Lots of Virgin Islanders have been back in St. Thomas for the holidays.
Spotted at Coral World with her husband and toddler: Adrianne Todman-Wesby, who used to work for Delegate Ron de Lugo and now is special assistant to the secretary of Housing and Urban Development for policy and programs. Adrianne said she likes Washington, and she's obviously thriving there.
In St. Thomas for Christmas day was Candy Lee, the daughter of former St. Croix Sen. Sidney Lee. Candy, who formerly headed Harlequin books, is now president of Troll, the New Jersey-based company that publishes textbooks and children's literature.
Know of others who are home for the holidays? Let us know by e-mailing source@viaccess.net.
DEC. 31 PAYROLL WILL BE MET, OFFICIAL SAYS
The V.I. government will meet payroll Dec. 31 and will continue its payments to vendors with no change of schedule, a top Finance official has told the Independent.
The Turnbull-James transition team's preliminary report indicated there could be a payless payday at the end of December because of the territory's precarious financial position.
"We have money coming in and we're not doing anything out of the norm to make payroll," said Dean Wallace, assistant Finance commissioner.
Vendor payments are being made, late but as usual, the Independent quoted Wallace as saying.
Several vendors have cut services to the government in recent weeks due to non-payment. Esso refused fuel delivery to the motor pool and local pharmacists had trouble maintaining supplies of certain medications because their government health insurance reimbursements had not been made.
The Turnbull-James transition team's preliminary report indicated there could be a payless payday at the end of December because of the territory's precarious financial position.
"We have money coming in and we're not doing anything out of the norm to make payroll," said Dean Wallace, assistant Finance commissioner.
Vendor payments are being made, late but as usual, the Independent quoted Wallace as saying.
Several vendors have cut services to the government in recent weeks due to non-payment. Esso refused fuel delivery to the motor pool and local pharmacists had trouble maintaining supplies of certain medications because their government health insurance reimbursements had not been made.
NEW BEGINNINGS
In the end, there is always a beginning.
There were banners of blue, red and yellow, screaming, "Sale," "Everything Must Go," and "Going Out of Business." These signs heralded the departure of a downtown St. Thomas landmark.
The institution was Irmela's, last identified with the majestic Grand Hotel.
Once upon a time, the store was located in Drake's Passage; and, long before that, it was housed upstairs of H. Sterns on Main Street.
Over many years, I have watched Irmela Neumann, for whom this landmark is named, sitting pensively and purposefully at her workstation with her implements and her tools forging from the rocks, minerals and metals of the Earth beautiful items designed to elicit joy. I didn't know all along that Irmela wants to be a pelican in the next life.
I, too, wish a bird for the next incarnation, though I have not decided which from among the varied beauty of this wondrous species I aspire.
So it is, that in these the last days of the Empire that in simple honest conversation and in a totally unexpected way, I find a kindred spirit. I, who hail from Sandy Point, St. Kitts, a sleeping village in the shadow of Mount Misery, and Irmela from a place in Germany called Pforzheim near the mysterious Black Forest with the promise of the snow-capped Alps which tower somewhere in the distance.
I imagine that there is as much space between these places as seemingly to fit another world. Yes, so diverse seem the people of this world who walk the earth set apart more by their simple differences of place and name and color than unified by their major similarities as creatures of a Universe created by a magnificent and awesome God.
"Why do you want to be a Pelican Irmela," I ask.
With eyes which speak of joy and sadness and longing and beauty and peace, that torrent of conflicting emotions which characterize the human condition, Irmela answers, speaking of the gift of instinct and intuition and wistfully of that defining talent of birds, that gift of flight which brings them so much closer to the heavens When Irmela speaks of this magic of flight, it is as if she already has transcended the mundane and ordinary realities of the human condition and is already floating with the flocks on the winds.
She speaks of how the pelican reads the wind, how he finds the currents and updrafts and uses them to float so effortlessly that he can with deft movement even scratch himself in midflight.
I say to Irmela, imagine that we build jets and install sophisticated flight equipment to perform these feats of magic that the birds know so well, with only skin, and sinew, flesh and bone and God. Irmela is convinced that we know what they know. We know the winds and when the rains will come and even when the earth will shake. We know. But in so much of our living, we learn to forget or to ignore these instincts.
In Irmela the instinct is far from lost. Instead, it expresses itself in an aesthetic that fashions a pendant of peridot and Rhodolite garnet, a necklace of red coral, black onyx and gold, a bracelet of turquoise and lapis lazuli linked together with strands of gold, a ring which juxtaposes a flawless diamond and a lustrous sapphire, like a deep blue sky speaking to clear water.
These pairings which seem so naturally and eternally beautiful in their simplicity are the mark of a woman preparing to be a pelican in the next life. But her actions and her manner and her special way of being in this world speak also of this life, this time where she has listened to that inner voice to find and develop her gifts and her talents.
So many of us plod on from day to day, in the words of the old proverb, from the cradle to the grave, never realizing that we, too, have been endowed with gifts and talents. This is the time to look inside, way past the loud and vexatious noises, and to allow the revelation.
In the end there is always a beginning.
There were banners of blue, red and yellow, screaming, "Sale," "Everything Must Go," and "Going Out of Business." These signs heralded the departure of a downtown St. Thomas landmark.
The institution was Irmela's, last identified with the majestic Grand Hotel.
Once upon a time, the store was located in Drake's Passage; and, long before that, it was housed upstairs of H. Sterns on Main Street.
Over many years, I have watched Irmela Neumann, for whom this landmark is named, sitting pensively and purposefully at her workstation with her implements and her tools forging from the rocks, minerals and metals of the Earth beautiful items designed to elicit joy. I didn't know all along that Irmela wants to be a pelican in the next life.
I, too, wish a bird for the next incarnation, though I have not decided which from among the varied beauty of this wondrous species I aspire.
So it is, that in these the last days of the Empire that in simple honest conversation and in a totally unexpected way, I find a kindred spirit. I, who hail from Sandy Point, St. Kitts, a sleeping village in the shadow of Mount Misery, and Irmela from a place in Germany called Pforzheim near the mysterious Black Forest with the promise of the snow-capped Alps which tower somewhere in the distance.
I imagine that there is as much space between these places as seemingly to fit another world. Yes, so diverse seem the people of this world who walk the earth set apart more by their simple differences of place and name and color than unified by their major similarities as creatures of a Universe created by a magnificent and awesome God.
"Why do you want to be a Pelican Irmela," I ask.
With eyes which speak of joy and sadness and longing and beauty and peace, that torrent of conflicting emotions which characterize the human condition, Irmela answers, speaking of the gift of instinct and intuition and wistfully of that defining talent of birds, that gift of flight which brings them so much closer to the heavens When Irmela speaks of this magic of flight, it is as if she already has transcended the mundane and ordinary realities of the human condition and is already floating with the flocks on the winds.
She speaks of how the pelican reads the wind, how he finds the currents and updrafts and uses them to float so effortlessly that he can with deft movement even scratch himself in midflight.
I say to Irmela, imagine that we build jets and install sophisticated flight equipment to perform these feats of magic that the birds know so well, with only skin, and sinew, flesh and bone and God. Irmela is convinced that we know what they know. We know the winds and when the rains will come and even when the earth will shake. We know. But in so much of our living, we learn to forget or to ignore these instincts.
In Irmela the instinct is far from lost. Instead, it expresses itself in an aesthetic that fashions a pendant of peridot and Rhodolite garnet, a necklace of red coral, black onyx and gold, a bracelet of turquoise and lapis lazuli linked together with strands of gold, a ring which juxtaposes a flawless diamond and a lustrous sapphire, like a deep blue sky speaking to clear water.
These pairings which seem so naturally and eternally beautiful in their simplicity are the mark of a woman preparing to be a pelican in the next life. But her actions and her manner and her special way of being in this world speak also of this life, this time where she has listened to that inner voice to find and develop her gifts and her talents.
So many of us plod on from day to day, in the words of the old proverb, from the cradle to the grave, never realizing that we, too, have been endowed with gifts and talents. This is the time to look inside, way past the loud and vexatious noises, and to allow the revelation.
In the end there is always a beginning.
TURNBULL'S CHALLENGE: TURN WORDS TO ACTION
Now that the dark cloud of the Schneider administration has dissipated, the sun once again is shining down on our emerald isles. With this fresh breeze of optimism the Turnbull-James team is poised to confront the serious task of renewal.
Along the campaign trail, I was able to witness first-hand the interaction of our soon-to-be governor with the people of this territory. They were of many political persuasions, colors, cultures and backgrounds, but with one common desire: to restore these islands' image as a friendly, safe, enjoyable experience for residents and visitors alike.
Our campaigning governor was receptive, humble enough to listen, and at times hearing and learning things that were new to him. Out of the public's eye, he would ask further questions of those around him as to how we could improve things, or why simple problems go unsolved when only a little effort is needed to fix them.
Most people whom the candidate met were instantly impressed with his manner and style, although a little concerned about whether he would be able to lead us out of the dire circumstances the islands were experiencing.
When confronted with these doubts or criticisms, Turnbull answered quickly that this campaign was not a personality cult but a team, best characterized when he said, "If I don't know the answer, I'll ask someone who does."
As the campaign progressed and the long-shot candidate pulled even, the issues became more focused and solutions were offered. A platform put together by the resurging Democratic Party became Turnbull's calling card. At every rally he would clearly articulate the theme of his campaign and platform — service, unity and respect. For the first time in many elections, Democratic candidates stood side-by-side, emphasizing the power of unity, as an option for the public's growing concern about Gov. Roy L. Schneider's dictatorial behavior.
What a contrast in candidates. The public had a clear choice, but a cautious public held their cards close to their chests, leaving political pundits hard-pressed to make convincing predictions as to the election's outcome.
My feeling at the time was that the voter had plenty of reasons not to vote for Schneider, but too few to vote for Turnbull. Then the tide turned. In the last weeks of the campaign, the "Bull" developed a rapport with the voter, a clear victory in the debate, the support of unions, increased numbers of Schneider appointees lining up with the Democratic candidates, and public confidence that "yes, maybe" the teamwork concept might work.
Well, the rest is history. We will soon inaugurate Dr. Charles Wesley Turnbull as governor, G. Luz James as lieutenant governor, a Democratic Party-formed majority in the Senate, and a landslide victor in Congress, Donna Christian-Green.
It must be said publicly that this was a superb example of democracy, and lays the groundwork for the re-establishment of the two-party system. The public wants accountability from their elected officials. They want to see a unified political party with a clear agenda. We cannot afford personality politics anymore.
The Turnbull-James and Democratic platform are of the same philosophy; it is clear that they are committed to changing the way government operates.
This lofty goal can only be accomplished by including the talents of many, by continuing that personal dialogue developed on the campaign trail, and most of all by turning words into actions that will truly gain the confidence of the people they represent.
Along the campaign trail, I was able to witness first-hand the interaction of our soon-to-be governor with the people of this territory. They were of many political persuasions, colors, cultures and backgrounds, but with one common desire: to restore these islands' image as a friendly, safe, enjoyable experience for residents and visitors alike.
Our campaigning governor was receptive, humble enough to listen, and at times hearing and learning things that were new to him. Out of the public's eye, he would ask further questions of those around him as to how we could improve things, or why simple problems go unsolved when only a little effort is needed to fix them.
Most people whom the candidate met were instantly impressed with his manner and style, although a little concerned about whether he would be able to lead us out of the dire circumstances the islands were experiencing.
When confronted with these doubts or criticisms, Turnbull answered quickly that this campaign was not a personality cult but a team, best characterized when he said, "If I don't know the answer, I'll ask someone who does."
As the campaign progressed and the long-shot candidate pulled even, the issues became more focused and solutions were offered. A platform put together by the resurging Democratic Party became Turnbull's calling card. At every rally he would clearly articulate the theme of his campaign and platform — service, unity and respect. For the first time in many elections, Democratic candidates stood side-by-side, emphasizing the power of unity, as an option for the public's growing concern about Gov. Roy L. Schneider's dictatorial behavior.
What a contrast in candidates. The public had a clear choice, but a cautious public held their cards close to their chests, leaving political pundits hard-pressed to make convincing predictions as to the election's outcome.
My feeling at the time was that the voter had plenty of reasons not to vote for Schneider, but too few to vote for Turnbull. Then the tide turned. In the last weeks of the campaign, the "Bull" developed a rapport with the voter, a clear victory in the debate, the support of unions, increased numbers of Schneider appointees lining up with the Democratic candidates, and public confidence that "yes, maybe" the teamwork concept might work.
Well, the rest is history. We will soon inaugurate Dr. Charles Wesley Turnbull as governor, G. Luz James as lieutenant governor, a Democratic Party-formed majority in the Senate, and a landslide victor in Congress, Donna Christian-Green.
It must be said publicly that this was a superb example of democracy, and lays the groundwork for the re-establishment of the two-party system. The public wants accountability from their elected officials. They want to see a unified political party with a clear agenda. We cannot afford personality politics anymore.
The Turnbull-James and Democratic platform are of the same philosophy; it is clear that they are committed to changing the way government operates.
This lofty goal can only be accomplished by including the talents of many, by continuing that personal dialogue developed on the campaign trail, and most of all by turning words into actions that will truly gain the confidence of the people they represent.
DAILY NEWS NAMES NEW CEO, CUTS MIDDLESWORTH
J'Ada M. Finch-Sheen has been named chief executive officer of the Daily News Publishing Co., which has cut all its ties to former CEO Mike Middlesworth and his consulting group.
Finch-Sheen, a former V.I. attorney general, replaces Thomas Minnich, who remains as chief operating officer of Emerging Communications, the parent company for businessman Jeffrey Prosser's extensive communications holdings.
Middlesworth had been brought in by Prosser in January, immediately after he bought the newspaper, to be CEO and executive editor. Middlesworth replaced CEO Ronald Dillman, who resigned, and Executive Editor Penny Feuerzeig, who was demoted to editorial page editor.
Middlesworth is associated with the Cole Group, a newspaper consulting firm that Prosser hired to oversee the transition from former owner Gannett Co. Inc. and upgrade and integrate the equipment for Prosser's communications companies, including the cable television companies on all three islands.
Minnich had abruptly replaced Middlesworth as CEO a few months ago, but Middlesworth remained executive editor until Dec. 18 when J. Lowe Davis assumed that post. Middlesworth reportedly was due to return to St. Thomas in early January to continue working on the equipment upgrade.
In a memo to "all staff" Wednesday, Finch-Sheen said, "I have been informed that, effective immediately, the Daily News Publishing Co. has terminated any and all relationships with Mike Middlesworth and the Cole Group."
Middlesworth, reached in Hawaii where he lives and is vacationing, said he knew nothing about the decision to end the Cole Group's work with Prosser's companies and couldn't comment on what it meant or what prompted it.
"I don't know anything about it," he said.
Finch-Sheen's memo to staffers continued: "You are instructed that, until you are advised differently, you may not contact Mike Middlesworth or any member of the Cole Group for advice or consultation on behalf of the Daily News or any of its publications."
Finch-Sheen will manage the daily business concerns of those publications, which include Island Trader, Nautical Scene, the Virgin Islander and Focus magazine.
Finch-Sheen, a former V.I. attorney general, replaces Thomas Minnich, who remains as chief operating officer of Emerging Communications, the parent company for businessman Jeffrey Prosser's extensive communications holdings.
Middlesworth had been brought in by Prosser in January, immediately after he bought the newspaper, to be CEO and executive editor. Middlesworth replaced CEO Ronald Dillman, who resigned, and Executive Editor Penny Feuerzeig, who was demoted to editorial page editor.
Middlesworth is associated with the Cole Group, a newspaper consulting firm that Prosser hired to oversee the transition from former owner Gannett Co. Inc. and upgrade and integrate the equipment for Prosser's communications companies, including the cable television companies on all three islands.
Minnich had abruptly replaced Middlesworth as CEO a few months ago, but Middlesworth remained executive editor until Dec. 18 when J. Lowe Davis assumed that post. Middlesworth reportedly was due to return to St. Thomas in early January to continue working on the equipment upgrade.
In a memo to "all staff" Wednesday, Finch-Sheen said, "I have been informed that, effective immediately, the Daily News Publishing Co. has terminated any and all relationships with Mike Middlesworth and the Cole Group."
Middlesworth, reached in Hawaii where he lives and is vacationing, said he knew nothing about the decision to end the Cole Group's work with Prosser's companies and couldn't comment on what it meant or what prompted it.
"I don't know anything about it," he said.
Finch-Sheen's memo to staffers continued: "You are instructed that, until you are advised differently, you may not contact Mike Middlesworth or any member of the Cole Group for advice or consultation on behalf of the Daily News or any of its publications."
Finch-Sheen will manage the daily business concerns of those publications, which include Island Trader, Nautical Scene, the Virgin Islander and Focus magazine.
ROTARY EAST DONATES BOOKS TO 46 KIDS
As part of "Book Link," an ongoing project developed by Rotary East, 46 children at Rainbow Early Learning and Child Care Center were given early Christmas presents.
Rotary East members delivered 150 books to the child care center this week. Each of the 46 children at the center were given a book. The rest of the books were donated to the center, according to the Independent.
Rotary East and Rotary International support this program with donations of books, and sometimes money, according to Corinne Van Rensselaer, past president of Rotary East.
"A lot of Rotary members from the mainland visit St. Thomas regularly and are aware of the huge literacy problems we face," Van Rensselaer said. "The fact that they've been here gives them a real interest in our program."
Book Link was the brainchild of Rotary East President Greg Miller after attending a Rotary International conference where he saw several presentations on worldwide literacy.
According to Van Rensselaer, Rotary International has taken a position that it is essential to give people the tools they need to learn and therefore become part of society.
"The basics — food, shelter — one has to have those before they can achieve anything else," said Van Rensselaer. The same goes for literacy. The earlier children have access to books, the greater their chances of success, she said.
Rotary East members delivered 150 books to the child care center this week. Each of the 46 children at the center were given a book. The rest of the books were donated to the center, according to the Independent.
Rotary East and Rotary International support this program with donations of books, and sometimes money, according to Corinne Van Rensselaer, past president of Rotary East.
"A lot of Rotary members from the mainland visit St. Thomas regularly and are aware of the huge literacy problems we face," Van Rensselaer said. "The fact that they've been here gives them a real interest in our program."
Book Link was the brainchild of Rotary East President Greg Miller after attending a Rotary International conference where he saw several presentations on worldwide literacy.
According to Van Rensselaer, Rotary International has taken a position that it is essential to give people the tools they need to learn and therefore become part of society.
"The basics — food, shelter — one has to have those before they can achieve anything else," said Van Rensselaer. The same goes for literacy. The earlier children have access to books, the greater their chances of success, she said.
LEAGUE HONORS MILLS, CELEBRATES 30 YEARS
Catherine Lockhart-Mills, former Human Services commissioner, was named Woman of the Year at the League of Women Voters' annual Impact Awards Luncheon earlier this month.
The League will also used the event to acknowledge and celebrate 30 years in the Virgin Islands.
Lockhart-Mills has made her mark in the field of social welfare as the former commissioner of Human Services and continues to serve the community as deputy program director for High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). Her dedicated service and impressive record earned her this year's Woman of the Year Impact Award, the League said.
The first organizational meeting of the League of Women Voters was held in April 1968. In April 1970 the ST. Thomas/St. John League received full league status. In November of that year, the St. Croix chapter voted to join the St. Thomas/St. John chapter.
In its 30 years here the League has had a significant impact on the lives of the people of the Virgin Islands. They have actively encouraged participation in the voting process, analyzed the territory's budget, co-sponsored the "Meet the Candidates" television forum every election year, filed the "Save the Long Bay" lawsuit and lobbied nationally for the right to vote, in committee, for the delegate to Congress.
The League will also used the event to acknowledge and celebrate 30 years in the Virgin Islands.
Lockhart-Mills has made her mark in the field of social welfare as the former commissioner of Human Services and continues to serve the community as deputy program director for High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). Her dedicated service and impressive record earned her this year's Woman of the Year Impact Award, the League said.
The first organizational meeting of the League of Women Voters was held in April 1968. In April 1970 the ST. Thomas/St. John League received full league status. In November of that year, the St. Croix chapter voted to join the St. Thomas/St. John chapter.
In its 30 years here the League has had a significant impact on the lives of the people of the Virgin Islands. They have actively encouraged participation in the voting process, analyzed the territory's budget, co-sponsored the "Meet the Candidates" television forum every election year, filed the "Save the Long Bay" lawsuit and lobbied nationally for the right to vote, in committee, for the delegate to Congress.
PFA TAKES NO ACTION ON YACHT HAVEN LEASE
The Public Finance Authority has urged the West Indian Co. board to keep the door open to negotiations with Malaysian developer Tan Kay Hock for a new hotel and marina at Yacht Haven in Long Bay.
But the PFA did not, when it met Wednesday, approve a proposed lease for 7 acres of landfill in Long Bay for Tan to redevelop the derelict Ramada Yacht Haven Hotel, WVWI and the Independent reported.
Gov.-elect Charles W. Turnbull had issued a statement before the PFA board met saying he feared there might be a vote and strongly disapproved of such an action.
"Members of the PFA board may be held personally liable for…actions as members of a board if a court finds that their actions constituted gross negligence or willful wrongdoing," Turnbull said.
The PFA went into executive session to discuss the lease, but took no action. After the session Gov. Roy L. Schneider, chairman of the government-dominated five-member PFA board, called Turnbull's concerns premature.
Luis "Tito" Morales, Central Labor Council president, had threatened a class-action suit if a lease was signed.
"Anytime they pass a lease, we're going to court," he said.
Rudolph Krigger, Turnbull's chief of staff, said the new administration is not in a position to say how it will deal with the proposal.
"We have not met with the man," Krigger told the Independent. "The incoming governor has indicated he would like to have that opportunity and we want to leave the door open."
Tan's proposal for a $200 million project with a 300-room hotel, 114 condominiums and 600 boat slips — down from the original 750 — has generated some public opposition because of its scale and the fact that it would block the view from neighboring Paul M. Pearson Gardens.
The V.I. government bought the old Danish West Indian Co. Ltd. for $54 million in 1993 and turned the company's land holdings over to the Public Finance Authority.
The PFA, which thus became the West Indian Co.'s sole shareholder, then turned the property over to the WICO board, which controls the Long Bay land and landfill, among other assets.
The Government Employees Retirement System bought the Havensight Mall from the PFA for $32 million.
WICO, which is a public agency that operates much like a private corporation, manages both the dock and mall.
But the PFA did not, when it met Wednesday, approve a proposed lease for 7 acres of landfill in Long Bay for Tan to redevelop the derelict Ramada Yacht Haven Hotel, WVWI and the Independent reported.
Gov.-elect Charles W. Turnbull had issued a statement before the PFA board met saying he feared there might be a vote and strongly disapproved of such an action.
"Members of the PFA board may be held personally liable for…actions as members of a board if a court finds that their actions constituted gross negligence or willful wrongdoing," Turnbull said.
The PFA went into executive session to discuss the lease, but took no action. After the session Gov. Roy L. Schneider, chairman of the government-dominated five-member PFA board, called Turnbull's concerns premature.
Luis "Tito" Morales, Central Labor Council president, had threatened a class-action suit if a lease was signed.
"Anytime they pass a lease, we're going to court," he said.
Rudolph Krigger, Turnbull's chief of staff, said the new administration is not in a position to say how it will deal with the proposal.
"We have not met with the man," Krigger told the Independent. "The incoming governor has indicated he would like to have that opportunity and we want to leave the door open."
Tan's proposal for a $200 million project with a 300-room hotel, 114 condominiums and 600 boat slips — down from the original 750 — has generated some public opposition because of its scale and the fact that it would block the view from neighboring Paul M. Pearson Gardens.
The V.I. government bought the old Danish West Indian Co. Ltd. for $54 million in 1993 and turned the company's land holdings over to the Public Finance Authority.
The PFA, which thus became the West Indian Co.'s sole shareholder, then turned the property over to the WICO board, which controls the Long Bay land and landfill, among other assets.
The Government Employees Retirement System bought the Havensight Mall from the PFA for $32 million.
WICO, which is a public agency that operates much like a private corporation, manages both the dock and mall.
V.I. OWES MARTIN P.R. FIRM $1 MILLION
Martin Public Relations has curtailed its out-of-pocket expenditures because the V.I. government's unpaid bills total about $1 million.
Amy Atkinson, senior account supervisor at Martin, called the situation "quite abnormal," according to Thursday's Independent.
One result: The firm has not printed many of the promotional items it has produced for the V.I. government.
It has printed and sent out its regular newsletter to travel agents and travel professionals because it "is so critical to the promotion of the territory," Atkinson said.
Martin's contract with the V.I. government directs the Richmond, Va.-based firm to host travel writers and print and distribute written materials ranging from rate sheets to press releases to the newsletter. In November Martin P.R. hosted about a dozen travel writers and photographers to the territory.
The $1 million bill was uncovered by the transition team's economic committee.
The team said the Tourism Department is not only in debt, but it is also in disarray and seriously demoralized. A member of the team attributed the poor morale in the department to problems between staff and management.
Tourism Commissioner Wylie Whisonant said critics don't understand what it takes to run the department.
Earlier this week Martin PR announced that the V.I. tourism scene has appeared in publications as diverse as "Conde Nast Traveler" and "The Smithsonian," and has reached 140 million readers.
Martin's primary efforts have been directed at informing travel professionals and travelers that the U.S. Virgin Islands suffered no appreciable damage from Hurricane Georges in September.
Amy Atkinson, senior account supervisor at Martin, called the situation "quite abnormal," according to Thursday's Independent.
One result: The firm has not printed many of the promotional items it has produced for the V.I. government.
It has printed and sent out its regular newsletter to travel agents and travel professionals because it "is so critical to the promotion of the territory," Atkinson said.
Martin's contract with the V.I. government directs the Richmond, Va.-based firm to host travel writers and print and distribute written materials ranging from rate sheets to press releases to the newsletter. In November Martin P.R. hosted about a dozen travel writers and photographers to the territory.
The $1 million bill was uncovered by the transition team's economic committee.
The team said the Tourism Department is not only in debt, but it is also in disarray and seriously demoralized. A member of the team attributed the poor morale in the department to problems between staff and management.
Tourism Commissioner Wylie Whisonant said critics don't understand what it takes to run the department.
Earlier this week Martin PR announced that the V.I. tourism scene has appeared in publications as diverse as "Conde Nast Traveler" and "The Smithsonian," and has reached 140 million readers.
Martin's primary efforts have been directed at informing travel professionals and travelers that the U.S. Virgin Islands suffered no appreciable damage from Hurricane Georges in September.
TEACHERS UNION THREATENS TO SUE GERS
The St. Thomas-St. John teachers union has rejected the retirement system's justification of huge salary increases for 18 high-level personnel and is considering taking legal action to stop the pay hikes.
According to one official, the union may also demand the resignation of the Government Employees Retirement System board members in hopes that a new board would roll back the increases, the Daily News reported Wednesday.
Glen Smith, president of the St. Thomas-St. John Federation of Teachers, said union members consider the raises imprudent. They also regard the full-page ads that GERS has placed in local papers as awaste of money.
Also at issue, Smith said, are the retroactive wages owed to AFT members.
GERS employees are receiving large pay increases while AFT members are still owed retroactive wages.
The Legislature had considered borrowing from GERS to pay the retroactive wages, but dropped the idea because of repeated warnings that the retirement system was already overburdened.
According to one official, the union may also demand the resignation of the Government Employees Retirement System board members in hopes that a new board would roll back the increases, the Daily News reported Wednesday.
Glen Smith, president of the St. Thomas-St. John Federation of Teachers, said union members consider the raises imprudent. They also regard the full-page ads that GERS has placed in local papers as awaste of money.
Also at issue, Smith said, are the retroactive wages owed to AFT members.
GERS employees are receiving large pay increases while AFT members are still owed retroactive wages.
The Legislature had considered borrowing from GERS to pay the retroactive wages, but dropped the idea because of repeated warnings that the retirement system was already overburdened.
