The Virgin Islands Alliance for Consumer Justice is circulating a petition calling on lawmakers to use their bully pulpit to hold the Water and Power Authority accountable for financial missteps.
The petition to the Legislature’s Committee of the Whole asks that WAPA be urged to turn over within 120 days of an Oct 1. hearing certain financial records to the VI Inspector General for a detailed forensic audit.
Within 90 days of the October hearing, community organizers also want the Senate to compel WAPA to “ … stop with the delay, avoidance and ignoring tactics” that the union says have put off contract negotiations for several years.
The petition further asks senators to stand behind the call for an official state of emergency that could possibly open the door for financial and other assistance from Washington DC.
“WAPA must take radical, extraordinary steps for our people to receive efficient and reliable service in a financially sound utility system,” Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett said in a statement last week pushing for a state of emergency declaration.
Former VI Senator Clarence Payne, a founder of the Virgin Islands Alliance for Consumer Justice, said the petition is a way to get ratepayers involved.
“We hope this is the a mechanism for you, the people, to participate in what is happening in the VI,” Mr. Payne said. “Sign up and show up.”
To sign the petition
- Sign and fax a petition to (340-693-3698 (Attention: Sen. President Norvelle Francis)
- Scan and email and assigned petition to: [email protected]
- Hand-deliver a signed petition to: Capitol Building Legislature, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
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