Farrell Goes Home, Bennett Survives

ST. THOMAS — Members of the 31st Legislature, at the Earl B. Ottley Hall today, acted on 16 nominees of Governor Kenneth Mapp, all of whom received a favorable nod, bar Eugene Farrell, who was rejected by 13 senators, except Clifford Graham and Myron Jackson.

The nominees and results are as follows:

• Nomination: Mr. Valdamier O. Collens Commissioner-Nominee Department of Finance (Approved)
• Nomination: Mrs. Beverly Nicholson-Doty Commissioner-Nominee Department of Tourism (Approved)
• Nomination: Mr. Milton Potter Director-Nominee Division of Personnel (Approved)
• Nomination: Mr. Carlos Robles Commissioner-Nominee Department of Agriculture (Approved)
• Nomination: Mr. Eugene Farrell Director-Nominee Virgin Islands Fire Services (Failed)
• Nomination: Mr. Devin Carrington Commissioner-Nominee Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs (Approved)
• Nomination: Mr. Marvin Pickering Director-Nominee Bureau of Internal Revenue (Approved)
• Nomination: Mr. Gustav James Commissioner-Nominee Department of Public Works (Approved)
• Nomination: Mrs. Vivian Ebbesen Fludd Commissioner-Nominee Department of Human Services (Approved)
• Nomination: Ms. Dawn Henry, Esq., Commissioner-Nominee Department of Planning and Natural Resources (Approved)
• Nomination: Mr. Nellon Bowry DIRECTOR-Nominee Office of Management and Budget (Approved)
• Nomination: Mr. Richard Doumeng Member Nominee Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission (Approved)
• Nomination: Mr. Frederick Joseph Member Nominee Public Employees Relations Board (Approved)
• Nomination: Mr. Randolph N. Bennett Commissioner-Nominee Department of Property and Procurement (Approved)
• Nomination: Mr. Cedric Armstrong Member Nominee Virgin Islands Taxi Cab Commission (Approved)
• Nomination: Ms. Deborah Howell Adjutant General -Nominee Virgin Islands National Guard (Approved)

Senators who voted against Farrell cited the same concerns they relayed during a Rules and Judiciary Committee meeting. And as for Bennett, some lawmakers continued to express frustration with the way he handled the master’s degree mix-up. Others, however, said they were not disquieted by the Property and Procurement acting commissioner’s character.

Developing story…

Feature Image: Eugene Farrell.

Image Credit: 31st Legislature.