Senators Approve 10 Of Mapp’s 11 Nominees At Salaries Of $102,000 And $105,000

ST. THOMAS — The Committee on Rules and Judiciary approved 10 of the 11 Governor Kenneth Mapp nominees who came before them today, with 6 of the 7 committee members consistently voting in the affirmative, bar Janette Millin Young, who voted No for all nominees.

The Senate had previously rejected the nominees over a salary impasse, agreed to a compromise of $105,000, but reneged on that promise after Mapp slammed the 31st Legislature during an oath of office ceremony held for Police Commissioner Delroy Richards, Sr., and Sports, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Pedro Cruz.

Today, however, the session’s tone was more conciliatory, with senator-after-senator expressing the need to move past the current juncture for the territory’s sake.

“I want to move this territory forward,” Sen. Novelle Francis, Jr. said. “Some of the calls I’ve made” paint’s a dire picture. “For example, the Women’s Coalition not being funded and about to close its doors; and there are individuals that are so much in need of their services.”

He added: “We have seen stable businesses in this community over the years closing their doors. It is tough. Tough on the island of St. Croix. We are dying at the roots.”

Francis said while he has made his views on the salary increases known to the governor, Mapp, he said, has indicated that he needs competent individuals to move the territory forward, so for the sake of the islands, Francis cast 10 favorable votes today.

“I understand the role that I play,” Francis said. “In terms of politics, we have to communicate, we have to collaborate and certainly we have to compromise.

“Today, I’m making this compromise on the behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands, and more so on the behalf of the people of St. Croix that needs this government to start to function and move forward the territory.”

It was the same sentiment shared by all seven of the committee members gathered at the Earl B. Legislative Hall, except Millin Young, who said while she believes the nominees are qualified, she represents the people, and what they’ve been relaying to her is that in such difficult economic times, there should be no pay raises being doled out.

Eugene Farrell’s Farewell

A reoccurring theme during the hearing was the negative light that shun on Virgin Islands Fire Service (VIFS) Director nominee Eugene Farrell. Nearly every senator revealed that they’d received calls, emails and text messages from constituents who encouraged them not to support Farrell’s nomination.

Some told the senators that they did not like Farrell’s management style, while others said he was difficult to work with. In the end, he was the only nominee who received an unfavorable vote.

The Rules and Judiciary Committee includes the following senators:

Chair: Kenneth L. Gittens
Vice Chair: Janette Millin Young
1. Neville James
2. Novelle E. Francis
3. Jean Forde
4. Justin Harrigan
5. Nereida Rivera-O’Reilly

Nominees who received favorable votes today were: Valdamier Collens Commissioner Dept. of Finance; Dawn Henry, Esq. Commissioner Dept. of Planning & Natural Resources; Carlos Robles Commissioner Dept. of Agriculture; Gustav James Commissioner Dept. of Public Works; Devin Carrington, Esq. Commissioner Dept. of Licensing & Consumer Affairs; Beverly Nicholson-Doty Commissioner Dept. of Tourism; Vivian-Ebbesen-Fludd Commissioner Dept. of Human Services; Nellon Bowry Director Office of Management & Budget; Milton Potter Director Division of Personnel; and Marvin Pickering Director Internal Revenue Bureau.

Millin Young voted No for all nominees, except on the motion to unfavorably forward Farrell’s nomination to the full body.