Open forum — St. Thomas
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Demand a Full Investigation
Dear Source:
Who, what, where and how? These are the questions that I tried to get answered from the members of the legislature on December 2, 2011 when I protested in front of the capital building concerning the scathing joint federal and local audit by the inspector general’s recently. I was protesting there from about 11 am to noon with a bright green sign in my hand that read "Senators shame on you! 6.9 Million Reasons Why We Need Answers Right Now (26, 27 and 28 Legislatures)."
Who, what, where and how? These are the questions that I tried to get answered from the members of the legislature on December 2, 2011 when I protested in front of the capital building concerning the scathing joint federal and local audit by the inspector general’s recently. I was protesting there from about 11 am to noon with a bright green sign in my hand that read "Senators shame on you! 6.9 Million Reasons Why We Need Answers Right Now (26, 27 and 28 Legislatures)."
Unfortunately, I was the only voice in front of the building protesting concerning my loss of public trust by the first branch of government with our finances. When I stood with my sign a number of citizens agreed with me by honking their horns in support. They yelled out" They should all go home. They should be sent to prison. I can't pay my light bill. Where is my refund? I got a salary cut and they take a trip? Where is the justice?"
Yes exactly, I replied where is the justice? I tried to ask that to any senator later today that would meet with me, I was politely told they were either not there or unavailable and that I should try back later. The best I could do is to speak with the chief of staff or representative, so I left messages for them to call me back. Did I get a call back? What do you think?
Yes exactly, I replied where is the justice? I tried to ask that to any senator later today that would meet with me, I was politely told they were either not there or unavailable and that I should try back later. The best I could do is to speak with the chief of staff or representative, so I left messages for them to call me back. Did I get a call back? What do you think?
Is this the same institution that is in charge of the purse strings of our government? I ask that the public please make your voices heard as I did and demand accountability from your elected representatives concerning the lack of oversight, mismanagement and possible fraudulent use of your tax dollars.
Here is an excerpt from the audit report "The unregulated administration of public funds has led to a culture with almost no accountability and transparency, especially in areas such as the improper use of allotted funds, arbitrary procurement of goods and services, and inadequately secured sensitive equipment," It was reported that about $6.9 million dollars was lost to "highly questionable" practices. Do you think your government is working in your best interest? Right now I do not, at least not from this
branch of government. The report issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior Office of the Inspector General and V.I. Office of the Inspector General can be found on line at www.viig.org <http://www.viig.org/> "Administrative Functions- Legislature of the Virgin Islands" Please read it and ask the same questions to our representatives, who what, where and how was our tax payers money used or lost by some or most of the members of the 26, 27 and 28 legislature?
branch of government. The report issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior Office of the Inspector General and V.I. Office of the Inspector General can be found on line at www.viig.org <http://www.viig.org/> "Administrative Functions- Legislature of the Virgin Islands" Please read it and ask the same questions to our representatives, who what, where and how was our tax payers money used or lost by some or most of the members of the 26, 27 and 28 legislature?
The audit report does not provide the names of the senators in question, but I would expect that every sitting senator should be demanding a full investigation into the matter at the very least and let the chips fall where they must…
Jason Budsan
St. Thomas
St. Thomas
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Jason is absolutely right!
I think we should all be incensed by the outright betrayal of trust, lack of ethics, fiduciary and monetary responsibility as well as the fact that we are being stolen from on a day to day basis and no-one says a word! Isn't is time for a change? People that steal belong in jail!
I am astonished that given the current financial crises we are in that every single taxpayer is not standing in front of the Legislature building on all 3 islands DEMANDING Names be Named and our hardearned MONEY BE RETURNED FROM WHATEVER OFF-ISLAND or neice's account it is sitting in and that those responsible GO TO JAIL.
Of course, the right thing to do would be for the senators themselves to come forward and confess to their "misuse" and offer their resignations, effective immediately. They should lose all their benefits and pensions.
These are the men and women that voted themselves and the Gov.and Lt. Gov., big fat salary increases within Bill 6905 and then have the audacity to steal taxpayers money on top of their grossly inflated salaries and perks of office that they recieve.
It is repugnant!
Good day,
Thank you for your comments here or out and about to me regarding my letter above from last week about my attempt to find some answers to my concerns. I am pleased to say that a number of senators(or staff)had called or emailed me back that I did not get a chance to meet with me that day when I was there. To that end, I asked that they would provide as many details as possible to the public in regards to the joint audits and what measures they might suggest to their colleagues with legislation in the future. I am hopeful that they will provide that information as soon as possible.
Regards,
Jason Budsan
Where are all of the politicians and public leaders commenting on the theft of public funds? After the St. Thomas Hospital audit, the delegate to congress and other community leaders had much to say on the issue. I guess if no one is saying anything this time around, then they are in on it too!