Carlos Robles, Natalie Tang-How, Relieved Of Duties Ahead Of Cabinet Announcement Press Conference

Mapp administration cabinet members Natalie Tang-How, who served as the territory’s chief negotiator in the Office of Collective Bargaining, and Carlos Robles, the Dept. of Agriculture commissioner under Governor Mapp, were relieved of their duties by the Bryan administration in recent days, a source with firsthand knowledge of the dismissals has confirmed to The Consortium.

Separately, the administration held Government House staff meetings on St. Croix and St. Thomas, announcing the individuals who would stay while others were advised to resign. The source told The Consortium that the manner in which the individuals on St. Croix were let go was thought to be inappropriate by some. “They called a staff meeting and it was to read the list of those that would stay and asked that those not mentioned resign by the end of the day and termination letters will go out Monday,” this person said. On St. Thomas, the dismissals were done on an individual basis, this person said.

Changing Gov’t House employees along with cabinet members is nothing new in government. Each administration brings along its people that it believes are trustworthy and loyal to its cause. Governor Kenneth Mapp and governors before him have taken similar action, though each with his own style of execution.

Mr. Bryan will hold a press conference at the Arthur Abel Complex (Old Danish School) in Frederiksted on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. There, the newly installed governor is expected to announce cabinet members. Still without top leadership is the Department of Tourism, the Virgin Islands Police Department, the Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget — three critical government arms — among others.

The Consortium has already revealed the appointment of the Department of Finance Commissioner, Kirk Callwood and Mr. Bryan’s chief legal counsel, David Borrn. While Mr. Bornn was confirmed by the administration as part of Mr. Bryan’s senior staff, Mr. Callwood is expected to be announced on Tuesday along with other cabinet heads. All cabinet heads must go through the vetting process in the Senate before getting their jobs.

The Consortium will carry the press conference live on its website and Facebook platform.