June 4, 2003 – Attendees at a fund-raiser Saturday night on St. Thomas for the territory's cancer care center will get to hear a lot about the planned facility, but they also will get to hear a concert by Roberta Flack.
What the two have in common is Dr. Bert Petersen Jr.
A native Virgin Islander who is a nationally known cancer specialist, Petersen is the lead medical planner for the center — dubbed its "physician champion."
He's also a New York City dweller who had occasion not long ago to attend a Roberta Flack concert there and to meet the artist after the show.
As Lorraine Baa-Elisha, who's chairing Saturday's event, relates it, Petersen engaged Flack in conversation "and casually said 'How would you like to come to the Virgin Islands and do a fund raiser?'"
And next thing you know, "she agreed to do a benefit concert," Baa-Elisha said. "We are not paying her anything; we are just playing her band."
The fund-raiser, which includes cocktails, dinner, presentations and the Flack concert at the end, will take place in the grand ballroom of Marriott Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort. Tickets are $150, the space can accommodate about 700 people, and there are just a few tables remaining unsold, Baa-Elisha said.
Formally called "The Caribbean Gala for Cure," the event is being hosted by the Roy L. Schneider Hospital board, chief executive officer Rodney E. Miller Sr., and the hospital administrative staff.
Petersen, a surgical oncologist at New York's Beth Israel Cancer Center and director of its Family Risk Program for Breast and Ovarian Cancer, will be there to introduce the team "working collaboratively to make this happen," Baa-Elisha said.
The team members include Miller; Amos Carty, hospital chief operating officer; Dr. Thelma Ruth Watson, medical director; Darryl Smalls, chief engineer; Stanley, Beaman & Sears, the Atlanta-based architectural firm; the Jaredian Design Group, the local architectural firm; Cancer CarePoint, the recruitment firm in charge of hiring oncologists and radiologists; and Oncology Solutions, the consultant on management, professional connections, analysis and marketing.
(For background on people and organizations involved in developing the cancer care center, see "Cancer care facility expected to open in 2004".)
The center will be located to the east of Schneider Hospital by the parking lot and the road leading to the Lockhart property, Baa-Elisha said. It will be a two-story structure, and "we're looking at a September groundbreaking and completion maybe 18 months out," she said. The cost is projected at $5.9 million.
And while it has been referred until now simply as "the center," the facility as of Saturday night will have an official name: The Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Institute.
At the fund-raiser Kimelman and her husband, Ambassador Henry Kimelman, will present a check for $310,000 that will be added to $540,000 they have given in years past to Partners for Health for the cancer center, for a total contribution of $850,000, Baa-Elisha said.
There will be a second presentation Saturday evening, this one by the cancer center team. It's their Dream Maker Award, and who will receive it "is a surprise," Baa-Elisha said.
The program booklet for the event describes various "naming opportunities" for those wishing to make major contributions in support of certain areas of the cancer center. These include the lobby area, a healing garden, the chemotherapy infusion suite, the radiology suite, the medical library, the medical auditorium and the "positive appearance center."
The evening will begin with a champagne reception at 6 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m., to be followed by the two presentations. Flack will perform with her seven-member band for about an hour and a quarter, beginning at 9:30 p.m.
Flack began recording in the 1960s but was catapulted to stardom in 1972 when her 1969 recording of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" was featured in the 1972 film "Play Misty for Me." She then teamed up with a college friend, Donny Hathaway, for a series of hit duets including "Where Is the Love" in 1972, "Killing Me Softly With His Song" in 1973 and "Feel Like Makin' Love" in 1974.
After Hathaway's death in 1979, she collaborated with Luther Vandross, Miles Davis and Sadao Watanabe, then found her niche again paired with Peabo Bryson for 1983's "Tonight I Celebrate My Love." She also recorded the 1991 hit single "Set the Night to Music" with Maxi Priest.
In a 1995 interview with the Toronto Sun, Flack said that "It's not the sound of the voice; it's the truth in the performance that counts … You have to live the song."
Baa-Elisha said she's gratified by the success she and her committee have had in attracting sponsors for the fund-raiser. Many of the tables have been taken by vendors with which the hospital does business, she said, and others have been claimed by local medical professionals. "The medical community has a really good support system," she said. "Doctors are purchasing tickets for nurses and others on staff who can't afford to come. Everybody understands the need for the center."
To see whether additional tickets are available, call Baa-Elisha at 776-8311, ext. 2282.
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.
FLACK CONCERT TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CANCER CENTER
June 4, 2003 – Attendees at a fund-raiser Saturday night on St. Thomas for the territory's cancer care center will get to hear a lot about the planned facility, but they also will get to hear a concert by Roberta Flack.
What the two have in common is Dr. Bert Petersen Jr.
A native Virgin Islander who is a nationally known cancer specialist, Petersen is the lead medical planner for the center — dubbed its "physician champion."
He's also a New York City dweller who had occasion not long ago to attend a Roberta Flack concert there and to meet the artist after the show.
As Lorraine Baa-Elisha, who's chairing Saturday's event, relates it, Petersen engaged Flack in conversation "and casually said 'How would you like to come to the Virgin Islands and do a fund raiser?'"
And next thing you know, "she agreed to do a benefit concert," Baa-Elisha said. "We are not paying her anything; we are just playing her band."
The fund-raiser, which includes cocktails, dinner, presentations and the Flack concert at the end, will take place in the grand ballroom of Marriott Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort. Tickets are $150, the space can accommodate about 700 people, and there are just a few tables remaining unsold, Baa-Elisha said.
Formally called "The Caribbean Gala for Cure," the event is being hosted by the Roy L. Schneider Hospital board, chief executive officer Rodney E. Miller Sr., and the hospital administrative staff.
Petersen, a surgical oncologist at New York's Beth Israel Cancer Center and director of its Family Risk Program for Breast and Ovarian Cancer, will be there to introduce the team "working collaboratively to make this happen," Baa-Elisha said.
The team members include Miller; Amos Carty, hospital chief operating officer; Dr. Thelma Ruth Watson, medical director; Darryl Smalls, chief engineer; Stanley, Beaman & Sears, the Atlanta-based architectural firm; the Jaredian Design Group, the local architectural firm; Cancer CarePoint, the recruitment firm in charge of hiring oncologists and radiologists; and Oncology Solutions, the consultant on management, professional connections, analysis and marketing.
(For background on people and organizations involved in developing the cancer care center, see "Cancer care facility expected to open in 2004".)
The center will be located to the east of Schneider Hospital by the parking lot and the road leading to the Lockhart property, Baa-Elisha said. It will be a two-story structure, and "we're looking at a September groundbreaking and completion maybe 18 months out," she said. The cost is projected at $5.9 million.
And while it has been referred until now simply as "the center," the facility as of Saturday night will have an official name: The Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Institute.
At the fund-raiser Kimelman and her husband, Ambassador Henry Kimelman, will present a check for $310,000 that will be added to $540,000 they have given in years past to Partners for Health for the cancer center, for a total contribution of $850,000, Baa-Elisha said.
There will be a second presentation Saturday evening, this one by the cancer center team. It's their Dream Maker Award, and who will receive it "is a surprise," Baa-Elisha said.
The program booklet for the event describes various "naming opportunities" for those wishing to make major contributions in support of certain areas of the cancer center. These include the lobby area, a healing garden, the chemotherapy infusion suite, the radiology suite, the medical library, the medical auditorium and the "positive appearance center."
The evening will begin with a champagne reception at 6 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m., to be followed by the two presentations. Flack will perform with her seven-member band for about an hour and a quarter, beginning at 9:30 p.m.
Flack began recording in the 1960s but was catapulted to stardom in 1972 when her 1969 recording of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" was featured in the 1972 film "Play Misty for Me." She then teamed up with a college friend, Donny Hathaway, for a series of hit duets including "Where Is the Love" in 1972, "Killing Me Softly With His Song" in 1973 and "Feel Like Makin' Love" in 1974.
After Hathaway's death in 1979, she collaborated with Luther Vandross, Miles Davis and Sadao Watanabe, then found her niche again paired with Peabo Bryson for 1983's "Tonight I Celebrate My Love." She also recorded the 1991 hit single "Set the Night to Music" with Maxi Priest.
In a 1995 interview with the Toronto Sun, Flack said that "It's not the sound of the voice; it's the truth in the performance that counts … You have to live the song."
Baa-Elisha said she's gratified by the success she and her committee have had in attracting sponsors for the fund-raiser. Many of the tables have been taken by vendors with which the hospital does business, she said, and others have been claimed by local medical professionals. "The medical community has a really good support system," she said. "Doctors are purchasing tickets for nurses and others on staff who can't afford to come. Everybody understands the need for the center."
To see whether additional tickets are available, call Baa-Elisha at 776-8311, ext. 2282.
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.
What the two have in common is Dr. Bert Petersen Jr.
A native Virgin Islander who is a nationally known cancer specialist, Petersen is the lead medical planner for the center — dubbed its "physician champion."
He's also a New York City dweller who had occasion not long ago to attend a Roberta Flack concert there and to meet the artist after the show.
As Lorraine Baa-Elisha, who's chairing Saturday's event, relates it, Petersen engaged Flack in conversation "and casually said 'How would you like to come to the Virgin Islands and do a fund raiser?'"
And next thing you know, "she agreed to do a benefit concert," Baa-Elisha said. "We are not paying her anything; we are just playing her band."
The fund-raiser, which includes cocktails, dinner, presentations and the Flack concert at the end, will take place in the grand ballroom of Marriott Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort. Tickets are $150, the space can accommodate about 700 people, and there are just a few tables remaining unsold, Baa-Elisha said.
Formally called "The Caribbean Gala for Cure," the event is being hosted by the Roy L. Schneider Hospital board, chief executive officer Rodney E. Miller Sr., and the hospital administrative staff.
Petersen, a surgical oncologist at New York's Beth Israel Cancer Center and director of its Family Risk Program for Breast and Ovarian Cancer, will be there to introduce the team "working collaboratively to make this happen," Baa-Elisha said.
The team members include Miller; Amos Carty, hospital chief operating officer; Dr. Thelma Ruth Watson, medical director; Darryl Smalls, chief engineer; Stanley, Beaman & Sears, the Atlanta-based architectural firm; the Jaredian Design Group, the local architectural firm; Cancer CarePoint, the recruitment firm in charge of hiring oncologists and radiologists; and Oncology Solutions, the consultant on management, professional connections, analysis and marketing.
(For background on people and organizations involved in developing the cancer care center, see "Cancer care facility expected to open in 2004".)
The center will be located to the east of Schneider Hospital by the parking lot and the road leading to the Lockhart property, Baa-Elisha said. It will be a two-story structure, and "we're looking at a September groundbreaking and completion maybe 18 months out," she said. The cost is projected at $5.9 million.
And while it has been referred until now simply as "the center," the facility as of Saturday night will have an official name: The Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Institute.
At the fund-raiser Kimelman and her husband, Ambassador Henry Kimelman, will present a check for $310,000 that will be added to $540,000 they have given in years past to Partners for Health for the cancer center, for a total contribution of $850,000, Baa-Elisha said.
There will be a second presentation Saturday evening, this one by the cancer center team. It's their Dream Maker Award, and who will receive it "is a surprise," Baa-Elisha said.
The program booklet for the event describes various "naming opportunities" for those wishing to make major contributions in support of certain areas of the cancer center. These include the lobby area, a healing garden, the chemotherapy infusion suite, the radiology suite, the medical library, the medical auditorium and the "positive appearance center."
The evening will begin with a champagne reception at 6 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m., to be followed by the two presentations. Flack will perform with her seven-member band for about an hour and a quarter, beginning at 9:30 p.m.
Flack began recording in the 1960s but was catapulted to stardom in 1972 when her 1969 recording of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" was featured in the 1972 film "Play Misty for Me." She then teamed up with a college friend, Donny Hathaway, for a series of hit duets including "Where Is the Love" in 1972, "Killing Me Softly With His Song" in 1973 and "Feel Like Makin' Love" in 1974.
After Hathaway's death in 1979, she collaborated with Luther Vandross, Miles Davis and Sadao Watanabe, then found her niche again paired with Peabo Bryson for 1983's "Tonight I Celebrate My Love." She also recorded the 1991 hit single "Set the Night to Music" with Maxi Priest.
In a 1995 interview with the Toronto Sun, Flack said that "It's not the sound of the voice; it's the truth in the performance that counts … You have to live the song."
Baa-Elisha said she's gratified by the success she and her committee have had in attracting sponsors for the fund-raiser. Many of the tables have been taken by vendors with which the hospital does business, she said, and others have been claimed by local medical professionals. "The medical community has a really good support system," she said. "Doctors are purchasing tickets for nurses and others on staff who can't afford to come. Everybody understands the need for the center."
To see whether additional tickets are available, call Baa-Elisha at 776-8311, ext. 2282.
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.
FLACK CONCERT TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CANCER CENTER
June 4, 2003 – Attendees at a fund-raiser Saturday night on St. Thomas for the territory's cancer care center will get to hear a lot about the planned facility, but they also will get to hear a concert by Roberta Flack.
What the two have in common is Dr. Bert Petersen Jr.
A native Virgin Islander who is a nationally known cancer specialist, Petersen is the lead medical planner for the center — dubbed its "physician champion."
He's also a New York City dweller who had occasion not long ago to attend a Roberta Flack concert there and to meet the artist after the show.
As Lorraine Baa-Elisha, who's chairing Saturday's event, relates it, Petersen engaged Flack in conversation "and casually said 'How would you like to come to the Virgin Islands and do a fund raiser?'"
And next thing you know, "she agreed to do a benefit concert," Baa-Elisha said. "We are not paying her anything; we are just playing her band."
The fund-raiser, which includes cocktails, dinner, presentations and the Flack concert at the end, will take place in the grand ballroom of Marriott Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort. Tickets are $150, the space can accommodate about 700 people, and there are just a few tables remaining unsold, Baa-Elisha said.
Formally called "The Caribbean Gala for Cure," the event is being hosted by the Roy L. Schneider Hospital board, chief executive officer Rodney E. Miller Sr., and the hospital administrative staff.
Petersen, a surgical oncologist at New York's Beth Israel Cancer Center and director of its Family Risk Program for Breast and Ovarian Cancer, will be there to introduce the team "working collaboratively to make this happen," Baa-Elisha said.
The team members include Miller; Amos Carty, hospital chief operating officer; Dr. Thelma Ruth Watson, medical director; Darryl Smalls, chief engineer; Stanley, Beaman & Sears, the Atlanta-based architectural firm; the Jaredian Design Group, the local architectural firm; Cancer CarePoint, the recruitment firm in charge of hiring oncologists and radiologists; and Oncology Solutions, the consultant on management, professional connections, analysis and marketing.
(For background on the planning for the center, see "Cancer center will bring more than care".)
The center will be located to the east of Schneider Hospital by the parking lot and the road leading to the Lockhart property, Baa-Elisha said. It will be a two-story structure, and "we're looking at a September groundbreaking and completion maybe 18 months out," she said. The cost is projected at $5.9 million.
And while it has been referred until now simply as "the center," the facility as of Saturday night will have an official name: The Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Institute.
At the fund-raiser Kimelman and her husband, Ambassador Henry Kimelman, will present a check for $310,000 that will be added to $540,000 they have given in years past to Partners for Health for the cancer center, for a total contribution of $850,000, Baa-Elisha said.
There will be a second presentation Saturday evening, this one by the cancer center team. It's their Dream Maker Award, and who will receive it "is a surprise," Baa-Elisha said.
The program booklet for the event describes various "naming opportunities" for those wishing to make major contributions in support of certain areas of the cancer center. These include the lobby area, a healing garden, the chemotherapy infusion suite, the radiology suite, the medical library, the medical auditorium and the "positive appearance center."
The evening will begin with a champagne reception at 6 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m., to be followed by the two presentations. Flack will perform with her seven-member band for about an hour and a quarter, beginning at 9:30 p.m.
Flack began recording in the 1960s but was catapulted to stardom in 1972 when her 1969 recording of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" was featured in the 1972 film "Play Misty for Me." She then teamed up with a college friend, Donny Hathaway, for a series of hit duets including "Where Is the Love" in 1972, "Killing Me Softly With His Song" in 1973 and "Feel Like Makin' Love" in 1974.
After Hathaway's death in 1979, she collaborated with Luther Vandross, Miles Davis and Sadao Watanabe, then found her niche again paired with Peabo Bryson for 1983's "Tonight I Celebrate My Love." She also recorded the 1991 hit single "Set the Night to Music" with Maxi Priest.
In a 1995 interview with the Toronto Sun, Flack said that "It's not the sound of the voice; it's the truth in the performance that counts … You have to live the song."
Baa-Elisha said she's gratified by the success she and her committee have had in attracting sponsors for the fund-raiser. Many of the tables have been taken by vendors with which the hospital does business, she said, and others have been claimed by local medical professionals. "The medical community has a really good support system," she said. "Doctors are purchasing tickets for nurses and others on staff who can't afford to come. Everybody understands the need for the center."
To see whether additional tickets are available, call Baa-Elisha at 776-8311, ext. 2282.
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.
What the two have in common is Dr. Bert Petersen Jr.
A native Virgin Islander who is a nationally known cancer specialist, Petersen is the lead medical planner for the center — dubbed its "physician champion."
He's also a New York City dweller who had occasion not long ago to attend a Roberta Flack concert there and to meet the artist after the show.
As Lorraine Baa-Elisha, who's chairing Saturday's event, relates it, Petersen engaged Flack in conversation "and casually said 'How would you like to come to the Virgin Islands and do a fund raiser?'"
And next thing you know, "she agreed to do a benefit concert," Baa-Elisha said. "We are not paying her anything; we are just playing her band."
The fund-raiser, which includes cocktails, dinner, presentations and the Flack concert at the end, will take place in the grand ballroom of Marriott Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort. Tickets are $150, the space can accommodate about 700 people, and there are just a few tables remaining unsold, Baa-Elisha said.
Formally called "The Caribbean Gala for Cure," the event is being hosted by the Roy L. Schneider Hospital board, chief executive officer Rodney E. Miller Sr., and the hospital administrative staff.
Petersen, a surgical oncologist at New York's Beth Israel Cancer Center and director of its Family Risk Program for Breast and Ovarian Cancer, will be there to introduce the team "working collaboratively to make this happen," Baa-Elisha said.
The team members include Miller; Amos Carty, hospital chief operating officer; Dr. Thelma Ruth Watson, medical director; Darryl Smalls, chief engineer; Stanley, Beaman & Sears, the Atlanta-based architectural firm; the Jaredian Design Group, the local architectural firm; Cancer CarePoint, the recruitment firm in charge of hiring oncologists and radiologists; and Oncology Solutions, the consultant on management, professional connections, analysis and marketing.
(For background on the planning for the center, see "Cancer center will bring more than care".)
The center will be located to the east of Schneider Hospital by the parking lot and the road leading to the Lockhart property, Baa-Elisha said. It will be a two-story structure, and "we're looking at a September groundbreaking and completion maybe 18 months out," she said. The cost is projected at $5.9 million.
And while it has been referred until now simply as "the center," the facility as of Saturday night will have an official name: The Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Institute.
At the fund-raiser Kimelman and her husband, Ambassador Henry Kimelman, will present a check for $310,000 that will be added to $540,000 they have given in years past to Partners for Health for the cancer center, for a total contribution of $850,000, Baa-Elisha said.
There will be a second presentation Saturday evening, this one by the cancer center team. It's their Dream Maker Award, and who will receive it "is a surprise," Baa-Elisha said.
The program booklet for the event describes various "naming opportunities" for those wishing to make major contributions in support of certain areas of the cancer center. These include the lobby area, a healing garden, the chemotherapy infusion suite, the radiology suite, the medical library, the medical auditorium and the "positive appearance center."
The evening will begin with a champagne reception at 6 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m., to be followed by the two presentations. Flack will perform with her seven-member band for about an hour and a quarter, beginning at 9:30 p.m.
Flack began recording in the 1960s but was catapulted to stardom in 1972 when her 1969 recording of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" was featured in the 1972 film "Play Misty for Me." She then teamed up with a college friend, Donny Hathaway, for a series of hit duets including "Where Is the Love" in 1972, "Killing Me Softly With His Song" in 1973 and "Feel Like Makin' Love" in 1974.
After Hathaway's death in 1979, she collaborated with Luther Vandross, Miles Davis and Sadao Watanabe, then found her niche again paired with Peabo Bryson for 1983's "Tonight I Celebrate My Love." She also recorded the 1991 hit single "Set the Night to Music" with Maxi Priest.
In a 1995 interview with the Toronto Sun, Flack said that "It's not the sound of the voice; it's the truth in the performance that counts … You have to live the song."
Baa-Elisha said she's gratified by the success she and her committee have had in attracting sponsors for the fund-raiser. Many of the tables have been taken by vendors with which the hospital does business, she said, and others have been claimed by local medical professionals. "The medical community has a really good support system," she said. "Doctors are purchasing tickets for nurses and others on staff who can't afford to come. Everybody understands the need for the center."
To see whether additional tickets are available, call Baa-Elisha at 776-8311, ext. 2282.
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.
JUST TWO SHOW UP FOR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
June 3, 2003 – Tuesday's scheduled meeting of the Board of Education was scrapped, with just two members — the acting chair, Harry Daniel, and St. Thomas member Keith Richards — showing up.
The board has been beset by internal dissent for two months, since five members voted at a March 13 meeting to remove Dr. Jorge Galiber as chair. The board attorney said the action was invalid because a two-thirds majority, or six votes, is needed for a reorganization of the board, but the five rejected that argument. They also rejected the contention of the three other members who had been present at the start of that meeting, but who left in protest before the vote was taken, that the board lacked a quorum for the vote.
Galiber, the only board member who did not appear for that March meeting, recently filed a lawsuit in District Court seeking to have the vote nullified and to regain his position as chair. He contends the board acted illegally and that the action was taken against him in reponse to his going public with concerns about board-related matters.
Galiber's lawsuit was on the agenda for Tuesday's board meeting. So was discussion of financial assistance for Education Department professional staff to take courses during the summer that are required for certification in their fields. Teacher certification is an issue the board must address to comply with mandates of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
No date has been announced for the meeting to be rescheduled.
Board members who did not appear Tuesday are: Galiber, Yvonne Williams Henry, Terrence D. Joseph, Claudette Petersen, Malik Sekou and Linda Thomas. The ninth seat on the board has been vacant since the death in April of Gerald E. Hodge Sr.
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 board has been beset by internal dissent for two months, since five members voted at a March 13 meeting to remove Dr. Jorge Galiber as chair. The board attorney said the action was invalid because a two-thirds majority, or six votes, is needed for a reorganization of the board, but the five rejected that argument. They also rejected the contention of the three other members who had been present at the start of that meeting, but who left in protest before the vote was taken, that the board lacked a quorum for the vote.
Galiber, the only board member who did not appear for that March meeting, recently filed a lawsuit in District Court seeking to have the vote nullified and to regain his position as chair. He contends the board acted illegally and that the action was taken against him in reponse to his going public with concerns about board-related matters.
Galiber's lawsuit was on the agenda for Tuesday's board meeting. So was discussion of financial assistance for Education Department professional staff to take courses during the summer that are required for certification in their fields. Teacher certification is an issue the board must address to comply with mandates of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
No date has been announced for the meeting to be rescheduled.
Board members who did not appear Tuesday are: Galiber, Yvonne Williams Henry, Terrence D. Joseph, Claudette Petersen, Malik Sekou and Linda Thomas. The ninth seat on the board has been vacant since the death in April of Gerald E. Hodge Sr.
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.
JUST TWO SHOW UP FOR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
June 3, 2003 – Tuesday's scheduled meeting of the Board of Education was scrapped, with just two members — the acting chair, Harry Daniel, and St. Thomas member Keith Richards — showing up.
The board has been beset by internal dissent for two months, since five members voted at a March 13 meeting to remove Dr. Jorge Galiber as chair. The board attorney said the action was invalid because a two-thirds majority, or six votes, is needed for a reorganization of the board, but the five rejected that argument. They also rejected the contention of the three other members who had been present at the start of that meeting, but who left in protest before the vote was taken, that the board lacked a quorum for the vote.
Galiber, the only board member who did not appear for that March meeting, recently filed a lawsuit in District Court seeking to have the vote nullified and to regain his position as chair. He contends the board acted illegally and that the action was taken against him in reponse to his going public with concerns about board-related matters.
Galiber's lawsuit was on the agenda for Tuesday's board meeting. So was discussion of financial assistance for Education Department professional staff to take courses during the summer that are required for certification in their fields. Teacher certification is an issue the board must address to comply with mandates of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
No date has been announced for the meeting to be rescheduled.
Board members who did not appear Tuesday are: Galiber, Yvonne Williams Henry, Terrence D. Joseph, Claudette Petersen, Malik Sekou and Linda Thomas. The ninth seat on the board has been vacant since the death in April of Gerald E. Hodge Sr.
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 board has been beset by internal dissent for two months, since five members voted at a March 13 meeting to remove Dr. Jorge Galiber as chair. The board attorney said the action was invalid because a two-thirds majority, or six votes, is needed for a reorganization of the board, but the five rejected that argument. They also rejected the contention of the three other members who had been present at the start of that meeting, but who left in protest before the vote was taken, that the board lacked a quorum for the vote.
Galiber, the only board member who did not appear for that March meeting, recently filed a lawsuit in District Court seeking to have the vote nullified and to regain his position as chair. He contends the board acted illegally and that the action was taken against him in reponse to his going public with concerns about board-related matters.
Galiber's lawsuit was on the agenda for Tuesday's board meeting. So was discussion of financial assistance for Education Department professional staff to take courses during the summer that are required for certification in their fields. Teacher certification is an issue the board must address to comply with mandates of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
No date has been announced for the meeting to be rescheduled.
Board members who did not appear Tuesday are: Galiber, Yvonne Williams Henry, Terrence D. Joseph, Claudette Petersen, Malik Sekou and Linda Thomas. The ninth seat on the board has been vacant since the death in April of Gerald E. Hodge Sr.
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.
JUST TWO SHOW UP FOR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
June 3, 2003 – Tuesday's scheduled meeting of the Board of Education was scrapped, with just two members — the acting chair, Harry Daniel, and St. Thomas member Keith Richards — showing up.
The board has been beset by internal dissent for two months, since five members voted at a March 13 meeting to remove Dr. Jorge Galiber as chair. The board attorney said the action was invalid because a two-thirds majority, or six votes, is needed for a reorganization of the board, but the five rejected that argument. They also rejected the contention of the three other members who had been present at the start of that meeting, but who left in protest before the vote was taken, that the board lacked a quorum for the vote.
Galiber, the only board member who did not appear for that March meeting, recently filed a lawsuit in District Court seeking to have the vote nullified and to regain his position as chair. He contends the board acted illegally and that the action was taken against him in reponse to his going public with concerns about board-related matters.
Galiber's lawsuit was on the agenda for Tuesday's board meeting. So was discussion of financial assistance for Education Department professional staff to take courses during the summer that are required for certification in their fields. Teacher certification is an issue the board must address to comply with mandates of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
No date has been announced for the meeting to be rescheduled.
Board members who did not appear Tuesday are: Galiber, Yvonne Williams Henry, Terrence D. Joseph, Claudette Petersen, Malik Sekou and Linda Thomas. The ninth seat on the board has been vacant since the death in April of Gerald E. Hodge Sr.
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The board has been beset by internal dissent for two months, since five members voted at a March 13 meeting to remove Dr. Jorge Galiber as chair. The board attorney said the action was invalid because a two-thirds majority, or six votes, is needed for a reorganization of the board, but the five rejected that argument. They also rejected the contention of the three other members who had been present at the start of that meeting, but who left in protest before the vote was taken, that the board lacked a quorum for the vote.
Galiber, the only board member who did not appear for that March meeting, recently filed a lawsuit in District Court seeking to have the vote nullified and to regain his position as chair. He contends the board acted illegally and that the action was taken against him in reponse to his going public with concerns about board-related matters.
Galiber's lawsuit was on the agenda for Tuesday's board meeting. So was discussion of financial assistance for Education Department professional staff to take courses during the summer that are required for certification in their fields. Teacher certification is an issue the board must address to comply with mandates of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
No date has been announced for the meeting to be rescheduled.
Board members who did not appear Tuesday are: Galiber, Yvonne Williams Henry, Terrence D. Joseph, Claudette Petersen, Malik Sekou and Linda Thomas. The ninth seat on the board has been vacant since the death in April of Gerald E. Hodge Sr.
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SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS TO BE INSTALLED IN SCHOOL
June 3, 2003 – Spurred by school vandalism in general and last weekend's break-in at Ivanna Eudora Kean High School in particular, Lt. Gov. Vargrave Richards announced plans on Tuesday for a pilot project that will utilize surveillance cameras to monitor vulnerable school areas outside of classroom hours.
The cameras will be installed at a school on St. Croix that is not being identified, "for strategic reasons," Richards said in a release issued by his office.
"The cameras will not be operational during school hours, but will be monitored from a different location during the hours schools are closed," he said.
Richards said the project will be funded with $26,400 donated by four Economic Development Commission beneficiary companies on St. Croix.
Global Capital Advisors, Azimuth Trust, James River Capital Corp. and Shoreline Management Group are the contributors. The release said support was also provided by the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development.
Richards also expressed appreciation to ASI Caribbean for donating nine security cameras in addition to the 10 purchased with funding from the other four companies.
For security reasons, "the details of the equipment cannot be released," the release stated, but officials of ASI Caribbean, which is installing the gear, said the school chosen for the pilot project "will be monitored by highly sensitive 'virtual surveillance camera guards' with the ability to detect any motion."
While numerous schools in the territory have been vandalized, many of them repeatedly, Saturday's break-in at Eudora Kean on St. Thomas on St. Thomas was especially jarring because in addition to smashing computer monitors and destroying an American flag, the vandals made off with 110 firearms, including 90 Springfield rifles, utilized in the school's Junior ROTC program. The firing pins had been removed from the rifles, authorities said, and anyone trying to adjust the firearms could end up hurting themselves or someone else.
"As a former teacher at Elena Christian Junior High and as [an] advocate against violence and disruptions in schools, I am disheartened by the repeated break-ins and loss of vital equipment," Richards said. "I believe that it is everyone's responsibility to become pro-active and am pleased that four EDC beneficiaries responded to my request for assistance."
At the end of a year, the project will be evaluated, Richards said, after which "it may be expanded, maintained or dropped."
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 cameras will be installed at a school on St. Croix that is not being identified, "for strategic reasons," Richards said in a release issued by his office.
"The cameras will not be operational during school hours, but will be monitored from a different location during the hours schools are closed," he said.
Richards said the project will be funded with $26,400 donated by four Economic Development Commission beneficiary companies on St. Croix.
Global Capital Advisors, Azimuth Trust, James River Capital Corp. and Shoreline Management Group are the contributors. The release said support was also provided by the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development.
Richards also expressed appreciation to ASI Caribbean for donating nine security cameras in addition to the 10 purchased with funding from the other four companies.
For security reasons, "the details of the equipment cannot be released," the release stated, but officials of ASI Caribbean, which is installing the gear, said the school chosen for the pilot project "will be monitored by highly sensitive 'virtual surveillance camera guards' with the ability to detect any motion."
While numerous schools in the territory have been vandalized, many of them repeatedly, Saturday's break-in at Eudora Kean on St. Thomas on St. Thomas was especially jarring because in addition to smashing computer monitors and destroying an American flag, the vandals made off with 110 firearms, including 90 Springfield rifles, utilized in the school's Junior ROTC program. The firing pins had been removed from the rifles, authorities said, and anyone trying to adjust the firearms could end up hurting themselves or someone else.
"As a former teacher at Elena Christian Junior High and as [an] advocate against violence and disruptions in schools, I am disheartened by the repeated break-ins and loss of vital equipment," Richards said. "I believe that it is everyone's responsibility to become pro-active and am pleased that four EDC beneficiaries responded to my request for assistance."
At the end of a year, the project will be evaluated, Richards said, after which "it may be expanded, maintained or dropped."
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.
SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS TO BE INSTALLED IN SCHOOL
June 3, 2003 – Spurred by school vandalism in general and last weekend's break-in at Ivanna Eudora Kean High School in particular, Lt. Gov. Vargrave Richards announced plans on Tuesday for a pilot project that will utilize surveillance cameras to monitor vulnerable school areas outside of classroom hours.
The cameras will be installed at a school on St. Croix that is not being identified, "for strategic reasons," Richards said in a release issued by his office.
"The cameras will not be operational during school hours, but will be monitored from a different location during the hours schools are closed," he said.
Richards said the project will be funded with $26,400 donated by four Economic Development Commission beneficiary companies on St. Croix.
Global Capital Advisors, Azimuth Trust, James River Capital Corp. and Shoreline Management Group are the contributors. The release said support was also provided by the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development.
Richards also expressed appreciation to ASI Caribbean for donating nine security cameras in addition to the 10 purchased with funding from the other four companies.
For security reasons, "the details of the equipment cannot be released," the release stated, but officials of ASI Caribbean, which is installing the gear, said the school chosen for the pilot project "will be monitored by highly sensitive 'virtual surveillance camera guards' with the ability to detect any motion."
While numerous schools in the territory have been vandalized, many of them repeatedly, Saturday's break-in at Eudora Kean on St. Thomas on St. Thomas was especially jarring because in addition to smashing computer monitors and destroying an American flag, the vandals made off with 110 firearms, including 90 Springfield rifles, utilized in the school's Junior ROTC program. The firing pins had been removed from the rifles, authorities said, and anyone trying to adjust the firearms could end up hurting themselves or someone else.
"As a former teacher at Elena Christian Junior High and as [an] advocate against violence and disruptions in schools, I am disheartened by the repeated break-ins and loss of vital equipment," Richards said. "I believe that it is everyone's responsibility to become pro-active and am pleased that four EDC beneficiaries responded to my request for assistance."
At the end of a year, the project will be evaluated, Richards said, after which "it may be expanded, maintained or dropped."
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 cameras will be installed at a school on St. Croix that is not being identified, "for strategic reasons," Richards said in a release issued by his office.
"The cameras will not be operational during school hours, but will be monitored from a different location during the hours schools are closed," he said.
Richards said the project will be funded with $26,400 donated by four Economic Development Commission beneficiary companies on St. Croix.
Global Capital Advisors, Azimuth Trust, James River Capital Corp. and Shoreline Management Group are the contributors. The release said support was also provided by the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development.
Richards also expressed appreciation to ASI Caribbean for donating nine security cameras in addition to the 10 purchased with funding from the other four companies.
For security reasons, "the details of the equipment cannot be released," the release stated, but officials of ASI Caribbean, which is installing the gear, said the school chosen for the pilot project "will be monitored by highly sensitive 'virtual surveillance camera guards' with the ability to detect any motion."
While numerous schools in the territory have been vandalized, many of them repeatedly, Saturday's break-in at Eudora Kean on St. Thomas on St. Thomas was especially jarring because in addition to smashing computer monitors and destroying an American flag, the vandals made off with 110 firearms, including 90 Springfield rifles, utilized in the school's Junior ROTC program. The firing pins had been removed from the rifles, authorities said, and anyone trying to adjust the firearms could end up hurting themselves or someone else.
"As a former teacher at Elena Christian Junior High and as [an] advocate against violence and disruptions in schools, I am disheartened by the repeated break-ins and loss of vital equipment," Richards said. "I believe that it is everyone's responsibility to become pro-active and am pleased that four EDC beneficiaries responded to my request for assistance."
At the end of a year, the project will be evaluated, Richards said, after which "it may be expanded, maintained or dropped."
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.
SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS TO BE INSTALLED IN SCHOOL
June 3, 2003 – Spurred by school vandalism in general and last weekend's break-in at Ivanna Eudora Kean High School in particular, Lt. Gov. Vargrave Richards announced plans on Tuesday for a pilot project that will utilize surveillance cameras to monitor vulnerable school areas outside of classroom hours.
The cameras will be installed at a school on St. Croix that is not being identified, "for strategic reasons," Richards said in a release issued by his office.
"The cameras will not be operational during school hours, but will be monitored from a different location during the hours schools are closed," he said.
Richards said the project will be funded with $26,400 donated by four Economic Development Commission beneficiary companies on St. Croix.
Global Capital Advisors, Azimuth Trust, James River Capital Corp. and Shoreline Management Group are the contributors. The release said support was also provided by the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development.
Richards also expressed appreciation to ASI Caribbean for donating nine security cameras in addition to the 10 purchased with funding from the other four companies.
For security reasons, "the details of the equipment cannot be released," the release stated, but officials of ASI Caribbean, which is installing the gear, said the school chosen for the pilot project "will be monitored by highly sensitive 'virtual surveillance camera guards' with the ability to detect any motion."
While numerous schools in the territory have been vandalized, many of them repeatedly, Saturday's break-in at Eudora Kean on St. Thomas on St. Thomas was especially jarring because in addition to smashing computer monitors and destroying an American flag, the vandals made off with 110 firearms, including 90 Springfield rifles, utilized in the school's Junior ROTC program. The firing pins had been removed from the rifles, authorities said, and anyone trying to adjust the firearms could end up hurting themselves or someone else.
"As a former teacher at Elena Christian Junior High and as [an] advocate against violence and disruptions in schools, I am disheartened by the repeated break-ins and loss of vital equipment," Richards said. "I believe that it is everyone's responsibility to become pro-active and am pleased that four EDC beneficiaries responded to my request for assistance."
At the end of a year, the project will be evaluated, Richards said, after which "it may be expanded, maintained or dropped."
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 cameras will be installed at a school on St. Croix that is not being identified, "for strategic reasons," Richards said in a release issued by his office.
"The cameras will not be operational during school hours, but will be monitored from a different location during the hours schools are closed," he said.
Richards said the project will be funded with $26,400 donated by four Economic Development Commission beneficiary companies on St. Croix.
Global Capital Advisors, Azimuth Trust, James River Capital Corp. and Shoreline Management Group are the contributors. The release said support was also provided by the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development.
Richards also expressed appreciation to ASI Caribbean for donating nine security cameras in addition to the 10 purchased with funding from the other four companies.
For security reasons, "the details of the equipment cannot be released," the release stated, but officials of ASI Caribbean, which is installing the gear, said the school chosen for the pilot project "will be monitored by highly sensitive 'virtual surveillance camera guards' with the ability to detect any motion."
While numerous schools in the territory have been vandalized, many of them repeatedly, Saturday's break-in at Eudora Kean on St. Thomas on St. Thomas was especially jarring because in addition to smashing computer monitors and destroying an American flag, the vandals made off with 110 firearms, including 90 Springfield rifles, utilized in the school's Junior ROTC program. The firing pins had been removed from the rifles, authorities said, and anyone trying to adjust the firearms could end up hurting themselves or someone else.
"As a former teacher at Elena Christian Junior High and as [an] advocate against violence and disruptions in schools, I am disheartened by the repeated break-ins and loss of vital equipment," Richards said. "I believe that it is everyone's responsibility to become pro-active and am pleased that four EDC beneficiaries responded to my request for assistance."
At the end of a year, the project will be evaluated, Richards said, after which "it may be expanded, maintained or dropped."
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.
PUBLIC ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND FINANCE HEARING
June 3, 2003 – Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg extended an open invitation to the public on Tuesday to attend Thursday's meeting of the Senate Finance Committee, which he chairs.
The meeting is to take up the six bills submitted by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull late on the night of May 20 for consideration at a special session he called for May 22 to address the territory's fiscal crisis. At the end of the 11-hour special session, senators voted to refer all of the bills to the Finance Committee.
The proposals call for borrowing another $235 million, spending the money for projects including an $80 million hotel on St. Croix that the government would own, increasing key business taxes and imposing new ones.
Notable for the absence of measures to reduce government spending, the bills have generated strong opposition, especially from the private sector but also from a number of senators, including Donastorg, who commented at the May 22 session that administration officials were "stone crazy" if they thought he was going to sign off on the measures as proposed.
On Tuesday morning, a letter signed by all 15 senators gave the governor an ultimatum. Saying the Legislature "finds it difficult to incur more financial debt by borrowing money without a significant reduction in payroll costs," they called on Turnbull to rescind his November 2001 executive order that paved the way for nearly a thousand exempt and unclassified government employees to receive hefty pay raises a year ago when the governor was running for re-election.
"I know there are many concerned about the implications of these proposals," Donastorg said in a release issued on Tuesday. "I am certain that the business community, government workers and various other groups and individuals directly affected by this legislation will want to offer testimony. All are welcome to attend and take part."
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Chambers on St. Thomas.
At a press conference held jointly by Senate majority and minority members Tuesday morning on St. Croix, Senate President David Jones said that whatever fiscal measures are approved by the Finance Committee on Thursday will be taken up by the full Senate in its regular session scheduled for Monday.
Donastorg's release said those wishing to testify on Thursday should advise his office in advance by calling 693-3517. He also can be contacted by e-mail to Foncie2002. The release also said that those intending to testify should appear with copies of their prepared statements to distribute to the committee members.
The other members of the committee are Sens. Norman Jn Baptiste, Roosevelt David, Louis Hill, Shawn-Michael Malone, Luther Renee and Ronald 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.
The meeting is to take up the six bills submitted by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull late on the night of May 20 for consideration at a special session he called for May 22 to address the territory's fiscal crisis. At the end of the 11-hour special session, senators voted to refer all of the bills to the Finance Committee.
The proposals call for borrowing another $235 million, spending the money for projects including an $80 million hotel on St. Croix that the government would own, increasing key business taxes and imposing new ones.
Notable for the absence of measures to reduce government spending, the bills have generated strong opposition, especially from the private sector but also from a number of senators, including Donastorg, who commented at the May 22 session that administration officials were "stone crazy" if they thought he was going to sign off on the measures as proposed.
On Tuesday morning, a letter signed by all 15 senators gave the governor an ultimatum. Saying the Legislature "finds it difficult to incur more financial debt by borrowing money without a significant reduction in payroll costs," they called on Turnbull to rescind his November 2001 executive order that paved the way for nearly a thousand exempt and unclassified government employees to receive hefty pay raises a year ago when the governor was running for re-election.
"I know there are many concerned about the implications of these proposals," Donastorg said in a release issued on Tuesday. "I am certain that the business community, government workers and various other groups and individuals directly affected by this legislation will want to offer testimony. All are welcome to attend and take part."
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Chambers on St. Thomas.
At a press conference held jointly by Senate majority and minority members Tuesday morning on St. Croix, Senate President David Jones said that whatever fiscal measures are approved by the Finance Committee on Thursday will be taken up by the full Senate in its regular session scheduled for Monday.
Donastorg's release said those wishing to testify on Thursday should advise his office in advance by calling 693-3517. He also can be contacted by e-mail to Foncie2002. The release also said that those intending to testify should appear with copies of their prepared statements to distribute to the committee members.
The other members of the committee are Sens. Norman Jn Baptiste, Roosevelt David, Louis Hill, Shawn-Michael Malone, Luther Renee and Ronald 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.
