US VIRGIN ISLANDS — On behalf of Governor Albert Bryan Jr., Government House Communications Director Richard Motta urged Virgin Islanders to express support for a land exchange agreement between the Virgin Islands Government and the National Park Service for the exchange of an uninhabited Cay off the coast of St. John for almost a dozen acres of centrally located land for the construction of a pre-k through 12th-grade public school on St. John.
Motta made the request during the weekly Government House press briefing on Monday.
“We ask that the Virgin Islands community express their support for this measure and their support for the unencumbered and equal education of children living on St. John,” Motta said. He urged the community to testify at a legislative Committee of the Whole hearing on Tuesday, July 11, on St. John.
“Make your voices and your concerns known,” Motta said, reminding the community that the 35thLegislature will vote on the legislation on July 20.
School thefts
Calling recent thefts at schools on St. Croix and St. Thomas “vexing and unfortunate,” Motta pleaded with the perpetrators to return the stolen goods. More than 100 solar panels were stolen from the St. Croix Educational Complex over the weekend and on St. Thomas vandalism incidents on at least oneadditional campus caused damage significant enough to set back the Department of Education’s plans for the successful start of a new school year.
“As a community we have to do better,” Motta said. “I am pleading with you as a citizen. Please come forward so that we will be able to get those resources back.”
Income tax refunds
Motta announced that the Bryan Roach administration has recently issued another round of income tax refund payments as part of the administration’s continued push to pay past obligations to Virgin Islands residents. The latest round of income tax refunds totals about $17 million. It covers individuals who are due an income tax refunds for tax years 2021 and prior who filed that refund before April 11, 2022.
VIFire/EMS
Also in his remarks Monday, Motta thanked firefighters of the Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Service for their hard work over the weekend battling and containing the fire at the Bovoni Landfill.
“On behalf of Governor Bryan, Lieutenant Governor Roach and the entire Bryan Roach administration, we thank you for your bravery and are grateful for your continued service in protecting life and property for all Virgin Islanders,” Motta said.
Director Motta said the medical condition of Firefighter Jerrel Brown, who was injured battling the Vester Gade blaze in Savan, is improving. He asked the community to pray for the speedy recovery of Brown and Firefighter Melanesia Hendrickson, who was also injured in the Vester Gade fire.
On a happier note, Motta congratulated Aliyah Boston on being named a starter in the WNBA Finals and congratulated Nicholas D’Amour, who brought home the gold in archery at the CAC games in El Salvador.
The Bryan-Roach Administration is investing in the Territory’s people, infrastructure and future through transparency, stabilizing the economy, restoring trust in the government and ensuring that recovery projects are completed as quickly as possible. Visit www.transparency.vi.gov.
