June 18, 2003 – At the Advertsing Club of the Virgin Islands annual meeting, held recently at Bluebeard's Beach Resort, the new officers and board of directors were installed by Brenda Edwards, governor of the 4th District of the American Federation of Advertising, which includes the territory.
The new officers are:
President – Maura Curley, Virgin Voice.
1st vice president – Mike Gazi, The Media Group/Daily News.
2nd vice president – Ruth Butler, Coral World.
Treasurer – Dottie Sparks, COBEX International.
Secretary – Lori Abbotts, Little Switzerland and Looking Glass Design.
The other board members are:
Linda Bruton, Mongoose Marketing, St. Croix liaison.
Linda Lawlor, Infinity+1 Design, past president.
Paul Deaton, The Deaton Studio.
Mary Gleason, Hospitality Consulting Services.
Rick Le Burkien, Reichhold Center for the Arts.
Sheldon Turnbull, Knight Quality Stations.
Edwards was one of three off-island judges for this year's ADVI Awards. The others were Wilfredo Marquez Umpierre, creative director of GUASP & Partners Communications; and Sean Brunson, senior art director of Fry Hammond Barr Advertising.
This year's V.I. competition drew over 180 entries from 24 companies and individuals in the territory.
The ADVI winners will be announced at an awards gala on June 28 from 7 to 10:30 p.m. at Coral World.
The event will be hosted by Darr Conradson and will include a review of the entries, presentation of the awards, door prizes, commemorative T-shirts, "heavy hors d'oeuvres," dessert and lots of champagne. The cost of the awards gala is $75, and RSVP's are to be made to Austin Advertising at 776-7828.
Gala sponsors are TV2, FirstBank, Film VI.net, Little Switzerland, Billy D's Special Tees and Marriott Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort.

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 18, 2003 – At the Advertsing Club of the Virgin Islands annual meeting, held recently at Bluebeard's Beach Resort, the new officers and board of directors were installed by Brenda Edwards, governor of the 4th District of the American Federation of Advertising, which includes the territory.
The new officers are:
President – Maura Curley, Virgin Voice.
1st vice president – Mike Gazi, The Media Group/Daily News.
2nd vice president – Ruth Butler, Coral World.
Treasurer – Dottie Sparks, COBEX International.
Secretary – Lori Abbotts, Little Switzerland and Looking Glass Design.
The other board members are:
Linda Bruton, Mongoose Marketing, St. Croix liaison.
Linda Lawlor, Infinity+1 Design, past president.
Paul Deaton, The Deaton Studio.
Mary Gleason, Hospitality Consulting Services.
Rick Le Burkien, Reichhold Center for the Arts.
Sheldon Turnbull, Knight Quality Stations.
Edwards was one of three off-island judges for this year's ADVI Awards. The others were Wilfredo Marquez Umpierre, creative director of GUASP & Partners Communications; and Sean Brunson, senior art director of Fry Hammond Barr Advertising.
This year's V.I. competition drew over 180 entries from 24 companies and individuals in the territory.
The ADVI winners will be announced at an awards gala on June 28 from 7 to 10:30 p.m. at Coral World.
The event will be hosted by Darr Conradson and will include a review of the entries, presentation of the awards, door prizes, commemorative T-shirts, "heavy hors d'oeuvres," dessert and lots of champagne. The cost of the awards gala is $75, and RSVP's are to be made to Austin Advertising at 776-7828.
Gala sponsors are TV2, FirstBank, Film VI.net, Little Switzerland, Billy D's Special Tees and Marriott Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort.

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 18, 2003 – At the Advertsing Club of the Virgin Islands annual meeting, held recently at Bluebeard's Beach Resort, the new officers and board of directors were installed by Brenda Edwards, governor of the 4th District of the American Federation of Advertising, which includes the territory.
The new officers are:
President – Maura Curley, Virgin Voice.
1st vice president – Mike Gazi, The Media Group/Daily News.
2nd vice president – Ruth Butler, Coral World.
Treasurer – Dottie Sparks, COBEX International.
Secretary – Lori Abbotts, Little Switzerland and Looking Glass Design.
The other board members are:
Linda Bruton, Mongoose Marketing, St. Croix liaison.
Linda Lawlor, Infinity+1 Design, past president.
Paul Deaton, The Deaton Studio.
Mary Gleason, Hospitality Consulting Services.
Rick Le Burkien, Reichhold Center for the Arts.
Sheldon Turnbull, Knight Quality Stations.
Edwards was one of three off-island judges for this year's ADVI Awards. The others were Wilfredo Marquez Umpierre, creative director of GUASP & Partners Communications; and Sean Brunson, senior art director of Fry Hammond Barr Advertising.
This year's V.I. competition drew over 180 entries from 24 companies and individuals in the territory.
The ADVI winners will be announced at an awards gala on June 28 from 7 to 10:30 p.m. at Coral World.
The event will be hosted by Darr Conradson and will include a review of the entries, presentation of the awards, door prizes, commemorative T-shirts, "heavy hors d'oeuvres," dessert and lots of champagne. The cost of the awards gala is $75, and RSVP's are to be made to Austin Advertising at 776-7828.
Gala sponsors are TV2, FirstBank, Film VI.net, Little Switzerland, Billy D's Special Tees and Marriott Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort.

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 18, 2003 – The Senate Health, Hospitals and Human Services Committee will meet Thursday morning on St. Croix to resume its hearing on nurse recruitment and retention that was continued from May 21.
Of 18 individuals invited to testify at the May meeting, three did so. The others have been re-invited to provide input from the viewpoints of hospitals, senior citizen homes, correctional facilities, nurse recruiters, contract negotiators and professional agencies.
In a release issued Wednesday, Sen. Douglas E. Canton Jr., committee chair, said the territory's chronic shortage of nurses affects the whole community "but will most critically impact our population of aging baby boomers and our expanding senior citizen population."
Canton said his aim in inviting "a full complement of stakeholders to collectively weigh in on the issue" is so that they with the Senate's support "will design a nurse recruitment strategy that will result in policy initiatives and, as appropriate, legislation to support action toward the both short- and long-term progress."
The hearing is set for 10 a.m. in the Senate Conference Room in Frederiksted. For a list of those scheduled to testify, see the Legislative Calendar. Anyone else wishing to do so is asked to call Irma Santos at 712-2279 by 3 p.m. Wednesday.

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 18, 2003 – The Senate Health, Hospitals and Human Services Committee will meet Thursday morning on St. Croix to resume its hearing on nurse recruitment and retention that was continued from May 21.
Of 18 individuals invited to testify at the May meeting, three did so. The others have been re-invited to provide input from the viewpoints of hospitals, senior citizen homes, correctional facilities, nurse recruiters, contract negotiators and professional agencies.
In a release issued Wednesday, Sen. Douglas E. Canton Jr., committee chair, said the territory's chronic shortage of nurses affects the whole community "but will most critically impact our population of aging baby boomers and our expanding senior citizen population."
Canton said his aim in inviting "a full complement of stakeholders to collectively weigh in on the issue" is so that they with the Senate's support "will design a nurse recruitment strategy that will result in policy initiatives and, as appropriate, legislation to support action toward the both short- and long-term progress."
The hearing is set for 10 a.m. in the Senate Conference Room in Frederiksted. For a list of those scheduled to testify, see the Legislative Calendar. Anyone else wishing to do so is asked to call Irma Santos at 712-2279 by 3 p.m. Wednesday.

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 18, 2003 – The Senate Health, Hospitals and Human Services Committee will meet Thursday morning on St. Croix to resume its hearing on nurse recruitment and retention that was continued from May 21.
Of 18 individuals invited to testify at the May meeting, three did so. The others have been re-invited to provide input from the viewpoints of hospitals, senior citizen homes, correctional facilities, nurse recruiters, contract negotiators and professional agencies.
In a release issued Wednesday, Sen. Douglas E. Canton Jr., committee chair, said the territory's chronic shortage of nurses affects the whole community "but will most critically impact our population of aging baby boomers and our expanding senior citizen population."
Canton said his aim in inviting "a full complement of stakeholders to collectively weigh in on the issue" is so that they with the Senate's support "will design a nurse recruitment strategy that will result in policy initiatives and, as appropriate, legislation to support action toward the both short- and long-term progress."
The hearing is set for 10 a.m. in the Senate Conference Room in Frederiksted. For a list of those scheduled to testify, see the Legislative Calendar. Anyone else wishing to do so is asked to call Irma Santos at 712-2279 by 3 p.m. Wednesday.

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.

Friends of the French culture will meet at 5:45 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, at The Pointe-Villa Olga in Frenchtown.
Come join the fun, friends and French!

June 18, 2003 – Following is a copy of a letter delivered to the office of Senate President David Jones on the morning of June 17:
Dear Senator Jones:
The entire Virgin Islands community watches anxiously as the very serious and important numbers game, also referred to as reducing the deficit, is played.
Many persons and organizations, including the league, have offered recommendations for short- and long-term solutions to our financial situation. The minority bloc of the Legislature has suggested a 25-point plan to date. The executive branch has put forward its plan for financial recovery, much of which has been rejected or put on hold by the Legislature's Finance Committee to date.
In the interim, as the crisis escalates, compounded by the delay in addressing it and outside factors such as the federal tax reduction act, piecemeal efforts are being made, most notably the proportionate rollback in salaries for those in the exempt service. But it is time for serious action to fully address this fiscal crisis and engage long-term solutions.
Our decision makers can no longer play one interest group against the other or pander to selfish interests. We're all in this boat together, and we must all make sacrifices in order to right this ship. No suggestion or recommendation can be rejected out of hand; compromises must be sought wherever possible. If a $5-a-day tax on rental cars is considered excessive, what about a lesser rate? If amendments to, or repeal of, Act 4440 is politically untenable, what about a moratorium or suspension of this statute until we are set on a sound financial course?
Will the Legislature address the negative effects of unfunded federal mandates that have now grown to an additional estimated cost of $8 million per year? What revenue enhancement measures will be forthcoming, especially if the decision is made to incur further debt by borrowing to meet operating costs?
We need a realistic and comprehensive plan. A little bit here and a little bit there is all well and good, and the league agrees that "one, one fill basket." But we need a comprehensive plan that encompasses expenditure reductions and short- and long-term revenue streams. Just as important, we need an honestly balanced budget for Fiscal Year 2004.
The League of Women Voters has played the role of Cassandra foretelling this elevated fiscal crisis for far too many years. We once again remind the Legislature and the executive branch that this very large territorial burden can be removed, and removed with pride, only when they have walked tall and straightforward with a realistic and honest plan.
Rosalie Simmonds Ballentine, President
League of Women Voters of the Virgin Islands
St. Thomas

Editor's note: We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to source@viaccess.net.

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.

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 Amalie High School.
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

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.
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.