The V.I. Senate payroll now totals slightly more than $7 million, according to information from Senate President Almando "Rocky" Liburd. The figure does not include senators' individual allotments.
Liburd has steadfastly avoided the release of information on each senators' total allotment, despite his assurances to the Source on Friday that he would release those documents Monday, three days ago.
On Wednesday, Liburd released copies of six contracts for professional services ranging from $7,000 for a 20-hour a week clerk typist for six months, to $55,000 annually for a 25-hour a week budget consultant.
Attorney Karl Percell has been hired to provide legal counsel, opinions, research and analysis for Sen. Carlton Dowe at $2,500 monthly, not to exceed $30,000. The contract stipulates work from Jan. 16 through Dec. 31, 2001, for not less than 25 hours per month.
According to the Virgin Islands Daily News, Attorney General Iver Stridiron had turned down a request from Liburd to provide legal help for the Legislature. The paper quoted Stridiron as saying for the Justice Department to represent the Legislature would be "in violation of the Doctrine of the Separation of Powers."
The newspaper quoted Liburd as saying the Legislature was "down to only two attorneys, who are already stretched to the limits. …" With the addition of Percell, the Legislature will now have five attorneys as legal counsel, according to the Central Staffing roster released by Liburd last week.
The St. Thomas office lists Yvonne Tharpe, assistant chief legal counsel and Trevor N. Friday, legal counsel. The St. Croix office lists Constance Krieger, chief legal counsel and Amelia Joseph, legal counsel.
None of the contract employees are eligible for annual leave and sick leave benefits, holiday pay, health insurance or retirement pay, according to the documents.
In addition to Percell, the contracts are for:
– Sonia Andrew: $7,000 for 20 hours a week for clerk-typist duties for Liburd for six months;
– Rudolph Krigger Jr.: $55,000 annually for not less than 40 hours a week as chief researcher for Liburd;
– Juan A. Garcia: $55,000 annually for the term of the 24th Legislature for not less than 25 hours a week to review, analyze and advise Sen. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen, Finance Chairwoman, on budget matters;
– Leslie A. Howard Sr.: $25,000 annually for a minimum of 35 hours a week, to assist Sen. Celestino White Sr., chairman of the Housing, Parks and Recreation Committee, in public housing matters including liaison with White and the public Housing Tenant Councils;
– Alphonse Nibbs Sr.: $30,000 annually for a minimum of 35 hours a week to do research, serve as liaison with the public housing administration and represent White at community events and housing meetings.
The contracts now bring Liburd's payroll to $404,000, Dowe's to $270,000 and White's to $224,000. Garcia's $55,000 contract is paid from Post Audit's staff allotment, not from Hansen's personal staff payroll. This brings Post Audit's payroll to $714,500.
