Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr. proudly announced the opening of two new, state-of-the-art 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Centers - one on St. Croix and the other on St. Thomas.

Gov. John P. de Jongh, Jr. watches as an emergency call is routed at the new 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Center on St. Croix.

Enhancing the safety of Virgin Islands residents and visitors alike, the St. Croix Center was activated last July and the St. Thomas Center followed in October.

The new emergency response system includes new radio communications towers, improved radio and communication systems equipment for first responders, and enhanced training and career paths for operators.

Each center is capable of backing the other up in case of an outage and operators can now directly dispatch Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Service responders and when required, remain on the line providing immediate pre-arrival medical emergency assistance.

Operators are trained in First Responder, crisis counseling, customer service and other skills, and can also provide immediate emergency help until services arrive.

The opening of both Emergency Communications Centers is the cumulative work of many government agencies and contractors over the past 18 months. “The protocol agreement between the two districts is a step in the right direction in ensuring emergency needs of every resident and visitor are covered, particularly in those remote areas,” Governor de Jongh said. He added that the new call centers will reduce first responder response times and that improvements throughout the Territory have already been realized.

“Creating new 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Centers on both St. Thomas and St. Croix is an achievement that our government and our community can be very proud of,” the Governor said. “I also want to commend VITEMA State Director Mark Walters and his staff for their efforts to make these centers operational.”

Before a formal session of the 28th Legislature on January 25, 2010, Governor de Jongh delivered his fourth State of the Territory Address to the people of the Virgin Islands. While highlighting the work of his Administration over the past three years and addressing the many challenges facing our community, the Governor went to great lengths to express his confidence and conviction that the Virgin Islands is on the right path to overcome the current challenges.

"We Must turn and face the future working hard every day to do better. We must turn and face the future together - brining all along for a better tomorrow. We can do this only on way: Together - Together for Tomorrow."

Governor de Jongh recapped the economic opportunities that have been developed in the Virgin Islands as well as the many advances made in education. The Governor said that “economic development is essential because without growth there is no opportunity, and without opportunity there is no hope. Education, of course, is the critical element that enables hope to meet opportunity and enables the creation of a new future to begin.”

Governor de Jongh also discussed the de Jongh/Francis Administration’s commitment to battle crime and improve public safety. “Public safety is basic,” said the Governor, “for a sense of security is essential, in our homes and in our neighborhoods, if we are to enjoy a full quality of life.” He addressed the need for more police, the need to focus prosecution efforts and the fact that judges in our courts must do more to assure that justice is swift and fair.

The Governor also spent considerable time underscoring the numerous benefits that the Territory has already realized from the public-private partnerships such as those negotiated with Diageo and Fortune Brands/Cruzan Rum. These partnerships have solidified the groundwork for recovery and future prosperity.

In addition to the advances in public education, public safety and our future prosperity, the de Jongh/Francis Administration has laid the groundwork for our participation in the clean energy and information technology industries.

The Governor also highlighted his commitment to improving the Territory’s infrastructure, to building roads and repairing schools along with making a range of investments in professional development and information technology.

At the close of his remarks, Governor de Jongh made his vision clear:

“We cannot back into the future, but must look forward boldly with confidence. We must turn and face the future even as we carry with us the best of the past. We must not wallow in the past, in past wrongs or slights, or even past injustices. We must turn and face the future working hard every day to do better. We must turn and face the future together—bringing all along for a better tomorrow. We can do this only one way: Together—Together for tomorrow.”

Above, Gov. John P. de Jongh, Jr. aboard the Oasis of the Seas on December 8, 2009 with Public Works Commissioner Darryl Smalls, Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty, Port Authority Executive Director Kenn Hobson, Oasis of the Seas Captain William Wright, Police Commissioner Novelle E. Francis, Jr., and WICO President/CEO Edward E. Thomas.

On December 8, 2009, Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr. and members of his cabinet welcomed officials from Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and the Oasis of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, for its inaugural call to St. Thomas.

The Oasis of the Seas will visit St. Thomas every Tuesday for the duration of the season, creating an additional
economic boost equivalent to $1.5 million per day per visit.

“There is no question that the call of the Oasis of the Seas to St. Thomas creates a significant, additional revenue stream to the Virgin Islands economy,” said Governor de Jongh. “The weekly stop in the Territory will help us maintain our position as the premier cruise ship destination in the Caribbean.”

In November, Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr. proudly signed into law an agreement which fosters a 30-year public-private partnership with Cruzan VIRIL Ltd. This agreement is a comprehensive solution to the many challenges Cruzan has faced. By keeping Cruzan in St. Croix for at least the next 30 years, this solution will foster both the diversification and growth of the V.I. economy. The partnership will allow Cruzan the resources it needs to promote environmental sustainability initiatives and will enable them to expand their distillery and grow new global brands on St. Croix.

It is important to note that this renewed alliance marks the strengthening of the relationship between the government and Cruzan Rum which dates back to the 1700s. It was the combination of the potential for this Cruzan agreement, along with the existing Diageo agreement, that provided the basis on which banking institutions approved a recent $250 million dollar loan sought by the Governor and authorized by the Legislature. As a result, government employees have not been faced with the furloughs, or layoffs, endured by other state and local governments. The passage of this significant bill forecasts a better future for all residents of the Territory, as its effect spans from providing job security to cleaning the environment.

“With this agreement, we continue the effort to advance my Administration’s strategy of fostering public-private partnerships between the government and business. The rum sector in the Virgin Islands remains one of our most important and successful industries and Congress continues to provide the rum cover over program to the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. This agreement will provide stability to our finances and ensures that Cruzan Rum remains Crucian,” said Governor de Jongh.