The U.S. Virgin Islands Government House on Tuesday launched a weekly livestreamed program called the “Administrators Corner,” providing residents with the opportunity to hear firsthand from administrators of the islands and allow them to address any questions and concerns.
The administrators will provide updates on current projects, a look ahead at upcoming community initiatives and provide information relative to the current administration’s work.
“This is very exciting for us because now we have an opportunity to let the public know exactly what we do,” said Sammuel Sanes, administrator of St. Croix. All three administrators (Sanes on St. Croix, Avery Lewis on St. Thomas and Shikima Jones on St. John) are expected to host the show and will feature guests that include Cabinet members and other administration officials.
In Tuesday’s opening episode, Sanes addressed the role of administrator and their duties.
“We represent the governor in different functions and events in case he cannot make it. We also do various community-oriented events and help to assist different entities, be it public or private when it comes to offering services to the people of the Virgin Islands.”
Here are a few of the projects that Sanes said he is working alongside with other departments:
– With the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works, oversaw getting rid of more than 1,000 derelict vehicles in less than two years. “This is a big accomplishment. There is more to it than just picking up the vehicles. We pick up the vehicles, drain them of all fluid and we send them off-island so that they can be recycled,” said Sanes.
– Assisted seniors with property cleanup. “We are now able to help out senior citizens in terms of cleaning out their property. This is a very exciting time because not only are we able to keep our roads clean in terms of vehicles, but now we are able to help our senior citizens who unfortunately do not have the financial resources to do it themselves.”
– Worked with the Virgin Islands Department of Human Resources to clean up that agency’s office space, creating more parking and boosting employee morale.
– With the Department of Health worked to help the homeless population. “That is something that is unfortunately been neglected for many years,” Sanes said. He also said his office is working with nonprofit organizations, such as “Community First,” which has established itself at the old Villa Morales location in Frederiksted. They have been able to place some homeless individuals in a shelter and get them the help they need. Sanes said his office is also working with the charity organization “Ten Thousand Helpers of St. Croix Inc.” under the direction of Malik Stridiron. They were able to put together a grant and hopefully by next month will expand his program.
– Assisted the Women’s Coalition and Men’s Coalition to receive additional funding to provide counseling and therapy to clients.
– Worked with the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority to fix lights in Christiansted Market Square. “This was important for us because it was pretty dark there, it was a danger to pedestrians who were walking in that area and also individuals who were driving,” said Sanes.
– The American Association of Retired Persons and the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation was able to open the first “Fitness Park” in the U.S. Virgin Islands located in Altoona Lagoon. The park is an area where senior citizens can exercise.
– Worked alongside the Racing Association. Sanes said horse racing in the territory is “not only a sport it is also a form of economic development.”
– Assisted bilingual personnel who need assistance with translation or filling out documents.
– Scanned documents onto a portable thumb drive for senior citizens. This is so that seniors can safeguard their documents.
– Worked with the Virgin Islands Department of Health to dispatch a mobile unit and team to go onsite to vaccinate seniors and others who cannot travel to vaccination sites.
Sanes said that administrators will go to different sections of the island and concentrate on what needs to be done.
“It’s not just picking up trash or ensuring that Public Works finishes its projects, the role of an administrator is the well-being of our people, that’s very important to us,” he said.
Those interested can contact Sanes with questions or information through his office at 340-773-1404, his mobile at 340-690-8861 or by email to sammuel.sanes@gov.vi.gov.
The full 14-minute Administrators Corner presentation is online on the Government House Facebook page.