Gov. House: Superior Court Judge Velazquez; SNAP Payments; Bryan’s Doc

  Gov. House: Superior Court  

    Judge Velazquez; SNAP   

     Payments; Bryan’s Doc

M.A. Dworkin

     St. Thomas - Given the fact there is so little history, current and historical, on the USVI as a whole, it is surprising to find the recent hullabaloo about Governor Bryan looking to film a documentary about his time in office. Go try and find anything on historical figures such as David Hamilton Jackson, certainly one of the most important and influential figures in the formation of the USVI, both post emancipation years and post U.S. Territorial years, and you will find mere bits and shreds of info on such a towering figure of his stature. 

      So, it comes as a bit shocking as to why there would be so much negativity pointed at the Governor’s efforts to leave some sort of a record as to his struggles and accomplishments during his eight year term in office. Nevertheless, that seems to be the case being spewed out by some in the press.

       Magistrate Judge Velazquez 

               for Superior Court

     At the Monday Press Conference, held at Government House on St. Thomas, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. placed into nomination for the Superior Court, St. Croix District, Magistrate Judge Venetia Harvey Velazquez.

      Judge Velazquez, a veteran jurist and public servant, brings two decades of Virgin Islands trial, appellate, and court administration experience to the formidable task of sitting on the Superior Court. 

     “Judge Velazquez has served our justice system from nearly every seat in the courtroom,” Governor Bryan said as he made the nomination. “She has tried cases, protected constitutional rights on appeal, managed court operations, advised law enforcement and led complex civil litigation. That record shows fairness, discipline and respect for the rule of law. I look forward to a careful review and a favorable vote by the 36th Legislature.”

     Judge Velazquez began her career in 2000 as a law clerk to Judge Maria M. Cabaret at the then Territorial Court. She earned a Juris Doctor from Howard University School of Law, magna cum laude, ranking fifth in a class of 130, and served on the Howard Law Journal where she received multiple achievement awards. Since November 2024, she has served as a Magistrate Judge, presiding over criminal bench trials and civil matters. 

     The Governor will transmit the nomination to the 36th Legislature for its advice and consent.

              SNAP Benefits Issued 

                  with Local Funds 

     Governor Bryan also announced that the U.S. Virgin Islands has completed payment of half of November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to eligible households using local funds, ensuring families can buy groceries during the federal government shutdown. The Departments of Finance and Human Services mailed 10,603 checks that provide 50% of the normal November benefit to support 20,700 Virgin Islanders. The payments followed the Governor’s signing of Act No. 9047, which authorized about $2.7 million from the Budget Stabilization Fund to protect November food assistance while federal disbursements are delayed. 

     “Thank you to the dedicated employees at Human Services and Finance,” Governor Bryan said. “You worked days, nights and weekends so our neighbors would not go without support. Your professionalism made a real difference.” 

     Across the country only Delaware, New Mexico, Louisiana, Virginia, Vermont and the District of Columbia have announced they will use local funds to cover some or all November SNAP benefits. 

     The Governor also thanked local businesses and nonprofit partners that are offering discounts and meal support to families. He invited others to coordinate with the Department of Human Services during the shutdown. 

     At this time, the Bryan Administration only sees enough funding in local coffers for SNAP benefits to cover the month of November, which would mean that one more half payment of the benefits could be forthcoming if the shutdown continues on through November.   

         Gov. Bryan Documentary

     As far as the negativity raised by certain members of the press about the Governor’s intention to film a documentary during his last months in office, Governor Bryan had this to say:

     “I am the ninth Governor of the Virgin Islands and I don’t think we tell our stories enough. I go to schools and different celebrations, I talk to children all the time and tell them this grown man was a little boy in Savan in the Virgin Islands who really didn’t come from nothing. I don’t think that needs to be documented for me. I know what my life was like,” the Governor stated. “It needs to be documented so every young Virgin Islander knows they have an opportunity to contribute on whatever level they want to contribute regardless of the muck the media puts out everyday, telling us we are nobody, discrediting us as a people, discrediting our government. And most importantly telling them they don’t have a place here - when they do. I think that’s the important point here.”

      In all honesty, you have to wonder what is behind the negative press on this matter. In an age where everyone thinks they should document every time they wear a new hairstyle, have an offbeat idea, or chew a piece of tasty gum, what could possibly be the harm of pointing out the accomplishments of a man who has pulled himself up from his bootstraps to become Governor of a great place like the U.S. Virgin Islands. Doesn’t it make sense that the next generations have a positive example in which to follow?