Dear Source:
There is a simple "common sense" issue that seems to continually be missed in regards to rapid development on our Island. The "base" of the infrastructure cannot hold what is going on! One has to live on a day- to-day basis here, to experience that. The exasperation level in simply TRYING to find a parking spot; the congestion at every corner and turn; the length of time needed to get a telephone; the frequent electrical outages; the too-packed ferries; long-line ups everywhere; poor response (to none) to public safety issues and crime follow-up; pathetically bad roads everywhere in need of repairs; overgrown bush creating safety hazards at every turn; overflowing and inadequate waste disposal; coral reef being destroyed after every rain because of inadequate protection at building sites….the list goes on.
This is unacceptable to the residents of St. John! Top key architects; and prominent, long-time residents have testified time and time again…yet this same state continues…inadequate infrastructure "to hold us up".
Interestingly-when I owned a restaurant and became busy enough that I saw that my "delivery system" wasn't up to par for the good of my business or customers I served-I closed shop for 2 weeks; re-grouped and evaluated the problems with my team of employees and put into place solutions so that I could better meet the needs of customers. This turned out to be an intelligent decision on my part resulting in a business that was able to continue with success.
Maybe there needs to be a moratorium on building until we solve some of these immediate and serious problems. There is a critical breaking point here-that must be acknowledged. I sometimes wonder what my tax dollars are going to. My patience is wearing thin. Years ago St. John was promised a town planner-as usual-nothing was done and things have steadily gotten more out of control and congested. I am one of a majority of St. Johnians who feel this way.
The quality of life on St. John has been fading fast because of the weak base that we operate from-the infrastructure cannot hold! This is plain old simple common sense. Would we keep building on a basement that was weak and cracked and could not hold 3 stories above it? I think not.
What do I want for Christmas? Some common sense, immediate, attention to the problems of St. John…an Island that I deeply love; an Island that has been given too little attention for way too long. We need representation. We need the many intelligent people of our Island involved in solving it's own problems…please, Governor-elect deJongh. There are so many highly qualified, intelligent, professional, long- time citizens who have great understandings of the problems as well as possible solutions-if they can only be listened to and heard. Please advertise for a qualified town Planner as soon as possible. Have that planner be accountable to a Board of respected citizens who have been working so hard at getting this past administration to work with them in making our Island more functional. I understand that you have your plate full with the numerous VI issues you are about to be handed however, esp. with the needs of St. Croix who is in need of more development! St. John desperately needs your help in managing the over- developmental "messes" that are occurring right now.
I am counting on this new administration to bring some concrete, immediate solutions to our infrastructure problems and too-rapid growth-soon.
Bonny Corbeil
Coral Bay, St. John
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