Although Gov. John deJongh Jr. stood up his three Democratic rivals at a gubernatorial debate Thursday night, the biggest stir of the evening came when an uninvited guest sneaked onto the stage.
All four Democratic hopefuls had been invited to attend at St. Croix Educational Complex, but on Wednesday the organizers said that deJongh would not be attending. He is attending only a Democratic Party candidate’s night scheduled for Sept. 2, the letter said.
That left his three rivals – Adlah “Foncie” Donastorg, Gerard “Luz” James and James A. O’Bryan – to take turns answering questions on a range of topics, from the economy and the Government Employees Retirement System, to crime, schools and alternative energy.
There was little in the way of disagreements between the men and no disputes or acrimony. They all expressed regret that the governor wasn’t on stage with them, but their criticism was muted, rarely mentioning him by name and couching their remarks in terms of needing to lead the territory in a “new direction.”
And each thought he was the best man to do the leading.
Shortly after a break in the three-hour session, as the candidates were preparing to take a question on the proposed V.I. constitution, people in the front of the auditorium stirred and several rose hastily from their seats and hurried up the aisle toward the back.
A rat had strolled into the room – and not a small one – making its way across the front of the hall oblivious to the shrieks and laughter. As the audience of about 100 stood—craning to see the creature that scurried to the right-hand stairs leading up to the stage, then dashed behind the curtain and off into the darkness of the backstage area—the candidates didn’t flinch.
O’Bryan and James sat stoically at their places, and at the microphone Donastorg smiled out at the audience, taking a tentative step toward the wings as if to encourage the rat to leave.
Then he returned to the mike and got off the night’s best line.
“I think the other candidate showed up,” he said.
All three blamed the deJongh administration for the problem of uncollected property taxes, and bemoaned that by the time the legal wrangle is resolved property owners may be have to come up with as much as four years in back payments.
O’Bryan suggested forgiving two years, Donastorg one and James said he was open to considering that option.
They all said they would sign the proposed constitution if it is approved by voters, called for projects that would give the islands’ youths more productive uses of their time, and all three agreed that they are against public corruption.
Candidates responses to other issues included:
• James said the Anguila Landfill on St. Croix is an obstacle to air traffic, and mentioned that a company on Puerto Rico is burning that island’s waste to create energy. Such a project might be able to level the landfill back to its old size, he said, while reducing energy costs. He also suggested the use of shredders to dispose of old tires, saying the shredded material can be used in a variety of ways, including landscaping. He suggested the Department of Education should improve the teaching of technical skills, such as pipe fitting and welding, and suggested a teacher bonus for perfect attendance as one way of dealing with a teacher shortage.
• Donastorg suggested building a sports complex on St. Croix, a venue large enough to draw big events, promoting sports tourism. “St. Croix is the ideal place to invest in that infrastructure.” He also wants to encourage more airlines to fly into the territory, and said he has been in talks with major companies, such as Revlon, about exporting aloe for use in their products.
On education, housing, GERS, alternative energy and other issues, Donastorg said he would have discussions with all interested stakeholders to seek new solutions and ideas.
• O’Bryan suggested the territory’s ports could become a center for transshipment. He cautioned that the territory should be planning for the likely opening up of Cuba in this decade and the repercussions that may have on local tourism and industry. He urged the development of agriculture and aquaculture, said the territory can be a world leader in adopting alternative energy projects, such as solar and wind power.
All three expressed support for the Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands, but stopped short of agreeing to endorse the party’s candidate, whoever might be the winner of the Sept. 11 primary.
Thursday’s debate was organized by Reclaim Our Islands and Unite Our People Community Organization in conjunction with Our Town Frederiksted and Frederiksted Economic Development Association.
