Home News Local news Source Mascot Idle the Iguana Has New Year's Wishes

Source Mascot Idle the Iguana Has New Year's Wishes

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Jan. 1, 2005 — Idle, the Source mascot introduced last year, has once again been lured out of his sea grape tree to offer his 2005 wishes for some of the territory's more prominent personalities –– and his comments on 2004's performance. Some of last year's wishes remain the same, Idle said, some haven't, and a couple came true.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull – a pet of his own to care for and learn to love. We can't imagine how he could have vetoed the Animal Anti-cruelty bill that so many caring people have worked on for so many years. If he read the papers, he would realized that half a loaf is better than none; the bill would never have passed if it had outlawed cock-fighting. That is a separate issue, which will require separate legislation.
The 26th Legislature – the political will to take the necessary steps to, once again, approve the Animal Anti-cruelty bill.
Lt. Gov. Vargrave Richards – implementation of a plan – any of those lurking about – to stimulate the St. Croix economy. (No change).
Delegate Donna M. Christensen – We had wished her a flak jacket last year to withstand the blows from her fellow Democrats over her Chief Financial Officer bill. It worked; she won re-election by a landslide. This year we wish her continued progress in getting the bill through the U.S. Senate.
Tourism Commissioner Pamela Richards – a year's supply of bright pink "While You Were Out…" phone call message pads. (No change).
Sen. Shawn-Michael Malone – endless reams of paper to keep those press releases flowing. (No change).
Sen. Lorraine Berry – 2004 wish – an ear trumpet to pick up on all those compliments coming from unlikely sources. Or a sludge detector.
2005 wish – an olive branch to complement the new Senate president's gavel in keeping those "unlikely sources" – her 26th Legislature majority colleagues – in line.
James O'Bryan Jr. – the governor's spokesman and St. Thomas/Water Island administrator – no comment. (No change).
Internal Revenue Director Louis Willis – Another $100 million "windfall" to make up for the "big blow" coming from the U.S. Treasury Department.
Kenneth Mapp, Public Finance Authority director of finance and administration – a public accounting of the cost of the PFA's elegant new Frenchtown digs. (No change).
Sen. Ronald Russell – a copy of "Mason's Manual of Legislative Procedure." (No change).
Sen. Louis Hill – 2004 wish – a gift-wrapped (in recycled paper) copy of the Waste Management Authority Act signed by the governor. (Came true!)
2005 wish – a lot more revision of and more public information on the Land and Water Use Plan.
Sen. Norman Jn Baptiste – 2004 wish – a year's tuition to the Actors Studio. Or a statue in the Legislature garden, a paean to his oratory.
2005 wish – don't allow your new post as 26th Legislature vice president interfere with your speeches – keep the colorful rhetoric coming
Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg – a copy of the Carnival Committee's financial records, along with an audit of Vitelco's finances going back 10 years.
The Carnival Committee – the fortitude to reveal your finances, and get on with this year's Carnival.
WAPA Executive Director Alberto Bruno-Vega and the Public Services Commission – twin wreathes of olive branches.
Finance Commissioner Bernice Turnbull, Management and Budget Director Ira Mills, and Nathan Simmonds, director of the Governor's Office of Fiscal and Economic Recovery Implementation – a transparent abacus. (No change).
V.I. Inspector General Steven van Beverhoudt – more employees with peace-officer status, more employees period, perseverance and a round of applause. Keep those audits coming.
Former Attorney General Iver Stridiron – a moonlighting spot on Radio One, after sorting out the legal affairs of the Waste Management Authority.
The six freshman senators – stay as sweet as you are.
The V.I. Legislature – a sense of humor.
The V I. voters – see "The V.I. Legislature."
Sen. Celestino A. White Sr. – Idle puzzled over this one, but here goes: since White is once again majority leader, (which he is anyhow, with or without title) I wish him to walk softly and carry a big olive branch.
Idle and the Source staff wish our readers peace, love and humor for the new year. (No change).
That's it from Idle.
On a more serious note, we at the Source wish:
– that we never have to write another headline about a young person, or anyone, being murdered.
– that the 26th Legislature find a way to work together productively to serve its community. The first step would be approval of re-zoning for the Bovoni Landfill to allow contractor Lester Ashby Sr. to start his tire-shredding operation to counter the mosquitoes breeding in those tires in the hope of preventing any more cases of Dengue Fever.
– that the 26th Legislature will inform us ahead of times of all meetings and keep them short, sweet and to the point.
– that work on our sewer systems begin.
– (ditto) work on our roads and highways.
– that our electric bills be reduced in January, as promised.
– that prosecution for those WAPA employees stealing and helping others to steal power and therefore money from the territory's ratepayers.
– for consistent dial tones, working telephones for all of the territory's consumers and no more weeks-long waits for installation and repairs, and to never again hear,. "All lines are busy now. Please hang up and try your call again later."
– that the winds of the Virgin Islands may never rise above the "trade winds" category
– that the waters surrounding the Virgin Islands will never again be polluted with sewage runoff from an antiquated system.
– that classes for the territory's children will meet every day they are scheduled with no days lost due to violence, arson, sewage, temperamental principals or bad weather. And we hope the teachers show up, too.
– that the young men of the Virgin Islands learn to settle their disputes without guns.
– that the Head Start funds be reinstated so that all of the children living in poverty in the V.I. will get the 'head start' they deserve.
– that the U.S. Treasury Department and the White House settle on fair, realistic rules that clarify and leave the V.I.'s EDC program intact.
– that the endangered sea turtles, coral reefs and fish species in the Virgin Islands be left in peace to renew and multiply.
And, to the people holding the power in the Virgin Islands: May you put aside your differences and grudges and use your collective intelligence and compassion to make sound decisions and enact laws that truly benefit the people of the Virgin Islands, moving us all forward into a future that lives up to the promise of our island paradise.

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