Dear Source:
If the WMA cannot operate on an annual budget of 35.9 million (approximately $320,000 per person, per year of the estimated VI census of 112,000 in 2005), I think someone needs to take a hard look at their budget and spending practices to see just what they are doing with all that money. The city of Sarasota Florida (population 369,000) operates on a similar budget of 37 million. This money covers refuse collection, sewer AND water services for all of 3x the population of the VI. Here in the VI we do not have refuse collection., most homes are not on public sewer or public water, and water is under another agency.
Citizens pay taxes, and normally taxes pay for such services as sanitary dept budget costs. What services are we receiving for our taxes besides our grosely overpaid senators, and their bloated personal budgets and staffs? Don't answer "schools"; they are in shambles. VI government is quick to give itself perks, but slow to serve the people. Maybe for starters it is time to sell off the hundreds upon hundreds of white government vehicles, and shut off those government paid cell phones before increasing mostly low income families food budgets with WMA user fees. How is it that the WMA can spend over 12 times the average persons annual salary for no real services.
Rob Early
Christiansted, St. Croix
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