The following material is being published, unedited, exactly as it was received via e-mail from the office of the government official named below, as a Source community service. Government office holders wishing to contribute to the bulletin board must e-mail source@viaccess.net. The Source reserves the right to choose what is published.
March 27, 2007 – Senator Celestino A. White Sr.'s office has been flooded with telephone calls and visits from worried residents of Paul M. Pearson Gardens housing community and the general public regarding rumors that the public housing project may be sold in the near future.
"I am adamantly opposed to any attempt to sell, exchange or in any way alter the present structure of the public housing community known as Paul M. Pearson Gardens except a sale to the current residents of public housing in the Virgin Islands," Senator White wrote to Donna White, Public Affair Specialist in Washington D.C. for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Pearson Gardens, consists of 30 buildings and 240 living units. Fifteen of the buildings are part of the Paul M. Pearson Gardens Cooperative.
Senator White pointed out to the HUD official that affordable housing, including home ownership and rentals, remains the single most significant issue affecting the quality of life of Virgin Islanders.
"I remain steadfast in my commitment to facilitate the construction of affordable rental housing communities and affordable homeownership opportunities," Senator White wrote while indicating that he is opposed to any reduction of the affordable rental stock.
"I am requesting that you provide me with the answer to the following question," Senator White asked of Ms White. "Does HUD have any intention, now or in the future, to sell, exchange or in any way alter the present structure of the Paul M. Pearson Gardens housing community?"
Senator White is awaiting an expeditious response to his March 21, 2007 letter. In the meantime, he has pledged to fight tooth and nail on the local and federal level to intercept and abort any attempts that may be in the works to deprive Virgin Islanders of the Pearson Gardens housing.
