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Senator Russell proposes moving V.I. capital to St. Croix
MOVING THE CAPITAL: A VISION WHOSE TIME HAS COME
April 10, 2003 – The Virgin Islands are at the point where effective leadership is more important than at perhaps any other time in recent history. Current world events are shaping and will forever shape our future. We must be prepared to make important decisions that reflect our understanding and vision of how we can seek to improve the quality of life for all our residents. "Nothing would be done at all if we waited until we could do it so well that no one could find fault with it." John Henry.
We are experiencing turbulent times, marked by the acceleration of events; therefore leaders must conceive of original and path-breaking ways to make progress. Old ideas and attitudes must be re-examined infused with new substance to meet the changing needs of the present. When the imagination produces new ideas and points toward new directions, another dimension emerges. "Leaders make decisions that create the future they desire" said Mike Murdock.
St. Thomas is raking in tourist dollars at an amazing rate while the economy on St. Croix is slowly grinding to a halt. A solution is needed which will enhance St. Thomas’ tourism product, stimulate the St. Croix economy and increase St. Croix’s contribution to the general fund. Moving the capital can provide that solution if all elected leaders and the people of our islands have the courage to embrace it.
Throughout history, many countries have relocated their capital functions in an attempt to improve their politics, economy, and culture. The capital of the U.S. was moved from Philadelphia to Washington D.C. in 1800. Other countries that have relocated their capitals include Brazil (to Brazilia, from Rio de Janiero in 1960); Australia (to Canberra, from Melbourne in 1927); Israel (to Jerusalem, from Tel Aviv (1980); Germany (to Berlin, from Bonn in 1999); Nigeria (to Lagos, from Abuja in 1992). Malaysia plans to move its capital from Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya in 2005, and the Japanese leadership discussed this topic as recently as 1990. Moreover, several states in the U.S. have recognized the advantages of having their capital located in a city that is not the major commercial and economic center. (e.g. New York – capital Albany; California – capital Sacramento; Florida – capital Tallahassee).
Moving the capital of the Virgin Islands to St. Croix is a vision that addresses and resolves many of the concerns voiced by Virgin Islanders over the years: traffic congestion, disintegrating infrastructure, the St. Croix economy, unemployment, efficient use of government resources, private sector growth, cultural pride, education, and quality of life.
Clearly, this idea must be accompanied by a viable and coherent strategy and must fit into a larger scheme. For example, the move will alleviate the massive traffic congestion presently experienced on St. Thomas. As a result, government offices, including the Legislature building, can be transformed into museums or libraries displaying our vibrant culture while generating tourist dollars. Other vacated buildings can be utilized for business purposes, creating new employment opportunities, resulting in greater business activity and an increase in the value of real estate. Certain other buildings can be removed in order to widen streets, improving the basic infrastructure of Charlotte Amalie.
St. Croix has beautiful, rolling, flat terrain which is ideal for a capital. Indeed, preparations for the move alone will create demands for labor, food, professional services, transportation, housing, and entertainment.
Frederiksted, in particular, has wide streets, lots of parking, and several government owned properties which can be easily converted into offices. Business concentration will attract more capital, utilize more buildings, and improve the value of real estate. The presence of government offices will also attract support services for Finance, Office supplies, Convention, Restaurants, Culture and Real Estate. Most significantly, newly attracted hi-tech commercial enterprises would greatly benefit from the proposed technology park and St. Croix’s exceptional broadband capabilities.
It is important that this idea be considered in the spirit of communication and cooperation. Communication between leaders and people in this media-saturated age is particularly challenging. Images and opinions reach people almost instantly and influence attitudes and decisions more powerfully than debate and deliberation. Thus, leaders have a deep moral responsibility to communicate with courage, conviction, respect, and sensitivity. The media must ensure that all aspects of an issue are explored fairly, and individuals must insist on solid information despite the emotional appeal of "popular opinion." Cooperation is no longer an option but a means to fashion more deeply rooted, global, and effective solutions. True leaders can weave all of these qualities together to create transformative change.
Of course there are the detractors – those who get satisfaction from identifying the problems while resisting the invitation to explore solutions. These detractors cannot prevail if leaders have the courage and political intuition to act when the situation demands action. "A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." William Shedo. Only when leaders display strong character and persistence will they succeed in turning visions into reality. We need leaders with the courage to act in the face of adversity, with sensitivity to the needs of society, and with the vision to make the decisions which will successfully serve the long term interests of the people of this territory. Moving the capital is such a vision.
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