Notes from the Virgin Islands

#1 · October 22, 2024, 11:15 am

Quote from Larry Best on October 22, 2024, 11:15 am
I haven't posted and rarely checked in for about 18 months since I had a heart attack, apparently a mild one if that exists, and I recovered well. I retired but then unretired and have slowed down a good bit but still work alone with just my robot.

Also, I have a surveying issue I'm interested in hearing comments on:

Almost 2 years ago I did a topo survey on a 1/2 acre parcel that had been created a year before. The new boundary markers for the new parcel had been set over 28 feet off ignoring the very visible markers for the adjacent property. When I contacted the engineer who created the parcel he wouldn't respond. (Engineers are allowed to do surveying in the Virgin Islands). This engineer, besides doing this work on his own, works for the VI government as the "Public Surveyor". He reviews and must approve all recorded surveys. He "attests" all deeds before they can be recorded. Apparently to avoid a perceived conflict of interest, for the survey in question, as for his other private work, he used the stamp of another engineer. I have emails from other surveyors that all this has gone on for years and is common knowledge. There is no code of ethics for surveyors (or anyone) here, but I felt I had no choice but to file complaints against both engineers with the Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers and Land Surveyors. 8 months after I did so, the board finally discussed the matter and told me that "due to the seriousness of the allegations in the complaint, the matter was referred to the VI DOJ. The BOR could not investigate as doing so could interfere with the DOJ investigation". That was 9 months ago now. The head of the DOJ, the VI Attorney General, is appointed by the Governor, as is the Public Surveyor. So, I think any investigation is effectively quashed. The Public Surveyor continues to do private work using another's stamp. And the engineer whose stamp is being used wrote to the BOR that he was fine with his stamp being used because of the Public Surveyor's vast experience. They have no reason to change.

And another thing...

When doing research for a survey, one needs to know what previously recorded surveys might be relevant. This Public Surveyor maintains a list, a searchable database of all surveys in the VI, but won't make it available to the public. As a practical matter, it's his property for his use in his own surveying business. And just getting copies of surveys often takes weeks. Except he can get them instantly. There is no Freedom of Information Act here, although there is an Open Records Act, but to try to get it enforced my attorney tells me I need mid 5 figures to file suit.

I know the Virgin Islands doesn't have a monopoly on corruption but does anything like this happen in the 50 states?

I haven't posted and rarely checked in for about 18 months since I had a heart attack, apparently a mild one if that exists, and I recovered well. I retired but then unretired and have slowed down a good bit but still work alone with just my robot.

Also, I have a surveying issue I'm interested in hearing comments on:

Almost 2 years ago I did a topo survey on a 1/2 acre parcel that had been created a year before. The new boundary markers for the new parcel had been set over 28 feet off ignoring the very visible markers for the adjacent property. When I contacted the engineer who created the parcel he wouldn't respond. (Engineers are allowed to do surveying in the Virgin Islands). This engineer, besides doing this work on his own, works for the VI government as the "Public Surveyor". He reviews and must approve all recorded surveys. He "attests" all deeds before they can be recorded. Apparently to avoid a perceived conflict of interest, for the survey in question, as for his other private work, he used the stamp of another engineer. I have emails from other surveyors that all this has gone on for years and is common knowledge. There is no code of ethics for surveyors (or anyone) here, but I felt I had no choice but to file complaints against both engineers with the Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers and Land Surveyors. 8 months after I did so, the board finally discussed the matter and told me that "due to the seriousness of the allegations in the complaint, the matter was referred to the VI DOJ. The BOR could not investigate as doing so could interfere with the DOJ investigation". That was 9 months ago now. The head of the DOJ, the VI Attorney General, is appointed by the Governor, as is the Public Surveyor. So, I think any investigation is effectively quashed. The Public Surveyor continues to do private work using another's stamp. And the engineer whose stamp is being used wrote to the BOR that he was fine with his stamp being used because of the Public Surveyor's vast experience. They have no reason to change.

And another thing...

When doing research for a survey, one needs to know what previously recorded surveys might be relevant. This Public Surveyor maintains a list, a searchable database of all surveys in the VI, but won't make it available to the public. As a practical matter, it's his property for his use in his own surveying business. And just getting copies of surveys often takes weeks. Except he can get them instantly. There is no Freedom of Information Act here, although there is an Open Records Act, but to try to get it enforced my attorney tells me I need mid 5 figures to file suit.

I know the Virgin Islands doesn't have a monopoly on corruption but does anything like this happen in the 50 states?

#2 · October 22, 2024, 12:39 pm

This reminds me of many of the old Westerns. What ever the bully wants, the bully gets. Then the hero arrives, learns of how detrimental this is to everyone around and then takes out the bully. Usually with 20 bullets from a six-gun. That, of course, is not an option in the professional world.

This must be incredibly frustrating.