Christensen Takes Up Chairmanship At Democratic Party Meeting; Cecile Benjamin Missing In Action

ST. CROIX — Former Delegate to Congress and Gubernatorial Candidate Donna M. Christensen was voted chair pro tem, or temporary chair in the absence of the sitting chair, of the Virgin Islands Democratic Party at a meeting yesterday as Cecil Benjamin, the party’s current chairman, failed to attend the gathering, of which notice was given since September 15.

The meeting, held at UVI campuses here and on St. Thomas, with communications between islands being conducted via teleconference, was the first in more than a year where a quorum was reached and changes made — even without the attendance of Mr. Benjamin and Vice Chairman Riise Richards — according Ms. Christensen.

According to a press release issued by the former congresswoman, Emmett Hansen, a former contender for delegate to Congress in the 2014 elections, who was next in line for the chairmanship, ceded the position. May Adams Cornwall volunteered to be the organization’s temporary secretary.

Following the aforementioned changes, the party took these actions:

• The New Horizon Women’s Democratic Club and the St. Thomas Hispanic Democratic Club were approved
• The bylaws were amended slightly under the section on membership and adopted.
• The existing platform was adopted as a working document and Democratic senators as well as other members were urged to offer amendments to strengthen the platform.
• The body adopted the position that the section of law determining the number of ex officio members of the party be repealed. Senators Sanes and Francis were in attendance and acknowledged that position and supported it.
• A vote was taken to continue the party’s support for its symbol remaining on election ballots.

According to the release, all actions taken at the meeting were conveyed via email to Mr. Benjamin, “pending full minutes being available.”

The release added that the Democratic Party’s current bylaws state that upon the request of at least 25 percent of the committee membership, the state chair shall within 15 days of the request being received issue a call for the meeting which shall be no earlier that 15 days from the call, and no later than 30 days. The petition was mailed return receipt requested on September 15. The receipt was signed but not dated, according to the release.