Editor's note: The Source newspapers will publish available information about Virgin Islanders on military duty in the Middle East and across the world.
Please e-mail information about yourself or any family member serving to source@viaccess.net. Provide the individual's full name, age, rank, service branch or organization, home island, immediate family members in the Virgin Islands, brief description of education and training, and, if possible, a description of where the person is based or has been deployed. We welcome photos.
Army Reserves Lt. Col. Raymond Lutz / St. Croix
June 26, 2003 — Lt. Col. Raymond Lutz of St. Croix will retire from the U.S. Army Reserves on July 1, aacording to a communication from Officer Lutz.
Lutz, 49, entered active duty in 1975 as an intelligence officer and served at postings throughout the United States, Latin America, Europe and elsewhere abroad. During his career, he served in a variety of intelligence position, infantry, special operations, and foreign area specialist postings. His final posting was as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington, D.C.
He is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff and Air Force War College. His awards include Ranger, Air Assault and Parachutist badges and numerous Meritorious Service, Achievement and Commendation medals.
His wife, Diana, lives on St. Croix.
Army Pfc. Carla Valmont / St. Croix
June 26, 2003 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) — Army Pfc. Carla R. Valmont, a 1986 graduate of St. Croix Central High School, has deployed overseas to a forward operating location to support the mission of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Operation Iraqi Freedom is the official name given to military operations involving U.S. and coalition forces efforts to disarm and end the current Iraqi regime and eliminate its weapons of mass destruction, weapons capabilities and delivery systems, and use of chemical and biological agents. The focus of the mission is to liberate the Iraqi people, preserve Iraq as a unified state, keep its territorial integrity intact, and help the Iraqi people begin the process of economic and political reconstruction.
Valmont is a cargo specialist with two years of military service.
She is the daughter of Timothy and Olympe Valmont of St. Croix. Her husband, Jerry, is the son of Jerry and Louise Leach of Florence, S.C.
Seaman Craig Tuitt/St. Thomas
June 21, 2003 – Seaman Craig Tuitt is a submariner stationed on board the nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Providence (SSN-719), homeported at the Navy's New London sub base in Groton, Connecticut. As a submarine electronics technician, he has a job that is essential to the ship's mission.
"I am a tech on navigation systems, communications circuits and chart as a quartermaster," he said in a release issued by the Navy Public Affairs Center / "America's Eye on the Fleet."
Tuitt, like many sailors, joined the Navy for the training, although few will ever serve in the submarine community. "I fight for freedom, by one means or another," he said.
The 2001 graduate of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School is now considering a Navy career. "I'm very proud of myself for having been out on my own and accomplishing the goals in my life," he said. "It's a great feeling to be going to places around the world and supporting myself. I want to apply for officer candidate school and maybe retire after 20 or more years in the Navy."
Serving on board a vessel where attention to detail can mean the difference between being seen by the enemy or not can teach a sailor a lot about himself. "Since joining the Navy, I have become knowledgeable on hydraulic systems, nuclear power, electronic systems (mainly in the navigational field) and interior communications circuits," Tuitt said. "I have also learned that the Navy is a great choice for job security."
Tuitt was born on Montserrat and grew up on St. Thomas. He is the nephew of Ethlyn Tuitt-Mills on St. Thomas and Kathleen Tuitt of Miami. His father, another aunt and an uncle also live on St. Thomas, according to Kathleen Tuitt.
Marine Corps Pfc. Karl C.A. Brodie/St. Thomas
June 19, 2003 – Marine Corps Pfc. Karl C.A. Brodie recently completed a two-week bilateral training exercise with Albanian military forces while assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, based in Camp Lejeune, N.C., currently aboard the USS Iwo Jima.
Brodie is one of more than 4,000 Pacific Fleet Sailors and Marines who deployed aboard the ships of the USS Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group.
Drawing upon lessons learned in recent operations in Mosul, Iraq, Brodie's unit sought to create a training exercise that included every element of the MEU with specific emphasis on combat service support of secure convoy procedures.
Brodie's unit is an expeditionary intervention force with the ability to rapidly organize for combat operations in virtually any environment.
Brodie is a 2001 graduate of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School.
Army National Guard Sgt. Bentley T. Thomas/St. Thomas
June 18, 2003 – Army National Guard Sgt. Bentley T. Thomas has graduated from the multiple launch rocket system repair advanced individual training course at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Ala.
The sergeant is a '95 graduate of Tampa College, Lakeland, Fla., and the son of Bentley and Jocelyn Thomas of St. Thomas.
Army Sgt. Loorn A. Cameron/St. Thomas
June 18, 2003 – Army Sgt. Loorn A. Cameron has deployed to a U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to support Operation Enduring Freedom.
Enduring Freedom is the official name given to the biggest U.S. military mobilization since the Gulf War in '91. Members of all branches of the Armed Forces have been deployed and reserve components activated to support the war against global terrorism, combating international terrorist networks and regime forces outside the U.S.
Cameron is normally assigned to the 725th Main Support Battalion at Schofield Barracks, Oahu, Hawaii.
He is the stepson of Ruth E. Morris of St. Thomas, and a '95 graduate of Charlotte Amilie High School.
Air Force Senior Airman Elvis N. Thomas/St. Thomas
June 18, 2003 – Air Force Senior Airman Elvis N. Thomas has deployed to an overseas forward operating location to support missions of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Enduring Freedom is the official name given to the biggest U.S. military mobilization since the Gulf War in '91. Members of all branches of the Armed Forces have been deployed and reserve components activated to support the war against global terrorism, combating international terrorist networks and regime forces outside the U.S.
Thomas is an information manager with three years of military service.
He is the son of Jacqueline and Davison Thomas of St. Thomas, and a '99 graduate of Charlotte Amlie High School.
Navy Hospitalman Apprentice Jevon E. Hedrington /St. Croix
June 05, 2003(Fleet News)–Navy Hospitalman Apprentice Jevon E. Hedrington, son of Leslie Hedrington of Christiansted, V. I., recently reported for duty at the Naval Hospital, Jacksonville, Fla.
Hedrington is a graduate of St. Croix Central High School.
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MILITARY NEWS OF VIRGIN ISLANDERS – JUNE 2003
HAM OPERATORS TO HAVE A FIELD DAY THIS WEEKEND
June 27, 2003 – Members of the St. John Amateur Radio Club will join their counterparts around North America on Saturday and Sunday for this year's American Radio Relay League Field Day.
It's the nation's largest annual ham radio event, and the objective is to see who can make the most contacts during a 24-hour period.
"It's like a contest to see how many radio contacts you can make around the United States," St. John ham radio operator Malcolm Preston said.
The V.I. group also will try to contact ham radio operators in Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America. And while the participants are trying to add to their contact list, they're also brushing up on their skills, working under simulated emergency conditions and using generator-and battery-powered radio equipment and portable antennas.
The St. John group, which will be assisted by other licensed ham radio operators from St. Thomas and St. Croix, will set up at the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Office in Susannaberg. In previous years, members have held their field day at other locations around St. John, but Preston said having it at VITEMA's Emergency Command Center gives the members on-site experience.
When hurricanes or other emergencies hit, the ham radio operators work out of the VITEMA office. "In a hurricane, we're often the only ones who can get through," Preston said.
He said that the event will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday and will last through Sunday afternoon. How late they work depends on how well signals go through.
The field day also is a good opportunity for people who aren't operators to explore an interest in ham radio. Visitors are welcome to stop by and "operate the radio and see what it's all about," Preston said.
He said the St. John club has about 20 members. As some are currently off island, he expects eight or nine to participate in this weekend's activity.
For more information about ham radio operation or participating in the field day, call Preston at 693-8782.
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.
It's the nation's largest annual ham radio event, and the objective is to see who can make the most contacts during a 24-hour period.
"It's like a contest to see how many radio contacts you can make around the United States," St. John ham radio operator Malcolm Preston said.
The V.I. group also will try to contact ham radio operators in Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America. And while the participants are trying to add to their contact list, they're also brushing up on their skills, working under simulated emergency conditions and using generator-and battery-powered radio equipment and portable antennas.
The St. John group, which will be assisted by other licensed ham radio operators from St. Thomas and St. Croix, will set up at the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Office in Susannaberg. In previous years, members have held their field day at other locations around St. John, but Preston said having it at VITEMA's Emergency Command Center gives the members on-site experience.
When hurricanes or other emergencies hit, the ham radio operators work out of the VITEMA office. "In a hurricane, we're often the only ones who can get through," Preston said.
He said that the event will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday and will last through Sunday afternoon. How late they work depends on how well signals go through.
The field day also is a good opportunity for people who aren't operators to explore an interest in ham radio. Visitors are welcome to stop by and "operate the radio and see what it's all about," Preston said.
He said the St. John club has about 20 members. As some are currently off island, he expects eight or nine to participate in this weekend's activity.
For more information about ham radio operation or participating in the field day, call Preston at 693-8782.
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.
FINANCE OKS GOVERNOR'S $235M BOND ISSUE BILL
June 26, 2003 – Members of Gov. Charles W. Turnbull's financial team painted a grim picture of the territory's fiscal situation on Tuesday in urging the Senate Finance Committee to approve the governor's proposal to borrow $235 million on the bond market.
It took two tries, but the committee at the end of the day gave the governor what he wanted. It approved the measure 4-1 with only the committee chair, Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg, in opposition, and sent it to the Rules Committee.
The first motion to approve the bill, made by Sen. Roosevelt David, failed with Sens. Norman Jn Baptiste, Donastorg, Louis Hill and Ronald Russell voting against and David and Sen. Luther Renee voting in favor. However, after continued debate the committee reversed itself on a motion by Russell, with Sens. David, Hill, Renee and Russell in favor, Donastorg opposed and Baptiste off the floor during the vote.
The bill calls for spending $100 million of the bond issue to finance working capital operations, $80 million to develop a 250-room resort on St. Croix, $20 million to finance private economic development initiatives on St. Croix, and $10 million to finance the Carifest theme park on St. Thomas.
With the V.I. government facing a deficit currently estimated by the administration at $152 million for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, Turnbull's financial officers said, borrowing the money is the best way to get the territory out of the red.
"While we agree that borrowing for working capital purposes is less than ideal and not sustainable in the long run, the alternatives of massive tax increases and/or layoffs of government workers is even less desirable," Nathan Simmonds, director of the Office of Fiscal and Economic Recovery Implementation, said in his testimony.
"In order for us to meet our payroll in the month of June, including today's payroll, we have deferred the payment of income tax refunds and delayed payments to vendors," he said.
"However, we cannot continue to do this, as it only postpones the inevitable by pushing the problem into future months," Simmonds said. "Without a substantial infusion of cash, eventually the cash shortfall will result in payless paydays."
It is important to pay vendors in order to "ensure their continued viability," he said. And payment of more than $50 million owed in tax refunds, he said, would "put money into the economy" and "eliminate costly interest expense."
Senators raised concerns about the bond proposal, many seeking an answer to the question of whether borrowing is the best way to deal with the deficit. Meanwhile, according to a knowledgeable source, federal authorities have discussed the possibility of a financial control board to run the territory's fiscal affairs temporarily.
Sen. Lorraine Berry, a non-committee member who attended Thursday's hearing, made it known this week that she has asked the federal government for technical and financial help setting up such a board. (See "Berry seeks U.S. backing for financial board"".)
"The fiscal situation is frightening," David, a staunch supporter of borrowing, said. Referring to the prospect of payless paydays, he added: "I am not going to be Pontius Pilate with blood on my hands."
Sen. Carlton Dowe, another non-member of the Finance Committee, expressed concern that money from a bond issue might only be used to pay bills. "The issue to me is simple: whether we borrow or we don't, and what are the implications if we don't," he said. "I'm willing to borrow; however, it must be tied to some capital development."
Answering senators' questions concerning the 250-room hotel, Kenneth Mapp, Public Finance Authority director of finance and administration, said the government is not going to get into the hotel business but will undertake a "real estate trust investment."
The hotel's physical assets "willl be owned by the people of the Virgin Islands, but the management, training, control and operation of the facility will be driven solely by a nationally recognized brand at four-star, four-diamond rating," Mapp said. "It is through this bill that the governor is making good on his promise to build St. Croix as a true tourist destination, with its own brand identity."
Currently, Mapp said, St. Croix has 430 near-first-class or first-class rooms but only 146 can be marginally considered branded rooms — those of Best Western and the Divi. This, he said, compares to 7,600 first-class room in Jamaica, 5,600 in Puerto Rico, 3,700 in Aruba, 3,500 in the Dominican Republic, 2,100 in St. Lucia, 2,000 on St. Thomas/St. John and 1,500 in St. Martin.
A major chain hotel will attract tourists, Mapp said. "Given the limited number of rooms and the lack of recognizable brands, St. Croix remains at an extreme disadvantage at positioning itself as a viable tourist destination," he said.
During the hearing, no mention was made of the letter sent by all 15 senators on June 3 calling on the governor to rescind the millions of dollars in hefty pay raises he gave hundreds of classified employees last year (See "Cancel executive order pay hikes, Senate says".)
The governor's comeback was an offer to reduce the salaries of those making over $40,000 by 2 percent to 10 percent on a sliding scale for the last six months of this year. The pay raises proposed by the governor last year averaged 24 percent for upper-level personnel and 20 percent for mid-level employees.
Russell asked whether the administration had considered cutting salaries of unionized employees under contract provisions. Simmonds said such a move has been considered but would come about only if the government could not borrow.
Meanwhile, the administration is continuing to put new people on the payroll. Twenty-five individuals have been hired this month alone, according to a Personnel Division report, and more than 390 have been added to the payroll since November. (See "271 executive branch hires in November-April".)
Among the June hires were two groundskeepers for the Education Department and a school crossing guard.
"That's alarming," Donastorg said. "You can't say that the government is broke and turn around and be hiring. You cannot in one breath say one thing and do the other. If there's a hiring freeze, there's a hiring freeze."
Ira Mills, director of the Office of Management and Budget, tried to justify the hirings, saying that many were for the Police, Health and Human Services Departments and were for essential positions. He was not entirely successful.
"The spending levels we have cannot continue," Hill insisted. He said that borrowing is not a long-term solution because the government will just end up in the same situation in the future.
Committee members present were Sens. Baptiste, David, Donastorg, Hill, Renee and Russell. Sen. Shawn-Michael was excused. Non-committee members attending the hearing were Senate President David Jones and Sens. Berry, Dowe, Raymond "Usie" Richards and Celestino White.
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.
It took two tries, but the committee at the end of the day gave the governor what he wanted. It approved the measure 4-1 with only the committee chair, Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg, in opposition, and sent it to the Rules Committee.
The first motion to approve the bill, made by Sen. Roosevelt David, failed with Sens. Norman Jn Baptiste, Donastorg, Louis Hill and Ronald Russell voting against and David and Sen. Luther Renee voting in favor. However, after continued debate the committee reversed itself on a motion by Russell, with Sens. David, Hill, Renee and Russell in favor, Donastorg opposed and Baptiste off the floor during the vote.
The bill calls for spending $100 million of the bond issue to finance working capital operations, $80 million to develop a 250-room resort on St. Croix, $20 million to finance private economic development initiatives on St. Croix, and $10 million to finance the Carifest theme park on St. Thomas.
With the V.I. government facing a deficit currently estimated by the administration at $152 million for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, Turnbull's financial officers said, borrowing the money is the best way to get the territory out of the red.
"While we agree that borrowing for working capital purposes is less than ideal and not sustainable in the long run, the alternatives of massive tax increases and/or layoffs of government workers is even less desirable," Nathan Simmonds, director of the Office of Fiscal and Economic Recovery Implementation, said in his testimony.
"In order for us to meet our payroll in the month of June, including today's payroll, we have deferred the payment of income tax refunds and delayed payments to vendors," he said.
"However, we cannot continue to do this, as it only postpones the inevitable by pushing the problem into future months," Simmonds said. "Without a substantial infusion of cash, eventually the cash shortfall will result in payless paydays."
It is important to pay vendors in order to "ensure their continued viability," he said. And payment of more than $50 million owed in tax refunds, he said, would "put money into the economy" and "eliminate costly interest expense."
Senators raised concerns about the bond proposal, many seeking an answer to the question of whether borrowing is the best way to deal with the deficit. Meanwhile, according to a knowledgeable source, federal authorities have discussed the possibility of a financial control board to run the territory's fiscal affairs temporarily.
Sen. Lorraine Berry, a non-committee member who attended Thursday's hearing, made it known this week that she has asked the federal government for technical and financial help setting up such a board. (See "Berry seeks U.S. backing for financial board"".)
"The fiscal situation is frightening," David, a staunch supporter of borrowing, said. Referring to the prospect of payless paydays, he added: "I am not going to be Pontius Pilate with blood on my hands."
Sen. Carlton Dowe, another non-member of the Finance Committee, expressed concern that money from a bond issue might only be used to pay bills. "The issue to me is simple: whether we borrow or we don't, and what are the implications if we don't," he said. "I'm willing to borrow; however, it must be tied to some capital development."
Answering senators' questions concerning the 250-room hotel, Kenneth Mapp, Public Finance Authority director of finance and administration, said the government is not going to get into the hotel business but will undertake a "real estate trust investment."
The hotel's physical assets "willl be owned by the people of the Virgin Islands, but the management, training, control and operation of the facility will be driven solely by a nationally recognized brand at four-star, four-diamond rating," Mapp said. "It is through this bill that the governor is making good on his promise to build St. Croix as a true tourist destination, with its own brand identity."
Currently, Mapp said, St. Croix has 430 near-first-class or first-class rooms but only 146 can be marginally considered branded rooms — those of Best Western and the Divi. This, he said, compares to 7,600 first-class room in Jamaica, 5,600 in Puerto Rico, 3,700 in Aruba, 3,500 in the Dominican Republic, 2,100 in St. Lucia, 2,000 on St. Thomas/St. John and 1,500 in St. Martin.
A major chain hotel will attract tourists, Mapp said. "Given the limited number of rooms and the lack of recognizable brands, St. Croix remains at an extreme disadvantage at positioning itself as a viable tourist destination," he said.
During the hearing, no mention was made of the letter sent by all 15 senators on June 3 calling on the governor to rescind the millions of dollars in hefty pay raises he gave hundreds of classified employees last year (See "Cancel executive order pay hikes, Senate says".)
The governor's comeback was an offer to reduce the salaries of those making over $40,000 by 2 percent to 10 percent on a sliding scale for the last six months of this year. The pay raises proposed by the governor last year averaged 24 percent for upper-level personnel and 20 percent for mid-level employees.
Russell asked whether the administration had considered cutting salaries of unionized employees under contract provisions. Simmonds said such a move has been considered but would come about only if the government could not borrow.
Meanwhile, the administration is continuing to put new people on the payroll. Twenty-five individuals have been hired this month alone, according to a Personnel Division report, and more than 390 have been added to the payroll since November. (See "271 executive branch hires in November-April".)
Among the June hires were two groundskeepers for the Education Department and a school crossing guard.
"That's alarming," Donastorg said. "You can't say that the government is broke and turn around and be hiring. You cannot in one breath say one thing and do the other. If there's a hiring freeze, there's a hiring freeze."
Ira Mills, director of the Office of Management and Budget, tried to justify the hirings, saying that many were for the Police, Health and Human Services Departments and were for essential positions. He was not entirely successful.
"The spending levels we have cannot continue," Hill insisted. He said that borrowing is not a long-term solution because the government will just end up in the same situation in the future.
Committee members present were Sens. Baptiste, David, Donastorg, Hill, Renee and Russell. Sen. Shawn-Michael was excused. Non-committee members attending the hearing were Senate President David Jones and Sens. Berry, Dowe, Raymond "Usie" Richards and Celestino White.
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DELEGATE PUSHES HBCU ROLE IN 'PROJECT BIOSHIELD'
June 26, 2003 – Delegate Donna M. Christensen co-sponsored a successful amendment to federal homeland security legislation on Wednesday that would include Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other institutions serving large proportions of minorities in biological warfare research, development and procurement projects.
In a release, Christensen noted that such inclusive language appears in many other laws.
She and U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D., Texas) offered the amendment to a bill authorizing Project Bioshield, which passed the Committee on Homeland Security Wednesday. Project Bioshield "is a Bush administration initiative to create a marketplace for counter-biological products for use in case the nation is attacked by biological weapons," the release stated.
The measure now moves on for consideration by the full House of Representatives.
The amendment "was rewritten slightly due to objections by some Republican members that the provision constituted a preference," Christensen said. "To have this language which is found throughout other laws objected to caught me by surprise."
The delegate, a member of the Homeland Security Committee, told her colleagues that institutions designated as HBCU's, including the University of the Virgin Islands, are often overlooked in the government's major research projects.
"With endowments and enrollments down at many of these important institutions, getting financial support is becoming more of a problem for HBCU's," she said, but the ability to access research funding could make a difference.
Also on Wednesday, the release stated, Christensen questioned Asa Hutchinson, undersecretary of Homeland Security for border security, about ongoing Transportation Security Administration cutbacks in airport screeners, which have affected workers in the territory. She asked about the possible transfer of personnel within the agency.
And she again asked that a federal Border Patrol unit be established for the Virgin Islands.
"The Coast Guard units in the Virgin Islands are called upon to oversee what may be the busiest cruise ship port in the Caribbean," she said, referring to St. Thomas, "while having to patrol and guard over 175 miles of unprotected open borders which is our country's southernmost border and a gateway to the United States."
She noted that the territory also is home to Hovensa, the largest oil refinery in the Western Hemisphere. Advocating more funding for Customs, the FBI, the TSA and the Coast Guard to adequately protect the islands' critical assets, she invited Hutchinson to pay a visit "to hear first hand the territory's concerns."
The release also said that:
– As a member of the Homeland Security Committee's Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Science and Research and Development Christensen attended a hearing on what experts feel is needed "to protect the critical infrastructure of cyberspace."
– She recently attended Homeland Security Committee hearings in Los Angeles and Long Beach, California, on the efforts of federal and local agencies to make their ports more secure.
– She was among committee members who met with military officials at the new Northern Command in Colorado.
– She recently invited Michael Brown, Homeland Security undersecretary for emergency preparedness and response. to visit the territory in the near future. V.I. Sen. Lorraine Berry, who chairs the Senate's new Public Safety, Judiciary, Homeland Security and Justice Committee, announced in March that Brown had accepted her invitation to make such a visit April 14-15. In the meantime, however, the United States launched the war against Iraq and Brown's visit was put on hold.
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.
In a release, Christensen noted that such inclusive language appears in many other laws.
She and U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D., Texas) offered the amendment to a bill authorizing Project Bioshield, which passed the Committee on Homeland Security Wednesday. Project Bioshield "is a Bush administration initiative to create a marketplace for counter-biological products for use in case the nation is attacked by biological weapons," the release stated.
The measure now moves on for consideration by the full House of Representatives.
The amendment "was rewritten slightly due to objections by some Republican members that the provision constituted a preference," Christensen said. "To have this language which is found throughout other laws objected to caught me by surprise."
The delegate, a member of the Homeland Security Committee, told her colleagues that institutions designated as HBCU's, including the University of the Virgin Islands, are often overlooked in the government's major research projects.
"With endowments and enrollments down at many of these important institutions, getting financial support is becoming more of a problem for HBCU's," she said, but the ability to access research funding could make a difference.
Also on Wednesday, the release stated, Christensen questioned Asa Hutchinson, undersecretary of Homeland Security for border security, about ongoing Transportation Security Administration cutbacks in airport screeners, which have affected workers in the territory. She asked about the possible transfer of personnel within the agency.
And she again asked that a federal Border Patrol unit be established for the Virgin Islands.
"The Coast Guard units in the Virgin Islands are called upon to oversee what may be the busiest cruise ship port in the Caribbean," she said, referring to St. Thomas, "while having to patrol and guard over 175 miles of unprotected open borders which is our country's southernmost border and a gateway to the United States."
She noted that the territory also is home to Hovensa, the largest oil refinery in the Western Hemisphere. Advocating more funding for Customs, the FBI, the TSA and the Coast Guard to adequately protect the islands' critical assets, she invited Hutchinson to pay a visit "to hear first hand the territory's concerns."
The release also said that:
– As a member of the Homeland Security Committee's Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Science and Research and Development Christensen attended a hearing on what experts feel is needed "to protect the critical infrastructure of cyberspace."
– She recently attended Homeland Security Committee hearings in Los Angeles and Long Beach, California, on the efforts of federal and local agencies to make their ports more secure.
– She was among committee members who met with military officials at the new Northern Command in Colorado.
– She recently invited Michael Brown, Homeland Security undersecretary for emergency preparedness and response. to visit the territory in the near future. V.I. Sen. Lorraine Berry, who chairs the Senate's new Public Safety, Judiciary, Homeland Security and Justice Committee, announced in March that Brown had accepted her invitation to make such a visit April 14-15. In the meantime, however, the United States launched the war against Iraq and Brown's visit was put on hold.
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.
FREE HIV TESTING OFFERED FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
June 26, 2003 – Friday is National HIV Testing Day, and organizations around the territory will offer free testing on Friday and Saturday.
"The earlier you detect it, the more control you have over it," Lee Vanterpool, Government House spokesman, said.
He noted that HIV — the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which causes AIDS — is easier to treat if it's detected early on. And, he said, if you don't know if you're infected, you put your sexual partner or partners at risk.
On St. Thomas, testing will be conducted on Friday at the Health Department STD/HIV/TB Clinic at the Old Municipal Hospital from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and at the East End Clinic from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
On St. Croix, residents have four options, all on Friday: The Frederiksted Health Clinic will conduct testing from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., V.I. Care will do so at its King Street, Christiansted, office from noon to 8 p.m., AARP will do so at the Sunny Isle Shopping Center form 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the Health Department Family Planning Office will do so at its Vitraco Mall office from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Vanterpool said testing also will be done on Friday at the Women's Personal Support Network at The Village on St. Croix, but the times were not available.
On St. John, testing will be done on Saturday at Skinny Legs Bar and Restaurant in Coral Bay from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Health Department and other agencies encourage residents to take advantage of the free HIV testing. The tests will be conducted using oral fluids through the OraSure method. The procedure does not involve drawing blood.
Nationwide, there are an estimated 750,000 people who don't know they are HIV infected. With new advances in treatment, people infected with the virus can live active and productive lives.
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.
"The earlier you detect it, the more control you have over it," Lee Vanterpool, Government House spokesman, said.
He noted that HIV — the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which causes AIDS — is easier to treat if it's detected early on. And, he said, if you don't know if you're infected, you put your sexual partner or partners at risk.
On St. Thomas, testing will be conducted on Friday at the Health Department STD/HIV/TB Clinic at the Old Municipal Hospital from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and at the East End Clinic from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
On St. Croix, residents have four options, all on Friday: The Frederiksted Health Clinic will conduct testing from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., V.I. Care will do so at its King Street, Christiansted, office from noon to 8 p.m., AARP will do so at the Sunny Isle Shopping Center form 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the Health Department Family Planning Office will do so at its Vitraco Mall office from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Vanterpool said testing also will be done on Friday at the Women's Personal Support Network at The Village on St. Croix, but the times were not available.
On St. John, testing will be done on Saturday at Skinny Legs Bar and Restaurant in Coral Bay from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Health Department and other agencies encourage residents to take advantage of the free HIV testing. The tests will be conducted using oral fluids through the OraSure method. The procedure does not involve drawing blood.
Nationwide, there are an estimated 750,000 people who don't know they are HIV infected. With new advances in treatment, people infected with the virus can live active and productive lives.
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.
AGENCIES OUTLINE SERVICES, NEEDS FOR YOUTH
June 26, 2003 – In its second session of the day on Wednesday, the Senate Education and Youth Committee focused on the importance of youth groups, especially since today's young people "have been touted for activities that are less than desirable," as Sen. Ronald Russell, the committee chair, put it.
Representatives of the Boys and Girls Club and the Labor, Police, Human Services and Housing Parks and Recreation Departments summarized their function within the community and outlined their funding needs at the evening session, which followed an afternoon hearing on the public education system.
Kimberley Causey Gomez of Human Services' Division of Children, Youth and Families said division programs affecting young people include protective care intervention, juvenile justice intervention, residential treatment, delinquency prevention and the federal Head Start program.
Gomez said there are 158 children in foster care under the auspices of the department's protective care unit. And, she said, 47 percent of children in need of foster care are over 13 years old, most coming from low-income families, 71 percent of them single-parent households, with 91 percent having experienced neglect.
Juvenile Justice programs serve pre-delinquents, persons in need of supervision and adjudicated youth, she said. Services include investigation, recommendation to the courts, treatment, and oversight for an alternative sentencing program within the Youth Rehabilitation Center. Currently, she said, 53 youths are receiving pre-delinquent counseling and 252 are receiving services for delinquent behavior. Eighty percent are males, the average arrest age is 15 years and 37 percent have committed a violent crime. However, Gomez pointed out, these youth in trouble represent only about 1 percent of the total population their age.
Within the division's Crisis Stabilization Center, Gomez said, group residential facilities for boys and for girls are funded by Human Services to provide limited treatment for dysfunctional behavior. More than half of the children involved are diagnosed with mental illness, she said. While these children generally require long-term treatment, there are no programs or facilities on island to address their needs separately from the general population of children needing treatment.
Gomez urged the senators, among other things, to increase Human Services funding to provide mental health services for children and youth and to hire competent, innovative teachers for the Youth Rehabilitation Center. Campaigning for funding of $500,000, Kenneth Blake, head of the Police Crime Prevention/Community Relations Bureau, outlined specialized projects including the DARE program, Police Athletic League and the Police Pre-Cadet Corps.
Lauretta Petersen, acting director of the Labor Department's Training Division, asked not for additional funding but for the amount appropriated for this fiscal year. She said that $92,272 was to be allocated from the Youth Transition Employment Fund but to date no funds have been received. She also said $300,000 was appropriated for the V.I. Graduates program, but again, "no funds have been allotted for FY 2003."
The idea of a consolidated Youth Department — approved by the 24th Legislature and then vetoed by the governor — was raised and discussed. Petersen observed that the Labor Department "is already that sort of umbrella organization." For example, she said, it is the department's job to place summer students. But "many organizations have not come to us," she said. "This is why many students have not been placed."
One concern expressed was that such specialized programs as DARE — Drug Abuse Resistance Education — may have no place within a general Youth Department.
The testimony taken at the session is to be compiled into a general information booklet
outlining youth programs within the territory. "It is important that the children have this information," Sen. Luther Renee said, "because in the long run we are saving money by providing youth with programs that will keep them from being incarcerated."
Committee members at the hearing were Sens. Norman Jn Baptiste, Roosevelt David, Louis Hill, Renee, Raymond "Usie" Richards and Russell. Sen. Shawn-Michael Malone was excused.
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.
Representatives of the Boys and Girls Club and the Labor, Police, Human Services and Housing Parks and Recreation Departments summarized their function within the community and outlined their funding needs at the evening session, which followed an afternoon hearing on the public education system.
Kimberley Causey Gomez of Human Services' Division of Children, Youth and Families said division programs affecting young people include protective care intervention, juvenile justice intervention, residential treatment, delinquency prevention and the federal Head Start program.
Gomez said there are 158 children in foster care under the auspices of the department's protective care unit. And, she said, 47 percent of children in need of foster care are over 13 years old, most coming from low-income families, 71 percent of them single-parent households, with 91 percent having experienced neglect.
Juvenile Justice programs serve pre-delinquents, persons in need of supervision and adjudicated youth, she said. Services include investigation, recommendation to the courts, treatment, and oversight for an alternative sentencing program within the Youth Rehabilitation Center. Currently, she said, 53 youths are receiving pre-delinquent counseling and 252 are receiving services for delinquent behavior. Eighty percent are males, the average arrest age is 15 years and 37 percent have committed a violent crime. However, Gomez pointed out, these youth in trouble represent only about 1 percent of the total population their age.
Within the division's Crisis Stabilization Center, Gomez said, group residential facilities for boys and for girls are funded by Human Services to provide limited treatment for dysfunctional behavior. More than half of the children involved are diagnosed with mental illness, she said. While these children generally require long-term treatment, there are no programs or facilities on island to address their needs separately from the general population of children needing treatment.
Gomez urged the senators, among other things, to increase Human Services funding to provide mental health services for children and youth and to hire competent, innovative teachers for the Youth Rehabilitation Center. Campaigning for funding of $500,000, Kenneth Blake, head of the Police Crime Prevention/Community Relations Bureau, outlined specialized projects including the DARE program, Police Athletic League and the Police Pre-Cadet Corps.
Lauretta Petersen, acting director of the Labor Department's Training Division, asked not for additional funding but for the amount appropriated for this fiscal year. She said that $92,272 was to be allocated from the Youth Transition Employment Fund but to date no funds have been received. She also said $300,000 was appropriated for the V.I. Graduates program, but again, "no funds have been allotted for FY 2003."
The idea of a consolidated Youth Department — approved by the 24th Legislature and then vetoed by the governor — was raised and discussed. Petersen observed that the Labor Department "is already that sort of umbrella organization." For example, she said, it is the department's job to place summer students. But "many organizations have not come to us," she said. "This is why many students have not been placed."
One concern expressed was that such specialized programs as DARE — Drug Abuse Resistance Education — may have no place within a general Youth Department.
The testimony taken at the session is to be compiled into a general information booklet
outlining youth programs within the territory. "It is important that the children have this information," Sen. Luther Renee said, "because in the long run we are saving money by providing youth with programs that will keep them from being incarcerated."
Committee members at the hearing were Sens. Norman Jn Baptiste, Roosevelt David, Louis Hill, Renee, Raymond "Usie" Richards and Russell. Sen. Shawn-Michael Malone was excused.
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.
FINANCE OKS GOVERNOR'S $235M BOND ISSUE BILL
June 26, 2003 – Members of Gov. June 26, 2003 – Members of Gov. Charles W. Turnbull's financial team painted a grim picture of the territory's fiscal situation on Tuesday in urging the Senate Finance Committee to approve the governor's proposal to borrow $235 million on the bond market.
It took two tries, but the committee at the end of the day gave the governor what he wanted. It approved the measure 4-1 with only the committee chair, Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg, in opposition, and sent it to the Rules Committee.
The first motion to approve the bill, made by Sen. Roosevelt David, failed with Sens. Norman Jn Baptiste, Donastorg, Louis Hill and Ronald Russell voting against and David and Sen. Luther Renee voting in favor. However, after continued debate the committee reversed itself on a motion by Russell, with Sens. David, Hill, Renee and Russell in favor, Donastorg opposed and Baptiste off the floor during the vote.
The bill calls for spending $100 million of the bond issue to finance working capital operations, $80 million to develop a 250-room resort on St. Croix, $20 million to finance private economic development initiatives on St. Croix, and $10 million to finance the Carifest theme park on St. Thomas.
With the V.I. government facing a deficit currently estimated by the administration at $152 million for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, Turnbull's financial officers said, borrowing the money is the best way to get the territory out of the red.
"While we agree that borrowing for working capital purposes is less than ideal and not sustainable in the long run, the alternatives of massive tax increases and/or layoffs of government workers is even less desirable," Nathan Simmonds, director of the Office of Fiscal and Economic Recovery Implementation, said in his testimony.
"In order for us to meet our payroll in the month of June, including today's payroll, we have deferred the payment of income tax refunds and delayed payments to vendors," he said.
"However, we cannot continue to do this, as it only postpones the inevitable by pushing the problem into future months," Simmonds said. "Without a substantial infusion of cash, eventually the cash shortfall will result in payless paydays."
It is important to pay vendors in order to "ensure their continued viability," he said. And payment of more than $50 million owed in tax refunds, he said, would "put money into the economy" and "eliminate costly interest expense."
Senators raised concerns about the bond proposal, many seeking an answer to the question of whether borrowing is the best way to deal with the deficit. Meanwhile, according to a knowledgeable source, federal authorities have discussed the possibility of a financial control board to run the territory's fiscal affairs temporarily.
Sen. Lorraine Berry, a non-committee member who attended Thursday's hearing, made it known this week that she has asked the federal government for technical and financial help setting up such a board. (See "Berry seeks U.S. backing for financial board"".)
"The fiscal situation is frightening," David, a staunch supporter of borrowing, said. Referring to the prospect of payless paydays, he added: "I am not going to be Pontius Pilate with blood on my hands."
Sen. Carlton Dowe, another non-member of the Finance Committee, expressed concern that money from a bond issue might only be used to pay bills. "The issue to me is simple: whether we borrow or we don't, and what are the implications if we don't," he said. "I'm willing to borrow; however, it must be tied to some capital development."
Answering senators' questions concerning the 250-room hotel, Kenneth Mapp, Public Finance Authority director of finance and administration, said the government is not going to get into the hotel business but will undertake a "real estate trust investment."
The hotel's physical assets "willl be owned by the people of the Virgin Islands, but the management, training, control and operation of the facility will be driven solely by a nationally recognized brand at four-star, four-diamond rating," Mapp said. "It is through this bill that the governor is making good on his promise to build St. Croix as a true tourist destination, with its own brand identity."
Currently, Mapp said, St. Croix has 430 near-first-class or first-class rooms but only 146 can be marginally considered branded rooms — those of Best Western and the Divi. This, he said, compares to 7,600 first-class room in Jamaica, 5,600 in Puerto Rico, 3,700 in Aruba, 3,500 in the Dominican Republic, 2,100 in St. Lucia, 2,000 on St. Thomas/St. John and 1,500 in St. Martin.
A major chain hotel will attract tourists, Mapp said. "Given the limited number of rooms and the lack of recognizable brands, St. Croix remains at an extreme disadvantage at positioning itself as a viable tourist destination," he said.
During the hearing, no mention was made of the letter sent by all 15 senators on June 3 calling on the governor to rescind the millions of dollars in hefty pay raises he gave hundreds of classified employees last year (See "Cancel executive order pay hikes, Senate says".)
The governor's comeback was an offer to reduce the salaries of those making over $40,000 by 2 percent to 10 percent on a sliding scale for the last six months of this year. The pay raises proposed by the governor last year averaged 24 percent for upper-level personnel and 20 percent for mid-level employees.
Russell asked whether the administration had considered cutting salaries of unionized employees under contract provisions. Simmonds said such a move has been considered but would come about only if the government could not borrow.
Meanwhile, the administration is continuing to put new people on the payroll. Twenty-five individuals have been hired this month alone, according to a Personnel Division report, and more than 390 have been added to the payroll since November. (See "271 executive branch hires in November-April".)
Among the June hires were two groundskeepers for the Education Department and a school crossing guard.
"That's alarming," Donastorg said. "You can't say that the government is broke and turn around and be hiring. You cannot in one breath say one thing and do the other. If there's a hiring freeze, there's a hiring freeze."
Ira Mills, director of the Office of Management and Budget, tried to justify the hirings, saying that many were for the Police, Health and Human Services Departments and were for essential positions. He was not entirely successful.
"The spending levels we have cannot continue," Hill insisted. He said that borrowing is not a long-term solution because the government will just end up in the same situation in the future.
Committee members present were Sens. Baptiste, David, Donastorg, Hill, Renee and Russell. Sen. Shawn-Michael was excused. Non-committee members attending the hearing were Senate President David Jones and Sens. Berry, Dowe, Raymond "Usie" Richards and Celestino White.
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.
It took two tries, but the committee at the end of the day gave the governor what he wanted. It approved the measure 4-1 with only the committee chair, Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg, in opposition, and sent it to the Rules Committee.
The first motion to approve the bill, made by Sen. Roosevelt David, failed with Sens. Norman Jn Baptiste, Donastorg, Louis Hill and Ronald Russell voting against and David and Sen. Luther Renee voting in favor. However, after continued debate the committee reversed itself on a motion by Russell, with Sens. David, Hill, Renee and Russell in favor, Donastorg opposed and Baptiste off the floor during the vote.
The bill calls for spending $100 million of the bond issue to finance working capital operations, $80 million to develop a 250-room resort on St. Croix, $20 million to finance private economic development initiatives on St. Croix, and $10 million to finance the Carifest theme park on St. Thomas.
With the V.I. government facing a deficit currently estimated by the administration at $152 million for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, Turnbull's financial officers said, borrowing the money is the best way to get the territory out of the red.
"While we agree that borrowing for working capital purposes is less than ideal and not sustainable in the long run, the alternatives of massive tax increases and/or layoffs of government workers is even less desirable," Nathan Simmonds, director of the Office of Fiscal and Economic Recovery Implementation, said in his testimony.
"In order for us to meet our payroll in the month of June, including today's payroll, we have deferred the payment of income tax refunds and delayed payments to vendors," he said.
"However, we cannot continue to do this, as it only postpones the inevitable by pushing the problem into future months," Simmonds said. "Without a substantial infusion of cash, eventually the cash shortfall will result in payless paydays."
It is important to pay vendors in order to "ensure their continued viability," he said. And payment of more than $50 million owed in tax refunds, he said, would "put money into the economy" and "eliminate costly interest expense."
Senators raised concerns about the bond proposal, many seeking an answer to the question of whether borrowing is the best way to deal with the deficit. Meanwhile, according to a knowledgeable source, federal authorities have discussed the possibility of a financial control board to run the territory's fiscal affairs temporarily.
Sen. Lorraine Berry, a non-committee member who attended Thursday's hearing, made it known this week that she has asked the federal government for technical and financial help setting up such a board. (See "Berry seeks U.S. backing for financial board"".)
"The fiscal situation is frightening," David, a staunch supporter of borrowing, said. Referring to the prospect of payless paydays, he added: "I am not going to be Pontius Pilate with blood on my hands."
Sen. Carlton Dowe, another non-member of the Finance Committee, expressed concern that money from a bond issue might only be used to pay bills. "The issue to me is simple: whether we borrow or we don't, and what are the implications if we don't," he said. "I'm willing to borrow; however, it must be tied to some capital development."
Answering senators' questions concerning the 250-room hotel, Kenneth Mapp, Public Finance Authority director of finance and administration, said the government is not going to get into the hotel business but will undertake a "real estate trust investment."
The hotel's physical assets "willl be owned by the people of the Virgin Islands, but the management, training, control and operation of the facility will be driven solely by a nationally recognized brand at four-star, four-diamond rating," Mapp said. "It is through this bill that the governor is making good on his promise to build St. Croix as a true tourist destination, with its own brand identity."
Currently, Mapp said, St. Croix has 430 near-first-class or first-class rooms but only 146 can be marginally considered branded rooms — those of Best Western and the Divi. This, he said, compares to 7,600 first-class room in Jamaica, 5,600 in Puerto Rico, 3,700 in Aruba, 3,500 in the Dominican Republic, 2,100 in St. Lucia, 2,000 on St. Thomas/St. John and 1,500 in St. Martin.
A major chain hotel will attract tourists, Mapp said. "Given the limited number of rooms and the lack of recognizable brands, St. Croix remains at an extreme disadvantage at positioning itself as a viable tourist destination," he said.
During the hearing, no mention was made of the letter sent by all 15 senators on June 3 calling on the governor to rescind the millions of dollars in hefty pay raises he gave hundreds of classified employees last year (See "Cancel executive order pay hikes, Senate says".)
The governor's comeback was an offer to reduce the salaries of those making over $40,000 by 2 percent to 10 percent on a sliding scale for the last six months of this year. The pay raises proposed by the governor last year averaged 24 percent for upper-level personnel and 20 percent for mid-level employees.
Russell asked whether the administration had considered cutting salaries of unionized employees under contract provisions. Simmonds said such a move has been considered but would come about only if the government could not borrow.
Meanwhile, the administration is continuing to put new people on the payroll. Twenty-five individuals have been hired this month alone, according to a Personnel Division report, and more than 390 have been added to the payroll since November. (See "271 executive branch hires in November-April".)
Among the June hires were two groundskeepers for the Education Department and a school crossing guard.
"That's alarming," Donastorg said. "You can't say that the government is broke and turn around and be hiring. You cannot in one breath say one thing and do the other. If there's a hiring freeze, there's a hiring freeze."
Ira Mills, director of the Office of Management and Budget, tried to justify the hirings, saying that many were for the Police, Health and Human Services Departments and were for essential positions. He was not entirely successful.
"The spending levels we have cannot continue," Hill insisted. He said that borrowing is not a long-term solution because the government will just end up in the same situation in the future.
Committee members present were Sens. Baptiste, David, Donastorg, Hill, Renee and Russell. Sen. Shawn-Michael was excused. Non-committee members attending the hearing were Senate President David Jones and Sens. Berry, Dowe, Raymond "Usie" Richards and Celestino White.
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DELEGATE PUSHES HBCU ROLE IN 'PROJECT BIOSHIELD'
June 26, 2003 – Delegate Donna M. Christensen co-sponsored a successful amendment to federal homeland security legislation on Wednesday that would include Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other institutions serving large proportions of minorities in biological warfare research, development and procurement projects.
In a release, Christensen noted that such inclusive language appears in many other laws.
She and U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D., Texas) offered the amendment to a bill authorizing Project Bioshield, which passed the Committee on Homeland Security Wednesday. Project Bioshield "is a Bush administration initiative to create a marketplace for counter-biological products for use in case the nation is attacked by biological weapons," the release stated.
The measure now moves on for consideration by the full House of Representatives.
The amendment "was rewritten slightly due to objections by some Republican members that the provision constituted a preference," Christensen said. "To have this language which is found throughout other laws objected to caught me by surprise."
The delegate, a member of the Homeland Security Committee, told her colleagues that institutions designated as HBCU's, including the University of the Virgin Islands, are often overlooked in the government's major research projects.
"With endowments and enrollments down at many of these important institutions, getting financial support is becoming more of a problem for HBCU's," she said, but the ability to access research funding could make a difference.
Also on Wednesday, the release stated, Christensen questioned Asa Hutchinson, undersecretary of Homeland Security for border security, about ongoing Transportation Security Administration cutbacks in airport screeners, which have affected workers in the territory. She asked about the possible transfer of personnel within the agency.
And she again asked that a federal Border Patrol unit be established for the Virgin Islands.
"The Coast Guard units in the Virgin Islands are called upon to oversee what may be the busiest cruise ship port in the Caribbean," she said, referring to St. Thomas, "while having to patrol and guard over 175 miles of unprotected open borders which is our country's southernmost border and a gateway to the United States."
She noted that the territory also is home to Hovensa, the largest oil refinery in the Western Hemisphere. Advocating more funding for Customs, the FBI, the TSA and the Coast Guard to adequately protect the islands' critical assets, she invited Hutchinson to pay a visit "to hear first hand the territory's concerns."
The release also said that:
– As a member of the Homeland Security Committee's Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Science and Research and Development Christensen attended a hearing on what experts feel is needed "to protect the critical infrastructure of cyberspace."
– She recently attended Homeland Security Committee hearings in Los Angeles and Long Beach, California, on the efforts of federal and local agencies to make their ports more secure.
– She was among committee members who met with military officials at the new Northern Command in Colorado.
– She recently invited Michael Brown, Homeland Security undersecretary for emergency preparedness and response. to visit the territory in the near future. V.I. Sen. Lorraine Berry, who chairs the Senate's new Public Safety, Judiciary, Homeland Security and Justice Committee, announced in March that Brown had accepted her invitation to make such a visit April 14-15. In the meantime, however, the United States launched the war against Iraq and Brown's visit was put on hold.
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.
In a release, Christensen noted that such inclusive language appears in many other laws.
She and U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D., Texas) offered the amendment to a bill authorizing Project Bioshield, which passed the Committee on Homeland Security Wednesday. Project Bioshield "is a Bush administration initiative to create a marketplace for counter-biological products for use in case the nation is attacked by biological weapons," the release stated.
The measure now moves on for consideration by the full House of Representatives.
The amendment "was rewritten slightly due to objections by some Republican members that the provision constituted a preference," Christensen said. "To have this language which is found throughout other laws objected to caught me by surprise."
The delegate, a member of the Homeland Security Committee, told her colleagues that institutions designated as HBCU's, including the University of the Virgin Islands, are often overlooked in the government's major research projects.
"With endowments and enrollments down at many of these important institutions, getting financial support is becoming more of a problem for HBCU's," she said, but the ability to access research funding could make a difference.
Also on Wednesday, the release stated, Christensen questioned Asa Hutchinson, undersecretary of Homeland Security for border security, about ongoing Transportation Security Administration cutbacks in airport screeners, which have affected workers in the territory. She asked about the possible transfer of personnel within the agency.
And she again asked that a federal Border Patrol unit be established for the Virgin Islands.
"The Coast Guard units in the Virgin Islands are called upon to oversee what may be the busiest cruise ship port in the Caribbean," she said, referring to St. Thomas, "while having to patrol and guard over 175 miles of unprotected open borders which is our country's southernmost border and a gateway to the United States."
She noted that the territory also is home to Hovensa, the largest oil refinery in the Western Hemisphere. Advocating more funding for Customs, the FBI, the TSA and the Coast Guard to adequately protect the islands' critical assets, she invited Hutchinson to pay a visit "to hear first hand the territory's concerns."
The release also said that:
– As a member of the Homeland Security Committee's Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Science and Research and Development Christensen attended a hearing on what experts feel is needed "to protect the critical infrastructure of cyberspace."
– She recently attended Homeland Security Committee hearings in Los Angeles and Long Beach, California, on the efforts of federal and local agencies to make their ports more secure.
– She was among committee members who met with military officials at the new Northern Command in Colorado.
– She recently invited Michael Brown, Homeland Security undersecretary for emergency preparedness and response. to visit the territory in the near future. V.I. Sen. Lorraine Berry, who chairs the Senate's new Public Safety, Judiciary, Homeland Security and Justice Committee, announced in March that Brown had accepted her invitation to make such a visit April 14-15. In the meantime, however, the United States launched the war against Iraq and Brown's visit was put on hold.
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.
FREE HIV TESTING OFFERED FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
June 26, 2003 – Friday is National HIV Testing Day, and organizations around the territory will offer free testing on Friday and Saturday.
"The earlier you detect it, the more control you have over it," Lee Vanterpool, Government House spokesman, said.
He noted that HIV — the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which causes AIDS — is easier to treat if it's detected early on. And, he said, if you don't know if you're infected, you put your sexual partner or partners at risk.
On St. Thomas, testing will be conducted on Friday at the Health Department STD/HIV/TB Clinic at the Old Municipal Hospital from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and at the East End Clinic from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
On St. Croix, residents have four options, all on Friday: The Frederiksted Health Clinic will conduct testing from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., V.I. Care will do so at its King Street, Christiansted, office from noon to 8 p.m., AARP will do so at the Sunny Isle Shopping Center form 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the Health Department Family Planning Office will do so at its Vitraco Mall office from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Vanterpool said testing also will be done on Friday at the Women's Personal Support Network at The Village on St. Croix, but the times were not available.
On St. John, testing will be done on Saturday at Skinny Legs Bar and Restaurant in Coral Bay from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Health Department and other agencies encourage residents to take advantage of the free HIV testing. The tests will be conducted using oral fluids through the OraSure method. The procedure does not involve drawing blood.
Nationwide, there are an estimated 750,000 people who don't know they are HIV infected. With new advances in treatment, people infected with the virus can live active and productive lives.
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.
"The earlier you detect it, the more control you have over it," Lee Vanterpool, Government House spokesman, said.
He noted that HIV — the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which causes AIDS — is easier to treat if it's detected early on. And, he said, if you don't know if you're infected, you put your sexual partner or partners at risk.
On St. Thomas, testing will be conducted on Friday at the Health Department STD/HIV/TB Clinic at the Old Municipal Hospital from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and at the East End Clinic from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
On St. Croix, residents have four options, all on Friday: The Frederiksted Health Clinic will conduct testing from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., V.I. Care will do so at its King Street, Christiansted, office from noon to 8 p.m., AARP will do so at the Sunny Isle Shopping Center form 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the Health Department Family Planning Office will do so at its Vitraco Mall office from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Vanterpool said testing also will be done on Friday at the Women's Personal Support Network at The Village on St. Croix, but the times were not available.
On St. John, testing will be done on Saturday at Skinny Legs Bar and Restaurant in Coral Bay from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Health Department and other agencies encourage residents to take advantage of the free HIV testing. The tests will be conducted using oral fluids through the OraSure method. The procedure does not involve drawing blood.
Nationwide, there are an estimated 750,000 people who don't know they are HIV infected. With new advances in treatment, people infected with the virus can live active and productive lives.
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.
AGENCIES OUTLINE SERVICES, NEEDS FOR YOUTH
June 26, 2003 – In its second session of the day on Wednesday, the Senate Education and Youth Committee focused on the importance of youth groups, especially since today's young people "have been touted for activities that are less than desirable," as Sen. Ronald Russell, the committee chair, put it.
Representatives of the Boys and Girls Club and the Labor, Police, Human Services and Housing Parks and Recreation Departments summarized their function within the community and outlined their funding needs at the evening session, which followed an afternoon hearing on the public education system.
Kimberley Causey Gomez of Human Services' Division of Children, Youth and Families said division programs affecting young people include protective care intervention, juvenile justice intervention, residential treatment, delinquency prevention and the federal Head Start program.
Gomez said there are 158 children in foster care under the auspices of the department's protective care unit. And, she said, 47 percent of children in need of foster care are over 13 years old, most coming from low-income families, 71 percent of them single-parent households, with 91 percent having experienced neglect.
Juvenile Justice programs serve pre-delinquents, persons in need of supervision and adjudicated youth, she said. Services include investigation, recommendation to the courts, treatment, and oversight for an alternative sentencing program within the Youth Rehabilitation Center. Currently, she said, 53 youths are receiving pre-delinquent counseling and 252 are receiving services for delinquent behavior. Eighty percent are males, the average arrest age is 15 years and 37 percent have committed a violent crime. However, Gomez pointed out, these youth in trouble represent only about 1 percent of the total population their age.
Within the division's Crisis Stabilization Center, Gomez said, group residential facilities for boys and for girls are funded by Human Services to provide limited treatment for dysfunctional behavior. More than half of the children involved are diagnosed with mental illness, she said. While these children generally require long-term treatment, there are no programs or facilities on island to address their needs separately from the general population of children needing treatment.
Gomez urged the senators, among other things, to increase Human Services funding to provide mental health services for children and youth and to hire competent, innovative teachers for the Youth Rehabilitation Center. Campaigning for funding of $500,000, Kenneth Blake, head of the Police Crime Prevention/Community Relations Bureau, outlined specialized projects including the DARE program, Police Athletic League and the Police Pre-Cadet Corps.
Lauretta Petersen, acting director of the Labor Department's Training Division, asked not for additional funding but for the amount appropriated for this fiscal year. She said that $92,272 was to be allocated from the Youth Transition Employment Fund but to date no funds have been received. She also said $300,000 was appropriated for the V.I. Graduates program, but again, "no funds have been allotted for FY 2003."
The idea of a consolidated Youth Department — approved by the 24th Legislature and then vetoed by the governor — was raised and discussed. Petersen observed that the Labor Department "is already that sort of umbrella organization." For example, she said, it is the department's job to place summer students. But "many organizations have not come to us," she said. "This is why many students have not been placed."
One concern expressed was that such specialized programs as DARE — Drug Abuse Resistance Education — may have no place within a general Youth Department.
The testimony taken at the session is to be compiled into a general information booklet
outlining youth programs within the territory. "It is important that the children have this information," Sen. Luther Renee said, "because in the long run we are saving money by providing youth with programs that will keep them from being incarcerated."
Committee members at the hearing were Sens. Norman Jn Baptiste, Roosevelt David, Louis Hill, Renee, Raymond "Usie" Richards and Russell. Sen. Shawn-Michael Malone was excused.
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Representatives of the Boys and Girls Club and the Labor, Police, Human Services and Housing Parks and Recreation Departments summarized their function within the community and outlined their funding needs at the evening session, which followed an afternoon hearing on the public education system.
Kimberley Causey Gomez of Human Services' Division of Children, Youth and Families said division programs affecting young people include protective care intervention, juvenile justice intervention, residential treatment, delinquency prevention and the federal Head Start program.
Gomez said there are 158 children in foster care under the auspices of the department's protective care unit. And, she said, 47 percent of children in need of foster care are over 13 years old, most coming from low-income families, 71 percent of them single-parent households, with 91 percent having experienced neglect.
Juvenile Justice programs serve pre-delinquents, persons in need of supervision and adjudicated youth, she said. Services include investigation, recommendation to the courts, treatment, and oversight for an alternative sentencing program within the Youth Rehabilitation Center. Currently, she said, 53 youths are receiving pre-delinquent counseling and 252 are receiving services for delinquent behavior. Eighty percent are males, the average arrest age is 15 years and 37 percent have committed a violent crime. However, Gomez pointed out, these youth in trouble represent only about 1 percent of the total population their age.
Within the division's Crisis Stabilization Center, Gomez said, group residential facilities for boys and for girls are funded by Human Services to provide limited treatment for dysfunctional behavior. More than half of the children involved are diagnosed with mental illness, she said. While these children generally require long-term treatment, there are no programs or facilities on island to address their needs separately from the general population of children needing treatment.
Gomez urged the senators, among other things, to increase Human Services funding to provide mental health services for children and youth and to hire competent, innovative teachers for the Youth Rehabilitation Center. Campaigning for funding of $500,000, Kenneth Blake, head of the Police Crime Prevention/Community Relations Bureau, outlined specialized projects including the DARE program, Police Athletic League and the Police Pre-Cadet Corps.
Lauretta Petersen, acting director of the Labor Department's Training Division, asked not for additional funding but for the amount appropriated for this fiscal year. She said that $92,272 was to be allocated from the Youth Transition Employment Fund but to date no funds have been received. She also said $300,000 was appropriated for the V.I. Graduates program, but again, "no funds have been allotted for FY 2003."
The idea of a consolidated Youth Department — approved by the 24th Legislature and then vetoed by the governor — was raised and discussed. Petersen observed that the Labor Department "is already that sort of umbrella organization." For example, she said, it is the department's job to place summer students. But "many organizations have not come to us," she said. "This is why many students have not been placed."
One concern expressed was that such specialized programs as DARE — Drug Abuse Resistance Education — may have no place within a general Youth Department.
The testimony taken at the session is to be compiled into a general information booklet
outlining youth programs within the territory. "It is important that the children have this information," Sen. Luther Renee said, "because in the long run we are saving money by providing youth with programs that will keep them from being incarcerated."
Committee members at the hearing were Sens. Norman Jn Baptiste, Roosevelt David, Louis Hill, Renee, Raymond "Usie" Richards and Russell. Sen. Shawn-Michael Malone was excused.
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.
