Government vehicles spotted at Smith Bay Park
Published: September 28, 2012
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ST. THOMAS - A Daily News reader submitted photos of government vehicles that were parked at Lindqvist Beach, now named Smith Bay Park, on Sunday afternoon while their occupants enjoyed some time in the sun.
The vehicles belong to the V.I. Water and Power Authority and the V.I. Corrections Bureau.
The Daily News contacted WAPA spokeswoman Cassandra Dunn about the WAPA vehicle, a white Ford sport utility vehicle with license plates W&P 146.
Reached Thursday night, Dunn said she would try to find out who was driving the vehicle on Sunday and why. Later, she called back to say that she had been unable to get that information Thursday night.
"So I'm not able to make any comments at this time," she said. "But we are a 24-hour operation. There are instances where employees must remain on call for an emergency, so they may have a vehicle and an emergency radio so that they can respond quickly."
She said that WAPA would investigate further.
The Daily News also contacted Corrections Bureau spokeswoman Juel Anderson on Thursday night about the Corrections vehicle, a white Chevrolet car bearing license plates CB 24.
Anderson said that some Corrections vehicles are 24-hour vehicles.
"Depending on who it's assigned to, they may drive the vehicle every day, all day, because they're on call," Anderson said.
The Daily News asked about CB 24.
"I'm not sure if that's assigned to the assistant director or the director," Anderson said.
Government House confirmed two days before the photo was taken that Corrections Director Julius Wilson had been on medical leave since Sept. 16 and was expected to be on leave for about 30 days. Assistant Director Dwayne Benjamin was named acting director while Wilson is on leave.
Anderson called back Thursday night to say that she could not get anyone to verify who the vehicle was assigned to.
When she called back, she said that Corrections is a "24-hour operation," and with the government fleet being cut back, "most likely, if you see the vehicle out, the person is on call."
She said that if she had been contacted during business hours, she could have verified who was assigned to CB 24.
If you have tips for The Daily News about questionable uses of government resources or vehicles, please send an email to gyandel@dailynews.vi.
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