June 27, 2003 – The St. Croix branch of the V.I. Republican Party is calling on the U.S. Department of Interior to set up a financial control board "to help the U.S. Virgin Islands solve its fiscal crisis."
According to a release distributed on Friday, "since neither the executive nor legislative branches of the V.I. government have come up with satisfactory measures to correct the current fiscal crisis, a financial control board is the only feasible alternative."
The leadership of the St. Croix GOP unanimously approved a motion asking for the establishment of such an entity "made up of professionals," Reuben Fenton, St. Croix party president, said. The motion further called for the control board to dispense any funds borrowed in the future by the V.I. government.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull, a Democrat, "has not lived up to the Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Interior which he signed in order to get the last loan," the Republicans charge. Further, the release stated, the funds thus obtained "have been used for payroll and other current operating expenses. This merely means that in another six or eight months, another loan will be necessary for government operations."
In 1999, the government floated a $300 million bond issue. On Thursday, the Senate Finance Committee approved the governor's proposal to borrow another $235 million via the same route.
Last week, the full Senate approved several new and increased taxes also sought by the governor to reduce the administration's currently projected shortfall of $152 million by the end of the current fiscal year on Sept. 30. They are: a new "environmental user fee" of 2 cents per pound on goods imported into or produced in the territory, new fees on containers shipped to the territory, an increase in the road tax of 5 cents per pound, an increase of about 50 percent in bank licensing fees, and a new 4 percent tax on items valued at more than $1,000 imported for personal use. The lawmakers also authorized the government to increase fees yearly by as much as $100.
The bills were in the legislative legal counsel's office as of Wednesday, with no indication of when they would be delivered to Government House.
The release from the St. Croix GOP stated that "the additional taxes proposed by the Legislature in lieu of cutting government expenditures will cause severe financial distress on all sectors of the business community. In the future, the government also will be affected as businesses close down and the tax revenues which support government disappear."
Sen. Lorraine Berry, the Legislature's senior member and a Democrat throughout her political career, asked federal authorities on June 19 for financial and technical assistance in setting up a control board in the territory similar to the one that temporarily took over management of the financial affairs of the Washington, D.C., local government in 1995.
One of the key players in that effort, Herbert R. Tillery, now an appointive deputy mayor of the federal district, was in the territory two weeks ago and was a principal presenter at a forum on government leadership and management.
Turnbull and Bruce Babbitt, then secretary of the Interior, signed the MOU in 1999. An audit of compliance with the memorandum on the part of both the V.I. government and Interior was conducted by Interior's Office of Inspector General last November and reported in January. It found accomplishments and failures on both sides. (See MOU compliance audit: successes, shortcomings".)

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June 27, 2003 – The St. Croix branch of the V.I. Republican Party is calling on the U.S. Department of Interior to set up a financial control board "to help the U.S. Virgin Islands solve its fiscal crisis."
According to a release distributed on Friday, "since neither the executive nor legislative branches of the V.I. government have come up with satisfactory measures to correct the current fiscal crisis, a financial control board is the only feasible alternative."
The leadership of the St. Croix GOP unanimously approved a motion asking for the establishment of such an entity "made up of professionals," Reuben Fenton, St. Croix party president, said. The motion further called for the control board to dispense any funds borrowed in the future by the V.I. government.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull, a Democrat, "has not lived up to the Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Interior which he signed in order to get the last loan," the Republicans charge. Further, the release stated, the funds thus obtained "have been used for payroll and other current operating expenses. This merely means that in another six or eight months, another loan will be necessary for government operations."
In 1999, the government floated a $300 million bond issue. On Thursday, the Senate Finance Committee approved the governor's proposal to borrow another $235 million via the same route.
Last week, the full Senate approved several new and increased taxes also sought by the governor to reduce the administration's currently projected shortfall of $152 million by the end of the current fiscal year on Sept. 30. They are: a new "environmental user fee" of 2 cents per pound on goods imported into or produced in the territory, new fees on containers shipped to the territory, an increase in the road tax of 5 cents per pound, an increase of about 50 percent in bank licensing fees, and a new 4 percent tax on items valued at more than $1,000 imported for personal use. The lawmakers also authorized the government to increase fees yearly by as much as $100.
The bills were in the legislative legal counsel's office as of Wednesday, with no indication of when they would be delivered to Government House.
The release from the St. Croix GOP stated that "the additional taxes proposed by the Legislature in lieu of cutting government expenditures will cause severe financial distress on all sectors of the business community. In the future, the government also will be affected as businesses close down and the tax revenues which support government disappear."
Sen. Lorraine Berry, the Legislature's senior member and a Democrat throughout her political career, asked federal authorities on June 19 for financial and technical assistance in setting up a control board in the territory similar to the one that temporarily took over management of the financial affairs of the Washington, D.C., local government in 1995.
One of the key players in that effort, Herbert R. Tillery, now an appointive deputy mayor of the federal district, was in the territory two weeks ago and was a principal presenter at a forum on government leadership and management.
Turnbull and Bruce Babbitt, then secretary of the Interior, signed the MOU in 1999. An audit of compliance with the memorandum on the part of both the V.I. government and Interior was conducted by Interior's Office of Inspector General last November and reported in January. It found accomplishments and failures on both sides. (See MOU compliance audit: successes, shortcomings".)

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June 27, 2003 – Lloyd "Sonny" Barnes shared his accolades with others at a ceremony held in his honor at the Virgin Islands Protection and Advocacy office in Frederiksted on Friday, a month after he was similarly recognized in Washington, D.C.
Barnes, who has muscular dystrophy, was one of two persons honored at the annual conference of the National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems for "awe-inspiring efforts in self advocacy" and for advancing the rights of persons with disabilities.
Amelia Headly-Lamont, executive director of V.I. Protection and Advocacy, said that a local news story on Barnes captured the attention of Curt Decker, executive director of the national association, and led to the St. Croix resident's being honored on May 30.
The news account was of Barnes parking his wheelchair in front of a VITRAN bus and declaring that he would not move until he could get on the bus like everyone else. The story sparked a local movement that is ongoing today in demand of accessible transportation for disabled persons.
In Washington, "When I introduced Sonny to the conference attendees and told them his story, the audience broke out in a thunderous applause at his courage and determination," Headly-Lamont said on Friday. "It was a proud moment for the Virgin Islands."
Barnes has been called an advocate for the handicapped, an astute political observer, and sometimes a rebel. He also proved to be a study in humility, requesting Friday's gathering so that he could turn the award he received in Washington over to the local advocacy office.
"This organization encouraged me to go forward," Barnes said. "Even though I have the award, it does not belong to me. I am glad they chose me, for the experience, but I know that it is not me alone who deserves this award, because the people of this organization were behind me, at my side and in front of me all the way."
Barnes said he was given the royal treatment in the nation's capital. He marveled at the amenities available there for handicapped persons, including accessibility to trains, buses, stores and restaurants.
"I saw a better way of life for people like me," he said. "Here at home, I have so many problems getting around; it's a real struggle. I want to be able to go anywhere I want, just like everyone else."
"Sometime I think about just giving up and taking it easy," he said, "but I have a purpose here. I will keep struggling, and I will never give up on my home."

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June 27, 2003 — Private-sector employers and employees must report all complaints regarding safety and health issues in the private-sector workplace, to the Puerto Rico area office of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), effective July 1, 2003.
Effective that date, said a release from the V.I. Labor Department, the authority for enforcement of safety and health standards in the private sector will be transferred to the Puerto Rico OSHA office in San Juan, and the enforcement program will be managed out of that office. The telephone number is (787) 277-1560.
Since 1973, when the V.I. Division of Occupational Safety and Health was established, explained Labor Commissioner Cecil R. Benjamin, a safety and health enforcement program has been conducted in both public and private sectors. The department, however, "has determined that in order to meet the needs of its public sector employees, who constitute the majority of the Virgin Islands workforce, it is necessary to focus its attention and limited resources on … the public sector."
Consultation services, however, will continue to be provided to both sectors. Consultation is a free service offered to employers to assist in identifying potential violations of OSHA standards, will allowing employers an opportunity to correct those conditions without enforcement action.

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June 27, 2003 — Private-sector employers and employees must report all complaints regarding safety and health issues in the private-sector workplace, to the Puerto Rico area office of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), effective July 1, 2003.
Effective that date, said a release from the V.I. Labor Department, the authority for enforcement of safety and health standards in the private sector will be transferred to the Puerto Rico OSHA office in San Juan, and the enforcement program will be managed out of that office. The telephone number is (787) 277-1560.
Since 1973, when the V.I. Division of Occupational Safety and Health was established, explained Labor Commissioner Cecil R. Benjamin, a safety and health enforcement program has been conducted in both public and private sectors. The department, however, "has determined that in order to meet the needs of its public sector employees, who constitute the majority of the Virgin Islands workforce, it is necessary to focus its attention and limited resources on … the public sector."
Consultation services, however, will continue to be provided to both sectors. Consultation is a free service offered to employers to assist in identifying potential violations of OSHA standards, will allowing employers an opportunity to correct those conditions without enforcement action.

Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.

June 27, 2003 — Private-sector employers and employees must report all complaints regarding safety and health issues in the private-sector workplace, to the Puerto Rico area office of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), effective July 1, 2003.
Effective that date, said a release from the V.I. Labor Department, the authority for enforcement of safety and health standards in the private sector will be transferred to the Puerto Rico OSHA office in San Juan, and the enforcement program will be managed out of that office. The telephone number is (787) 277-1560.
Since 1973, when the V.I. Division of Occupational Safety and Health was established, explained Labor Commissioner Cecil R. Benjamin, a safety and health enforcement program has been conducted in both public and private sectors. The department, however, "has determined that in order to meet the needs of its public sector employees, who constitute the majority of the Virgin Islands workforce, it is necessary to focus its attention and limited resources on … the public sector."
Consultation services, however, will continue to be provided to both sectors. Consultation is a free service offered to employers to assist in identifying potential violations of OSHA standards, will allowing employers an opportunity to correct those conditions without enforcement action.

Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.

June 27, 2003 – Sen. Raymond Richards is no more.
And henceforth, reporters and editors in referring to him will properly drop the quotation marks from around the name "Usie."
That's because the freshman St. Croix legislator, who has long gone by "Usie," although it was not his given name, is now legally Usie Richards.
When the Source interviewed him last February for a profile as a new senator, Richards explained that the name "Usie" is not a traditional V.I. nickname or "pet" name.
"I chose that name," he told reporter Molly Morris then. "It's an African name," he said, meaning "serious one."
He said then that he had begun court proceedings to take the name as his own legally. The Certificate of Change of Name signed by Territorial Court Judge Patricia Steele this week states that this has been accomplished. The former Raymond Everad Richards is now officially Usie Raymond Richards.

Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.

June 27, 2003 – Sen. Raymond Richards is no more.
And henceforth, reporters and editors in referring to him will properly drop the quotation marks from around the name "Usie."
That's because the freshman St. Croix legislator, who has long gone by "Usie," although it was not his given name, is now legally Usie Richards.
When the Source interviewed him last February for a profile as a new senator, Richards explained that the name "Usie" is not a traditional V.I. nickname or "pet" name.
"I chose that name," he told reporter Molly Morris then. "It's an African name," he said, meaning "serious one."
He said then that he had begun court proceedings to take the name as his own legally. The Certificate of Change of Name signed by Territorial Court Judge Patricia Steele this week states that this has been accomplished. The former Raymond Everad Richards is now officially Usie Raymond Richards.

Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.

June 27, 2003 – Sen. Raymond Richards is no more.
And henceforth, reporters and editors in referring to him will properly drop the quotation marks from around the name "Usie."
That's because the freshman St. Croix legislator, who has long gone by "Usie," although it was not his given name, is now legally Usie Richards.
When the Source interviewed him last February for a profile as a new senator, Richards explained that the name "Usie" is not a traditional V.I. nickname or "pet" name.
"I chose that name," he told reporter Molly Morris then. "It's an African name," he said, meaning "serious one."
He said then that he had begun court proceedings to take the name as his own legally. The Certificate of Change of Name signed by Territorial Court Judge Patricia Steele this week states that this has been accomplished. The former Raymond Everad Richards is now officially Usie Raymond Richards.

Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.

June 27, 2003 — The federal Bureau of Health Professions has awarded the University of the Virgin Islands associate of science degree nursing program a three-year grant totaling $443,539 to increase the enrollment, retention and graduation of disadvantaged nursing students.
The Virgin Islands competed with 67 nursing programs that submitted proposals. Out of 40 that passed the initial consideration, only 16 were chosen. The Virgin Islands' first-year grant of $164,872 is an amount larger than an Arkansas program received, and close to amounts granted to Michigan and California nursing programs.
The bureau is part of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department's Health Resources and Services Administration.
The Strategies for Achieving Results grant (STARs), will be used to fund continuous tutoring, counseling and a stipend for eight incoming nursing students to the St. Croix campus program, and will add more students to the program each year.
"We are very excited and anxious to get started in the program," said Joan Marsh, the grant's principal investigator, who applied for the grant with assistance from fellow professor Janzie Allmacher. Marsh, a nursing professor and chairwoman of the St. Croix campus nursing division, further said, "We are looking forward to making things happen for the incoming nursing students."
The STARs program begins with an intensive two-week workshop in July for incoming freshman nursing students who may apply for a STARs grant. Eight grant recipients will be selected; all nursing students, however, may participate in workshops funded by the grant.
The grant will also fund faculty development and a Future Nurses club for middle school students who are interested in pursuing nursing as a career.
For more information about the STARs program call Joan Marsh at 692-4014.
For more on the award and details of all 16 awardees, see the HHS press release.

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