Dear Source:
There have been so many articles written lately on the Source that it's hard to keep up!
First, A big thank you to Whitman T. Browne for the open invitation to the Gladys A. Abraham Elementary School. I fully intend to visit the school on November 16 for the special assembly. For others who are interested in education, this will give us an insight into our school system. It's nice to know that Mr. Browne has shown the kind of pride and leadership that it takes to properly educate our children.
On Jeffrey Prosser…well…nuff said.
I am pleased about the Congress passing the bill which would allow the Interior Dept. to negotiate a lease with the Virgin Islands government for 10 acres of land on St John so the children can finally, after so many years, have a decent school and not have to travel every day to St Thomas at the high school level. The next step is full passage by the US Senate. Special thanks to Donna Christensen and to the One Campus Group for having the fortitude to stay the course and make this lease a reality. My concerns are if the land will be large enough to build a school and if the government has yet to make plans for the funding. I, as many have hoped that the land lease would be for 55 acres which would have been the ideal size for a multi-school complex but like most things on St John, I guess we have to take what we can get. I hope the VI government does this deal as speedily as possible and starts the process of funding and design. People on St Thomas and St Croix have not had the same kinds of problems getting things done and I hope they will look intently at this initiative and help St Johnians push the government into action.
The Dr. Lynn Spampinato confirmation vote was disheartening for many who wanted to start real change in the education system but the Senate felt that the Governor's choice was not in the best interest of the children and parents of the Virgin Islands. The Senate surely did due diligence when they contacted unions to get opinions on Ms. Spampinato's qualifications. As I watched the confirmation hearing, I heard several Senators comment on her outstanding record but in the end, it was the union opinion and the opinion of a talk-show host, Lizz Brown, who, even though the Senators claimed she was an educator, proved to be neither. She has now lost her job as a talk-show host and it was found that she never was a teacher or even involved in education. So much for due diligence. Many have called on the Senate to help the Governor seek another candidate. I would strongly suggest that they stay out of it as it seems they know little or nothing about choosing a good candidate for office.
Lastly, and most sad, were the comments made by R.L. Bucher in the Open Forum last week. Killings, muggings and other horrible behavior by youths is becoming epidemic and we hear little from the police or lawmakers about what is being done about it. On the bright side, the Governor has started some important citizen initiatives aimed at our youth and how we can create more activities and find meaningful employment opportunities. If the lawmakers can't and the agencies of government don't have the time, then the citizens will take on the responsibility. Thank you Governor for allowing average citizens to be involved. We promise you results.
Paul Devine
St. John
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