Introductory Note: During VICC's public presentation before the USVI Senate on Oct. 19, 2026, VICC President Hodge responded to a senator's concern about VICC's lack of public participation by citing a constituent, Peter Meyers, who participated and even had one of his proposals accepted in the proposed constitution. Peter Meyers was the only constituent named at that hearing. What follows is Peter Meyers's Oct. 21, 2026 email to the 15 VICC delegates. I have Peter Meyers's permission to post his email in full.
From: Peter Meyers
Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2026 9:36 AM
To: Lydia Hendricks ; Rudel A Hodge Jr ; Arturo Watlington Jr; Akima Richardson; Devin F Carrington ; Imani Daniel <;John M Canegata; Liliana Belardo De O'Neal; Rupert W Ross Jr; Patricia Welcome; Stedmann Hodge Jr ; Alicia M Wells ; John J Abramson Jr ; Usie Ramond Richards ; David Silverman
Cc: J.H. Snider; Bonny Corbeil
Subject: St. Thomas Source article
Dear delegates to the sixth constitutional convention,
I read with some concern the October 19th article in the St. Thomas Source regarding the Senate Hearing on the Constitutional Convention. My concern is that you delegates are letting an opportunity slip away when you have a pathway to do so much for the people of the Virgin Islands.
From March 2025 until January 2026 I listened into many committee meetings in which delegates discussed content for the proposed constitution. Meetings were announced in advance and links were provided in a timely manner. I was continually impressed with the idealism, ingenuity, insights, analysis, and background research displayed in those meetings. The process moved slowly as every person was allowed to fully express their opinions. Interruptions and off-topic discussions were not allowed. Public comments from the chat room were encouraged and considered. The process took time, but the delegates compensated by holding multiple meetings in a single week. It was my impression that an innovative, forward-thinking document was being created. Quite candidly I was in awe that we had such an amazing collection of people working to produce what I believe is a breakthrough constitution for the Virgin Islands.
Then sometime in around February of this year, at least from my perspective, something changed. The public meetings became fewer. I was told that the document was undergoing legal review. A few meetings were open to the public where we could listen to comments about the proposed wording, but we could not see more than a few lines of text. Public comment was not allowed. It was as if a process that had been open to view was now hidden behind closed doors. If the momentum of the previous year was and is being maintained it is not apparent.
Which brings me to the recent St. Thomas Source article. The most obvious feature is that a report was made to the legislature and not to the people. Quoting from the Source article, your lawyer, Mr. Mark Hodge stated that “Section 7A of Act 8681 prevents the campaign from starting until the proposed constitution is submitted to the governor”. He goes on to say, “expanding the campaign to include public input on language still under debate would require additional legislative changes”.
The perspective that I draw from the Source article is that the sixth constitutional convention is being treated as if it were a committee of the Legislature as opposed to the voice of the people. I believe that a Constitutional Convention is intended to be a vehicle for the people to take direct control of their government. Yes there are approval processes – including legal review by the US Congress and a referendum by the people of the Virgin Islands, but the idea that the people of the Virgin Islands cannot take a direct and major role in making their own voices heard is anathema to me.
I have heard much discussion in social media and even within meetings of the constitutional convention about how decisions such as the sale of the Virgin Islands to the US and the Revised Organic Act of 1954 imposed the will of outsiders on Virgin Islanders without their consent or input. It seems to me that the will of the people is again being silenced in favor of the status quo behind a facade of legal niceties. Are you seriously not going to let the people of the Virgin Islands know what is being discussed until sending a draft to the governor? When, if ever, do you plan to let the public’s voices be heard?
I strongly urge you as delegates to the sixth constitutional convention to open up your current draft to the public. Don’t “educate” them, “ask” them to comment. Listen to them and make it clear that you are listening. Consider their ideas. Make this a discussion. You still have control.
I suspect that many are satisfied with the status quo. Let them be part of the discussion as well, but don’t let them suppress all discussion. If there are legal issues and you have to fight in court – then fight! This is the people’s constitution. This is your opportunity to make that breakthrough constitution a reality. Don’t let that opportunity slip away! Don’t let history look back on the sixth constitutional convention as another example of when the people were not heard.
With sincere gratitude for all that you are doing,
Peter Meyers
a constituent