Politics

Nelson Bill Calls For 11 Senators; 3 Per District And 5 At-Large

ST. CROIX -- Senator Positive Nelson is pushing legislation that would cut the amount of senators in the territory from 15 to 11, a move the veteran lawmaker said would better represent the electorate while accomplishing what many Virgin Islanders have called for: a reduction in the number of legislators in the Senate. With eleven senators, three would represent the St. Croix district, while another three would represent the St. Thomas-St. John district. The remaining five, Mr. Nelson said during a press conference held at the Central High School Curriculum Center on Thursday morning, would be at-large senators elected by the people, a setup he contends would help fulfill the people's desire of having better representation. Residents have long called for change in the way its leaders, particular senators, are elected. For example, St. Croix residents have complained that senators who are voted in by residents from the St. Thomas-St. John district, make decisions that affect St. Cr...