Dear Source,
While the U.S. Navy plans its exit from Roosevelt Roads and Vieques, Puerto Rico, demanded reportedly, by a handful of Puerto Ricans, other citizens of Borinquen bemoan the loss of a large number of Federal jobs, contracts, military spending, and security and services provided in Puerto Rico by our Armed Forces. This is considered by many a significant financial and social impact.
Here in the Virgin Islands we are acting as if we are unaffected by the political actions on Puerto Rico. Our politicians are unusually speechless. Our citizens may be largely uninformed, although I doubt this. Our good friend Ronald Walker should give his Virgin Islands readership a complete account of these political happenings from a Virgin Islands perspective.
Maybe it's because so many of us share intimate Puerto Rican friendships and close family ties, and respect our relationships with so many in the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marine Corps, that we choose not to rock the boat. So many distinguished doctors, caring nurses, business persons, and taxi operators have come to command our respect and fondness.
But think about this. We are now about to lose the Navy stations on Crown Mountain, St. Thomas; on St. Georges Hill, and at Sprat Hall, both on St. Croix; and the employment at these facilities. We will lose the contracts to support U.S. Navy operations here, maybe even Hovensa's contracts for fuel, and the purchasing and shore leave from visiting naval units.
The Water and Power Authority will lose important customers. The Port Authority will lose its contract for berthing Navy subs and vessels, and visits by Naval planes and the fees that these generate. Millions of dollars in investments in these facilities and other improvements at the expense of taxpayers will no longer serve useful purposes, pay real property taxes or payments in lieu of taxes.
Our merchants will no longer service the needs of the U.S. Navy air or sea units, losing significant dollars in our commerce. Think about it: Thousands of military visitors — tourists — will no longer spend millions of dollars in our economy, and will no longer enjoy and encourage their friends to visit America's Paradise. Our severe unemployment will no doubt be increased.
Do our politicians think that we will be affected economically? If so, what are our plans? Do we join with a majority of Puerto Ricans to express our concern that anti-American activities and rhetoric of a few will affect us all as it appears that it will?
Virgin Islanders, just as Puerto Ricans, volunteered and served in our U.S. armed forces, and know that the best protection in war is to have been given the best training, equipment, and leadership possible. We have suffered in the trenches together. Terrorism does not bypass or exclude us. We remain pledged to the protection of our country.
What is our Virgin Islands' leadership plan for the future?
Arnold M. Golden
Christianst5ed, St. Croix
Editor's note: Arnold M. Golden, with a long history of government service and political activity, most recently ran for lieutenant governor on the 2002 ticket with Michael Bornn. He has been a senator and commissioner of the V.I. Commerce Department.
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