Dear Source,
As a proud Virgin Islander who resides abroad, I am still very interested in politics as they relate to my Virgin Islands. I also found the article "VIHA tenants to get new leases, with changes" to also be very interesting.
It leaves little to be said when the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has to step in and take over the semi-autonomous agency that was once under control of the local Housing Authority. However, what I find extremely interesting and a bit controversial is the admission, or should I dare to say assumption, of a V.I. senator that the Housing Authority officials still cannot live up to certain mediocre responsibilities bestowed upon them, namely, "sending out rent statements prior to the due date of the first of the month." This is ludicrous and most embarrassing, to say the least.
What is so complex that the appointed director of this agency cannot crack the whip and pull a tight rein to adhere to such a mediocre task of getting rent statements mailed out, distributed out, or however they care to do it? Just get them out by at least one week prior to the end of the month so that the tenants can have them in their hands by the first of the month. This is yet another example of the admitted laxness of our government as it relates to matters of federal and community importance.
While I know, via syndicated network news, that these changes are not limited to just the Virgin Islands, I am most amused that our appointed leaders are still "thinking and thoughting" that we are being spanked by the mothering HUD for not "living up to our agreements with the federal authorities, prompting the takeover." More so, it would be nothing less than lack of concern on the part of the "housing managers" if all leases are not viewed and signed by operating tenants of individual units prior to going into effect, especially since notification was sent out one month prior. Could it be that those that haven’t made the effort to see, or sign, their leases have subleased their units and moved elsewhere? Hmmmm, food for thought.
Kudos to HUD and the HUD receiver for moving full force ahead. Someone has to crack the whip. You snooze, you loose! Let the chaos of disorganization fall on the departments that are responsible for the laxness. If the job cannot be completed within the designated time frames, maybe we need to consider erasing and replacing old management and embracing new management. If the tenants overpay, the federal government always reimburses. It is obvious that some of those appointed by the tenants to represent their interests have more important concerns at hand than attending a very important meeting arranged by a senator to protect their own interests.
Again ah repeat, lax, lax, lax!!!!
Monique Faulkner
Atlanta, Georgia
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