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HomeNewsArchivesFull Senate Approves Nine Cabinet Members Tuesday

Full Senate Approves Nine Cabinet Members Tuesday

March 20, 2007 — A large contingent of cabinet members tapped by Gov. John deJongh Jr. to head various government departments and agencies received much praise from senators during Tuesday's full legislative session and were confirmed to their posts after eight hours of consideration and debate.
"This is an historic day for the Virgin Islands, as we see the stamp of the deJongh-Francis administration on the territory," Sen. Louis P. Hill said to the nominees. "We all see this as an opportunity to move the territory forward. And as long as we have your commitment, strength and vision, I think we'll be OK."
Eight of the nine nominees were unanimously approved, garnering support from all 15 senators. However, the nomination of Police Commissioner-designee James H. McCall was opposed by Senate President Usie R. Richards.
Coming onto the Senate floor after his nomination was approved by the rest of the full body, McCall said he realizes he "has a lot of hard work to do" within the department.
"But with the cooperation of the community, our officers and the Legislature, we can do it," he added. "But I also realize that the buck stops with me, and you still have my commitment that you will see a noticeable change in the department within a year."
Other nominees also pledged to turn around their respective departments and agencies over the next four years, working on such issues as lowering the cost of fuel, negotiating several expired collective bargaining contracts and revamping the Division of Personnel's Notice of Personnel Action (NOPA) process.
During a Rules and Judiciary Committee meeting on Monday, Kenneth Hermon Jr., tapped to head the Division of Personnel, said he would also be working aggressively to conduct a comprehensive classification and compensation study, which would lay out job specifications and salaries for various government positions.
Hermon said he also plans to: develop a new rules and regulations handbook for Personnel, create a sexual harassment committee to investigate various complaints, and put in place a new computer system that would allow residents and government employees access to job applications and information on insurance policies.
On Tuesday, senators described Hermon as "capable, able and qualified" and said they were looking forward to seeing his "innovative" ideas come to fruition over the next four years. Sen. Carlton Dowe, head of the Rules Committee, also praised Hermon for his "youthful determination" and sensitivity.
Hermon shared a tender moment with senators during Monday's Rules Committee meeting, as he described the impact his father has had on his life and career.
During Tuesday's session, senators said they were also impressed by the rest of the nominees, who all have a "proven track record" of service within their respective fields.
Many nominees — such as Beverly Nicholson- Doty (appointed to head the Department of Tourism), Louis E. Petersen (appointed as the commissioner of Agriculture) and Christopher Finch (appointed as the head of the Department of Human Services) — were described as a "perfect fit" for their proposed positions and were complimented for their experience, determination and knowledge.
Senators also offered other nominees — such as Attorney General Vincent Frazer and Kenrick E. Robertson, (confirmed on Tuesday as head of the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs) — tidbits of advice, along with a list of issues that need to be addressed. When talking to Frazer, for example, senators said that special attention needs to be paid to the Bureau of Corrections, which has continued to plague the Department of Justice with a variety of problems.
In addressing the state of Licensing and Consumer Affairs, senators reminded Robertson to make an effort to lower fuel prices, streamline the operations of the Taxi Division and take stock of what licenses are being awarded to businesses throughout the territory.
Attorney Jessica Gallivan, appointed as chief negotiator for the Office of Collective Bargaining, was also asked to work on reducing the amount of retroactive pay owed to government employees (to date, that figure totals some $400 million) and fight aggressively when representing the government at the collective bargaining table.
Streamlining the bidding process within the Department of Property and Procurement was also a concern for Sen. Alvin L. Williams, who told Commissioner-designee Lynn A. Millin that the department needs to review its policy of issuing requests for proposals (RFP) for government projects. Williams said that "invitations to bid" should be put out for proposed capital projects, so that local contractors have the opportunity to participate in the construction process.
On a lighter note, senators said they would be voting in favor of Millin because she recently sent out an RFP for contractors interesting in designing and building a local government complex — a facility intended to house offices for several departments and agencies.
"She has two votes from me just for that," Dowe joked.
When contacted Tuesday evening, deJongh spokesman Jean P. Greaux Jr. said all nominees will now be officially serving in their respective positions. "All that's left in the process is a final swearing in ceremony," he explained. "But as of now, they are no longer acting in their positions."

All senators were present during Tuesday's session.
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