The Source is publishing this press release as a public service. It is published exactly as received. Please note on the by-line the name of the person or organization that sent the release.
March 7, 2005 – Today, Senator Shawn-Michael Malone expressed his satisfaction, as well as his concerns, surrounding Governor Charles W. Turnbull's actions on bills passed by the Legislature at its February 11, 2005 Regular Session.
"First, I am pleased to see that Governor Turnbull has signed into law the legislation that will rezone land at the Bovoni Landfill to pave the way for the shredding of tires and detoxification of abandoned vehicles. This process, although not requiring the Governor's approval, will allow the Abandoned Vehicle Task Force to resume its operations and relieve our community of the sight of these derelict junk cars that have been polluting our environment for many months. It will also reduce the unsightly congregation of tires that have been mounting at the Bovoni Landfill increasing the chances of dengue fever and malaria. It is about time this initiative got underway because I have been working on since February of 2003. Why did the threat of malaria and dengue fever prompt the expeditious request to rezone the Bovoni Landfill and not the fact that this was being asked of the administration as far back as February of 2003? None the less, it is done and I commend Mr. Victor Somme and the Coastal Zone Management Program for their expeditious execution of the temporary permit allowing the landfill contractor to operate the tire shredder and for the abandoned vehicle task force to continue with this work for only 6 months," Senator Malone stated. The Department of Property and Procurement must now apply for a permanent permit during this six month period for the long –term operation of these two vital programs.
"It is also a relief to see that the School Vandalism Bill has now been signed into legislation. Unfortunately, it could have been law prior to the recent rash of school break-ins that took place on St. Croix which might have deterred the culprits from performing such heinous acts. As I have stated earlier, we must send a serious message to all in our community that our institutions of learning must be safeguarded. Along with stiffer fines and penalties contained in the new law, I am also in favor of installing surveillance cameras and equipment to reduce the likelihood of stolen or damaged equipment that may be incurred on school premises once school is no longer in session," Senator Malone exclaimed.
The other side to this issue is cameras and surveillance systems that would aid in the apprehension of perpetrators. "There is a $50,000 appropriation in the bill to fund the signage requirements for all the public schools to notify potential perpetrators. Additionally, with the assistance of my office, the installation of video cameras has already yielded positive results in St. Croix which was funded from a $350,000 grant provided by the LEPC to the VIPD on behalf of the Department of Education. While this is good, more funding is required to complete placing cameras in all the schools. I have an appropriation to address funding the installation of cameras and surveillance systems pending. My office is in the process of gathering quotes and estimates from various companies to ascertain how much will be needed," Senator Malone said.
"As a primary co-sponsor of the Animal Cruelty Bill sponsored by my esteemed colleague, Senator Adlah Donastorg, Jr., I am indeed disappointed with the decision of Governor Turnbull to veto this legislation. I understand that Senator Donastorg will be making a motion to override the Governor’s veto and I will be one of the senator's voting to override. We thought by amending the bill to reflect some of the changes noted in the Governor’s first veto message in December of 2004, the Governor would sign the bill into law and send down qualifying amendments.
I think the animal cruelty bill serves an important purpose in our society today as we combat violence, especially amongst our young people. By the passage of such an important bill, it sends a message to everyone that by treating animals with compassion in turn can spill over to the way we treat one another. It wouldn't hurt to have a community and its government committed to the proper treatment of animals because in turn, we’re saying a lot about how we expect to treat ourselves and our fellow man," Senator Malone mentioned.
"I would like to thank the Honorable Governor Charles W. Turnbull for his indulgence and consideration in this matter and look forward to his continued support in all things that are in the best interest of our beloved Virgin Islands and its residents," Senator Malone concluded.
