Here are some ideas, or possible solutions, to improve our economy.
— The first "must" that everyone knows about is to change the tax structure.
We all know that the gross receipts tax is hurting the economy and a lot of revenue is lost because of unrecorded receipts. A sales tax would affect tourist purchases and probably would cause residents to do even more buying off island.
We are left with the income tax system. How can we enforce having all laborers work on the records?? Somehow we have to find a way.
— Instead of competing for the same dollars, each island should develop its own primary economy in a different way.
St. John attracts more affluent tourists and the environmentalists. St. Thomas attracts the day visitors and some hotel guests who are attracted by the shops and the beaches. St. Croix needs to be our commercial center providing food staples, gas refining and other commercial production. A homeport on an island without a large airport makes no sense.
— Farm shrimp, lobster and crayfish on St. Croix. I’ve seen shellfish farms in brownstones in New York City so I’m sure it can be done here.
— Some of the cruise ships are currently being supplied by Cuban enterprises and the water is not always the cleanest there. They would be thrilled with another safe and convenient supply.
— Begin a hydroponics gardening enterprise with help from the U.S. Agriculture Department as an experiment to increase the production of our own food.
— Close all of the off-island V.I. tourist offices except Denmark. They are of no use anymore with travel agents around the world and tourist facilities here using the World Wide Web so effectively.
— Provide staff to answer the e-mail inquiries that come into our various tourist web sites. A lot of these requests now go ignored and we lose the contact.
— Eliminate official cars for all but the most necessary functions. Officials can use their own vehicles and charge the government the usual 25 cents per mile or they can patronize the local taxi industry.
— Absolutely no official cars should be used after hours. Police cars, which are needed 24 hours a day, should never be taken home. Chauffeurs are not necessary for anyone but the governor, lieutenant governor and the senators. Some police regularly bring their patrol cars home even for long weekend. I have also observed a commissioner driven to his doctor at 4:30 p.m. and the chauffeur waited for him until 6:30 p.m. A cab would have been more efficient if he couldn’t drive himself.
— When computers need to be upgraded, hire local computer suppliers to install more memory, updated software and add accessories to the existing systems. It is not necessary to buy a whole new computer every time.
— We do not need those big, fancy signs announcing every construction project. Maybe if we had fewer of them for the roofing program, we might have had money to do more roofs. If the government executives are doing their jobs well, their names will be ringing with praise from many lips throughout the island -– the signs will not be necessary.
— Initiate an each-one-teach-one program sponsored by churches, community organizations and clubs throughout the island. Every single person with a high school diploma and beyond should adopt an adult or high school student who wants to further their education and improve their skills. For one to three hours a week they should spend time together sharing their knowledge. In this way we would improve the educational level of all the citizens of the Virgin Islands, make them better employees capable of earning a higher wage for their families and being more productive citizens.
Editor's note: Carol S. Lotz taught history, anthropology, economics, literature and
ethnic studies in New York City public schools for 28 years. She also developed migrant worker educational programs. She is now a resident of St. Thomas pursuing
her interest in writing, adult education, victim advocacy and snorkeling.
