Nov. 7, 2007 — In a packed Government House ballroom Wednesday morning, two St. Thomas members of the governor's cabinet were sworn into office: Debra E. Gottlieb as Office of Management and Budget director and Darryl Smalls as Public Works commissioner.
Gov. John deJongh Jr. looked over the two newest members of his cabinet and joked that they balance each other: "One monitors the money and the other spends it."
The room was bursting with family, friends and colleagues.
Master of Ceremonies Jean P. Greaux Jr. hailed the two, noting that both, after college in the states, had "returned home to help the community." Gottlieb will bring "new insight" to the Office of Management and Budget, he said.
"Not to discredit former leaders," Greaux said, but Darryl Smalls has "brought a new wind to the office since he took over in April."
Accolades abounded throughout the morning as the native daughter and son were honored.
Both leaders have already gotten their feet wet. Gottlieb was a big part of the governor's financial team, putting together the fiscal year 2008 executive budget earlier this year, along with establishing a program-evaluation unit within OMB to deal specifically with the implementation of performance-based budgeting.
Smalls was immediately faced with two major projects decades in the making: the Christiansted Bypass on St. Croix, for which ground was broken in May, and the Long Bay project on St. Thomas, which saw ground-breaking ceremonies in October.
An employee at OMB for the past 16 years, Gottlieb is a 1976 graduate of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School. She graduated from Saint Mary of the Woods College in Indiana with a bachelor's degree in history in 1980, and earned a master's degree in public administration in 1995 from the University of the Virgin Islands.
After working in the private sector, Gottlieb worked her way up at OMB. She has the full support of deJongh, who offered a couple of anecdotes attesting to his wonder at her experience in things financial.
"I knew of the problems with the financial-management system," deJongh said, "and I couldn't think of anyone better to handle this position. She has this smile, but I wonder what is behind that smile. She can smile and say 'no.' I asked her something a while ago, and she talked about appropriations and allotments, and when she left, I had to ask Louis Penn (deJongh's chief of staff), 'Did she agree?'"
Gottlieb is active in many local organizations, notably the Charlotte Amalie Lions Club and Iota Phi Sorority. Her son, Odari Thomas, is a Charlotte Amalie High School senior.
An electrical engineer by training, Smalls has overseen facilities maintenance at Schneider Hospital for the past 15 years. He steadily rose through the ranks, and since 2003 he has been vice president of facilities management and capital development for the hospital, where he oversaw the construction of the Charlotte Kimmelman Cancer Institute.
A 1983 graduate of All Saints Episcopal School, Smalls earned a bachelor's degree in engineering from the University of Pittsburgh in 1988. He is Alvin McBean East Little League president, and a Omega Psi Phi fraternity member. He is married to Tamarah Parson-Smalls. They have two sons, Jelani and Jemoi.
Lt. Gov. Gregory Francis praised the honorees' for their leadership qualities, calling them, "young, energetic and well-organized." Supreme Court Chief Justice Rhys Hodge administered the oath of office, while the honorees' families looked on with hardly a dry eye to be seen.
Gottlieb kept her remarks brief. Standing at the podium, only occasionally showing that enigmatic smile, she intoned the words of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy: "Our task now is not to fix the blame for the past, but to fix the course for the future."
"Because of my great love of the Virgin Islands, I feel confident today," she said. "My journey would not have been possible without God and my friends, my family and my co-workers."
Gottlieb singled out a couple of those family members.
"I want to thank my son, Odari, and my grandmother, Emelphine Gottlieb who is 101, who cannot be here today," she said. Though not present physically, the centenarian got a hearty round of applause.
Smalls, on the other hand, took time to address a chronic concern. "It's those 'killer potholes,'" he said, referring to a headline and story in Monday's V.I. Daily News identifying several of the constant road hazards. "Within five days of notice of their existence, we will respond," he said. "We'll do that along with addressing traffic signs. It's the simple things that Public Works can do."
Smalls also presented an original idea. He said public works is developing an engineering, design and consulting arm.
"I hope other departments will make use of this in their planning for infrastructure, and," he concluded with a laugh, "we will kill all those killer potholes, so help me God."
Remarks also came from Edouard de Lagarde, representing Delegate Donna M. Christensen, and Senate President Usie Richards. The Junior ROTC color guard posted the colors and All Saints School student Ajani Corneiro offered a stirring steel-pan rendition of the National Anthem and the "Virgin Islands March." Damas S. Elio of the Living Word Family Ministries gave the invocation, with Bishop E. Glaston Fahie of the Church of God of Prophesy delivering the benediction.
The governor had the last word. While richly praising Gottlieb and Smalls, he said he had presents for them. He called each of them to the podium and, with a smile, handed each a small bound booklet. "This is a copy of the promises you made today," he said. "I want to make sure you remember them."
On a more serious note, he said, "The most important part of serving the public is to be accountable."
Four cabinet members will be sworn in at a 2 p.m. ceremony Friday at Government House on St. Croix. They are Claudette J. Watson-Anderson, commissioner of Finance; Vivian Ebbesen-Fludd, commissioner of Health; Gizette Canegata-Thomas, Bureau of Internal Revenue director; and St. Claire N. Williams, commissioner of Housing, Parks and Recreation.
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