Dear Source,
On Jan. 24, I had the distinct honor to speak with one of the governor's advisers, Sir St. Clair Tobias, who was standing at the vegetable stand in the Pueblo Long Bay parking lot. I told him I had just returned from his country [St. Kitts and Nevis] and complimented his government for its unselfish vision in protecting and preserving the land for the people, unlike our government. He was extremely surprised that I would be in his country, and he asked what I was doing there!
This is not a "they say." He said, "I am responsible for saving the Virgin Islands government from bankruptcy." Of course, my jaw was on the ground. I collected myself and asked him how did he accomplish that. He said he brought the investors here. The investors borrow money from the bank that he is affiliated with and in turn invest in the Virgin Islands. This confirms the rumor that, if you want to invest in the Virgin Islands, you have to see St. Clair Tobias.
He went on to chastise "us" for not being able to do what "he" has done for "this government" and especially for Gov. Turnbull. He said, "I am for Botany Bay!" Then he accused me of being against Botany Bay. He said he heard me say I was against Botany Bay. I gave him my business card and asked that he call me so I could fax him a copy of the letter to the editor wherein I stated, "Let me make myself very clear: I am not against the developers or development … I am against the way the governor and the senators continue to disregard the will of the people … I am against injustice!"
People of the Virgin Islands, we are truly indebted to this gentleman. Government employees and hopefully the vendors can be grateful to this man for saving the Virgin Islands government from bankruptcy, payless paydays, delayed vendor payments and delayed employee direct deposits.
Let's put the pieces together. The developers (who borrowed the money from the governor's adviser's bank) are guaranteed and get carte blanche (free for all) zoning, Economic Development Commission benefits, and who knows what else to invest in the Virgin Islands. How much was the investment, and where is that money? How much of that money has been spent, on what and on whom? How much money is left? What were all the terms of the investment? What did the investor get, and for how much?
So far, the Virgin Islands via the government is supposed to get money and an educational adviser from the investment. Did we really get the best deal, or just enough to put us in a vulnerable position again? The governor's adviser's bank gets paid. Interesting isn't it? I guess it's supposed to be a win-win situation for all? And since the V.I. government is in financial trouble, we are in "take what we can get" position.
With all the development that was supposed to be good for the economy, don't you think we should be in a much better economic position than we are? What happened? Voters, we must remember in November!
Stephanie Scott-Williams
St. Thomas
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