U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS—Government House Communications Director Richard Motta Jr. hosted the weekly press briefing on Monday, providing several important updates. Shamari Haynes, Deputy Commissioner at the Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, and St. Croix Chief of Police Sean Santos of the Virgin Islands Police Department joined him.
Crucian Christmas Festival Overview
Deputy Commissioner Haynes provided details about the 2024-2025 Crucian Christmas Festival, scheduled to begin on December 26, 2024, and run through January 4, 2025. The festival will feature various events, including parades, cultural nights, and competitions. Community members are encouraged to participate and support the festivities.
Festival Safety Measures
VIPD Chief Sean Santos highlighted the safety measures implemented by the Virgin Islands Police Department to ensure a secure St. Croix Festival environment. Camera systems are being installed throughout the Festival Village in Frederiksted, and the department is collaborating with other law enforcement agencies, including the Virgin Islands National Guard.
Santos advised the public to travel in groups, avoid loitering in parking lots, and always have a designated driver. These measures are intended to promote a responsible and safe festival experience.
$15 Million in Income Tax Refunds
On behalf of Governor Bryan, Motta announced the release of nearly $15 million in income tax refunds to 6,445 taxpayers who filed their returns on or before April 25, 2023. This includes 5,916 taxpayers receiving their 2022 refunds. This development marks significant progress in addressing years of backlogged payments.
In 2024 alone, more than $67 million in refunds have been distributed, reflecting the administration’s commitment to timely financial processing and prioritizing the community’s
needs. Motta credited the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Department of Finance for their diligent work in achieving this milestone.
Introduction of New Electric Vehicles
The Virgin Islands Energy Office (VIEO) unveiled eight new electric Ford F-150 Lightning trucks, funded through a Department of the Interior (DOI) Energizing Insular Communities (EIC) grant. These electric vehicles will be distributed to various government agencies, representing a significant step toward modernizing the government fleet and reducing carbon emissions.
Upcoming Events
Petronella Ribbon Cutting Ceremony:
o Scheduled for Tuesday, December 17 at 3 PM, the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Estate Petronella Solar Farm marks a critical step in Governor Bryan’s efforts to improve WAPA. The event will be covered live on the Government Access Channel and Facebook page.
Motta concluded the briefing by encouraging community participation in the upcoming events.
The Bryan-Roach Administration is investing in the Territory’s people, infrastructure and future through transparency, stabilizing the economy, restoring trust in the government and ensuring that recovery projects are completed as quickly as possible. Visit transparency.vi.gov.