To the Source:
I am afraid for my island. Although Chicago is my first home, I have a second on St. Croix, and that is where my heart is. I, too, intend to retire to my island home. My husband and I have been regular visitors along with family and friends for over 20 years.
I am afraid that by the time I want to call St. Croix home, it will be hopelessly impoverished, thanks to the territorial government's total lack of competence, total ignorance and total disregard for what the voters want. There is not another place in the world where the government is such a joke. Voters overwhelmingly spoke in a referendum asking for a reduction in the Senate. Senators afraid of losing their cushy jobs simply ignored the wishes of the citizens whom they claim to represent. Saddest of all, they will most likely be reelected by the same overwhelming numbers!
St. Croix cries for improvements in education, law enforcement and tourism — yet is unwilling to do what it will take to make these things happen. We must stop the insane practice of appointing incompetent people to power positions simply on the basis of being "native born" or "local." The only thing that can save the Virgin Islands from itself is outside expertise.
Tourists are treated rudely, and they are afraid because of the crime rates. Businesses are treated rudely and find other places to invest their dollars. St. Croix finally has a wonderful destination in the Divi Casino, and what does the Senate do? Support Internet gambling which would be a direct competition to their most successful venture to date on the island. I wouldn't blame the Divi company if they just said forget it and went somewhere else. As always, the government is looking for the easy way to make a fast buck.
The St. Croix Landmarks Society is doing a great job taking care of old buildings in Christiansted, but who will be there to rent the space? All the smart business men and women are leaving the island. Pretty soon there will be no one left but the senators and their staffs.
I live in a city where politics is the best theater in town, yet my city works. If something or someone doesn't do the job, they are quickly replaced, and we don't care if they are from Chicago or the moon! Wake up, St. Croix. Those of us who have been willing to support you so far are getting tired.
Sue Seibel
Chicago, IL
