Second-term Senator Kenneth “Kenny” Gittens, chair of the Committee on Rules and Judiciary, announced Friday the confirmation process of Governor Kenneth Mapp appointees are moving forward, with the first set of hearings scheduled for Feb. 12.
Mapp has so far sent 14 candidates for approval to the Senate and Gittens said his office has issued background research packages, which include an authorization for release of information form that allows the Committee to receive a more complete and accurate disclosure of personal information about the appointees. The information includes police record checks and consumer reports, among other important information.
The senator’s office is currently awaiting the return of the appointees’ packages and information requested from the various agencies.
“My office has received approximately 14 nominations thus far and the staff and I have sent out a number correspondences along with instructions for filling out a questionnaire,” Gittens said. “I’ve received most of the authorization forms that allows us to conduct a more thorough and comprehensive background check as it pertains to consumer reports, financial disclosures, employment history, educational background, criminal history, and obligations, if any, to the Virgin Islands government.”
The three appointees scheduled for a hearing before the Senate’s Rules and Judiciary Committee on Feb. 12 are Department of Finance nominee, Valdamier Collens; Department of Tourism nominee, Beverly Nicholson-Doty; and Bureau of Motor Vehicles Director nominee, Lawrence Olive.
Gittens said he, along with his staff, “will review those packages to ensure that they are filled out correctly and will share the necessary documents with committee members and other members of the senate who participates in the process.”
Additional hearings are also scheduled for Feb. 19 and 20 on St. Thomas, and Feb. 25 and 26 on St. Croix.
Image Credit: Steve Heap
Tags: 31st legislature, appointees, mapp appointees
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