Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs and Consumer Protection

The Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs, and Consumer Protection has scheduled a meeting for 10:00 a.m. on Monday, November 18, 2024, in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas.  The purpose of the meeting is to receive testimony and consider the following legislative measures:

BLOCK I                                                                                                10:00 A.M. – 11:30 A.M.

 The Committee will receive testimony concerning:

Bill No. 35-0273         An Act honoring and commending Ronald Alphonso “Slimo” Blyden posthumously for his years of service and contributions to the Virgin Islands community; renaming Flamboyant Avenue in Estate Anna’s Retreat, the “Ronald Alphonso “Slimo” Blyden Drive” and naming the cul de sac containing house addresses 129-27 through 129-34 Estate Anna’s Retreat, “Slimo Circle” in his honor; and making a $10,000 appropriation from the District Public Road Fund to the Department of Public Works to erect the proper signage.   

Invited Testifiers:

Mr. Moleto Smith, Jr., Resident

Ms. Felecia Brownlow, Resident

Honorable Myron Jackson, Former Senator

Mr. Anthony Peets, Resident

Mr. Darryl A. Lewis, Sr., Resident 

Honorable Derek A. Gabriel, Commissioner, V.I. Department of Public Works

BLOCK II                                                                                                       11:30 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.

The Committee will receive testimony concerning:

Bill No. 35-0298         An Act honoring and commending Daryl A. George, Sr., colloquially known as “Mousey”, posthumously, for his contributions to the people of the Virgin Islands as a firefighter, first responder, mentor and as Director of the Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Services; renaming the Tango Company Fire Station the “Daryl A. “Mousey” George, Sr., Fire Station” in his honor; and appropriating $10,000 from the Business and Commercial Properties Revolving Fund to the Department of Public Works to erect the proper signage.

Invited Testifiers:

Mr. Antonio Stevens, Director, V.I. Fire and Emergency Medical Service

Mr. Kevin Williams, Chief of Staff, Office of the Governor

Mr. Carlton Dowe, Executive Director, V.I. Port of Authority

Te-Nae’ George, Resident

Honorable Derek A. Gabriel, Commissioner, V.I. Department of Public Works                     

LUNCH                                                                                                                1:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.

BLOCK III                                                                                                               2:00 P.M. – 3:30 P.M.

The Committee will receive testimony on the operations of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention including but not limited to enabling law and jurisdiction, current department challenges, and plan of action to resolve challenges.

Invited Testifier:

Mr. Antonio Emanuel, Director, Office of Gun Violence

Bill No. 35-0394         An Act honoring and commending Arthur Solomon for his work as Head Coach for the multiple champion winning Charlotte Amalie High School’s Girls’ Basketball Team and his contribution as a member of the Virgin Islands Men’s National Basketball Team by naming the existing and any subsequent gymnasium at the Charlotte Amalie High School, “The Myron “MC” Corbett and Arthur “Gutu” Solomon Gymnasium”.

Invited Testifiers:

Mr. William Frett, Resident

Mr. Pedro Estrill, Resident

Ms. Shayla Solomon, Resident

Mr. Rory Stapleton, Resident

Mr. Sidney Bell, Resident

Mr. Charles Fonseca, Resident