Dear Source:
Words cannot express the sorrow I felt as I heard how St. Croix's future was sacrificed for the ill-gotten pleasures of VLT's. I remember just months ago (prior to Nov. 5 to be exact) when the streets of St. Croix were filled with campaign promises for the development of St. Croix's economy through jobs, business ventures, tourism, hotel development … just to name a few. What do we have just a few months later? VLT's. Where did we go wrong St. Croix? What happened to all of those campaign promises?
It started when St. Croix voted for Judas (Jones) and Peter (Emmett). Just like Jesus picked 12 good men (disciples) who He "believed" were loyal, faithful and true to his mission, St. Croix too elected 7 good men (senators) who they "believed" were loyal, faithful and true to our mission of economic development. Unfortunately 2 of the 7 men turned out to be IMPOSTERS. Judas (Jones) betrayed St. Croix in exchange for some shares of VLT. Peter (Emmett) repeatedly denied St. Croix the opportunity to have our equal share of the tourism pie.
Here we are today; the campaign season is far behind us. St. Thomas Carnival is nearly upon us. American Airlines have vacated us and the fried fish and Johnnycakes have all gone away. Here we are today, the T-shirts have been given out and the pencils have run out; now tell me St. Croix … where do we go from here?
As for Judas (Jones) and Peter (Emmett), when you finally realized the position you have put St. Croix in then just as you were voted in, be prepared to be voted out. You have committed treason against St. Croix by supporting VLT's. And Why? All for the entertainment" of some St. Thomas tourist. The very same tourist who told their cruise ship captain "don't bring Carnival cruise ship back to St. Croix." As a result of the cruise ship cancellations, many of our local businesses had to close their doors and taxi drivers had to park their buses on the side of the road. That is why our dock still sits empty today with not even one cruise ship scheduled for the summer
In closing let me just say …"Thank you" to the seven brave men who voted to repeal VLT's in an effort to put St. Croix's economy first (even if some of them were elected by the district of St. Thomas). As for Judas (Jones), Peter (Emmett), and let's not forget Rocky (get ready Craig your time has come) shame to you all … 2004 you will CAMPAIGN once more for St. Croix's vote and we will remember to KICK YOU OUT! Oh, and to the "cowardly lion" Roosevelt David, the best thing you can do for us is STAY HIDDEN.
Oneida D. Granger
St. Croix
Editor's note: We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to [email protected].