June 6, 2003 – The League of Women Voters will see some bright spots in amendments the Senate Finance Committee made Thursday to Gov. Charles W. Turnbull's proposed fiscal recovery package.
The senators threw out virtually all of the governor's proposed business tax increases. And they approved his funding plan for waste collection and disposal and sewer projects. And they held in committee the $235 million bond issue he proposed as an immediate cure-all for the territory's financial deficit. (See "Finance axes gross receipts tax increase".)
Rosalie Simmonds Ballentine, league president, addressed the Finance Committee on Thursday during its meeting to consider Turnbull's proposals. She began by reiterating the league's statement on the 2003 Omnibus Bill: "When will the government of the Virgin Islands shelve its crisis-to-crisis management style?"
"We ask that question again," she said.
Ballentine noted that "barely four months before the end of this fiscal year, the executive proposed a plan to cover a projected $144 million deficit, not even an exact figure." She wondered: "Is it true that closing this gap will only meet this year's operating expenses?" Prior years' obligations — such as amounts owed to the Water and Power Authority — have not been included, she said.
She also said that, with the recently enacted federal income tax reduction and the territory's mirror tax system, the deficit "will increase as personal income-tax revenues decrease."
Ballentine minced no words regarding the stiff new and increased taxes that Turnbull proposed. "It is the league's position that new or increased taxes must not be imposed until such time as there has been a vigorous program to reduce the cost of operations and an aggressive tax collection program," she said.
Altogether, she said, the league is "keenly aware" that the federal tax cut, a lack of adjustments to account for prior-year obligations and the projected outcome of current 90-day tax amnesty programs will all impact on the fiscal year 2003 deficit. She urged the governor to revisit his projections to "arrive at more realistic revenue and expenditure estimates."
Two amnesty programs are in progress: on pre-1999 property taxes, through Aug. 26, and on pre-April 2003 gross receipts taxes, through Sept. 2.
The league suggested a number of cost-reduction and revenue-enhancement options to address the fiscal crisis:
Short term cost-reduction options:
– Reduce by 50 percent the sizable salary increases granted last year to exempt employees, which reportedly have an annual price tag of $7.9 million.
– Defer Earned Income Credit payments, an annual expense estimated at $16 million to $20 million.
– Prorate the health insurance premium payments of retirees and active employees.
– Decrease government contributions to the Government Employees Retirement System by 3 percent and increase employee contributions by the same rate.
– Reduce the Legislature's operating costs by 15 percent starting July 1. The Legislature's budget has already been cut by 14 percent.
– Suspend provisions of Act 4440 relative to negotiating for economic issues for at least three fiscal years in order to mitigate the steady climb of executive salary increases.
Revenue-enhancement options:
– Initiate an aggressive program to collect the reported $150 million outstanding in accounts receivable, including individual and corporate income taxes.
– Enact legislation to require that all proposed tax measures be analyzed and recommended by the Tax Study Commission.
– Enact legislation to discontinue the practice of extending tax exemptions beyond the first benefit period.
Long-term cost-reduction options:
– Enact legislation setting a cap on the cost for personal services and fringe benefits that the General Fund may pay out in a given fiscal year.
– Establish a financial control board to monitor the implementation of programs or plans for elimination of the deficit.
– Adopt the policy of the federal government not to negotiate for wages. Instead, develop an effective merit system that provides for annual increments based on satisfactory performance.
– Pursue further privatization of government services.
– Limit Economic Development Authority tax exemptions to a single seven-year start-up period for new businesses.
– Increase the real property tax rolls and annual cash flow by selling government-owned real properties not in use, or for which plans do not exist.

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June 6, 2003 – Delegate Donna M. Christensen was one of three members of Congress honored by the National Mental Health Association on Thursday as Legislators of the Year.
Christensen, a physician, was recognized for her leadership as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust and for her advocacy on behalf of individuals with, or at risk of, mental illness.
The association applauded her support of mental health parity legislation and her advocacy for prevention and early intervention services for children with disabilities.
In accepting the award, a release from Christensen's office said, she asked for the NMHA's assistance "in addressing the poor state of mental health, including substance abuse services in the Virgin Islands."
The other members of Congress receiving the award were Rep. Mark Foley (R., Fla.) and Rep. Ciro Rodriguez (D., Texas).

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June 6, 2003 – Delegate Donna M. Christensen was one of three members of Congress honored by the National Mental Health Association on Thursday as Legislators of the Year.
Christensen, a physician, was recognized for her leadership as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust and for her advocacy on behalf of individuals with, or at risk of, mental illness.
The association applauded her support of mental health parity legislation and her advocacy for prevention and early intervention services for children with disabilities.
In accepting the award, a release from Christensen's office said, she asked for the NMHA's assistance "in addressing the poor state of mental health, including substance abuse services in the Virgin Islands."
The other members of Congress receiving the award were Rep. Mark Foley (R., Fla.) and Rep. Ciro Rodriguez (D., Texas).

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June 6, 2003 – Delegate Donna M. Christensen was one of three members of Congress honored by the National Mental Health Association on Thursday as Legislators of the Year.
Christensen, a physician, was recognized for her leadership as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust and for her advocacy on behalf of individuals with, or at risk of, mental illness.
The association applauded her support of mental health parity legislation and her advocacy for prevention and early intervention services for children with disabilities.
In accepting the award, a release from Christensen's office said, she asked for the NMHA's assistance "in addressing the poor state of mental health, including substance abuse services in the Virgin Islands."
The other members of Congress receiving the award were Rep. Mark Foley (R., Fla.) and Rep. Ciro Rodriguez (D., Texas).

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June 6, 2003 – If there's anything Virgin Islander Aquannette Chinnery hasn't succeeded at, it's probably because she hasn't tried it yet.
One of the St. Thomas attorney's fairly recent forays is into the realm of gospel music singing and songwriting. And on Saturday night, her debut solo album, "Who Is Like Unto You?", and one of its songs, "Sweet," are up for awards at the 3rd annual Hopeton Lewis Caribbean Gospel Music Awards in New York City.
The album, released last December in both CD and cassette formats, has been nominated in the Top Gospel CD International category, and "Sweet" is vying for Top International Gospel Song of the Year.
Chinnery was scheduled to appear as a guest artist at the awards show, at the JFK Ramada Plaza Hotel, before she received word that she is a contender. One role didn't cancel out the other; she'll still be among those performing.
"I was so blessed to receive these nominations and am honored," she said, "particularly because other nominees in the same categories as my nominations include well-known artists such as the Grace Thrillers, George Banton, Judy Mowatt (formerly of the I Threes, which was Bob Marley's backup group), Richie Stephens and others."
In taking up music professionally, Chinnery is coming full circle from a variety of pursuits in which she has made her mark. As a youngster, she saved her summer job earnings to buy a piano and then taught herself to play it. She started singing in college — and that was in her mid-teens — and also took up dance and modeling.
She received her bachelor's degree in chemistry from the then-College of the Virgin Islands at the age of 18 — CVI's youngest-ever graduate. Then she went on to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she earned her master's degree in biochemistry.
Returning home to St. Thomas, she became a familiar face as an anchor on the old Channel 10 evening news and a familiar voice hosting talk and jazz shows on WVWI Radio. She became assistant director of public relations for Gov. Alexander A. Farrelly and the territory's first "Mrs. Virgin Islands" beauty pageant winner. And then, as a single mother of two young sons, she headed off to the Rutgers University School of Law, where she earned her J.D. degree with high honors. After clerking on St. Croix for District Judge Raymond Finch, she opened her own practice on St. Thomas.
In the midst of her musical activities she also is keeping her day job as Aquannette Y. Chinnery, PC, Attorney at Law. And she continues to pursue her avocation as an award-winning fine artist — she was one of 20 chosen to represent the territory in the VIA Colectiva exhibition at the Museo de las Americas in Puerto Rico's historic Old San Juan district from last November to January.
Chinnery describes herself as a born-again Christian and says the focus of her ministry is to "spread the gospel across the world in song, particularly to Caribbean people and the lovers of Caribbean gospel music genres." She is a member of Wesley Methodist Church on St. Thomas and a vocalist with the Tidalwave Gospel Band.
"Who Is Like Unto You?" features contemporary, traditional, reggae and soca/calypso gospel songs. Chinnery co-wrote most of them with Loris Holland, who co-produced the album with Mel Holder.
Holland has worked as a producer for such artists as Deniece Williams, Vickie Winans, Tramaine Hawkins and Bam Crawford's Purpose. An accomplished keyboardist and arranger as well, he also has collaborated on projects with a long list of top artists including Lauryn Hill, Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion and Santana.
Holder, who also is a saxophonist, has released several of his own albums and can be heard on those of numerous other artists.
Chinnery's CD, released in December, has gotten ample airplay in the Virgin Islands, other Caribbean islands, the U.S. mainland and Canada. This year, Chinnery has performed in Sint Maarten and on Virgin Gorda, as well as at gospel concerts and programs throughout the Virgin Islands.
For more information, check out her Aquannette Web site.

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June 6, 2003 – If there's anything Virgin Islander Aquannette Chinnery hasn't succeeded at, it's probably because she hasn't tried it yet.
One of the St. Thomas attorney's fairly recent forays is into the realm of gospel music singing and songwriting. And on Saturday night, her debut solo album, "Who Is Like Unto You?", and one of its songs, "Sweet," are up for awards at the 3rd annual Hopeton Lewis Caribbean Gospel Music Awards in New York City.
The album, released last December in both CD and cassette formats, has been nominated in the Top Gospel CD International category, and "Sweet" is vying for Top International Gospel Song of the Year.
Chinnery was scheduled to appear as a guest artist at the awards show, at the JFK Ramada Plaza Hotel, before she received word that she is a contender. One role didn't cancel out the other; she'll still be among those performing.
"I was so blessed to receive these nominations and am honored," she said, "particularly because other nominees in the same categories as my nominations include well-known artists such as the Grace Thrillers, George Banton, Judy Mowatt (formerly of the I Threes, which was Bob Marley's backup group), Richie Stephens and others."
In taking up music professionally, Chinnery is coming full circle from a variety of pursuits in which she has made her mark. As a youngster, she saved her summer job earnings to buy a piano and then taught herself to play it. She started singing in college — and that was in her mid-teens — and also took up dance and modeling.
She received her bachelor's degree in chemistry from the then-College of the Virgin Islands at the age of 18 — CVI's youngest-ever graduate. Then she went on to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she earned her master's degree in biochemistry.
Returning home to St. Thomas, she became a familiar face as an anchor on the old Channel 10 evening news and a familiar voice hosting talk and jazz shows on WVWI Radio. She became assistant director of public relations for Gov. Alexander A. Farrelly and the territory's first "Mrs. Virgin Islands" beauty pageant winner. And then, as a single mother of two young sons, she headed off to the Rutgers University School of Law, where she earned her J.D. degree with high honors. After clerking on St. Croix for District Judge Raymond Finch, she opened her own practice on St. Thomas.
In the midst of her musical activities she also is keeping her day job as Aquannette Y. Chinnery, PC, Attorney at Law. And she continues to pursue her avocation as an award-winning fine artist — she was one of 20 chosen to represent the territory in the VIA Colectiva exhibition at the Museo de las Americas in Puerto Rico's historic Old San Juan district from last November to January.
Chinnery describes herself as a born-again Christian and says the focus of her ministry is to "spread the gospel across the world in song, particularly to Caribbean people and the lovers of Caribbean gospel music genres." She is a member of Wesley Methodist Church on St. Thomas and a vocalist with the Tidalwave Gospel Band.
"Who Is Like Unto You?" features contemporary, traditional, reggae and soca/calypso gospel songs. Chinnery co-wrote most of them with Loris Holland, who co-produced the album with Mel Holder.
Holland has worked as a producer for such artists as Deniece Williams, Vickie Winans, Tramaine Hawkins and Bam Crawford's Purpose. An accomplished keyboardist and arranger as well, he also has collaborated on projects with a long list of top artists including Lauryn Hill, Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion and Santana.
Holder, who also is a saxophonist, has released several of his own albums and can be heard on those of numerous other artists.
Chinnery's CD, released in December, has gotten ample airplay in the Virgin Islands, other Caribbean islands, the U.S. mainland and Canada. This year, Chinnery has performed in Sint Maarten and on Virgin Gorda, as well as at gospel concerts and programs throughout the Virgin Islands.
For more information, check out her Aquannette Web site.

Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.

June 6, 2003 – If there's anything Virgin Islander Aquannette Chinnery hasn't succeeded at, it's probably because she hasn't tried it yet.
One of the St. Thomas attorney's fairly recent forays is into the realm of gospel music singing and songwriting. And on Saturday night, her debut solo album, "Who Is Like Unto You?", and one of its songs, "Sweet," are up for awards at the 3rd annual Hopeton Lewis Caribbean Gospel Music Awards in New York City.
The album, released last December in both CD and cassette formats, has been nominated in the Top Gospel CD International category, and "Sweet" is vying for Top International Gospel Song of the Year.
Chinnery was scheduled to appear as a guest artist at the awards show, at the JFK Ramada Plaza Hotel, before she received word that she is a contender. One role didn't cancel out the other; she'll still be among those performing.
"I was so blessed to receive these nominations and am honored," she said, "particularly because other nominees in the same categories as my nominations include well-known artists such as the Grace Thrillers, George Banton, Judy Mowatt (formerly of the I Threes, which was Bob Marley's backup group), Richie Stephens and others."
In taking up music professionally, Chinnery is coming full circle from a variety of pursuits in which she has made her mark. As a youngster, she saved her summer job earnings to buy a piano and then taught herself to play it. She started singing in college — and that was in her mid-teens — and also took up dance and modeling.
She received her bachelor's degree in chemistry from the then-College of the Virgin Islands at the age of 18 — CVI's youngest-ever graduate. Then she went on to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she earned her master's degree in biochemistry.
Returning home to St. Thomas, she became a familiar face as an anchor on the old Channel 10 evening news and a familiar voice hosting talk and jazz shows on WVWI Radio. She became assistant director of public relations for Gov. Alexander A. Farrelly and the territory's first "Mrs. Virgin Islands" beauty pageant winner. And then, as a single mother of two young sons, she headed off to the Rutgers University School of Law, where she earned her J.D. degree with high honors. After clerking on St. Croix for District Judge Raymond Finch, she opened her own practice on St. Thomas.
In the midst of her musical activities she also is keeping her day job as Aquannette Y. Chinnery, PC, Attorney at Law. And she continues to pursue her avocation as an award-winning fine artist — she was one of 20 chosen to represent the territory in the VIA Colectiva exhibition at the Museo de las Americas in Puerto Rico's historic Old San Juan district from last November to January.
Chinnery describes herself as a born-again Christian and says the focus of her ministry is to "spread the gospel across the world in song, particularly to Caribbean people and the lovers of Caribbean gospel music genres." She is a member of Wesley Methodist Church on St. Thomas and a vocalist with the Tidalwave Gospel Band.
"Who Is Like Unto You?" features contemporary, traditional, reggae and soca/calypso gospel songs. Chinnery co-wrote most of them with Loris Holland, who co-produced the album with Mel Holder.
Holland has worked as a producer for such artists as Deniece Williams, Vickie Winans, Tramaine Hawkins and Bam Crawford's Purpose. An accomplished keyboardist and arranger as well, he also has collaborated on projects with a long list of top artists including Lauryn Hill, Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion and Santana.
Holder, who also is a saxophonist, has released several of his own albums and can be heard on those of numerous other artists.
Chinnery's CD, released in December, has gotten ample airplay in the Virgin Islands, other Caribbean islands, the U.S. mainland and Canada. This year, Chinnery has performed in Sint Maarten and on Virgin Gorda, as well as at gospel concerts and programs throughout the Virgin Islands.
For more information, check out her Aquannette Web site.

Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.

June 6, 2003 – An autopsy is to be performed on a the body of 4-month-old infant who was found lying face down on the floor of a home in Bovoni early Thursday. The child was taken to Roy L. Schneider Hospital, where it was later pronounced dead.
According to police, officers were called to the residence early Thursday morning after the child's father discovered the baby lying motionless and not breathing. Emergency medical technicians who also were called to the scene reportedly found no vital signs.
Sgt. Thomas Hannah, police spokesman, said investigators questioned the parents and the mother told authorities she had placed the infant on a bed Wednesday night and arranged pillows around it as a protective barrier, then had gone to sleep in another area.
On Friday morning, police were still trying to determine whether foul play had anything to do with the child's death. "They're still investigating," Hannah said. "Nothing has been brought forward yet."
Attorney General Iver Stridiron, head of the V.I. Justice Department, which includes the Medical Examiner's Office, said autopsies are performed as a matter of routine in any cases of death that do not occur in a hospital.

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June 6, 2003 – Businesses in the Virgin Islands can draw a breath of relief as the Senate Finance Committee late Thursday night killed the governor's proposed 18.75 percent gross receipts tax increase, along with other taxes the committee found untenable, including an "environmental tax" later changed to a "use fee" on oil imported by Hovensa.
And, in a continuing power struggle, they held in committee the governor's proposal to borrow $235 million in bonds to eliminate the projected $144 million budget deficit. Senate President David Jones had said earlier that the body wouldn't authorize any borrowing until Turnbull responded to the Senate's request to rescind the raises the governor granted last year to exempt employees.
In an exhaustive meeting that began at 10:30 a.m. and ended almost 12 hours later, breaking for caucuses, the Senate heard testimony from public and private sector officials, kicked the public sector officers out at one point, and joined together ultimately to replace proposals with some of their own.
Finance Chairman Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg addressed the committee after returning from a last caucus after 10 p.m. "I do believe for the first time in history, you would see that all 15 senators would have supported an initiative to bring back some kind of integrity to this institution and to address the financial situation of the Virgin Islands," he said with a broad smile.
Calling Turnbull's tax initiatives "brutal," Donastorg said the senators had been "considerate and compassionate" in creating their own cost saving proposals to reduce the projected $144 million budget deficit this fiscal year.
They essentially threw out Turnbull's massive $90 million tax increases, retaining only a few, which include:
– A hike in gasoline tax from 14 cents to 17 cents per gallon.
– A tire tax of $1 per tire 18 inches or less, and $2 more than 18 inches.
– A personal use tax on all personally imported items over $1,000.
They retained several measures, including:
– A $9.5 million appropriation for court ordered sewer repairs.
– A $750,000 appropriation for emergency sewer repairs.
– A $600,000 appropriation to create a new cemetery on St. Thomas.
– Reducing the number of government paydays from 26 to 24 starting Jan. 2004.
– A measure to include Water and Power hazardous duty workers for early retirement, which drew criticism from Hugo Dennis, chairman of the Advocates for the Preservation of our Retirement System. "They are creating a new body of workers we cannot support," he said outside of the meeting Thursday.
They also tossed out the $5 per day tax on car rentals, an increase in stamp tax rates, an increase in hotel room tax from 8 to 10 percent, which hoteliers and others had vehemently opposed, an environmental two cents per pound excise tax, and a 2 percent tax on certain foodstuffs. And they killed the governor's proposal to increase government employees' share of health insurance premiums from 27 percent to 40 percent.
The senators' plan incorporates some of the 25 suggestions the minority caucus had proposed last month, and is the culmination of closed door meetings the senators have held for the past week.
Highlights of the senator's amendment include:
– A 14 percent cut in all budget allotments for the balance of Fiscal Year 2003. The Legislature's budget has been cut 14 percent.
– A hiring freeze for the balance of FY 2003, except for teacher, hospital and health care workers, firefighters, peace officers, and Health and Human Services personnel.
– A $2 million payment by the West Indian Co. annually in lieu of taxes payable by law to the government.
– Mandatory direct deposit for all government employees into a financial institution of the employee's choice.
– An increase in unemployment benefits equal to 80 percent of the V. I. average weekly wage in insured work in effect the first day of the benefit year.
– An increase in banking fees, a move strongly opposed by the V. I. Bankers Association.
– Increasing marriage license fees from $25 to $50.
– Allowing all government departments and agencies to increase administrative fees up to 10 percent.
– Increasing business license fees up to $500.
– Increasing moving violation vehicle fines from $500 to $1,000.
– A reduction in time limits for Coastal Zone Management permit processing.
– Reducing government overtime compensation by 50 percent for FY 2004.
All senators attended the meeting except Sen. Douglas Canton who was off-island, and Sen. Emmett Hansen II, who had to attend a court case on St. Croix.

Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.

June 6, 2003 – Businesses in the Virgin Islands can draw a breath of relief as the Senate Finance Committee late Thursday night killed the governor's proposed 18.75 percent gross receipts tax increase, along with other taxes the committee found untenable, including an "environmental tax" later changed to a "use fee" on oil imported by Hovensa.
And, in a continuing power struggle, they held in committee the governor's proposal to borrow $235 million in bonds to eliminate the projected $144 million budget deficit. Senate President David Jones had said earlier that the body wouldn't authorize any borrowing until Turnbull responded to the Senate's request to rescind the raises the governor granted last year to exempt employees.
In an exhaustive meeting that began at 10:30 a.m. and ended almost 12 hours later, breaking for caucuses, the Senate heard testimony from public and private sector officials, kicked the public sector officers out at one point, and joined together ultimately to replace proposals with some of their own.
Finance Chairman Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg addressed the committee after returning from a last caucus after 10 p.m. "I do believe for the first time in history, you would see that all 15 senators would have supported an initiative to bring back some kind of integrity to this institution and to address the financial situation of the Virgin Islands," he said with a broad smile.
Calling Turnbull's tax initiatives "brutal," Donastorg said the senators had been "considerate and compassionate" in creating their own cost saving proposals to reduce the projected $144 million budget deficit this fiscal year.
They essentially threw out Turnbull's massive $90 million tax increases, retaining only a few, which include:
– A hike in gasoline tax from 14 cents to 17 cents per gallon.
– A tire tax of $1 per tire 18 inches or less, and $2 more than 18 inches.
– A personal use tax on all personally imported items over $1,000.
They retained several measures, including:
– A $9.5 million appropriation for court ordered sewer repairs.
– A $750,000 appropriation for emergency sewer repairs.
– A $600,000 appropriation to create a new cemetery on St. Thomas.
– Reducing the number of government paydays from 26 to 24 starting Jan. 2004.
– A measure to include Water and Power hazardous duty workers for early retirement, which drew criticism from Hugo Dennis, chairman of the Advocates for the Preservation of our Retirement System. "They are creating a new body of workers we cannot support," he said outside of the meeting Thursday.
They also tossed out the $5 per day tax on car rentals, an increase in stamp tax rates, an increase in hotel room tax from 8 to 10 percent, which hoteliers and others had vehemently opposed, an environmental two cents per pound excise tax, and a 2 percent tax on certain foodstuffs. And they killed the governor's proposal to increase government employees' share of health insurance premiums from 27 percent to 40 percent.
The senators' plan incorporates some of the 25 suggestions the minority caucus had proposed last month, and is the culmination of closed door meetings the senators have held for the past week.
Highlights of the senator's amendment include:
– A 14 percent cut in all budget allotments for the balance of Fiscal Year 2003. The Legislature's budget has been cut 14 percent.
– A hiring freeze for the balance of FY 2003, except for teacher, hospital and health care workers, firefighters, peace officers, and Health and Human Services personnel.
– A $2 million payment by the West Indian Co. annually in lieu of taxes payable by law to the government.
– Mandatory direct deposit for all government employees into a financial institution of the employee's choice.
– An increase in unemployment benefits equal to 80 percent of the V. I. average weekly wage in insured work in effect the first day of the benefit year.
– An increase in banking fees, a move strongly opposed by the V. I. Bankers Association.
– Increasing marriage license fees from $25 to $50.
– Allowing all government departments and agencies to increase administrative fees up to 10 percent.
– Increasing business license fees up to $500.
– Increasing moving violation vehicle fines from $500 to $1,000.
– A reduction in time limits for Coastal Zone Management permit processing.
– Reducing government overtime compensation by 50 percent for FY 2004.
All senators attended the meeting except Sen. Douglas Canton who was off-island, and Sen. Emmett Hansen II, who had to attend a court case on St. Croix.

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.