Most of the official changes may not be announced until the State of the Territory address, but Gov. John deJongh Jr. made it clear Wednesday that he and Lt. Gov. Gregory R. Francis are taking a hard look at their leadership team going into the next term and making crime, along with economic development, their top priorities.
During a Government House press conference on St. Thomas, deJongh said he and Francis have already called for the undated resignations of their cabinet members, along with all exempt employees serving under the pleasure of the governor. DeJongh said this is not an uncommon practice in government and gives him and Francis the chance to really see who’s performing well and who isn’t.
On a more somber note, however, deJongh did say that there will soon be a switch-up at the helm of the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency, with former V.I. Police Commissioner Elton Lewis taking over at the beginning of next year for current director Mark Walters.
Originally tapped to lead VITEMA in July 2008, Walters has been on loan from the federal government but must now return to his post at FEMA, the governor explained, adding that Walters was instrumental, over the past couple of years, in helping to transition VITEMA into a cabinet-level agency from its former position under the Adjutant General’s Office.
Lewis, currently director of the Joint Staff at the V.I. National Guard, will serve as acting director until he is confirmed by the new Senate, deJongh said.
Getting back down to business, the governor said he and Francis will also be looking at the structure of some of the government’s semi-autonomous agencies, pushing for some economic investment from the private sector and leading by example on the finances with scaled back inauguration activities, among other things.
The 2007 inauguration cost $300,000, but deJongh said Wednesday that he’s hoping the figure is much less this time around. While the Senate recently appropriated $200,000 for the events, deJongh said in a statement this week that what’s scheduled is a simple church service on Jan. 3 on St. Thomas, followed by the formal inaugural ceremony, military parade and open house at Government House.
Similar events will be held on St. Croix the next day, followed by a church service and open house at the Battery in Cruz Bay, St. John on Jan. 5.
After acknowledging the efforts of those who’ve help plan upcoming events to mark the new term, deJongh said, "the economic challenges we face and the times in which we live dictate that we all continue to tighten our belts; and I believe that government should lead by example."
Whatever is left over from the $200,000 will be treated as savings, which can be reprogrammed or reappropriated, he said later. DeJongh added that this time around, there will also be no transition committee, but that he and Francis will continue to reach out to people both on- and off-island for suggestions, ideas and recommendations on how to streamline government operations.
In that vein, deJongh said one of the most immediate steps is looking at the structure of the government’s various semiautonomous agencies, including the V.I. Waste Management Authority, Water and Power Authority and the local hospitals, among others.
"This general overview of the semiautonomous agencies will make certain that they continue to function as one government and that their current plans and goals are in line with the policies of my administration, and most importantly, that they meet the expectations of the community at large," said deJongh.
Speaking later, the governor focused more specifically on WMA and WAPA, saying that close attention will be paid to Waste Management’s construction projects and the WAPA’s continued search for alternative energy outlets.
DeJongh that the utility is aggressively working on its interconnection with Puerto Rico, and looking at ways to trim Levelized Energy Adjustment Clause (LEAC) rates. Realistically speaking, however, nothing significant can happen with the LEAC until the territory gets off its complete dependence on fossil fuel, the governor explained.
DeJongh added that he will also be working with the West Indian Co. Ltd and Government Employees’ Retirement System to resolve issues over the management of Havensight Mall that have been ongoing for months, along with the leadership team at the University of the Virgin Islands to make sure its programs and activities are relevant.
Otherwise, the focus is going to continue to remain on crime and the economy, the governor said, going over the homicide stats, which have reached 60 for the year. DeJongh said there’s no cure all for the crime levels, but that the government is going to continue working with the feds, particularly when it comes to monitoring guns that come through the ports, mail, shipping containers and unprotected borders.
Looking to 2011, deJongh said the economic crisis isn’t over yet and that the government has continued to drive various initiatives but is now looking — since it has become more difficult to go to the bond marking — to the private sector for local investment and jobs.
With local firms or contractors helping support construction activities, a few of the much-discussed hotel projects on St. Croix getting off the ground or local businesses simply replenishing the inventory to help bolster tourism activity — anything will help, he said.
Meanwhile, the government will continue to bolster its Economic Development Commission tax benefits program. DeJongh said there are beneficiaries that, after years, still have not activated their certificates and might need help in "getting to the next step."
Making sure the territory’s roads and infrastructure are rebuilt after the recent storms is a key step in the process, and deJongh added that money that comes in as a result of the territory’s three presidential disaster declarations will be put toward that goal.
Although there’s no final figure as yet, deJongh said Public Works’ estimates point toward about $15 million in cumulative damages from Earl, Otto and Tropical Storm Tomas.
