Editor's note: The following is an open letter addressed by the writer to Gov. Charles W. Turnbull and copied to the Source.
Dear Source,
If a deficit in excess of $100 million isn't a financial crisis, then what is?
In January you told us that there wasn't a financial crisis, merely a cash-flow problem, but now, four months later, you admit that there is a crisis. Did you not know the actual financial condition of the territory in January, or were you just lying to us?
Now we are in the grips of a full-blown financial crisis, and it will take strong leadership to lead us out. A leader who does not know the things that he should know or one who lies to the people or who is corrupt cannot lead us out of this financial crisis. Governor, you have proven that you are not capable of leading. You showed us how little you know and care about the long-term financial condition of the territory when you handed out fat pay raises to your friends and political cronies last fall before the election.
Governor, the financial shark feed at the taxpayers' expense is over. Governor it's time to roll back the pay-raise bonanza. It's time to cut the heavy top layers of government, not the hours or pay of the working men and women of this territory who strive every day just to make ends meet and raise their families. It's time for you and your cronies to cut those ridiculously high salaries so that the working people will not have to pay for your administration's shortsightedness and mismanagement again.
It's time for you to do what's right, Governor! It's time for you to stand up and admit that you lied. It's time for you to cut the governor's salary to $40,000 per year and then cut every one of your cronies' salaries as well. It's time to be accountable. It's time to order that the books be opened and a full-blown federal audit of the Virgin Islands be performed. It's time to do what's right or be forced to pay for what you've done wrong. It's time to put the citizens first. It's time to face the crisis and stop borrowing to cover it up.
It's time to admit that this government is bankrupt and ask for the necessary assistance from the federal government. It's time for strong leadership in the Virgin Islands, Governor; it's time for you to step down. This was your last lie.
Hope Gibson
St. Croix
Editor's note: We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to source@viaccess.net.
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