"Municipal government is the panacea for the Virgin Islands," said Juanita Canton at a meeting on St. John called by the Senate Rules and Judiciary Committee. The hearing was to consider proposals asking Congress to let the territory develop its own local government plans, according to the St. John Source. The crowd was estimated at about 60 people, prompting Sen. Shawn-Michael Malone to point out similar meetings on St. Thomas and St. Croix were attended by only seven people.
Canton asked how much money St. John business and property owners contribute to operate the government and, in return, what is the cost of the VI’s agencies having offices on St. John. Another comment was made by Lorelei Monsanto who has no interest in local government proposals. She reminded the Senators that voters previously approved a reduction in the number of Senators, but that wish has been ignored.