What is he going to say? What can he say? With so many problems facing the territory right now, the Source thought it might be a good idea to see what people think the governor should zero in on Monday in his State of the Territory address. Expectations vary, but many themes remain the same.
John deJongh Jr., president of the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce, perhaps best expressed the almost unilateral view of island businessmen.
"Private-sector growth has to be addressed," he said. "It's the only way we will get out of the situation we're in now."
DeJongh said that when the governor begins downsizing the top-heavy government, the private sector is the only place the employees will have to go.
"At the end of the day, we have no choice," he said.
Businesswoman Kris Brunt of MSI Building Supplies put it succinctly: "The only issue is to get a realistic plan to downsize the government so it can meet its payroll."
Erva Denham, president of the League of Women Voters, was caught in the midst of shopping, which didn't faze her a bit.
"I would like to see what progress is being made on the government's five-year financial recovery plan," she said. "If we are supposed to use this year as a baseline, where is the recovery team at right now? And what about reducing the size of the government? Do we have a definite plan?"
These questions have to be addressed, she said. And while they aren't the only questions, they are the most important.
On another subject intrinsic to the government's economic survival, Beverly Nicholson of the St. Thomas-St. John Hotel and Tourism Association had this to say: "Tourism, tourism, tourism."
Nicholson said we should all be "extra concerned."
"We still have no commissioner, we have no advertising to speak of, there is no long-range planning in effect that anyone knows of," she said.
Nicholson said the private sector is more than willing to help in the interim, and to offer its expertise. She said the association has a proposal on the governor's desk from GoGo Tours, the biggest tour operator in the Northeast, the island's core market. It outlines a plan for advertising and marketing the Virgin Islands that could pull the territory out of its present serious situation, she said.
The season is already here and hotel bookings for February and March are, at best, "sluggish," Nicholson said. She said the association has high hopes the governor will sign off on the GoGo proposal.
Lyn Eden, owner of Mafolie Hotel, also put economic concerns at the top of her list of priorities for the governor.
"First of all, I think tourism should be distanced away from the government," she said. "Every four years, with a new administration, everybody who finally knows what they're doing gets fired."
Eden said she thought that with tourism as a private entity, a better staff could be developed without political considerations hindering their every move.
"I don't know what we're going to do this season," she said, noting the hotel's bookings are not looking good. "I'm very worried," she said.
"If this were France, we'd be having a revolution," said Craig Kirchoff of the Sea Chest.
"I don't know where to begin," he said in considering his main worries. "For one thing, I'd like to know about the tax breaks. How come Vitelco and Tutu Park Mall have IDC benefits, and the little companies who have been on island for years don't?" Attorney Tom Bolt, speaking for the Virgin Islands Bankers Association, said he would like to see the governor address the "homeowners' opportunity act." This is a plan the bankers are working on with Sen. George E. Goodwin, which, according to Bolt, would "help expand the economy."
Another priority for Bolt is the updating of the Uniform Commercial Code, which governs all commercial transactions. The current code is 35 years old.
"It's like driving an Edsel in the space age," Bolt said.
Kathy Huttel of the St. Thomas Swimming Association lamented the lack of sports facilities for kids.
"It's not just swimming, it's all sports," she said. "The government just doesn't have the interests of the young people at heart."
She pointed out that Ivanna Eudora Kean High School still has no track field. But on a brighter note, she said the Olympic swimming pool project, which the association has been working on for years, is closer to becoming a reality.
"It's the weather now that's holding us up," she said. "The cement's ready to pour."
Lynn Falkenthal, head of the Victim's Advocate program, would like to see more action taken to defend crime victims.
"I'd like to see equal justice for the victim as well as the criminal," she said. She noted the police and justice systems do much to protect the rights of the accused, but what about the victim?
Tourism again is the topic in Frenchtown, according to Ted Luscz, owner of Hook Line & Sinker restaurant.
"Tourism, that's our only concern — without it we're sunk." Luscz said. Like others, he said he would like to know what is being done right now for the season that is already upon us.
Yacht Haven, an eyesore since Hurricane Marilyn, is on Realtor April Newland's list of concerns.
"I'd like to hear what's going to happen to the hotel and marina," she said. "Are they going to condemn it, sell it, develop it or what?" she questioned. "It's heartbreaking to see all the wonderful yachts we used to get now at all the other islands."
Also, she continued, we should advertise our Industrial Development Commission benefits to potential investors. She wondered why the governor doesn't have a point person for this job.
"I'd really like to say something positive," Newland concluded.
According to the general tenor of comments voiced, so would everybody else. And nobody mentioned potholes.
