March 13, 2003 – Ahmed Alarefi, Alexander's Café's featured artist of the month, doesn't use photographs or even sketches before putting brush to canvas. Instead, he paints, with feeling, from life.
"As I paint from life I translate what I see –– the effects of color shapes and emotions in a subject are exciting to repeat," Alarefi says.
"Paintings from Life," which includes landscapes, still lifes and portraits, opens with a champagne reception at 5 p.m. Friday night at Alexander's Café in Frenchtown.
Alarefi's work is not new to those in the Virgin Island's art community. He has shown his work and won prizes in the St. Thomas-St. John Arts Council's annual Caribbean Colour show.
"He treats things with such reference," show coordinator Claire Ochoa says, adding, "He doesn't varnish his work, so it has a different feel to it."
Alarefi graduated with a B.A. in Fine Arts and a B.A. in Architecture from the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N. Y.
and has lived in St. Thomas for the past eight years.
The exhibit continues through April 10. All works are available for purchase.
For more information contact Show Coordinator, Claire by e-mailing at the address below or by calling 340-643-6363.

March 12, 2003 – "It's time to get serious about crime" was the mantra repeated by Police Department union leaders on Wednesday afternoon during the second installment of a Senate hearing to investigate the reasons crime on St. Croix seems to run rampant.
And just as in the previous day's proceedings of the new Public Safety, Judiciary, Homeland Security and Justice Committee, police brass cited funding needs as critical to the department's success.
The incoming president of the Law Enforcement Supervisors Union, Sgt. Arthur Hector, and the outgoing president, Lt. Romeo Christopher, as well as Sgt. Thomas Hannah and the Police Benevolent Association president, Detective Naomi Joseph, each took a turn giving senators a no-holds-barred account of the problems plaguing the department on St. Croix.
Hector told the senators: "I've been before the Senate numerous times. Every time I come before this body. it goes to deaf ears. We've never been able to get the resources we need to properly run the Police Department the way it needs to be run."
Communications technology shortcomings, unsavory working conditions, low morale, an unsupportive community and insufficient staff were all problems cited by the officers.
Hector first pointed to inadequate communication capability among officers. He said he is skeptical about whether a new communications tower reportedly in the works will ever come to fruition.
"It's a big problem throughout the island," he said. "There are times when officers can't hear each other, and this is something that should've been fixed years ago."
As time has passed, Hector said, equipment costs have only gone up. "We need to get serious," he said. "If you're serious about fighting crime and serious about helping the Police Department, then senators along with the governor need to act serious and do something for us. It's totally ridiculous that we're coming before the Senate all the time."
Hannah echoed Hector's concerns about rising costs and a shrinking budget for the department. He said to outfit police properly with new holsters alone would cost around $500,000 and that the ones they are using now are at least five years old. He said the cost of all police supplies has skyrocketed in recent years, while the operating budget for the department has shrunk yearly, from $44 million in 1992 to $38 million now.
"You talk about wanting police service to be effective and efficient and changed," Hannah said. "Then get off the money and stop playing around with it."
Christopher said the cutbacks also are part of the reason morale is so low in the department. "It hurts my heart," he said. "It's like a slap in the face to come back and we've got a next cut this year. No money equals no improvement; that's what you're telling me."
Community contempt for police and an unwillingness to help solve crimes causes distress among the ranks, the officers told the committee.
"The community continues to cry out against crime waves, and to demand more of us and the police officers on the street," Hector said, "but nothing is being done to help us get the job done."
Hannah said crime is a not a Police Department problem, but a community problem. He said officers risk their lives daily protecting the islands. "It's a societal problem that starts in the home and moves to the school and goes forward," he said.
At Tuesday's meeting, Police Commissioner Franz Christian said out of 128 murders in the territory over the last four years, 56 have led to arrests. But despite those figures, Hannah said, the Virgin Islands has a higher clearance rate for murder cases than 99 major stateside cities. He said crimes involving gangs or drugs are almost impossible to solve.
"Street crimes are extremely difficult to solve," he said. "The culture that exists with that — they're not going to talk to you."
Joseph, too, said tight lips at crime scenes make clearing gang or drug-related violent crimes difficult. "It upsets me going to a crime scene. You approach people and ask did they see anything did they hear anything –– no, no, no."
A new police station would go a long way to improve morale, Hannah said. Referring to the Motor Vehicle Bureau, he said: "They want them to smile and give good service, when they just walked over a centipede on the floor."
Joseph said the Patrick Sweeney Headquarters is in deplorable condition, and commands are as well, without basic supplies such as toilet paper and drinking water. "I think the headquarters is supposed to be reflective of what we are as a Police Department," she said.
And the V.I. Justice Department has become a "revolving door" for criminals, Joseph said. "Anybody can walk in and beat the Attorney General's Office," she said. The same criminals are repeating the same crimes, she said, and are generally released on a technicality, only to be rearrested.
"We know each other on a first-name basis," she said of the repeat offenders. "I have regular customers. We're arresting people every single day, and they're plea bargaining every day."
But once the committee's question-and-answer period got under way, the buck was passed again to the executive branch. Sen. Carlton Dowe said the 24th Legislature appropriated hundreds of thousands of dollars for specific Police Department improvements, much of which has not made its way there.
"When the Office of Management and Budget doesn't release the money, we have to ask, 'Where are our priorities?'" Dowe said. He said private-sector growth and development would help bring in the needed money to address police concerns.
"The Legislature has a role in appropriations or the creation of a new law, but the execution of it is up to the administrative branch," he said.
Sen. Almando "Rocky" Liburd shared Dowe's sentiments. "Many of those things you talked about," he told the witnesses, "you'll find and least tried to be addressed by this institution."
Liburd, who was the Senate president last term, added: "If the governor is serious about crime, he would order the OMB director to release the funds."
Sen. Lorraine L. Berry, who chairs the new committee, noted that it is scheduled to meet again on March 26 on St. Thomas.
Committee members present were Sens. Berry, Dowe, Emmett Hansen II, David Jones, Liburd and Ronald Russell. One non-committee member, Sen. Louis Hill, also was present.

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.

March 12, 2003 – "It's time to get serious about crime" was the mantra repeated by Police Department union leaders on Wednesday afternoon during the second installment of a Senate hearing to investigate the reasons crime on St. Croix seems to run rampant.
And just as in the previous day's proceedings of the new Public Safety, Judiciary, Homeland Security and Justice Committee, police brass cited funding needs as critical to the department's success.
The incoming president of the Law Enforcement Supervisors Union, Sgt. Arthur Hector, and the outgoing president, Lt. Romeo Christopher, as well as Sgt. Thomas Hannah and the Police Benevolent Association president, Detective Naomi Joseph, each took a turn giving senators a no-holds-barred account of the problems plaguing the department on St. Croix.
Hector told the senators: "I've been before the Senate numerous times. Every time I come before this body. it goes to deaf ears. We've never been able to get the resources we need to properly run the Police Department the way it needs to be run."
Communications technology shortcomings, unsavory working conditions, low morale, an unsupportive community and insufficient staff were all problems cited by the officers.
Hector first pointed to inadequate communication capability among officers. He said he is skeptical about whether a new communications tower reportedly in the works will ever come to fruition.
"It's a big problem throughout the island," he said. "There are times when officers can't hear each other, and this is something that should've been fixed years ago."
As time has passed, Hector said, equipment costs have only gone up. "We need to get serious," he said. "If you're serious about fighting crime and serious about helping the Police Department, then senators along with the governor need to act serious and do something for us. It's totally ridiculous that we're coming before the Senate all the time."
Hannah echoed Hector's concerns about rising costs and a shrinking budget for the department. He said to outfit police properly with new holsters alone would cost around $500,000 and that the ones they are using now are at least five years old. He said the cost of all police supplies has skyrocketed in recent years, while the operating budget for the department has shrunk yearly, from $44 million in 1992 to $38 million now.
"You talk about wanting police service to be effective and efficient and changed," Hannah said. "Then get off the money and stop playing around with it."
Christopher said the cutbacks also are part of the reason morale is so low in the department. "It hurts my heart," he said. "It's like a slap in the face to come back and we've got a next cut this year. No money equals no improvement; that's what you're telling me."
Community contempt for police and an unwillingness to help solve crimes causes distress among the ranks, the officers told the committee.
"The community continues to cry out against crime waves, and to demand more of us and the police officers on the street," Hector said, "but nothing is being done to help us get the job done."
Hannah said crime is a not a Police Department problem, but a community problem. He said officers risk their lives daily protecting the islands. "It's a societal problem that starts in the home and moves to the school and goes forward," he said.
At Tuesday's meeting, Police Commissioner Franz Christian said out of 128 murders in the territory over the last four years, 56 have led to arrests. But despite those figures, Hannah said, the Virgin Islands has a higher clearance rate for murder cases than 99 major stateside cities. He said crimes involving gangs or drugs are almost impossible to solve.
"Street crimes are extremely difficult to solve," he said. "The culture that exists with that — they're not going to talk to you."
Joseph, too, said tight lips at crime scenes make clearing gang or drug-related violent crimes difficult. "It upsets me going to a crime scene. You approach people and ask did they see anything did they hear anything –– no, no, no."
A new police station would go a long way to improve morale, Hannah said. Referring to the Motor Vehicle Bureau, he said: "They want them to smile and give good service, when they just walked over a centipede on the floor."
Joseph said the Patrick Sweeney Headquarters is in deplorable condition, and commands are as well, without basic supplies such as toilet paper and drinking water. "I think the headquarters is supposed to be reflective of what we are as a Police Department," she said.
And the V.I. Justice Department has become a "revolving door" for criminals, Joseph said. "Anybody can walk in and beat the Attorney General's Office," she said. The same criminals are repeating the same crimes, she said, and are generally released on a technicality, only to be rearrested.
"We know each other on a first-name basis," she said of the repeat offenders. "I have regular customers. We're arresting people every single day, and they're plea bargaining every day."
But once the committee's question-and-answer period got under way, the buck was passed again to the executive branch. Sen. Carlton Dowe said the 24th Legislature appropriated hundreds of thousands of dollars for specific Police Department improvements, much of which has not made its way there.
"When the Office of Management and Budget doesn't release the money, we have to ask, 'Where are our priorities?'" Dowe said. He said private-sector growth and development would help bring in the needed money to address police concerns.
"The Legislature has a role in appropriations or the creation of a new law, but the execution of it is up to the administrative branch," he said.
Sen. Almando "Rocky" Liburd shared Dowe's sentiments. "Many of those things you talked about," he told the witnesses, "you'll find and least tried to be addressed by this institution."
Liburd, who was the Senate president last term, added: "If the governor is serious about crime, he would order the OMB director to release the funds."
Sen. Lorraine L. Berry, who chairs the new committee, noted that it is scheduled to meet again on March 26 on St. Thomas.
Committee members present were Sens. Berry, Dowe, Emmett Hansen II, David Jones, Liburd and Ronald Russell. One non-committee member, Sen. Louis Hill, also was present.

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.

March 12, 2003 – "It's time to get serious about crime" was the mantra repeated by Police Department union leaders on Wednesday afternoon during the second installment of a Senate hearing to investigate the reasons crime on St. Croix seems to run rampant.
And just as in the previous day's proceedings of the new Public Safety, Judiciary, Homeland Security and Justice Committee, police brass cited funding needs as critical to the department's success.
The incoming president of the Law Enforcement Supervisors Union, Sgt. Arthur Hector, and the outgoing president, Lt. Romeo Christopher, as well as Sgt. Thomas Hannah and the Police Benevolent Association president, Detective Naomi Joseph, each took a turn giving senators a no-holds-barred account of the problems plaguing the department on St. Croix.
Hector told the senators: "I've been before the Senate numerous times. Every time I come before this body. it goes to deaf ears. We've never been able to get the resources we need to properly run the Police Department the way it needs to be run."
Communications technology shortcomings, unsavory working conditions, low morale, an unsupportive community and insufficient staff were all problems cited by the officers.
Hector first pointed to inadequate communication capability among officers. He said he is skeptical about whether a new communications tower reportedly in the works will ever come to fruition.
"It's a big problem throughout the island," he said. "There are times when officers can't hear each other, and this is something that should've been fixed years ago."
As time has passed, Hector said, equipment costs have only gone up. "We need to get serious," he said. "If you're serious about fighting crime and serious about helping the Police Department, then senators along with the governor need to act serious and do something for us. It's totally ridiculous that we're coming before the Senate all the time."
Hannah echoed Hector's concerns about rising costs and a shrinking budget for the department. He said to outfit police properly with new holsters alone would cost around $500,000 and that the ones they are using now are at least five years old. He said the cost of all police supplies has skyrocketed in recent years, while the operating budget for the department has shrunk yearly, from $44 million in 1992 to $38 million now.
"You talk about wanting police service to be effective and efficient and changed," Hannah said. "Then get off the money and stop playing around with it."
Christopher said the cutbacks also are part of the reason morale is so low in the department. "It hurts my heart," he said. "It's like a slap in the face to come back and we've got a next cut this year. No money equals no improvement; that's what you're telling me."
Community contempt for police and an unwillingness to help solve crimes causes distress among the ranks, the officers told the committee.
"The community continues to cry out against crime waves, and to demand more of us and the police officers on the street," Hector said, "but nothing is being done to help us get the job done."
Hannah said crime is a not a Police Department problem, but a community problem. He said officers risk their lives daily protecting the islands. "It's a societal problem that starts in the home and moves to the school and goes forward," he said.
At Tuesday's meeting, Police Commissioner Franz Christian said out of 128 murders in the territory over the last four years, 56 have led to arrests. But despite those figures, Hannah said, the Virgin Islands has a higher clearance rate for murder cases than 99 major stateside cities. He said crimes involving gangs or drugs are almost impossible to solve.
"Street crimes are extremely difficult to solve," he said. "The culture that exists with that — they're not going to talk to you."
Joseph, too, said tight lips at crime scenes make clearing gang or drug-related violent crimes difficult. "It upsets me going to a crime scene. You approach people and ask did they see anything did they hear anything –– no, no, no."
A new police station would go a long way to improve morale, Hannah said. Referring to the Motor Vehicle Bureau, he said: "They want them to smile and give good service, when they just walked over a centipede on the floor."
Joseph said the Patrick Sweeney Headquarters is in deplorable condition, and commands are as well, without basic supplies such as toilet paper and drinking water. "I think the headquarters is supposed to be reflective of what we are as a Police Department," she said.
And the V.I. Justice Department has become a "revolving door" for criminals, Joseph said. "Anybody can walk in and beat the Attorney General's Office," she said. The same criminals are repeating the same crimes, she said, and are generally released on a technicality, only to be rearrested.
"We know each other on a first-name basis," she said of the repeat offenders. "I have regular customers. We're arresting people every single day, and they're plea bargaining every day."
But once the committee's question-and-answer period got under way, the buck was passed again to the executive branch. Sen. Carlton Dowe said the 24th Legislature appropriated hundreds of thousands of dollars for specific Police Department improvements, much of which has not made its way there.
"When the Office of Management and Budget doesn't release the money, we have to ask, 'Where are our priorities?'" Dowe said. He said private-sector growth and development would help bring in the needed money to address police concerns.
"The Legislature has a role in appropriations or the creation of a new law, but the execution of it is up to the administrative branch," he said.
Sen. Almando "Rocky" Liburd shared Dowe's sentiments. "Many of those things you talked about," he told the witnesses, "you'll find and least tried to be addressed by this institution."
Liburd, who was the Senate president last term, added: "If the governor is serious about crime, he would order the OMB director to release the funds."
Sen. Lorraine L. Berry, who chairs the new committee, noted that it is scheduled to meet again on March 26 on St. Thomas.
Committee members present were Sens. Berry, Dowe, Emmett Hansen II, David Jones, Liburd and Ronald Russell. One non-committee member, Sen. Louis Hill, also was present.

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.

March 12, 2003 – Thursday evening's St. Croix Senate hearing on St. Thomas-St. John district video lottery operations could get lively, as a group opposed to the machines is encouraging members of the community to come out en masse and demand a repeal of the enabling legislation.
Members of the Virgin Islands Action Coalition held a press conference Wednesday morning to outline their plans for the hearing. Dr. Chenzira Kahina, a coalition member, said VIAC members and supporters will gather at Buddhoe Park at 5:30 p.m. and then walk to the Legislature Building for the 6 p.m. Committee of the Whole hearing.
Several people on both sides of the issue have been invited to testify by Senate President David Jones, who will preside over the hearing and another to follow Friday evening on St. Thomas. Some members of the Action Coalition intend to speak and have taken issue with a requirement set by Jones that those wishing to do so register by 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Kahina is on the list to testify, she said, and so are several other community members. But the registration requirement does not sit well with them. "I see it as a sham, an exercise in politicking," she said. Most of those invited to testify are executives in the gaming industry or local government officials.
Curtis Robinson, the developer behind the proposed $540 million Seven Hills Beach Resort and Casino on St. Croix's Robin Bay, has said VLT's, even on St. Thomas and St. John, jeopardize investors' interest in financing his project.
Turnbull vetoed legislation making VLT's legal three times in two years. Last Dec. 23, the 24th Legislature in its final session overrode the governor's third veto, of a bill allowing the machines only in the St. Thomas-St. John district.
On Jan. 22, in the midst of public outcry over the override, Turnbull sent down legislation to repeal the new law. Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg, meanwhile, had submitted similar legislation weeks earlier.
Donastorg, too, said in a letter to Jones on Wednesday that he is concerned about the registration requirement. "While I appreciate the need to maintain a level of order, such a requirement is inconsistent with the way the Legislature usually conducts its meeting," Donastorg wrote.
He said forcing those wishing to testify to register in advance is "imposing an unfair burden on the citizens of our territory." And he asked that constituents be allowed to sign up to testify upon arrival, as is typically the procedure at committee hearings.
"Basically they've made it a public hearing where the public isn't able to be heard," Hope Gibson, another Action Coalition member, said. She expressed the view that those who did register would likely be allowed to speak only toward the end of the meeting.
Among those registered, she said, are Frank Fox, St. Croix Chamber of Commerce president; Noel Loftus, St. Croix Alive spokesman; and VIAC members Terrence Nelson and Kahina.
A large turnout by the community is important to advancing the group's cause, Kahina said. "We need everyone to be present," she said.
Last month, protesters were instrumental in persuading Gov. Charles W. Turnbull to veto legislation exorbitantly hiking his, the lieutenant governor's and legislators' salaries.
Demonstrations in opposition to the raises were mounted at the governor's inaugural ceremony on St. Thomas, outside a post-inaugural reception on St. John, at post-inaugural ceremonies on St. Croix, and prior to his delivery of the State of the Territory address on St. Thomas.
Jones, who has been a staunch supporter of VLT's, said last month that he expects a big turnout. "We're bringing everybody," he said then. Those invited to testify include members of the Casino Control Commission and the V.I. Lottery Commission; officials of Southland Gaming, the company contracted by V.I. Lottery to distribute video lottery terminals; and developers of two major resort and casino complexes planned for St. Croix.
Jones, who will chair both hearings, said he also has assigned to the Education Committee a bill sponsored by Sen. Carlton Dowe to earmark 35 percent of VLT proceeds for public education. Advocates including Jones have argued that the gambling machines could bring the government as much as $14 million a year in much-needed revenues.

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.

March 12, 2003 – Thursday evening's St. Croix Senate hearing on St. Thomas-St. John district video lottery operations could get lively, as a group opposed to the machines is encouraging members of the community to come out en masse and demand a repeal of the enabling legislation.
Members of the Virgin Islands Action Coalition held a press conference Wednesday morning to outline their plans for the hearing. Dr. Chenzira Kahina, a coalition member, said VIAC members and supporters will gather at Buddhoe Park at 5:30 p.m. and then walk to the Legislature Building for the 6 p.m. Committee of the Whole hearing.
Several people on both sides of the issue have been invited to testify by Senate President David Jones, who will preside over the hearing and another to follow Friday evening on St. Thomas. Some members of the Action Coalition intend to speak and have taken issue with a requirement set by Jones that those wishing to do so register by 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Kahina is on the list to testify, she said, and so are several other community members. But the registration requirement does not sit well with them. "I see it as a sham, an exercise in politicking," she said. Most of those invited to testify are executives in the gaming industry or local government officials.
Curtis Robinson, the developer behind the proposed $540 million Seven Hills Beach Resort and Casino on St. Croix's Robin Bay, has said VLT's, even on St. Thomas and St. John, jeopardize investors' interest in financing his project.
Turnbull vetoed legislation making VLT's legal three times in two years. Last Dec. 23, the 24th Legislature in its final session overrode the governor's third veto, of a bill allowing the machines only in the St. Thomas-St. John district.
On Jan. 22, in the midst of public outcry over the override, Turnbull sent down legislation to repeal the new law. Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg, meanwhile, had submitted similar legislation weeks earlier.
Donastorg, too, said in a letter to Jones on Wednesday that he is concerned about the registration requirement. "While I appreciate the need to maintain a level of order, such a requirement is inconsistent with the way the Legislature usually conducts its meeting," Donastorg wrote.
He said forcing those wishing to testify to register in advance is "imposing an unfair burden on the citizens of our territory." And he asked that constituents be allowed to sign up to testify upon arrival, as is typically the procedure at committee hearings.
"Basically they've made it a public hearing where the public isn't able to be heard," Hope Gibson, another Action Coalition member, said. She expressed the view that those who did register would likely be allowed to speak only toward the end of the meeting.
Among those registered, she said, are Frank Fox, St. Croix Chamber of Commerce president; Noel Loftus, St. Croix Alive spokesman; and VIAC members Terrence Nelson and Kahina.
A large turnout by the community is important to advancing the group's cause, Kahina said. "We need everyone to be present," she said.
Last month, protesters were instrumental in persuading Gov. Charles W. Turnbull to veto legislation exorbitantly hiking his, the lieutenant governor's and legislators' salaries.
Demonstrations in opposition to the raises were mounted at the governor's inaugural ceremony on St. Thomas, outside a post-inaugural reception on St. John, at post-inaugural ceremonies on St. Croix, and prior to his delivery of the State of the Territory address on St. Thomas.
Jones, who has been a staunch supporter of VLT's, said last month that he expects a big turnout. "We're bringing everybody," he said then. Those invited to testify include members of the Casino Control Commission and the V.I. Lottery Commission; officials of Southland Gaming, the company contracted by V.I. Lottery to distribute video lottery terminals; and developers of two major resort and casino complexes planned for St. Croix.
Jones, who will chair both hearings, said he also has assigned to the Education Committee a bill sponsored by Sen. Carlton Dowe to earmark 35 percent of VLT proceeds for public education. Advocates including Jones have argued that the gambling machines could bring the government as much as $14 million a year in much-needed revenues.

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.

March 12, 2003 – Thursday evening's St. Croix Senate hearing on video lottery operations on St. Thomas and St. John could get lively, as a group opposed to the machines is encouraging members of the community to come out en masse and demand a repeal of the enabling legislation.
Members of the Virgin Islands Action Coalition held a press conference Wednesday morning to outline their plans for the hearing. Dr. Chenzira Kahina, a coalition member, said VIAC members and supporters will gather at Buddhoe Park at 5:30 p.m. and then walk to the Legislature Building for the 6 p.m. Committee of the Whole hearing.
Several people on both sides of the issue have been invited to testify by Senate President David Jones, who will preside over the hearing and another to follow Friday evening on St. Thomas. Some members of the Action Coalition intend to speak and have taken issue with a requirement set by Jones that those wishing to do so register by 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Kahina is on the list to testify, she said, and so are several other community members. But the registration requirement does not sit well with them. "I see it as a sham, an exercise in politicking," she said. Most of those invited to testify are executives in the gaming industry or local government officials.
Curtis Robinson, the developer behind the proposed $540 million Seven Hills Beach Resort and Casino on St. Croix's Robin Bay, has said VLT's, even on St. Thomas and St. John, jeopardize investors' interest in financing his project.
Turnbull vetoed legislation making VLT's legal three times in two years. Last Dec. 23, the 24th Legislature in its final session overrode the governor's third veto, of a bill allowing the machines only in the St. Thomas-St. John district.
On Jan. 22, in the midst of public outcry over the override, Turnbull sent down legislation to repeal the new law. Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg, meanwhile, had submitted similar legislation weeks earlier.
Donastorg, too, said in a letter to Jones on Wednesday that he is concerned about the registration requirement. "While I appreciate the need to maintain a level of order, such a requirement is inconsistent with the way the Legislature usually conducts its meeting," Donastorg wrote.
He said forcing those wishing to testify to register in advance is "imposing an unfair burden on the citizens of our territory." And he asked that constituents be allowed to sign up to testify upon arrival, as is typically the procedure at committee hearings.
"Basically they've made it a public hearing where the public isn't able to be heard," Hope Gibson, another Action Coalition member, said. She expressed the view that those who did register would likely be allowed to speak only toward the end of the meeting.
Among those registered, she said, are Frank Fox, St. Croix Chamber of Commerce president; Noel Loftus, St. Croix Alive spokesman; and VIAC members Terrence Nelson and Kahina.
A large turnout by the community is important to advancing the group's cause, Kahina said. "We need everyone to be present," she said.
Last month, protesters were instrumental in persuading Gov. Charles W. Turnbull to veto legislation exorbitantly hiking his, the lieutenant governor's and legislators' salaries.
Demonstrations in opposition to the raises were mounted at the governor's inaugural ceremony on St. Thomas, outside a post-inaugural reception on St. John, at post-inaugural ceremonies on St. Croix, and prior to his delivery of the State of the Territory address on St. Thomas.
Jones, who has been a staunch supporter of VLT's, said last month that he expects a big turnout. "We're bringing everybody," he said then. Those invited to testify include members of the Casino Control Commission and the V.I. Lottery Commission; officials of Southland Gaming, the company contracted by V.I. Lottery to distribute video lottery terminals; and developers of two major resort and casino complexes planned for St. Croix.
Jones, who will chair both hearings, said he also has assigned to the Education Committee a bill sponsored by Sen. Carlton Dowe to earmark 35 percent of VLT proceeds for public education. Advocates including Jones have argued that the gambling machines could bring the government as much as $14 million a year in much-needed revenues.

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.

March 12, 2003 – Increasing revenues tops the list of priorities cited by University of the Virgin Islands President LaVerne Ragster, who took office last August but will be formally inaugurated on Sunday in a ceremony at the Reichhold Center for the Arts on St. Thomas.
Ragster says she wants to bring all the resources to bear that she can to raise UVI's profile among colleges and universities nationwide. She also wants to attract more students from abroad, while at the same time persuading more students here at home that UVI should be their first choice in higher education.
Sunday's installation coincides with the university's annual observance of Charter Day, marking the founding of what was then the College of the Virgin Islands 41 years ago. In those four decades, the institution has had just four presidents — Lawrence C. Wanlass (1962-80), Arthur A. Richards (1980-90), Orville Kean (1990-2002) and, since last year, Ragster.
In an interview this week, Ragster talked about the months she has already spent on the job and some of the goals that have been set for her tenure.
One of the first things she and the UVI Board of Trustees say they want to do is develop a broad and diverse strategy to ensure that the school has enough sustainable revenues to attract and retain the best faculty and staff. The plan as it appears now calls for increasing student enrollment and generating income from the new UVI Research and Technology Park soon to be developed on St. Croix.
"We have a strategic initiative to increase student enrollment and we are targeting certain groups," Ragster said. The strategy is to raise enrollment numbers in both the graduate and undergraduate programs. Administrators already are seeking to recruit within those target groups, using the UVI Web site as an outreach tool.
Attracting off-island students — whose tuition is higher than that for V.I. residents — is a particular challenge, Ragster said, but one that can only help foster the kind of diversity that will ultimately benefit UVI. Traditionally about 10 percent of UVI's student body has come from the Eastern Caribbean, she said, but those numbers lately have been are dropping.
A small number of students from the U.S. mainland come to UVI for a year of study as part of a national student exchange program.
Ragster calls it a challenge to get the students and their parents to commit to higher education in the Virgin Islands but considers it a worthwhile goal.
The administration also wants to generate revenues by charging fees for training services provided to business and government entities, by securing additional grants and contracts, and by increasing developmental giving by private donors.
On this particular front, Ragster says she plans to play a prominent role with help from the trustees. "Basically I'm the champion for the university," she said, "but it's a team."
Currently UVI is operating on a financial base of $40 million a year. Ragster wants to see that increased to $45 million.
The task of promoting the university in the wider world is made easier by the existence of a few outstanding programs that already have won UVI recognition, she said. One example is the aquaculture research program on the St. Croix campus, which Ragster said has received greater recognition outside the territory than within. Another is the Marine Science program on St. Thomas, which attracts students and researchers from abroad.
While UVI is a small institution, Ragster says, it can promote its more successful programs to gain recognition within those particular fields of expertise.
The university's attractions for potential students, she said, include a well-prepared and dedicated faculty, an environment conducive to learning, opportunities for hands-on learning in many curriculum areas, and its acknowledged strengths in research and public service.
Ragster said that one of the areas in which she most wants to see improvement relates to UVI's recruitment goals. University officials want more V.I. high school students to enroll, but they also want to see them show up better prepared to handle college course work.
A Board of Education member who also teaches at UVI told board colleagues at a meeting in October that about 80 percent of V.I. public high school graduates who enroll at UVI have to take remedial English and math courses before moving on to courses for college credit. Ragster does not dispute the statistic, but says the university administration is determined to change it.
"We have a strategic thrust that says we will increase the amount of collaboration we have with the Department of Education," she said. That translates into taking steps to make public school teachers better prepared to produce students with greater math and English proficiency. Increasing the number of certified teachers is a step in the right direction, Ragster said, and it's a goal can be achieved. She said discussions are under way at the Board of Education about how to set up teacher certification training programs through the university.
In addition, she said, a long-term goal is to revise the curriculum requirements high school students must meet in order to graduate.
For the short term, Ragster says, summer programs already are in place to help incoming freshmen improve basic academic skills. University officials are seeking funding to help keep these programs going, she said.
To check out the remaining Inaugural Week/Charter Day activities at UVI, see "UVI events lead up to Ragster inauguration".

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.

March 12, 2003 – Increasing revenues tops the list of priorities cited by University of the Virgin Islands President LaVerne Ragster, who took office last August but will be formally inaugurated on Sunday in a ceremony at the Reichhold Center for the Arts on St. Thomas.
Ragster says she wants to bring all the resources to bear that she can to raise UVI's profile among colleges and universities nationwide. She also wants to attract more students from abroad, while at the same time persuading more students here at home that UVI should be their first choice in higher education.
Sunday's installation coincides with the university's annual observance of Charter Day, marking the founding of what was then the College of the Virgin Islands 41 years ago. In those four decades, the institution has had just four presidents — Lawrence C. Wanlass (1962-80), Arthur A. Richards (1980-90), Orville Kean (1990-2002) and, since last year, Ragster.
In an interview this week, Ragster talked about the months she has already spent on the job and some of the goals that have been set for her tenure.
One of the first things she and the UVI Board of Trustees say they want to do is develop a broad and diverse strategy to ensure that the school has enough sustainable revenues to attract and retain the best faculty and staff. The plan as it appears now calls for increasing student enrollment and generating income from the new UVI Research and Technology Park soon to be developed on St. Croix.
"We have a strategic initiative to increase student enrollment and we are targeting certain groups," Ragster said. The strategy is to raise enrollment numbers in both the graduate and undergraduate programs. Administrators already are seeking to recruit within those target groups, using the UVI Web site as an outreach tool.
Attracting off-island students — whose tuition is higher than that for V.I. residents — is a particular challenge, Ragster said, but one that can only help foster the kind of diversity that will ultimately benefit UVI. Traditionally about 10 percent of UVI's student body has come from the Eastern Caribbean, she said, but those numbers lately have been are dropping.
A small number of students from the U.S. mainland come to UVI for a year of study as part of a national student exchange program.
Ragster calls it a challenge to get the students and their parents to commit to higher education in the Virgin Islands but considers it a worthwhile goal.
The administration also wants to generate revenues by charging fees for training services provided to business and government entities, by securing additional grants and contracts, and by increasing developmental giving by private donors.
On this particular front, Ragster says she plans to play a prominent role with help from the trustees. "Basically I'm the champion for the university," she said, "but it's a team."
Currently UVI is operating on a financial base of $40 million a year. Ragster wants to see that increased to $45 million.
The task of promoting the university in the wider world is made easier by the existence of a few outstanding programs that already have won UVI recognition, she said. One example is the aquaculture research program on the St. Croix campus, which Ragster said has received greater recognition outside the territory than within. Another is the Marine Science program on St. Thomas, which attracts students and researchers from abroad.
While UVI is a small institution, Ragster says, it can promote its more successful programs to gain recognition within those particular fields of expertise.
The university's attractions for potential students, she said, include a well-prepared and dedicated faculty, an environment conducive to learning, opportunities for hands-on learning in many curriculum areas, and its acknowledged strengths in research and public service.
Ragster said that one of the areas in which she most wants to see improvement relates to UVI's recruitment goals. University officials want more V.I. high school students to enroll, but they also want to see them show up better prepared to handle college course work.
A Board of Education member who also teaches at UVI told board colleagues at a meeting in October that about 80 percent of V.I. public high school graduates who enroll at UVI have to take remedial English and math courses before moving on to courses for college credit. Ragster does not dispute the statistic, but says the university administration is determined to change it.
"We have a strategic thrust that says we will increase the amount of collaboration we have with the Department of Education," she said. That translates into taking steps to make public school teachers better prepared to produce students with greater math and English proficiency. Increasing the number of certified teachers is a step in the right direction, Ragster said, and it's a goal can be achieved. She said discussions are under way at the Board of Education about how to set up teacher certification training programs through the university.
In addition, she said, a long-term goal is to revise the curriculum requirements high school students must meet in order to graduate.
For the short term, Ragster says, summer programs already are in place to help incoming freshmen improve basic academic skills. University officials are seeking funding to help keep these programs going, she said.
To check out the remaining Inaugural Week/Charter Day activities at UVI, see "UVI events lead up to Ragster inauguration".

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.

March 12, 2003 – Increasing revenues tops the list of priorities cited by University of the Virgin Islands President LaVerne Ragster, who took office last August but will be formally inaugurated on Sunday in a ceremony at the Reichhold Center for the Arts on St. Thomas.
Ragster says she wants to bring all the resources to bear that she can to raise UVI's profile among colleges and universities nationwide. She also wants to attract more students from abroad, while at the same time persuading more students here at home that UVI should be their first choice in higher education.
Sunday's installation coincides with the university's annual observance of Charter Day, marking the founding of what was then the College of the Virgin Islands 41 years ago. In those four decades, the institution has had just four presidents — Lawrence C. Wanlass (1962-80), Arthur A. Richards (1980-90), Orville Kean (1990-2002) and, since last year, Ragster.
In an interview this week, Ragster talked about the months she has already spent on the job and some of the goals that have been set for her tenure.
One of the first things she and the UVI Board of Trustees say they want to do is develop a broad and diverse strategy to ensure that the school has enough sustainable revenues to attract and retain the best faculty and staff. The plan as it appears now calls for increasing student enrollment and generating income from the new UVI Research and Technology Park soon to be developed on St. Croix.
"We have a strategic initiative to increase student enrollment and we are targeting certain groups," Ragster said. The strategy is to raise enrollment numbers in both the graduate and undergraduate programs. Administrators already are seeking to recruit within those target groups, using the UVI Web site as an outreach tool.
Attracting off-island students — whose tuition is higher than that for V.I. residents — is a particular challenge, Ragster said, but one that can only help foster the kind of diversity that will ultimately benefit UVI. Traditionally about 10 percent of UVI's student body has come from the Eastern Caribbean, she said, but those numbers lately have been are dropping.
A small number of students from the U.S. mainland come to UVI for a year of study as part of a national student exchange program.
Ragster calls it a challenge to get the students and their parents to commit to higher education in the Virgin Islands but considers it a worthwhile goal.
The administration also wants to generate revenues by charging fees for training services provided to business and government entities, by securing additional grants and contracts, and by increasing developmental giving by private donors.
On this particular front, Ragster says she plans to play a prominent role with help from the trustees. "Basically I'm the champion for the university," she said, "but it's a team."
Currently UVI is operating on a financial base of $40 million a year. Ragster wants to see that increased to $45 million.
The task of promoting the university in the wider world is made easier by the existence of a few outstanding programs that already have won UVI recognition, she said. One example is the aquaculture research program on the St. Croix campus, which Ragster said has received greater recognition outside the territory than within. Another is the Marine Science program on St. Thomas, which attracts students and researchers from abroad.
While UVI is a small institution, Ragster says, it can promote its more successful programs to gain recognition within those particular fields of expertise.
The university's attractions for potential students, she said, include a well-prepared and dedicated faculty, an environment conducive to learning, opportunities for hands-on learning in many curriculum areas, and its acknowledged strengths in research and public service.
Ragster said that one of the areas in which she most wants to see improvement relates to UVI's recruitment goals. University officials want more V.I. high school students to enroll, but they also want to see them show up better prepared to handle college course work.
A Board of Education member who also teaches at UVI told board colleagues at a meeting in October that about 80 percent of V.I. public high school graduates who enroll at UVI have to take remedial English and math courses before moving on to courses for college credit. Ragster does not dispute the statistic, but says the university administration is determined to change it.
"We have a strategic thrust that says we will increase the amount of collaboration we have with the Department of Education," she said. That translates into taking steps to make public school teachers better prepared to produce students with greater math and English proficiency. Increasing the number of certified teachers is a step in the right direction, Ragster said, and it's a goal can be achieved. She said discussions are under way at the Board of Education about how to set up teacher certification training programs through the university.
In addition, she said, a long-term goal is to revise the curriculum requirements high school students must meet in order to graduate.
For the short term, Ragster says, summer programs already are in place to help incoming freshmen improve basic academic skills. University officials are seeking funding to help keep these programs going, she said.
To check out the remaining Inaugural Week/Charter Day activities at UVI, see "UVI events lead up to Ragster inauguration".

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.