Dear Source,
For years, Virgin Islanders have "elected" their friends and cousins into office. Eighty percent of the time those who were elected gave high-paying jobs and favors to their cohorts. WE did not elect people who COULD DO the job. So shame on us.
Now, years later, the mismanagement and misappropriations are coming to light. And it took some hurricanes and audits to uncover them. The V.I. is broke and in debt. I ask you, whose fault is it? It is our fault for "electing" our friends instead of individuals capable of doing the job.
So some union leaders think it is a good idea to strike or call in sick. What good is that going to do? The V.I. is broke.
Private businesses want to come into the V.I. to open up but are met with opposition. That is sending the wrong message. Beal Aerospace wants to build a plant and create jobs. LET THEM.
Casinos were supposed to be open how long ago on St. Croix? We can't get our act together. With all the red marks against us, we are just a breath away from the federal government coming in to take care of OUR business. If we can't do it (and we have shown we can't), let the feds come in.
Earlier this year, Jamaica had a series of strikes which hurt its tourism industry greatly. We are heading down the same path. We cannot afford to hurt our tourism industry. Mr. Michael Bornn is the first case of putting in place a person who is capable of doing the job. The next step is to do the same for the senators and governor.
There is still so much potential for us to grow, but first we need to take a look at ourselves and realize we did what's been done to ourselves.
Dee Lappy