While Senator at Large Carmen Wesselhoft was largely impressed with Gov. John deJongh’s State of the Territory Address, she expressed concern about the need to appoint a Police Commissioner.
“I was hoping this would be announced in his State of the Territory speech,” said Wesselhoft. “We are at such a critical time here in terms of public safety and our police officers need support and strong leadership. We can not afford to wait.”
Wesselhoft, who chairs the 27th Legislature’s Committee on Public Safety, Homeland Security and Justice, looks forward to establishing a good working relationship with the administration in general and the new V.I. Police Department Commissioner in particular, the Senator at Large explained.
“We have a lot of work ahead of us,” said Wes-selhoft. “I am outraged that innocent bystanders were shot in broad daylight at Tutu Mall just last weekend. We must immediately take action to get a handle on the crime situation, especially gun crimes.”
While the Senator at Large agreed with deJongh’s assessment of the territory’s social problems, she would have liked to hear more about plans for St. John and a strategy for assisting the territory’s fisherman, explained Wesselhoft.
“Growing Pains” on St. John
“St. John is experiencing some serious growing pains and social problems right now,” Wesselhoft said. “It is essential we get projects such as the St. John hemodialysis unit underway. And while deJongh did mention the fishing industry, I think we need to give this much more attention as it is so critical to both our economy and our culture.”
“Overall, I think he made a good presentation,” the Senator at Large said about deJongh’s State of the Territory Address. “I agree with his closing sentiment about placing performance ahead of politics. I look forward to establishing a productive relationship with the deJongh Administration.”