The Government of the Virgin Islands recently celebrated its most outstanding employees in a series of ceremonies on St. Croix and St. Thomas. More than 6,000 government employees were eligible, but only a select few were honored for their exceptional service and contributions to their divisions and the community.

At the ceremony in St. Croix, Division of Personnel Director Cindy Richardson highlighted the critical role these employees play in enhancing the operations of their agencies and improving the quality of life across the territory. She lauded the honorees for their exemplary service and professionalism.

Governor Albert Bryan Jr. dispelled the notion that government workers are lackadaisical, instead praising the honorees for their dedication and impact. “You are pretty special,” he affirmed, acknowledging their positive influence within the community and among their colleagues.

Senate President Novelle Francis identified the honorees as the “cream of the crop,” and spotlighted Alfred Donowa, the employee of the year from the facilities management division in St. Croix. Donowa was praised for setting a high standard for his team. In St. Thomas, Adele Thomas was recognized as the employee of the year for her role as a receptionist in the Legislature’s offices.

The Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach also took part in the celebrations, commending employees like Carmen Francis from the Real Property Tax Division for her exceptional customer service, and Chris George from the Geographic Information Systems Division for his leadership.

The ceremonies not only recognized the honorees’ professional excellence but also their passion for their roles within the government. Lieutenant Governor Roach emphasized the importance of ongoing professional development to maintain job satisfaction and retain valuable staff.

The list of honorees included individuals from various departments such as Rachel Haverkorn of the Office of the Governor and Marianne Navarro from the Virgin Islands Lottery. From the Department of Agriculture, Maxine Richards was honored, and from the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs, Diana Gumbs took the title. Belgrave Stedman was recognized from the Water and Power Authority, celebrated for his achievements despite public skepticism about the utility’s successes.

These ceremonies serve as a vital reminder of the dedicated individuals who contribute significantly to the functioning and improvement of government services in the Virgin Islands.

Following the departure of Ariel Smith from the office of attorney general, a renewed focus has been placed on the high turnover rate among appointees to this position. This situation has spurred legislative action aimed at allowing the residents of the Virgin Islands to elect their attorney general, a proposal brought forth by Senator Alma Francis Heyliger. During a legislative session on March 25, Heyliger introduced Bill 35-0248, emphasizing the necessity to diminish the political influences on the attorney general’s office.

The forthcoming committee discussions will determine the feasibility of requesting Congress’s permission for the USVI to hold elections for the attorney general’s position, a timetable for which remains to be established. Heyliger highlighted the urgency and the widespread desire for this change, noting the successful implementation of elected attorneys general in over 40 states across the nation. She also referenced a past referendum where a significant majority of Virgin Islands residents—76 percent—voted in favor of electing their attorney general, indicating a strong local push for this amendment.

Currently, Ian Clement serves as the acting attorney general, succeeding Ariel Smith, who held the position for less than a year. Smith had been appointed by Governor Albert Bryan Jr. in March 2023, following Denise George’s dismissal, who had served for four years. This legislative proposal marks a pivotal step towards aligning the Virgin Islands with the broader trend of electing attorneys general, aiming to enhance the office’s independence and accountability to the public.

Retirees of the Government Employees Retirement System (GERS) are on the cusp of receiving comprehensive details next month regarding the eagerly awaited revival of a loan program. At a recent assembly, GERS Board of Trustees heard from Administrator Angel Dawson Jr., who announced that specifics of the loan initiative will be disclosed in a press release scheduled for April 8. This program, resuming after a significant hiatus, already showcases a portfolio of loans exceeding $6.4 million across St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. Plans are in place to extend this figure to a maximum of $10 million per district, starting with an interest rate of 8 percent.

In addition to financial solutions, Dawson shed light on the advancements in the Havensight Mall renovation effort. Recent discussions have revolved around the creative process of reimagining the mall’s identity, with a focus on naming and design concepts set to resonate within the community.

The financial health of GERS remains robust, despite challenges such as notable arrears in rental and electricity payments, with the Department of Justice highlighted for its outstanding dues. Dawson emphasized the organization’s commitment to rigorous collections, maintaining that GERS operates with financial prudence, not as a credit facility for tenants. “We exert consistent pressure on all tenants, underscoring that financial arrangements should be sought through banks,” Dawson stated, reflecting GERS’s stance on managing receivables.

Amidst these operational challenges, Dawson proudly noted the pension system’s financial status, highlighted by a cash surplus exceeding $63 million. This fiscal accomplishment is attributed to the system’s disciplined approach to managing expenditures, currently reported at only 26 percent of the yearly budget, significantly below the anticipated 42 percent.

The dedication to fiscal responsibility also extends to the management of the Havensight Mall project. Despite a minor cash shortfall due to ongoing capital investments and a temporary decrease in rental income owing to Covid-related concessions, Dawson assured stakeholders of the project’s solid financial grounding, with expectations of rental abatement expiration next year bolstering future revenues.

The board also approved an additional allocation for a new vehicle in St. Thomas, which will be partly funded through the sale of four older vehicles from the agency’s fleet, showcasing GERS’s commitment to optimizing assets for operational efficiency and sustainability.