Dear Source,
The separation of St. Croix from the territory called the Virgin Islands is the big thing on people's minds these days. The people of St. Croix are tired of being the stepchild no one wants. There is a definite inequality in public services and government funding between the islands. Our governor said upon his re-election that he would put the economic revitalization of St. Croix in the hands of Lt. Gov. Vargrave Richards. A lot of people do not understand the lieutenant governor has no power to enact any kind of initiatives unless he passes it by the governor first. If the governor axes it, then no go.
The governor also stated in his State of the Territory address that "St. Croix has a friend in government" This is six years after his election and nothing has changed. With a friend like him who needs enemies?
We on St. Croix need to control the funds created by businesses on St. Croix, for example, Hovensa and Cruzan Rum. We need to have more control over our tourism promotion. The Dept. of Tourism is not adequately promoting St. Croix.
There needs to be a clear picture of what St. Croix is contributing into the territory's coffers as compared to St. Thomas and St. John. This needs to be put together by a separate entity with no government ties. Can we on St. Croix truly support ourselves if we were to separate, and, if not, how do we correct the imbalance that is so obvious here?
People of St. Croix need to realize that just by sheer numbers alone, we decide who gets elected and who goes home. If we don't separate then we make our hearts and minds known at the polls. Not by re-electing half of the present executive branch, but by showing them and others that St. Croix will accept no less then our fair share.
Jason Rames
St. Croix
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