My fellow residents of the Virgin Islands, we have just passed the five month marker of the catastrophic hurricanes Irma and Maria and I thought it important that we update ourselves as to where we are with our recovery process and offer hope and encouragement for a stronger, more resilient and brighter future.  I also take this opportunity to clear the air on significant misinformation about the role of your Government during this challenging period.

The Magistrate’s Court commenced hearings for arrest matters on September 22nd, 2017, at the Road Town Police Station.  Two additional venues have now been declared as Magistrate’s Courts – the Ritter and Quastisky Buildings.  This coming Monday, 19thFebruary, the first Magistrate’s Court hearings for traffic, civil and quasi matters will commence.

A Disaster Recovery Coordinating Committee (DRCC) was established to provide oversight and advice on all aspects of the Territory’s recovery activities and initiatives following the unprecedented trio of disaster events – floods of August and hurricanes Maria and Irma in September.