The V.I. Water and Power Authority’s governing board convened Friday. (Source file photo)
Ten days after defending procurement practices amid questions from the V.I. Public Services Commission, Water and Power Authority executives faced scrutiny from the utility’s board members over a federally mandated contract for auditing services.
WAPA Chief Financial Officer Lorraine Kelly presented the contract for board approval during a regular meeting Thursday, proposing that the utility engage the California-based temp agency Robert Half International for two years at up to $2.77 million and noting that the accountants’ work is “one hundred percent reimbursable” by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Kelly said the contractors will help WAPA complete single audits for fiscal years 2021-2026.
“The prior audit had several items detailed as noncompliant,” she said. “The support provided under this contract will assist in mitigating certain of the issues raised, and by engaging additional support, we will achieve completing the audits while the regular monthly accounting activities are ongoing.”
Board members appreciated the need for auditing services but had several questions about the contractor — and whether it was licensed to do business in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“The challenge, I believe, is with — from what I understand — if someone is doing business in the Virgin Islands, whether they’re on site or off site, they do need a Virgin Islands business license,” chair Maurice Muia said. “The board is actually going through this process with a vendor now, and they had to go through the process of getting a VI business license. So I, with my colleagues’ support, I’m willing to have a conditional approval with that being the amendment — for them to make sure they go through the process of getting a VI business license and going through a registered agent in the Virgin Islands to do so.”
WAPA Chief Executive Karl Knight said the utility does its due diligence before inking any agreements.
“Our procurement language says that you have to comply with the law. Our contract language says you have to comply with the law. And we do a check before we sign off on contracts to make sure that you have complied with all the requirements of the law,” he said at one point. “And again, we structure it in a way that puts the onus — that if we miss something — we put the onus back on the entity to check with BIR, check with DLCA, and make sure you’re meeting the requirements of the law.”
After half an hour of questions from board members, Knight said the “crux of the conversation” is that the board wants a final review of contract documents.
“What I’m saying is: the board has given me authorization to enter into that contract document. Everything that goes into that contract document is what’s before — I wouldn’t be before the board if I could just execute on my own,” he said. “I’m asking permission within these parameters — can I go ahead and negotiate and execute an agreement?”
The board ultimately approved the agreement, with Muia abstaining and vice chair Hubert Turnbull voting against it.
A 44-year-old man was arrested Thursday after reports of gunfire at the John F. Kennedy Housing Apartments on St. Croix, the Virgin Islands Police Department reported.
According to police, at about 3 p.m. on Thursday, the 911 Emergency Call Center received several calls and ShotSpotter notifications indicating shots fired in the JFK area. Responding officers spoke with witnesses who identified the shooter as Waldo Knight.
Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Bureau launched an investigation and obtained a telephonic search warrant from a Superior Court judge. During a search of the apartment Knight entered after the shooting, police recovered a firearm and several pieces of firearm paraphernalia, according to the police report.
Knight was arrested on charges of first-degree reckless endangerment, carrying a firearm openly or concealed, possession or sale of ammunition, and illegal discharge of a firearm, the police report stated.
He was transported to the Wilbur H. Francis Command Police Station, advised of his Miranda Rights, and declined to give a statement, according to the release. Knight was booked and unable to post bail set at $30,000 and $50,000. He was later taken to the John Bell Correctional Facility pending his advice of rights hearing, the report stated.
A 34-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a July shooting that left two men injured near Bliss Night Club on St. Thomas, the Virgin Islands Police Department reported.
On July 19, around 4:16 p.m., the 911 Emergency Call Center received a report that two gunshot victims had arrived at Schneider Regional Medical Center in a private vehicle. Both men had at least one gunshot wound, police said. Soon after, 911 operators received additional reports of shots fired in the vicinity of Store Tvaer Gade, near the club, according to the police report.
Following an investigation, the Criminal Investigation Bureau obtained an arrest warrant for Shamall Fleming on Nov. 4 for first-degree assault. The warrant was executed Wednesday by VIPD officers, who took Fleming into custody. Police said he was advised of his rights and remains detained pending his advice of rights hearing.
Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the VIPD Major Crimes Unit at 340-774-2211, extensions 5555 or 5556, or at 340-714-9823 or 340-714-9829. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 (TIPS).
On Wednesday, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources’ State Historic Preservation Committee held a lively discussion on various projects in the historic district of St. Thomas, focusing mainly on design reviews for commercial applicants, including iconic sites such as the Emancipation Garden and Fort Christian.
Regarding application HPC-38-2025, a design review for the Emancipation Garden, Educators Park, Fort Christian East and West Parks, and Vendors Plaza, the VI Office of Management and Budget’s representative, Somere A. Webber, presented an extensive project design to the board.
“They want to install a pergola in the upper section of Educators Park along with some steppingstone and a few concrete pads, to go down along with some date palms and other, I guess, landscaping efforts to this area,” said Webber.
Educators Park across from the post office on Main Street in downtown St. Thomas. (Screenshot from Teams Meeting)
Installation of irrigation lines, signage with QR codes for statue busts, and a transformer in Educators Park were also discussed. Moreover, Weber presented aspects such as the installation of Bermuda grass and informational plaques near Fort Christian, among other improvement efforts.
The entrance to Fort Christian. (Source file photo)
Correspondingly, after his presentation, acting board chair Enrique Rodriguez highlighted to the board his disapproval of the “I Love STT” sign in the Vendor’s Plaza location. He spoke about efforts to move it, inquiring with Weber to aid in its relocation.
“The background is just, it’s not a great photo op, and I’m so happy to see that sign moved to the Waterfront side of the water,” Rodriguez said.
However, as a result of the extensive redesign project presented by Webber, the committee voted to continue the application after conducting a more detailed review during an on-site meeting and walk-through.
Additionally, the board reviewed application HPC-48-2025 for the design of a Danish West Indian-themed retail plaza in Cardow and Post Office Alley in Kongens Quarter and approved the matter. Applicant Christina Lee Williams said she wants to create an artisan space for people to showcase their work.
“What we’re seeing right now downtown is just stores so to speak,” said Williams. “The plaza will serve as a gathering speed that enhances the downtown experience for both residents and visitors, because currently when a lot of tourists come to downtown, they ask for recommendations on where they can go for authentic food or certain experiences, and that’s that’s very limited downtown.”
According to Williams, the plaza will feature “gingerbread” style booths with historic features. The board appeared to be delighted by the idea. The application was approved in concept and the application will be continued for design development.
Furthermore, Williams presented application HPC-46-2025 for the use of blue paint colors with white and black trim details at Bjerge Gade 9A, Kongens Quarter. The board approved the application.
The Application HPC-30-2025 for the Garden Bar and Restaurant at Dronningens Gade 58A, Kongens Quarter, was continued for further exterior design development. It appeared that the board disapproved of the white, boxed design concept, with large signage presented by applicant Sherwin Rey.
The current view of Dronningens Gade 58A. (Screenshot from Teams Meeting)
“What you’re presenting to us is a beautiful space design for Redhook, but it’s completely out of place for the downtown historic district,“ said Rodriguez, who urged Rey and his team to coordinate with the Historic Preservation Committee to remain within compliance.
“Our concerns are the exterior,” added board member William Newbold.
Another board member, Kurt Marsh, spoke about the imitated arched doorways and hanging greenery that Rey said was placed to emulate a spout.
“I want to encourage you to take a step back a bit because you’re sterilizing the area a bit,” said Marsh
The committee voted to continue the matter at a later date.
Anticipated design concept by the applicant for the Garden Bar and Restaurant at Dronningens Gade 58A. (Screenshot from Teams Meeting)
The board approved application HPC-47-2025 for the design review of a wood trellis, a new business sign, a yellow alleyway paint color, and a menu board at the Veranda Escape Bar and Restaurant located at Dronningens Gade 16. Applicant Damni Ogando inquired with the board about the option to install an artificial grass lawn but was denied. The committee instead suggested that Ogando place grass in the crevices of the concrete tiles, rather than covering the entire floor.
Furthermore, the Port Authority’s application HPC-35-2025 was approved for revised elevations and a roof design at the Cruz Bay Fish Market. The applicant was also approved to paint the new building in the same color scheme as the St. John ferry terminal.
To note, applicants for HPC-42-2025 at Gamle Gade 14B, Kronprindsens Quarter, did not attend the meeting. Committee members William Newbold, Enrique Rodriguez, Mark Wiechnik, and Kurt G. Marsh were present.
Sunlit St. John will host two screenings of the film GREENx at Our Place in Coral Bay on Sunday at 6:45 and 8 p.m. Admission is free.
This narrative short film, made last year on St. John with local actors, speaks to the imminent threat of overdevelopment in Coral Bay, according to filmmaker Eric Zucker of Sunlit St. John, his production company.
Filmmaker Eric Zucker and lead actor Kurt Marsh pose for a photo after the screening of the film in January. (Photo by Tom Queally)
In recent months, the controversy has become even more complex as the Virgin Islands Coastal Zone Commission has ruled that the marina’s permit has expired, while V.I. Attorney General Gordon Rhea has stated that its permit is still valid.
The urgency of the present situation has led Zucker to make the film available to as wide an audience as possible. It can now be viewed online for free at https://www.sunlitstjohn.com.
When the 40-minute film was completed in January 2025, Zucker planned to enter it into film festivals for short films, where he hoped to win acclaim that would lead to commercial distribution.
Filmmaker Eric Zucker (second from left) and members of the cast take a bow after a standing-room-only screening of the film at Bajo El Sol Gallery in January. (Source photo by Amy H. Roberts)
But when Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. and the developers renewed their efforts to move the marina forward in August, Zucker realized, “GREENx was made for this. We need to let it go now and let people know about the situation. We need to ‘Save it today or lose it tomorrow.'”
Kurt Marsh and Anya Katya play lovers sharing an intense moment in the film GREENx. (Photo by Sunlit St. John)
“It’s a question of how autocratic we are,” Zucker continued. “Does the governor wanting it make it happen? Or do we follow the rule of law? It’s not just happening in Coral Bay; it’s the same thing that’s happening in the United States and across the world. It’s a matter of pushing back peacefully as a forward-thinking community.”
The Summer’s End Group plans to build a marina in Coral Bay. (Source photo by Amy H. Roberts)
The current version of the film (with the addition of an ‘x’ in the title) is slightly different from the one screened on a limited basis last January. “It’s a much tighter cut,” he said.
Zucker has now completed the script for a related film, a full-length feature, that he’s hoping to release by the end of the summer before the elections in 2026. “It’s an attempt to synchronize our territorial status with what’s happening in America today,” he said.
Unlike GREENx, which was “produced on a shoestring,” the next film will “be up to industry standards,” and “We will look widely for the cast,” he said.
Zucker has had plenty of experience as a filmmaker. After graduating from college and working briefly in New York and California, he moved back to St. Thomas, where he was born and raised, around 1987.
“I discovered a thriving commercial production service industry in the islands then,” he said. “In the year before Hurricane Hugo (1989), there were 75 significant productions. A generation of ‘below the line’ film professionals — grips, scouts, and production assistants – learned from the very best as the Virgin Islands became the place for big ads with a tropical or Caribbean element.”
Zucker said he’s hoping to see the Virgin Islands become a center for film production once again.
The UVI Research and Technology Park (UVI RTPark) marked a milestone today with the commissioning of the UVI RTPark Solar Farm & Teaching Array and the hosting of the Critical Resilience Forum: Safeguarding Communities Through Energy, Connectivity & Security, co-hosted with I3PG LLC, a client within the UVI RTPark’s technology portfolio.
(Source file photo)
Held at the RTPark’s 64 West Center headquarters on the University of the Virgin Island’s Albert A. Sheen Campus, both events showcased how collaboration between government, academia, and private industry can drive innovation, expand educational opportunity, and prepare Virgin Islanders for the careers of the future.
A FEMA 406 Mitigation grant funded the 423-kilowatt ground-mounted solar array, and the UVI Caribbean Green Technology Center funded and will manage a companion 4-kilowatt teaching array. These systems are the first of their kind in the Virgin Islands and represent a new model for pairing renewable infrastructure with academic and workforce development. Developed under the UVI RTPark SPARK Initiative (Sustainable Practices Advancement and Renewable Knowledge), the project advances the UVI RTPark’s goal of integrating sustainable technology with education and applied learning. The system now fully powers the 64 West Center building—home to the UVI RTPark headquarters and UVI laboratories—while serving as a hands-on training site for students in UVI’s Associate of Applied Science in Renewable Energy Technology program. The project also supports UVI’s Energy Management Strategy, which aims to achieve a 60 percent reduction in fossil fuel use across University facilities.
Volt Energy, led by President Hugo Hodge, provided the engineering leadership that carried the project from groundbreaking to completion. As a locally rooted firm, Volt ensured the array was designed and built in a way that strengthens both the Territory’s clean-energy infrastructure and its capacity to grow a homegrown renewable-energy workforce.
“This project reflects the very best of what collaboration can achieve,” said Eric Sonnier, Executive Director of the UVI RTPark. “The Solar Farm & Teaching Array blends technology, education, and vision—strengthening the University’s capacity to offer applied learning and build pathways into high-growth industries. It’s a powerful example of how innovative partnerships can deliver lasting impact for the Virgin Islands.”
The ceremony featured remarks from The Honorable Albert Bryan Jr., Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands; Dr. Safiya George, President of the University of the Virgin Islands; Ian Tomlinson, Chairman of the UVI RTPark Board; and Eric Sonnier, Executive Director of the UVI RTPark. Additional remarks were delivered by Adrienne Williams-Octalien, Director of the Office of Disaster Recovery; Kyle Fleming, Director of the Virgin Islands Energy Office; Dr. Greg Guannel, Director of the Caribbean Green Technology Center; and Hugo Hodge, President of Volt Energy. Speakers highlighted that the project demonstrates how energy investment, education, and research can intersect to advance resilience, sustainability, and long-term economic opportunity for the Territory.
“Every once in a while, I get a glimpse of the future of the Virgin Islands, and today is one of those days. When you look at the leadership we have here, the young people stepping up, and projects like this coming together, it makes me very pleased and appreciative of where we’re headed as a Territory,” said Governor Albert Bryan Jr.
“This project is a clear example of how we use FEMA mitigation to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen again. A damaged roof turned into an opportunity to build resilience, bring in additional dollars, and deliver a class-A project with a strong partnership between the RTPark team and the Office of Disaster Recovery,” said Adrienne Williams-Octalien, Director of the Office of Disaster Recovery.
“Here in the Virgin Islands, sustainability is not just an aspiration—it’s a responsibility. With the Renewable Energy Technology program and the SPARK Initiative, we are equipping the Virgin Islands workforce with the skills needed for a sustainable future. The RTPark building will serve as a living laboratory—a place where innovation meets education and where our students will learn, experiment, and lead. This is how we build resilience, foster economic growth, and create opportunities for generations to come,” said Dr. Safiya George, President of the University of the Virgin Islands.
“This project is a great example of the work the RTPark team does every day to support the technology sector in the territory. It doesn’t just power a building—it advances the tech ecosystem while creating new opportunities for young Virgin Islanders to see themselves in renewable energy as a viable career and business path,” said Ian Tomlinson, Chairman of the UVI RTPark Board of Directors.
UVI RTPark × I3PG Critical Resilience Forum
Following the ribbon cutting, the RTPark and I3PG LLC convened the Critical Resilience Forum: Safeguarding Communities Through Energy, Connectivity & Security, a half-day program exploring how energy, digital infrastructure, and cybersecurity work together to ensure operational continuity and strengthen community preparedness.
The forum emphasized that disaster resilience in the Virgin Islands extends far beyond hurricanes—it includes cyber intrusions, infrastructure failures, communication outages, and other manmade threats that can disrupt essential operations. Speakers underscored the importance of developing and maintaining robust Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP) to ensure organizations can function through and after any emergency.
Representatives from ODR, VIEO, WAPA, VITEMA, UVI, and the private sector discussed business continuity frameworks, workforce training, and the integration of new learning technologies such as Hack The Box—a hands-on cybersecurity platform used globally by universities and defense organizations.
VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen highlighted the Continuity of Operations templates, resiliency planning resources, and readiness tools available through VITEMA to support both government agencies and the USVI business community. He emphasized that proactive planning—paired with cross-sector coordination—is essential to protecting critical functions and keeping services operating during natural and manmade disruptions.
UVI interns from the RTPark’s Professional Pathways Program also shared research on radiation detection technology and cybersecurity testing, demonstrating the growing link between academic research, applied technology, and real-world resilience solutions.
“I3PG is proud to collaborate with the UVI RTPark in building both physical and digital resilience,” said Steve O’Brien, President “Our partnership is equipping Virgin Islanders with the technical capabilities and practical experience to establish, develop, and maintain an on-island cadre of skilled personnel across these technical areas – improving the resilience of the US Virgin Islands’ infrastructures as well as the local jobs/economy, the University, and the well-being of the people of the Virgin Islands.”
Together, the Solar Farm and the Critical Resilience Forum exemplify the UVI RTPark’s ability to bring partners together to solve complex challenges—transforming classrooms into laboratories of innovation and turning academic goals into tangible, territory-wide outcomes.
For individuals or organizations interested in a guided tour of the solar array system and the 64 West Center facilities, please contact our Deputy to the Executive Director, Torhera Durand, at torhera.durand@uvirtpark.net or (340) 474-0922.
St. Croix Central High School invites alumni and friends to support the Ignite the S.P.A.R.K. Red Party, a powerful fundraiser dedicated to strengthening student success and transforming school culture through the S.P.A.R.K. program, Saturday, Nov. 22, 7 p.m.
St. Croix Central High School
S.P.A.R.K. stands for Support, Positivity, Achievement, Respect, and Kindness, the core values guiding CHS as it works to create a safer, more uplifting, and student-centered environment.
This event will help raise essential funds for student incentives, school-wide activities, climate-building projects, and the new SPARK Lounge & Rewards Store. These efforts are designed to motivate students, improve behavior, build strong relationships, and shift the culture at Central High in a positive direction.
The Red Party will take place Saturday, Nov. 22 at Believe It at Coconuts. Doors open at 7 p.m.. Guests will enjoy live music by VIO International, music by DJ IQ, raffle prizes, a silent auction, food, and a vibrant night of community pride. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at the CHS Main Office or by calling (340) 778-0123 .
Your support will help students stay motivated, feel valued, and see that their community stands behind them. This is more than an event. It is an investment in the young people of St. Croix.
For more information or to be a sponsor of the CHS S.P.A.R.K Program, please contact (340) 778-0123 or (340) 642-0523.
Joel A. Lee, CPA, Director of the Virgin Islands Bureau of Internal Revenue announces a 90-day amnesty to allow taxpayers with outstanding gross receipts and corporate and individual income taxes to obtain relief. This amnesty period will begin on Monday, Nov. 17 and will end on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.
V.I. Bureau of Internal Revenue
The amnesty program will cover all delinquent periods up to tax year 2023. For gross receipts, this covers up to December 2023. For gross receipts, the taxpayer must pay the outstanding tax, and interest and penalties will be waived. For corporate and individual income taxes, the amnesty covers up to the 2023 tax year. The taxpayer must pay outstanding tax and interest, and the penalties will be waived.
If there are any questions concerning the amnesty, please contact the Delinquent
Taylor Jones drives to the basket in the USVI game against Guyana. (Submitted Photo)
The United States Virgin Islands Women came out of the gate strong in their first game at the 2025 Women’s Caribbean Basketball Championships held in Georgetown, Guyana.
The home team was fresh off an opening-day 27-point thrashing of the Bahamas, scoring 102 points. The team was taking the court for the first time. Guyana led 6-0 very early in the contest as the USVI ladies were knocking off some rust. However, the island girls turned on the defense, forcing 27 turnovers. Anisha George, J-Naya Ephraim, Taylor Jones, and Imani Tate all recorded three steals in the win. The Virgin Islands held the team that shot 60% from the field, including making 63% of their three-point shots just the night before, to 24 first-half points.
Point Guard Lanese Bough sets the offense in the USVI game against Guyana. (Submitted Photo)
George and Jones carried the load for the USVI offensively, scoring 23 and 18 points, respectively. This was a total team effort as everyone on the USVI roster played and all but one scored in their 78-54 win.
In the opening game of the day, the Bahamas defeated Suriname 77-45. The Bahamian team had several standouts. Lashann Higgs was the game’s leading scorer with 35 points. LaTavia Braynen collected 13 rebounds. Guard Valerie Nesbitt scored 13 points, dished out 11 assists, and recorded six steals. Beyoncé Jedinie had a double-double, dropping 15 points and snatching 11 rebounds.
The schedule for Friday, Nov. 14, has Suriname playing the USVI at 4:30 p.m. and Jamaica battling the Bahamas at 8:30 p.m.
Victoria Hamilton takes a mid-range shot in the USVI win against Guyana. (Submitted Photo)
Tourism Commissioner Nominee Jennifer Matarangas-King takes the oath before testifying at Thursday’s Senate Rules and Judiciary Committee hearing, where lawmakers advanced multiple nominations and bills to the full Legislature. (Photos by Bernard Matthew and Barry Leerdam, Legislature of the Virgin Islands)
The Senate Rules and Judiciary Committee spent Thursday working through a long agenda that touched nearly every branch of government — confirming judges, vetting nominees, and approving a slate of bills that senators said reflect “where the territory is trying to go.”
By the end of the day, lawmakers had advanced four gubernatorial nominations and six legislative measures to the full body, with committee members praising what Chair Sen. Carla Joseph called “a productive, grounded session.”
Much of the morning was devoted to the nomination of Magistrate Judge Venetia H. Velazquez and Attorney Melanie L. Turnbull to the Superior Court. Both nominees spoke about restoring public confidence in the judiciary through fairness, accessibility, and consistent leadership. Velazquez, who has served on the St. Croix bench for more than a decade, told senators that timely justice depends on structure and accountability. “Every person who enters the courtroom should feel heard and respected — whether they win or lose,” she said, adding that her division issued more than 500 civil orders last year and closed nearly as many cases.
Turnbull, a veteran public defender and nominee to the Family Division on St. Thomas, said her experience representing vulnerable clients has shaped her understanding of justice. “I will run the courtroom with empathy,” she said, “but my decisions will always be grounded in the law.” She called for digitized filing systems and simplified court forms to make the process less daunting for residents. Virgin Islands Bar Association President Russell Pate endorsed both nominees, describing them as “the embodiment of competence, fairness, and service.”
In the afternoon, attention shifted to Jennifer Matarangas-King, nominated to lead the Tourism Department. The St. Croix native, whose career bridges communications, marketing, and executive leadership, outlined a vision centered on digital innovation, workforce development, and stronger connections between residents and the tourism economy. “I’m humbled to do what I love most — serve my community,” she said. “Our people are our greatest asset. We have to show what we’re doing locally — not just the festivals and promotions, but the work behind the scenes: the greeters, the planners, the staff managing 30,000 visitors a day. That’s part of our story too.”
Matarangas-King’s testimony prompted broad discussion about tourism’s future. Sen. Novelle Francis Jr. urged that any marketing strategy must also address sustainability and infrastructure. “We can’t keep attracting visitors to the same beaches and not take care of them,” he said. Senate President Milton Potter described her presentation as “refreshing in its clarity and realism,” while Joseph emphasized that the department’s success “will be measured in how well it engages the community.”
Matarangas-King agreed, adding that tourism “doesn’t just happen in hotels and airports — it happens in neighborhoods, schools, and small businesses. It’s about creating pride and opportunity.”
Also approved was Bernisha B. Liburd, a senior analyst with the Bureau of Economic Research, who was nominated to the Virgin Islands Cannabis Advisory Board. Liburd said the territory has the potential to create a regulated cannabis market that balances opportunity and oversight. “My work has always been guided by evidence — data that tells the story of where we are and how to move forward,” she said. She described plans for a seed-to-sale tracking system, compliance training, and public outreach to ensure equity and transparency. Joseph called her testimony “measured, methodical, and informed,” adding that “the industry’s credibility will depend on data, not politics.”
Before adjourning, senators moved quickly through six bills, forwarding each to the full Legislature. Bill No. 36-0291, amending the Family Caregiver Leave Act, expands job protections for employees caring for elderly or ill relatives — a measure Sen. Angel Bolques Jr. said “makes workplaces more humane without putting small businesses at risk.” Bill No. 36-0293, modernizing taxi commission payments through digital platforms, drew bipartisan support for improving efficiency and accountability. Its sponsor, Sen. Marvin Blyden, said the update “brings an outdated system into the modern era.”
Bill No. 36-0295 streamlines building permits for housing and capital projects — a move Potter described as “critical to our economic recovery.” Bill No. 36-0297 appropriates funds for long-overdue infrastructure work, while Bill No. 36-0300 expands small-business grant opportunities under the Economic Development Authority. The final measure, Resolution No. 1897, honors Virgin Islanders who have distinguished themselves through public service — a nod, Joseph said, “to the people whose quiet contributions shape our community every day.”
