Although concerns over his position as the governor’s legal counsel and his inability to answer certain questions during a recent Senate committee meeting somewhat diminished his support among senators, Adam Christian’s nomination for V.I. Superior Court judge squeaked through the full Senate Monday on a nine to six vote.
During a recent Rules and Judiciary Committee hearing, senators said Christian’s current position kept him from being able to delve into some key community issues—from the recent controversy over security improvements at the governor’s private residence to the government’s long-standing property tax lawsuit, which is still being battled out in District Court.
In many instances, Christian said during the meeting that he was prohibited from discussing any legal advice he may have given to the governor and was bound by his obligation to not breach attorney-client privilege. While many senators said Monday they did not question Christian’s qualifications, they added that his limited participation in the meeting kept them from getting a full understanding of how he interprets and applies the law.
Others, however, said that any opposition senators may have toward the governor should not be foisted upon Christian, who they said brings to the job his years of experience in the private sector and his expertise on civil cases.
"There has to come a time where we can keep the governor from being put on trial on every occasion," said Sen. Celestino A. White Sr.
Voting against Christian’s nomination were Sens. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg, Neville James, Shawn-Michael Malone, Terrence "Positive" Nelson, Nereida Rivera-O’Reilly and Usie R. Richards.
Voting in favor were Sens. Craig W. Barshinger, Carlton "Ital" Dowe, Louis P. Hill, Wayne James, Sammuel Sanes, Patrick Simeon Sprauve, Michael Thurland, White and Alvin L. Williams.
Also confirmed to the V.I. Superior Court bench was attorney Harold Willocks, whose nomination received a unanimous vote.
Senators also approved the nominations of:
– Julius Wilson as director of the new Bureau of Corrections;
– Carmelo Rivera and Deepak Bansal to the Government Hospital and Health Facilities Board on St. Croix;
– Mark Walters as state director of the new V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency;
– Yvonne Thraen to the V.I. Port Authority Board of Directors; and
– Patricia Steele, Henry Smock, Sinclair Wilkinson and Edward Thomas Sr. to the University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees.
During the first half of the Monday’s session, senators also overrode gubernatorial vetoes on bills that ban texting or watching television while driving and allow the Recorder of Deeds office to modernize its property records by transitioning from a paper system to electronic recording for storage of property records.
All senators were present during Monday’s session.
