June 17, 2003 — The Senate Committee on Education and Youth is holding a public hearing Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the St. Croix Legislative Conference Room to discuss the status of youth groups and organizations in the territory. Another hearing will be held in the St. Thomas-St. John district on June 25 at Earl B. Ottley Legislative Hall.
Youth leaders and organizers planning to attend the hearings are asked to present a status report of their programs, including goals, staffing and funding needs. The committee is also seeking testifiers with knowledge of, or who were involved in, the former Youth Commission, which was abolished in the government reorganization of 1987.
Testifiers should present written statements if possible and limit their testimonies to three minutes. All persons planning on attending the hearings should call Sen. Ronald Russell's office at 712-2229 or 712-2321 to confirm attendance. Testifiers should sign in by 5:30 p.m. on the day of the hearings.

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The University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees will meet at 9 a.m. in the Research and Extension Center Building on UVI's St. Croix campus. The meeting will convene with regular session agenda items, several of which require action by the Board.
Dr. LaVerne E. Ragster will deliver the president's report, followed by reports from the chairpersons of various committees.
The UVI Board of Trustees last met on the St. Thomas campus on Feb. 22.

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The University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees will meet at 9 a.m. in the Research and Extension Center Building on UVI's St. Croix campus. The meeting will convene with regular session agenda items, several of which require action by the Board.
Dr. LaVerne E. Ragster will deliver the president's report, followed by reports from the chairpersons of various committees.
The UVI Board of Trustees last met on the St. Thomas campus on Feb. 22.

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 University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees will meet at 9 a.m. in the Research and Extension Center Building on UVI's St. Croix campus. The meeting will convene with regular session agenda items, several of which require action by the Board.
Dr. LaVerne E. Ragster will deliver the president's report, followed by reports from the chairpersons of various committees.
The UVI Board of Trustees last met on the St. Thomas campus on Feb. 22.

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June 17, 2003 – The University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees will meet at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 21, in the Research and Extension Center Building on UVI's St. Croix campus. The meeting will convene with regular session agenda items, several of which require action by the Board.
Dr. LaVerne E. Ragster will deliver the president's report, followed by reports from the chairpersons of various committees.
Dr. Auguste E. Rimpel Jr., chairman of the Executive Committee, will deliver a report fromt the Executive Committee, which is seeking ratification of a resolution to amend the Faculty Policy Manual in order to address the need for a change in the formula for faculty summer salaries.
Attorney Henry C. Smock, chairman of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, will present the UVI Master Plan, which need to be approved by the Board.
Also requiring the Board's action is the Academic and Student Affairs Committee's resolution to approve changes to the 1981 Policy for Conferring Emeritus Status.
Along with the presentation of an update on Fiscal Year 2003 allotments from the V.I. Government and reviewing UVI's budget through March 31, 2003, Finance Committee Chairman Roy D. Jackson will make several presentations for Board approval. The presentations include a resolution to increase room and board, student fees and tuition.
The UVI Board of Trustees last met on Feb. 22, on the St. Thomas campus.

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 17, 2003 – The University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees will meet at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 21, in the Research and Extension Center Building on UVI's St. Croix campus. The meeting will convene with regular session agenda items, several of which require action by the Board.
Dr. LaVerne E. Ragster will deliver the president's report, followed by reports from the chairpersons of various committees.
Dr. Auguste E. Rimpel Jr., chairman of the Executive Committee, will deliver a report fromt the Executive Committee, which is seeking ratification of a resolution to amend the Faculty Policy Manual in order to address the need for a change in the formula for faculty summer salaries.
Attorney Henry C. Smock, chairman of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, will present the UVI Master Plan, which need to be approved by the Board.
Also requiring the Board's action is the Academic and Student Affairs Committee's resolution to approve changes to the 1981 Policy for Conferring Emeritus Status.
Along with the presentation of an update on Fiscal Year 2003 allotments from the V.I. Government and reviewing UVI's budget through March 31, 2003, Finance Committee Chairman Roy D. Jackson will make several presentations for Board approval. The presentations include a resolution to increase room and board, student fees and tuition.
The UVI Board of Trustees last met on Feb. 22, on the St. Thomas campus.

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 17, 2003 – The University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees will meet at 9 a.m. Saturday in the Research and Extension Center Building on UVI's St. Croix campus. The meeting will convene with regular session agenda items, several of which require action by the Board.
Dr. LaVerne E. Ragster will deliver the president's report, followed by reports from the chairpersons of various committees.
Dr. Auguste E. Rimpel Jr., chairman of the Executive Committee, will deliver a report fromt the Executive Committee, which is seeking ratification of a resolution to amend the Faculty Policy Manual in order to address the need for a change in the formula for faculty summer salaries.
Attorney Henry C. Smock, chairman of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, will present the UVI Master Plan, which need to be approved by the Board.
Also requiring the Board's action is the Academic and Student Affairs Committee's resolution to approve changes to the 1981 Policy for Conferring Emeritus Status.
Along with the presentation of an update on Fiscal Year 2003 allotments from the V.I. Government and reviewing UVI's budget through March 31, 2003, Finance Committee Chairman Roy D. Jackson will make several presentations for Board approval. The presentations include a resolution to increase room and board, student fees and tuition.
The UVI Board of Trustees last met on Feb. 22, on the St. Thomas campus.

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 17, 2003 – About a dozen of the 500 or so exempt employees – all from the Department of Justice – answered a call to demonstrate Tuesday on the Legislature grounds against the governor's proposed temporary pay cuts.
On Thursday, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull offered to trim the pay of affected employees making more than $40,000 now by 2 percent to 10 percent, on a sliding scale, for the last half of this calendar year. (See "Governor offers small pay cuts for six months").
On Monday afternoon an ad hoc group calling itself the Committee for Dedicated Public Servants called on "all exempt employees of the government" to gather outside the building at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday to demonstrate against the governor's proposed temporary cuts in their pay. A full Senate session was scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday to consider financial bills, both the governor's and the Legislature's.
Labor leader Luis "Tito" Morales also asked on Monday that all unionized government workers appear on the grounds at 10 a.m. to protest any attempt by the Senate to tamper with the territory's collective bargaining laws. Morales encouraged the employees to leave their jobs for the demonstration.
As of about 10:15 Tuesday morning, none of them had appeared; Morales, himself, was not seen until after 10:30 a.m. in the Senate chambers.
Though their signs spoke eloquently for them, the Justice employees were more than articulate in explaining their position. As one, they said they didn't object to the salary cuts, themselves, but to the manner in which they were done. They held a variety of signs: "Share the pain," "Roll back the SUVs– Roll back the perks – Don't take my $" and "To balance the budget on the backs of the exempt employees is not fair."
Ernest Bason, chief of the criminal division, said, "It offended me. I have worked over seven years. I have a staff of 17. We work hard; so far this year, we have six life sentences. After all I have done, to have my salary cut .. I am on call 24-7." Bason said he gave up his classified position to take the supervisory one.
"I don't drive a government car," he said, "and I bought my cell phone." Bason said he still drives his '94 Mitsubishi Montero, "which works fine."
The group did not at first enter the Legislature grounds, but sat on a wall across the street in front of Fort Christian. A security guard at the Senate said they had not obtained the proper permit from the Police Department.
Group members said they hadn't demonstrated at Government House because the governor had presented a plan they could go along with. They noted the Legislature's proposal to the governor to rescind last year's raises.
On June 3, all 15 members of the Legislature signed a letter giving the governor an ultimatum: They would not take up his bill proposing to float another $235 million in bonds as part of his plan to address the territory's fiscal crisis unless and until he rolled back the sizable salary increases he granted to unclassified government employees by executive order last year.
The group took its cause to the Legislature building entrance where they addressed various senators. Sen. Emmett Hansen II assured them they were not the "targets." " It's the johnnycake fryers who are making $80,000 a year," he said, praising the Justice employees for their dedication.
Senator Carlton Dowe said, "Rolling the raises back to save $900,000 – the governor is joking. We have to show the governor we have the best plan. We didn't create the stalemate."
Senate President David Jones said, "They are not the targeted ones. We need them in government. The governor did that, and he will have to make the call."
The Senate session got under way shortly after 10:30 a.m., with most of the Justice employees in the chambers, along with several administration officials including Attorney General Iver Stridiron, Public Finance Authority Director Kenneth Mapp, chief government negotiator Karen Andrews, governor's deputy chief of staff Alric Simmonds, and Kent Bernier.
First on the agenda were four nominations. It was not expected the bills would be heard until the afternoon.

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 17, 2003 – About a dozen of the 500 or so exempt employees – all from the Department of Justice – answered a call to demonstrate Tuesday on the Legislature grounds against the governor's proposed temporary pay cuts.
On Thursday, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull offered to trim the pay of affected employees making more than $40,000 now by 2 percent to 10 percent, on a sliding scale, for the last half of this calendar year. (See "Governor offers small pay cuts for six months").
On Monday afternoon an ad hoc group calling itself the Committee for Dedicated Public Servants called on "all exempt employees of the government" to gather outside the building at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday to demonstrate against the governor's proposed temporary cuts in their pay. A full Senate session was scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday to consider financial bills, both the governor's and the Legislature's.
Labor leader Luis "Tito" Morales also asked on Monday that all unionized government workers appear on the grounds at 10 a.m. to protest any attempt by the Senate to tamper with the territory's collective bargaining laws. Morales encouraged the employees to leave their jobs for the demonstration.
As of about 10:15 Tuesday morning, none of them had appeared; Morales, himself, was not seen until after 10:30 a.m. in the Senate chambers.
Though their signs spoke eloquently for them, the Justice employees were more than articulate in explaining their position. As one, they said they didn't object to the salary cuts, themselves, but to the manner in which they were done. They held a variety of signs: "Share the pain," "Roll back the SUVs– Roll back the perks – Don't take my $" and "To balance the budget on the backs of the exempt employees is not fair."
Ernest Bason, chief of the criminal division, said, "It offended me. I have worked over seven years. I have a staff of 17. We work hard; so far this year, we have six life sentences. After all I have done, to have my salary cut .. I am on call 24-7." Bason said he gave up his classified position to take the supervisory one.
"I don't drive a government car," he said, "and I bought my cell phone." Bason said he still drives his '94 Mitsubishi Montero, "which works fine."
The group did not at first enter the Legislature grounds, but sat on a wall across the street in front of Fort Christian. A security guard at the Senate said they had not obtained the proper permit from the Police Department.
Group members said they hadn't demonstrated at Government House because the governor had presented a plan they could go along with. They noted the Legislature's proposal to the governor to rescind last year's raises.
On June 3, all 15 members of the Legislature signed a letter giving the governor an ultimatum: They would not take up his bill proposing to float another $235 million in bonds as part of his plan to address the territory's fiscal crisis unless and until he rolled back the sizable salary increases he granted to unclassified government employees by executive order last year.
The group took its cause to the Legislature building entrance where they addressed various senators. Sen. Emmett Hansen II assured them they were not the "targets." " It's the johnnycake fryers who are making $80,000 a year," he said, praising the Justice employees for their dedication.
Senator Carlton Dowe said, "Rolling the raises back to save $900,000 – the governor is joking. We have to show the governor we have the best plan. We didn't create the stalemate."
Senate President David Jones said, "They are not the targeted ones. We need them in government. The governor did that, and he will have to make the call."
The Senate session got under way shortly after 10:30 a.m., with most of the Justice employees in the chambers, along with several administration officials including Attorney General Iver Stridiron, Public Finance Authority Director Kenneth Mapp, chief government negotiator Karen Andrews, governor's deputy chief of staff Alric Simmonds, and Kent Bernier.
First on the agenda were four nominations. It was not expected the bills would be heard until the afternoon.

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 17, 2003 – About a dozen of the 500 or so exempt employees – all from the Department of Justice – answered a call to demonstrate Tuesday on the Legislature grounds against the governor's proposed temporary pay cuts.
On Thursday, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull offered to trim the pay of affected employees making more than $40,000 now by 2 percent to 10 percent, on a sliding scale, for the last half of this calendar year. (See "Governor offers small pay cuts for six months").
On Monday afternoon an ad hoc group calling itself the Committee for Dedicated Public Servants called on "all exempt employees of the government" to gather outside the building at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday to demonstrate against the governor's proposed temporary cuts in their pay. A full Senate session was scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday to consider financial bills, both the governor's and the Legislature's.
Labor leader Luis "Tito" Morales also asked on Monday that all unionized government workers appear on the grounds at 10 a.m. to protest any attempt by the Senate to tamper with the territory's collective bargaining laws. Morales encouraged the employees to leave their jobs for the demonstration.
As of about 10:15 Tuesday morning, none of them had appeared; Morales, himself, was not seen until after 10:30 a.m. in the Senate chambers.
Though their signs spoke eloquently for them, the Justice employees were more than articulate in explaining their position. As one, they said they didn't object to the salary cuts, themselves, but to the manner in which they were done. They held a variety of signs: "Share the pain," "Roll back the SUVs– Roll back the perks – Don't take my $" and "To balance the budget on the backs of the exempt employees is not fair."
Ernest Bason, chief of the criminal division, said, "It offended me. I have worked over seven years. I have a staff of 17. We work hard; so far this year, we have six life sentences. After all I have done, to have my salary cut .. I am on call 24-7." Bason said he gave up his classified position to take the supervisory one.
"I don't drive a government car," he said, "and I bought my cell phone." Bason said he still drives his '94 Mitsubishi Montero, "which works fine."
The group did not at first enter the Legislature grounds, but sat on a wall across the street in front of Fort Christian. A security guard at the Senate said they had not obtained the proper permit from the Police Department.
Group members said they hadn't demonstrated at Government House because the governor had presented a plan they could go along with. They noted the Legislature's proposal to the governor to rescind last year's raises.
On June 3, all 15 members of the Legislature signed a letter giving the governor an ultimatum: They would not take up his bill proposing to float another $235 million in bonds as part of his plan to address the territory's fiscal crisis unless and until he rolled back the sizable salary increases he granted to unclassified government employees by executive order last year.
The group took its cause to the Legislature building entrance where they addressed various senators. Sen. Emmett Hansen II assured them they were not the "targets." " It's the johnnycake fryers who are making $80,000 a year," he said, praising the Justice employees for their dedication.
Senator Carlton Dowe said, "Rolling the raises back to save $900,000 – the governor is joking. We have to show the governor we have the best plan. We didn't create the stalemate."
Senate President David Jones said, "They are not the targeted ones. We need them in government. The governor did that, and he will have to make the call."
The Senate session got under way shortly after 10:30 a.m., with most of the Justice employees in the chambers, along with several administration officials including Attorney General Iver Stridiron, Public Finance Authority Director Kenneth Mapp, chief government negotiator Karen Andrews, governor's deputy chief of staff Alric Simmonds, and Kent Bernier.
First on the agenda were four nominations. It was not expected the bills would be heard until the afternoon.

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.