As Mapp Remains Without Abode In St. Thomas, Gittens Signs Resolution To Change Law

ST. CROIX — Senator Kenneth Gittens, chairman of the Committee on Rules and Judiciary, has signed a resolution that seeks to repeal a provision of the Revised Organic Act of 1954, relative to the official residence of the Virgin Islands Governor.

Gittens wants Congress to grant authority to the Virgin Islands Legislature to provide residence for the territory’s governors, as the current situation has only exacerbated the problem, Gittens said, adding that the cost of housing the territory’s governors,  who have refused to live in Government House or Estate Catherineberg, has only risen over the years.

According to Gittens, the aforementioned segment of the Organic Act has caused conflict with previous administrations and continues with the current one. He said it is only fitting and practical that the legislative body, responsible for writing laws specific to the territory, be allowed to dictate the laws that speak to a suitable location for the governor’s residence.

“We have all heard of the issues that have come about expressing the reasons why our governors have not resided in Government House on St. Thomas,” Gittens said. “Dating back to Governor Roy Schneider in 1995, he opted to live at Estate Catherineberg while Government House was being renovated and sleeping quarters were turned into offices. Governor Charles Turnbull also resided at Catherineberg during his incumbency.

“Our most recent past Governor, John deJongh, opted to remain at his private residence because he thought Government House and Catherineberg on St. Thomas were not suitable for his family, and we know the snowballing issues that came about after that decision.”

The two-term senator argues that removing the provision that governors must reside at Government House on St. Thomas will alleviate future problems relative to where the governor must reside.

“This remains an unsettling matter and is problematic and costly. Problematic whereas, governors continue to violate the law and costly because the price tag to house our governors outside of government house has sky-rocketed.

“As legislators, we realize that neither of the two Government House locations is adequate or appropriate for a 21st century governor, but we are without authority to change it until we get United States Congress to change it in the interest of the people of the Virgin Islands.”

The senator has also encouraged his colleagues to sign on to the resolution. Once approved by the Senate, it will be then forwarded to all members of Congress, including the territory’s Washington representative, Delegate Stacey Plaskett; Governor Kenneth Mapp; and Lieutenant Governor Osbert Potter.

A hearing on the matter of residency for the territory’s governor has been set for July 9 by Senate President Neville James. The hearing was previously scheduled for July 1.

“In an effort to facilitate a comprehensive review of all the documents that have been requested by my office thus far, and in light of several pieces of new information that has been revealed by the news media following my initial announcement, I have decided to move the hearing to July 9 to allow for more time for all the parties involved to be fully prepared,” James said.

Earlier this month, James’ office issued a press release announcing the hearing with information regarding matters to be discussed, including the following:

• Statutory requirements of the Governor to reside in the capitol per the Revised Organic Act of 1954 § 11
• Statutory requirements determining the residency of the Lt Governor per the Revised Organic Act of 1954 § 11.
• Incurred debt and non-payments in lieu of taxes of the West Indian Co. Ltd to the GVI.
• Board Resolution and Lease Agreement between WICO and GVI for Villa Fratelli Cresta
  rental
• Cost and living expenses accrued at Villa Fratelli Cresta by The GVI and WICO.
• The current condition of Estate Catherineberg, the traditional gubernatorial residence.

James said the purpose of the meeting is to give senators an opportunity to carefully review all documents associated with the matters at hand, receive testimony from representatives of all parties involved, and discuss solutions to find suitable residence for the territory’s current and future governors and lieutenant governors.

“We want an open, fair and transparent discussion about this situation,” James went on. “Housing for the Governor and Lt. Governor should never be treated as a political issue, it is very much a matter of public policy that can be resolved if the Legislature and Executive Branch work together to put this waning issue to rest,” he added.

The Senate president said that appropriate steps will be taken if wrongdoing is found. He also expressed frustration with the seemingly never-ending problem of residency for the territory’s governors. James is hoping that the Committee of the Whole hearing will be the beginning of a welcomed end to the matter.

“If the Body concludes that there was any wrongdoing, we will deal with it accordingly,” said James. “History seems to keep repeating itself every time a new governor is elected and they determine that Estate Catherineberg is not suitable enough to live. This hearing is a step in identifying or possibly re-establishing a safe and protected home for the governor of the Virgin Islands to reside in.”