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Topic starter
I just recieved this and thought you all should be aware and plan to attend this meeting, particularly if you are a small business owner and don't get multiple tax exemptions and EDC benefits like the large corporations that do business in our islands.
You'll be soon passing on all those increased fees to your customers or go out of business. Not that customers can afford any more increases in the high prices we already pay. The one that gets me (since I don't know about the other fees as yet) is paying an annual amount for disposal of your vehicle.
VIWMA Hosts Town Meetings on Proposed Special Waste Fees
November 04, 2013
(St. Thomas, VI) - The VI Waste Management Authority (VIWMA) invites the general public to Town Meetings to discuss the proposed fee structure to be introduced to the Territory shortly.
The VI Waste Management Authority will be proposing a special waste fee structure to assist with the collection and disposal of certain hard-to-dispose of items within our local waste stream. The general public is invited to provide their input on the proposed fees.
The items which will be included in the fee structure include: fluorescent bulbs; motor and other lubricating oils for automobiles, marine or diesel use; electronic devices, including computers, televisions, copiers, printers, telephones appliances, and other items, such as, air conditioning, heating units and water coolers. Vehicles will also be assessed an annual fee for disposal at the time of annual vehicle registration.
Meetings for the general public will be held the week of November 12, 2013.
St. Croix: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 Education’s Curriculum Center 6-8pm
St. Thomas: Wednesday, November 13, 2013 UVI’s Admin Conference Center 6-8pm
St. John Thursday, November 14, 2013 Julius Sprauve School Cafeteria 6-8pm
For more information, contact the Office of Communications Management at (340) 715-9100 or (340) 690-4218.
Posted : November 6, 2013 5:29 pm
I heard Stella Saunders from the VIWMA on Let's Talk yesterday. These fees will be devastating to our already devastated economy.
Those businesses that WAPA hasn't killed will be dealt the final blow by VIWMA.
Typically, no one called in to voice any concern as ultra complacent Virgin Islanders love being abused by their masters.
All I can say is...WOW, what next?
Posted : November 7, 2013 12:27 pm
Topic starter
Here is a letter that was sent to all the Senators from a friend who is very savvy and has had experience with VIWMA's machinations:
She is allowing me to post it here:
To: judi@judibuckley.org ; dcapehart@legvi.org ; dcole@legvi.org ; kgittens@legvi.org ; cgraham@legvi.org ; ahansen@legvi.org ; mjackson@legvi.org ; senatormalone@gmail.com ; troach@legvi.org ; cpayne@legvi.org ; teamnellie@gmail.com ; smmalone1@yahoo.com ; jyoung@legvi.org ; payne.clarence@gmail.com ; sammuelsanes@yahoo.com ; positive__1@hotmail.com ; craig@visenate.net ; craig@visenate.org
Sent: Wednesday, November 13, 2013 12:51 PM
Subject: No detailed and comprehensive Waste Management Authority plan for waste management; No new fees!
Dear Senators:
The Waste Management Authority (VIWMA) is proposing and has been holding sparsely attended meetings concerning the levying of new solid waste fees. There are two likely reasons why the meetings are lightly attended: (1) The public has completely lost faith in the Waste Management Authority's ability to effectively, responsibly and affordably manage wastes in the Territory; and (2) The public has seen no plan about which to even have an opinion.
As a beloved former U.S. Gulf Coast state governor would say on matters such as this that are of paramount importance to the public's welfare and interests --- "That dog just don't hunt." As anyone knows who has resided in a community where responsible public policy and infrastructure management have occurred, you don't tell the public you're levying fees on an activity without telling the public the specifics of that activity, and having the public's overall acceptance of that overall plan, including costs.
Before Waste Management Authority even mentions fees, it should do the following:
1) Provide the public with a detailed proposed waste management plan that includes how each waste will be handled; That plan MUST include the costs, presented in an industry-standard manner, for the proposed handling / management of each category of waste. And very importantly, a plan needs to be cohesive, and not piece-meal and "cherry-picked" relative to activities and fees.
2) Invite comments from the public, and incorporate those comments and concerns into the proposed plan;
3) Re-publicize the plan with amendments;
4) Request review and approval of the final plan by elected officials, who are in turn accountable to the public for such plans and expenditures of public monies.
The public has demanded that biodegradable organics be composted, Territory-wide. Public insistence on that is based on several vital Territorial needs, including replenishing our island soils with nutrients and carbon; Improving the Territory's ability to grow its own foods, and sustaining our agricultural community and econony; Not contributing to climate change and pollution by "burning" our resources; And --- very importantly --- managing our material resources and wastes in a way that is cost-effective, affordable, and appropriate to the USVI small community settings. Likewise, the public has demanded recycling of many other materials, including glass, tires, etc. Where is that plan? And given that limited availability of funds exists for things like transporting, processing and storing materials, it's absolutely critical that a comprehensive plan be put forward that gets good value out of each dollar spent.
To date, the VIWMA has been content to just tell the public "Trust us, we have a plan." That trust account is bankrupt. Absolutely no VIWMA fees should be approved until a comprehensive plan, including informed estimated costs associated with each activity, is publicly discussed and accepted, and also approved by our elected officials.
Regards,
Susan Parten, P.E.
bcc: Citizens who've voiced concern about this
Posted : November 14, 2013 2:02 pm
I heard Stella Saunders from the VIWMA on Let's Talk yesterday. These fees will be devastating to our already devastated economy.
Those businesses that WAPA hasn't killed will be dealt the final blow by VIWMA.
Typically, no one called in to voice any concern as ultra complacent Virgin Islanders love being abused by their masters.
All I can say is...WOW, what next?
AMEN on this statement.
Posted : November 14, 2013 7:47 pm
I just recieved this and thought you all should be aware and plan to attend this meeting ...
Did you attend? I saw in the Daily News that only 5 people on STT and 2 on STX showed up.
Posted : November 15, 2013 12:19 pm
Topic starter
Unfortunately, my vehicle is being repaired, I will however plan on attending when they actually do have a plan as Sue mentions in her above letter> I will attend any PSC hearings in regards to this matter as I have always done, in the past. Were you there?
Posted : November 15, 2013 2:57 pm
Unfortunately, my vehicle is being repaired, I will however plan on attending when they actually do have a plan as Sue mentions in her above letter> I will attend any PSC hearings in regards to this matter as I have always done, in the past. Were you there?
No. Unfortunately my physical unwell-being has put a dampener on all such gatherings, and activities in general.
Posted : November 15, 2013 6:01 pm
The rape of Virgin Islanders continues on with VIWMA.
Posted : November 15, 2013 9:08 pm
Topic starter
Let's not forget "PLUNDER."
Posted : November 16, 2013 4:36 pm
