June 13, 2003 – The interim regulations for the Coral Reef National Monument have only been enforced for a bit more than a month, but already boaters and fishermen are wrangling with park authorities.
At a meeting on Friday called by Steve Clark, chief ranger for both the monument and V.I. National Park, boaters complained of having been forced to move out of Hurricane Hole by May 5 when a no-anchoring rule took effect.
Under the new regulations, boaters are allowed to anchor in the protected waters only during hurricane season when a storm threatens. For example, when Tropical Depression 2 threatened to escalate into a named storm on Wednesday, Clark sent out word that boats could be moved into Hurricane Hole.
Clark said the nine boaters who then moved their vessels into Hurricane Hole in advance of what he thought would be a named storm were allowed to leave their ground tackle in place but had to remove their boats once it became clear the weather system posed no threat.
Boater Lee Stanciauskas claimed that she and her husband, Larry Best, were treated unfairly because they vacated Hurricane Hole when they were asked to in early May.
One of the fishermen at the meeting, Buster Brady, claimed that sewage from boats has destroyed the island's fishery. "You need to get rid of them all around the islands," he said.
Clark noted that the regulations are still a work in progress. "There are going to be growing pains," he said.
Under the interim rules for the monument, fishermen had to move their fish pots from the designated waters or face their confiscation by park rangers. It's now legal to fish with handlines for hardnose, also called blue runner, in monument waters on the south side of St. John and for bait fish in Hurricane Hole — if fishermen get a permit from the park first. The permits are free and must be renewed every year.
Clark said the permits can be issued on the spot, and he handed some out at the meeting, held in the conference room of the park maintenance building. Other fishermen will need to visit him at his office in the park Visitor Center in Cruz Bay to get their permits, he said. A permit covers all people aboard a vessel.
Clark also urged the 30 or so people at the meeting to get a Global Positioning System device so they can determine the monument's boundaries while out on the water. He said the park will hold a workshop soon on how to use a GPS.
Another reason fishermen should carry the devices is so that park and other emergency personnel can find them if they run into trouble, he said. "We'll come get you," he promised, noting that park staff will carry out rescues even if the boaters in trouble are not in federal waters. And in emergencies, he noted, boaters are allowed to anchor while awaiting assistance.
"My management style is people first," Clark said.
Also speaking at Friday's meeting, Jeff Miller of the park's Resource Management Division said that the monument regulations will give declining fish stocks a chance to recover.
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LITTLE SWITZERLAND MOVES TO CUT 100 V.I. JOBS
June 13, 2003 – About a hundred jobs, more than half of them corporate positions, will be lost on St. Thomas in the next eight months with the relocation of Little Switzerland's headquarters to Boca Raton, Florida, and its warehousing operations to New Jersey.
The retailer, which has been suffering financial losses, will relocate as many as 60 corporate staff members from St. Thomas to Boca Raton according to the South Florida Business Journal. Little Switzerland spokeswoman Zona Corbin declined to confirm the figure on Thursday, saying "I have no idea" how many transfers are planned.
Corbin said, however, that "the corporate offices and the warehouse" will be affected. And she said that the relocations will take place in three phases: "the first part around August, the next wave in September and, finally, in January."
She referred queries about the number of people to be transferred or laid off to human relations director Claretta Bostic-Holland. Asked how many persons will be relocated from St. Thomas to Boca Raton, Bostic-Holland replied "I'm not at liberty to say." Asked how many are to be furloughed, she said "I'm not going to release that information, either."
A Little Switzerland corporate employee, who spoke on condition of not being identified, said "about a hundred people" will be affected, including about 40 warehouse workers who will lose their jobs. Employees were notified of the planned relocations on April 15, the employee said, and corporate personnel given the option of moving to Boca Raton had 30 days in which to decide. Most of those offered transfers took them, the individual said.
Many of the corporate personnel to be transferred are St. Thomas homeowners as well as longtime employees of the company, and they are now faced with putting their homes on the market.
Little Switzerland was founded on St. Thomas more than four decades ago when tourism was just beginning to catch on in the Caribbean. The high-end tourist-oriented retailer, which today has shops throughout the Caribbean and in Alaska and Key West, Florida, was acquired in whole last year by New York-based Tiffany & Co. in a $37 million stock sale and tender offer deal.
The Little Switzerland corporate offices have always been on St. Thomas. Since the 1990s they have been housed in the office and warehousing facility in Crown Bay that has served as the distribution point for the company's outlets as well as the headquarters for all operations except marketing. According to Corbin, some 250 to 300 persons currently work there.
The South Florida Business Journal reported that Little Switzerland has leased 17,000 square feet of office space in a Boca Raton building in the "high-profile" Arvida Park of Commerce. It quoted David Browne of Julien J. Studley, the real-estate firm that handled the lease transaction, as saying the company is set to move as many as 60 corporate staff members from St. Thomas.
A telephone message for Little Switzerland president and chief executive officer Robert Baumgardner left with an aide in his Boca Raton office on Thursday afternoon was not returned.
Mark Aaron, a Tiffany vice president, told the Business Journal that Baumgardner, a former regional vice president for Tiffany & Co., has been commuting from Boca to St. Thomas.
Moving the Little Switzerland corporate headquarters to the U.S. mainland makes operational sense now that Tiffany owns it, Aaron told the Business Journal. He said that Tiffany has no plans to move any of its operations into the Arvida Park space.
The Business Journal said that "Little Switzerland continues to bleed red ink, losing $1.1 million in the third quarter of last year, public records show." However, it quoted Aaron as saying that Tiffany believes it can turn the company around by expanding into the Western Caribbean. "We are optimistic on its long-term growth," the publication quoted him as saying.
Over the last three years, several major cruise lines have begun focusing more on the Western Caribbean, with itineraries out of Tampa, New Orleans and Corpus Christi, Texas, as well as the Miami area. While St. Thomas is on the stop for virtually all Eastern and Southern Caribbean cruises, it is not a part of the Western Caribbean circuit, which typically includes the Cayman Islands, Jamaica and the Gulf Coast of Mexico.
Corbin said Little Switzerland currently operates 22 retail outlets — four on St. Thomas, one on St. John, two in St. Martin/Sint Maarten (one in Philipsburg and one in Marigot), six in Aruba, one in Curaçao, one in Barbados, three in Key West and four in Alaska (one each in Ketchikan and Juneau and two in Skagway).
The shops carry name-brand lines of jewelry, watches, china, crystal, fragrances and giftware including Tiffany, Gucci and Louis Feraud.
Just three weeks ago, Little Switzerland opened a new boutique at the Westin St. John Resort and Villas. In a release announcing the opening, Baumgardner referred to it as the company's "first new store venture of 2003."
The release stated that "Little Switzerland plans to explore opportunities for growth that exist in the Caribbean and other potential areas of retail interest. St. John, as a U.S. territory, is the first of many new ventures."
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.
The retailer, which has been suffering financial losses, will relocate as many as 60 corporate staff members from St. Thomas to Boca Raton according to the South Florida Business Journal. Little Switzerland spokeswoman Zona Corbin declined to confirm the figure on Thursday, saying "I have no idea" how many transfers are planned.
Corbin said, however, that "the corporate offices and the warehouse" will be affected. And she said that the relocations will take place in three phases: "the first part around August, the next wave in September and, finally, in January."
She referred queries about the number of people to be transferred or laid off to human relations director Claretta Bostic-Holland. Asked how many persons will be relocated from St. Thomas to Boca Raton, Bostic-Holland replied "I'm not at liberty to say." Asked how many are to be furloughed, she said "I'm not going to release that information, either."
A Little Switzerland corporate employee, who spoke on condition of not being identified, said "about a hundred people" will be affected, including about 40 warehouse workers who will lose their jobs. Employees were notified of the planned relocations on April 15, the employee said, and corporate personnel given the option of moving to Boca Raton had 30 days in which to decide. Most of those offered transfers took them, the individual said.
Many of the corporate personnel to be transferred are St. Thomas homeowners as well as longtime employees of the company, and they are now faced with putting their homes on the market.
Little Switzerland was founded on St. Thomas more than four decades ago when tourism was just beginning to catch on in the Caribbean. The high-end tourist-oriented retailer, which today has shops throughout the Caribbean and in Alaska and Key West, Florida, was acquired in whole last year by New York-based Tiffany & Co. in a $37 million stock sale and tender offer deal.
The Little Switzerland corporate offices have always been on St. Thomas. Since the 1990s they have been housed in the office and warehousing facility in Crown Bay that has served as the distribution point for the company's outlets as well as the headquarters for all operations except marketing. According to Corbin, some 250 to 300 persons currently work there.
The South Florida Business Journal reported that Little Switzerland has leased 17,000 square feet of office space in a Boca Raton building in the "high-profile" Arvida Park of Commerce. It quoted David Browne of Julien J. Studley, the real-estate firm that handled the lease transaction, as saying the company is set to move as many as 60 corporate staff members from St. Thomas.
A telephone message for Little Switzerland president and chief executive officer Robert Baumgardner left with an aide in his Boca Raton office on Thursday afternoon was not returned.
Mark Aaron, a Tiffany vice president, told the Business Journal that Baumgardner, a former regional vice president for Tiffany & Co., has been commuting from Boca to St. Thomas.
Moving the Little Switzerland corporate headquarters to the U.S. mainland makes operational sense now that Tiffany owns it, Aaron told the Business Journal. He said that Tiffany has no plans to move any of its operations into the Arvida Park space.
The Business Journal said that "Little Switzerland continues to bleed red ink, losing $1.1 million in the third quarter of last year, public records show." However, it quoted Aaron as saying that Tiffany believes it can turn the company around by expanding into the Western Caribbean. "We are optimistic on its long-term growth," the publication quoted him as saying.
Over the last three years, several major cruise lines have begun focusing more on the Western Caribbean, with itineraries out of Tampa, New Orleans and Corpus Christi, Texas, as well as the Miami area. While St. Thomas is on the stop for virtually all Eastern and Southern Caribbean cruises, it is not a part of the Western Caribbean circuit, which typically includes the Cayman Islands, Jamaica and the Gulf Coast of Mexico.
Corbin said Little Switzerland currently operates 22 retail outlets — four on St. Thomas, one on St. John, two in St. Martin/Sint Maarten (one in Philipsburg and one in Marigot), six in Aruba, one in Curaçao, one in Barbados, three in Key West and four in Alaska (one each in Ketchikan and Juneau and two in Skagway).
The shops carry name-brand lines of jewelry, watches, china, crystal, fragrances and giftware including Tiffany, Gucci and Louis Feraud.
Just three weeks ago, Little Switzerland opened a new boutique at the Westin St. John Resort and Villas. In a release announcing the opening, Baumgardner referred to it as the company's "first new store venture of 2003."
The release stated that "Little Switzerland plans to explore opportunities for growth that exist in the Caribbean and other potential areas of retail interest. St. John, as a U.S. territory, is the first of many new ventures."
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.
LITTLE SWITZERLAND MOVES TO CUT 100 V.I. JOBS
June 13, 2003 – About a hundred jobs, more than half of them corporate positions, will be lost on St. Thomas in the next eight months with the relocation of Little Switzerland's headquarters to Boca Raton, Florida, and its warehousing operations to New Jersey.
The retailer, which has been suffering financial losses, will relocate as many as 60 corporate staff members from St. Thomas to Boca Raton according to the South Florida Business Journal. Little Switzerland spokeswoman Zona Corbin declined to confirm the figure on Thursday, saying "I have no idea" how many transfers are planned.
Corbin said, however, that "the corporate offices and the warehouse" will be affected. And she said that the relocations will take place in three phases: "the first part around August, the next wave in September and, finally, in January."
She referred queries about the number of people to be transferred or laid off to human relations director Claretta Bostic-Holland. Asked how many persons will be relocated from St. Thomas to Boca Raton, Bostic-Holland replied "I'm not at liberty to say." Asked how many are to be furloughed, she said "I'm not going to release that information, either."
A Little Switzerland corporate employee, who spoke on condition of not being identified, said "about a hundred people" will be affected, including about 40 warehouse workers who will lose their jobs. Employees were notified of the planned relocations on April 15, the employee said, and corporate personnel given the option of moving to Boca Raton had 30 days in which to decide. Most of those offered transfers took them, the individual said.
Many of the corporate personnel to be transferred are St. Thomas homeowners as well as longtime employees of the company, and they are now faced with putting their homes on the market.
Little Switzerland was founded on St. Thomas more than four decades ago when tourism was just beginning to catch on in the Caribbean. The high-end tourist-oriented retailer, which today has shops throughout the Caribbean and in Alaska and Key West, Florida, was acquired in whole last year by New York-based Tiffany & Co. in a $37 million stock sale and tender offer deal.
The Little Switzerland corporate offices have always been on St. Thomas. Since the 1990s they have been housed in the office and warehousing facility in Crown Bay that has served as the distribution point for the company's outlets as well as the headquarters for all operations except marketing. According to Corbin, some 250 to 300 persons currently work there.
The South Florida Business Journal reported that Little Switzerland has leased 17,000 square feet of office space in a Boca Raton building in the "high-profile" Arvida Park of Commerce. It quoted David Browne of Julien J. Studley, the real-estate firm that handled the lease transaction, as saying the company is set to move as many as 60 corporate staff members from St. Thomas.
A telephone message for Little Switzerland president and chief executive officer Robert Baumgardner left with an aide in his Boca Raton office on Thursday afternoon was not returned.
Mark Aaron, a Tiffany vice president, told the Business Journal that Baumgardner, a former regional vice president for Tiffany & Co., has been commuting from Boca to St. Thomas.
Moving the Little Switzerland corporate headquarters to the U.S. mainland makes operational sense now that Tiffany owns it, Aaron told the Business Journal. He said that Tiffany has no plans to move any of its operations into the Arvida Park space.
The Business Journal said that "Little Switzerland continues to bleed red ink, losing $1.1 million in the third quarter of last year, public records show." However, it quoted Aaron as saying that Tiffany believes it can turn the company around by expanding into the Western Caribbean. "We are optimistic on its long-term growth," the publication quoted him as saying.
Over the last three years, several major cruise lines have begun focusing more on the Western Caribbean, with itineraries out of Tampa, New Orleans and Corpus Christi, Texas, as well as the Miami area. While St. Thomas is on the stop for virtually all Eastern and Southern Caribbean cruises, it is not a part of the Western Caribbean circuit, which typically includes the Cayman Islands, Jamaica and the Gulf Coast of Mexico.
Corbin said Little Switzerland currently operates 22 retail outlets — four on St. Thomas, one on St. John, two in St. Martin/Sint Maarten (one in Philipsburg and one in Marigot), six in Aruba, one in Curaçao, one in Barbados, three in Key West and four in Alaska (one each in Ketchikan and Juneau and two in Skagway).
The shops carry name-brand lines of jewelry, watches, china, crystal, fragrances and giftware including Tiffany, Gucci and Louis Feraud.
Just three weeks ago, Little Switzerland opened a new boutique at the Westin St. John Resort and Villas. In a release announcing the opening, Baumgardner referred to it as the company's "first new store venture of 2003."
The release stated that "Little Switzerland plans to explore opportunities for growth that exist in the Caribbean and other potential areas of retail interest. St. John, as a U.S. territory, is the first of many new ventures."
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 retailer, which has been suffering financial losses, will relocate as many as 60 corporate staff members from St. Thomas to Boca Raton according to the South Florida Business Journal. Little Switzerland spokeswoman Zona Corbin declined to confirm the figure on Thursday, saying "I have no idea" how many transfers are planned.
Corbin said, however, that "the corporate offices and the warehouse" will be affected. And she said that the relocations will take place in three phases: "the first part around August, the next wave in September and, finally, in January."
She referred queries about the number of people to be transferred or laid off to human relations director Claretta Bostic-Holland. Asked how many persons will be relocated from St. Thomas to Boca Raton, Bostic-Holland replied "I'm not at liberty to say." Asked how many are to be furloughed, she said "I'm not going to release that information, either."
A Little Switzerland corporate employee, who spoke on condition of not being identified, said "about a hundred people" will be affected, including about 40 warehouse workers who will lose their jobs. Employees were notified of the planned relocations on April 15, the employee said, and corporate personnel given the option of moving to Boca Raton had 30 days in which to decide. Most of those offered transfers took them, the individual said.
Many of the corporate personnel to be transferred are St. Thomas homeowners as well as longtime employees of the company, and they are now faced with putting their homes on the market.
Little Switzerland was founded on St. Thomas more than four decades ago when tourism was just beginning to catch on in the Caribbean. The high-end tourist-oriented retailer, which today has shops throughout the Caribbean and in Alaska and Key West, Florida, was acquired in whole last year by New York-based Tiffany & Co. in a $37 million stock sale and tender offer deal.
The Little Switzerland corporate offices have always been on St. Thomas. Since the 1990s they have been housed in the office and warehousing facility in Crown Bay that has served as the distribution point for the company's outlets as well as the headquarters for all operations except marketing. According to Corbin, some 250 to 300 persons currently work there.
The South Florida Business Journal reported that Little Switzerland has leased 17,000 square feet of office space in a Boca Raton building in the "high-profile" Arvida Park of Commerce. It quoted David Browne of Julien J. Studley, the real-estate firm that handled the lease transaction, as saying the company is set to move as many as 60 corporate staff members from St. Thomas.
A telephone message for Little Switzerland president and chief executive officer Robert Baumgardner left with an aide in his Boca Raton office on Thursday afternoon was not returned.
Mark Aaron, a Tiffany vice president, told the Business Journal that Baumgardner, a former regional vice president for Tiffany & Co., has been commuting from Boca to St. Thomas.
Moving the Little Switzerland corporate headquarters to the U.S. mainland makes operational sense now that Tiffany owns it, Aaron told the Business Journal. He said that Tiffany has no plans to move any of its operations into the Arvida Park space.
The Business Journal said that "Little Switzerland continues to bleed red ink, losing $1.1 million in the third quarter of last year, public records show." However, it quoted Aaron as saying that Tiffany believes it can turn the company around by expanding into the Western Caribbean. "We are optimistic on its long-term growth," the publication quoted him as saying.
Over the last three years, several major cruise lines have begun focusing more on the Western Caribbean, with itineraries out of Tampa, New Orleans and Corpus Christi, Texas, as well as the Miami area. While St. Thomas is on the stop for virtually all Eastern and Southern Caribbean cruises, it is not a part of the Western Caribbean circuit, which typically includes the Cayman Islands, Jamaica and the Gulf Coast of Mexico.
Corbin said Little Switzerland currently operates 22 retail outlets — four on St. Thomas, one on St. John, two in St. Martin/Sint Maarten (one in Philipsburg and one in Marigot), six in Aruba, one in Curaçao, one in Barbados, three in Key West and four in Alaska (one each in Ketchikan and Juneau and two in Skagway).
The shops carry name-brand lines of jewelry, watches, china, crystal, fragrances and giftware including Tiffany, Gucci and Louis Feraud.
Just three weeks ago, Little Switzerland opened a new boutique at the Westin St. John Resort and Villas. In a release announcing the opening, Baumgardner referred to it as the company's "first new store venture of 2003."
The release stated that "Little Switzerland plans to explore opportunities for growth that exist in the Caribbean and other potential areas of retail interest. St. John, as a U.S. territory, is the first of many new ventures."
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.
JUNIOR ROTC FIREARMS RECOVERED AT IEKHS
June 13, 2003 – The 100-plus Junior ROTC firearms missing after a May 31 break-in at Ivanna Eudora Kean High School on St. Thomas were found at the school on Friday, according to police.
Based on information received from someone in the community and during a follow-up at the school by members of the Forensics and Criminal Investigations Units, the rifles were found stashed in a ceiling near the Junior ROTC room, a Police Department release stated.
Sgt. Thomas Hannah, police spokesman, could not say who tipped the department off about the location of the guns, as the investigation is ongoing. "We just wanted to assure the community that those rifles were found and were not back out on the street," he said.
As police officers were proceeding with their the investigation, someone told them to "look up," he said.
Initial reports of the theft and substantial vandalism in three classrooms and an administrative office stated that 90 Springfield rifles and 20 other firearms were missing from the Junior ROTC room.
Hannah said on Friday night actually 108 firearms had been taken and that all of them have been recovered.
Authorities noted when the theft was reported that the firing pins had been removed from the Springfield rifles and that anyone attempting to adjust them might harm themselves or others.
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.
Based on information received from someone in the community and during a follow-up at the school by members of the Forensics and Criminal Investigations Units, the rifles were found stashed in a ceiling near the Junior ROTC room, a Police Department release stated.
Sgt. Thomas Hannah, police spokesman, could not say who tipped the department off about the location of the guns, as the investigation is ongoing. "We just wanted to assure the community that those rifles were found and were not back out on the street," he said.
As police officers were proceeding with their the investigation, someone told them to "look up," he said.
Initial reports of the theft and substantial vandalism in three classrooms and an administrative office stated that 90 Springfield rifles and 20 other firearms were missing from the Junior ROTC room.
Hannah said on Friday night actually 108 firearms had been taken and that all of them have been recovered.
Authorities noted when the theft was reported that the firing pins had been removed from the Springfield rifles and that anyone attempting to adjust them might harm themselves or others.
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.
JUNIOR ROTC FIREARMS RECOVERED AT IEKHS
June 13, 2003 – The 100-plus Junior ROTC firearms missing after a May 31 break-in at Ivanna Eudora Kean High School were found at the school on Friday, according to police.
Based on information received from someone in the community and during a follow-up at the school by members of the Forensics and Criminal Investigations Units, the rifles were found stashed in a ceiling near the Junior ROTC room, a Police Department release stated.
Sgt. Thomas Hannah, police spokesman, could not say who tipped the department off about the location of the guns, as the investigation is ongoing. "We just wanted to assure the community that those rifles were found and were not back out on the street," he said.
As police officers were proceeding with their the investigation, someone told them to "look up," he said.
Initial reports of the theft and substantial vandalism in three classrooms and an administrative office stated that 90 Springfield rifles and 20 other firearms were missing from the Junior ROTC room.
Hannah said on Friday night actually 108 firearms had been taken and that all of them have been recovered.
Authorities noted when the theft was reported that the firing pins had been removed from the Springfield rifles and that anyone attempting to adjust them might harm themselves or others.
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.
Based on information received from someone in the community and during a follow-up at the school by members of the Forensics and Criminal Investigations Units, the rifles were found stashed in a ceiling near the Junior ROTC room, a Police Department release stated.
Sgt. Thomas Hannah, police spokesman, could not say who tipped the department off about the location of the guns, as the investigation is ongoing. "We just wanted to assure the community that those rifles were found and were not back out on the street," he said.
As police officers were proceeding with their the investigation, someone told them to "look up," he said.
Initial reports of the theft and substantial vandalism in three classrooms and an administrative office stated that 90 Springfield rifles and 20 other firearms were missing from the Junior ROTC room.
Hannah said on Friday night actually 108 firearms had been taken and that all of them have been recovered.
Authorities noted when the theft was reported that the firing pins had been removed from the Springfield rifles and that anyone attempting to adjust them might harm themselves or others.
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.
LITTLE SWITZERLAND MOVES TO CUT 100 V.I. JOBS
June 13, 2003 – About a hundred jobs, more than half of them corporate positions, will be lost on St. Thomas in the next eight months with the relocation of Little Switzerland's headquarters to Boca Raton, Florida, and its warehousing operations to New Jersey.
The retailer, which has been suffering financial losses, will relocate as many as 60 corporate staff members from St. Thomas to Boca Raton according to the South Florida Business Journal. Little Switzerland spokeswoman Zona Corbin declined to confirm the figure on Thursday, saying "I have no idea" how many transfers are planned.
Corbin said, however, that "the corporate offices and the warehouse" will be affected. And she said that the relocations will take place in three phases: "the first part around August, the next wave in September and, finally, in January."
She referred queries about the number of people to be transferred or laid off to human relations director Claretta Bostic-Holland. Asked how many persons will be relocated from St. Thomas to Boca Raton, Bostic-Holland replied "I'm not at liberty to say." Asked how many are to be furloughed, she said "I'm not going to release that information, either."
A Little Switzerland corporate employee, who spoke on condition of not being identified, said "about a hundred people" will be affected, including about 40 warehouse workers who will lose their jobs. Employees were notified of the planned relocations on April 15, the employee said, and corporate personnel given the option of moving to Boca Raton had 30 days in which to decide. Most of those offered transfers took them, the individual said.
Many of the corporate personnel to be transferred are St. Thomas homeowners as well as longtime employees of the company, and they are now faced with putting their homes on the market.
Little Switzerland was founded on St. Thomas more than four decades ago when tourism was just beginning to catch on in the Caribbean. The high-end tourist-oriented retailer, which today has shops throughout the Caribbean and in Alaska and Key West, Florida, was acquired in whole last year by New York-based Tiffany & Co. in a $37 million stock sale and tender offer deal.
The Little Switzerland corporate offices have always been on St. Thomas. Since the 1990s they have been housed in the office and warehousing facility in Crown Bay that has served as the distribution point for the company's outlets as well as the headquarters for all operations except marketing. According to Corbin, some 250 to 300 persons currently work there.
The South Florida Business Journal reported that Little Switzerland has leased 17,000 square feet of office space in a Boca Raton building in the "high-profile" Arvida Park of Commerce. It quoted David Browne of Julien J. Studley, the real-estate firm that handled the lease transaction, as saying the company is set to move as many as 60 corporate staff members from St. Thomas.
A telephone message for Little Switzerland president and chief executive officer Robert Baumgardner left with an aide in his Boca Raton office on Thursday afternoon was not returned.
Mark Aaron, a Tiffany vice president, told the Business Journal that Baumgardner, a former regional vice president for Tiffany & Co., has been commuting from Boca to St. Thomas.
Moving the Little Switzerland corporate headquarters to the U.S. mainland makes operational sense now that Tiffany owns it, Aaron told the Business Journal. He said that Tiffany has no plans to move any of its operations into the Arvida Park space.
The Business Journal said that "Little Switzerland continues to bleed red ink, losing $1.1 million in the third quarter of last year, public records show." However, it quoted Aaron as saying that Tiffany believes it can turn the company around by expanding into the Western Caribbean. "We are optimistic on its long-term growth," the publication quoted him as saying.
Over the last three years, several major cruise lines have begun focusing more on the Western Caribbean, with itineraries out of Tampa, New Orleans and Corpus Christi, Texas, as well as the Miami area. While St. Thomas is on the stop for virtually all Eastern and Southern Caribbean cruises, it is not a part of the Western Caribbean circuit, which typically includes the Cayman Islands, Jamaica and the Gulf Coast of Mexico.
Corbin said Little Switzerland currently operates 22 retail outlets — four on St. Thomas, one on St. John, two in St. Martin/Sint Maarten (one in Philipsburg and one in Marigot), six in Aruba, one in Curaçao, one in Barbados, three in Key West and four in Alaska (one each in Ketchikan and Juneau and two in Skagway).
The shops carry name-brand lines of jewelry, watches, china, crystal, fragrances and giftware including Tiffany, Gucci and Louis Feraud.
Just three weeks ago, Little Switzerland opened a new boutique at the Westin St. John Resort and Villas. In a release announcing the opening, Baumgardner referred to it as the company's "first new store venture of 2003."
The release stated that "Little Switzerland plans to explore opportunities for growth that exist in the Caribbean and other potential areas of retail interest. St. John, as a U.S. territory, is the first of many new ventures."
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
The retailer, which has been suffering financial losses, will relocate as many as 60 corporate staff members from St. Thomas to Boca Raton according to the South Florida Business Journal. Little Switzerland spokeswoman Zona Corbin declined to confirm the figure on Thursday, saying "I have no idea" how many transfers are planned.
Corbin said, however, that "the corporate offices and the warehouse" will be affected. And she said that the relocations will take place in three phases: "the first part around August, the next wave in September and, finally, in January."
She referred queries about the number of people to be transferred or laid off to human relations director Claretta Bostic-Holland. Asked how many persons will be relocated from St. Thomas to Boca Raton, Bostic-Holland replied "I'm not at liberty to say." Asked how many are to be furloughed, she said "I'm not going to release that information, either."
A Little Switzerland corporate employee, who spoke on condition of not being identified, said "about a hundred people" will be affected, including about 40 warehouse workers who will lose their jobs. Employees were notified of the planned relocations on April 15, the employee said, and corporate personnel given the option of moving to Boca Raton had 30 days in which to decide. Most of those offered transfers took them, the individual said.
Many of the corporate personnel to be transferred are St. Thomas homeowners as well as longtime employees of the company, and they are now faced with putting their homes on the market.
Little Switzerland was founded on St. Thomas more than four decades ago when tourism was just beginning to catch on in the Caribbean. The high-end tourist-oriented retailer, which today has shops throughout the Caribbean and in Alaska and Key West, Florida, was acquired in whole last year by New York-based Tiffany & Co. in a $37 million stock sale and tender offer deal.
The Little Switzerland corporate offices have always been on St. Thomas. Since the 1990s they have been housed in the office and warehousing facility in Crown Bay that has served as the distribution point for the company's outlets as well as the headquarters for all operations except marketing. According to Corbin, some 250 to 300 persons currently work there.
The South Florida Business Journal reported that Little Switzerland has leased 17,000 square feet of office space in a Boca Raton building in the "high-profile" Arvida Park of Commerce. It quoted David Browne of Julien J. Studley, the real-estate firm that handled the lease transaction, as saying the company is set to move as many as 60 corporate staff members from St. Thomas.
A telephone message for Little Switzerland president and chief executive officer Robert Baumgardner left with an aide in his Boca Raton office on Thursday afternoon was not returned.
Mark Aaron, a Tiffany vice president, told the Business Journal that Baumgardner, a former regional vice president for Tiffany & Co., has been commuting from Boca to St. Thomas.
Moving the Little Switzerland corporate headquarters to the U.S. mainland makes operational sense now that Tiffany owns it, Aaron told the Business Journal. He said that Tiffany has no plans to move any of its operations into the Arvida Park space.
The Business Journal said that "Little Switzerland continues to bleed red ink, losing $1.1 million in the third quarter of last year, public records show." However, it quoted Aaron as saying that Tiffany believes it can turn the company around by expanding into the Western Caribbean. "We are optimistic on its long-term growth," the publication quoted him as saying.
Over the last three years, several major cruise lines have begun focusing more on the Western Caribbean, with itineraries out of Tampa, New Orleans and Corpus Christi, Texas, as well as the Miami area. While St. Thomas is on the stop for virtually all Eastern and Southern Caribbean cruises, it is not a part of the Western Caribbean circuit, which typically includes the Cayman Islands, Jamaica and the Gulf Coast of Mexico.
Corbin said Little Switzerland currently operates 22 retail outlets — four on St. Thomas, one on St. John, two in St. Martin/Sint Maarten (one in Philipsburg and one in Marigot), six in Aruba, one in Curaçao, one in Barbados, three in Key West and four in Alaska (one each in Ketchikan and Juneau and two in Skagway).
The shops carry name-brand lines of jewelry, watches, china, crystal, fragrances and giftware including Tiffany, Gucci and Louis Feraud.
Just three weeks ago, Little Switzerland opened a new boutique at the Westin St. John Resort and Villas. In a release announcing the opening, Baumgardner referred to it as the company's "first new store venture of 2003."
The release stated that "Little Switzerland plans to explore opportunities for growth that exist in the Caribbean and other potential areas of retail interest. St. John, as a U.S. territory, is the first of many new ventures."
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FYI FROM SEN. RONALD E. RUSSELL
The following material is being published, unedited, exactly as it was received via e-mail from the office of the government official named, as a Source community service. Government office holders wishing to contribute to the FYI bulletin board must e-mail source@viaccess.net. The Source reserves the right
to choose what is published.
Senator Russell Continues to Push for Financial Management Board
Senator Ronald E. Russell commends Governor Charles W. Turnbull for putting forth cost cutting measures to address the growing fiscal crisis.
"The Governor has taken a step in the right direction, said Senator Russell. "However, both the Legislative and the Executive branches still need to institute further cost cutting measures such as the evaluation and elimination of most rental spaces used for government offices, revamping the government payroll, evaluation of government personnel productivity and efficiency of as well as other austerity measures," Senator Russell commented.
In regards to the Governors'' planned salary reduction for exempt workers, Senator Russell noted, "All agencies and departments should be reviewed and decisions made to reduce personnel. Salary reductions should be made for a more significant period of time, at least an entire fiscal year. At the end of the fiscal year an analysis of the budget can determine the effects of the cuts on the overall fiscal picture," said Senator Russell.
The Senator is concerned that the Governor rejects the concept of a local independent fiscal
management board. "Major changes need to be made in regards to the methods used by the Virgin Islands government in managing the financial operations,"stated Senator Russell.
A wise man once said, "Close scrutiny will show that most ""crisis situations"" are opportunities to either advance, or stay where you are," the Senator said. "The time is right to put in place a fiscal management board. I am co-sponsoring this legislation, which is being reviewed by the legislature's legal counsel. This bill would establish a board able to make independent assessments of government finances, contracts and other spending practices and temporarily reorganize the financial affairs of the government."
"I envision that the board will be an objective, impartial body which will not be afraid to take a hard look at our situation and make the difficult but necessary decisions which will alleviate the current situation", stated Senator Russell "Despite my difference of opinion with the Governor and even some of my Legislative colleges, I remain willing to work tirelessly to resolve this crisis," concluded Senator Russell.
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.
to choose what is published.
Senator Russell Continues to Push for Financial Management Board
Senator Ronald E. Russell commends Governor Charles W. Turnbull for putting forth cost cutting measures to address the growing fiscal crisis.
"The Governor has taken a step in the right direction, said Senator Russell. "However, both the Legislative and the Executive branches still need to institute further cost cutting measures such as the evaluation and elimination of most rental spaces used for government offices, revamping the government payroll, evaluation of government personnel productivity and efficiency of as well as other austerity measures," Senator Russell commented.
In regards to the Governors'' planned salary reduction for exempt workers, Senator Russell noted, "All agencies and departments should be reviewed and decisions made to reduce personnel. Salary reductions should be made for a more significant period of time, at least an entire fiscal year. At the end of the fiscal year an analysis of the budget can determine the effects of the cuts on the overall fiscal picture," said Senator Russell.
The Senator is concerned that the Governor rejects the concept of a local independent fiscal
management board. "Major changes need to be made in regards to the methods used by the Virgin Islands government in managing the financial operations,"stated Senator Russell.
A wise man once said, "Close scrutiny will show that most ""crisis situations"" are opportunities to either advance, or stay where you are," the Senator said. "The time is right to put in place a fiscal management board. I am co-sponsoring this legislation, which is being reviewed by the legislature's legal counsel. This bill would establish a board able to make independent assessments of government finances, contracts and other spending practices and temporarily reorganize the financial affairs of the government."
"I envision that the board will be an objective, impartial body which will not be afraid to take a hard look at our situation and make the difficult but necessary decisions which will alleviate the current situation", stated Senator Russell "Despite my difference of opinion with the Governor and even some of my Legislative colleges, I remain willing to work tirelessly to resolve this crisis," concluded Senator Russell.
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.
FYI FROM SEN. RONALD E. RUSSELL
The following material is being published, unedited, exactly as it was received via e-mail from the office of the government official named, as a Source community service. Government office holders wishing to contribute to the FYI bulletin board must e-mail source@viaccess.net. The Source reserves the right
to choose what is published.
Senator Russell Continues to Push for Financial Management Board
Senator Ronald E. Russell commends Governor Charles W. Turnbull for putting forth cost cutting measures to address the growing fiscal crisis.
"The Governor has taken a step in the right direction, said Senator Russell. "However, both the Legislative and the Executive branches still need to institute further cost cutting measures such as the evaluation and elimination of most rental spaces used for government offices, revamping the government payroll, evaluation of government personnel productivity and efficiency of as well as other austerity measures," Senator Russell commented.
In regards to the Governors'' planned salary reduction for exempt workers, Senator Russell noted, "All agencies and departments should be reviewed and decisions made to reduce personnel. Salary reductions should be made for a more significant period of time, at least an entire fiscal year. At the end of the fiscal year an analysis of the budget can determine the effects of the cuts on the overall fiscal picture," said Senator Russell.
The Senator is concerned that the Governor rejects the concept of a local independent fiscal
management board. "Major changes need to be made in regards to the methods used by the Virgin Islands government in managing the financial operations,"stated Senator Russell.
A wise man once said, "Close scrutiny will show that most ""crisis situations"" are opportunities to either advance, or stay where you are," the Senator said. "The time is right to put in place a fiscal management board. I am co-sponsoring this legislation, which is being reviewed by the legislature's legal counsel. This bill would establish a board able to make independent assessments of government finances, contracts and other spending practices and temporarily reorganize the financial affairs of the government."
"I envision that the board will be an objective, impartial body which will not be afraid to take a hard look at our situation and make the difficult but necessary decisions which will alleviate the current situation", stated Senator Russell "Despite my difference of opinion with the Governor and even some of my Legislative colleges, I remain willing to work tirelessly to resolve this crisis," concluded Senator Russell.
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.
to choose what is published.
Senator Russell Continues to Push for Financial Management Board
Senator Ronald E. Russell commends Governor Charles W. Turnbull for putting forth cost cutting measures to address the growing fiscal crisis.
"The Governor has taken a step in the right direction, said Senator Russell. "However, both the Legislative and the Executive branches still need to institute further cost cutting measures such as the evaluation and elimination of most rental spaces used for government offices, revamping the government payroll, evaluation of government personnel productivity and efficiency of as well as other austerity measures," Senator Russell commented.
In regards to the Governors'' planned salary reduction for exempt workers, Senator Russell noted, "All agencies and departments should be reviewed and decisions made to reduce personnel. Salary reductions should be made for a more significant period of time, at least an entire fiscal year. At the end of the fiscal year an analysis of the budget can determine the effects of the cuts on the overall fiscal picture," said Senator Russell.
The Senator is concerned that the Governor rejects the concept of a local independent fiscal
management board. "Major changes need to be made in regards to the methods used by the Virgin Islands government in managing the financial operations,"stated Senator Russell.
A wise man once said, "Close scrutiny will show that most ""crisis situations"" are opportunities to either advance, or stay where you are," the Senator said. "The time is right to put in place a fiscal management board. I am co-sponsoring this legislation, which is being reviewed by the legislature's legal counsel. This bill would establish a board able to make independent assessments of government finances, contracts and other spending practices and temporarily reorganize the financial affairs of the government."
"I envision that the board will be an objective, impartial body which will not be afraid to take a hard look at our situation and make the difficult but necessary decisions which will alleviate the current situation", stated Senator Russell "Despite my difference of opinion with the Governor and even some of my Legislative colleges, I remain willing to work tirelessly to resolve this crisis," concluded Senator Russell.
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.
FYI FROM SEN. RONALD E. RUSSELL
The following material is being published, unedited, exactly as it was received via e-mail from the office of the government official named, as a Source community service. Government office holders wishing to contribute to the FYI bulletin board must e-mail source@viaccess.net. The Source reserves the right
to choose what is published.
Senator Russell Continues to Push for Financial Management Board
Senator Ronald E. Russell commends Governor Charles W. Turnbull for putting forth cost cutting measures to address the growing fiscal crisis.
"The Governor has taken a step in the right direction, said Senator Russell. "However, both the Legislative and the Executive branches still need to institute further cost cutting measures such as the evaluation and elimination of most rental spaces used for government offices, revamping the government payroll, evaluation of government personnel productivity and efficiency of as well as other austerity measures," Senator Russell commented.
In regards to the Governors'' planned salary reduction for exempt workers, Senator Russell noted, "All agencies and departments should be reviewed and decisions made to reduce personnel. Salary reductions should be made for a more significant period of time, at least an entire fiscal year. At the end of the fiscal year an analysis of the budget can determine the effects of the cuts on the overall fiscal picture," said Senator Russell.
The Senator is concerned that the Governor rejects the concept of a local independent fiscal
management board. "Major changes need to be made in regards to the methods used by the Virgin Islands government in managing the financial operations,"stated Senator Russell.
A wise man once said, "Close scrutiny will show that most ""crisis situations"" are opportunities to either advance, or stay where you are," the Senator said. "The time is right to put in place a fiscal management board. I am co-sponsoring this legislation, which is being reviewed by the legislature's legal counsel. This bill would establish a board able to make independent assessments of government finances, contracts and other spending practices and temporarily reorganize the financial affairs of the government."
"I envision that the board will be an objective, impartial body which will not be afraid to take a hard look at our situation and make the difficult but necessary decisions which will alleviate the current situation", stated Senator Russell "Despite my difference of opinion with the Governor and even some of my Legislative colleges, I remain willing to work tirelessly to resolve this crisis," concluded Senator Russell.
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.
to choose what is published.
Senator Russell Continues to Push for Financial Management Board
Senator Ronald E. Russell commends Governor Charles W. Turnbull for putting forth cost cutting measures to address the growing fiscal crisis.
"The Governor has taken a step in the right direction, said Senator Russell. "However, both the Legislative and the Executive branches still need to institute further cost cutting measures such as the evaluation and elimination of most rental spaces used for government offices, revamping the government payroll, evaluation of government personnel productivity and efficiency of as well as other austerity measures," Senator Russell commented.
In regards to the Governors'' planned salary reduction for exempt workers, Senator Russell noted, "All agencies and departments should be reviewed and decisions made to reduce personnel. Salary reductions should be made for a more significant period of time, at least an entire fiscal year. At the end of the fiscal year an analysis of the budget can determine the effects of the cuts on the overall fiscal picture," said Senator Russell.
The Senator is concerned that the Governor rejects the concept of a local independent fiscal
management board. "Major changes need to be made in regards to the methods used by the Virgin Islands government in managing the financial operations,"stated Senator Russell.
A wise man once said, "Close scrutiny will show that most ""crisis situations"" are opportunities to either advance, or stay where you are," the Senator said. "The time is right to put in place a fiscal management board. I am co-sponsoring this legislation, which is being reviewed by the legislature's legal counsel. This bill would establish a board able to make independent assessments of government finances, contracts and other spending practices and temporarily reorganize the financial affairs of the government."
"I envision that the board will be an objective, impartial body which will not be afraid to take a hard look at our situation and make the difficult but necessary decisions which will alleviate the current situation", stated Senator Russell "Despite my difference of opinion with the Governor and even some of my Legislative colleges, I remain willing to work tirelessly to resolve this crisis," concluded Senator Russell.
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.
CANCER SOCIETY'S RELAY FOR LIFE IS JUNE 21
June 13, 2003 – The St. Thomas-St. John chapter of the American Cancer Society will host its 2nd annual overnight Relay for Life on June 21 at the Charlotte Amalie High School athletic track.
Last year's event was the first on the island, although the American Cancer Society has been sponsoring such overnight relays nationally since 1992 to raise funds for cancer programs within local communities.
The Relay for Life "reaches into communities large or small in order to raise awareness of cancer and the work of the ACS," a release states. It also is geared toward celebrating life with survivors of cancer.
The event at CAHS will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 21, with the "Survivors' Victory Lap" and conclude at 9 a.m. Sunday, June 22. Throughout the night, members of participating teams will walk, jog or run around the track in hour-long shifts while their teammates enjoy entertainment, refreshments and camaraderie. Funds are raised by sponsorship of teams and contributions of their members.
Organizers said last year's event attracted 28 teams and a total crowd estimated at 7,000 persons and raised at least $65,000. (See "Cancer relay draws thousands, raises $65K".)
There will be a Luminary Ceremony at 9 p.m. Saturday with participants lighting candles around the track to remember those who have lost the battle to cancer as well as to pay homage to survivors. "This heartfelt ceremony is a highlight of the relay as the caring and sharing of love exhibited by family, friends and participants is both moving and healing," the release states.
Medical personnel also will be on hand, to perform breast and prostate cancer screening, as well as testing for blood-sugar and cholesterol levels and hypertension.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull is the honorary chair of this year's event, and Rodney Miller, chief executive of Roy L. Schneider Hospital, is the honorary co-chair.
Fund-raising totals, as well as awards to the teams that raise the most money will be announced on Sunday. All funds raised will remain in the Virgin Islands and will be used by the Cancer Society for patient assistance, education and training.
For information on forming or joining a Relay for Life team, contact Terese Hodge at 775-6373. Luminary candles are being sold for $5; purchases may be arranged by calling Valerie Frances at 774-1912.
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.
Last year's event was the first on the island, although the American Cancer Society has been sponsoring such overnight relays nationally since 1992 to raise funds for cancer programs within local communities.
The Relay for Life "reaches into communities large or small in order to raise awareness of cancer and the work of the ACS," a release states. It also is geared toward celebrating life with survivors of cancer.
The event at CAHS will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 21, with the "Survivors' Victory Lap" and conclude at 9 a.m. Sunday, June 22. Throughout the night, members of participating teams will walk, jog or run around the track in hour-long shifts while their teammates enjoy entertainment, refreshments and camaraderie. Funds are raised by sponsorship of teams and contributions of their members.
Organizers said last year's event attracted 28 teams and a total crowd estimated at 7,000 persons and raised at least $65,000. (See "Cancer relay draws thousands, raises $65K".)
There will be a Luminary Ceremony at 9 p.m. Saturday with participants lighting candles around the track to remember those who have lost the battle to cancer as well as to pay homage to survivors. "This heartfelt ceremony is a highlight of the relay as the caring and sharing of love exhibited by family, friends and participants is both moving and healing," the release states.
Medical personnel also will be on hand, to perform breast and prostate cancer screening, as well as testing for blood-sugar and cholesterol levels and hypertension.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull is the honorary chair of this year's event, and Rodney Miller, chief executive of Roy L. Schneider Hospital, is the honorary co-chair.
Fund-raising totals, as well as awards to the teams that raise the most money will be announced on Sunday. All funds raised will remain in the Virgin Islands and will be used by the Cancer Society for patient assistance, education and training.
For information on forming or joining a Relay for Life team, contact Terese Hodge at 775-6373. Luminary candles are being sold for $5; purchases may be arranged by calling Valerie Frances at 774-1912.
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.
