Government

WAPA and PSC Boards Say Nothing Is Wrong With Current Structure; Senators Beg to Differ

Chairmen of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority and the Public Services Commission Boards on Thursday defended the boards' current structures in front lawmakers eager to change them. Two bills proposed by Senators Kenneth Gittens and Alicia Barnes call for board members to have backgrounds in requisite fields, while changing the number of members required for quorum. The measures were held in committee to make changes — including leaving the number of members at current levels — but senators, barring their reservations, were in favor of the bills and they were expected to move forward following amendments. WAPA Board Chairman Anthony Thomas, who is also the commissioner of the Dept. of Property and Procurement, told senators he saw no reason why change was needed. "The Board does not support the intent of the Bill, because in the Board’s opinion, it is attempting to fix a problem that does not exist and reduces the Governor’s Administration’s ability within the Authority to s...