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Governor holds Wednesday Cabinet meeting on St. Croix

Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. Wednesday convened his administration’s second cabinet meeting at Government House in Christiansted, St. Croix. Flanked by Lt. Gov. Gregory R. Francis and Chief of Staff Louis Penn, Sr., the Chief Executive restated his administration’s position that the Fiscal Year 2008 budget will be submitted by the established May 30th deadline. Both the Acting Budget Director Debra Gottlieb and Acting Finance Commissioner Austin Nibbs provided an overview of government’s financial picture and plans for a rolling out of the proposed spending plan. 

The Governor led his Cabinet members through a review of issues that include: legislative and communication policy and plans to streamline the NOPA process. “It is my desire to remove myself from signing every Notice of Personnel Action which is generated whenever an employee is hired or a salary adjustment takes place.”
The governor’s sentiments were echoed by Personnel Director Kenneth Hermon, Jr. who also envisions a complete revamping of the process by which employees are hired into government service.

deJongh said an aggressive policy to reduce the number of government vehicles on the streets of the Virgin Islands during after hours will be implemented within the next two weeks. “We have to drive home the fact that the number of vehicles we see on the roads at night and on weekends must be reduced. The practice adds to the costs of maintaining the vehicle and the costs of fuel.” The vehicle reduction strategy will be vigorously enforced by the departments of Police and Property and Procurement, deJongh said Wednesday.

There was a widespread discussion between Cabinet members on issues ranging from federal grants to emergency management there was an update by Chief Labor Negotiator Jessica Gallivan on the status of union negotiations.

deJongh said he plans to hold meetings with the Cabinet on a quarterly basis.

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