Dear Source:
Shhhhhhhhh!!! The silence and inaction of the people of the Virgin Islands is frightening. You would think that the need for: accessible affordable health care and prescription drugs; the need for affordable housing; the education of our children, the future leaders, employers, employees; child abuse which appears to be a daily occurrence; the threat of a major epidemic from the sewage that runs through our streets and waters both drinking and surrounding, would be a few good reasons to do more than just talk and wait until election day.
The past two elections were perfect examples of the people attempting to speak out and act through their vote. We were ignored when 16,000 votes were cast to reduce the size of the legislature. We were robbed of the opportunity to negotiate with the run-off candidates in the 2002 gubernatorial election.
"The powers that be" could not take the chance of, us, the voters truly voting our conscience. If our votes were really counted as we actually voted there would have been a run off and the people would have negotiated.
The most blatant act of instilled or imposed fear, intimidation and compromise is exhibited when people, who are complaining about this administration, are asked to sign the recall petition. Immediately you get all kinds of excuses why they won't sign. The truth is, not many people are willing to expose themselves to the punishment of loosing a job, contract, loan, retirement, license, etc., by signing anything!! And you really can't blame them.
"The powers that be" have made the governor feel so confident, that he can say with arrogance, he is not concerned about the recall. This leads me to believe that the only time the people feel safe in speaking out or acting is through the privacy of their vote on election day. Therefore, I conclude that the results of this last election are indeed questionable.
So we find ourselves in a situation where the people feel they have no due process. The people are asked to participate and give their input and the elected representatives ignore the will or concerns of the people.
How can the senators approve over $60 million for miscellaneous expenditures for the governor? Why not apply those monies to pay the teachers, fire fighters, nurses, police, pay Government Employee Retirement System, etc.?
What will it take to rid our community of this fear that continues to paralyze, stifle and immobilize us?
There's got to be a better way!
Stephanie Scott-Williams
St. Thomas
