Dear Source:
Stephen, you are right, the issues and debates that surfaced in the wake of the recall are eroding the moral fabric of our island. St. Croix has been labeled, and the label is not good. The very thing we are trying to achieve has been, by our methods, dividing our society and pitting us against each other. Why do you think the recall did not gather any momentum on St. Thomas? St. Thomas is about progress and even though there may be problems, they do not let those problems stand in the way of progress. St. Croix however is labeled as radical and ready for a fight any time of the day or night, and while we fight our economy crumbles around us. Every proposed hotel project in the last 20 years has been shot down by residents of St. Croix. A Medical School that would have been fully financed by the developers will never happen on this island yet no one took to the streets or signed petitions to make sure any of these projects were successful.
What tourist would ever what to visit St. Croix in the midst of such turmoil? Yes, the Internet is a wonderful thing. It has taken our backyard squabble and plastered it on a media that can be accessed by the click of a key from anywhere in the world.
Callers to the Roger Morgan radio show have compared our elected senators to baboons, dogs, cockroaches and monkeys. The host and callers use the excuse that the words were said within an analogy and no one really called the senators that. For more than 8 weeks the senators have listened to callers and a complicit host who talks about or allows to be talked about, the senator's families, staff and anyone else they deem in the line of fire. I am not making any excuse for or condoning Sen. Servilles' statements at the committee meeting, but I mark with interest when the tables are turned how loudly you yell "ouch."
I have read several news reports regarding the incident on the senate floor and nowhere did I see reported that three senators were involved. Which three are you speaking about and how come no other news media reported this? This is like that game "telephone" where the original phrase gets so convoluted that it is unrecognizable.
As for the Democratic Party "endorsing" the senators, the statement in the release said they "support" the five senators and "oppose the recall." The statement never said the Party supported Act 6905. In fact the statement agreed that there are "concerns" with the legislation and called for "cooperation" to address the common concerns of the community.
For this society to work towards being progressive, we have to work together! Let's stop the name-calling and find common ground. Parties on either side are presently very mistrustful towards each other, but if we all move forward in a respectful manner we can begin to heal the wounds and make St. Croix a place where all can prosper and find happiness.
Victoria E. Williams
Frederiksted, St. Croix
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