Feb. 18, 2009 – On Wednesday, Gov. John deJongh Jr. played musical chairs with his financial agency heads, moving the director of the Internal Revenue Bureau to the Casino Commission, the Finance commissioner to IRB and bringing in a private sector banker to fill the top slot at Finance, the third highest position in the executive branch.
All those changes will require senate approval.
It’s anybody’s guess what prompted the reassignments; maybe personnel changes are in the stars right now. On Tuesday, the governor fired Health Commissioner Vivian Ebbesen-Fludd. (See "Health Commissioner Resigns After AIDS Drugs Run Out" )
Also on Wednesday, Police Commissioner James McCall announced changes in the top brass of the Police Department.
Gizette Canegata-Thomas, director of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, has been nominated to replace Eileen Petersen as chairwoman of the V.I. Casino Control Commission. Petersen is retiring after heading the commission since its inception 13 years ago.
With Canegeta-Thomas at the Casino Commission, DeJongh hopes to drop Finance Commissioner Claudette Watson-Anderson into the IRB spot, and has sent Angel Dawson’s name to Senate President Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg to replace Watson-Anderson at Finance.
Dawson is the current vice president of commercial loans at Banco Popular de Puerto Rico on St. Thomas.
"He brings 16 years of commercial banking experience coupled with six years of related government experience within the Finance Department and Legislature to the position of commissioner," deJongh said in a statement released from Government House late Wednesday afternoon.
None of the financial agencies changes can take place, however, until and unless the Senate approves the Casino Commission nomination. According to Government House spokesman Jean Greaux, the top Casino Commission seat cannot be occupied by an acting chairperson.
"Canegata-Thomas will have to be fully confirmed before the others can move into their positions," Greaux said Wednesday night.
Meanwhile at the V.I. Police Department, Sgt. Dwayne DeGraff has been tapped to serve as St. Thomas Deputy Police Chief, replacing Melvin Venzen, who McCall is sending to "lead the VIPD Special Operations Bureau."
DeJongh has also nominated former St. Croix Sen. Anne Golden to serve on the Casino Control Commission.
Governor moves director of the Internal Revenue Bureau to the Casino Commission, the Finance commissioner to IRB and bringing in a private sector banker to fill the top slot at Finance.
