Feb. 28, 2003 – Government House announced in a release on Friday that Gov. Charles W. Turnbull has signed into law the two bills passed by the 25th Legislature at the special session convened at his behest on Feb. 12.
One measure converts the Fiscal Year 2003 budgets for executive branch departments and agencies from itemized to lump-sum appropriations and also provides for funding for St. John's VITRAN operations to remain available until expended.
Lump-sum budgets was something Turnbull had repeatedly sought in vain from the Finance Committee in the 24th Legislature, and something that then-senator Alicia "Chucky" Hansen as committee chair had refused to give him. With itemized budgets, department heads on repeated occasions had to petition the committee, hat in hand, for permission to move money from one category to another when needs differed from projections.
With conversion to lump-sum appropriations, Friday's release stated, "department and agency heads can manage, control and prioritize their budgets during the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2003."
The other measure calls for the Tax Assessor's Office to assess commercial real estate properties for the years 2001 through 2004 based on the 1999 valuations and sets the next commercial property assessment for 2005.
The tax assessment legislation is intended to provide a way for the government to bring desperately needed revenues into its coffers through collection of real property taxes while a challenge to the territory's manner of assessing real property values for taxing purposes is before the District Court.
However, it remains to be seen whether the legislation just signed into law by the governor will stand up to challenges.
A week after the Senate special session, according to published reports, District Judge Thomas K. Moore angrily charged in his court that the government was trying to circumvent his ban on its issuing of any more tax bills until ongoing legal challenges to the method of assessment are resolved. His comments came on the final day of testimony in a consolidated case of 11 property owners suing the government over its practice of assessing taxes based on replacement rather than market value of properties. The plaintiffs are challenging the assessments made for 2000. (See "Judge irate over move to send out 2001 tax bills".)
While testimony in the consolidated portion of the trial is concluded, separate hearings for each property owner are to follow, and observers have said it could be months before a final judgment is rendered.
In January, the V.I. Justice Department attorneys filed a motion for dismissal of the case; Moore rejected it.
Last July, at a Senate budget hearing, Tax Assessor Roy Martin said his office was in "serious trouble" because of the settlement in December 2000 of the first legal challenge to the government's valuation practice, filed by Berne Corp. in August 2000. That case has since given rise to the others.
The terms of the settlement were sealed, Martin said, but the parties agreed to have the court name an independent "special master" to review the territory's procedures and process of assessing commercial properties. Martin said then that the special master must see that the Tax Assessor's Office meets certain requirements before it can resume appraising commercial properties.
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'MUSIC, MAS AND PAGEANTRY FOR CARNIVAL 2003'
Editor's note: Following is information about this year's V.I. Carnival on the island of St. Thomas from a release distributed nationwide by Martin Public Relations, the V.I. government's mainland p.r. agency.
Feb. 28, 2003 – "Music, Mas and Pageantry for Carnival 2003" is the theme for this year's Virgin Islands Carnival, scheduled for April 6 through May 4 on St. Thomas. Marked by exquisite displays of pageantry, spirited music festivals, a mouth-watering food fair, parades and much more, the event captures the senses of both residents and visitors every year.
"Carnival showcases the culture, traditions and vibrant people of the USVI," Tourism Commissioner Pamela Richards says. "This year's event is sure to be another unforgettable celebration of our islands' heritage."
The first V.I. Carnival was held on St. Thomas on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, 1912. Due to the start of World War I, the celebrations halted and did not recommence until 1952, wherein it became the cultural mainstay that it is today. The 2003 Carnival Village, set to open on April 28, will be named "Gerry's Place" in honor of Gerald Hodge Sr., who helped revive V.I. Carnival in 1952 and who has been a steadfast supporter of the event ever since. With enthusiastic support from local residents, the 51-year evolution of V.I. Carnival has established the event as one of the liveliest celebrations in the world.
Carnival isn't complete without an abundance of local delicacies. The 51st annual Food Fair, "Lucia's Straw Market," will honor Lucia Thomas Crabbe Penn, who has been a mainstay food fair vendor for many years. The annual food fair, scheduled for April 30, includes such favorites as Vienna cake, stuffed shellfish, sweet potato pudding, fresh tropical fruit juices, fried johnny cakes, benyes (yeast-based fried banana fritters) and golden brown saltfish cakes. Whether the preparation is French, English, Dutch, Danish, Spanish, Indian or African, the use of local ingredients and spices make the foods brim with homegrown flavors and West Indian flair.
Music is a fundamental ingredient in the V.I. Carnival recipe for fun. Calypso, quelbe and steelpan sounds are the most popular forms of toe-tapping rhythms heard during the month-long festival. Competitions and performances heat up throughout the celebration and include: the Junior Calypso Monarch competition (April 22), the King and Queen of the Band competition (April 23), Latin Night (April 24), Calypso Review I (April 25), Calypso Review II (April 26), Pan-O-Rama (April 27), the Senior Citizens' Quelbe Tramp (April 29), and the V.I. Calypso Monarch competition (May 1). Calypso plays a unique role this year, as Carnival comes to a close with the "Calypso Spectakula" (May 3). The musical program will replace the former fireworks finale.
The Prince and Princess Show (April 6) and the St. Thomas-St. John Hotel and Tourism Association Queen Show (April 7) will select the royal courts for 2003. One of the most enthusiastic processions is J'Ouvert, when participants tramp along the waterfront of Charlotte Amalie beginning at 4 a.m. The royal courts will be presented at the Children's Parade (May 2) and the Adults' Parade, the culmination of Carnival Mas (May 3).
For a complete calendar of events and additional information about Carnival 2003, visit the V.I. Carnival Web site, or call (340) 776-3112.
For additional information about the United States Virgin Islands, call (800) 372-USVI (8784), visit the V.I. Tourism Web site, or contact the nearest V.I. Department of Tourism regional office in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Washington, D.C., or Toronto.
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'MUSIC, MAS AND PAGEANTRY FOR CARNIVAL 2003'
Editor's note: Following is information about this year's V.I. Carnival from a release distributed nationwide by Martin Public Relations, the V.I. government's mainland p.r. agency.
Feb. 28, 2003 – "Music, Mas and Pageantry for Carnival 2003" is the theme for this year's Virgin Islands Carnival, scheduled for April 6 through May 4. Marked by exquisite displays of pageantry, spirited music festivals, a mouth-watering food fair, parades and much more, the event captures the senses of both residents and visitors every year.
"Carnival showcases the culture, traditions and vibrant people of the USVI," Tourism Commissioner Pamela Richards says. "This year's event is sure to be another unforgettable celebration of our islands' heritage."
The first V.I. Carnival was held on St. Thomas on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, 1912. Due to the start of World War I, the celebrations halted and did not recommence until 1952, wherein it became the cultural mainstay that it is today. The 2003 Carnival Village, set to open on April 28, will be named "Gerry's Place" in honor of Gerald Hodge Sr., who helped revive V.I. Carnival in 1952 and who has been a steadfast supporter of the event ever since. With enthusiastic support from local residents, the 51-year evolution of V.I. Carnival has established the event as one of the liveliest celebrations in the world.
Carnival isn't complete without an abundance of local delicacies. The 51st annual Food Fair, "Lucia's Straw Market," will honor Lucia Thomas Crabbe Penn, who has been a mainstay food fair vendor for many years. The annual food fair, scheduled for April 30, includes such favorites as Vienna cake, stuffed shellfish, sweet potato pudding, fresh tropical fruit juices, fried johnny cakes, benyes (yeast-based fried banana fritters) and golden brown saltfish cakes. Whether the preparation is French, English, Dutch, Danish, Spanish, Indian or African, the use of local ingredients and spices make the foods brim with homegrown flavors and West Indian flair.
Music is a fundamental ingredient in the V.I. Carnival recipe for fun. Calypso, quelbe and steelpan sounds are the most popular forms of toe-tapping rhythms heard during the month-long festival. Competitions and performances heat up throughout the celebration and include: the Junior Calypso Monarch competition (April 22), the King and Queen of the Band competition (April 23), Latin Night (April 24), Calypso Review I (April 25), Calypso Review II (April 26), Pan-O-Rama (April 27), the Senior Citizens' Quelbe Tramp (April 29), and the V.I. Calypso Monarch competition (May 1). Calypso plays a unique role this year, as Carnival comes to a close with the "Calypso Spectakula" (May 3). The musical program will replace the former fireworks finale.
The Prince and Princess Show (April 6) and the St. Thomas-St. John Hotel and Tourism Association Queen Show (April 7) will select the royal courts for 2003. One of the most enthusiastic processions is J'Ouvert, when participants tramp along the waterfront of Charlotte Amalie beginning at 4 a.m. The royal courts will be presented at the Children's Parade (May 2) and the Adults' Parade, the culmination of Carnival Mas (May 3).
For a complete calendar of events and additional information about Carnival 2003, visit the V.I. Carnival Web site, or call (340) 776-3112.
For additional information about the United States Virgin Islands, call (800) 372-USVI (8784), visit the V.I. Tourism Web site, or contact the nearest V.I. Department of Tourism regional office in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Washington, D.C., or Toronto.
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CALLWOOD: FAA SATISFIED WITH LANDFILL PROGRESS
Feb. 28, 2003 – The Federal Aviation Administration rejected the local government's request to extend the deadline for closing the Anguilla Landfill until the end of 2003 but agreed to monitor the territory's compliance with a timeline and schedule submitted in December for shutting it down.
"Despite the rejection of the request for the extension," Public Works Commissioner Wayne Callwood said on Friday in a release, "the FAA has expressed their satisfaction of the progress being made by Public Works toward the eventual closure of the Anguilla landfill."
More than two years ago, the FAA gave the territory a deadline of Dec. 31, 2002, for closing the landfill down.
Last June, the government chose Landfill Technologies Corp., a waste-management company in Puerto Rico, to build a bale-and-wrap facility at the Anguilla site, which is owned by the Port Authority but operated by the Public Works Department. The bale-and-wrap processing of solid waste at the landfill is to be an interim procedure until the territory has a new permanent waste-disposal system in place for St. Croix.
Landfill Technologies does not expect to begin operations until late this year.
Federal law dictates that no landfill shall be located within 10,000 feet of an airport because of dangers to aircraft posed by foraging birds and dogs. A $9.3 million FAA grant for improvements to and expansion of Henry E. Rohlsen Airport hinged on the closing of the dump.
VIPA's former executive director, Gordon Finch, has said the FAA could require the government to repay that grant as a possible sanction for failing to comply with the order. Or, he said, the FAA could decertify the airport.
But rather than taking either of those measures, the FAA recommended the initiation of an informal resolution process, Callwood said.
According to the proposed schedule, he said, the landfill should stop receiving raw waste in mid-November. The baling facility is expected to be in operation then, and only baled waste will be going to Anguilla, he said.
The schedule submitted by Landfill Technologies at the Dec. 19 meeting with FAA officials dealt with finalizing the contract and then constructing the baling facility, implementing baling operations and carrying out remediation work at the site.
Public Works will submit regular progress reports to the FAA, Callwood said.
The V.I. government has estimated the cost of the interim waste-disposal plan at $10 million to $15 million for start-up work and an additional $5 million per year for operations.
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"Despite the rejection of the request for the extension," Public Works Commissioner Wayne Callwood said on Friday in a release, "the FAA has expressed their satisfaction of the progress being made by Public Works toward the eventual closure of the Anguilla landfill."
More than two years ago, the FAA gave the territory a deadline of Dec. 31, 2002, for closing the landfill down.
Last June, the government chose Landfill Technologies Corp., a waste-management company in Puerto Rico, to build a bale-and-wrap facility at the Anguilla site, which is owned by the Port Authority but operated by the Public Works Department. The bale-and-wrap processing of solid waste at the landfill is to be an interim procedure until the territory has a new permanent waste-disposal system in place for St. Croix.
Landfill Technologies does not expect to begin operations until late this year.
Federal law dictates that no landfill shall be located within 10,000 feet of an airport because of dangers to aircraft posed by foraging birds and dogs. A $9.3 million FAA grant for improvements to and expansion of Henry E. Rohlsen Airport hinged on the closing of the dump.
VIPA's former executive director, Gordon Finch, has said the FAA could require the government to repay that grant as a possible sanction for failing to comply with the order. Or, he said, the FAA could decertify the airport.
But rather than taking either of those measures, the FAA recommended the initiation of an informal resolution process, Callwood said.
According to the proposed schedule, he said, the landfill should stop receiving raw waste in mid-November. The baling facility is expected to be in operation then, and only baled waste will be going to Anguilla, he said.
The schedule submitted by Landfill Technologies at the Dec. 19 meeting with FAA officials dealt with finalizing the contract and then constructing the baling facility, implementing baling operations and carrying out remediation work at the site.
Public Works will submit regular progress reports to the FAA, Callwood said.
The V.I. government has estimated the cost of the interim waste-disposal plan at $10 million to $15 million for start-up work and an additional $5 million per year for operations.
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NINE SCHOOLS TAKING PART IN SCIENCE BOWL
Feb. 28, 2003 – Nine schools are represented in the territory's 2003 Science Bowl, which takes place Monday and Tuesday on St. Thomas. The two St. Croix public schools face off in the first match.
The double elimination competition will be held at Palms Court Harborview Hotel.
At 5 p.m. Monday, Central High School will meet Educational Complex in the annual event designed to demonstrate students' knowledge of science and math.
At 5:30 p.m., Ivanna Eudora Kean High School will compete against Antilles School, while Sts. Peter and Paul High School vies against Charlotte Amalie High School.
At 6 p.m., Country Day School will meet Wesleyan Academy, and Good Hope School will take on the winner of the CHS-Educational Complex match.
Following a 6:30 p.m. second-round match, the Science Bowl will resume on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m.
The contest is sponsored by the Water and Power Authority and the Education Department. The winning school's team will represent the Virgin Islands at the National Science Bowl the week of May 4 in Chevy Chase, Maryland. In addition, the winning school will receive a computer from WAPA and the second-place team will earn graphing calculators.
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The double elimination competition will be held at Palms Court Harborview Hotel.
At 5 p.m. Monday, Central High School will meet Educational Complex in the annual event designed to demonstrate students' knowledge of science and math.
At 5:30 p.m., Ivanna Eudora Kean High School will compete against Antilles School, while Sts. Peter and Paul High School vies against Charlotte Amalie High School.
At 6 p.m., Country Day School will meet Wesleyan Academy, and Good Hope School will take on the winner of the CHS-Educational Complex match.
Following a 6:30 p.m. second-round match, the Science Bowl will resume on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m.
The contest is sponsored by the Water and Power Authority and the Education Department. The winning school's team will represent the Virgin Islands at the National Science Bowl the week of May 4 in Chevy Chase, Maryland. In addition, the winning school will receive a computer from WAPA and the second-place team will earn graphing calculators.
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.
NINE SCHOOLS TAKING PART IN SCIENCE BOWL
Feb. 28, 2003 – Nine schools are represented in the territory's 2003 Science Bowl, which takes place Monday and Tuesday on St. Thomas. The two St. Croix public schools face off in the first match.
The double elimination competition will be held at Palms Court Harborview Hotel.
At 5 p.m. Monday, Central High School will meet Educational Complex in the annual event designed to demonstrate students' knowledge of science and math.
At 5:30 p.m., Ivanna Eudora Kean High School will compete against Antilles School, while Sts. Peter and Paul High School vies against Charlotte Amalie High School.
At 6 p.m., Country Day School will meet Wesleyan Academy, and Good Hope School will take on the winner of the CHS-Educational Complex match.
Following a 6:30 p.m. second-round match, the Science Bowl will resume on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m.
The contest is sponsored by the Water and Power Authority and the Education Department. The winning school's team will represent the Virgin Islands at the National Science Bowl the week of May 4 in Chevy Chase, Maryland. In addition, the winning school will receive a computer from WAPA and the second-place team will earn graphing calculators.
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 double elimination competition will be held at Palms Court Harborview Hotel.
At 5 p.m. Monday, Central High School will meet Educational Complex in the annual event designed to demonstrate students' knowledge of science and math.
At 5:30 p.m., Ivanna Eudora Kean High School will compete against Antilles School, while Sts. Peter and Paul High School vies against Charlotte Amalie High School.
At 6 p.m., Country Day School will meet Wesleyan Academy, and Good Hope School will take on the winner of the CHS-Educational Complex match.
Following a 6:30 p.m. second-round match, the Science Bowl will resume on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m.
The contest is sponsored by the Water and Power Authority and the Education Department. The winning school's team will represent the Virgin Islands at the National Science Bowl the week of May 4 in Chevy Chase, Maryland. In addition, the winning school will receive a computer from WAPA and the second-place team will earn graphing calculators.
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.
NINE SCHOOLS TAKING PART IN SCIENCE BOWL
Feb. 28, 2003 – Nine schools are represented in the territory's 2003 Science Bowl, which takes place Monday and Tuesday on St. Thomas. The two St. Croix public schools face off in the first match.
The double elimination competition will be held at Palms Court Harborview Hotel.
At 5 p.m. Monday, Central High School will meet Educational Complex in the annual event designed to demonstrate students' knowledge of science and math.
At 5:30 p.m., Ivanna Eudora Kean High School will compete against Antilles School, while Sts. Peter and Paul High School vies against Charlotte Amalie High School.
At 6 p.m., Country Day School will meet Wesleyan Academy, and Good Hope School will take on the winner of the CHS-Educational Complex match.
Following a 6:30 p.m. second-round match, the Science Bowl will resume on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m.
The contest is sponsored by the Water and Power Authority and the Education Department. The winning school's team will represent the Virgin Islands at the National Science Bowl the week of May 4 in Chevy Chase, Maryland. In addition, the winning school will receive a computer from WAPA and the second-place team will earn graphing calculators.
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 double elimination competition will be held at Palms Court Harborview Hotel.
At 5 p.m. Monday, Central High School will meet Educational Complex in the annual event designed to demonstrate students' knowledge of science and math.
At 5:30 p.m., Ivanna Eudora Kean High School will compete against Antilles School, while Sts. Peter and Paul High School vies against Charlotte Amalie High School.
At 6 p.m., Country Day School will meet Wesleyan Academy, and Good Hope School will take on the winner of the CHS-Educational Complex match.
Following a 6:30 p.m. second-round match, the Science Bowl will resume on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m.
The contest is sponsored by the Water and Power Authority and the Education Department. The winning school's team will represent the Virgin Islands at the National Science Bowl the week of May 4 in Chevy Chase, Maryland. In addition, the winning school will receive a computer from WAPA and the second-place team will earn graphing calculators.
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.
SENATE HEARINGS SET ON HOME OWNERSHIP OPTIONS
Feb. 28, 2003- Sen. Emmett Hansen II said on Friday that the Senate Housing Parks and Recreation Committee, which he chairs, will meet twice in March to take up the matter of affordable home ownership.
On March 10, the committee will convene "to address the immediate concerns" of the Housing Finance Authority, Housing Authority and Housing Parks and Recreation Department, Hansen said in a release..
On March 18, there will be a hearing to take testimony "from various housing financing agencies and private corporations seeking to do business in the territory."
"There are a number of private financing companies seeking to do business in the Virgin Islands at stateside rates," Hansen said. He said has a meeting scheduled with representatives one, Midway Mortgage, which he said "is seeking to invest $140 million to build 3,000 homes over the next five years."
Hansen said he has met recently with Clifford Graham, HFA director; Ray Fonseca, VIHA executive director; and Housing Parks and Recreation Commissioner Ira Hobson, and they have "come to a consensus in order to speak to the federal government with one voice."
On Tuesday, Hansen said, he met with U.S. Housing and Urban Development officials "to discuss the housing needs of the Virgin Islands and to request more federal financial participation in the creation of home ownership opportunities" in the territory.
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.
On March 10, the committee will convene "to address the immediate concerns" of the Housing Finance Authority, Housing Authority and Housing Parks and Recreation Department, Hansen said in a release..
On March 18, there will be a hearing to take testimony "from various housing financing agencies and private corporations seeking to do business in the territory."
"There are a number of private financing companies seeking to do business in the Virgin Islands at stateside rates," Hansen said. He said has a meeting scheduled with representatives one, Midway Mortgage, which he said "is seeking to invest $140 million to build 3,000 homes over the next five years."
Hansen said he has met recently with Clifford Graham, HFA director; Ray Fonseca, VIHA executive director; and Housing Parks and Recreation Commissioner Ira Hobson, and they have "come to a consensus in order to speak to the federal government with one voice."
On Tuesday, Hansen said, he met with U.S. Housing and Urban Development officials "to discuss the housing needs of the Virgin Islands and to request more federal financial participation in the creation of home ownership opportunities" in the territory.
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.
SENATE HEARINGS SET ON HOME OWNERSHIP OPTIONS
Feb. 28, 2003- Sen. Emmett Hansen II said on Friday that the Senate Housing Parks and Recreation Committee, which he chairs, will meet twice in March to take up the matter of affordable home ownership.
On March 10, the committee will convene "to address the immediate concerns" of the Housing Finance Authority, Housing Authority and Housing Parks and Recreation Department, Hansen said in a release..
On March 18, there will be a hearing to take testimony "from various housing financing agencies and private corporations seeking to do business in the territory."
"There are a number of private financing companies seeking to do business in the Virgin Islands at stateside rates," Hansen said. He said has a meeting scheduled with representatives one, Midway Mortgage, which he said "is seeking to invest $140 million to build 3,000 homes over the next five years."
Hansen said he has met recently with Clifford Graham, HFA director; Ray Fonseca, VIHA executive director; and Housing Parks and Recreation Commissioner Ira Hobson, and they have "come to a consensus in order to speak to the federal government with one voice."
On Tuesday, Hansen said, he met with U.S. Housing and Urban Development officials "to discuss the housing needs of the Virgin Islands and to request more federal financial participation in the creation of home ownership opportunities" in the territory.
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.
On March 10, the committee will convene "to address the immediate concerns" of the Housing Finance Authority, Housing Authority and Housing Parks and Recreation Department, Hansen said in a release..
On March 18, there will be a hearing to take testimony "from various housing financing agencies and private corporations seeking to do business in the territory."
"There are a number of private financing companies seeking to do business in the Virgin Islands at stateside rates," Hansen said. He said has a meeting scheduled with representatives one, Midway Mortgage, which he said "is seeking to invest $140 million to build 3,000 homes over the next five years."
Hansen said he has met recently with Clifford Graham, HFA director; Ray Fonseca, VIHA executive director; and Housing Parks and Recreation Commissioner Ira Hobson, and they have "come to a consensus in order to speak to the federal government with one voice."
On Tuesday, Hansen said, he met with U.S. Housing and Urban Development officials "to discuss the housing needs of the Virgin Islands and to request more federal financial participation in the creation of home ownership opportunities" in the territory.
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.
SENATE HEARINGS SET ON HOME OWNERSHIP OPTIONS
Feb. 28, 2003- Sen. Emmett Hansen II said on Friday that the Senate Housing Parks and Recreation Committee, which he chairs, will meet twice in March to take up the matter of affordable home ownership.
On March 10, the committee will convene "to address the immediate concerns" of the Housing Finance Authority, Housing Authority and Housing Parks and Recreation Department, Hansen said in a release..
On March 18, there will be a hearing to take testimony "from various housing financing agencies and private corporations seeking to do business in the territory."
"There are a number of private financing companies seeking to do business in the Virgin Islands at stateside rates," Hansen said. He said has a meeting scheduled with representatives one, Midway Mortgage, which he said "is seeking to invest $140 million to build 3,000 homes over the next five years."
Hansen said he has met recently with Clifford Graham, HFA director; Ray Fonseca, VIHA executive director; and Housing Parks and Recreation Commissioner Ira Hobson, and they have "come to a consensus in order to speak to the federal government with one voice."
On Tuesday, Hansen said, he met with U.S. Housing and Urban Development officials "to discuss the housing needs of the Virgin Islands and to request more federal financial participation in the creation of home ownership opportunities" in the territory.
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.
On March 10, the committee will convene "to address the immediate concerns" of the Housing Finance Authority, Housing Authority and Housing Parks and Recreation Department, Hansen said in a release..
On March 18, there will be a hearing to take testimony "from various housing financing agencies and private corporations seeking to do business in the territory."
"There are a number of private financing companies seeking to do business in the Virgin Islands at stateside rates," Hansen said. He said has a meeting scheduled with representatives one, Midway Mortgage, which he said "is seeking to invest $140 million to build 3,000 homes over the next five years."
Hansen said he has met recently with Clifford Graham, HFA director; Ray Fonseca, VIHA executive director; and Housing Parks and Recreation Commissioner Ira Hobson, and they have "come to a consensus in order to speak to the federal government with one voice."
On Tuesday, Hansen said, he met with U.S. Housing and Urban Development officials "to discuss the housing needs of the Virgin Islands and to request more federal financial participation in the creation of home ownership opportunities" in the territory.
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.
