Kicking off the weekend, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. signed into law bills expanding the definition of “disabled veteran” in the V.I. Code, honoring a range of Virgin Islanders for their contributions and accomplishments, and clarifying the role of the Taxicab Commission director amidst an ongoing back-and-forth over the state of the agency’s operations.
In a transmittal letter sent to Senate President Novelle Francis Saturday, Bryan said expanding the “disabled veteran” designation — and access to those included under it to a handicapped window decal — will allow the territory to “better serve and care for our veteran community.” The law also provides appropriations to construct a steel roof on the basketball court in Estate Profit, St. Croix and to cover costs associated with extinguishing the July Bovoni Landfill fire.
Signing a bill to clarify the role and responsibilities of the V.I. Taxicab Commission director, Bryan thanked the Legislature for following his recommendation to insert the necessary language into the law. He also suggested that other ambiguous language in the existing law that could allow for “other employees” to do the director’s job be eliminated.
A bill posthumously awarding the V.I. Medal of Honor to former Sen. Edgar Milton Isles for his “commendable public service and contributions” to the territory was also signed into law.
The governor also approved bills:
- honoring Music in Motion School of Higher Dance Education and its founder, Charlita Schuster, on the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the academy;
- honoring Dr. Olaf “Bronco” Hendricks for “his tireless years of remarkable and invaluable contributions to the people of the Virgin Islands in the field of psychiatry, his advocacy for social justice for individuals with behavioral health and substance use issues, and his music;”
- posthumously honoring and commending Benburin “Benny” Stephens for his heroism in saving the lives of a mother and her children and renaming the Bovoni Road (Route No. 30), specifically from the entrance of the Abattoir to the entrance of the Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School, “The Benburin ‘Benny’ Stephens Drive;” and
- honoring and commending Donna Marie Christian-Christensen for her contributions to the people of the Virgin Islands in the medical field and representation in the United States Congress.
“It is fitting that the rebuilt Charles Harwood Memorial Complex should be renamed in honor of someone who has done so much to promote and improve the lives of Virgin Islanders,” the governor wrote of Christensen’s resolution.
Bryan also chastised the Senate for overriding his veto of a bill granting a use variance for a concrete plant in Estate Orange Grove, St. Croix — a business that he said was initially constructed “without the proper approvals in place.” More than 900 residents signed a petition in April urging Bryan to block the variance, which would allow industrial activity in a mostly residential area on St. Croix.
“This business was constructed without the proper approvals in place, and now, after the fact, it seeks our blessing for unapproved actions,” Bryan wrote in his letter to Francis. “We should not be in the business of rewarding bad behavior, particularly when the end result negatively impacts our residents. Additionally, as I noted when I vetoed this measure, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources is engaged in the critical task of developing a comprehensive land and water use plan to safeguard our home. Disregarding the guidance of the department, and approving zoning changes in a piecemeal fashion undermines the work of the department and creates enduring problems in the name of momentary victories.”
