Dear Source,
A meeting was called last Sunday to discuss the Sibilly School water contamination.
Commissioner of Education Ruby Simmons Ph.D. demonstrated considerable poise in answering tough questions from parents who had every right to be upset.
Unfortunately the matter was not so important to the Commissioner of DPNR, the Commissioner of Health, or the St. Thomas Administrator who did not even show. Yes, they may have sent their representatives but we the parent should have had the right to put all the Commissioners under fire.
Also absent was any representation from our eight elected Senators. Hey it's not an election year and kids can't vote anyway mon!
I happen to be a parent of two children currently attending the Joseph Sibilly School. To say the least no words seem to be able to describe my anger at the
manner in which the government agencies failed to live up to their responsibility to watch and guard our young ones.
The recent revelation of the types of toxins in the water supply at the two facilities that make up the Joseph Sibilly Elementary school happen to be the same toxins that were discovered with the contaminated water supply at the Tutu wells.
The cistern contamination from what I gather was known to several government agencies since November or December of 1998. It seems that the cistern water was tested in November or December of 1998, toxic levels of contaminates were found, and to be sure the reading was correct, another sample of the cistern water was asked to be tested. In April of 1999 the result came back positive. I guess since the person(s) kids did not go to either of the Sibilly Schools the individual(s) dropped the ball on the matter. Hey! "It's not my problem mon!"
The same government that is supposed to protect the children has poisoned them, and I'm mad as hell!
Parents of children attending the Sibilly School cannot let this one slide. Someone has to take responsibility.
The buck must stop somewhere! I, for one, would like to see some heads roll. I think its high time to let the Fed's handle this investigation. A criminal
investigation is in order and the Federal Offices of the Environmental Protection Agency and/or the FBI should be called in to handle it.
Someone knowingly poisoned the water supply to hurt our children. The information about the contamination was withheld from the facility, children, and parents despite the grave dangers associated with exposure to the eight toxins which are known to cause cancer, liver and kidney damages, headaches etc.
I have served this community beyond the call of duty. I'd give my life for these islands. But, I don't expect these islands or the people who are in charge of looking after the welfare of our children to take the life of
our children.
I will not play into some sick person(s) hand that feels he/she has the right to play Russian Roulette with the lives of our children. Each passing day this whole affair has only served to raised more questions.
Vinnie Mohanani
St. Thomas
