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Charlotte Amalie
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesARE WE A LAND OF LAWS – OR NOT?

ARE WE A LAND OF LAWS – OR NOT?

Are we a land of laws, or are we not? As I listen, watch and read the recent occurrences in St. Thomas, this question looms over me more and more. Witness the recent "battle" over painting a mural in the Tutu area, specifically the concrete retaining wall at Tillett Gardens.
The owner, Rhoda Tillett, considers the wall her domain and has provided print and voice media with copies of letters supporting her claim, all signed by a former commissioner. A teacher, Austin Peterson, is reported as having led a group of kids in painting over a commissioned painting on said wall. The police are said to have twice in one day stopped Mr. Peterson and his crew (read "children") from painting the wall and each time, reportedly, they picked up where they left off and disobeyed what is presumed to be a lawful order.
On Sam Topp’s radio call-in show on Monday, President’s Day, callers gave their views of the incident. Seemingly, Mr. Topp’s concern that it was a lawless act was pushed aside time and time again by people bent on taking the issue to their personal levels.
Some callers played the race card, others the "born here" issue; some complained about those in power trampling the "little man." Another cited that the commissioner who authorized Ms. Tillett’s having control over the space was no longer in office. Tell me, isn’t it accurate to say that decisions handed down remain in effect unless superseded by a new decision? Or does a change in administration nullify all previous administrative decisions?
This issue goes back to the basic question, are we a land of laws, or are we not?
I agree with New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani wholeheartedly in one respect: All laws, no matter how small or trivial, must be upheld and enforced. This is how we ensure that major laws are upheld. He said this in response to critics who claimed that he ordered the police to enforce all kinds of "minor" laws such as jaywalking, etc. As a result, New York City years later can now boast of having its lowest crime rate in years and can be considered a relatively safe place to live or visit.
On a related matter, as this same issue was being played out, we witnessed the FEDDY awards banquet annually planned and hosted by the local chapter of the American Federation of Teachers. There several community role models, including teachers, were honored for being role models and making a difference in the lives of children and the community in general. I contrast this with a teacher apparently encouraging children to ignore the seemingly lawful order of police.
As I have said before, we are a confused community; the vast majority of our residents admire lawful behavior, yet there remains that nagging, small but vocal sector that can always find a reason, be it the race card or the "born here" issue, the haves versus the have nots, to justify lawless behavior.
I for one have not found a mural yet that I particularly enjoy seeing on this island. Maybe I just don’t understand the reality art that I am bombarded with. If it were up to me, I would paint all the mural space a solid color until we find the funds to place mosaic tile artwork on each of the spaces. I would prefer landscapes depicting the scenic beauty of our islands and leave the message boards to a more appropriate forum. However, this is not the issue. I agree with Mr. Topp, are we a land of laws or are we not? Where do we draw the line at which laws we enforce and those we don’t? Is public property mine too, or does it belong to those who come forward and forcibly claim it?
Let’s see what happens next in a community where issues of what’s right or wrong burn out in a week or so and a new one takes center stage without resolution of the first. I ask a final time, are we a land of laws, or are we not?
Editor’s note: Catherine Lockhart-Mills of St. Thomas, a former Human Services commissioner, holds a master’s degree in social work and is a featured columnist. You can send comments to her on the articles she writes or topics you would like to see addressed at source@viaccess

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