Government
Sen. Francis Advocates $150,000 Assistance for Bottled Water Supply Amid St. Croix Lead Concerns
In light of escalating apprehensions about water safety on St. Croix, Senate President Novelle Francis has tabled a bill aimed at offering immediate relief. The proposed legislation is designed to channel $150,000 towards furnishing bottled water to households plagued by heightened levels of copper and lead in drinking water.
“For an extended period, patrons of the drinking water network have borne the financial onus of purchasing bottled water. The inhabitants of St. Croix have grappled with discolored water and are now faced with the reality that the drinking water is deemed unsafe for use,” expressed Mr. Francis. “It’s imperative for the government to act swiftly and responsibly to both shield the affected community from additional financial distress and uphold public health.”
The alarming disclosure about the water’s quality emerged on Monday, followed by a media briefing on Tuesday. During this briefing, Governor Albert Bryan, alongside Water and Power officials, endeavored to elucidate the circumstances surrounding the contamination. Speaking to the populace, Mr. Bryan affirmed that the “non-potable” advisory was specifically designated for four communities: Colquhoun, Mon Bijou, Castle Burke, and Diamond. Nevertheless, he proffered a cautionary suggestion for others, intimating that it would be prudent for those residing outside the directly afflicted areas to also exercise caution.
Don Gregoire, the director of Water Distribution at WAPA, unveiled disconcerting data from their examinations. Out of the 66 samples initially scrutinized, 35 exhibited “exceptionally high” lead concentrations, with a single site registering an astonishing 20,000 parts per million. Furthermore, 15 locales displayed augmented copper levels.
Mr. Gregoire conjectured that aged service lines could be the contamination source. Remarkably, this revelation transpired when the Environmental Protection Agency intervened to tackle the brown discoloration issue in the water, a significant grievance for St. Croix residents.
Governor Bryan disclosed that these issues seemed to have emerged recently, as evaluations from September of the preceding year didn’t reveal any worrisome findings. While additional assessments are in progress to corroborate the initial findings, the governor alluded to the possible proclamation of a state of emergency, which would facilitate access to resources from FEMA and other federal government segments. However, he exhibited hesitancy to hasten such a decision without a more precise grasp of the problem’s extent.
Addressing the operational challenges encountered, the governor noted that the lack of local laboratories posed a considerable hurdle. Although laboratories in Puerto Rico have been earmarked for testing, he did acknowledge a bright spot: a device at the Department of Health capable of detecting lead in water.
Prioritizing safety, Governor Bryan articulated his resolve to persist with water testing until the residents’ safety is ascertained, even suggesting that examinations might extend until the year’s end.
In the interim, steps have been initiated to furnish several schools with bottled and bulk water. Governor Bryan also issued a fervent appeal to water vendors, imploring them to refrain from escalating prices. He emphatically cautioned against exploitation, pledging to counter any attempts to capitalize on this crisis.
In his closing statement, Sen. Francis, the proponent of the bill to channel $150,000 for bottled water supply to affected households, underscored the exigency of the predicament, “It’s crucial that the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority persist with all requisite actions to not merely reinstate the integrity of the drinking water system but also rejuvenate public trust.”
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.
Governor Albert Bryan Jr. announced the nomination of Gordon Rhea as the new Attorney General for the U.S. Virgin Islands during a press conference on Monday. Highlighting Rhea’s extensive background, Governor Bryan described him as a candidate with unmatched legal expertise and service record. Rhea’s educational journey includes degrees from Indiana University, Harvard University, and Stanford Law School.
In his early career, Rhea distinguished himself as a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles, later contributing his expertise in Washington D.C. at the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Activities. His professional tenure in the Virgin Islands spans over 40 years, initially serving as an assistant U.S. Attorney before moving into private practice.
Governor Bryan emphasized Rhea’s pivotal role in leading high-profile cases that have shaped the legal landscape in the territory. “His firm addressed some of the most significant legal challenges our community has encountered, such as landmark litigation against prominent industrial corporations concerning toxic exposures and environmental damage. These actions have protected our workforce and natural resources for future generations,” Governor Bryan stated. He specifically noted Rhea’s leadership in securing the largest civil jury verdict in the territory’s history, crucial for public health improvements.
Responding to his nomination, Rhea expressed his enthusiasm about the opportunity to serve as the Attorney General. Addressing potential conflicts of interest, particularly Rhea’s prior representation of a defendant in the Virgin Islands’ lawsuit against Jeffrey Epstein’s estate, Governor Bryan reassured that Rhea could recuse himself from any related cases to avoid conflicts.
Governor Bryan also shared his expectations for utilizing funds from the Epstein lawsuit, earmarked for the Justice Department. He expressed hope that under Rhea’s leadership, and pending confirmation, the funds would be used to enhance anti-trafficking initiatives and policies, pending legislative approval, which Rhea’s predecessor deemed necessary.
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.
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