Greetings to LWV VI Members:
I am writing to bring you up to date on our 2022 Election Season events and other activities since our Annual Meeting. In a word, it’s been busy……. but exciting. Here is what we have accomplished so far:
1. Developed shows on WTJX-TV for District and At-Large Senators, Lt. Governor and Gubernatorial candidates:
While all candidates running for these offices were invited to participate in our Meet the Candidates Forums, a few chose not to participate or did not respond.
Scheduling 19 candidates on St. Croix and 11 on St. Thomas plus the Lt Governor and Gubernatorial candidates for the shows was challenging, but we made it happen.
Meaningful questions were developed for each category of candidates.
Moderators were drawn from our membership and included the following
On St. Croix, Denyce Singleton, Francine Lang and newcomer Annette Scott;
On St. Thomas, Felicita Richards, Pamela Toussaint and newcomers Jeanine Francis Browne and Dr. Pamela Moolenaar Wirsey.
Lt Governor moderators were Francine Lang and John Abramson on St. Croix at WTJX.
Gubernatorial moderators were: Rosalie Ballentine and Gwen-Marie Moolenaar.
Space for the Gubernatorial event was provided in the Crown Bay Mall by Mr. Carlton Dowe of the Port Authority, while Ms. Lorna Webster of Blooming Things provided decorative red, white and blue panels for the walls plus 30 chairs. This allowed for a small audience for the first time. Photos of the beautifully decorated space can be seen on our website. Thank you to both Mr. Dowe and Ms. Webster for their generous support of the event.
A special “thank you” goes to the moderators who did multiple programs: Francine, Annette, Felicita and Pamela T, also to time keeper Paula Edwards, and especially to Ianthe DeAlomal and volunteer Kyrah Lang who both timed multiple shows.
All shows can be found on the League’s website at lwvvi.org/lwv-candidate-interviews and on WTJX Facebook.
2. Organized and participated in Registration Events:
Board member Gail Garrison and League member Karen Williams organized a successful registration event at the UVI campus on St. Thomas on National Registration Day. They developed colorful posters/flyers which were distributed on the campus in advance. UVI faculty, staff and students expressed appreciation for the event and 15 new persons were registered. More would have done so, but Election Board members who are required to be present for such events, had to leave early even as more registrants were arriving. Assisting in the activity was League board member Ianthe DeAlomal. Thank you, Gail, Karen and Ianthe for this successful event.
3. Participated in the Elections Expo:
Board member Gail Garrison and League members Karen Williams and Donajen Farrar participated in the Elections Expo of the Elections System on St. Thomas. Gail and Karen distributed League information at the October 1 event and encouraged those attending to vote. Donajen contacted media in advance. Thank you, Gail, Karen and Donajen.
4. New Membership Director:
Lisa LaPlace Knight has stepped up to serve as our new Membership Director. She has been working with member Elisabeth Anderson to make the process to apply an easy one for recruits. The application can be downloaded from our website and dues can be easily paid by PayPal. Email lwvusvi@gmail.com with email addresses of persons who might be interested in joining LWV VI. We need to grow and grow fast!
5. The Post Office ad hoc committee is planning to hold a session on concerns re postal service in the USVI. Look out for the announcement coming soon.
6. The Planning and Environmental Quality Committee chair Melissa Muroff and the Government Services and Operations Committee chair Aviola Barnes are seeking members. Please volunteer by emailing lwvusvi@gmail.com. We need you.
7. Election Day is November 8. Vote early or vote by mail or in person.
It is your right and the right thing to do. VOTE ! Our democracy depends on it.
Gwen-Marie Moolenaar
President, LWV VI and Chair of Voter Service Committee
October 2022