One resident has argued that despite cries by certain sections of the population against government’s planned pursuit of a $15 guaranteed head tax from Disney Cruise Line (DCL) and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) passengers, Virgin Islanders will still turn to government in times of need. Photo: VINO/File

Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark H. Vanterpool stated that government is pursuing agreements with NCL and DCL that come with a guarantee of a passenger load of over 425,000 persons at a $15 head tax. Photo: VINO/File

Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark H. Vanterpool stated that government is pursuing agreements with NCL and DCL that come with a guarantee of a passenger load of over 425,000 persons at a $15 head tax.

“This is the expectation that we have. We are expecting that those ships will provide in excess of 425,000 passengers along with other companies that we will be negotiating with to ensure that we can get that very quickly to the 550,000 passenger level,” Hon Vanterpool told taxi operators on October 17, 2013.

Hon. Vanterpool had said government would not be distracted by anything and added that government had decided that it is in the interest of the territory to negotiate long term agreements so the territory can be guaranteed a certain number of passengers over the next 15 years or so.

The resident, a caller on the 3D Show aired on October 25, 2013, stated that the present government is currently in the process of making a deal in the best interest of the country and in all fairness and consideration of a ‘good, reasonable figure’ for the expected head tax, he felt it was something important.

He said his reason for supporting the government on the issue is that taxes are used to get whatever the country needs to get done.

“In all this up and down and all this talk no one seems to be considering seriously that aspect of it,” he stated. The resident argued that persons were more interested in the issue on a personal front and said it was more an issue of ‘what I can pick up for myself’.

“Government after government, at the end of the day, when we pick up what we can pick up and we throw it in our pocket and it fails us, we still turn to that government and ask that government to help us,” he added.

The resident added that whether it is a son or daughter in school, sick or dead family member, “it doesn’t matter, at the end of the day, we still look to the government and ask the government ‘Can you assist me? I need assistance.’”

He questioned how it is that this or any government is supposed to assist citizens if they were not in turn trying to help the government.

According to the caller, the head tax can be put aside for things such as infrastructure and education. “Can you imagine the kind of money that is?” he asked. “That is so important, that can go such a long way,” he added.

“I think when we are considering what we are considering, in relation to the whole cruise ship industry, it’s not just to sit back and look at Carnival and when they come everybody makes money… that is fine, I have the most respect for that but at the same time we need to seriously consider other elements surrounding the whole thing,” he continued.