Gov. Charles W. Turnbull is expected to scrutinize closely a bill that would open up the finances of the West Indian Co., Ltd. to the V.I. Legislature. But in an interview Monday that touched on a number of issues, Turnbull—who sits on the boards of both WICO and the Public Finance Authority—said he is disinclined to interfere in how WICO runs its business.
"My predisposition on this bill is that we should not tamper with WICO," Turnbull said. "WICO is doing a good job, it is run in the best interest of the people of the Virgin Islands and we don't want to do anything that would endanger it."
The eight-member majority bloc of the 24th Legislature, as one of its first acts, passed a measure that would give the senate full access to financial information about the two public entities, WICO and the PFA. Senate President Almando "Rocky" Liburd said the bill is intended to help account for public funds and allow the Legislature to decide public spending priorities.
Turnbull also confirmed Monday a report in the Source that Nathan Simmonds will be joining the administration to oversee implementation of the five-year economic recovery plan drawn up by a task force last year. Simmonds has been chief of staff for Lt. Gov. Gerard Luz James II., and the move to Government House post suggests the administration is finally prepared to act on the plan.
"He will be the manager, the hands-on supervisor to make sure that the various sections of the plan are workable," Turnbull said. He described Simmonds as the point man on the plan and said he will name others to the recovery implementation task force.
The governor will likely discuss the general economic objectives of his administration at length during his State of the Territory address in less than two weeks. It is scheduled for Jan. 29, but Turnbull said he wants to make sure it does not conflict with President-elect George W. Bush's scheduled State of the Union address.
"The 29th is the date we have in sight now, but I am checking to see if it conflicts with the president's speech," Turnbull said. "We also have the option of delivering the speech on Tuesday, Jan 30."
The State of the Territory address is traditionally delivered on the second Monday in January but Turnbull postponed it in order to travel to Georgia to receive an award from Turner Broadcasting.
