Hodge’s Ousting Is Travesty And Political Manipulation; Donna Christensen Says

ST. CROIX — The decision by the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority’s board not to renew Hugo Hodge’s contract as executive director, amounts to a travesty and stands in contrast to the work he has done over his tenure, venerable Virgin Islander and former Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen said in a statement issued to The Consortium on Thursday.

According to the former congresswoman, who still holds close ties with Democratic players in Washington, Mr. Hodge’s dismissal sets a bad precedent to young, aspiring and talented Virgin Islanders who live abroad and want to return home and make a difference.

“Do we have a problem with success? Do we punish hard work, dedication and delivering results? Do we respect our own? Answer: I doesn’t seem so. I guess politics rules the day in our Virgin Islands and that is unfortunate,” said Ms. Christensen.

I will now have to think twice before I try to convince another Virgin Islander to return home. – Former Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen.

She added: “The vote to not extend Hugo Hodge’s contract is not just a disappointment, it is a travesty. As someone who has seen Hugo’s hard work, the experience he has brought to bear, his expertise, his advocacy and his leadership and dedication as well as his empathy with all who suffered under our high cost of electricity, political manipulation is the only reason I can see for what happened today.”

The former delegate continued heaping praise on Mr. Hodge, and recounted the unstable conditions he met at WAPA, which he somehow managed to get under control.

“Not only has the work he has done to modernize an out-of-date facility been good for us in the USVI, it is a model that is lauded by the Region, our Nation and probably beyond,” Ms. Christensen said. “If we don’t recognize his value, well, lots of others do and so I have no doubt that he will be fine.”

“She continued: “If we are, it will be for the work he has done not only on the machinery and fuel but in terms of modernizing the business model, implementing automatic metering and beginning our Integrated Resource plan. This is not even an all inclusive list.”

“So thank you Hugo Hodge, many of us appreciate and honor you for the work you have done and the way you have led your great team. I will now have to think twice before I try to convince another Virgin Islander to return home,” Ms. Christensen concluded.