Address by Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr.
on Hurricane Earl Recovery
September
4, 2010
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to the Governor's Address.mp3 (2MB)
As we come to the week’s end, after a very trying and hard week of preparation for, and recovery from, Hurricane Earl, I want to take a moment to say a heartfelt “Thank You” to the many, many people who have worked so hard in their efforts.
Thank you to all the men and women at VITEMA, the Police Department, Fire Services, Rescue, as well as our Public Works Department, Waste Management Authority, WAPA, Planning and Natural Resources and Education and many of the other agencies throughout our government, non-profit organizations, for whom an approaching storm or other emergency demands more of them.
Our success in coordinating the resources of government was much enhanced by the daily presence of those who worked at our emergency operations centers on each island and responded to the calls for assistance. None of this works without people and it is the people who make it work that I wish to recognize for a job well done. Thank you.
I know that many of you remain without electricity. I fully understand the hardships and difficulties this imposes on you and your families and I understand that none of this is easy.
But with persistence WAPA will get everyone re-connected soon, and we can return to our normal routines. Until all again have power, we all must, as we always have, look out for our neighbors and friends and share what we have with those who have less.
Lastly, I think it wise for us to remember that we are just now coming up on what has traditionally been the peak of hurricane season. We should reflect on what we did -- what we did right and what we can do better -- from our preparations and response to Earl and be ready in the event that another storm heads our way.
Meanwhile, I think we all know that our thanks must be to God for having come thru this storm as we have. May God continue to bless you and our Virgin Islands.
