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Charlotte Amalie
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesVITEMA Y2K POLL RESULTS INCONCLUSIVE

VITEMA Y2K POLL RESULTS INCONCLUSIVE

If the answers of the 100 or so people who responded to the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency's millennium survey are any indication, the territory is ill-prepared for Y2K.
VITEMA distributed the survey last week through the Daily News. It consisted of four multiple choice questions.
One asked if the territory is sufficiently prepared for Y2K problems. Another asked: "What do you believe will happen in 2000?" The possible answers to this: 1) the world will come to an end; 2) Christ's return; 3) World War III; 4) all of the above and 5) none of the above. Fortunately, number five was the big winner on that one.
Also asked was whether the government has done enough to prevent a territory-wide computer shutdown, and impressions about all the millennium hype. Responses to both were negative.
The agency got called everything from a "dummy," to publishing a "sophmorial" (sic) survey, and the "whole thing being a waste of time." However, Jevon Patrick, chief planner for VITEMA, took it in good humor. He said it's unfortunate people think the territory is not prepared, as VITEMA has done everything in its power to do just that.
The agency coordinates all local and federal offices in any emergency.
One innovative person, obviously a Crucian, in answer to what 2000 will bring, said "St. Croix's potholes won't be fixed, the ballpark won't be repaired and the government will take all the car insurance money."
Another survey was all crossed out with the message that "the federal government will take over the Virgin Islands, and about time!"
Patrick said he didn't feel most people took it seriously – the situation, as well as the survey.
"They don't really see the government shutting down or having major problems as a possibility," he said.
About the survey, he said he thought that most people figured, "well, I don't have to pay postage, so why not."

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