Governor and Lt. Governor of the United States Virgin Islands

Governor expresses concern at allegations surrounding Roy Lester Schneider Regional Medical Center, Awaits final joint audit report from the Inspector General

7/29/08 - In response to the serious issues raised by the publication of the Virgin Islands Daily News story on the problems at the Roy Lester Schneider Regional Medical Center, Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. on Tuesday afternoon released the following statement:

"I am sure that I share the same concerns and worries as the vast majority of residents of the Virgin Islands about the most troubling reports contained in the recent newspaper articles which allege serious problems at the Hospital on St. Thomas. What everyone should know is that my office has been working on these and related issues over the past several weeks as they have been part of the subject matter of the joint audit being conducted by the local Inspector General and the federal Inspector General looking into the Administrative Functions at the RLS Regional Medical Center. However, based on the rules of the Office of the Inspector General of the United States Department of the Interior, I cannot make any public comment regarding the contents of the preliminary joint audit report at this time."

Governor signs Diageo Agreement legislation into law; Act 7012 creates future of economic opportunity for USVI

7/24/08 - On St. Croix Thursday, Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. signed into law legislation, passed by the 27th Legislature, which will create a future of opportunity for the people of the Virgin Islands. With the governor’s signature, Bill 27-0213 became Act No.7012. The measure, passed on July 9 and signed into law today authorizes a public-private partnership between the Government and Diageo, USVI and heralds a historic turning point in economic opportunities for the people of the Virgin Islands.

Governor names Mark Walters to lead V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency, VITEMA

Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. today appointed Mark A. Walters as State Director of the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency, VITEMA. Walters returns to the Territory from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, where he was most recently Director of the Management Division for FEMA Region II, which covers the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, New Jersey and New York.

Government Chief Labor Negotiator updates stalled negotiations with leadership of teacher's union

7/23/08 - Virgin Islands Government Chief Labor Negotiator Jessica Gallivan said Wednesday that as part of the continuing efforts by the Virgin Islands Government to reach agreement with the American Federation of Teachers union on a new contract for its members, representatives of the Office of Collective Bargaining and the Department of Education met with AFT President of Local 1826 Tyrone Molyneaux this past Sunday evening. The St. Thomas/St. John Chapter Local 1825 was represented by Alrid Lockhart. The meeting was scheduled to permit the AFT leadership to articulate concerns expressed by their membership at the time of the failed ratification vote of a $20.8 million, 4-year agreement proposed by the Government for the AFT professional staff -- which includes teachers, nurses, librarians, and school psychologists.

Governor and EPA Administrator tour new St. Thomas wastewater plant

7/22/08- The V.I. Waste Management Authority hosted an Open House at its newest state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facility on St. Thomas today. The open house followed a meeting between Governor John P. deJongh, Jr., Alan Steinberg, Regional Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, May Adams Cornwall, Executive Director of the V.I. Waste Management Authority and Robert S. Mathes, Planning and Natural Resources Commissioner.

Governor proclaims Monday as Bastille Day in the Virgin Islands and July 13-19 as French Heritage Week

7/14/08 - Noting the importance of the French citizen group in the Virgin Islands community, Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. has proclaimed July 13-19 as French Heritage Week in the Virgin Islands and has urged all residents to join in the observation. The proclamation caps a week of events, organized by several community groups and organizations, which were held in commemoration of French Heritage Week.

Governor deJongh offers condolences to family of former senator and activist William "Bill" Harvey

7/14/08 - Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. Monday expressed his sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of former Senator and community activist William "Bill" Harvey. Harvey died Friday in Florida at age 80.

Governor deJongh scores major victory; Thanks senators who for "Real Progress"

7/9/08 - Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. Wednesday night thanked the ten Senators of the 27th Legislature who voted in affirmative support of the V.I. Government’s public-private initiative with Diageo, USVI. “Their vote was a vote for our future, and a vote that all in the Virgin Islands should note with pride and appreciation,” DeJongh said from Government House on St. Thomas where he closely followed the two-day Special Session.

Governor deJongh offers condolences to family of retired police sergeant Liston Gumbs

7/8/08 - Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. Monday night expressed his sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of retired police Sergeant Liston Gumbs. Sgt. Gumbs died as the result of injuries sustained during a robbery at a grocery store on St. Thomas Monday afternoon.

Statement of Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. on the proposed agreement between the USVI Government and Diageo

7/7/08 - Today, Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. released a statement regarding the landmark agreement with Diageo, plc that was announced on June 25th. Below is the text of Gov. deJongh's statement.

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Governor acts on bills recently passed by the Senate

7/4/08 - Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. took action Friday on several measures passed recently by the 27th Legislature. The bills were due back at the Senate on July 5.

In today’s action, deJongh approved Bill 27-0193, as public access to our shorelines remains a matter of great concern. "The natural beauty of our islands and ability to enjoy them must not be inhibited in the interest of development nor limited to a handful in our community. This measure provides a more specific mechanism to achieve the policy objective," deJongh wrote in correspondence to Senate President Usie R. Richards. The governor pointed out however, the monies identified in Section 2 of this bill cannot be utilized to implement this account, as the sum appropriated in Section 31 of Act No. 6427 was expended. DeJongh said he will work with the Commissioner of Finance to identify monies within the Land Bank Fund which can be allocated to the Beach Public Access Account.

Governor commemorates Emancipation Day

7/3/08 - Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. today observed Emancipation Day, the 160th Anniversary of the Emancipation of the Slaves in the Danish West Indies.

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Governor: Administration will support WAPA as it moved towards identifying sources of non-oil generated electricity

7/2/08 - The announcement by the V.I. Water and Power Authority that it will begin final review and discussion with six companies towards identifying sources of alternative and renewable electric energy is a giant step forward in lessening the dependency on fossil fuels to generate electricity and as a result, reducing the cost of electricity to V.I. residents according to Governor John P. deJongh, Jr.