Dear Source,
I believe that Delegate Donna M. Christensen is doing an exceptional job. She was sent to Washington, by Virgin Islanders, to fight for Virgin Islanders and during her eight- year tenure she has made enormous breakthroughs in areas such as:
USDA/ Rural Development, Coastal America, EPA, Army Corps of Engineers, SBA, US Dept of Education, and Health, just to name a few, while bringing the stakeholders together through mutual cooperation and respect.
Yes, bringing federal dollars home is an important part of her job. And she has been very successful acquiring funding during times were the federal government has been cutting back on funding and telling states to pick up the slack. Her job is to work on our behalf using only her comprehensive knowledge of the issues and the persuasiveness of her arguments to work with others empowered with an actual vote, a privilege the Virgin Islands is denied.
I appreciate Mr. Mosler's frustration at how our economy is mismanaged and his genuine offer to serve the people of the Virgin Islands, sharing his expertise.(See EDC Troubles May Spell Disaster for Many V.I. Workers). I sincerely hope, after the election, he will communicate with the delegate and request the services of her office to facilitate interaction with the heads of the numerous agencies in dire need of grant writers and the financial wherewithal to take advantage of any and all opportunities available. Christiansen has never turned from sound advice. The generous offer Mr. Mosler has made during his campaign of turning over his salary upon election should not be ignored. Perhaps, now that he has identified a true need, he can be persuaded to part with some of his hard earned, but substantial, knowledge and capital to help fill this void using the private sector.
We all need to work together. While the delegate's job is not to write grants, she and her staff are close to the community and are a great resource to utilize when identifying needs.
Elena Shaubah
St. Croix
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