Mum is the word, at least as far as Gov. Charles Turnbulls choices for his four empty Cabinet positions are concerned.
The departments of Tourism, Labor, Health and Public Works have been without commissioners for several months. In addition, the Internal Revenue Bureau and the Industrial Development Commission are headed by "acting" directors.
Asked in a radio interview Wednesday whether reports that Pamela Richards, the long-time assistant Tourism commissioner on St. Croix, would be nominated as commissioner were accurate, Turnbull was coy.
"I have made a choice. And the choice is in my head," he said.
Monique Sibilly-Hodge has been the acting Tourism commissioner since Rafael Jackson resigned in October, less than a year after he assumed the position. Jackson was preceded by Michael Bornn, who was fired by Turnbull for being insubordinate before he could be confirmed by the Senate. Bornn replaced Clement "Cain" Magras, Turnbull's first choice as Tourism commissioner, after the Senate rejected the Magras nomination under a cloud of sexual harassment allegations.
Turnbull said he will announce his pick for the Tourism post and his other empty Cabinet positions Tuesday, after he gives the State of the Territory address Monday.
Turnbull was also vague about what his address would cover. The State of the Territory address is traditionally delivered on the second Monday in January, but Turnbull postponed it to travel to Georgia to receive an award from Turner Broadcasting, a move that was roundly criticized throughout the territory.
"Im not going into specifics," he said Wednesday about the address. "But I will cover other areas that I think are of greatest concern to our people."