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FYI: Sen. Liston A. Davis

The following material is being published, unedited, exactly as it was received via e-mail from the office of the government official or agency named, as a Source community service. Government office holders wishing to contribute to the FYI bulletin board must e-mail source@viaccess.net. The Source reserves the right to choose what is published.
April 15, 2005 – Senator Liston A. Davis, a member of the Committee on Government Operations and Consumer Protection, Thursday (4-14-05) toured the Motor Vehicle Bureau on St. Thomas to receive a first hand account of its operations and working conditions, and determined the Bureau would be more effective and efficient if it was separated from the Police Department.
Senator Davis met with Director Lawrence Olive and Senior Inspector Delvin Duggins who showed the senator areas including the main lobby, administrative offices, testing room, storage areas, cashier office, license room, employees' lounge and the inspection lane. Inspector Duggins indicated that the lack of installation along with the mold and mildew inside the air-conditioning unit result in employees' illness. Additionally, the fumes from the mechanic shop seep into the air-condition vents spreading the fumes throughout the whole building.
Senator Davis was lead to the storage and general office areas which were invested with termites, rats and roaches; and was informed that the limited storage was prone to flooding. Senator Davis was also told that there was no backup system for any of archival files, and the computer system and software needed to be upgraded.
During his discussions with employees, Senator Davis learned that although the employees performed well under the adverse conditions, the Bureau was short staffed and employee morale was low. Other complaints brought to Davis included sewer backups in the bathrooms, falling ceilings and damaged light fixtures posing fire hazards. Davis also saw where damaged and inoperable police vehicles are dumped at the inspection lane taking up parking space and posing health hazards.
Duggins told Davis that high level management in the Police Department was aware of the employees' concerns but there were no response. The employees told Senator Davis that if the Bureau was separated from the Police Department, the agency would receive its own funding and able to address the concerns of the employees and in turn serve the public more efficiently.
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April 14, 2005
Senator Davis Motor Vehicle Tour – STT
In concluding his visit, Senator Davis said the concerns of the employees were "warranted" and efforts must be made immediately to improve the working condition because the Bureau was short staffed, the building was in "deplorable" condition and there was a concern of security.
"If the Motor Vehicle Bureau is separated from the Police Department, there will be hope for the Bureau," concluded Senator Davis.

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