Don’t Let The Devil Whisper ‘Change Course Now,’ Mapp Jabs During Praise And Thanksgiving Event

ST. CROIX — Governor Kenneth Mapp’s comments were supposed to be simple and short at the end of the Hurricanes Irma and Maria praise and thanksgiving event here on Sunday. But it’s election season in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and up for grabs is the most powerful seat in the territory — one which Mr. Mapp currently holds.

The event itself was remarkable, with a number of groups — including Chevelle Franklyn out of Jamaica — stirring up hope in attendees with encouraging words and songs. Ms. Franklyn’s “Thank You”, one of the biggest hits in the Caribbean when it was released in 1995, was especially fitting.

When Governor Mapp took to the stage at the event’s end, however, the territory’s current leader could not help himself.

“As we know as Christians, a lot of times when folks get right at the door of victory, the devil will walk up and whisper, ‘change course now’, and we’re not going to have that. We’re not going to let the devil snatch our victory,” Mr. Mapp said as attendees erupted with laughter. “We’re not going to let the devil take from the Virgin Islands what we have worked so hard to achieve, because we Christians know the sound of the hallow promise, [we] know those that promise but do not work to achieve. And the good Lord says walk by faith, not by sight. You have to believe, but you must do the good work to reap the rewards. And we’re going to do the good work to reap the rewards.”

The above words were a clear jab against the team believed to be Mr. Mapp’s closest competitor, the Bryan-Roach gubernatorial ticket, whose slogan is “Change Course Now”. The Bryan-Roach team was victorious during the Democratic primary in August and has since been building on the momentum, while taking advantage of faux pas in the Mapp administration — chief among them the government’s many fumbles in the Department of Education. (Mr. Mapp is holding a press conference today at 10:00 a.m. at WICO in St. Thomas to address matters related to D.O.E.)

Hurricanes Irma and Maria impacted the USVI at Category 5 speeds in September 2017, whiplashing all three islands and leaving a sight of ruin in their wake. Since then, the Mapp administration has been in overdrive with recovery efforts.

The last of the three praise and thanksgiving events will take place in St. John on Sunday, Sept. 30 at the Franklin Powell Park in Cruz Bay from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.