From left to right, nominees Damian Cartwright, Xavier Acevedo, and Roy Moorehead. Photo Credit: V.I. LEGISLATURE.
Three Virgin Islanders, identified by Governor Albert Bryan Jr. for various board positions, received the nod of approval from the Committee on Rules and Judiciary on Monday.
First was Roy Moorehead, a former law enforcement officer selected for the Board of Parole. “My commitment is to uphold the justice system that safeguards the public and, within the bounds of law, supports earned second chances,” Mr. Moorehead told the committee. As the assistant property manager and chief security officer at the Havensite Mall, Mr. Moorehead is confident that his varied, hands-on experience will be an asset. “The judgment, neutrality and steady presence I bring to my current role are the same qualities I will bring to the board,” he promised.
Mr. Moorehead is aware that being appointed to the Board of Parole “is serious work with real consequences” and has pledged to judge each case based on “its own merits, grounded in laws, facts and public safety.”
His appointment will ensure that a quorum can be established, resolving the current impasse. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands granted a Temporary Restraining Order preventing the Board of Parole from hearing pending parole applications while its membership lacks a quorum, effectively halting parole hearings.
“I commit that I will ensure a quorum and our legal posture is sound before hearings, verify due process steps, eligibility, notice, and file access with DOJ and BOC prior to scheduling hearings,” said Mr. Moorehead. The establishment of a quorum for the territory's parole board is a high priority for the Legislature. “As we all know, we are dealing with a court case, and hopefully, if you are confirmed, that would assist us with resolving that situation,” Sen. Alma Francis Heyliger said.
Up next for consideration was Damian Cartwright, a professional engineer and licensed general contractor nominated by the governor to serve on the Virgin Islands Board of Land Use Appeals. Mr. Cartwright shared that he has “designed and been directly involved in the successful construction and completion of many capital projects.”
“Just about every project I work on deals with land use development. So obviously it's really balancing land use, but all of the other nuances,” Mr. Cartwright told Senator Avery Lewis. Having worked closely with urban planners, Mr. Cartwright assured that he has a “good understanding” of what constitutes complementary land use versus what does not.
Mr. Cartwright currently sits on the Board of Architects, Engineers and Land Surveyors. At least two of its members also sit on the Board of Land Use Appeals. “I have every confidence that you'll be able to do the work,” said committee chair Senator Carla Joseph. Mr. Cartwright has pledged to commit himself to the Board’s work. “I take it very seriously, and I think it's a civic responsibility for me to give back to the community that has been so great to me,” he stated.
Monday's third nominee was Xavier Acevedo, a former employee of the Water and Power Authority, now identified as a potential addition to WAPA’s Board of Directors. He spoke of his “unique perspective,” understanding of “stakeholder concerns, organizational culture and operational standards.” Mr. Acevedo, who has worked as an engineer technician, project manager and draftsman, says he has stood “shoulder to shoulder with WAPA employees during hurricane restorations, outages, equipment failures, [and] emergency repairs.” His experience at the energy provider is why he knows that WAPA “is at its breaking point,” and that “change is urgently needed.”
He noted that unaddressed concerns have “contributed to gradual decline in public confidence.” That includes billing estimation challenges. “I believe wholeheartedly that WAPA can be stabilized and improved,” Mr. Acevedo stated. He outlined a five-point plan that includes ending “back-to-back billing”, improving communication, revitalizing the solar energy program, establishing an “underground utility infrastructure division,” expanding workforce development, and creating a succession plan.
Senator Milton Potter was interested in the underground division, which he said “makes sense to me.” He wondered, however, about WAPA's current technical capacity. Mr. Acevedo responded that it was just a matter of “training and equipment.” He is aware that a move in this direction is one of CEO Karl Knight’s “main priorities.”
“I'm not doing anything that's going to set our people back. I definitely want to move forward,” affirmed Mr. Acevedo. “I think WAPA could really turn around. I think I see the future. I see the light.” He is aware, however, that WAPA needs “at least $400 to $500 million to come out the hole… It's not going to be an isolated situation with one person [to] fix WAPA. It's going to take all of us.”
Advertisements
