STX Senate Candidate Raymond T. James, Esq. Calls for Review of 1987 Government Reorganization Law

  STX Senate Candidate  

 Raymond T. James, Esq.  

 Calls for Review of 1987 

 Gov. Reorganization Law

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     St. Croix - Raymond T. James, Esq. Republican candidate for the Legislature of the Virgin Islands from the District of St. Croix is calling for a review of the 1987 Government Reorganization Law and restoration of the Personnel Merit System. 

     Mr. James believes the Virgin Islands government must modernize, protect qualified public employees, and prepare for the future competition of skilled workers. Mr. James firmly states that the time is long overdue to modernize the structure of government, restore confidence in public service, and strengthen the Personnel Merit System, so the government can recruit and retain qualified employees in a changing economic environment. 

     Republican candidate for the Senate, Mr. James said that nearly four decades after the law was enacted on June 24, 1987, the Virgin Islands must confront a simple reality: Government today is operating in a very different environment than the one that existed when the law was passed. The demands on public agencies are greater, the public expects more accountability, and the competition for experienced workers is becoming more intense. 

     Mr. James believes the review of these antiquated policies must include a serious effort to restore the Personnel Merit System, which was designed to ensure that public employment is based on qualifications, experience, and skill rather than politics or instability. He said the issue is particularly urgent because the government workforce may soon face increased competition for qualified workers if major private-sector employers begin hiring again on St. Croix. 

     Mr. James pointed to the reopening of the Carambola Beach Resort and the employment opportunities associated with the former Hess oil refinery, including operations tied to Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation and Ocean Point Terminals, as developments that could place added pressure on the government’s ability to attract and retain experienced employees in critical positions. 

     “We want to recapture the strength of the personnel Merit System so that men and women who want to serve the people of this Territory are not afraid of losing their jobs to exempt employees,” Mr. James stated. “Public service should be built on merit, experience, and the skill sets required for the job. When those standards are weakened, the government loses professionalism, employees lose confidence, and the people of the Virgin Islands pay the price.”

     Mr. James’ many years in prominent positions within the public sector has afforded him a unique managerial point of view on the inner workings of the government.

     “Today, the government must be more efficient,” he said. “Re-establishing a strong Personnel Merit System will help restore standards, accountability, and professionalism in public service. It will encourage qualified employees to remain in government service and strengthen confidence that public employment in the Virgin Islands is based on merit, experience, and the ability to do the job.”

     Republican candidate for the Senate, Mr. James stated that if elected, he will support a comprehensive legislative review of the Government Reorganization and Consolidation Act of 1987, and advocate for reforms that strengthen the Personnel Merit System, improve accountability in public employment, and prepare the Virgin Islands government for the workforce and service-delivery demands of the future. 

Raymond T. James, Esq. 

Republican candidate for the Legislature

District of St. Croix U.S. Virgin Islands