Mapp Leaves Guam, Heads To Florida For ‘Series of Meetings’

ST. THOMAS — Governor Kenneth Mapp and the remaining VI delegation that accompanied him on a trip to Guam, where Mapp was supposed to stay, according to Government House, for 12 days, will leave the island for Florida where he will engage in “a series of meetings.”

The delegation, only now being revealed in a press release issued late on Friday, included Mapp administration Chief of Staff Randolph Knight, Director of VITEMA Mona Barnes, Director of Coastal Zone Management Jean-Pierre Oriol, Dr. Paul Jobsis, director of the UVI Center for Marine and Environmental Studies, and Dr. LaVerne Ragster, UVI president emerita.

It was not made known why the Governor decided to leave Guam a full week before his scheduled return to the territory, however residents concerned about the governor’s latest trip voiced their frustrations to The Consortium.

“Why is the Governor gone for nearly 2 weeks for a 2-day conference,” asked a resident via email this morning. “Who else is traveling with him? How much is this trip costing? Where else is he going? Did he fly ‘coach’? Why is everything a secret with this man?”

In relation to the trip, Mapp participated in a 2-day meeting on climate change adaptation in the 7 US Insular Areas. The VI delegation addressed the status of the government’s capacity to prepare for climate change adaptation; to present climate change policies, plans or vulnerability assessments that the territory intends to undertake within the next two years; and to outline the type of assistance needed from the U.S. Government to address climate change adaptation needs, according to the release.

The two-day symposium included examples of the impacts that the changing climate is having on the US Insular Areas. It also featured illustrations of the power of collaborations among non-government organizations, universities, federal agencies, local governments and communities; and discussions about the necessity to have data and information of the appropriate type and scale for local conditions.

The aforementioned, coupled with discussions about the critical role of community engagement and effective communications in climate adaptation strategies, made for an informative trip that will facilitate the territory in its adaption efforts.

Mapp will remain in Miami until June 12. While there, he will be joined by Sports Parks and Recreation Commissioner designee Pedro Cruz and Public Works Commissioner designee Gustav James.

Feature Image: Governor Kenneth Mapp in Guam

Image Credit: Government House