The incoming 30th Legislature begins its round of inaugural festivities Sunday on St. John with an ecumenical service at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church and a reception at the Legislature building.
“Some day you’ll be electing your own senator from St. John,” incoming Senate President Shawn-Michael Malone said in his remarks at the Legislature building.
He promised that St. John wouldn’t be forgotten as the senators tackled the territory’s pressing issues. Malone said St. John is developing fast and needs attention.
Malone also said that, in a departure from the previous Legislature’s practice, community groups and other government agencies and departments will be able to use the new Legislature building that opened almost a year ago.
“The public paid for it, they should have access to it,” he said, adding that they’ll need to make the request in writing.
Before the move to the new building, community groups and other agencies departments often used the Legislature’s building for meetings. Since the move, they’ve had to meet at Julius E. Sprauve School and in various church halls around Cruz Bay.
Although outgoing Senate President Ronald Russell promised several times that he would provide the amount of the rent and the cost of the build out for the new building, repeated efforts by reporters to get the figures were unsuccessful. Malone didn’t have them at his fingertips but said he would provide them. He said the rent was less than the old building because the cost of the build out was factored in.
After Malone’s remarks, a buffet was served at the Legislature building.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel was filled with people who came to wish the incoming senators well.
“I know they have a tough job ahead of them and I think they need the support of the entire community,” St. Thomas resident Aben Marrero said.
St. John resident and former senator Robert O’Connor, echoing the remarks of several people, said he hoped all the senators would work together.
“They seem to be cohesive,” St. Thomas resident Eleanor Blyden said.
Delegate to Congress Donna Christensen touched on the same subject, saying she hoped that whether they were in the majority or the minority, they would work together because the issues were critical.
The disagreements among the senators in the previous Legislature were among the subjects discussed by the Rev. Vankys Isaac of Bethany and Emmaus Moravian Churches in his sermon.
“Use your position for the advancement of the community,” he said.
He also spoke at great length about corruption, telling the dozen senators sitting near the front of the church to resist temptation.
“Integrity must never go out of style,” Isaac said.
Music and dance by church groups and individuals highlighted the church service. Sax and Strings had many of the senators and those at the service tapping their feet when they played “How Can I Forget What a Mighty God Jesus is the Rock.”
Only Sens. Alicia “Chucky” Hansen, Sen. Sammuel Sanes and Sen. Nereida Rivera-O’Reilly were absent at the Legislature building festivities, but Malone said they sent their regards. Sen. Craig Barshinger missed the church service but was at the Legislature building.
Monday’s inaugural events on St. Thomas begin with an invitation-only ecumenical church service at Frederick Lutheran Church. The swearing-in ceremony begins at 10 a.m. in Emancipation Garden. The senators will meet in session at noon in the Ottley Legislative Hall.
On St. Croix, an ecumenical church service begins at 10 in the Friedensberg Moravian Church in Frederiksted followed by an 11:15 a.m. meet and greet at the St. Croix Legislative Complex.
