Dear Source:
I applaud Alex Moorhead for setting the record straight regarding off-island hires at HOVENSA for their turnaround projects. I think it is unfortunate, however, that Mr. Moorhead had to resort to a letter to the editor in order to get the truth published. It seems that our local news sources are all too quick to print blatantly political insinuations by the likes of Russell (who voted himself and other undeserving politicians a hefty raise, if you recall) but fail to verify the veracity of those allegations or obtain a response from the persons/businesses being publicly maligned. Russell is grandstanding at the expense of HOVENSA, and the media is fostering it in order to print sensationalist drivel that will gain readership and increase advertising revenues. Both Russell and the media should apologize to HOVENSA and its contractors for this crass behavior.
Every year, HOVENSA donates significant sums of money and in-kind contributions to charities and organizations in the Virgin Islands, and assists various V.I. government agencies with their projects, while our senators and our media outlets regularly pillory them for imagined offenses. I wouldn't blame HOVENSA one bit if they ceased their generosity towards the Territory; what have our senators and our officials done for HOVENSA recently? As far as I can see, they have done nothing and rarely even said "thank you" for what HOVENSA has done for them.
Richard Waugh
St. Croix
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