March 15, 2005 – Two local organizations, frustrated at the government's slow pace in acquiring Vessup Beach, said Tuesday they would take further steps if the governor does not respond to their inquiries by April 1.
Andrea King, president of the Red Hook Community Alliance, said for some time now she has been writing to Gov. Charles W. Turnbull to inquire when he would "follow through" with legislation, passed by the Senate, calling for the acquisition of Vessup Beach through eminent domain. However, Turnbull has yet to respond.
Last April the Senate unanimously approved the bill, which appropriates $3 million from the interest earned on the government's debt service reserves for acquisition of the Vessup and Muller Bay land. However, Turnbull line-item vetoed the spending source, saying the money was already obligated to meet General Fund expenses. In July, Sen. Louis Hill – the bill's sponsor – called for an override of the veto, and with a 10-2 vote the measure was enacted. (See "Horns Herald Vote to Override Vessup Funding Veto").
On Monday, King sent another message to Turnbull, asking him to "follow through" with the law.
"This long awaited action is compulsory to preserve this land in perpetuity for future generations of Virgin Islanders," the message stated. "We suggest that if Gov. Turnbull fails to implement this law that he be notified of his legal violation, and that he should be held fully accountable."
The letter bore the following names: King's; Rhudel George, president of the Organization of Concerned Native Virgin Islanders; Ann Durante-Arnold, president of the North Side Civic Organization; Anna Francis, director of the Environmental Rangers..
"We're planning on doing a demonstration in front of Government House," King said, if Turnbull did not respond to the letter by April 1.
King said she is concerned that the law will not be enforced.
"We're angry; we're fed up; we're tired of being disrespected," King said. "We're not going to let this issue lie. We're not going to lose Vessup like we lost Lindqvist."
The alliance has been fighting against the proposed sale of the land surrounding Vessup Beach to a mainland private development since February 2004. (SEE: "85 turn out to protest Vessup Development").
Francis said the Environmental Rangers would support the Red Hook Community Alliance if a demonstration was needed.
"The goal of the Environmental Rangers is to see more land preserved," Francis said. "If we totally destroy the island, what's going to be left behind?"
Hill said Tuesday he also tried to contact Turnbull for a meeting about the bill but has not received a response.
"Right now there is really nothing that the Senate can do anymore," Hill said. "Now it's really in the government's hands to implement the law."
He added, "The only other place we can resolve this matter is in the courts."
Hill said he knows money is not an option because the money is available. However, James O'Bryan, St. Thomas-St. John administrator and spokesman for the governor, disagreed.
The bonds earmarked in the legislation are still accruing interest, O' Bryan said, "so that money is not available until September."
O'Bryan said three appraisals of the land also have to be completed, as mandated by the legislation, and the average of the three would determine the purchase price of the land.
"Monies have to be identified for that," O'Bryan said.
He added, "More than likely the land is going to cost more than the $3 million."
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