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2025 KIDS COUNT Data Details Geographic Disparities in USVI

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2025 KIDS COUNT Data Details Geographic Disparities in USVI

The Annie E. Casey Foundation released its national 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book on Monday, a 50-state report of recent household data analyzing how children and families are faring post-pandemic.

The 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book. (Image courtesy Annie E. Casey Foundation)
The 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book presents a complex picture of child welfare in the United States. (Image courtesy Annie E. Casey Foundation)

While the U.S. Virgin Islands is not part of the rankings in the national Data Book, as it draws data from the American Community Survey, which is not conducted in the territory, the USVI is included in the KIDS COUNT Data Center, which houses key data points on child well-being across the nation, according to the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development, which issued a press release on the national report.

To supplement available national data, each year the St. Croix Foundation’s KIDS COUNT USVI team publishes a Data Book focused specifically on the U.S. Virgin Islands that reports available data aligned with the four domains of the national Data Book: economic well-being, education, health, and family and community factors. To date, it has published four Data Books/Spotlights and, in 2025, released the territory’s first online, interactive KIDS COUNT USVI Data Dashboard.

“The foundation’s KIDS COUNT Team releases the data book in a public presentation each December, and we meet annually with all government data partners to discuss the data in the book,” Lilli Cox, vice president of communications for the St. Croix Foundation, told the Source. “We also work closely with Government House, particularly in 2024, when we held our KIDS COUNT USVI Summit in collaboration with their policy team. For data in the 2023 Data Book, this was indeed ‘A Call to Action.’ The Foundation has conducted private meetings, held public testimonies, and continued to publish the data widely across our community,” she said.

“We are noticing a growing consensus among all of our public, private, and civic sector partners in using the data to drive tangible results, which is encouraging,” Cox added.

The annual Data Book presents national and state data from 16 indicators in the four domains and ranks the states according to how children are faring overall.

This year, national Data Book trends presented a complex picture: steady progress in some areas, setbacks in others and persistent opportunities to do better for children and their families. Since 2019, seven of the 16 key indicators have improved, six have worsened and three have not changed, according to Monday’s press release from the St. Croix Foundation.

The national Data Book also highlighted the impact of geography, with data showing that where a child lives matters for their health and quality of life: “Geographic disparities around the country have persisted for years, shaped by differences in state and local policies, economic conditions, infrastructure, resources, neighborhood characteristics and community investment.”

Geographic disparity is a reality faced in the U.S. Virgin Islands as well, albeit on a smaller scale, the St. Croix Foundation noted.

According to the 2020 Census, 33% of children in the USVI were living in poverty. The poverty rate is even higher for children under age five, with 37% affected. But poverty levels are not evenly distributed throughout the islands, the foundation said.

One method to illustrate the distribution of children in poverty in the USVI is through a map of the islands, highlighting estates where child poverty is most prevalent. These custom maps are available in the 2023 KIDS COUNT USVI Data Book, available at this link.

On St. Croix, 36% of children across the island lived in families with household income below the poverty line, with the center-west areas (Estate Paradise and Profit) being most affected. Additional pockets of high child poverty are found on the north shore just west of Christiansted (Golden Rock). Areas with the lowest child poverty rates are concentrated in the southeast and eastern ends of the island. Estates and income levels are seen as follows:

On St. Thomas, 30% of children island-wide lived in poverty according to the 2020 Census. The highest child poverty rates were located in the center of the island (Kronprinsens Quarter and Hospital Ground), and another significant cluster in the southeast (Estate Bovoni). The lowest child poverty rates are concentrated in the west and southwest of the island.

Finally, 27% of children on St. John lived in poverty. The highest concentration of child poverty is found in Estate Mandahl and Estate Saunders Gut, while areas with the lowest child poverty rates are mostly located in the east and northeastern end of the island.

As a child, where you live in the USVI matters. It encompasses the average family income in your neighborhood, the performance of your local public school, the placement of public housing, and the investment of government and private sector resources, including transportation, services, and businesses, according to the St. Croix Foundation.

“By mapping and monitoring indicators like child poverty at the estate level, we equip policymakers, community organizations, and funders with the evidence needed to prioritize high-need areas and implement targeted interventions,” it noted. “At the same time, critical data gaps remain, particularly in areas such as early childhood development, youth mental health, and educational outcomes disaggregated by disability or language status. Addressing these gaps is essential for developing a fuller, more equitable understanding of child well-being across the territory.”

According to St. Croix Foundation President and CEO Deanna James, “Geographic disparities are often compounded by systemic inequities shaped by race, class, and gender. In the USVI, historic patterns of underinvestment, colonial governance, and vulnerability to climate-related disruptions contribute to these disparities and require context-specific, equity-driven responses.”

Now in its 36th year of publication, the National KIDS COUNT Data Book provides reliable statewide numbers to help leaders see where progress is being made, where greater support is needed and which strategies are making a difference.

“To truly become a country that equips every child to thrive as adults, our leaders need focus, creativity and commitment,” said Lisa Lawson, president and CEO of the Casey Foundation. “The Data Book’s findings call on leaders at every level to act boldly to build a strong future, relying on what we know works,” she said.

“By staying grounded in data and driven by what children and families say they need, we can help ensure that all young people have the chance to thrive and contribute meaningfully as adults, helping to grow our future workforce, reduce long-term social and economic costs and build a stronger society for everyone,” Lawson continued.

The 2025 national KIDS COUNT Data Book can be accessed at www.aecf.org/databook. Virgin Islands KIDS COUNT publications and the Data Dashboard can be found by visiting the St. Croix Foundation’s website at www.stxfoundation.org/kids-count-usvi/. For more information about KIDS COUNT USVI, contact the St. Croix Foundation at 340-773-9898 or kidscountusvi@stxfoundation.org.

VI Sports Ambassador Michelle Smith Named SEC Freshman Runner of the Year

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VI Sports Ambassador Michelle Smith Named SEC Freshman Runner of the Year

St. Croix native Michelle Smith has been named the 2025 SEC Women’s Freshman Runner of the Year, capping off a sensational debut season with the University of Georgia Bulldogs.

Michelle Smith is the SEC freshman Runner of the Year. (Submitted photo)

Smith, who hails from Frederiksted, has been a standout in the 400-meter hurdles, where she not only broke Georgia’s school record but also established herself as one of the top collegiate hurdlers in the nation. At the Florida Relays in April, she clocked an astonishing 54.56 seconds, surpassing the previous school record set in 1996 and at the same time breaking her own Virgin Islands record.

Her freshman campaign was marked by consistency, speed, and poise beyond her years. She finished runner-up at the SEC Championships in the 400m hurdles, narrowly behind Akala Garrett, and played a pivotal role in Georgia’s overall team success throughout the outdoor season.

Smith’s journey to collegiate stardom began long before she stepped onto the NCAA stage. She has been a dominant force in Caribbean and international youth competitions, winning multiple gold medals at the CARIFTA Games and setting CARIFTA Games U17 and NACAC U18 records in the 400m hurdles. Her transition to NCAA competition has been seamless, and her accolades continue to grow.

The SEC honor is a testament not only to her athletic prowess but also to her work ethic and determination. With the NCAA Outdoor Championships set to take place June 11–14 in Eugene, Oregon, all eyes will be on Smith as she looks to add another chapter to her already impressive freshman year.

As the first Virgin Islander to earn this prestigious SEC title, Michelle Smith is blazing a trail for young athletes from the Caribbean and proving that talent, when matched with opportunity and dedication, knows no borders.

Michelle Smith will be traveling to the Virgin Islands on June 17 to participate in the Eunice Bedminster VI National Championships which will be held on Saturday June 21, 2025 at the St. Croix Educational Complex Track and Field facility at 10 am.

 

WAPA Board Goes With Pricier Known Quantity to Manage AMI Replacement

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WAPA Board Goes With Pricier Known Quantity to Manage AMI Replacement
WAPA Chief Financial Officer Lorraine Kelly addresses members of the utility’s governing board during a special meeting Monday morning held over Microsoft Teams. (Screenshot from Microsoft Teams)

The V.I. Water and Power Authority approved a nearly $9 million contract to manage the territory’s advanced metering infrastructure replacement to Witt O’Brien’s, whose bid was more than double that of the runner-up and 19% higher than the utility’s own cost estimate.

The approval came during a special meeting of WAPA’s governing board Monday, two and a half weeks after board members first heard the utility’s selection committee recommend going with Witt O’Brien’s. During that meeting, mechanical engineer Star Matthew said WAPA estimated the cost of the work at just over $7.5 million, and the selection committee considered four respondents. Witt O’Brien’s bid came in at just under $8.95 million and received an evaluation score of 450 out of 500. Rival bidder 4Liberty’s bid was less than $3.5 million and received an evaluation score of 439.

The board tabled the matter in May after member Juanita Young pressed Matthew on whether the recommended firm had any experience in AMI deployment. Matthew said Witt O’Brien’s is partnering with Z2Solutions, which has worked with advanced metering infrastructure, and that both companies have project management experience.

“My concern here is that they’ve chosen a partner that really is the one that has the skillset and has the history and has the street cred,” Young said, and that Witt O’Brien’s is “just kind of tagging along for the ride.”

At the time, WAPA Chief Executive Officer Karl Knight told board members that Witt O’Brien’s is a disaster recovery consultant with a history of partnering with subject matter experts to execute projects in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The firm was tapped by the Mapp administration in 2017 to help the territory secure federal funds in the wake of hurricanes Irma and Maria. The V.I. Public Finance Authority opted not to renew its five-year contract with Witt O’Brien’s in 2022 — several months before a former V.I. Housing Finance Authority executive candidly told a special agent from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department that the firm inflated invoices and was “being overpaid for its services or work that could easily be done by USVI departmental employees,” according to the special agent’s memorandum of interview.

During WAPA’s May board meeting, Knight added that a number of former WAPA employees now work for the firm’s local branch.

“So they do have a very local feel, and like I said, they understand the lay of the land,” he said. “They’ve been doing this work with us for quite some time, and I think they are — maybe as a strategic business initiative — trying to align themselves with where they think the Virgin Islands is going as far as recovery projects.”

Despite the firm’s noted locality, approximately $1.34 million of its estimate was earmarked for travel costs, according to the selection committee’s presentation.

Absent a functioning metering system, the utility has had to estimate some customers’ electric bills with uneven results. In February, WAPA moved forward with a four-year, $30 million contract with Itron to replace the failed, $13 million system Tantalus installed in 2014. The contract awarded Monday is to “augment our team to be able to make sure that what we have contracted with Itron — and the way it has been designed and laid out — is the way it’s installed and implemented, and that it works in the manner that we expect it to work,” Knight told board members in May.

On Monday, the board decided that the 11-point difference between Witt O’Brien’s bid and 4Liberty’s bid — a 2.2% disparity, or the difference between a low A-minus and a B-plus — was worth the $5.5 million difference in price. Ninety-eight percent of the territory’s AMI replacement is being funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, putting the cost of Monday’s project management contract borne by the territory at just under $179,000.

The vote came after extensive questioning from board member Maurice Muia, who noted Witt O’Brien’s involvement with the reconstruction of the Arthur A. Richards Pre-K-8 School. Change orders and inflation reportedly saw the cost of that project to increase by more than $100 million. WAPA Chief Information Officer Julius Aubain said he didn’t have any insight as to that project but noted that Itron would be the company actually performing the AMI replacement.

“So any of the change orders or anything like that would be initiated on the Itron side,” he said, not the project management side.

Muia ultimately voted against the award, which was approved 4-1. Muia later told the Source that whether a project is funded by the Virgin Islands or the federal government, the board has financial and legal obligations to make sure the money is spent well.

“Let me put it this way: I don’t want us to get into a habit of just accepting the proposals that we’re getting returned,” he said. “I want a WAPA in which we can do the majority of our work in house … that’s the kind of WAPA I would like to see us have.”

Muia acknowledged that he received prompt responses to questions the board sent to respondents but that he would have liked to have heard from Witt O’Brien’s and Z2Solutions themselves.

“But if you look at the responses, it looks like that it may have been more WAPA answering those questions versus Witt O’Brien’s,” he said, adding that he didn’t know if that was necessarily the case.

In a statement sent in response to the Source’s questions Monday evening, the utility said that while Witt O’Brien’s bid was higher, “their proposal demonstrated greater alignment with the RFP’s mandatory requirements, including completion of four AMI projects and deployment of over 250,000 meters, which 4Liberty did not meet.”

“The Evaluation Committee did take note of the comparatively low pricing in 4Liberty’s proposal, especially considering the scope and technical requirements of the project,” according to the statement. “However, it is not standard protocol, nor is it the responsibility of the Evaluation Committee, to question a vendor about their pricing decisions relative to other bidders.”

According to WAPA, proposals are evaluated “based on their alignment with the RFP requirements and the evaluation criteria.”

“The Authority fully recognizes the importance of fiscal responsibility. This procurement was conducted in strict accordance with FEMA’s procurement requirements and federal guidelines, ensuring a fair, open, and competitive process,” according to WAPA. “While the awarded contract amount was higher than our initial estimate, it accurately reflects current market rates, increased material costs, and the logistical realities of executing projects in an island environment.”

The Source was directed to ask Witt O’Brien’s or Witt O’Brien’s USVI about the number of former WAPA employees employed by those firms.

After approving the project management contract Monday, the governing board also approved an increase to its contract with consultant Ernst and Young to cover travel costs at a rate of $18,750 per month. Ernst and Young is assisting the authority’s single audit, and WAPA Chief Financial Officer Lorraine Kelly said Monday that the entire effort will be reimbursed by FEMA.

Yvonne Galiber Remembered as Tireless Advocate in the Battle Against Cancer

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Yvonne Galiber Remembered as Tireless Advocate in the Battle Against Cancer
Yvonne Galiber, founder, in 2007, of the breast cancer advocacy organization named for
her, speaks about YAG. (Facebook photo)

After surviving breast and thyroid cancer, Yvonne Ashley Galiber started a non-profit foundation in 2007 bearing her name to advocate and aid St. Croix residents who are fighting the disease.

On May 28, Galiber lost her own battle against cancer. In the first few days since her passing, almost 200 community leaders and friends have conveyed love, support and condolences to her family on the YAG Breast Cancer Foundation’s Facebook page.

The V.I. Health Department extended condolences to Galiber’s family and friends on its Facebook page and dozens of people added comments of appreciation.

The reactions have included praise and thanks from individuals who have been supported by YAGF.

“Ms Galiber was a remarkable leader who turned her personal journey into a mission to uplift others – championing early detection, supporting survivors and building a legacy of hope through the YAG Foundation,” VIDOH wrote.

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. issued a statement praising her as an “inspirational survivor and community leader.” He thanked her husband, Dante and daughter, Dominique, for “her life of service” and offered prayers and love to the family.

“It is with a heavy heart that I extend my deepest condolences on the passing of my dear friend, Yvonne Galiber. Yvonne was more than a community leader – she was a bright light in the lives of so many, a woman whose warmth, generosity, and spirit touched everyone she met.”

Joyia Jones, owner of Joyia Inspirational Jewelry, wrote a touching tribute on her store’s Facebook page for her friend. They met over “a pair of earrings and a cause” when Jones created the “Hope” collection for a friend battling breast cancer several years ago. They became friends and when Jones was diagnosed with breast cancer, Galiber advised her about treatments.

According to Cassandra Dunn, YAG vice president, the foundation has not only helped dozens of people with mammograms, but recently, a grant was received that helped them pay for several $6,000 breast biopsies.

“I know we’ve raised hundreds of thousands of dollars,” Dunn said. “We are committed to keeping the foundation going.

The YAGF provides financial help for breast cancer screening, mammograms and other related services for uninsured and underserved patients. The foundation also offers support groups for clients, family and caregivers.

St. Croix’s Cherise Davis Crowned 2025–2026 State Teacher of the Year

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St. Croix’s Cherise Davis Crowned 2025–2026 State Teacher of the Year
From left, Sen. Ray Fonseca, Sen. Avery Lewis, Lt. Gov. Tregenza A. Roach, Esq., Cherise Davis, 2025-2026 State Teacher of the Year, and Education Commissioner Dionne Wells-Hedrington (Photo courtesy VIDE)

Cherise Davis, a third-grade teacher at Juanita Gardine PreK–8 School on St. Croix, has been named the 2025–2026 State Teacher of the Year by the Virgin Islands Education Department. The announcement was made during a ceremony held Saturday at Government House on St. Thomas.

Davis, who also holds the title of St. Croix District Teacher of the Year, was recognized alongside Cornell Hanley, the St. Thomas–St. John District Teacher of the Year. The two were honored as the territory’s top finalists for the prestigious statewide award.

“Ms. Davis represents the very essence of what it means to be an educator — passionate, innovative, resilient and devoted to her students’ success,” said Education Commissioner Dionne Wells-Hedrington in a statement. “We are honored to recognize her as the 2025–2026 State Teacher of the Year and are incredibly proud of the impact she continues to make each and every day.”

The ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries, including Lt. Gov. Tregenza A. Roach.; Sens. Avery Lewis and Ray Fonseca of the 36th Legislature; members of the Governor’s Cabinet and senior staff; members of the Virgin Islands Board of Education; and the leadership and staff of the Education Department, according to the press release.

Both finalists received awards, gifts, and tokens of appreciation during the event in recognition of their work in public education. As the 2025–2026 honoree, Davis will also receive a sponsored cruise vacation, the press release stated.

According to the Education Department, Davis’s selection is a reflection of her commitment to uplifting and inspiring students in the Virgin Islands and the broader impact of her work beyond the classroom, the release stated.

The department expressed its gratitude to the judges, sponsors, and contributors who supported the Teacher of the Year program and its culminating celebration, it said.

“We are public school proud,” the department stated, “and today, we are especially proud of Ms. Cherise Davis. Congratulations on this remarkable achievement.”

Op-Ed: The V.I. Public Officials Compensation Commission Did Not Seem to Have Done a Statistical Analysis in Determining the Salary of the Governor

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Op-Ed: The V.I. Public Officials Compensation Commission Did Not Seem to Have Done a Statistical Analysis in Determining the Salary of the Governor

The Virgin Islands Public Officials Compensation Commission, established by Act 7878 in 2015 and amended in 2020 via Act 8384, was constituted in 2020 with nine appointees: three named by the Senate President, three by the V.I. Supreme Court Chief Justice, and three by the Governor for a term of four years. Act. No. 7878 stipulated that the Governor shall convene a Commission to conduct a review of the salaries, expenses, allowances, and other emoluments of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, members of the Governor’s Cabinet, including the Attorney General, and all Commissioners and Directors of Government agencies; Judicial Officers; Senators of the Legislature; and the Inspector General of the Virgin Islands to determine and provide pay levels appropriate for the duties and responsibilities of the respective offices and positions.

Dr. Mark Wenner
Mark D. Wenner

The Commission was supposed to conduct interviews, hold hearings, conduct studies, and then make a report by May 2022. However, the Commission missed the deadline by two years, due to delays in hiring a consulting firm. Because the Legislature did not act within 90 days of receipt of the Commission’s final reports, its recommendations automatically took effect. Procedurally, the President of the 35th V.I. Legislature claims not to have seen the email transmission, but there was proof of email transmission, albeit with no acknowledgment. Legally, the Commission seems to have been improperly constituted; one member was a decade-old employee of the Government Employees’ Retirement System (GERS) when the law states that no commission member should be an employee of the government, the court system, or any semi-autonomous agency affiliated with the government. Moreover, the Governor offered the commission chair a senior government position, the same Governor who directly benefited from the salary recommendation of the Commission, when Commission members are supposed to be barred from accepting positions with the government for two years after their term on the Commission ends.

However, despite the apparent procedural snafus and legal/ethical violations in the Commission’s composition and operation, the statistical analysis and calculations performed by the hired consultant firm seem opaque, unfathomable, and completely ignorant of the economic and fiscal state of the Virgin Islands. If simple objective analyses were performed, an inappropriate recommendation for a salary increase of 28% or $42,088 for the Governor would not have been made.

Numerous factors come to mind when determining a governor’s salary increase. They are listed and explained below.

1. Cost of Living

The cost of living varies across U.S. states and territories, and a governor’s salary should be sufficient to maintain a reasonable standard of living. In the USVI, the cost of living is higher, roughly comparable to Washington, D.C. and Hawaii, but with average salaries much lower than those places. In 2021, the median household income was $40,408, meaning the current Governor’s previous salary of $150,000 was 3.6 times more, which should be more than sufficient to cover typical living costs, especially given that the Governor enjoys housing, food, and travel subsidies in addition to salary.

2. Comparable Governor Salaries

Comparing the Governor’s salary to those in other states and territories can help ensure competitiveness and fairness. States and territories with similar populations, economies, and responsibilities should be benchmarks. The comparator jurisdictions to the USVI would be the other four insular territories: American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the insular state of Hawaii. All U.S. insular territories and Hawaii are tourism-dependent, except American Samoa. All are import-dependent, face high transportation costs, have large public sectors, and depend heavily on federal transfers.

As can be seen in Table 1, the salary of the Governor of the USVI, at $150,000, was only surpassed by the state of Hawaii, an insular jurisdiction with a population of 1.4 million, a GDP of $67 billion, and annual average tourist arrivals of 9.6 million as of 2024. The USVI has a population of 87,146, a GDP of $4.6 billion (2022), and tourist arrivals of 2.6 million in the same year. With the raise to $192,088, the USVI governor’s salary surpasses all the other insular jurisdictions. It is close to 2 standard deviations above the average of the salaries of insular governors, $114,000.

3. State Budget and Fiscal Health

Tax revenue in the USVI has been experiencing anemic and volatile growth over time (less than two percent), and the Territory has faced recurrent operational deficits since 2007. Government agencies tend to be underfunded, face critical skill labor shortages, and underperform in service delivery to the public. The Central government faces over $65 million in unpaid vendor bills, unpaid tax returns, and overdue retroactive pay liabilities to government workers, has a below-investment-grade bond rating, and is heavily dependent on Federal transfers. As a result, the public perception of the Territory’s public financial management is poor, and raising the Governor’s salary would seem insensitive.

4. Attracting Qualified Candidates

Beyond doubt, a competitive salary is necessary to attract and qualify individuals for the position of Governor and to compensate adequately for the high demands of the office and associated stress. If the salary is too low, it may deter talented candidates from running for office. The Governor is comparable to a CEO in the private sector. However, the private sector in the USVI is very small, undeveloped, and unsophisticated. There are a few large and complex corporations. Seventy or so EDC beneficiary companies pay the best, along with a few financial, legal, and insurance service firms, and a handful of large hotels. Senior business leaders in the private sector are estimated to earn between $120,000 and $250,000, far below typical metropolitan areas on the U.S. mainland. Thus, the Commission would have been hard-pressed to argue that a salary of $150,000 is uncompetitive.

5. Frequency of Adjustments

An adjustment would be justified if the Governor’s salary has been unchanged for an extended period. At the same time, duties and responsibilities have expanded, and inflation has been moderate to high. The Governor’s salary changed in the USVI in 1990, 2007, and 2019. Since the last change was from $135,000 to 150,000 in 2019, it would be hard for the Commission to justify a substantial change in five years. All governors of the insular territories have been facing disaster recovery responsibilities and coping with various external shocks. Since 1990, cyclone/hurricane strikes have increased in the Caribbean and Pacific Basins. All U.S. governors faced the 2020-2023 COVID pandemic.

6. Public Opinion and Political Climate

The Commission should have considered public opinion on the Governor’s performance and the appropriateness of a salary. If the Governor is widely seen as effective, the public may be more supportive of a raise. If the Governor is ineffective, then the public and the legislature may be unsupportive of a governor’s salary increase, especially a substantial one. It is unclear if the Commission had any public hearings to gauge public opinion on the Governor’s performance and whether an increase would be merited based on performance metrics.

7. Perception of Fairness

The Commission should have rationalized any salary increase to avoid the perception of self-dealing or excessive compensation. Transparency in the decision-making process is crucial. The final report has been made public but there was no vetting and analysis of the report and the methodology used to derive the new proposed structure of salaries.

8. Long-Term Costs Impact

The Commission did not seem to consider the legacy costs of a massive increase in salary and pension liabilities on the budget. Increasing the Governor’s salary substantially will have long-term implications for the Territory’s budget and revenue generation capabilities. It is unclear if the combined cost of housing, food allowance, and travel were factored into the total compensation package.

9. Legal and Constitutional Constraints

In many states, salary increases for governors cannot take effect during their current term to avoid conflicts of interest. In the case of the USVI, having the same Governor receive two salary increases over two terms would seem unbecoming and self-dealing.

Statistical Analysis

The Commission’s salary proposals seemed to lack a justified and objective basis, so I gathered data on six variables for all 50 U.S. states and five insular, unincorporated territories, built a multivariate regression model, and, based on the regression model, estimated the Governor’s salary.

The model regressed the following independent variables — median income from the 2020 Census; GDP per capita 2022 from the Bureau of Economic Analysis: Size of the State or Territorial budgets in 2024;  Public Sector Employment; Log of Fiscal Stability Ranking based on U.S. News and World Report 2025; and Cost of Living Index generated from Claude AI with imputations for the five insular territories — on the dependent variable, Governor’s salary in 2025.

The model was developed based on factors that should explain government salary variations and closely follow the determinative factors discussed above. The higher the median income, the more one would expect a broader share of equity and shared prosperity, and the Governor’s salary would be positively correlated. The higher the GDP per capita, the higher one would expect a higher overall development and growth and a commensurately higher level of the Governor’s salary. The larger the state or territorial budget, the more likely it is that the public sector is relatively more dominant in the economy than the private sector, and that the Governor’s salary would be higher since they have more demanding managerial responsibilities. In contrast, the log of a ranking of states on fiscal stability measures and the cost-of-living index is likely negatively related to the Governor’s salary. Governors are not expected to be rewarded for poor fiscal management and upward inflationary pressures.

The regression coefficient of determination (R-squared), a measure of how much variance in the model was explained by the independent variables, was a moderately good fit of the data at 38 percent. An R-squared greater than .5 would have been considered strong, and less than .30 would have been considered weak. However, three of the five independent variables had significant coefficient correlations of the right sign, and there were no collinearity or autocorrelation problems.

When the estimated coefficients were used to predict the USVI governor’s salary, it was $121,735. In other words, the Governor’s salary of $150,000 as of 2024 was unwarranted when the Commission submitted its report, and the V.I. Public Officials Compensation Commission’s recommendation of $192,088 was wholly unjustified.

On Wednesday, June 4, the 36th V.I. Legislature voted 14-0 to rescind the salaries of the Governor and other top officials. The vote was correct. The problem is that simple data gathering, economic reading, and objective statistical analysis of approximately 35 hours would have led to a more informed decision and avoided this political controversy. Why did the V.I. Public Officials Compensation Commission fail? As a community, we will need better performance from all government entities and even ostensibly government-appointed independent bodies in the Territory. The consultant firm hired seemed to have just come up with numbers that would please the political elite, and there were no technical skills or sense of independence on the Commission to evaluate and challenge the consultants.

Looking to the future, we can expect that the Governor will veto the bill of June 4, his veto will then be overridden, and he may enter court challenges to the veto. Time and resources will be wasted, but reason, fairness, and the rule of law should prevail.

— Mark Wenner is an assistant professor of economics at the University of the Virgin Islands who resides on St. Thomas.

 

Editor’s Note: Opinion articles do not represent the views of the Virgin Islands Source newsroom and are the sole expressed opinion of the writer. Submissions can be made to visource@gmail.com. 

Over 200 Participants Race in 41st Women’s Race for Women’s Coalition of St. Croix

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Over 200 Participants Race in 41st Women’s Race for Women’s Coalition of St. Croix
Winners of the Women’s Race, Bridget Klein, Kirra Lambert, and Faith Eatmon, take a photo with the president of the Women’s Coalition Board, Aisha Webster-Glenn, and Marketing Coordinator of One Communication, Kafi Armstrong. (Source photo by Diana Dias)

More than 200 participants took part in the Women’s Coalition of St. Croix’s 41st Annual Women’s Race on Sunday in Frederiksted. The event, a highlight on the coalition’s calendar, is one of its largest and most eagerly anticipated each year. This year’s theme, “Her Journey, Her Pace, Her Justice,” kicked off with a warm-up before the runners set off on the 2-mile course.

Women jog along Frederiksted during the 41st Women’s Race. (Source photo by Diana Dias)

Executive Director Clema Lewis described the race as “one of my babies.” She continued, “The race provides an opportunity for women and girls to come together. It’s a chance for us to support each other, to show how much we need each other, and to witness the amazing turnout of over 200 women. It speaks volumes about our community and how we can lift each other up when we work together.”

Mothers tote their children in the 41st Women’s Race on Sunday. (Source photo by Diana Dias)

Aisha Webster-Glenn, president of the Women’s Coalition of St. Croix Board, emphasized the inclusivity of the organization: “The Women’s Coalition of St. Croix is vital because we support all victims — men, women, and children. I want to make that very clear.” She added, “The support for this event means a lot to the coalition. It’s incredible to see everyone come together for the mission of supporting the agency and the meaningful work they do.”

Participants don’t even break a sweat after a 2-mile run. (Source photo by Diana Dias)

The event also drew support from various local teams, including Neighborhood Pharmacy, Good Hope Country Day School, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Ladies of Zeta Phi Beta, Vivot, and many others.

Neighborhood Pharmacy takes a quick photo during the 41st Women’s Race. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
Good Hope Country Day School snags a photo at the 41st Women’s Race. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
The Ladies of Zeta Phi Beta representing their sorority at the 41st Women’s Race. (Source photo by Diana Dias)

Following the race, participants enjoyed light refreshments while awards were handed out, relaxed, and reflected on the event.

Volunteers make sure to hand out refreshments after racers cross the finish line. (Source photo by Diana Dias)

In the race’s overall standings, Bridget Klein took first place, Kirra Lambert claimed second, and Faith Eatmon finished third. Eatmon also won first place in the 9–13 age category. Other category winners included Enisha Tyson, who took first in the 8-and-under group and ran her very first race, while Mariah Franklin earned second. In the 9–13 category, Olivia Jones placed second, and Grace Eatmon came in third.

Good Hope Country Day School snags a photo at the 41st Women’s Race. (Source photo by Diana Dias)

For a complete list of winners and to view the full event video, visit the Government Access Channel.

Team Funners bring the fun to the 41st Women’s Race. (Source photo by Diana Dias)

Lewis wrapped up the event by expressing the importance of continuing the race in the future: “We’re committed to keeping this event going for as long as possible because of its significance for women and girls in our community. Thank you to all the runners, sponsors, and supporters who have helped us keep this tradition alive for 41 years.”

Editor’s Note: This story has been corrected to reflect that Kirra Lambert finished second overall in Sunday’s race. Her name was earlier misspelled as Carol.

From Heartbreak to Hope: 10 Years of the Roy Petersen Sr. Memorial Tournament

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From Heartbreak to Hope: 10 Years of the Roy Petersen Sr. Memorial Tournament
The competition was fierce, especially during the 21U Men’s championship, at the 10th annual Roy Petersen Sr. Memorial Basketball Tournament. (Photo by Akijah Estridge @shotbypuzzle)

Cheers echoed off the walls of the Audie Henneman Gymnasium at Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School, mixing with the squeak of sneakers and the rhythmic bounce of basketballs. Adults filled the stands while kids crowded the sidelines, seizing every opportunity to practice their shots and dribbles between games. This was more than a tournament – it was a haven.

For 10 years now, the Roy Petersen Sr. Memorial Basketball Tournament has transformed local basketball courts into sacred grounds. Roy Petersen Sr. was just 56 years old when he lost his life to a stray bullet in February 2009. His tragic death shook the U.S. Virgin Islands community, leaving behind a grieving family and an unfinished legacy. His daughter, Makeda Petersen-Turnbull, decided in 2014 that his life would not go in vain. She would honor his memory by hosting an annual tournament grounded in everything he stood for: joy, unity, and community.

 A decade later, that promise is alive and thriving.

Makeda Petersen-Turnbull, daughter of the late Roy Petersen Sr., beams with pride as her daughter, Amaya, prepares to compete in the memorial tournament for the first time. (Source photo by Amara Stokes Gilbert)

This year’s tournament spanned two weekends of competition. From May 30 to June 1, the gym buzzed with the energy of the 40+ men’s division, the women’s and girls’ brackets, and the highly anticipated men’s 19–21 category. The second weekend, from June 5 to 8, saw the younger players take center stage, featuring 10U, 12U, 15U, and 18U divisions, as well as a dedicated girls’ bracket.

A total of 27 teams competed across both weekends, nearly four times more than when the tournament began in 2014.

“Seeing this unity between kids from all three U.S. Virgin Islands — it’s what my father would have wanted,” said Petersen-Turnbull, tears flowing down her face as she reflected on a decade of hard, healing work. “Watching my children grow up and fall in love with basketball the same way my father did — there aren’t even words to describe the feeling.”

Her daughter, 10-year-old Amaya Turnbull, has attended every tournament since birth. She was still in the womb during the very first one. This year, she stepped onto the court not as a spectator, but as a player.

“Basketball didn’t appeal to her at first,” Petersen-Turnbull said with a laugh. “But it’s in the blood. Playing was never a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when.’”

Turnbull now describes the game as “fun” — a simple word carrying the weight of a decade of love, labor, and legacy.

For her older brother, Amani Turnbull, the tournament is about more than basketball. It is about connection. “It’s special to see so many people gathered together in my grandfather’s honor,” he said. “Even though he’s not around to create memories, the tournament fills that void in a way.”

Amani Turnbull poses with grandmother, Estellita Petersen, at community basketball tournament in honor of his late grandfather, Roy Petersen Sr. (Source photo by Amara Stokes Gilbert)

His message to local youth: “Never forget — you only have one life.”

The tournament has become one of the largest recreational basketball events in the territory, with crowds growing bigger each year and anticipation rippling through the community long before the opening tip. Family matriarch Estellita Petersen says she is “blown away” by how much the tournament has grown.

“The community support humbles me,” she said. “Every year, these kids show up. And it brings me peace knowing that if they’re in the gym, they’re not on the street.”

Young athletes huddle up amid a full crowd at the Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School gymnasium during the final moments of the highly anticipated 21U Men’s championship. (Photo by Akijah Estridge @shotbypuzzle)

Winners from each age bracket were celebrated across both weekends, with dozens of players recognized for their standout performances. Competitors, game results, and award recipients are listed on the Roy Petersen Sr. Foundation Facebook page.

“This has grown into something so beautiful,” Petersen-Turnbull smiled. “It’s about community, being present for one another and making sure my father’s name is associated with love, not loss.”

This year’s tournament came to a suspenseful close as the last in the family’s initial plan. “This takes a lot — a lot of time, hard work and resources,” Petersen said. “We only planned to host it for 10 years, but it’s not slowing down. The community keeps showing up, and we want to keep showing up for them.”

“Transparently, we need the support of businesses and community members to continue making this tournament possible,” Petersen-Turnbull shared.

Championship rings glisten under the evening sun as teams celebrate another year of hard work and community at what could be the final Roy Petersen Sr. Memorial Basketball Tournament. (Photo by Akijah Estridge @shotbypuzzle)

Anyone who would like to contribute can reach out via email at RoyPetersenSr@gmail.com or through the Roy Petersen Sr. Foundation Facebook page.

What started as a way to remember one man has become a widely cherished outlet for the community to enjoy top-notch competition while protecting local youth, and a reason to keep showing up for each other.

UVI Assumes Control of Island Fresh Aquaponics Facility at Historic Bethlehem Site

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UVI Assumes Control of Island Fresh Aquaponics Facility at Historic Bethlehem Site
UVI President Safiya George tours the aquaponics facility with Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. (Photo courtesy UVI)

The University of the Virgin Islands has formally taken over stewardship of the Island Fresh Aquaponics facility at the historic Bethlehem Sugar Factory site on St. Croix, marking a significant step forward in sustainable agriculture, education, and community development across the territory.

The transfer from FreshMinistries to UVI was celebrated during a ceremony held June 3. UVI President Safiya George was joined by Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. and the Rev. Robert Vernon Lee, executive director of FreshMinistries, to commemorate the milestone. The facility’s new ownership reflects UVI’s continued commitment as a land-grant institution to expanding food security, research, and workforce development throughout the Caribbean, according to the press release.

“The University of the Virgin Islands is honored to carry forward the transformative vision set in motion by FreshMinistries,” said George. “The Island Fresh Aquaponics facility represents not only a model of sustainability, but also a tremendous opportunity to expand hands-on education, workforce development, and entrepreneurship in agriculture.”

UVI President Safiya George gives remarks at the transfer ceremony. (Photo courtesy UVI)

FreshMinistries, a nonprofit based in Jacksonville, Florida, launched the Island Fresh initiative in 2021 as a driver for food production, wellness, and economic opportunity in St. Croix. The facility includes three 6,000-square-foot greenhouses and three 3,000-square-foot greenhouses, making it one of the region’s largest aquaponics operations, the press release stated.

Bryan praised the project’s long-term potential, stating, “We are deeply grateful to Dr. George for embracing this opportunity and ensuring that Island Fresh continues as a vital resource for education and innovation. UVI is the perfect partner for this next chapter.”

Under UVI’s direction, the facility will support the expansion of the University’s agricultural programs and outreach efforts. It also complements UVI’s existing aquaponics infrastructure, which was recently rebuilt after sustaining hurricane damage in 2017, the release stated.

“This transfer will strengthen UVI’s capacity to offer new programs and allow us to immediately enhance research, teaching, and outreach activities that benefit students and farmers alike,” said Usman Adamu, dean and director of the UVI School of Agriculture.

Looking ahead, UVI plans to position the site as a hub of educational and economic activity— a space where students, entrepreneurs, and community members can learn, innovate, and collaborate, the release stated.

“We are extremely grateful for the partnership with FreshMinistries that has led us to this point and look forward to carrying on their mission,” George said. “This facility stands as a symbol of what’s possible when institutions, government, and community partners work together toward a sustainable future.”

Kimberly Simmon-Fludd Dies at 42

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Kimberly Simmon-Fludd Dies at 42

Kimberly Simmon-Fludd of Estate Strawberry transitioned into eternal life on May 10, 2025. She was 42 years old.

She is survived by her Husband, Mark Fludd Sr.; Mother, Eula Simmon; Father, Lorenzo Simmon; Children, Kayden Fludd, Mark Fludd Jr., Mya Fludd; Brother, Lyndon Simmon; Nieces, Adijah Simmon, Ja’nya Zyanne Simmon, Denalia Byron, Kahlea Camacho, Diana Byron, Denia Byron; Nephews, Javiion Simmon, Delroy Byron IV, Jahdeem, Kayden, Dariion Josiyah Simmon, Gregory Williams III, Demaney Byron, Jaiir Simmon, Conner Byron; Mother-In-Law, Edelta Phillips-Byron; Fathers-In-Law, Keith Fludd, Delroy Byron Jr.; Grandfather-In-Law, Emith Fludd; Sisters-In-Law, Tanya Simmon, Lue-Ann Fludd, Delisha Byron; Brothers-In-Law, Delroy Byron III, Delaney Byron; Special Friends, Josica Thomas, Sherlina Noelien, Wendy L. Wynter, Dr. Dana Philogene-Victor, Keturah Polius-Hazel.

Funeral service will be held on Friday, June 20, 2025, at Beeston Hill Wesleyan Holiness Church. Viewing will begin at 9:00 am with service at 10:00 am. Interment will follow at Kingshill Cemetery.

Professional services are entrusted to James Memorial Funeral Home, Inc.

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