June 16, 2003 – In the NBA there are flashier players than Tim Duncan, there are louder players for sure, players with heftier endorsement contracts, and even a few who are taller than the 7-footer.
But even if you tried, you probably wouldn't find a player more consistent than Duncan. And just in case there was any doubt, St. Croix's favorite son proved himself again Sunday night in San Antonio.
After leading the Spurs to an exciting 19-0 fourth-quarter run to defeat the New Jersey Nets 88-77 in the final game of the NBA Championships, Duncan was named the series Most Valuable Player for the second time in his career, nearly recording a rare quadruple-triple along the way.
That's right: For No. 21, it was 21 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists, and eight (almost double-digit) rebounds.
It would be hard to say at this point which is the greater achievement: to be named the champion of a championship team in a championship series in front of a roaring hometown crowd, or to be named the NBA's greatest player, as he was at the beginning of May, for the second consecutive season. A feat, by the way, which Duncan is the first to take ownership of since Michael Jordan did it '91 and '92.
Ah, consistency.
"It's an incredible feeling to do it here, to give our fans this kind of a treat," Duncan said, according to a story in Sports Illustrated online. "It's great for them and great for us."
He's come a long way from humble beginnings on the asphalt court of the now-defunct St. Dunstan's High School on St. Croix, where he played organized ball for the first time as a ninth grader. Prior to that, he'd been a competitive swimmer, but he had to trade in his first love for a hoop dream when Hurricane Hugo made a mess of the pool where he trained.
But, just look at him now. Duncan is the second player in NBA history to be named to the All-NBA and All-defensive teams in all five of his first five seasons. He has led the league in double-double's since joining it. He was named MVP of the '99 championship finals, co-MVP of the 2000 All-Star game, NBA Player of the Week 11 times, so far, and Player of the Month four times. And at the ripe old age of 27, he doesn't look as if he's going to stop dazzling us anytime soon.
To judge from his accomplishments, Duncan may be one of the precious few Virgin Islanders for whom Hugo was a blessing.
"This experience, to make it this far, to be the last team standing, to go through all the trials and tribulations we have all season long, the ups and downs — there was much to learn from this season, not only this series, but the season in general. It was a great one for these guys," Duncan told Sports Illustrated.
But beyond the glory of the court and the television cameras and the cheering fans under the lights, in a much quieter place where the rest of us live, Duncan's consistency shows itself in a different way.
You wouldn't know it from his shy, self-effacing manner, because the truly generous never speak of their own generosity, but he also is something of a philanthropist. Together with his wife, Amy, he started the Tim Duncan Foundation, which raises money for not-for-profit groups dealing with education, health awareness and research, and youth sports and recreation. The foundation supports such agencies in the three geographical areas where he has roots: the Virgin Islands, where he grew up; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he went to college at Wake Forest; and the San Antonio area of South Texas.
In San Antonio each year the foundation sponsors a charity Bowl-a-Thon and a golf tournament which have raised more than $350,000 to help in the fight against breast and prostate cancer. It purchased a new multipurpose vehicle for the Roy Maas' Youth Alternatives organization, which serves more than 700 children in crisis and at risk in the area.
On St. Croix, the foundation donated $25,000 toward the purchase of a wooden basketball court for Central High School, the first of its kind ever installed on the island. (To read more about the foundation, visit the NBA's Tim Duncan Foundation Web page.)
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.
HOME-ISLAND HERO DUNCAN DOES IT AGAIN
June 16, 2003 – In the NBA there are flashier players than Tim Duncan, there are louder players for sure, players with heftier endorsement contracts, and even a few who are taller than the 7-footer.
But even if you tried, you probably wouldn't find a player more consistent than Duncan. And just in case there was any doubt, St. Croix's favorite son proved himself again Sunday night in San Antonio.
After leading the Spurs to an exciting 19-0 fourth-quarter run to defeat the New Jersey Nets 88-77 in the final game of the NBA Championships, Duncan was named the series Most Valuable Player for the second time in his career, nearly recording a rare quadruple-triple along the way.
That's right: For No. 21, it was 21 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists, and eight (almost double-digit) rebounds.
It would be hard to say at this point which is the greater achievement: to be named the champion of a championship team in a championship series in front of a roaring hometown crowd, or to be named the NBA's greatest player, as he was at the beginning of May, for the second consecutive season. A feat, by the way, which Duncan is the first to take ownership of since Michael Jordan did it '91 and '92.
Ah, consistency.
"It's an incredible feeling to do it here, to give our fans this kind of a treat," Duncan said, according to a story in Sports Illustrated online. "It's great for them and great for us."
He's come a long way from humble beginnings on the asphalt court of the now-defunct St. Dunstan's High School on St. Croix, where he played organized ball for the first time as a ninth grader. Prior to that, he'd been a competitive swimmer, but he had to trade in his first love for a hoop dream when Hurricane Hugo made a mess of the pool where he trained.
But, just look at him now. Duncan is the second player in NBA history to be named to the All-NBA and All-defensive teams in all five of his first five seasons. He has led the league in double-double's since joining it. He was named MVP of the '99 championship finals, co-MVP of the 2000 All-Star game, NBA Player of the Week 11 times, so far, and Player of the Month four times. And at the ripe old age of 27, he doesn't look as if he's going to stop dazzling us anytime soon.
To judge from his accomplishments, Duncan may be one of the precious few Virgin Islanders for whom Hugo was a blessing.
"This experience, to make it this far, to be the last team standing, to go through all the trials and tribulations we have all season long, the ups and downs — there was much to learn from this season, not only this series, but the season in general. It was a great one for these guys," Duncan told Sports Illustrated.
But beyond the glory of the court and the television cameras and the cheering fans under the lights, in a much quieter place where the rest of us live, Duncan's consistency shows itself in a different way.
You wouldn't know it from his shy, self-effacing manner, because the truly generous never speak of their own generosity, but he also is something of a philanthropist. Together with his wife, Amy, he started the Tim Duncan Foundation, which raises money for not-for-profit groups dealing with education, health awareness and research, and youth sports and recreation. The foundation supports such agencies in the three geographical areas where he has roots: the Virgin Islands, where he grew up; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he went to college at Wake Forest; and the San Antonio area of South Texas.
In San Antonio each year the foundation sponsors a charity Bowl-a-Thon and a golf tournament which have raised more than $350,000 to help in the fight against breast and prostate cancer. It purchased a new multipurpose vehicle for the Roy Maas' Youth Alternatives organization, which serves more than 700 children in crisis and at risk in the area.
On St. Croix, the foundation donated $25,000 toward the purchase of a wooden basketball court for Central High School, the first of its kind ever installed on the island. (To read more about the foundation, visit the NBA's Tim Duncan Foundation Web page.)
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.
But even if you tried, you probably wouldn't find a player more consistent than Duncan. And just in case there was any doubt, St. Croix's favorite son proved himself again Sunday night in San Antonio.
After leading the Spurs to an exciting 19-0 fourth-quarter run to defeat the New Jersey Nets 88-77 in the final game of the NBA Championships, Duncan was named the series Most Valuable Player for the second time in his career, nearly recording a rare quadruple-triple along the way.
That's right: For No. 21, it was 21 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists, and eight (almost double-digit) rebounds.
It would be hard to say at this point which is the greater achievement: to be named the champion of a championship team in a championship series in front of a roaring hometown crowd, or to be named the NBA's greatest player, as he was at the beginning of May, for the second consecutive season. A feat, by the way, which Duncan is the first to take ownership of since Michael Jordan did it '91 and '92.
Ah, consistency.
"It's an incredible feeling to do it here, to give our fans this kind of a treat," Duncan said, according to a story in Sports Illustrated online. "It's great for them and great for us."
He's come a long way from humble beginnings on the asphalt court of the now-defunct St. Dunstan's High School on St. Croix, where he played organized ball for the first time as a ninth grader. Prior to that, he'd been a competitive swimmer, but he had to trade in his first love for a hoop dream when Hurricane Hugo made a mess of the pool where he trained.
But, just look at him now. Duncan is the second player in NBA history to be named to the All-NBA and All-defensive teams in all five of his first five seasons. He has led the league in double-double's since joining it. He was named MVP of the '99 championship finals, co-MVP of the 2000 All-Star game, NBA Player of the Week 11 times, so far, and Player of the Month four times. And at the ripe old age of 27, he doesn't look as if he's going to stop dazzling us anytime soon.
To judge from his accomplishments, Duncan may be one of the precious few Virgin Islanders for whom Hugo was a blessing.
"This experience, to make it this far, to be the last team standing, to go through all the trials and tribulations we have all season long, the ups and downs — there was much to learn from this season, not only this series, but the season in general. It was a great one for these guys," Duncan told Sports Illustrated.
But beyond the glory of the court and the television cameras and the cheering fans under the lights, in a much quieter place where the rest of us live, Duncan's consistency shows itself in a different way.
You wouldn't know it from his shy, self-effacing manner, because the truly generous never speak of their own generosity, but he also is something of a philanthropist. Together with his wife, Amy, he started the Tim Duncan Foundation, which raises money for not-for-profit groups dealing with education, health awareness and research, and youth sports and recreation. The foundation supports such agencies in the three geographical areas where he has roots: the Virgin Islands, where he grew up; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he went to college at Wake Forest; and the San Antonio area of South Texas.
In San Antonio each year the foundation sponsors a charity Bowl-a-Thon and a golf tournament which have raised more than $350,000 to help in the fight against breast and prostate cancer. It purchased a new multipurpose vehicle for the Roy Maas' Youth Alternatives organization, which serves more than 700 children in crisis and at risk in the area.
On St. Croix, the foundation donated $25,000 toward the purchase of a wooden basketball court for Central High School, the first of its kind ever installed on the island. (To read more about the foundation, visit the NBA's Tim Duncan Foundation Web page.)
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.
HOME-ISLAND HERO DUNCAN DOES IT AGAIN
June 16, 2003 – In the NBA there are flashier players than Tim Duncan, there are louder players for sure, players with heftier endorsement contracts, and even a few who are taller than the 7-footer.
But even if you tried, you probably wouldn't find a player more consistent than Duncan. And just in case there was any doubt, St. Croix's favorite son proved himself again Sunday night in San Antonio.
After leading the Spurs to an exciting 19-0 fourth-quarter run to defeat the New Jersey Nets 88-77 in the final game of the NBA Championships, Duncan was named the series Most Valuable Player for the second time in his career, nearly recording a rare quadruple-triple along the way.
That's right: For No. 21, it was 21 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists, and eight (almost double-digit) rebounds.
It would be hard to say at this point which is the greater achievement: to be named the champion of a championship team in a championship series in front of a roaring hometown crowd, or to be named the NBA's greatest player, as he was at the beginning of May, for the second consecutive season. A feat, by the way, which Duncan is the first to take ownership of since Michael Jordan did it '91 and '92.
Ah, consistency.
"It's an incredible feeling to do it here, to give our fans this kind of a treat," Duncan said, according to a story in Sports Illustrated online. "It's great for them and great for us."
He's come a long way from humble beginnings on the asphalt court of the now-defunct St. Dunstan's High School on St. Croix, where he played organized ball for the first time as a ninth grader. Prior to that, he'd been a competitive swimmer, but he had to trade in his first love for a hoop dream when Hurricane Hugo made a mess of the pool where he trained.
But, just look at him now. Duncan is the second player in NBA history to be named to the All-NBA and All-defensive teams in all five of his first five seasons. He has led the league in double-double's since joining it. He was named MVP of the '99 championship finals, co-MVP of the 2000 All-Star game, NBA Player of the Week 11 times, so far, and Player of the Month four times. And at the ripe old age of 27, he doesn't look as if he's going to stop dazzling us anytime soon.
To judge from his accomplishments, Duncan may be one of the precious few Virgin Islanders for whom Hugo was a blessing.
"This experience, to make it this far, to be the last team standing, to go through all the trials and tribulations we have all season long, the ups and downs — there was much to learn from this season, not only this series, but the season in general. It was a great one for these guys," Duncan told Sports Illustrated.
But beyond the glory of the court and the television cameras and the cheering fans under the lights, in a much quieter place where the rest of us live, Duncan's consistency shows itself in a different way.
You wouldn't know it from his shy, self-effacing manner, because the truly generous never speak of their own generosity, but he also is something of a philanthropist. Together with his wife, Amy, he started the Tim Duncan Foundation, which raises money for not-for-profit groups dealing with education, health awareness and research, and youth sports and recreation. The foundation supports such agencies in the three geographical areas where he has roots: the Virgin Islands, where he grew up; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he went to college at Wake Forest; and the San Antonio area of South Texas.
In San Antonio each year the foundation sponsors a charity Bowl-a-Thon and a golf tournament which have raised more than $350,000 to help in the fight against breast and prostate cancer. It purchased a new multipurpose vehicle for the Roy Maas' Youth Alternatives organization, which serves more than 700 children in crisis and at risk in the area.
On St. Croix, the foundation donated $25,000 toward the purchase of a wooden basketball court for Central High School, the first of its kind ever installed on the island. (To read more about the foundation, visit the NBA's Tim Duncan Foundation Web page.)
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.
But even if you tried, you probably wouldn't find a player more consistent than Duncan. And just in case there was any doubt, St. Croix's favorite son proved himself again Sunday night in San Antonio.
After leading the Spurs to an exciting 19-0 fourth-quarter run to defeat the New Jersey Nets 88-77 in the final game of the NBA Championships, Duncan was named the series Most Valuable Player for the second time in his career, nearly recording a rare quadruple-triple along the way.
That's right: For No. 21, it was 21 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists, and eight (almost double-digit) rebounds.
It would be hard to say at this point which is the greater achievement: to be named the champion of a championship team in a championship series in front of a roaring hometown crowd, or to be named the NBA's greatest player, as he was at the beginning of May, for the second consecutive season. A feat, by the way, which Duncan is the first to take ownership of since Michael Jordan did it '91 and '92.
Ah, consistency.
"It's an incredible feeling to do it here, to give our fans this kind of a treat," Duncan said, according to a story in Sports Illustrated online. "It's great for them and great for us."
He's come a long way from humble beginnings on the asphalt court of the now-defunct St. Dunstan's High School on St. Croix, where he played organized ball for the first time as a ninth grader. Prior to that, he'd been a competitive swimmer, but he had to trade in his first love for a hoop dream when Hurricane Hugo made a mess of the pool where he trained.
But, just look at him now. Duncan is the second player in NBA history to be named to the All-NBA and All-defensive teams in all five of his first five seasons. He has led the league in double-double's since joining it. He was named MVP of the '99 championship finals, co-MVP of the 2000 All-Star game, NBA Player of the Week 11 times, so far, and Player of the Month four times. And at the ripe old age of 27, he doesn't look as if he's going to stop dazzling us anytime soon.
To judge from his accomplishments, Duncan may be one of the precious few Virgin Islanders for whom Hugo was a blessing.
"This experience, to make it this far, to be the last team standing, to go through all the trials and tribulations we have all season long, the ups and downs — there was much to learn from this season, not only this series, but the season in general. It was a great one for these guys," Duncan told Sports Illustrated.
But beyond the glory of the court and the television cameras and the cheering fans under the lights, in a much quieter place where the rest of us live, Duncan's consistency shows itself in a different way.
You wouldn't know it from his shy, self-effacing manner, because the truly generous never speak of their own generosity, but he also is something of a philanthropist. Together with his wife, Amy, he started the Tim Duncan Foundation, which raises money for not-for-profit groups dealing with education, health awareness and research, and youth sports and recreation. The foundation supports such agencies in the three geographical areas where he has roots: the Virgin Islands, where he grew up; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he went to college at Wake Forest; and the San Antonio area of South Texas.
In San Antonio each year the foundation sponsors a charity Bowl-a-Thon and a golf tournament which have raised more than $350,000 to help in the fight against breast and prostate cancer. It purchased a new multipurpose vehicle for the Roy Maas' Youth Alternatives organization, which serves more than 700 children in crisis and at risk in the area.
On St. Croix, the foundation donated $25,000 toward the purchase of a wooden basketball court for Central High School, the first of its kind ever installed on the island. (To read more about the foundation, visit the NBA's Tim Duncan Foundation Web page.)
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.
REPUBLICANS BLAME DEMOCRATS FOR FISCAL CRISIS
June 16, 2003 – The V.I. Republican Party has taken the V.I. Democratic Party to task for what the GOP leadership termed the Democrats' "misguided" belief that "the key to prosperity has been to borrow [money] and commit future generations to pay back those ill-advised loans."
And, the Republicans charge, increasing the tax burden on the private sector will only make things worse, "forcing more business to close" and driving former taxpayers to "leave the islands, taking already diminishing monies that pay for government."
A release issued on Monday said that the Republican Territorial Committee, meeting on Saturday via video-teleconference hookup, adopted a resolution stating that "the economic recovery plan proposed by the governor and now pending before the Legislature is fundamentally flawed and, if enacted, would have dire consequences, particularly on the private sector and [its] employees."
The full Senate is scheduled to take up five of six bills submitted as a package by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull at its session on Tuesday. The Senate Finance Committee already has rejected a number of the new and increased tax provisions proposed, and members of the Democratic majority have been outspoken in their opposition to the governor's taxing, borrowing and spending plans.
Additionally, all 15 lawmakers told the governor they would not consider his plan to float another $235 million bond issue unless he rolled back hefty pay raises he granted unclassified employees last year. Turnbull's response last Thursday was an offer to reduce the salaries by 2 percent to 10 percent on a sliding scale, but only for six months; the Legislature's collective view of the offer remains to be seen.
Julio Brady, a former lieutenant governor and attorney general, made reference at Saturday's GOP meeting to Turnbull's comments about opposing the furlough of government workers because on an island they can't just drive to the next town and find work. "The governor did not express the same compassion for those thousands of Virgin Islanders in the private sector who have lost jobs, businesses and homes, and been forced to relocate if they wanted to eat," the release cited Brady as saying.
James M. Oliver, V.I. Republican chair, said "the problem has been compounded over the last two decades by the predominantly Democratic-controlled Legislatures."
The release noted that the local GOP leadership "has never been invited to take part in the bipartisan approach traditional in times of crisis. But local Democratic leadership continues to appeal to the Republican administration in Washington for financial aid."
There are no elected Republicans in the Senate or the administration at present.
Holland L. Redfield II, GOP national committeeman and a former senator, said the V.I. Republicans have had an economic recovery plan "in place for the last 20 years," with a balanced budget spelled out in the platform of the party's Brady/Redfield ticket in the 1994 gubernatorial campaign and again in that of the Bornn/Golden team last year.
The release also quoted Redfield as saying that "it is hard to plead the case of the Virgin Islands when the government has not met the conditions [Turnbull] agreed to when signing the Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Department of Interior contingent upon receiving the last loan." And, he said, "further funding is usually denied when compliance has not been forthcoming."
The committee took Turnbull to task as an educator for the accreditation and federal funding problems facing the educational system. "Our local public schools are currently ineligible for expanded federal funds because of Democratic administration bureaucratic bungling," the release said. "The Virgin Islands is not among the 50 states, Puerto Rico and [Washington] D.C. who have met the federal guidelines under the No Child Left Behind legislation."
The committee also came out in support of the $400 tax credit "that should be paid to all qualifying Virgin Islanders" in the territory's tax system that mirrors that of the federal government. President Bush signed the new tax-cut law on May 28.
"The fact that the local treasury is empty due to the revenue shortfalls, mismanagement of funds and self-serving priorities [does] not exempt the Virgin Islands from its duty to comply with the laws of the United States," the release stated. Further, Redfield said, "Failure to do so will be challenged by the Republican Party in the federal District Court system."
The territory's Republican National Committee members — Redfield, Oliver and Lilliana Belardo de O'Neal — will attend a meeting of the committee in New York City in July, according to the release, "and will continue to meet and work with the key members of the Department of Interior, the White House and members of Congress."
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.
And, the Republicans charge, increasing the tax burden on the private sector will only make things worse, "forcing more business to close" and driving former taxpayers to "leave the islands, taking already diminishing monies that pay for government."
A release issued on Monday said that the Republican Territorial Committee, meeting on Saturday via video-teleconference hookup, adopted a resolution stating that "the economic recovery plan proposed by the governor and now pending before the Legislature is fundamentally flawed and, if enacted, would have dire consequences, particularly on the private sector and [its] employees."
The full Senate is scheduled to take up five of six bills submitted as a package by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull at its session on Tuesday. The Senate Finance Committee already has rejected a number of the new and increased tax provisions proposed, and members of the Democratic majority have been outspoken in their opposition to the governor's taxing, borrowing and spending plans.
Additionally, all 15 lawmakers told the governor they would not consider his plan to float another $235 million bond issue unless he rolled back hefty pay raises he granted unclassified employees last year. Turnbull's response last Thursday was an offer to reduce the salaries by 2 percent to 10 percent on a sliding scale, but only for six months; the Legislature's collective view of the offer remains to be seen.
Julio Brady, a former lieutenant governor and attorney general, made reference at Saturday's GOP meeting to Turnbull's comments about opposing the furlough of government workers because on an island they can't just drive to the next town and find work. "The governor did not express the same compassion for those thousands of Virgin Islanders in the private sector who have lost jobs, businesses and homes, and been forced to relocate if they wanted to eat," the release cited Brady as saying.
James M. Oliver, V.I. Republican chair, said "the problem has been compounded over the last two decades by the predominantly Democratic-controlled Legislatures."
The release noted that the local GOP leadership "has never been invited to take part in the bipartisan approach traditional in times of crisis. But local Democratic leadership continues to appeal to the Republican administration in Washington for financial aid."
There are no elected Republicans in the Senate or the administration at present.
Holland L. Redfield II, GOP national committeeman and a former senator, said the V.I. Republicans have had an economic recovery plan "in place for the last 20 years," with a balanced budget spelled out in the platform of the party's Brady/Redfield ticket in the 1994 gubernatorial campaign and again in that of the Bornn/Golden team last year.
The release also quoted Redfield as saying that "it is hard to plead the case of the Virgin Islands when the government has not met the conditions [Turnbull] agreed to when signing the Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Department of Interior contingent upon receiving the last loan." And, he said, "further funding is usually denied when compliance has not been forthcoming."
The committee took Turnbull to task as an educator for the accreditation and federal funding problems facing the educational system. "Our local public schools are currently ineligible for expanded federal funds because of Democratic administration bureaucratic bungling," the release said. "The Virgin Islands is not among the 50 states, Puerto Rico and [Washington] D.C. who have met the federal guidelines under the No Child Left Behind legislation."
The committee also came out in support of the $400 tax credit "that should be paid to all qualifying Virgin Islanders" in the territory's tax system that mirrors that of the federal government. President Bush signed the new tax-cut law on May 28.
"The fact that the local treasury is empty due to the revenue shortfalls, mismanagement of funds and self-serving priorities [does] not exempt the Virgin Islands from its duty to comply with the laws of the United States," the release stated. Further, Redfield said, "Failure to do so will be challenged by the Republican Party in the federal District Court system."
The territory's Republican National Committee members — Redfield, Oliver and Lilliana Belardo de O'Neal — will attend a meeting of the committee in New York City in July, according to the release, "and will continue to meet and work with the key members of the Department of Interior, the White House and members of Congress."
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.
REPUBLICANS BLAME DEMOCRATS FOR FISCAL CRISIS
June 16, 2003 – The V.I. Republican Party has taken the V.I. Democratic Party to task for what the GOP leadership termed the Democrats' "misguided" belief that "the key to prosperity has been to borrow [money] and commit future generations to pay back those ill-advised loans."
And, the Republicans charge, increasing the tax burden on the private sector will only make things worse, "forcing more business to close" and driving former taxpayers to "leave the islands, taking already diminishing monies that pay for government."
A release issued on Monday said that the Republican Territorial Committee, meeting on Saturday via video-teleconference hookup, adopted a resolution stating that "the economic recovery plan proposed by the governor and now pending before the Legislature is fundamentally flawed and, if enacted, would have dire consequences, particularly on the private sector and [its] employees."
The full Senate is scheduled to take up five of six bills submitted as a package by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull at its session on Tuesday. The Senate Finance Committee already has rejected a number of the new and increased tax provisions proposed, and members of the Democratic majority have been outspoken in their opposition to the governor's taxing, borrowing and spending plans.
Additionally, all 15 lawmakers told the governor they would not consider his plan to float another $235 million bond issue unless he rolled back hefty pay raises he granted unclassified employees last year. Turnbull's response last Thursday was an offer to reduce the salaries by 2 percent to 10 percent on a sliding scale, but only for six months; the Legislature's collective view of the offer remains to be seen.
Julio Brady, a former lieutenant governor and attorney general, made reference at Saturday's GOP meeting to Turnbull's comments about opposing the furlough of government workers because on an island they can't just drive to the next town and find work. "The governor did not express the same compassion for those thousands of Virgin Islanders in the private sector who have lost jobs, businesses and homes, and been forced to relocate if they wanted to eat," the release cited Brady as saying.
James M. Oliver, V.I. Republican chair, said "the problem has been compounded over the last two decades by the predominantly Democratic-controlled Legislatures."
The release noted that the local GOP leadership "has never been invited to take part in the bipartisan approach traditional in times of crisis. But local Democratic leadership continues to appeal to the Republican administration in Washington for financial aid."
There are no elected Republicans in the Senate or the administration at present.
Holland L. Redfield II, GOP national committeeman and a former senator, said the V.I. Republicans have had an economic recovery plan "in place for the last 20 years," with a balanced budget spelled out in the platform of the party's Brady/Redfield ticket in the 1994 gubernatorial campaign and again in that of the Bornn/Golden team last year.
The release also quoted Redfield as saying that "it is hard to plead the case of the Virgin Islands when the government has not met the conditions [Turnbull] agreed to when signing the Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Department of Interior contingent upon receiving the last loan." And, he said, "further funding is usually denied when compliance has not been forthcoming."
The committee took Turnbull to task as an educator for the accreditation and federal funding problems facing the educational system. "Our local public schools are currently ineligible for expanded federal funds because of Democratic administration bureaucratic bungling," the release said. "The Virgin Islands is not among the 50 states, Puerto Rico and [Washington] D.C. who have met the federal guidelines under the No Child Left Behind legislation."
The committee also came out in support of the $400 tax credit "that should be paid to all qualifying Virgin Islanders" in the territory's tax system that mirrors that of the federal government. President Bush signed the new tax-cut law on May 28.
"The fact that the local treasury is empty due to the revenue shortfalls, mismanagement of funds and self-serving priorities [does] not exempt the Virgin Islands from its duty to comply with the laws of the United States," the release stated. Further, Redfield said, "Failure to do so will be challenged by the Republican Party in the federal District Court system."
The territory's Republican National Committee members — Redfield, Oliver and Lilliana Belardo de O'Neal — will attend a meeting of the committee in New York City in July, according to the release, "and will continue to meet and work with the key members of the Department of Interior, the White House and members of Congress."
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.
And, the Republicans charge, increasing the tax burden on the private sector will only make things worse, "forcing more business to close" and driving former taxpayers to "leave the islands, taking already diminishing monies that pay for government."
A release issued on Monday said that the Republican Territorial Committee, meeting on Saturday via video-teleconference hookup, adopted a resolution stating that "the economic recovery plan proposed by the governor and now pending before the Legislature is fundamentally flawed and, if enacted, would have dire consequences, particularly on the private sector and [its] employees."
The full Senate is scheduled to take up five of six bills submitted as a package by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull at its session on Tuesday. The Senate Finance Committee already has rejected a number of the new and increased tax provisions proposed, and members of the Democratic majority have been outspoken in their opposition to the governor's taxing, borrowing and spending plans.
Additionally, all 15 lawmakers told the governor they would not consider his plan to float another $235 million bond issue unless he rolled back hefty pay raises he granted unclassified employees last year. Turnbull's response last Thursday was an offer to reduce the salaries by 2 percent to 10 percent on a sliding scale, but only for six months; the Legislature's collective view of the offer remains to be seen.
Julio Brady, a former lieutenant governor and attorney general, made reference at Saturday's GOP meeting to Turnbull's comments about opposing the furlough of government workers because on an island they can't just drive to the next town and find work. "The governor did not express the same compassion for those thousands of Virgin Islanders in the private sector who have lost jobs, businesses and homes, and been forced to relocate if they wanted to eat," the release cited Brady as saying.
James M. Oliver, V.I. Republican chair, said "the problem has been compounded over the last two decades by the predominantly Democratic-controlled Legislatures."
The release noted that the local GOP leadership "has never been invited to take part in the bipartisan approach traditional in times of crisis. But local Democratic leadership continues to appeal to the Republican administration in Washington for financial aid."
There are no elected Republicans in the Senate or the administration at present.
Holland L. Redfield II, GOP national committeeman and a former senator, said the V.I. Republicans have had an economic recovery plan "in place for the last 20 years," with a balanced budget spelled out in the platform of the party's Brady/Redfield ticket in the 1994 gubernatorial campaign and again in that of the Bornn/Golden team last year.
The release also quoted Redfield as saying that "it is hard to plead the case of the Virgin Islands when the government has not met the conditions [Turnbull] agreed to when signing the Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Department of Interior contingent upon receiving the last loan." And, he said, "further funding is usually denied when compliance has not been forthcoming."
The committee took Turnbull to task as an educator for the accreditation and federal funding problems facing the educational system. "Our local public schools are currently ineligible for expanded federal funds because of Democratic administration bureaucratic bungling," the release said. "The Virgin Islands is not among the 50 states, Puerto Rico and [Washington] D.C. who have met the federal guidelines under the No Child Left Behind legislation."
The committee also came out in support of the $400 tax credit "that should be paid to all qualifying Virgin Islanders" in the territory's tax system that mirrors that of the federal government. President Bush signed the new tax-cut law on May 28.
"The fact that the local treasury is empty due to the revenue shortfalls, mismanagement of funds and self-serving priorities [does] not exempt the Virgin Islands from its duty to comply with the laws of the United States," the release stated. Further, Redfield said, "Failure to do so will be challenged by the Republican Party in the federal District Court system."
The territory's Republican National Committee members — Redfield, Oliver and Lilliana Belardo de O'Neal — will attend a meeting of the committee in New York City in July, according to the release, "and will continue to meet and work with the key members of the Department of Interior, the White House and members of Congress."
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REPUBLICANS BLAME DEMOCRATS FOR FISCAL CRISIS
June 16, 2003 – The V.I. Republican Party has taken the V.I. Democratic Party to task for what the GOP leadership termed the Democrats' "misguided" belief that "the key to prosperity has been to borrow [money] and commit future generations to pay back those ill-advised loans."
And, the Republicans charge, increasing the tax burden on the private sector will only make things worse, "forcing more business to close" and driving former taxpayers to "leave the islands, taking already diminishing monies that pay for government."
A release issued on Monday said that the Republican Territorial Committee, meeting on Saturday via video-teleconference hookup, adopted a resolution stating that "the economic recovery plan proposed by the governor and now pending before the Legislature is fundamentally flawed and, if enacted, would have dire consequences, particularly on the private sector and [its] employees."
The full Senate is scheduled to take up five of six bills submitted as a package by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull at its session on Tuesday. The Senate Finance Committee already has rejected a number of the new and increased tax provisions proposed, and members of the Democratic majority have been outspoken in their opposition to the governor's taxing, borrowing and spending plans.
Additionally, all 15 lawmakers told the governor they would not consider his plan to float another $235 million bond issue unless he rolled back hefty pay raises he granted unclassified employees last year. Turnbull's response last Thursday was an offer to reduce the salaries by 2 percent to 10 percent on a sliding scale, but only for six months; the Legislature's collective view of the offer remains to be seen.
Julio Brady, a former lieutenant governor and attorney general, made reference at Saturday's GOP meeting to Turnbull's comments about opposing the furlough of government workers because on an island they can't just drive to the next town and find work. "The governor did not express the same compassion for those thousands of Virgin Islanders in the private sector who have lost jobs, businesses and homes, and been forced to relocate if they wanted to eat," the release cited Brady as saying.
James M. Oliver, V.I. Republican chair, said "the problem has been compounded over the last two decades by the predominantly Democratic-controlled Legislatures."
The release noted that the local GOP leadership "has never been invited to take part in the bipartisan approach traditional in times of crisis. But local Democratic leadership continues to appeal to the Republican administration in Washington for financial aid."
There are no elected Republicans in the Senate or the administration at present.
Holland L. Redfield II, GOP national committeeman and a former senator, said the V.I. Republicans have had an economic recovery plan "in place for the last 20 years," with a balanced budget spelled out in the platform of the party's Brady/Redfield ticket in the 1994 gubernatorial campaign and again in that of the Bornn/Golden team last year.
The release also quoted Redfield as saying that "it is hard to plead the case of the Virgin Islands when the government has not met the conditions [Turnbull] agreed to when signing the Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Department of Interior contingent upon receiving the last loan." And, he said, "further funding is usually denied when compliance has not been forthcoming."
The committee took Turnbull to task as an educator for the accreditation and federal funding problems facing the educational system. "Our local public schools are currently ineligible for expanded federal funds because of Democratic administration bureaucratic bungling," the release said. "The Virgin Islands is not among the 50 states, Puerto Rico and [Washington] D.C. who have met the federal guidelines under the No Child Left Behind legislation."
The committee also came out in support of the $400 tax credit "that should be paid to all qualifying Virgin Islanders" in the territory's tax system that mirrors that of the federal government. President Bush signed the new tax-cut law on May 28.
"The fact that the local treasury is empty due to the revenue shortfalls, mismanagement of funds and self-serving priorities [does] not exempt the Virgin Islands from its duty to comply with the laws of the United States," the release stated. Further, Redfield said, "Failure to do so will be challenged by the Republican Party in the federal District Court system."
The territory's Republican National Committee members — Redfield, Oliver and Lilliana Belardo de O'Neal — will attend a meeting of the committee in New York City in July, according to the release, "and will continue to meet and work with the key members of the Department of Interior, the White House and members of Congress."
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And, the Republicans charge, increasing the tax burden on the private sector will only make things worse, "forcing more business to close" and driving former taxpayers to "leave the islands, taking already diminishing monies that pay for government."
A release issued on Monday said that the Republican Territorial Committee, meeting on Saturday via video-teleconference hookup, adopted a resolution stating that "the economic recovery plan proposed by the governor and now pending before the Legislature is fundamentally flawed and, if enacted, would have dire consequences, particularly on the private sector and [its] employees."
The full Senate is scheduled to take up five of six bills submitted as a package by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull at its session on Tuesday. The Senate Finance Committee already has rejected a number of the new and increased tax provisions proposed, and members of the Democratic majority have been outspoken in their opposition to the governor's taxing, borrowing and spending plans.
Additionally, all 15 lawmakers told the governor they would not consider his plan to float another $235 million bond issue unless he rolled back hefty pay raises he granted unclassified employees last year. Turnbull's response last Thursday was an offer to reduce the salaries by 2 percent to 10 percent on a sliding scale, but only for six months; the Legislature's collective view of the offer remains to be seen.
Julio Brady, a former lieutenant governor and attorney general, made reference at Saturday's GOP meeting to Turnbull's comments about opposing the furlough of government workers because on an island they can't just drive to the next town and find work. "The governor did not express the same compassion for those thousands of Virgin Islanders in the private sector who have lost jobs, businesses and homes, and been forced to relocate if they wanted to eat," the release cited Brady as saying.
James M. Oliver, V.I. Republican chair, said "the problem has been compounded over the last two decades by the predominantly Democratic-controlled Legislatures."
The release noted that the local GOP leadership "has never been invited to take part in the bipartisan approach traditional in times of crisis. But local Democratic leadership continues to appeal to the Republican administration in Washington for financial aid."
There are no elected Republicans in the Senate or the administration at present.
Holland L. Redfield II, GOP national committeeman and a former senator, said the V.I. Republicans have had an economic recovery plan "in place for the last 20 years," with a balanced budget spelled out in the platform of the party's Brady/Redfield ticket in the 1994 gubernatorial campaign and again in that of the Bornn/Golden team last year.
The release also quoted Redfield as saying that "it is hard to plead the case of the Virgin Islands when the government has not met the conditions [Turnbull] agreed to when signing the Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Department of Interior contingent upon receiving the last loan." And, he said, "further funding is usually denied when compliance has not been forthcoming."
The committee took Turnbull to task as an educator for the accreditation and federal funding problems facing the educational system. "Our local public schools are currently ineligible for expanded federal funds because of Democratic administration bureaucratic bungling," the release said. "The Virgin Islands is not among the 50 states, Puerto Rico and [Washington] D.C. who have met the federal guidelines under the No Child Left Behind legislation."
The committee also came out in support of the $400 tax credit "that should be paid to all qualifying Virgin Islanders" in the territory's tax system that mirrors that of the federal government. President Bush signed the new tax-cut law on May 28.
"The fact that the local treasury is empty due to the revenue shortfalls, mismanagement of funds and self-serving priorities [does] not exempt the Virgin Islands from its duty to comply with the laws of the United States," the release stated. Further, Redfield said, "Failure to do so will be challenged by the Republican Party in the federal District Court system."
The territory's Republican National Committee members — Redfield, Oliver and Lilliana Belardo de O'Neal — will attend a meeting of the committee in New York City in July, according to the release, "and will continue to meet and work with the key members of the Department of Interior, the White House and members of Congress."
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V.I. TO GET $4M MORE IN HOMELAND SECURITY GRANTS
June 16, 2003 – The federal Department of Homeland Security has awarded the Virgin Islands nearly $4.1 million for domestic preparedness under the federal agency's Fiscal Year 2003 state and territorial funding program.
The grant of $4,085,000 will be made to the Law Enforcement Planning Commission, Delegate Donna M. Christensen said. The money, she said in a release, is earmarked for "first-responder preparedness and to mitigate the costs of enhanced security at critical infrastructure facilities during the period of hostilities with Iraq and future periods of heightened threats."
In addition, Christensen said, the Virgin Islands — and every other territory and state — will receive a $30,000 grant to develop a multi-year "business case" within the next six months outlining a strategy for managing future funding for two purposes:
– To implement map modernization.
– To increase territorial and local capabilities for developing and maintaining flood hazard data.
"This is only the first phase of funding for the Homeland Security, Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate Department," the release stated. "Phase 2 of this funding is still being finalized."
The awards follow Homeland Security grants totaling nearly $3.5 million to five V.I. port entities that were announced on Friday by Christensen for the federal Port Security and Operation Safe Commerce programs. Those grants were issued on June 12 under the direction of the U.S. Transportation Security Administration and are part of the Container Security Initiative implemented after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, according to the delegate.
The port grants comprise nearly $1.5 million for the Port Authority, more than $1.3 million for Hovensa, $359,103 for The West Indian Co., $187,810 for the Water and Power Authority, and $64,803 for Sea Star Line. The funding is to be used for monitoring cargo arriving at U.S. ports in a cooperative effort with other nations to identify, target and search out high-risk cargo, Christensen said.
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The grant of $4,085,000 will be made to the Law Enforcement Planning Commission, Delegate Donna M. Christensen said. The money, she said in a release, is earmarked for "first-responder preparedness and to mitigate the costs of enhanced security at critical infrastructure facilities during the period of hostilities with Iraq and future periods of heightened threats."
In addition, Christensen said, the Virgin Islands — and every other territory and state — will receive a $30,000 grant to develop a multi-year "business case" within the next six months outlining a strategy for managing future funding for two purposes:
– To implement map modernization.
– To increase territorial and local capabilities for developing and maintaining flood hazard data.
"This is only the first phase of funding for the Homeland Security, Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate Department," the release stated. "Phase 2 of this funding is still being finalized."
The awards follow Homeland Security grants totaling nearly $3.5 million to five V.I. port entities that were announced on Friday by Christensen for the federal Port Security and Operation Safe Commerce programs. Those grants were issued on June 12 under the direction of the U.S. Transportation Security Administration and are part of the Container Security Initiative implemented after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, according to the delegate.
The port grants comprise nearly $1.5 million for the Port Authority, more than $1.3 million for Hovensa, $359,103 for The West Indian Co., $187,810 for the Water and Power Authority, and $64,803 for Sea Star Line. The funding is to be used for monitoring cargo arriving at U.S. ports in a cooperative effort with other nations to identify, target and search out high-risk cargo, Christensen said.
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V.I. TO GET $4M MORE IN HOMELAND SECURITY GRANTS
June 16, 2003 – The federal Department of Homeland Security has awarded the Virgin Islands nearly $4.1 million for domestic preparedness under the federal agency's Fiscal Year 2003 state and territorial funding program.
The grant of $4,085,000 will be made to the Law Enforcement Planning Commission, Delegate Donna M. Christensen said. The money, she said in a release, is earmarked for "first-responder preparedness and to mitigate the costs of enhanced security at critical infrastructure facilities during the period of hostilities with Iraq and future periods of heightened threats."
In addition, Christensen said, the Virgin Islands — and every other territory and state — will receive a $30,000 grant to develop a multi-year "business case" within the next six months outlining a strategy for managing future funding for two purposes:
– To implement map modernization.
– To increase territorial and local capabilities for developing and maintaining flood hazard data.
"This is only the first phase of funding for the Homeland Security, Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate Department," the release stated. "Phase 2 of this funding is still being finalized."
The awards follow Homeland Security grants totaling nearly $3.5 million to five V.I. port entities that were announced on Friday by Christensen for the federal Port Security and Operation Safe Commerce programs. Those grants were issued on June 12 under the direction of the U.S. Transportation Security Administration and are part of the Container Security Initiative implemented after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, according to the delegate.
The port grants comprise nearly $1.5 million for the Port Authority, more than $1.3 million for Hovensa, $359,103 for The West Indian Co., $187,810 for the Water and Power Authority, and $64,803 for Sea Star Line. The funding is to be used for monitoring cargo arriving at U.S. ports in a cooperative effort with other nations to identify, target and search out high-risk cargo, Christensen said.
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The grant of $4,085,000 will be made to the Law Enforcement Planning Commission, Delegate Donna M. Christensen said. The money, she said in a release, is earmarked for "first-responder preparedness and to mitigate the costs of enhanced security at critical infrastructure facilities during the period of hostilities with Iraq and future periods of heightened threats."
In addition, Christensen said, the Virgin Islands — and every other territory and state — will receive a $30,000 grant to develop a multi-year "business case" within the next six months outlining a strategy for managing future funding for two purposes:
– To implement map modernization.
– To increase territorial and local capabilities for developing and maintaining flood hazard data.
"This is only the first phase of funding for the Homeland Security, Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate Department," the release stated. "Phase 2 of this funding is still being finalized."
The awards follow Homeland Security grants totaling nearly $3.5 million to five V.I. port entities that were announced on Friday by Christensen for the federal Port Security and Operation Safe Commerce programs. Those grants were issued on June 12 under the direction of the U.S. Transportation Security Administration and are part of the Container Security Initiative implemented after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, according to the delegate.
The port grants comprise nearly $1.5 million for the Port Authority, more than $1.3 million for Hovensa, $359,103 for The West Indian Co., $187,810 for the Water and Power Authority, and $64,803 for Sea Star Line. The funding is to be used for monitoring cargo arriving at U.S. ports in a cooperative effort with other nations to identify, target and search out high-risk cargo, Christensen said.
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.
V.I. TO GET $4M MORE IN HOMELAND SECURITY GRANTS
June 16, 2003 – The federal Department of Homeland Security has awarded the Virgin Islands nearly $4.1 million for domestic preparedness under the federal agency's Fiscal Year 2003 state and territorial funding program.
The grant of $4,085,000 will be made to the Law Enforcement Planning Commission, Delegate Donna M. Christensen said. The money, she said in a release, is earmarked for "first-responder preparedness and to mitigate the costs of enhanced security at critical infrastructure facilities during the period of hostilities with Iraq and future periods of heightened threats."
In addition, Christensen said, the Virgin Islands — and every other territory and state — will receive a $30,000 grant to develop a multi-year "business case" within the next six months outlining a strategy for managing future funding for two purposes:
– To implement map modernization.
– To increase territorial and local capabilities for developing and maintaining flood hazard data.
"This is only the first phase of funding for the Homeland Security, Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate Department," the release stated. "Phase 2 of this funding is still being finalized."
The awards follow Homeland Security grants totaling nearly $3.5 million to five V.I. port entities that were announced on Friday by Christensen for the federal Port Security and Operation Safe Commerce programs. Those grants were issued on June 12 under the direction of the U.S. Transportation Security Administration and are part of the Container Security Initiative implemented after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, according to the delegate.
The port grants comprise nearly $1.5 million for the Port Authority, more than $1.3 million for Hovensa, $359,103 for The West Indian Co., $187,810 for the Water and Power Authority, and $64,803 for Sea Star Line. The funding is to be used for monitoring cargo arriving at U.S. ports in a cooperative effort with other nations to identify, target and search out high-risk cargo, Christensen said.
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The grant of $4,085,000 will be made to the Law Enforcement Planning Commission, Delegate Donna M. Christensen said. The money, she said in a release, is earmarked for "first-responder preparedness and to mitigate the costs of enhanced security at critical infrastructure facilities during the period of hostilities with Iraq and future periods of heightened threats."
In addition, Christensen said, the Virgin Islands — and every other territory and state — will receive a $30,000 grant to develop a multi-year "business case" within the next six months outlining a strategy for managing future funding for two purposes:
– To implement map modernization.
– To increase territorial and local capabilities for developing and maintaining flood hazard data.
"This is only the first phase of funding for the Homeland Security, Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate Department," the release stated. "Phase 2 of this funding is still being finalized."
The awards follow Homeland Security grants totaling nearly $3.5 million to five V.I. port entities that were announced on Friday by Christensen for the federal Port Security and Operation Safe Commerce programs. Those grants were issued on June 12 under the direction of the U.S. Transportation Security Administration and are part of the Container Security Initiative implemented after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, according to the delegate.
The port grants comprise nearly $1.5 million for the Port Authority, more than $1.3 million for Hovensa, $359,103 for The West Indian Co., $187,810 for the Water and Power Authority, and $64,803 for Sea Star Line. The funding is to be used for monitoring cargo arriving at U.S. ports in a cooperative effort with other nations to identify, target and search out high-risk cargo, Christensen said.
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PLAN TO TAX OIL IMPORTS IS WORSE THAN CRUDE
Dear Source,
St. Croix has been decimated by inattention from the "planners" who got the entire government into the current mess, which they call a "shortfall." It's more like a "longfall," or a "freefall" without a bungee cord. The latest solution from the planners, who have hung on from administration to administration, seems to be going on talk shows en masse and repeating the same tired, old message and "logic" in order to hog the time so that concerned citizens cannot get a questioning word in edgewise.
It appears that there is another "sword of Damn Politicians" from another Virgin Island slashing at the bread and butter of St. Croix. It is not enough to take St. Croix's rum revenues to finance the territory's poorly planned bond sales for current expenses, etc., as well as the funds from St. Croix's Hovensa. They now are considering taxing St. Croix's bread and butter employer, Hovensa, 20 cents a barrel for imported crude oil.
Politicians are not dealing here with just the Virgin Islands, not to mention just St. Croix; they are dealing with a Caribbean nation, Venezuela (which has troubles of its own). Have they examined any of the consequences of doing that? Well, Hovensa depends for its profitability upon the consistent and nearby source of crude. If Venezuela finds it less profitable to sell its oil to its co-owned Hovensa, then its oil will find another market, and Hovensa will become even less profitable still, generating even less taxes.
Is someone trying to drive St. Croix into the sea? It already has between 14 and 20 percent unemployment. Attacking its main source of employment will aggravate this problem even further. What next? Do you suppose they will impose a 20-cents-a-gallon tax on imported molasses, kill another source of St. Croix employment, and in the "shortfall" lose another source of income, forcing hundreds of our 2003 St. Croix high school graduates to go elsewhere to earn their bread and butter?
Robert V. Vaughn
St. Croix
St. Croix has been decimated by inattention from the "planners" who got the entire government into the current mess, which they call a "shortfall." It's more like a "longfall," or a "freefall" without a bungee cord. The latest solution from the planners, who have hung on from administration to administration, seems to be going on talk shows en masse and repeating the same tired, old message and "logic" in order to hog the time so that concerned citizens cannot get a questioning word in edgewise.
It appears that there is another "sword of Damn Politicians" from another Virgin Island slashing at the bread and butter of St. Croix. It is not enough to take St. Croix's rum revenues to finance the territory's poorly planned bond sales for current expenses, etc., as well as the funds from St. Croix's Hovensa. They now are considering taxing St. Croix's bread and butter employer, Hovensa, 20 cents a barrel for imported crude oil.
Politicians are not dealing here with just the Virgin Islands, not to mention just St. Croix; they are dealing with a Caribbean nation, Venezuela (which has troubles of its own). Have they examined any of the consequences of doing that? Well, Hovensa depends for its profitability upon the consistent and nearby source of crude. If Venezuela finds it less profitable to sell its oil to its co-owned Hovensa, then its oil will find another market, and Hovensa will become even less profitable still, generating even less taxes.
Is someone trying to drive St. Croix into the sea? It already has between 14 and 20 percent unemployment. Attacking its main source of employment will aggravate this problem even further. What next? Do you suppose they will impose a 20-cents-a-gallon tax on imported molasses, kill another source of St. Croix employment, and in the "shortfall" lose another source of income, forcing hundreds of our 2003 St. Croix high school graduates to go elsewhere to earn their bread and butter?
Robert V. Vaughn
St. Croix
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.
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