Mapp Calls For Resignation Of All De Jongh Administration Commissioners

At this point, I am announcing that as Governor-elect of the Virgin Islands, I will be calling and I am asking for the resignations of all commissioners, assistant commissioners and deputy commissioners effective 12 noon on January 5, 2015. — Governor-elect Kenneth Mapp

St. Thomas — At a press conference at the WTJX-TV studios Friday, Governor-elect Kenneth Mapp called for the resignation of all de Jongh administration officials, including commissioners, assistant commissioners and deputy commissioners.

Mapp made his request known during his first televised meeting where he announced the names of the 14 chairpersons of his transition team, and provided insight into the type of government he expects to lead and the quality of persons whom will be hired in his administration. He said the Mapp-Potter team “will not be paying anyone for showing up on the job; we are only going to pay for performance.”

He continued, “At this point, I am announcing that as Governor-elect of the Virgin Islands, I will be calling and I am asking for the resignations of all commissioners, assistant commissioners and deputy commissioners effective 12 noon on January 5, 2015.”

The Governor-elect said the move is important because it gives a signal to the community “as to how we anticipate the transition of power from one administration to the next.”

Mapp added that his administration is committed to meeting members of the Legislature and Stacey Plaskett, the newly elected Delegate to Congress, in order to forge new relationships to better the Virgin Islands. Furthermore, he said his team is already in talks with business people who want to invest in the territory.

In relation to employment, the Mapp-Potter team launched a website today where persons interested in applying for jobs in the new administration may do so. However, the Governor-elect said the jobs given are not “gifts of support,” and that “long hours and leadership” will be demanded for all positions. Mapp said resumes may also be dropped off at transition offices; however, he pointed out that job seekers should not give resumes to chairpersons or vice chairpersons, as such a move would be of no value.

The St. Thomas transition office will be open on Monday and is located at the Tramway Mall, 9617 Estate Thomas. Residents may call (340) 775-6277 for more information.

The St. Croix transition office is soon to be announced, but residents may call (340) 779-6277 for more information.

The Governor-elect said while he and Osbert Potter will give administration leaders the freedom to lead their departments, persons in those roles will be held accountable for the positions they oversee.

Mapp and Potter were elected in a landslide victory against Congresswoman Donna M. Christensen in a run-off election on November 18. On the night of his victory, Mapp said he and Potter were committed to working hard and improving the standard of living for all Virgin Islands’ residents.