,000 in limo,car service charges

By JONATHAN AUSTIN me exclusively,” Jones said. “I Daily News Staff In total, Mapp’s believe that may have been a par- credit cardwas tial listing.” ST. THOMAS — In two months Records show that car service — June and July — Gov. Kenneth charged$16,681.41 for was provided to Petersen from June Mapp charged more than $16,000 limo service provided 21-24 when the governor was visit- worth of limousine and car services ing Washington, D.C. on trips to Washington, D.C., New during the governor’s Petersen’s car service cost $60 York City and Denver. official trips to the first day when he was driven in According to copies of Mapp’s a sedan from Reagan Washington government credit card statements Washington, D.C., to National Airport to the Ritz-Carlton provided to The Daily News by visit members of on South Hayes Street in Arlington, Government House, cars and driv- Va. ers were hired to drive Mapp and Congress to discuss The next day, Petersen had SUV others to and from the airport. highway funding and to service for 15 hours at a cost of Additionally, thousands of dol- $900; he had an SUV for 16 hours lars in billings were run up when New Yo rk City to meet on June 23 at a cost of $960; and he cars were kept for 10 or more hours with police officials. had an SUV for 10 hours on June at hourly rates of $50 or $60 an 24 at a cost of $600. hour. In total, Cars on-call Mapp’s credit An SUV tasked with driving card was Mapp picked him up at Reagan charged spokeswoman Kim Jones. National Airport and drove him to $16,681.41 for The use of car services came the Ritz-Carlton at 4:40 p.m. on limo service despite an executive order signed June 22. provided during in 2008 by Gov. John deJongh Jr. The car was kept on the clock for the governor’s that limits car rentals for govern- 10 hours at a charge of $500. official trips to ment employees to subcompact size A vehicle also was available for Kenneth Washington, vehicles, “unless due to the number Mapp on June 23 at a cost of $600; Mapp D.C., to visit of travelers a bigger size automo- and on June 24 at a cost of $500. members of bile is needed.” James’ sedan and driver cost $60 Congress to discuss highway The executive order also address- to drive the Public Works commis- funding and to New York City to es the hire of special conveyances, sioner to the Rayburn House Office meet with police officials. such as a car and driver, with the Building. The charges also occurred when guidance that it “will be allowed Sunny’s Worldwide Chauffeured Mapp visited the Energy Secretary only in cases of emergency and Transportation provided SUVs and in Washington, D.C., and visited an when no public or regular means of sedans in New York City for Energy Department site in transportation is available or when Petersen, Mapp and Jones, and for Colorado. such regular means of transporta- car service for Mapp’s July trip. Cars — sport utility vehicles or tion cannot be used advantageously Specific details about car service sedans — and drivers were hired in the interest of the government.” on the trip to Washington and from Rim Limo Inc. and Sunny’s Colorado were not available, other Worldwide Chauffeured Sharing the ride than the charges listed on the credit Transportation in the Washington On Monday evening, Jones card statements. area, in New York and later on a sounded surprised when asked In all, Sunny’s Worldwide trip to Denver. why a car service was hired for Chauffeured Transportation billed The services were hired for her benefit. Mapp’s credit card for $9,881.41 Mapp; his security guard, David Regarding the overall practice, for service in June and July. Rim Petersen; Public Works she said it is her understanding that billed a total of $6,800. Commissioner Gustav James; all of the expenditures were — Contact Jonathan Austin at Mapp’s security officer Gregory approved by the business office. 714-9104 or email Bennerson; and Government House “A car was never reserved for [email protected].

VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A04] | 09/22/15 01:34 | SUPERIMPVI Choice parent buying Innovative for $145 million Page 10

85th year, No. 23442 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2015 $1

A Pulitzer Prize-Winning Newspaper ST. CROIX ST. JOHN ST. THOMAS TORTOLA CELEBRATING THE PEOPLE, CULTURES AND HISTORY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SINCE 1930 VILLA MAPP SENATE HEARING Quarter of Central teachers skip school Union says action is not a strike, despite air conditioning issues Page 7 Arturo Sandoval at Reichhold V. I. Legislature Photo by BARRY LEERDAM 24/7 Island Action Shirley Ashby, left, Jimenez Ashby, owner of the St. Thomas villa that WICO rented for Gov. Kenneth Mapp, Randy Knight, WICO board chairman and Mapp’s chief of staff, Adriane Dudley, WICO’s attorney, and Joseph Boschulte, WICO CEO, testify about their roles in the villa rental on Thursday at the V. I. Legislature on St. Thomas. Villa hearing focuses on Mapp’s lavish lifestyle V. I. jockey Senators tell chief of staff Randy Knight eyeing he needs to keep governor in check 3,000 wins Pages 2-3 Julio Felix Back Page West Indian Company won’t turn over meeting minutes Page 4 Gunman, 9 others dead Senator raises issue of impeachment Page 3 at Oregon college Page 11

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VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A01] | 10/02/15 01:19 | SUPERIMPVI 2 The Virgin Islands Daily News GOVERNMENT SPENDING Friday, October 2, 2015 Senate condemns Mapp’s use of public funds Senatorsblast Knight for failure to rein in governor’s ‘lavish’spending

By JONATHAN AUSTIN is the company’s responsibility to Daily News Staff provide housing for the governor on St. Thomas because WICO and the ST. THOMAS — What was to be government had a signed agreement a hearing by the Senate on how and that the company would provide the why the West Indian Co. came to pay Catherineberg mansion as the gover- for Gov. Kenneth Mapp’s housing on nor’s home, yet that historic structure St. Thomas expanded Thursday as has suffered structural issues and was one senator after another weighed in beset with mold. on the governor’s use of public funds “We have an obligation,” Dudley for what Sen. Terrence Nelson called said. “his rich tastes” and lavish spending The senators turned the topic to of public funds. how Government House had handled It ended with Nelson saying that the controversy that arose over the the people — and the Senate — have leasing of the villa, and the constant- the authority to recall a governor, if ly changing message from the execu- they can move the masses to act. tive branch about how much was “What this really speaks to is the being spent, and by whom. demeanor of our chief executive right From there the conversation shift- now,” Nelson said more than an hour ed into a near-indictment of Mapp’s into the hearing. “The spending is spending habits. really the big issue here, the spend- “I think we’re here today because ing trends of this administration. of — just that — being able to pro- “All we wanted to find out really vide full disclosure from the very here is was it illegal; was it within beginning,” said Sen. Kurt Vialet. your authority to do so. Then the rest He said it was a problem when of it is really upon the people. Is this Government House kept changing its what we want? Is this the type of story about who was paying for the chief executive we want to expend villa, and how much it cost. government money carelessly and “People began to speculate about reckless to live like you want because what was going on, and then it even- you have rich, expensive tastes? tually blew out of control,” he said. That’s what it comes down to,” the St. Croix senator said. A lack of disclosure Nelson also made a motion to ask Knight had complained in his the Inspector General to investigate opening statement about when the question of the governor’s hous- Government House spokeswoman ing, though no one else offered a sec- Kim Jones said something about the ond and the motion died. villa renting “for thousands” and he V. I. Legislature Photo by BARRY LEERDAM claimed it was heard as “for $4,000,” Why a luxury villa? Randy Knight, WICO board chairman and Gov. Kenneth Mapp’schief of staff, testifies Thursdayat the V. I. Legislature but Vialet didn’t accept Knight’s The first hour of the session on St. Thomas about WICO’s involvement in leasing aluxuryvilla for Mapp. complaint. focused on why the WICO board of “All Kimberly Jones had to do was directors chose to pay thousands of looked at several options, and chose mittee on July 9, and then spoke of stand why he was called and that he come out the next day with a press dollars to house the governor in a the villa owned by Jimenez Ashby of how the media in the territory is was involved only because he had a release clarifying the issue,” Vialet seven-bedroom luxury villa on the St. Thomas because it fit the require- falsely reporting facts about the lease. rental property and the government said. “For the life of me, I couldn’t East End of St. Thomas. ments, it satisfied security needs, it He also complained about what he offered to lease it. understand why the public relations WICO board Chairman Randy satisfied Mapp and it was available. said was a personal attack on him Senators commiserated, though arm of Government House didn’t just Knight, who is also the governor’s Sen. Novelle Francis Jr. asked regarding his travel expenses while several told Ashby he had become come out and clarify the issue.” chief of staff, told the Senate whether the cost was excessive. on government business. embroiled in a controversy involving Government House fed public Committee of the Whole that he and “That’s why it was a six-month Appearing to testify alongside government spending and questions doubt because no one was step- others had been seeking appropriate contract,” Knight responded. Knight were Joseph Boschulte, the can arise when government funds are ping up to truthfully explain how housing on St. Thomas for Mapp WICO president and CEO; Adriane being spent. much the villa truly cost and who after he won the election and that the The villa’s owner Dudley, the WICO legal counsel; was paying for it, according to pending winter season meant the Knight spoke at length about what and Ashby, the owner of the rental WICO’s housing ‘obligation’ Vialet. options were limited. he called miscommunication regard- villa. Boschulte, Dudley and Knight all Knight said he and the governor ing his invitation to speak to the com- Ashby said that he didn’t under- told the committee that WICO felt it See HEARING, next page

VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A02] | 10/02/15 01:10 | SUPERIMPVI Friday, October 2, 2015 GOVERNMENT SPENDING The Virgin Islands Daily News 3

HEARING suggested that the people of the Virgin CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 Islands have the power to remove the governor if they are dissatisfied. “That is where the real crux of the “If the people are apparently not in problem came up. Every time the num- agreement, as head of state you want to ber went up a little bit, the public got appease them in some kind of way,” really, really alarmed,” he said. Nelson said. “You don’t want to say Vialet said the public also was wary ‘To hell with what they think’ and keep about the villa because Knight was the spending at the same time. And ulti- WICO board chairman while serving mately, the people have a recourse as as the governor’s chief of staff, and well.” Ashby’s real estate representative in “The Senate can vote to impeach, negotiations with the government is the and the people can do it as well,” he husband of Beverly Nicholson-Doty, said. the Tourism commissioner and a member of the WICO board of directors. Public funds for private joys “People had a lot of issues with He said anyone can do anything they everything they were seeing, and what want to with their own money at their caused it to go so far is there just wasn’t own home, but problems arise when full disclosure,” Vialet said. V. I. Legislature Photo by BARRY LEERDAM officials spend public funds for private Shirley Ashby, left, Jimenez Ashby, owner of the St. Thomas villa that WICO rented for Gov. Kenneth Mapp, Randy joys. Other issues dogging Mapp Knight, WICO board chairman and Mapp’s chief of staff, Adriane Dudley, WICO’s attorney, and Joseph Boschulte, “Your private residence is your pri- Sen. Rocky Liburd said Government WICO CEO, testify about their roles in the villa rental on Thursday at the V. I. Legislature on St. Thomas. vate residence; how you want it, the House kept changing its tune as news color you want it, that’s on you,” about the villa filtered out. thing that somebody can go and check as president if they are dissatisfied. shared with those who you represent. Nelson said, speaking directly to “There are too many issues sur- and know it’s not there?” “That can’t happen with the gover- Because at the end of the day, the con- Knight. “Even though you weren’t rounding the governor that’s not nor,” he said. stituents need to know what direction elected, you have to remind him that cleared up from the outset,” he said. ‘Is it the truth?’ What James said Mapp need right you’re taking,” she said. you’ve got to serve the people. That’s “There’s always something here, some Speaking softly, Liburd said the year now is “people who are telling the gov- “I think if I were to sit on the side- what this is about.” story, somebody gives half of the story, began on a positive note but the actions ernor, from time to time, ‘I can’t sup- lines and watch this drama play itself After the meeting, Nelson expanded then the press has to go and find anoth- of the administration have created port that.’” out, I would say that you failed miser- on his talk of impeachment, or recall. er story, and then you’ve got to come problems. James said the governor needs to ably. You, as in you, Mr. Knight, and “There’s public sentiment, that back. Something is wrong with how “I believe the people came into the pay attention. the people in Government House,” she they’re waiting for the one year to we’re operating.” administration of Kenneth Mapp as a “This isn’t a joking matter. The pub- said. “You failed miserably in commu- attempt an impeachment of this gover- Liburd and others then began to bring new beginning, with a lot of high lic believes that they were misled, and nicating with the people. You create an nor,” he said. “The people do have that up the other issues that have dogged hopes,” he said. “You know, they had a they believe that the Legislature, with atmosphere of doubt.” right, and I just wanted to declare that Mapp, such as the failure of his admin- lot of issues with the past administra- our oversight authority, needs to rein in The administration has made a series it’s within their authority and discretion istration to respond to requests for pub- tion, some of the same things we’re —R-E-I-N — that’s the spelling, in of poor choices, and “what the people to make that attempt. And I put it out lic records and the attitude that the exec- dealing with here now.” that context, not R-E-I-G-N — which of this territory want to see is good there because the Senate is being asked utive branch can spend thousands on His advice was pointed: Tell the is what the governor has — to rein in choices,” Rivera-O’Reilly said. to behave like some type of enforce- food, drink and other extravagances. truth. the spending,” he said. She asked Knight whether he ever ment authority and we’re not.” “The media can say what they want, “I know the governor is entitled to considered it a conflict of interest to be Nelson also raised the issue of pos- Afailure to communicate and you say sometimes they’re going perks; it comes with the position. We’re chief of staff and to be pushing through sible criminal charges. As they bore in, senators aimed their to fix it up their way. But there’s one all benefiting from perks,” James said. the lease for the villa. “I made a motion to send it to the questions more at Knight and less at thing that they can’t refute. Is it the “But there’s a belief that the spending is “Actually, no,” Knight replied, Inspector General’s office as well, the WICO representatives. truth? Is it documented?” excessive, and we need to address that.” explaining that legal counsel didn’t see because we need to know clearly if “The truth is, things I see the press is Liburd implored Knight to do things a problem, nor did any members of the there’s been an illegal act, and I think asking for, just give it,” Liburd said. right in Government House, even if it An atmosphere of doubt board. that’s the place to do it,” he said. “So I “It’s not yours. Somebody’s going to challenges the governor’s wishes. He Sen. Nereida Rivera-O’Reilly “But you, you as an individual,” put it out there because I want the pub- find it anyhow. If you tell the truth one said Knight needs to step up and echoed a word Mapp used frequently Rivera-O’Reilly countered. “As the lic to know it’s in their hands. If this time, you don’t have to keep going change the direction the executive in his campaign and since — chief of staff, I would have stepped matter is not illegal, then it’s upon them back over and over and over. Because branch is going. transparency. aside and said, to protect my boss; to to express their discontent with the truth is only one shot. You don’t “At the end of the day, transparency protect the integrity in the office of the the spending trends of this have to change the story. So from the The public was misled has only one definition, and that is that governor.” administration.” outset, let’s do it right.” Sen. Neville James said things work the actions that you take should be — Contact Jonathan Austin at “There’s some things that we can differently in his branch of govern- done openly, in plain view, and the The people’s power to recall 714-9104 or email jaustin@dailynews. avoid,” Liburd said. “Why say some- ment, where senators can remove him decisions that you made should be Nelson went further, though, and vi. People have power to recall Mapp under V. I. Code

By JONATHAN AUSTIN something about it,” Nelson said. ated by a two-thirds vote of the mem- The Supervisor of Elections shall two-thirds of the number of persons Daily News Staff “The Senate can vote to impeach, bers of the Legislature or by a peti- have 15 days in which to determine voting for such official in the last and the people can do it as well.” tion under this subsection. whether the minimum number of preceding General Election at which ST. THOMAS —Sen. Terrence However, according to the law, a (3) Prior to circulation, a recall valid signatures are contained in the such official was elected vote in Nelson stood up on the Senate floor recall election regarding a sitting petition which identifies by name and recall petition. favor of recall and in which those so Thursday and spoke a word that’s governor in the Virgin Islands cannot office the official being recalled and (4) A special recall election voting constitute a majority of all been percolating in the territory in take place during the elected offi- which states the grounds for recall shall be held with respect to an those participating in such recall recent weeks regarding Gov. Kenneth cial’s first year in office. shall be submitted to the Supervisor elected public official not earlier election. Mapp and what senators called his The Revised Organic Act of 1954, of Elections. than 30 days after a vote of the (6) No recall election shall be held “lavish” spending habits. subsection 12, specifies that: The sponsors of the recall petition legislature under paragraph 2 or a with respect to an elected public offi- The word was “impeach.” (1) An elected public official of the shall be allowed a period of 60 days determination of the board of cial — The action of removing an elected Virgin Islands may be removed from after such submission for filing with elections under paragraph 3, as • During the first year of the first official is actually referred to as a office by a recall election carried out the Supervisor of Elections a list of the case may be, and not later term of office of the official. recall election, according to V.I. under this subsection. The grounds signatures equal in number to at least than 60 days after such vote or •Less than 3 months before a Code. for recall are any of the following: 50 percent of the whole number of determination. General Election for the office. “Ultimately, the people have a lack of fitness, incompetence, neglect votes cast for that office in the last (5) An official shall be removed — Contact Jonathan Austin at recourse as well, and it’s whether or of duty, or corruption. General Election during which that from office upon approval of the 714-9104 or email not they’re serious enough to do (2) A recall election may be initi- office was filled. recall in an election in which at least [email protected].

VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A03] | 10/02/15 01:10 | SUPERIMPVI Saturday, October 3, 2015 VIRGIN ISLANDS The Virgin Islands Daily News 3 WICO releases transcript, minus dozens of pages Dudley claims details of Villa Mapp meeting protected by ‘attorney-client privilege’

By JONATHAN AUSTIN governor or any white space where dialogue was Daily News Staff governor, I would removed. think that I would ST. THOMAS — The attorney for like to have a Phantom motions the West Indian Co. on Friday motion that we The board then said it would vote released a copy of the transcript for accept this agree- on three resolutions. the WICO board of directors April 14 ment.” One was to vote on approving a meeting, but the document has about That is fol- contract to provide a temporary resi- 60 pages missing and entire sections lowed by a space dence to the governor and approving removed. where dialogue is the contract for the villa in which the “These gaps represent attorney-cli- Randy redacted. governor was living. ent privileged discussions,” attorney Knight Board member In the second motion, Dudley is Adriane Dudley told The Daily News and V.I. Tourism quoted as saying that WICO “recog- on Friday. Commissioner nizes its obligation and tradition to The Daily News had filed a public Beverly provide a permanent residence for records request in May for records Nicholson-Doty the governor of the Virgin Islands, pertaining to WICO’s decision to pay is quoted as say- whomever that individual may be, tens of thousands of dollars for housing she would like and that that residence will be the ing Gov. Kenneth Mapp, and the to be recused sole residence in the St. Thomas-St. transcript was one section in a packet from the vote. John District on the island of St. of documents Dudley emailed Friday “My husband Thomas hereafter. And to the extent afternoon. manages the villa. that there is any contradictory lan- The remainder of the packet Beverly So I just want full guage in law, be resolved to autho- included documents that already have Nicholson-Doty disclosure,” she rize counsel to address the issue with come to light as WICO officials have said. the delegate to Congress.” been called twice to appear before V. I. Legislature Photo by BARRY LEERDAM Knight is quot- It isn’t clear from the redacted min- the Senate to explain the plan to WICO attorney Adriane Dudley appears before the Senate Committee of the ed as replying, utes what the third resolution was, and house the governor. Whole on Thursday at the V. I. Legislature on St. Thomas. Dudley on Friday “Of course. the board also made reference to a The packet delivered Friday did released a transcript of WICO’s April 14 board of directors meeting that Anyway, so here fourth resolution to authorize Dudley, not include the minutes for a WICO senators had requested, but with dozens of pages missing or redacted. is — yes, this is as board member Edward Thomas board meeting in June, during which the villa for the said, “to work with the delegate to the board reversed earlier decisions Committee of the Whole, that WICO until we can provide him a perma- first four months accomplish the deletion.” regarding the luxury villa leased for could not provide meeting minutes nent place. And I’ll be saying that of January Voting in favor of the first resolu- the governor on the East End of St. because the appeals court ruling was about whatever governor was in through April.” tion were Knight;Vice-chairwoman Thomas. narrowly written and did not address office,” WICO board Chairman Joseph That is followed Joyce Dore-Griffin;Boschulte; and whether board meeting minutes are Randy Knight, who also is Mapp’s Boschulte by a 4-inch blank board members Roberto Cintron, 3rd Circuit ruling public record. chief of staff, is quoted as saying. space, and then Michael Daswani, Ricaldo Lettsome, The Senate repeatedly had asked Senators pointed out that the V.I. The minutes show that Knight felt the board discusses how the motion is Michael Watson and Thomas. WICO to provide copies of the min- Code says WICO must provide the gov- he didn’t need the board to vote on for WICO to pay for a residence for Nicholson-Doty recused herself. utes, and WICO had refused, citing a ernment with transcripts of meetings. whether WICO would pay for the the governor “that he chooses to live Moments later, the board went federal court ruling that said the com- One day later, the company sent governor’s villa. at upon our approval.” back to approve an amendment to the pany was a private business despite the heavily redacted minutes of the “I don’t think I have to have a vote Later, Knight is quoted as saying first resolution to say that the cost of being owned in its entirety by the V.I. April 14 meeting. on this,” he is quoted as saying. that WICO would provide the rental the housing could not exceed an government. That line in the text is followed by until “such time as we provide a per- amount approved periodically by the That ruling was superseded when WICO claims responsibility a 3-inch block of white space where manent residence.” board. the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals The unredacted sections of the dialogue was redacted. “Whether it’s this governor or All nine members voted in favor ruled in August that WICO is a whol- minutes indicate that the board dis- It picks up again with Knight quoted another governor says, no, I don’t of the amendment. ly owned government entity. cussed how it is WICO’s responsibil- as saying: “Okay. Well, anyway, I would want to live there, it doesn’t work The votes for other resolutions were On Thursday, Dudley and WICO ity to house the governor. propose that the present residence or that way,” Knight says. “This is what not included in the transcript, and no President and CEO Joseph Boschulte “I think the onus is on us to be whatever residence until we can provide we’re providing.” again told the Senate, meeting as the paying for Gov. Mapp’s residence permanent accommodations for this That is followed by 8 inches of See MINUTES, next page Senators: People have lost hope in government

By JONATHAN AUSTIN their eyes,” he best interest for them,” he said. “The though he was quick to point out that Daily News Staff said. “They want people have lost hope. I don’t think he thinks the governor’s financial to know when — the people are asking for more. They team is top-notch. ST. THOMAS — Three senators when is it going are asking for basic necessities: food, “Here in St. Croix, people want to who took part in Thursday’s to get better. We water, a place to live.” know when are we going to see some Committee of the Whole hearing can tell them Sen. Nereida Rivera-O’Reilly and kind of economic development? We about the governor’s housing and about the bills we Sanes both said St. Croix is suffering do see some of the roads being fixed. spending decisions said Friday that are passing, but badly in the wake of the HOVENSA That’s always a good sign, but we many of the territory’s residents feel that’s little com- refinery closure. need jobs,” he said. “We need some despair and hopelessness in the cur- Sammuel Nereida Marvin fort. I understand. “We have nothing happening on type of hope. It’s hard when there is rent political and economic climate. Sanes Rivera-O’Reilly Blyden I can feel their St. Croix. We have nothing,” Rivera- no communication. Communication “People want answers. People frustration.” O’Reilly said. is essential, and I truly believe that’s want to know what’s going to hap- “When I go out and I mingle with Sen. Marvin Blyden said he, too, Sanes said it’s hard to build for the not happening at this time.” pen,” said Senate Majority Leader people, you can see that people are senses the mood of the community. future if the different branches of Sammuel Sanes. desperate. You can see the despair in “The people want us to work in the government don’t communicate, See HOPE, next page

VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A03] | 10/03/15 01:04 | SUPERIMPVI 4 The Virgin Islands Daily News VIRGIN ISLANDS Tuesday, October 6, 2015 Lawyer: WICO documents are not minutes

By JONATHAN AUSTIN tion during That vote was eight in favor, with Daily News Staff meetings. one abstention by Tourism “The secretary Commissioner Beverly Nicholson- ST. THOMAS — The material pro- is typically Doty, who said her husband worked vided to The Daily News by an attor- required to main- with the villa management on getting ney representing the West Indian Co., tain minutes,” he the unit rented. was apparently not minutes of the April said. “The board Voting in favor of the resolution 14 board of directors meeting, accord- might be discuss- were board Chairman Randy Knight; ing to a law professor who teaches ing a topic and the Vice-chairwoman Joyce Dore-Griffin; business and corporate law in Silicone Randy Joseph Beverly Joyce Adriane lawyer interrupts, WICO President and CEO Joseph Valley. Knight Boschulte Nicholson-Doty Dore-Griffin Dudley saying, ‘Let’s have Boschulte; and board members Roberto At the same time, WICO board mem- a conversation Cintron, Michael Daswani, Ricaldo bers contacted on Monday would not None of those basic protocol items page 60. The last page is page 74, and about this,’” Diamond said. Lettsome, Michael Watson and discuss their reasons for their votes or are included in the document sent to several pages and sections are missing He said the validity as to whether it is Thomas. comment about WICO’s failure to pro- The Daily News on Friday by attorney between the two. proper to remove those discussions from The board members, who are refus- vide comprehensive public documents. Adriane Dudley, legal counsel for Diamond said the report can’t be the transcript depends on the strength of ing to comment on why they voted the The document provided by WICO, WICO. considered either minutes or a tran- the territory’s public records laws. way they did, are: which was heavily redacted and includ- Diamond said there is no legal basis script, because it doesn’t begin at the “Overly broad deletions of material • Knight, who also is the governor’s ed only one of four votes the board is for redacting simple actions, such as a call beginning or end at the ending. “It can be challenged,” he said. chief of staff, is the former owner of St. said to have been discussing, is just a to order or the motion for adjournment. means you don’t have the minutes, and The Daily News had filed a public Thomas-St. John Cable TV and the transcript of selected conversation from The transcript provided by Dudley you don’t have the transcript,” he said. records request in May for records per- former owner of WVWI, WVJZ and the board meeting, suggested Stephen has a cover sheet that purports to be “Minutes are not a transcript. Minutes taining to WICO’s decision to pay tens WWKS radio stations. Diamond, a law professor at Santa from the board of directors meeting, are a record of actions taken, not a of thousands of dollars for housing • Dore-Griffin is an assistant Travel Clara University School of Law. and it notes the date and time of the record of the discussion. If you were Gov. Kenneth Mapp in a luxury villa and Tourism commissioner who was the Diamond said a copy of the minutes, meeting; where the meeting occurred; after the minutes, I don’t think you on St. Thomas. director of sales and marketing at no matter how heavily redacted, still and who was present, and it contains a were given the minutes.” The transcript was one section in a Marriott’s Frenchman’s Reef Beach would include a written record of the notation that it was prepared by Porter’s Dudley told The Daily News that the packet of documents Dudley emailed Resort until this year. The Tourism Board board being called to order; would Court Reporting, Inc. gaps represent “attorney-client privi- Friday afternoon with the comment: office said she is traveling and is not include the true count of all votes taken However, the cover sheet doesn’t leged discussions.” “Attached are the docs in response to available for comment. by the board; and would include the claim to be the meeting minutes, and Diamond said it is not uncommon your request.” • Thomas was the first CEO at motion for adjournment. the first page of meeting content is on for boards to hear privileged informa- In a series of following emails, WICO after the Virgin Islands govern- Dudley didn’t challenge the impression ment acquired it. He confirmed that he that the text was minutes of the was chairman of the WICO board of meeting. directors for 18 years. He said Monday By way of explanation as to why he did not want to comment other than pages and sections were missing from to verify his biographical information. the minutes and whether those sections • Boschulte has been president and would be provided, Dudley replied by CEO at WICO since 2012. Previously email: “No, those are redacted as he was chief financial officer at the V.I. privileged.” Water and Power Authority. She offered further explanation. • Cintron is president of his fami- “These gaps represent attorney-cli- ly’s land development business, Jay- ent privileged discussions. While all of Ro-Mar Inc., and a co-owner of New these documents, except the minutes, Wave Development. He is a civil engi- have been in the public domain for neer who was assistant commissioner some time, the minutes of the board of the Public Works Department and meeting discussion concerning pay- the St. Croix District engineer for ment for the temporary residence of Public Works. our highest elected official have not, • Nicholson-Doty serves as the V.I. before now, been provided,” she wrote Tourism commissioner. in a follow-up email. • Watson is owner of the Petite The transcript shed little light on the Pump Room Bar & Restaurant on St. board’s actions because so much dia- Thomas. He said Monday he did not logue had been removed. want to comment about the board’s However, it does indicate that the vote. board voted to approve a contract to pro- • Daswani is associated with Royal vide a temporary residence to the gover- Caribbean, a retail business in St. nor and approve the contract for the villa Thomas. in which the governor was living. • Lettsome is a taxicab operator.

VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A04] | 10/06/15 01:11 | SUPERIMPVI 6 The Virgin Islands Daily News VIRGIN ISLANDS Friday, October 30, 2015 Attorney sues Mapp over spending records fallout Suit claims she was demoted for refusing to alter details about governor’s public credit card use

By JONATHAN AUSTIN Department. Daily News Staff Mills-Williams contends that she V. I. law protects whistleblowers ST. THOMAS — A government lost her job employee who filed a civil suit claim- because she had The Virgin Islands Whistleblowers (c) As used in subsection (a) of ing Gov. Kenneth Mapp and some of released the travel Protection Act says that an employ- this section, “damages” means dam- his top staff members violated the V. I. and credit card er shall not discharge, threaten, or ages for injury or loss caused by Whistleblowers Protection Act was put records to the news otherwise discriminate against an each individual violation of the pro- on administrative leave on Thursday, media but the gov- employee regarding the employee’s visions of this chapter, including according to her lawyer. Randy Emile Lee ernor and Knight compensation, terms, conditions, reasonable attorney fees. LaVerne Mills-Williams, who was a Knight Henderson III Rohn wanted to alter location, or privileges of employ- (d) An employee shall show by a deputy legal counsel in Government records to remove ment because the employee, or a preponderance of the evidence that House until Sept. 30, filed a civil suit funds to pay her,” Mills-Williams’ unfavorable details. person acting on behalf of the he or a person acting on his behalf Thursday against Mapp, his chief of attorney Lee Rohn told The Daily “It was also made clear to the plain- employee, reports or is about to was about to report or did report, staff, Randy Knight, and her supervi- News on Thursday. “She is on leave tiff that she was to stonewall any addi- report, verbally or in writing, a vio- verbally or in writing, a violation or sor, Mapp’s legal counsel Emile with pay; however, they can’t find a tional Freedom of Information requests lation or a suspected violation of a a suspected violation of a law of this Henderson III, who also was Mills- source to pay her.” and not produce any more documents,” law or regulation or rule promulgat- territory, or the United States, to a Williams’ supervisor. Rohn said she plans to modify the the suit says. ed pursuant to law of this territory or public body. Mills-Williams’ lawsuit claims that lawsuit to include Walker, the acting The suit also names the Office of the the United States to a public body they told her to stonewall releasing attorney general. Governor as a defendant. unless the employee knows that the Court awards documents in response to public record “Claude Walker is going to get Neither Knight, Henderson, nor report is false, or because an A court rendering a judgment in requests filed by the news media, and sued,” Rohn said. “Claude Walker is Government House spokeswoman employee is requested by a public an action brought pursuant to the she was punished for releasing files part of the retaliation.” Kim Jones responded to repeated body to participate in an investiga- provisions of this chapter, shall that showed “there had been improper According to her civil suit, Mills- requests from The Daily News for tion, hearing or inquiry held by that order, as the court considers appro- spending” of taxpayer funds. Williams said that after she followed comment about the civil suit. public body, or a court action. priate, reinstatement of the employ- “Today, they gave her a letter putting the law and released the records, Mapp, Walker had no comment when (a) A person who alleges a viola- ee, the payment of back wages, full her on leave, signed by Claude Walker, Knight and Henderson terminated her reached. tion of this chapter may bring a civil reinstatement of fringe benefits and in which they admit that when she was position and transferred her to an action for appropriate injunctive seniority rights, actual damages, or transferred there was no source of unbudgeted position at the Justice ‘A reputable administration’ relief, or actual damages, or both, any combination of these remedies. The suit says that Mills-Williams took within ninety days after the occur- A court may also award complain- the job in the legal counsel’s office rence of the alleged violation of the ant all or a portion of the costs of lit- because Henderson told her that “this provisions of this chapter. igation, including reasonable attor- administration was going to be unlike (b) An action commenced pursu- ney fees and witness fees, if the other administrations and that it was going ant to subsection (a) of this section court determines that the award is to be ethical, do all actions by the books, may be brought in the Superior appropriate. and be a reputable administration.” Court division where the alleged Prior to taking the position, Mills- violation occurred, the Superior Penalties and fines Williams had worked doing contract Court division where the complain- A person who violates the provi- work for various attorneys, Rohn said. ant resides, or the division where the sions of this chapter shall be liable When she was assigned to respond person against whom the civil com- for a civil fine of not more than to record requests from the media, plaint is filed resides or has his prin- $500.00 payable to the Department Mills-Williams “walled off” Mapp, Lt. cipal place of business. of Finance. Gov. Osbert Potter, Knight and Henderson from her work, “as all were the subject of the request,” according ‘Illegal directive’ ments detrimental to the governor.” to her lawsuit. After the records were released, The suit says that Henderson said The suit says she later learned that according to the lawsuit, Henderson Mills-Williams had done the right thing Mapp “wanted to review the docu- told Mills-Williams “that the governor and that he had supported her to Mapp. ments before submission.” and Randolph Knight were very upset “But it had done no good, and as Mills-Williams claims in her filing that plaintiff had released the docu- such he was forced to go along with that the legal staff held a meeting to ments without affording them the the decision of the governor and discuss that request and that the out- opportunity to review them and redact Knight,” the lawsuit states. come was that Henderson was to coun- documents.” The suit says the decision to punish sel Mapp “as to how inappropriate The suit also says that Mills- Mills-Williams “came directly from such an action on the governor’s part Williams told Henderson that “the the governor” and she had to be out of would be.” directive to not produce any more doc- the office by Oct. 2. The suit says Mills-Williams contin- uments was illegal and that the gover- The suit says the governor signed a ued doing her job and released the nor should be told that counsels could letter of termination that was delivered results to the media on Sept. 14. not follow illegal directives.” to her at the Justice Department. “The documents verified that there The suit says that Henderson agreed, Mills-Williams contends in her law- had been improper spending of funds but on Sept. 30, he told Mills-Williams suit that Government House refused to without the approval of the Legislature, that she would be changing jobs and provide a notice of personnel action as well as improper credit card charges going to work in the V.I. Justice with the transfer, and she has not been and the like,” the suit says. Department. paid for work performed since Oct. 2. “Their illegal actions are having the The suit says Henderson claimed the The suit also claims that Mapp, rent paid for his villa without legislative transfer “was for budgetary reasons,” Knight, Henderson and the office of approval; charging alcohol beverages but Mills-Williams contends she con- the governor, “in order to attempt to to his government credit card; and fronted him and “told him that he knew cover up for their illegal actions,” charging non-government-related items that was not true.” defamed Mills-Williams “by falsely to his government credit card,” Rohn The suit says Henderson admitted claiming she was transferred for failure said Thursday, adding that Mapp can’t that it wasn’t true and that she was trans- to know what she was doing.” arbitrarily declare that “drinks at the bar ferred because she had responded to the Rohn is a plaintiff or a plaintiff’s coun- at midnight are a business meeting.” record requests “and produced docu- sel in litigation against The Daily News.

VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A06] | 10/30/15 01:16 | SUPERIMP 24 The Virgin Islands Daily News OPINIONS Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Virgin Islands V.I. and entire region must reassure tourists DA I LY 84 N EWS

A Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper about safety in aftermath of attacks inTunisia Founded Aug. 1, 1930, by J. Antonio Jarvis and Ariel Melchior Sr. Published by Daily News Publishing Co., Inc. Recently, at least 38 holidaymak- What events in Tunisia also sug- Archie Nahigian, President ers died on a beach in Tunisia, and gest is that tourism as an industry EDITORIAL BOARD many more were injured in an needs a more joined up global Jason Robbins, Publisher appalling terrorist attack aimed at approach, a deeper understanding of GerryYandel, Executive Editor J. Lowe Davis, Editor At Large Ken E. Ryan, Production Director Lisa Jamil, Advertising Director killing visitors and damaging termi- David how security issues relate to tour- Onneka Challenger,Circulation Director Michael J. Grigo, Controller nally that country’s tourism indus- ism, and a better awareness of the try. It was the second such event this Jessop impact and timescales over which year, and followed another in March events can touch the industry. on tourists visiting a museum that It also demonstrates the need for USVI needs leaders left 17 dead. knowledge of whether there is more In the Caribbean, there have been that might be done in the event of expressions of sympathy and soli- It cannot be stressed any kind of major crisis to achieve a who set good example darity with Tunisia and with those form of joint response, and have in whose lives have been irreparably enough that the place arrangements for crisis man- altered by the attack. agement and planned recovery. This is an Open Letter to the V.I. However, the reasoning behind Caribbean is among the Sadly in recent months there has Legislature: Sue Parten the terrible events in that world’s safest locations been news that in the region and We read in the V.I. Daily News Mediterranean country should cause beyond there are young men and that Gov. Kenneth Mapp and his every government in the Caribbean for a happy and possibly women of Caribbean par- entourage lodged at The Ritz in New When chief executive with an economy dependent on tour- peaceful vacation. entage who are now fighting for the York City. This is on the heels of ism to think more deeply about the self-styled Islamic State (ISIS) in learning that the V.I. government has officers of governments implications. Syria or Iraq. been paying $14,500 per month plus and their programs That is to say, to understand that government to forecast the loss of While this requires governments, operating expenses for a villa. this is not only about attacking west- millions of holidaymakers as tour the media, religious groups and oth- Yet, the V. I. Waste Management don’t set the right ern tourists and all that tourism stands operators pull out of the country, ers to act carefully and responsibly Authority reports it “cannot afford to example, the wrong for, but is also about a belief that by cruise ship arrivals cease, and airlift and for everyone to consider the carry out comprehensive recycling.” inducing fear among those who is significantly reduced. Latest fig- implications, these are also develop- That is despite the fact that most of trends perpetuate might have considered a vacation in ures suggest that Tunisia expects to ments that require all Caribbean the rest of the civilized world accepts themselves into the Tunisia, it will collapse the tourism lose at the very least US$515m in states to consider whether they have recycling as a basic means of keep- economy and bring instability that tourism earnings this year out of in place the necessary legislation ing down costs associated with broader community. can be used to the long-term global anticipated direct revenues of over outlawing terrorism and enabling responsible solid waste management. The attitude becomes: advantage of the perpetrators. the US$1.95 billion recorded in legally the real-time exchange of And WMA makes its assertion In addressing the issue of tourism 2014. information about the nihilistic despite the dire need for conservation “The Government and security there is always the dan- Although the Tunisian govern- young men who are now travelling and re-use of materials such as pul- shows no interest in ger that by drawing attention, to the ment is considering ending its visi- to the Middle East. verized glass (for a wide range of issues it may dissuade visitors from tors’ tax, reviewing debt relief for Understandably, this raises con- important uses), and composted taking care of us, so travelling. hotel operators, making loans to the cern about the impact on civil liber- organics to restore carbon and other why should we hesitate For this reason it cannot be industry, and introducing new secu- ties, the cost of policing and security, important amendments to our soils to stressed enough that the Caribbean rity and other measures all to sup- and the exchange of information with make them more productive. to take care of is among the world’s safest loca- port the industry’s economic recov- states outside the region. However, Further, amid the recent adminis- ourselves, even when it tions for a happy and peaceful ery this is likely to be years away. these are matters that before long, in trative expenditures, DPNR reports vacation. The Caribbean is the most tour- one or another way, every Caribbean its inability to staff sufficiently to means shady or That said, it is clear that the sub- ism-dependent region in the world; nation will have to become more uphold reasonable environmental and inappropriate uses of ject now has to become an issue it is located at the heart of the heavily engaged in if they are to public health and safety enforcement globally that Governments and Americas, where travel and tour- defend their own and the region’s standards because it is understaffed public monies?” industry professionals, including ism’s total contribution to GDP is long term economic interests. due to budget constraints. That becomes the norm those in the Caribbean, need to con- the highest in the world in percent- This may be regrettable, but it is These are but two examples, in a sider closely on a regional and inter- age terms, so the implications should unavoidable. sea of other examples, of fiscal irre- rather than the attitude national basis. be apparent to all and worthy of In nations where the rule of law, sponsibility. At what point will the of “If we all look out for What happened in Tunisia, and detailed consideration. freedom of speech and personal people of the U.S. Virgin Islands and before in Mumbai, in Kenya and According to the Caribbean freedoms are highly regarded, devel- our legislators say, “Enough is others as we would for Egypt, provides a clear indication of Tourism Organisation in 2014, oping laws and regulations that enough”? ourselves, we will figure the economic threat that terrorism 26.3m tourists visited the region respond to threats of the kind that When chief executive officers of poses when tourism is its target. principally from North America and may emerge are challenging, and governments and their programs a way forward that As the World Travel and Tourism Europe contributing a record $29.2 result quite rightly in such legisla- don’t set the right example, the takes care of all of us.” Council (WTTC) pointed out, the billion, with the industry, the WTTC tion being legally tested. wrong trends perpetuate themselves industry in Tunisia’s case plays a says, supporting directly or indirect- But the likelihood of what may be into the broader community. pivotal role in the country’s econo- ly 11.3 per cent of all Caribbean a war without end is why much The attitude becomes: “The will figure a way forward that takes my, generating in 2014 over 15 per employment, and very high levels of more needs to be done to explain to Government shows no interest in tak- care of all of us.” cent of the country’s GDP, or at investment. a sometimes sceptical public why ing care of us, so why should we hes- It’s vital that leaders emerge in the around $7.4 billion, supporting Tourism’s continuing ability to new measures are necessary and itate to take care of ourselves, even V. I. territory who lead by example, directly nearly 14 per cent of overall prosper is therefore a key element in assurances given that any new pow- when it means shady or inappropri- and lead in ways that show the inter- employment. the economic security of every ers will not be used capriciously. ate uses of public monies?” ests of the people of the Virgin It is therefore easy to understand Caribbean nation and that of the Recent events in Tunisia, though That becomes the norm rather than Islands — all the people — are fore- why the country’s Tourism Minister, region as a whole. far away, should have greater reso- the attitude of “If we all look out for most in their hearts and thinking. Salma Loumi, said after the attack For this reason, it is an issue on nance with governments and the others as we would for ourselves, we — Sue Parten, P.E., St. Thomas that the damage to the Tunisian which self-interest should drive industry, albeit in a low key way, in economy would be great. The coun- Caribbean thinking and actions rath- a region as is well known is the most try had expected to receive about er than, as is sometimes the case, it tourism dependent in the world [email protected] 6.5m visitors in 2015, but the two be seen as a matter for others to fund — David Jessop is a consultant to The Daily News’ opinions are expressed only in its editorials. terrorist events have had the effect or act on when, for example, it the Caribbean Council and can be The opinions expressed in columns, letters, cartoons and of not only causing visitors quite lit- comes to travel related measures at contacted at david. guest editorials are those of the particular author or artist. erally to flee, but the industry and airports or seaports. [email protected]

VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A24] | 07/07/15 00:21 | SUPERIMPVI 28 The Virgin Islands Daily News OPINIONS Monday, June 29, 2015

Virgin Islands DA I LY 84 N EWS

A Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper Founded Aug. 1, 1930, by J. Antonio Jarvis and Ariel Melchior Sr. Published by Daily News Publishing Co., Inc. Archie Nahigian, President EDITORIAL BOARD Jason Robbins, Publisher GerryYandel, Executive Editor J. Lowe Davis, Editor At Large Ken E. Ryan, Production Director Lisa Jamil, Advertising Director Onneka Challenger, Circulation Director Michael J. Grigo, Controller — H A L O S & P I T C H F O R K S —

The Daily News Editorial Board Arthur Hector, St. Thomas Chief is inspired by recent events in the Darren Foy and Deputy Police Virgin Islands to dish out some halos Commissioner Curtis Griffin for Photo by THE RITZ-CARLTON and pitchforks. And the winners going up to New Many of the rooms at The Ritz-Carlton New Yo rk, Battery Park include telescopes to allow guests a better view of and sinners are … York for the Statue of Liberty in New Yo rk Harbor. Governor Kenneth Mapp stayed at the hotel recently while in New Yo rk. advanced train- Halo to all 2015 ing at John Jay graduates in the College of His luxury in NYC; our pain in the V.I. U.S. and British Criminal Justice. Our Virgin Islands — Police Department has When we were hit with the news comes to the bank this very payday from university, shown improvement, and the top that it would cost us $12,500 a month, Cathy DeCatrel-Powell — to find that his paycheck has not from public and pri- cops’desire to gain more knowledge we grew faint. When we got the bill it been deposited. vate high schools and from GED sets an admirable example. was for a whopping $14,500 instead, Can you believe that this is and specialized training programs. we got sick with fever. Now that we America’s Paradise, not a developing Your achievement is the foundation Halo to the Cleveland Cavaliers are to be handed the bill for the Ritz in “ country and that things like this hap- on which your future and the Virgin for making a trade that adds Virgin New York City, we feel like we have We thought we might pen? Can you really kill a dead person Islands’ future will be built. Islands basketball phenom Rakeem been shot dead. Take the body to the have made a miraculous a second time? Christmas to the roster. Christmas cemetery one time and done. Enter the glitch, no one gets paid, Pitchfork — yet again! — to was a star last season at Syracuse, We asked our governor to show recovery. We thought and everyone keels over — again. Gov. Kenneth Mapp for treating now he’s ready to show the NBA respect and lead the broke government the people could at Meanwhile, when the man who claims himself and his confidants to what he can do to help the Cavs’ by the example of restraint. He seemed we are “Broke…broke,” is haunted in extravagances in New York City win that elusive NBA champion- to have made noises to the effect that least hope for honesty the middle of the night, he can ease out while, according to Government ship. A fact to savor: At 6-foot-9, he would make a change, and we the and integrity. Instead, of the whirlpool, send down to room House press releases, doing Christmas is an inch taller than people felt we had an antidote to our service for a $24 pint of Haagen Dazs, things to improve the bleak econ- teammate Lebron James and three terrible fever. Now we find that while the leadership and sit at the telescope to enjoy the sun- omy of the V.I. It seems that only inches taller than Michael Jordan. we are trying to recover here at home, continues to murder the set over New York City. The lights at Government House and the our governor is haunted by the need Government House are blinking furi- Governor fail to see the irony in Halo to the V.I. Junior to spend very big regardless; he and half-dead patient, and ously, as one playful ghost works over- that. Achievement team that formed a his entourage have checked into the the poor patient comes time. If the governor thinks that he publishing company, Bookery, from Ritz in New York City, where he Epilogue: We still have some faith in needs to look rich and act rich and scratch. They established execu- enjoys such amenities as a Jacuzzi, to the bank this very Governor Mapp live rich in order to lure riches to tives, created a successful business telescope, and room service that payday—to find that his We do not know which room the the territory, he should take a plan and a marketable product. delivers food for three times the price Governor stays in while in New York. moment and recall the mistakes Check it out on Facebook — VI it is sold in stores. paycheck has not been We either get a hang up or we are told that brought a storm of shame and Melee Soup — and get a copy to see Truly, we are not only sick again, we deposited. by Mapp’s chief of staff, the go-to per- blame upon the CEOs of the big good things coming from V.I. Youth. feel like we have kicked the bucket son when we need information, that it automakers when they went to Halo also to former Labor since our wallets have been fatally. As is not known which room Governor Washington a few years back to Commissioner Albert Bryan, who for me, the poor writer with the weak accommodations while he is away in Mapp has chosen to stay in. tell Congress their companies revived the youth entrepreneurship pen, just put me in a pine box, skip the the Big Apple. Not only does he live Regardless, we will reiterate with all were dead broke and urgently program in the territory. funeral ceremony and let me be rein- this way at home and abroad, but his due respect to Governor Mapp that we needed a bailout. They each took a carnated as a playful ghost in advisers get the same bennies. eagerly await your decision to prove chartered plane to Washington. Pitchfork to the V.I. Public Government House. To add poison to the sickly wound, yourself a good and reasonable man They each took a limo to the Works Department for failing to I want to haunt the haunted ones when persons or entities that have the we believe you to be when you do Capitol building. They each stayed properly deal with abandoned and with a specific job spec: My job will be right to ask about this do ask, they something for the people who elected in posh hotels. Congress was not dilapidated buildings in the territory. to flash all the lights on and off, every are rudely told Good Day and are you: Choose something more modest amused. So far Governor Mapp’s The department no doubt needs at time our expense-unconscious gover- hung up on. while you are here in the Virgin travels seem to have boosted the least twice as much money and nor makes a bad spending decision. We thought we might have made a Islands. economy of New York City, manpower as it gets just to As it stands, it seems I have my full- miraculous recovery. We thought the After all, you summed up the state Guam, Washington, Florida do its basic work, but time work cut out for me; for it seems people could at least hope for hones- of the government finances yourself: and other locations as yet these places are that as I write, our governor is busy ty and integrity. Instead, the leader- “Broke!” unrevealed. Based on the deathtraps, as frittering away our taxpayers’ dollars to ship continues to murder the half- — Cathy DeCatrel-Powell, St. pace at which the gover- became clear a support an extravagant taste for the best dead patient, and the poor patient Thomas nor is obeying the V.I. few days ago Open Records Law, when one col- those locations and the lapsed on a man. ◆ ◆ cost of all the governor’s Buildings reach See Your Views In Print travel will not become such a state for The Daily News is always interested in publishing local views on topics of general interest, and we especially welcome known to the public any many reasons, but commentary on issues affecting the Virgin Islands and its people, culture, businesses and government. Send Letters, Essays, Halos and Pitchforks, Cartoons time soon. no reason is good or other original material about local issues of general interest to enough to allow a Halo to V.I. Police Department building to become [email protected] brass, specifically St. Croix Chief dangerous. The Daily News’ opinions are expressed only in its editorials. The opinions expressed in columns, letters, cartoons and guest editorials are those of the particular author or artist.

VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A28] | 06/28/15 20:36 | SUPERIMPVI 24 The Virgin Islands Daily News OPINIONS Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Virgin Islands Why the governor’s behavior and spending matters DA I LY 84 N EWS I cannot recall the last time I pur- procuring actually get to where they chased a Virgin Islands newspaper Capt. Te resa A. Frevert were intended to go — and in a time- A Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper that there wasn’t some disparaging ly manner. Founded Aug. 1, 1930, by J. Antonio Jarvis and Ariel Melchior Sr. article about our governor and his There was a recent report stating Published by Daily News Publishing Co., Inc. staff. First, the housing situation and that more than 30 percent of V.I. peo- Archie Nahigian, President the failure to disclose information “ ple live below the poverty level. EDITORIAL BOARD that is supposed to be accessible to Just for once, put your Above that, many are at poverty level Jason Robbins, Publisher the public, followed by the travel people first. Prioritize. and above that a sizeable percentage GerryYandel, Executive Editor J. Lowe Davis, Editor At Large notes, most recently the stay at the of the community is barely able to Ken E. Ryan, Production Director Lisa Jamil, Advertising Director Onneka Challenger,Circulation Director Michael J. Grigo,Controller Ritz, and in between, the news that And thenfollowup to qualify as middle class. the governor and his office have make sure the monies Those are bleak figures for a popu- unsubscribed because they don’t lation that’s barely 110,000 people. appreciate the articles. you spend time With that reality looming in the back- V.I. Police doing their job; Then on Friday, I saw an open let- procuring actually get ground, why would our governor be ter addressed to him and his people able to anticipate the outrage his lav- why aren’t prosecutors about the retirement funds still to where theywere ish choices in housing and spending unpaid. What’s the point, when they intended to go — and in would evoke? This does no appear to have made it clear they aren’t inter- be the behavior of someone who and judges doing theirs? ested in the people’s perceptions of a timely manner. cares about the people. its government? So far, it seems that as a people, My wife and I were victims of a Personally, I understand how one we made a bad choice on Election jewelry robbery that occurred more Larry J. Sloan could get tired of reading the same have to wonder if any of it matters Day and we’re paying for it now. than a week ago. We had gone out things. On the other hand, if the gover- when grants have been given to us Still, there could be redemption. for a nice dinner and then stopped at nor and his people would stop repeat- intended for organizations like GERS Make it right, Governor Mapp: a local establishment for a drink ing the same behaviors, we wouldn’t and the Family Resource Center — Answer the people’s cries. Get our before heading home. “ have to keep reading about them. and none of those funds end up where retirees paid. Get the funds to the While she was sitting down, my So,who are the criminals When I read the article about the they were intended. Family Resource Center. Get the tax wife sensed someone behind her and now? A merchant who stay at the Ritz in New York, I initially Are we to believe that funds we refunds paid that have been stagnant, as she turned to see who was there, a thought, is this really worth reporting? might receive for roads will go where for years in some cases. Stop acting young man stole her necklace. The buys stolen property or But then I read that letter to the gover- they are supposed to go? And even wounded by the criticisms and whin- V.I Police responded and were very V. I. Justice Department nor on behalf of all the retirees who though we would all appreciate bet- ing that you’re “homeless.” Restart professional and took witness state- still aren’t getting their monies and yes, ter roads, don’t we have to ask: Are the government’s subscription to the ments. The next evening, the young officials? it does matter that monies are being the roads really more important than local papers so we can at least assume man, 18, was caught while attempt- spent in stupid ways rather than in our retired people and the many peo- someone in Government House ing another robbery. He confessed to areas that are important to the people. ple who need the services of the might be interested in hearing us. both robberies and told the police After all the frustration we have After all the uproar over the ridicu- Family Resource Center or Luis Listen to us, act like you give a whom he sold the necklace to. been through, we have learned that lous housing expenses, the automatic Hospital on St. Croix, all of which darn and admit that you might be With all this information in hand, the location to be searched belongs to salary increases our governor handed desperately needs help? guilty of poor judgement. the VIPD detective requested a a well-known merchant who has a out, etc., it’s difficult to believe it didn’t Again, personally, I don’t think so. Put us first, and I think you could search warrant for the location the reputation for purchasing stolen gold occur to even one official that maybe a Take care of getting your people’s discover that we are a forgiving peo- jewelry was sold. It has now been and other merchandise. medium-priced accommodation in needs met first, and then start your ple when you make an effort to make more than a week and no warrant has So, who are the criminals now? A New York might be a wiser choice than campaign for infrastructure funds. things right. been issued. merchant who buys stolen property the upscale Ritz. Kind of makes you And if there’s only a small window But right now, the only ones who Even with all the hard work the or V.I. Justice Department officials? wonder if one of the qualifications to of opportunity to get some things seem to be feel embarrassed and hav- Police Department and the detective The V. I. Police have a tough becoming one of our leaders shouldn’t done, then assign one of your many ing to admit to poor judgement are performed, the Justice Department enough job without having to be be an IQ test. staff members to it. those of us who voted you in as our has dragged its feet, thus preventing bogged down by judges and The governor is traveling to secure Just for once, put your people first. new governor. a search of the premises where stolen prosecutors. funds for our roads, to secure our Prioritize. And then follow up to — Capt. Teresa A. Frevert, property is being purchased. — Larry J. Sloan, St. Croix favored position in tourism, etc. You make sure the monies you spend time St. Thomas Some thoughts on an extraordinary week: Do we dare hope? I find myself experiencing a ment for the wellbeing of the people of Americans who rely on the promise that the same way persistent non-vio- renewed sense of hope for our nation Donna Christensen the United States since the creation of of our constitution of everyone’s lence overcame Jim Crow, a perva- these days. Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security inalienable right to “life, liberty and sive and persistent spirit of forgive- After years of gridlock and parti- of Medicaid expansion by the and the Civil Rights Laws. We never the pursuit of happiness”, and as ness, emanating from the love for our san obstructionism, President Barack remaining states, the Supreme Court viewed the ACA as perfect or the end- God-fearing people who believe that fellow man as we are commanded, Obama’s legacy is finally being of the United States decision uphold- game in providing universal access to we are all His children. will overcome even the worst of our sealed. I am happy not only for him ing the subsidies in the state exchang- health care, and neither were those As an American citizen residing in historical memory and the deepest of but also for our country. es was a great victory. other major laws when first passed. one of the United States’ offshore pos- our pain. First, although there remains work And I am humbled but euphoric They were all perfected over the years, sessions, until and unless a more inde- I know it can be that powerful to be done with the affordable Care when I think that I was a part of creat- and I am hopeful that the ACA/ pendent status is chosen, I hope and force that can finally move the moun- Act on expanding the territories’ par- ing this landmark law that will go Obamacare will be too. will work for the day when we too tains of hate that have divided us. ticipation as well as the full adoption down in history as the greatest advance- And then, I took a lot of heat over achieve all of the rights and privileges And it is up to the “good people” not my position on same-sex marriage under our nation’s Constitution. to remain silent and on the sidelines last year, but as I said then, it comes But my greatest hope comes from but to practice and live forgiveness ◆ ◆ down to what is a sacred principle in this time of unprecedented potential and love of neighbor. See Your Views In Print our Constitution: “equal protection to turn the page on our nation’s racist I am still waiting to have the same The Daily News is always interested in publishing local views on topics of under the law.” past and move to the reconciliation renewed hope, though, that we in the general interest, and we especially welcome commentary on issues affecting Given separation of church and that can heal our country — to real- Virgin Islands will abandon our dif- the Virgin Islands and its people, culture, businesses and government. state, no church should/would be ize the glimpse that the Mother ferences — real and created — to Send Letters, Essays, Halos and Pitchforks, Cartoons or other original material about local issues of general interest to forced to do anything that is against Emanuel Congregation has given us heal our territory too, and begin to their religious beliefs, but we should of the “more perfect union.” work earnestly together for its eco- [email protected] all celebrate when any form of dis- I don’t expect those who harbor nomic, social and political revival. The Daily News’ opinions are expressed only in its editorials. crimination is struck down, especial- long-held racist ideologies and preju- That it will soon come is my prayer. The opinions expressed in columns, letters, cartoons and ly given our history as African dices to change overnight, but I want — Donna Christensen is a guest editorials are those of the particular author or artist. descendants in the “new world”, as to believe — I so want to believe — former V.I. delegate to Congress

VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A24] | 06/30/15 00:40 | SUPERIMPVI 18 The Virgin Islands Daily News OPINIONS Tuesday, October 6, 2015 What happens when you report a problem to VIWMA?

85 I was happy to see a Virgin Islands A Pulitzer Prize-Winning Newspaper Waste Management Authority ad in ST. CROIX ST. JOHNST. THOMAS TORTOLA the paper recently asking the general Founded Aug. 1, 1930, by J. Antonio Jarvis and Ariel Melchior Sr. public to “Report a Problem.” Published by Daily News Publishing Co., Inc. But then on Tuesday, Sept. 29, I Archie Nahigian, President was driving by the trash bins that are above Havensite, just past the EDITORIAL BOARD intersection where you turn toward Jason Robbins, Publisher Frenchman’s Bay and Bolongo, and GerryYandel, Executive Editor J. Lowe Davis, Editor At Large I noticed two metal 55-gallon Ken E. Ryan, Production Director Lisa Jamil, Advertising Director drums on the ground, next to the Onneka Challenger, Circulation Director Michael J. Grigo, Controller bins. One was blue and one black. Obviously, they contained oil and someone had illegally dropped — E D I T O R I A L O B S E R V E R — them off. The next day, Wednesday, Sept. 30, I was driving by that location in the afternoon and I noticed the bins Governor’s spending had been emptied and changed and the blue drum was gone. However, all the oil it had contained was on the and WICO Board’s secrecy ground under the trash bin and was flowing down the side of the road. Photo by LARRY DAHL The black drum had been punc- Oil from a 55-gallon drum runs into the dirt under a trash bin in Estate Bakkero. go beyond arrogance and tured, and oil was visibly leaking from the hole. rains came on Saturday, Oct. 3, we the people are fed up I remembered the Waste Larry Dahl Mother Nature cleaned up most of Management Authority ad and the oil — unfortunately by allowing thought this was a perfect time to Fire Department, because they have the oil to flow down the hill away Thank you to Sen. Terrence Nelson “report a problem.” sand. I told her the black drum was from the bins toward the ocean. for finally saying out loud what every- Catherine Fahy I called the Waste Management still leaking oil at the bins, she said, There is still oil saturated in the dirt one is thinking. There is a way out of Authority and a lady answered. I told “Oh, that. I will call enforcement.” and now mud at the bin site. this debacle: Recall the governor. taking arrogance. her of the ad I had read and said I So I asked her if I still needed to I suppose the moral of the story From stolen public funds to switch- In the meantime, two things come was calling there was a 55 to 110- call the Fire Department? She here is: “Don’t report a problem to ing out license plates to hiding public to mind. gallon oil spill at a trash bin. responded, “ No,” and said that she Waste Management Authority when records, the public is totally fed up with First, someone please confiscate Her immediate response was that I would call enforcement. the problem involves the Waste this clueless administration. their credit cards. should not be calling her. However, no action had taken Management Authority.” While we tighten our belts and pay Second, what in the world is in She then said I needed to call the place by the weekend, and when the — Larry Dahl, St. Thomas our taxes, they illegally spend our those minutes that the WICO Board money on designer linens and extrav- is desperate that we not see? agant travel and entertainment for I really don’t think anything could their cronies. shock us at this point. The law does not permit use of public funds We’ve had enough of this breath- — Catherine Fahy, St. John for lodging or property improvements for a governor

Thanks to the media for exposing sonal property improvements our governor’s wild spending to sup- Andreas Tietje received prior,properly vetted port a grandiose lifestyle that neither legislative approval. he nor any other public official is statute does not provide that a V.I. gov- Revised Organic Act of 1954 pro- lawfully entitled to spend. ernor’s compensation may include the vides in part: “No money shall be To justify the unjustifiable, expenditure of money from the V. I. paid out of the Virgin Islands trea- Governor Mapp would have to over- treasury for any form of compensation sury except in accordance with an come five legal hurdles: other than a salary. Personal living Act of Congress or money bill of the 1. The governor must show the expenses, such as housing or personal Legislature and on warrant drawn by statute that authorizes any other property improvements are not provid- the proper officer.” residence than Government ed for in this statute. 5. The governor must show House on St. Thomas. 3. The governor must show the that the authorization of rent pay- The Revised Organic Act of 1954 statute that authorizes rent payments by WICO, under the aus- provides in pertinent part: “The ments or funding allocations out- pices of the Public Finance Governor shall maintain his official side of his salary and travel and Authority, is not a conflict of residence in the Government House he must show that such rates interest, considering Governor on Saint Thomas during his incum- are prescribed by the laws of the Mapp’s Chief of StaffRandy bency.” This law does not permit a Virgin Islands. Knight signed the document as governor to have any other “official” The Revised Organic Act of 1954 Chairman of WICO with subse- residence on St. Thomas. V. I. gover- provides: “The salaries and travel quent approval of Governor Mapp, nors may have a personal residence, allowances of the Governor, who is simultaneously serving as ◆ ◆ but that is their personal business and Lieutenant Governor, the heads of Chairman of the PFA. See Your Views In Print at their personal expense. the executive departments, other offi- We the public must witness each The Daily News is always interested in publishing local views on topics of 2. The governor must show the cers and employees of the govern- and every of these five legal hurdles general interest, and we especially welcome commentary on issues affecting statute that authorizes expendi- ment of the Virgin Islands, and the presented by the Legislature and then the Virgin Islands and its people, culture, businesses and government. ture and compensation for any- members of the Legislature shall be overcome by any testifier. If not, then Send Letters, Essays, Halos and Pitchforks, Cartoons or other original material about local issues of general interest to thing other than his salary and paid by the Government of the Virgin another opportunity for the travel. Islands at rates prescribed by the laws Legislature and the Governor’s [email protected] Title 3V.I.C. provides in pertinent of the Virgin Islands.” Office to bring transparency and The Daily News’ opinions are expressed only in its editorials. part: “The Governor shall receive a sal- 4. The governor must show accountability has been deliberately The opinions expressed in columns, letters, cartoons and ary of $150,000 per annum, payable in that payments of public money squandered. guest editorials are those of the particular author or artist. equal bi-weekly installments.” This for his personal lodging or per- — Andreas Tietje, St. Thomas

VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A18] | 10/05/15 22:18 | SUPERIMPVI 26 The Virgin Islands Daily News OPINIONS Saturday, September 19, 2015 Senators, we need answers — not silence 85 This is an edited Open Letter to 4. Charter flights. Where is the A Pulitzer Prize-Winning Newspaper Senate President Neville A. James investigation, if any, concerning the ST. CROIX ST. JOHNST. THOMAS TORTOLA and Senate Majority Leader Samuel questionable cost of the Governor’s Founded Aug. 1, 1930, by J. Antonio Jarvis and Ariel Melchior Sr. Sanes: chartered inter-island transportation Published by Daily News Publishing Co., Inc. In our quest for holding our Cecil in the territory? The people deserve elected officials accountable and Benjamin to know. Archie Nahigian, President encouraging them to do what’s 5. Spending spree. Where is the EDITORIAL BOARD right in the interest of the people, investigation on the apparent Jason Robbins, Publisher we are concerned about the follow- spending spree pattern of the cur- GerryYandel, Executive Editor J. Lowe Davis, Editor At Large ing issues that you have initiated an rent administration in the face of Ken E. Ryan, Production Director Lisa Jamil, Advertising Director Onneka Challenger, Circulation Director Michael J. Grigo, Controller investigation on or have taken ation is given to hardworking gov- scarce resources and fiscal and eco- actions thereof. ernment employees who are owed nomic dilemma? Therefore, in view of this, we millions in raises and retroactive Where is prudence and demon- humbly and earnestly ask that you pay for years, and who are asked to stration of concern or compassion Teenager arrest reflects give a status report or explanation do more with less, and who cannot for the plight of the working peo- of the apparent silence on these retire because the government fails ple? The people have a right to issues of paramount importance to to pay its contribution to the GERS know and deserve better. broader Islamophobia the welfare of the entire V.I. com- fund. This illegal action needs to These issues are important to the munity and its taxpayers: cease. What are you going to do economic and retirement security Rampant Islamophobia marks the 1. Villagate. When are the people about this? We strongly implore of the working families and lives of Muslim Americans today. Moustafa Bayoumi going to get all the facts and final you to seek an override. taxpayers. You must have heard about disposition of this matter? What is 3. Limousines. What is the status The time has come for action and Ahmed Mohamed, the 14-year-old the status of this investigation? The of your opposition, outlined in your not silence, for deeds and not Muslim American kid from Texas from the control group, far outweigh- people have a right to know. August 22, 2015, letter to the gov- words. There is no time for cam- who built a clock at home and ing measurable bias against the other 2. Salaries. Increased compensa- ernor’s request for highly equipped paign slogans and rhetoric. It is brought it to school to show to his faith groups.” tion for commissioners and top and specially designed limousines/ time for a plan, solutions, and get- teacher, only to be arrested on the Official agencies reflect these atti- government officials approved by ceremonial vehicles for himself and ting the job done. It’s time to ridiculous suspicion that his inven- tudes, too. The New York Police the governor but no action taken to the Lt. Governor costing approxi- govern. tion was a bomb. Young Ahmed was Department was caught spying a few override: This is unconscionable mately $350,000 at a time when — V.I. Democratic Party State handcuffed, taken to police head- years ago on every facet of Muslim and fiscally and morally irresponsi- there is little or limited resources? Chairman Cecil Benjamin, St. quarters, fingerprinted and ques- life around the region. This was mas- ble at this time when no consider- The people deserve to know. Croix tioned without his parents present. sive, expensive surveillance per- During his interrogation, as The formed without even the hint of any Washington Post reports, the officers criminal activity. And federal policies — P I T C H F O R K — repeatedly brought up his last name. such as the Countering Violent The story is infuriating. Here is an Extremism initiative stigmatize Somebody, please seize the governor’s credit card! inventive Sudanese-American teen- Muslim Americans as terrorists, even ager in a NASA T-shirt whose curi- though the number of terrorist attacks Governor Mapp deserves a 5,000- purchase. he is eventually forced to produce the osity and ingenuity are rewarded that Muslim Americans have com- thread-count Pitchfork for using tax- Someone should confiscate Mr. records of his other shopping excur- with handcuffs and punishment. mitted are miniscule and far fewer payer money to purchase designer Mapp’s credit card. He is a financial sions — unless he continues to hide Things turned out well for Mohamed than those that right-wing extremists bed linens — enough to furnish an disaster for the long-suffering people them from us. in the end — President Barack have perpetrated. entire island, it seems. of the Virgin Islands. Aren’t we the people angry Obama tweeted “Cool clock Ahmed. Islamophobia infests our politics And an equal pitchforks to Nellie And as far as we know, this could enough yet? Want to bring it to the White and our society. Republican presiden- Varlack for approving this outrageous be the tip of the iceberg. Just wait till — Catherine Fahy, St. John House?” and Mohamed is fielding tial contender South Carolina Sen. invitations to visit MIT and Harvard Lindsey Graham supports the sur- — but that’s because his absurd veillance of mosques, while former arrest has garnered national media Democratic presidential candidate attention. Wesley Clark recently proposed the Most of the time, bigotry against reintroduction of internment camps Muslims goes unremarked upon or for “radicalized Americans.” even gets rewarded. The same week Muslims across the country regularly that Mohamed brought his clock to face opposition in constructing their school, vandals spray-painted hate- houses of worship and are routinely filled messages on a mosque in demonized in the media. Kentucky. Days earlier in a Chicago What most Americans don’t real- suburb, Inderjit Singh Mukker, a ize is how exhausting it is to live a Sikh American father of two, was Muslim American life in this envi- repeatedly punched in the face while ronment, where many see anti- his attacker yelled, “Terrorist, go Muslim attitudes not as bigoted but back to your country, bin Laden.” as common sense. Ordinary things (Sikhs are often the victims of anti- that Muslims do, such as cleverly Muslim hate crimes because of their making a clock at home to show off beards, turbans and skin color.) On at school, can be interpreted as suspi- this year’s anniversary of the 9/11 cious and threatening. attacks, a Florida gun shop owner Islamophobia in the United States offered $25 off any gun purchased today is real and it’s growing. It’s online with the coupon code time we start facing this dilemma “Muslim.” squarely. Like Ahmed Mohamed, we In case you think anti-Muslim sen- need to be inventive, and find solu- timent is limited to the fringes, con- tions that will help our country live sider a University of Connecticut up to its ideals. study. Researchers there last year — Moustafa Bayoumi, a professor found that job applicants with identi- of English at Brooklyn College, is fiably Muslim names received “32 author of the just-published“This percent fewer emails and 48 percent Muslim American Life: Dispatches fewer phone calls than applicants from the War on Terror.”

VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A26] | 09/18/15 23:28 | SUPERIMPVI 18 The Virgin Islands Daily News OPINIONS Tuesday, September 22, 2015 Elected officials shamefully neglecting St. Croix, 85 where people are desperate for their tax refunds A Pulitzer Prize-Winning Newspaper ST. CROIX ST. JOHNST. THOMAS TORTOLA I am writing this to our elected helping hand to Dominica. There’s Founded Aug. 1, 1930, by J. Antonio Jarvis and Ariel Melchior Sr. officials because the cries of the Coretta S. Louis absolutely nothing wrong flying out Published by Daily News Publishing Co., Inc. St. Croix Virgin Islands residents to help those in need, but why not have been ignored and fallen on take a walk and look around your Archie Nahigian, President deaf ears. own island and help us who were in EDITORIAL BOARD It’s hard to understand how many “ a state of emergency even before the Jason Robbins, Publisher of you elected officials have cam- Howmanymore years disaster of the storms? GerryYandel, Executive Editor J. Lowe Davis, Editor At Large paigned and given away pens, pen- are you going to play Was the trip of so many even nec- Ken E. Ryan, Production Director Lisa Jamil, Advertising Director cils, T-shirts, bumper stickers and essary? Not everyone needed to go Onneka Challenger, Circulation Director Michael J. Grigo, Controller promises, but when you get in the this delayed tax refund just to help out. Fewer people going seats that are given you, we can’t game? Are you going to would have saved more money to see the changes you promised us. send for the service of those people GOVERNOR’S SPENDING It seems that the moment you are wait until the very feds in need. I believe it was a field trip given the position and the pay, that you are calling in to remember. something changes within you to How about those same leaders Governor, your spending forget about us: the people who to help with the take a field trip to our elementary voted you into your seats. criminals turn around and junior high schools? Please As citizens of the Virgin Islands, begin in the west, where it seems has emptied your we have complained and reached and clean up our everyone is running from that part out to as many of you as we could, government offices of of the island. public trust account in humane and peaceful ways, ask- Take a little drive on the airport ing you to aid our island of St. corrupt leaders who are road, then on Carlton road and then Croix, which is currently in a state forcing their own fall in a few potholes as you leave I was furious about the $5,300 in of emergency. there. Don’t forget to take pictures designer linens. Then the very next Catherine Fahy I don’t mean the recent crimes people to live in poverty as well — smiling so we can see that day, we were informed that we are that have our island shaken to the and disdain? you people really care. buying Governor Mapp’s groceries. Wampler, says that regular use of core. I’m talking about the events How about taking a trip to the And groceries for his entourage! public funds to provide meals for that took place to encourage our projects, everywhere and around the And that we are paying the overdraft government staffers and elected offi- unusually high crime rates. ment workers. low-income communities to see fee and late fees when he can’t cials can undermine public trust. For many years now, we’ve strug- I can see that you in the govern- what your lack of the tax refund remember to pay this credit card bill. Mr. Mapp, according to my sur- gled over receiving our V.I. tax ment are truly looking out for your payouts are doing to your people We really need to recall all those veys, please know that the public refund checks in a timely manner. own. The bad news is: not all of us who voted you into your seats. credit cards that this administration is trust is undermined. And we real- This year was worse than last year. on the island of St. Croix are gov- Please don’t forget to notice the having such a blast with at our ize that we don’t know the full It’s bragged about by many that ernment workers. elderly who have back and knee expense. story yet. the feds are now involved in the Are we who aren’t working for problems and need to have people A Fulbright Scholar, Brian — Catherine Fahy, St. John deJongh case to punish him for mis- the government going to suffer more take them to vote. I can’t begin to use of the funds of our people, but than others because we didn’t have understand how you can abandon why is everyone else allowed to a friend to help us get a job with the those people who are the very rea- Governor, what are walk? rest of the government workers? son you have been given jobs. Currently, we still haven’t This is hard to understand. How many more years are you received our tax refund checks or Next, we have our current pothole going to play this delayed tax refund you paying for news of when refund checks will be issues. Nothing is worse than fall- game? Are you going to wait until paid out to those of us who filed this ing into a pothole and getting a flat the very feds that you are calling in year. John deJongh Jr. is no longer tire or a broken rim. Can you imag- to help with the criminals turn on your own? the governor, and our new governor ine having a low income and this around and clean up our government and his new Administration declare happens while you are still waiting offices of corrupt leaders who are I wonder what Governor Mapp is that they are better than him and for your refund checks? The money forcing their own people to live in spending his generous salary on. John Fuller those who were under his adminis- that we already think isn’t enough poverty and disdain? I find out that we taxpayers are tration, but we the locals can’t really become even less than we can imag- It took some time to write this let- covering his homes, his ferry/sea- see that. ine while we pay for the repairs our ter. It’s something I avoided because plane/charter tickets, and his sheets When deJongh was governor, we government has caused. it’s a note that hits very close to and pillow covers. And the straw that “ waited a while to receive our tax Another troubling issue is in our home. I’m not working for the gov- broke this camel’s back is that we are If a Governor can loot refunds but a lot of us, if not most, public school system. Do you really ernment, nor am I a senator or a buying his food — and food for who and pillage, what’s to had gotten ours by this time last care about our children at all? Not local leader. Yet the hurt of our peo- knows how many staffers and others. year. all of us have children in private ple is something that destroys me, Despite the stupidity of paying interest keep all ah we from it? It’s disheartening that we call the schools, dear leaders. The worst part and I can’t understand how you and penalties on his credit cards — how IRB offices and receive no positive is the ill-maintained bathroom stalls, elected officials can stand there in typical is that for the V.I. Government? that those at the bottom feel that it is news. We only hear that the funds with no toilet paper. And then there all your spotlights, with your big — what is he spending his salary on? I alright for them to get theirs too. If a will be given — when there is are no napkins to wipe their mouths checks and your glam and watch don’t know, but neither do you since it is Governor can loot and pillage, what’s money to give. in the lunchroom. your people suffer. all kept secret from us. to keep all ah we from it? Heaven Those of us who have educated There are not enough good text- On behalf of all the silent voices I think this government has rotted help us all. ourselves and learned about the way books for our children to use. Those in the Virgin Islands and the ones from the top and there is no wonder — John Fuller, St. John things are run in St. Croix know the who have missing pages in their who haven’t reached you, I’m here process of the payouts. I’m fully textbooks just have to wait till the to say: “Thanks for the worst” ◆ ◆ aware that it’s the governor who next day to get their homework because I can’t say thanks when I’ve See Your Views In Print gives the go-ahead for us to receive done. gotten nothing. The Daily News is always interested in publishing local views on topics of our money. It’s also known that Our teachers aren’t being proper- As for deJongh, I would let him general interest, and we especially welcome commentary on issues affecting the government borrows against the ly compensated or treated in a have his fence all over again if we the Virgin Islands and its people, culture, businesses and government. tax dollars of the Virgin Islands. humane manner when they are could at least have a little relief. At Send Letters, Essays, Halos and Pitchforks, Cartoons or other original material about local issues of general interest to It’s appalling that the Legislature forced to teach in schools that are in least he made sure a lot of us and other government officials are dire need of repair. More and more received our refunds. A lot of you [email protected] considering purchasing expensive of our schools are shutting down. in office now declare to be better The Daily News’ opinions are expressed only in its editorials. buildings and are having conferenc- We as a people suffer. than him. Really? Look at what The opinions expressed in columns, letters, cartoons and es about GERS and the loans neces- Yet I see a handful of our leaders you’ve done. guest editorials are those of the particular author or artist. sary to pay the retirement of govern- in a plane, smiling, going to lend a — Coretta S. Louis, St. Croix

VI_DAILYNEWS/PAGES [A18] | 09/21/15 22:30 | SUPERIMPVI