Dear Source:
As an avid reader of the Source and having been off island for a month, I have been able to catch up with the information regarding the repeal of the ill-advised actions of the 26th legislature and the move to recall the senators who were the perpetrators of the 11th hour actions. I must say that seeing all the fine responses on the Source gives me a sense of pride in fellow Virgin Islanders who have come to realize that only a great public outcry can change the way we live for the better. I was surprised that Sen. Russell actually responded. This means that he must be under some stress thinking that the recall could actually come to fruition.
His response that the recall was not legal has no basis as the Organic Act does not have to be specific. If the people feel that their elected officials are incompetent, then they are–that’s democracy Sen. Russell. Like it or not. As far as the repeal of the pay raise law, if the 27th Legislature does not act, and soon, then the recall will become a reality and the senators who take your place will certainly do so.
The race card. Why should Sen. Russell use race as a basis for free speech? I am an avid listener to Roger W. Morgan’s Free Speech for quite some time and there is no doubt that he would NEVER allow racial issues to taint his show and yet Sen. Russell uses the race card as a first response–amazing! The reality, Sen Russell, is you don’t have the courage to say you where wrong and start the action of repealing the law that gave you and your other cronies a fantastic pay raise!
I call on the new senators to start the process of repeal now and urge those Senators who broke the public trust to act quickly. Sen. Russell suggested that it’s the law that needs to be repealed by petition and not the recall. That is also correct, but in order to stop the recall, the senators in question must first repeal the law or face BOTH a recall and a petition to repeal the law.
We are fed up and the people of the Virgin Islands no longer will tolerate public officials who abuse power for personal gain.
Paul Devine
St. John
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