Richard Motta’s weekly briefing started and ended on mournful notes Monday, remembering much loved St. Croix Government House security officer Janlee Cruz.
Motta, the Government House communications director, urged Virgin Islanders to look out for each other, engage in sometimes difficult conversations about depression and mental health, and work together to create a more caring and supportive community.
Cruz was one of three men on St. Croix who died in recent days in separate events that police were investigating as potential suicides. The deaths added to an already tragic October. Seven other men met violent ends since Oct. 7. Police were investigating the killings of three men on St. Croix and four men on St. Thomas.
“Our community has experienced a wave of tragic losses, families, and friends across the territory, grieving men who left us far too soon to those who are please know that you are not alone share your sorrow, and our hearts are with you as we navigate this time of collective these recent events,” Motta said.
The briefing ended with a photo of Cruz at his graduation from the Virgin Islands Police Department’s recruiting academy. Motta said police and other emergency personnel had been offered individual and group grief counseling.
Human Services Department Commissioner Averil George also offered her condolences before announcing that the St. John Multipurpose Center had reopened Monday.
The Cruz Bay facility offers access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid services, temporary assistance for needy families, vocation and elder services, and the Head Start program.
“This facility is crucial for our residents, providing accessible centralized services in Cruz Bay which provide families and individuals to connect with support systems without having to leave the island of St. John,” George said.
George also said 800 Head Start administrators were on St. Thomas this week for a conference on the young children’s education program. The visitors come from Region 2, which includes the Virgin Islands, New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico.
“These programs are essential for breaking down educational barriers,” George said.
The Cruz Bay Head Start facility was slated to open Nov. 26, she said. It’s the first of six planned throughout the territory using $47 million in grants.
“We’re excited to cut the ribbon on our first official Head Start,” she said.
Motta also announced another long-awaited improvement: The final draft of the U.S. Virgin Islands Comprehensive Land and Water Use Plan was available online for final comments and recommendations through Dec. 5.
The plan, outlining how the territory should zone areas for residential or commercial use, as well as protect wild and historical areas, has been discussed for decades but never reached a stage of final implementation.
The final draft incorporates extensive feedback from the community, Motta said. That included 91 dedicated residents and volunteers, and 15 town hall meetings.
“Approximately 1,400 participants have contributed to shaping this plan. Additionally, an online survey was open through July to gather even more input from our residents,” Motta said. “I would certainly encourage everyone to participate.”
Department of Planning and Natural Resources Commissioner Jean-Pierre Oriole was eager to receive additional feedback, make final adjustments, and work with the Senate to formally adopt the 198-page plan, Motta said.
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. planned to leave the territory Tuesday morning, flying to Atlanta’s Morehouse College to deliver a speech on the importance of civic engagement, Motta said. Bryan was scheduled to return Nov. 4, with Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach serving as the territory’s executive while he was away.
