{"id":27305,"date":"2015-08-22T09:10:48","date_gmt":"2015-08-22T09:10:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/viconsortium.com\/?p=27305"},"modified":"2015-08-22T09:28:42","modified_gmt":"2015-08-22T09:28:42","slug":"in-defense-of-governor-de-jongh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/wp.viconsortium.com\/?p=27305","title":{"rendered":"In Defense Of Governor de Jongh"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is most unfortunate and shocking. It carries the germs of discord and revenge, and it smells\u00a0political. Is this the answer to effectively govern and solve the myriad of problems confronting the Virgin\u00a0Islands in terms of economic development, balancing the budget, creating jobs, raising revenues and\u00a0providing new resources to guarantee quality and efficient services to the deserving public.<\/p>\n

In addition to\u00a0the failure of the current Administration to address the aforementioned, our struggling community is now\u00a0engulfed in a state of sadness, despair, uncertainty, disillusionment and bewilderment as to what is going\u00a0on.<\/p>\n

Democrats in the V.I.\u00a0are proud of our accomplishment. We have a long history and record of making life better for our people. – Cecile Benjamin.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

While we strongly condemn and do not condone illegal acts or corruption of any kind, we must be\u00a0reminded that in our society, one is innocent until proven guilty. It is our fervent hope that our former\u00a0Chief Executive and Master Servant, John de Jongh, would ultimately prevail. We should not prejudge\u00a0nor rush to judgement especially when we are not custodians of the facts and circumstances. We pray that\u00a0the integrity of our legal system does not intertwine with politics.<\/p>\n

Governor de Jongh did not deliberately do anything wrong or differently to a couple of his\u00a0predecessors with respect to the governor\u2019s residence and security.<\/p>\n

The charge of embezzlement is a sham. It is nothing more or nothing less than pure and raw\u00a0politics. We are asking all our loyal and committed democrats and friends to support Gov. de Jongh against\u00a0this despicable and mean indictment intended to gain political points and shift the attention or focus away\u00a0from the current Administration\u2019s failure to effectively govern, grow the economy, create jobs and solve\u00a0the myriad of fiscal problems confronting us today.<\/p>\n

If there were a third term of office, John deJongh would have won again. – Cecile Benjamin.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This is like Nero fiddling and entertaining himself and inner circle while Rome burns.<\/p>\n

Just look at this:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Gov. de Jongh acted at the advice of his Attorney General and other appropriate agency heads.\u00a0Is this embezzlement?<\/li>\n
  2. The Legislature appropriated the funds for roads and other purposes.<\/li>\n
  3. When it was finally decided and agreed upon that the funds were not properly used for its intended\u00a0purposes, Gov. de Jongh pledged publicly to pay back or return the funds that were not\u00a0appropriately used for security improvement at his residence upon his leaving office or at the end\u00a0of his term. Is this embezzlement?<\/li>\n
  4. In keeping with his promise and commitment, Gov. de Jongh returned over $200,000 based on\u00a0what was estimated and assessed. Is this embezzlement?<\/li>\n
  5. The Mapp Administration refused to acquiesce and returned the check. This action destroys the\u00a0argument for the need of such funds, the denial of the compliance and resolution factor and a\u00a0callous and uncompromising mindset. This is unconscionable. Is this embezzlement?This could have been resolved in a similar manner as in the 2000 Governor Schneider case. Mr.\u00a0Mapp was the Lt. Gov. then. A precedent has been set. Where is the rational or compassion?<\/li>\n
  6. When Gov. Mapp was Lt. Governor under Gov. Schneider he was accused of receiving hundreds\u00a0of thousands of dollars from an outside source in serious conflict with his position as Lt. Gov. He\u00a0was not charged nor brought to justice. When folks have glass houses they should not throw\u00a0stones.<\/li>\n
  7. This is puerile, low-rooted and doll-house politics that should have no place in today\u2019s\u00a0environment. While attempting to embarrass and discredit our former Governor, the Mapp\u00a0Administration is casting the territory in a bad light. It doesn\u2019t look good for all of us in the eyes\u00a0of the world.<\/li>\n
  8. Gov. de Jongh has demonstrated honest and compromising efforts to resolve this long standing\u00a0issue with respect to security at the Governor\u2019s residence. This is absolutely not the same as Gov.\u00a0Mapp Villagate. Again is this embezzlement? What\u2019s criminal about all of the above?\u00a0Where is the beef?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Gov. de Jongh, the Democrat has done an excellent job in keeping us afloat. Just look at what\u2019s\u00a0happening in Puerto Rico. They are experiencing bankruptcy and hardship. We Democrats in the V.I.\u00a0are proud of our accomplishment. We have a long history and record of making life better for our people.\u00a0If there were a third term of office, John deJongh would have won again. Let it be known and\u00a0abundantly clear that our position on \u201cpower and corruption\u201d has absolutely nothing to do with\u00a0Governor de Jongh\u2019s current case. This is like apples and oranges or day and night.<\/p>\n

    We must all examine our conscience. Let\u2019s turn to each other instead of turning at one another.\u00a0There is a trend of retaliation and revenge in our society. This has to stop. We must have forgiveness\u00a0and reconciliation in our hearts. We are all in the same boat and none of us is perfect. We must work\u00a0together to make these beautiful islands a better, stronger, smarter, safer and healthier place where\u00a0we don\u2019t turn our back on our own people, and where we respect and treat one another nicely.\u00a0Let\u2019s go forward with truth, fairness and compassion while creating new and better\u00a0opportunities for all.\u00a0Together, in unity, we shall achieve much more.<\/p>\n

    Submitted by:<\/p>\n

    Cecil R. Benjamin, Democratic Party state chair.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and may not\u00a0necessarily reflect the views and opinions\u00a0of the staff and management of the VI Consortium.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    This is most unfortunate and shocking. It carries the germs of discord and revenge, and it smells\u00a0political. Is this the answer to effectively govern and solve the myriad of problems confronting the Virgin\u00a0Islands in terms of economic development, balancing the budget, creating jobs, raising revenues and\u00a0providing new resources to guarantee quality and efficient services to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":27306,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4],"tags":[2999],"yoast_head":"\nIn Defense Of Governor de Jongh - V.I. Consortium<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The territory's Democratic Party State Chair Cecile R. 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