Walker, Robles Take Oath Of Office At Swearing-In Ceremony

ST. THOMAS — The oath of office has been administered to two more members of Governor Kenneth Mapp’s cabinet. According to a press release Government House issued on Thursday, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands, Honorable Rhys S. Hodge, officiated the swearing-in of Carlos A. Robles, commissioner of the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture, and Claude Earl Walker, Esq. as attorney general of the Virgin Islands Department of Justice. Above, from left to right: Mr. Walker and Mr. Robles.

The 10:00 a.m. ceremony was conducted on St. Thomas at Government House as family members, friends, and well-wishers witnessed the event.

Mr. Robles promised a vigorous effort to develop the local agricultural industry’s commercial viability. Among other things, he pledged to advance Governor Mapp’s plan to begin replacing school lunch menu items with locally produced foods. The governor has described repeatedly his goal to take advantage of increased federal subsidies available to school districts which incorporate healthier foods into their meal programs. And he has indicated that increased resources will help create market viability for local farmers.

Mr. Robles said he will be fully committed to policies which expand commercial opportunities in agriculture.

Attorney General Walker expressed great pride in what already has been accomplished since the beginning of his most recent tenure at the Department of Justice. He cited as one example the government’s successful effort to convert the deteriorating remnants of an oil refinery into a revenue-producing oil terminal facility, an arrangement that has already produced enough of a financial windfall to begin meeting critical public obligations, according to the release.

In expressing his thanks to his newest cabinet officers, the territory’s leader restated his assurances to the people of the territory that his administration has recruited some of the most accomplished Virgin Islanders to lead the government with policies aimed at improving the general quality of life, and ensuring the integrity of all public affairs, the release concluded.