Dr. Charles Wesley Turnbull was sworn in Monday as the sixth elected governor of the Virgin Islands.
His inaugural message focused on the theme he rode to victory in November: unity, respect, service.
It is a theme that has resonated with Virgin Islanders, as evidenced by his resounding two-to-one victory over Gov. Roy L. Schneider.
But Gov. Turnbull's challenge will be to translate his fine words and excellent sentiments into action.
Virgin Islanders want change.
They want radical change in the way this government does business, something Gov. Turnbull has promised to deliver. They don't want empty promises — we've heard enough of those over the years — and they don't want more studies — we've had more than enough of those — they want action.
They want the reins put on fiscal profligacy. Not mass layoffs, of course, but a systematic reduction in the cost of this government: a reduction in the workforce by attrition and by cutting all that fat at the top; elimination of all frills such as fancy cars and unchecked travel; a halt to double-dipping (including contracts for retirees who are collecting handsome pensions); and the introduction of government efficiencies such as privatized services that work elsewhere but have never been seriously tried here. They want an end to contracts for people who do little or nothing to earn those taxpayer dollars. They want an end to politics as usual.
They want basic services delivered regularly and reliably.
They want potholes filled. They want roadside brush cut and garbage collected and reliable electrical service. They want a competent, trustworthy police force that will protect them, inform them and solve any serious crimes that do occur.
They want more than lip service paid to our children. They want an educational system that educates its students well and doesn't make excuses for failure. They want productive, constructive after-school activities for children that will expand their horizons and keep them out of trouble. They want programs that will ensure that our children develop to their fullest potential — emotionally, intellectually, academically and socially — from birth to adulthood.
They want civility restored to the halls of government, and to our streets. They want an end to the bickering and arrogance and nastiness that too often have become the norm in our daily interactions.
Gov. Turnbull, a true and gracious gentleman, has promised to initiate these changes, and he has asked for the community's help. He seems to understand how important it is for him to set the tone and he says he will do just that.
He has promised to be the most humble and most respectful public servant in the V.I. government so that other workers will follow his example. He has promised to work hard, and to demand that others who collect public paychecks work hard too. He has promised to be open and accountable, and to make sure others in his administration are open and accountable too.
We, like many, many others, fervently hope he will succeed in every area beyond anyone's expectations.
