ST. THOMAS — Senate Democrats, who make up the Majority Caucus, in a release issued Thursday said they were in full objection with having 11 members of the Centennial Committee travel to Denmark on public funds. “There are several pressing issues in our community that should take precedence over a trip,” said Caucus members according to the release.
The statement follows harsh criticism from the Minority Caucus, with members Tregenza Roach and Alicia Hansen authoring a measure that would reprogram public funds set aside for the commission to be used instead for the territory’s youth as well as its hospitals. And it comes on the heels of media reports detailing the trip to Denmark that commission members were set to embark on from June 11, at a cost estimated to be between $30,000 and $40,000, with each of the 11-member delegation receiving $5,000 to support travel. The commission is slated to receive additional funding from the Department of Interior that would bring its total funding to $1.13 million — with over $128,000 of that sum coming from the local government.
But with scant events planned for the remainder of the Centennial year, how the remaining funds should be used is an open question.
Members of the Majority Caucus shared similar sentiments about the amount of expensive activities that were planned for the Centennial Commemoration, according to the release, adding that the centennial committee held a series of events to commemorate the change of ownership from Denmark to the United States. These events included dinners, shows, and a grand commemoration day which included several distinguished guests, including the Prime Minister of Denmark and the United States Secretary of the Interior and entourage.
“Although quite extensive, the Legislature went ahead and participated in the commemoration because it was indeed a worthy remembrance, however, there is no real purpose in 11 board members utilizing roughly $5,000.00 each to go to Denmark,” said Majority Caucus members, according to the release. “What exactly are they there to do?”
The caucus also detailed the various projects that are in absolute need of funding.
“There are several programs that are in danger of being cut due to the new budget constraints that we are facing. After-school programs will be diminished, as well as summer school and the student- loan forgiveness program. We are truly tired of the dialogue about these issues. We must maximize our dollars and this is not the way to do so. Spending wisely is not suggested it’s imperative.”
Tags: centennial commission
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