Virgin-Islands-On-Line's Coconut Telegraph

Address draws mixed reaction from both critics and supporters By TIM FIELDS and MEGAN POINSKI

From the Daily News:

ST. THOMAS - While some senators said Gov. Charles Turnbull's 2005 State of the Territory speech painted an encouraging picture of the government's financial future, most said the governor failed to address chronic problems such as crime, education and procurement.

Senate President Lorraine Berry said, "The governor was upbeat in his outlook, but I think he should be tempered by the challenges before us."

Sen. Terrence Nelson said Turnbull's speech was "very promising" and he looks forward to the implementation of the governor's ideas, especially promises to help St. Croix.

"I hope the governor is really serious about what he said about addressing our problems with us in a holistic way," Nelson said. "I've heard the same things before. I want to make sure he's not just talking and that he will pursue these things in a realistic way."

Sen. Neville James said Turnbull gave a heartening speech, and agreed with Nelson on the need for action.

"He is looking ahead. We need to act instead of react," James said. "I look forward to seeing what the executive branch will have to offer."

Sen. Craig Barshinger said Turnbull gave a brilliant speech, but hoped his words were not empty.

"He was even inspirational," Barshinger said. "I hope this is a speech for more than tonight. I hope each and every day for the next two years he wakes up and makes this a reality."

One thing missing from the speech, Barshinger said, was misuse of public funds

Sen. Shawn-Michael Malone also said Turnbull should have mentioned problems with the procurement code.

"That is the center of much of the corruption," Malone said.

Malone said Turnbull gave an "honest" assessment of the state of the territory from increasing revenues to concerns about how new federal tax laws will affect the territory's Economic Development Commission tax-incentive program.

Sen. Norman Jn Baptiste criticized Turnbull's statement that raises for government employees will be considered only after he knows the fallout from changes to the tax laws, while money to fund the new Virgin Islands Supreme Court is a top priority.

Though many senators appreciated Turnbull's call to arms to save St. Croix, Jn Baptiste said it is too little, too late.

"He's been six years in that office and now he's saying St. Croix needs urgent attention. Has he been fast asleep?" he said.

Sen. Liston Davis also questioned Turnbull's sudden activism toward St. Croix.

"Now he said he's personally addressing the charge to bring more cruise ships to St. Croix. Is that a voice of no confidence in the Tourism commissioner?" Davis said.

Davis listed a number of topics Turnbull did not address, including the homeless, school repairs, road repairs, relocating Vendor's Plaza on St. Thomas, improving mass transit and reducing traffic. Turnbull mentioned crime, Davis said, but offered no solutions for fighting it.

Sen. Pedro Encarnacion agreed that action is needed to fight crime.

"He indicated that you can see progress taking place, but safety isn't here. There is a rising crime rate. The rising safety needs should have been addressed," said Encarnacion, who is chairman of the Senate Public Safety, Homeland Security and Justice Committee.

Sen. Ronald Russell said that the lack of vocational and technical training in schools should have been addressed.

In his address, Turnbull became passionate in his disapproval of Delegate to Congress Donna Christensen's proposal to create a chief financial officer, much to Christensen's surprise. The bill does not take any power away from the territory, and she will not withdraw it, she said.

"The people of the Virgin Islands were very clear that this is what they want," Christensen said. "You have to listen to the people who elected you."

Sen. Louis Hill, Sen. Juan Figueroa-Serville and Sen. Roosevelt David said the people must have a say in formulating a territorial constitution. They issued unanimous disapproval of Turnbull's idea to convert the Revised Organic Act into a constitution.

David said he believes the Revised Organic Act is a "colonial" document and that "we've grown beyond that." Figueroa-Serville said that the constitution should be created and not just "handed to us."

Sen. Adlah Donastorg Jr. said Turnbull mentioned his concern about the environment and quality of life territorywide but actions speak louder than words.

"The true test of the pudding is in the taste. You have to produce," Donastorg said.

Sen. Celestino White Sr. had little to say about Turnbull's address.

White said he is still trying to digest it and that nothing stood out, "It was little bits of things that have been promised before."

Posted by afinta at February 2, 2005 09:43 AM