Nov. 1, 2002 – The Harbour Night Committee, headed by Harbour Night coordinator Hugh Dalton, made its choices for the upcoming election public on Friday –– with John de Jongh taking a narrow lead in the gubernatorial race.
Dalton said a 10-person committee surveyed each candidate in each political race and rated from 1 to 10 those who would "not only serve the territory but also serve the needs of St. Croix and Frederiksted.
"Our focus was who could do it the fastest and be the most effective in the short run," Dalton said. He said the Michael Bornn and Morty Golden team ran a close second to de Jongh and his running mate, Paul Arnold.
"Public confidence was high for both," he said. "Oddly enough, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull, (Sen.) Alicia Hansen and (Lt. Gov.) Gerard Luz James II were in a virtual tie for third place behind the leaders."
He said each candidate was evaluated based on 10 criteria — leadership, education and experience, public involvement, private-sector involvement, community service, public confidence, constituency support, the ability to work with the Legislature, the committee's confidence in the running mate, and its confidence in the candidates' ability to address St. Croix's needs.
"Our objective was not to pick a candidate by popularity but to objectively evaluate them by the same criteria," Dalton said.
The committee selected incumbent Delegate to Congress Donna Christensen to represent the territory in Washington, D.C.
Of the senatorial candidates on St. Croix, the committee selected Robert Acosta, Oneida Granger, incumbent Emmett Hansen II, write-in candidate Wayne James, incumbent David Jones, Luther Renee and Usie Richards.
They chose Craig Barshinger for at-large senator.
Richards, according to Dalton, was seen as having the clear lead in leadership ability and experience among the newcomers.
"Usie Richards, if elected, has a unique opportunity to become the leader of St. Croix," Dalton said. "It will be up to him how he handles his edge in leadership."
The intent of the survey, Dalton said, was to choose candidates based on their ability to deliver and work together toward a common goal, even though they may represent different constituencies.
"In most cases, the tiebreaker was what special-interest group they served. We wanted as many sectors of our population represented" as possible, he said. "It's not rocket science, but we did look at it objectively and differently."
See related St. Croix Source story, "Harbour Night entity to endorse candidates"
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ALPHONSO ANDREWS APPOINTED AS ELECTION OFFICER
Nov. 1, 2002 – Assistant U.S. Attorney Alphonso Andrews was appointed by U.S. Attorney David Nissman to serve as District Election Officer for the Virgin Islands.
According to a press release from the U.S. Justice Department, similar appointments are made across the country to ensure public confidence in the election process by protecting voting rights. The officer also prosecutes election crime.
"Election fraud dilutes the worth of votes honestly cast. It also corrupts the essence of our representative form of government," Nissman said.
He said that detecting election fraud depends of the watchfulness and cooperation of the electorate.
Andrews, who was appointed Oct. 8, will hold the post for two years.
He will supervise a team of assistant U.S. attorneys and FBI special agents who will be on duty during the Nov. 5 election day.
However, Andrews' jurisdiction extends only to the election of the territory's delegate to Congress. Complaints about problems with electing local officials are the responsibility of the V.I. Elections Board.
Nissman said that most forms of election crime are easily identified. They include voter bribery, voter intimidation and ballot forgery. Other more subtle forms include influencing elderly, socially disadvantaged or illiterate people.
To report election fraud, reach Andrews at 773-3920 and the FBI at 777-3363.
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.
According to a press release from the U.S. Justice Department, similar appointments are made across the country to ensure public confidence in the election process by protecting voting rights. The officer also prosecutes election crime.
"Election fraud dilutes the worth of votes honestly cast. It also corrupts the essence of our representative form of government," Nissman said.
He said that detecting election fraud depends of the watchfulness and cooperation of the electorate.
Andrews, who was appointed Oct. 8, will hold the post for two years.
He will supervise a team of assistant U.S. attorneys and FBI special agents who will be on duty during the Nov. 5 election day.
However, Andrews' jurisdiction extends only to the election of the territory's delegate to Congress. Complaints about problems with electing local officials are the responsibility of the V.I. Elections Board.
Nissman said that most forms of election crime are easily identified. They include voter bribery, voter intimidation and ballot forgery. Other more subtle forms include influencing elderly, socially disadvantaged or illiterate people.
To report election fraud, reach Andrews at 773-3920 and the FBI at 777-3363.
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.
ALPHONSO ANDREWS APPOINTED AS ELECTION OFFICER
Nov. 1, 2002 – Assistant U.S. Attorney Alphonso Andrews was appointed by U.S. Attorney David Nissman to serve as District Election Officer for the Virgin Islands.
According to a press release from the U.S. Justice Department, similar appointments are made across the country to ensure public confidence in the election process by protecting voting rights. The officer also prosecutes election crime.
"Election fraud dilutes the worth of votes honestly cast. It also corrupts the essence of our representative form of government," Nissman said.
He said that detecting election fraud depends of the watchfulness and cooperation of the electorate.
Andrews, who was appointed Oct. 8, will hold the post for two years.
He will supervise a team of assistant U.S. attorneys and FBI special agents who will be on duty during the Nov. 5 election day.
However, Andrews' jurisdiction extends only to the election of the territory's delegate to Congress. Complaints about problems with electing local officials are the responsibility of the V.I. Elections Board.
Nissman said that most forms of election crime are easily identified. They include voter bribery, voter intimidation and ballot forgery. Other more subtle forms include influencing elderly, socially disadvantaged or illiterate people.
To report election fraud, reach Andrews at 773-3920 and the FBI at 777-3363.
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.
According to a press release from the U.S. Justice Department, similar appointments are made across the country to ensure public confidence in the election process by protecting voting rights. The officer also prosecutes election crime.
"Election fraud dilutes the worth of votes honestly cast. It also corrupts the essence of our representative form of government," Nissman said.
He said that detecting election fraud depends of the watchfulness and cooperation of the electorate.
Andrews, who was appointed Oct. 8, will hold the post for two years.
He will supervise a team of assistant U.S. attorneys and FBI special agents who will be on duty during the Nov. 5 election day.
However, Andrews' jurisdiction extends only to the election of the territory's delegate to Congress. Complaints about problems with electing local officials are the responsibility of the V.I. Elections Board.
Nissman said that most forms of election crime are easily identified. They include voter bribery, voter intimidation and ballot forgery. Other more subtle forms include influencing elderly, socially disadvantaged or illiterate people.
To report election fraud, reach Andrews at 773-3920 and the FBI at 777-3363.
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.
ALPHONSO ANDREWS APPOINTED AS ELECTION OFFICER
Nov. 1, 2002 – Assistant U.S. Attorney Alphonso Andrews was appointed by U.S. Attorney David Nissman to serve as District Election Officer for the Virgin Islands.
According to a press release from the U.S. Justice Department, similar appointments are made across the country to ensure public confidence in the election process by protecting voting rights. The officer also prosecutes election crime.
"Election fraud dilutes the worth of votes honestly cast. It also corrupts the essence of our representative form of government," Nissman said.
He said that detecting election fraud depends of the watchfulness and cooperation of the electorate.
Andrews, who was appointed Oct. 8, will hold the post for two years.
He will supervise a team of assistant U.S. attorneys and FBI special agents who will be on duty during the Nov. 5 election day.
However, Andrews' jurisdiction extends only to the election of the territory's delegate to Congress. Complaints about problems with electing local officials are the responsibility of the V.I. Elections Board.
Nissman said that most forms of election crime are easily identified. They include voter bribery, voter intimidation and ballot forgery. Other more subtle forms include influencing elderly, socially disadvantaged or illiterate people.
To report election fraud, reach Andrews at 773-3920 and the FBI at 777-3363.
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.
According to a press release from the U.S. Justice Department, similar appointments are made across the country to ensure public confidence in the election process by protecting voting rights. The officer also prosecutes election crime.
"Election fraud dilutes the worth of votes honestly cast. It also corrupts the essence of our representative form of government," Nissman said.
He said that detecting election fraud depends of the watchfulness and cooperation of the electorate.
Andrews, who was appointed Oct. 8, will hold the post for two years.
He will supervise a team of assistant U.S. attorneys and FBI special agents who will be on duty during the Nov. 5 election day.
However, Andrews' jurisdiction extends only to the election of the territory's delegate to Congress. Complaints about problems with electing local officials are the responsibility of the V.I. Elections Board.
Nissman said that most forms of election crime are easily identified. They include voter bribery, voter intimidation and ballot forgery. Other more subtle forms include influencing elderly, socially disadvantaged or illiterate people.
To report election fraud, reach Andrews at 773-3920 and the FBI at 777-3363.
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.
20-YEAR PURSUIT OF TAXES TO YIELD $10M PAYOFF
Nov. 1, 2002 – Nobody has struck oil in the Virgin Islands, but the territory is soon going to be in the oil business, according to Attorney General Iver Stridiron. This news comes as an unlikely result of a tax case the V.I. government pursued for 20 years and settled last week.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull said in a release that the government will receive more than $10 million from the settlement reached by Stridiron and a team of lawyers from the V.I. Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Bureau.
The governor said the proceeds will be used to help fund recently negotiated salary increases for police officers.
While the parties finalized the negotiations in Long Beach, California, last week, however, there is no $10 million lump sum in the territorial coffers just yet.
The settlement is with a corporation which refused over the years to pay taxes claimed by the V.I. government. According to Stridiron and others familiar with the case, several corporations set themselves up as V.I.-domiciled businesses in the 1980s to take advantage of favorable tax laws. However, the Internal Revenue Bureau challenged the laws and took the corporations to court.
In a series of cases which ultimately reached the U.S. Supreme Court, the Virgin Islands prevailed, and all but one of the corporations ended up paying the taxes they owed the territory. And this is where the oil comes in.
"They fought us tooth and nail," Stridiron said of the principals of the sole holdout, "but we had decided that we would not go away, and we made it clear to them that we were serious." The corporation contested the assessments from 1982 to 1987, refusing to pay the taxes, and finally, in 1998, Stridiron said, the territory was able to file suit in 1998. The case was appealed from District Court in the Virgin Islands through the appellate system to the Supreme Court.
The target of the territory's efforts was no faceless corporate behemoth, but an older couple, "probably well into their eighties now," Stridiron said. Marianthi and William Lansdale did business in the Virgin Islands as a corporation called La Isla Virgen, which rolled over into an enterprise called Marina Pacific Co., which rolled over into Lonesome Dove Petroleum Co., which subsequently went into receivership, Stridiron said.
This last, winsomely named company, does, indeed, have oil holdings — in California, Texas, Oregon and Montana. And the Virgin Islands is now receiving royalties from the oil wells, which the government inherited when the company went into receivership.
The corporations domiciled themselves in the territory by establishing residency through obtaining business and driver's licenses, registering to vote and taking other actions to indicate they were legitimate businesses operating in the Virgin Islands, Stridiron said.
Under the operative law, "Domiciliaries of the V.I. did not have to pay taxes on income earned outside the territory," the attorney general said. The setup ultimately failed, he said, but not without a lot of work and a lot of time put in by the territory.
Stridiron said Joanne Bozzuto, former BIR director, who now lives in Florida, and John Zebedee, an assistant attorney general, pursued the case for 20 years. "They were doggedly going after everything," he said, even hiring private investigators in California.
The territory now has recovered $4.5 million from the sale of land from the Lansdale estate, Stridiron said. The estate's other assets include a family trust, which includes the oil and gas leases, and a mansion which "we sold for $1.5 million." He said, "We will have to liquidate some of those assets, and there is $3.8 million in cash thrown into the mix."
Stridiron said the V.I. legal team is "working with the Lansdales' lawyers for a tendering of all funds" owed. He said he consulted with the governor concerning terms of the settlement which will leave the Lansdales enough resources to live in comfort.
"We weren't going for the jugular," he said. "We didn't want to make them wards of the V.I."
The Lansdales were personal friends of former President Ronald Reagan, Stridiron said. The tax loophole came about through Reagan's influence in tax legislation, in the form of an amendment he had "thrown in to help a friend," the attorney general said.
Stridiron praised the efforts of all the V.I. team members who worked on the case. "When we went to Long Beach to negotiate, we had our own briefing books and materials in a pile almost 12 inches thick," he said. "When we sat with the tax lawyers, it was hot and heavy, intense negotiations."
He also lauded former Territorial Court Judge George Eltman, who served as mediator. "Without him, we could have gone to the negotiation table and said we wanted $15 million, and the Lansdales could have said they would pay only $1 million," Stridiron said. "Judge Eltman was really instrumental. His skill and persuasive way affected a fair settlement. We didn't put them in the poorhouse."
Stridiron also singled out the work of Richard Prendergast, Justice Department tax attorney. "I'm very proud of his work," the attorney general said. "I don't like tax law. I had to read volumes of pleadings to get to the point to get to the table. Prendergast stuck to his guns, and we can all be proud of our team."
Other team members were Kerry Drue, chief of the Justice Department's Civil Division, and Carol Thomas-Jacobs, assistant attorney general. Two Chicago tax attorneys, John Sopuch and Bart Higgins, assisted them.
On or about Nov. 15, Stridiron said, formal settlement documents will be executed by himself and the Lansdales. After that, the sums agreed upon last week will be deposited into the V.I. Treasury in the increments and at the intervals also agreed upon.
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Gov. Charles W. Turnbull said in a release that the government will receive more than $10 million from the settlement reached by Stridiron and a team of lawyers from the V.I. Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Bureau.
The governor said the proceeds will be used to help fund recently negotiated salary increases for police officers.
While the parties finalized the negotiations in Long Beach, California, last week, however, there is no $10 million lump sum in the territorial coffers just yet.
The settlement is with a corporation which refused over the years to pay taxes claimed by the V.I. government. According to Stridiron and others familiar with the case, several corporations set themselves up as V.I.-domiciled businesses in the 1980s to take advantage of favorable tax laws. However, the Internal Revenue Bureau challenged the laws and took the corporations to court.
In a series of cases which ultimately reached the U.S. Supreme Court, the Virgin Islands prevailed, and all but one of the corporations ended up paying the taxes they owed the territory. And this is where the oil comes in.
"They fought us tooth and nail," Stridiron said of the principals of the sole holdout, "but we had decided that we would not go away, and we made it clear to them that we were serious." The corporation contested the assessments from 1982 to 1987, refusing to pay the taxes, and finally, in 1998, Stridiron said, the territory was able to file suit in 1998. The case was appealed from District Court in the Virgin Islands through the appellate system to the Supreme Court.
The target of the territory's efforts was no faceless corporate behemoth, but an older couple, "probably well into their eighties now," Stridiron said. Marianthi and William Lansdale did business in the Virgin Islands as a corporation called La Isla Virgen, which rolled over into an enterprise called Marina Pacific Co., which rolled over into Lonesome Dove Petroleum Co., which subsequently went into receivership, Stridiron said.
This last, winsomely named company, does, indeed, have oil holdings — in California, Texas, Oregon and Montana. And the Virgin Islands is now receiving royalties from the oil wells, which the government inherited when the company went into receivership.
The corporations domiciled themselves in the territory by establishing residency through obtaining business and driver's licenses, registering to vote and taking other actions to indicate they were legitimate businesses operating in the Virgin Islands, Stridiron said.
Under the operative law, "Domiciliaries of the V.I. did not have to pay taxes on income earned outside the territory," the attorney general said. The setup ultimately failed, he said, but not without a lot of work and a lot of time put in by the territory.
Stridiron said Joanne Bozzuto, former BIR director, who now lives in Florida, and John Zebedee, an assistant attorney general, pursued the case for 20 years. "They were doggedly going after everything," he said, even hiring private investigators in California.
The territory now has recovered $4.5 million from the sale of land from the Lansdale estate, Stridiron said. The estate's other assets include a family trust, which includes the oil and gas leases, and a mansion which "we sold for $1.5 million." He said, "We will have to liquidate some of those assets, and there is $3.8 million in cash thrown into the mix."
Stridiron said the V.I. legal team is "working with the Lansdales' lawyers for a tendering of all funds" owed. He said he consulted with the governor concerning terms of the settlement which will leave the Lansdales enough resources to live in comfort.
"We weren't going for the jugular," he said. "We didn't want to make them wards of the V.I."
The Lansdales were personal friends of former President Ronald Reagan, Stridiron said. The tax loophole came about through Reagan's influence in tax legislation, in the form of an amendment he had "thrown in to help a friend," the attorney general said.
Stridiron praised the efforts of all the V.I. team members who worked on the case. "When we went to Long Beach to negotiate, we had our own briefing books and materials in a pile almost 12 inches thick," he said. "When we sat with the tax lawyers, it was hot and heavy, intense negotiations."
He also lauded former Territorial Court Judge George Eltman, who served as mediator. "Without him, we could have gone to the negotiation table and said we wanted $15 million, and the Lansdales could have said they would pay only $1 million," Stridiron said. "Judge Eltman was really instrumental. His skill and persuasive way affected a fair settlement. We didn't put them in the poorhouse."
Stridiron also singled out the work of Richard Prendergast, Justice Department tax attorney. "I'm very proud of his work," the attorney general said. "I don't like tax law. I had to read volumes of pleadings to get to the point to get to the table. Prendergast stuck to his guns, and we can all be proud of our team."
Other team members were Kerry Drue, chief of the Justice Department's Civil Division, and Carol Thomas-Jacobs, assistant attorney general. Two Chicago tax attorneys, John Sopuch and Bart Higgins, assisted them.
On or about Nov. 15, Stridiron said, formal settlement documents will be executed by himself and the Lansdales. After that, the sums agreed upon last week will be deposited into the V.I. Treasury in the increments and at the intervals also agreed upon.
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HARBOUR NIGHT GROUP CHOOSES DE JONGH / ARNOLD
Nov. 1, 2002 – The Harbour Night Committee, headed by Harbour Night coordinator Hugh Dalton, made its choices for the upcoming election public on Friday –– with John de Jongh taking a narrow lead in the gubernatorial race.
Dalton said a 10-person committee surveyed each candidate in each political race and rated from 1 to 10 those who would "not only serve the territory but also serve the needs of St. Croix and Frederiksted.
"Our focus was who could do it the fastest and be the most effective in the short run," Dalton said. He said the Michael Bornn and Morty Golden team ran a close second to de Jongh and his running mate, Paul Arnold.
"Public confidence was high for both," he said. "Oddly enough, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull, (Sen.) Alicia Hansen and (Lt. Gov.) Gerard Luz James II were in a virtual tie for third place behind the leaders."
He said each candidate was evaluated based on 10 criteria — leadership, education and experience, public involvement, private-sector involvement, community service, public confidence, constituency support, the ability to work with the Legislature, the committee's confidence in the running mate, and its confidence in the candidates' ability to address St. Croix's needs.
"Our objective was not to pick a candidate by popularity but to objectively evaluate them by the same criteria," Dalton said.
The committee selected incumbent Delegate to Congress Donna Christensen to represent the territory in Washington, D.C.
Of the senatorial candidates on St. Croix, the committee selected Robert Acosta, Oneida Granger, incumbent Emmett Hansen II, write-in candidate Wayne James, incumbent David Jones, Luther Renee and Usie Richards.
They chose Craig Barshinger for at-large senator.
Richards, according to Dalton, was seen as having the clear lead in leadership ability and experience among the newcomers.
"Usie Richards, if elected, has a unique opportunity to become the leader of St. Croix," Dalton said. "It will be up to him how he handles his edge in leadership."
The intent of the survey, Dalton said, was to choose candidates based on their ability to deliver and work together toward a common goal, even though they may represent different constituencies.
"In most cases, the tiebreaker was what special-interest group they served. We wanted as many sectors of our population represented" as possible, he said. "It's not rocket science, but we did look at it objectively and differently."
See related story, "Harbour Night entity to endorse candidates".
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.
Dalton said a 10-person committee surveyed each candidate in each political race and rated from 1 to 10 those who would "not only serve the territory but also serve the needs of St. Croix and Frederiksted.
"Our focus was who could do it the fastest and be the most effective in the short run," Dalton said. He said the Michael Bornn and Morty Golden team ran a close second to de Jongh and his running mate, Paul Arnold.
"Public confidence was high for both," he said. "Oddly enough, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull, (Sen.) Alicia Hansen and (Lt. Gov.) Gerard Luz James II were in a virtual tie for third place behind the leaders."
He said each candidate was evaluated based on 10 criteria — leadership, education and experience, public involvement, private-sector involvement, community service, public confidence, constituency support, the ability to work with the Legislature, the committee's confidence in the running mate, and its confidence in the candidates' ability to address St. Croix's needs.
"Our objective was not to pick a candidate by popularity but to objectively evaluate them by the same criteria," Dalton said.
The committee selected incumbent Delegate to Congress Donna Christensen to represent the territory in Washington, D.C.
Of the senatorial candidates on St. Croix, the committee selected Robert Acosta, Oneida Granger, incumbent Emmett Hansen II, write-in candidate Wayne James, incumbent David Jones, Luther Renee and Usie Richards.
They chose Craig Barshinger for at-large senator.
Richards, according to Dalton, was seen as having the clear lead in leadership ability and experience among the newcomers.
"Usie Richards, if elected, has a unique opportunity to become the leader of St. Croix," Dalton said. "It will be up to him how he handles his edge in leadership."
The intent of the survey, Dalton said, was to choose candidates based on their ability to deliver and work together toward a common goal, even though they may represent different constituencies.
"In most cases, the tiebreaker was what special-interest group they served. We wanted as many sectors of our population represented" as possible, he said. "It's not rocket science, but we did look at it objectively and differently."
See related story, "Harbour Night entity to endorse candidates".
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.
CAMPAIGN TEAM OFFERS FREE RIDES TO POLLS
Nov. 1, 2002 – The de Jongh/Arnold campaign is offering voters free rides to their polling places on Election Day, Nov. 5.
On St. Thomas, voters can contact the Charlotte Amalie Headquarters at 714-5646, 715-1995 or 715-1996, and the Four Winds Plaza Headquarters at 715-1634, 715-1635 or 715-1636, for transportation assistance.
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On St. Thomas, voters can contact the Charlotte Amalie Headquarters at 714-5646, 715-1995 or 715-1996, and the Four Winds Plaza Headquarters at 715-1634, 715-1635 or 715-1636, for transportation assistance.
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.
CAMPAIGN TEAM OFFERS FREE RIDES TO POLLS
Nov. 1, 2002 – The de Jongh/Arnold campaign is offering voters free rides to their polling places on Election Day, Nov. 5.
On St. Croix, voters can call Christiansted Headquarters at 773-2002, 713-9563, 713-9557 or 713-9562, and Frederiksted Headquarters at 713-7285, to request a ride to and from the polls.
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 St. Croix, voters can call Christiansted Headquarters at 773-2002, 713-9563, 713-9557 or 713-9562, and Frederiksted Headquarters at 713-7285, to request a ride to and from the polls.
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TRADITIONAL INDIANS LEADER PHILIP RHYMER SR. DIES
Nov. 1, 2002 – Philip J. Rhymer Sr., who helped revive the Traditional Indians troupe when St. Thomas's modern-day V.I. Carnival began in 1952, died Oct. 23 at the Sea View Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility.
"Since the revival of carnival and for almost 50 years, Mr. Rhymer, along with his wife, the late Frances Rhymer, led the Traditional Indians through many years of carnival fun," Gov. Charles W. Turnbull said in statement of condolences. The governor also said that Rhymer created The Masqueraders as a segment of a 1927 carnival parade.
According to information provided by Davis Funeral Home on St. Thomas, Rhymer supplied the troupe with uniforms and drums. Despite being confined to a wheelchair, he was an active member of the Indians until his death.
Rhymer was born Oct. 22, 1908, on St. Thomas, the son of Ebenezer Rhymer and Eulalie Emanuel. He was affectionately known as "Tata" or Mr. Francis. He grew up in Savan and attended St. Ann's Roman Catholic School, now known as Sts. Peter and Paul School.
An active sportsman, he managed the Orioles baseball team, the Silver Dollar Little League team, and the 1956 champions, the Savan Hawks. He played with several teams and was best known for being a good catcher and relief pitcher.
Rhymer worked at Government House as a repairman, painter, mason and orderly. He served in the Home Guard, now known as the V.I. National Guard, from 1942 to 1972.
He is survived by sons Philip Rhymer Jr., James Rhymer Sr. and Calito Rhymer Sr.; daughters Myra Nixon and Shirley Olive; stepson Richard Callwood Jr.; 55 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchildren.
Burial was Thursday in Western Cemetery.
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"Since the revival of carnival and for almost 50 years, Mr. Rhymer, along with his wife, the late Frances Rhymer, led the Traditional Indians through many years of carnival fun," Gov. Charles W. Turnbull said in statement of condolences. The governor also said that Rhymer created The Masqueraders as a segment of a 1927 carnival parade.
According to information provided by Davis Funeral Home on St. Thomas, Rhymer supplied the troupe with uniforms and drums. Despite being confined to a wheelchair, he was an active member of the Indians until his death.
Rhymer was born Oct. 22, 1908, on St. Thomas, the son of Ebenezer Rhymer and Eulalie Emanuel. He was affectionately known as "Tata" or Mr. Francis. He grew up in Savan and attended St. Ann's Roman Catholic School, now known as Sts. Peter and Paul School.
An active sportsman, he managed the Orioles baseball team, the Silver Dollar Little League team, and the 1956 champions, the Savan Hawks. He played with several teams and was best known for being a good catcher and relief pitcher.
Rhymer worked at Government House as a repairman, painter, mason and orderly. He served in the Home Guard, now known as the V.I. National Guard, from 1942 to 1972.
He is survived by sons Philip Rhymer Jr., James Rhymer Sr. and Calito Rhymer Sr.; daughters Myra Nixon and Shirley Olive; stepson Richard Callwood Jr.; 55 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchildren.
Burial was Thursday in Western Cemetery.
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BASES FOR ENDORSING CANDIDATE CHALLENGED
Dear Source,
Your editorial endorsing John de Jongh for governor was a surprising piece of journalism. Normally journalists are expected to be very factual and to have solid reasoning for the conclusions that they come to. I did not find this to be demonstrated in your editorial.
First, you begin by making a statement that does not seem to be related to the present situation, but to the situation that existed in 1998. Have you looked at the figures on government revenues from 1996 to the present time? Have you not seen declining revenues turn into increasing revenues? Have you not seen a considerable drop in the number of government employees since 1998?
It gives the impression that you are not basing your position on facts, trends, or a comparison of the government's condition then and now, you seem to be simply regurgitating the rhetoric from political advertisements.
Your statement that Mr. de Jongh "has proven himself in all areas of public and private life" seems to conveniently ignore the facts surrounding his short tenure at the public positions that he has had, and the controversial circumstances surrounding his leaving of those positions.
You are on the mark when you say that he does not need a job, because he has the friends and family connections that will ensure that he will never want for employment. However, you have chosen to ignore the fact that he was asked by the Democratic Party in 1998 to be a candidate, before Governor Turnbull was asked, and he declined. It was widely believed then that his reluctance was partly due to the fear of being governor when the federal government took over.
Your view on his outstanding ability in financial management is not based on any facts that can be determined from reading your editorial. The resume of your candidate in his brochure lists his educational achievements as having a B.A. degree, nothing more advanced. Lockhart Caribbean had a finance employee before John de Jongh joined the firm. This employee had much more finance experience than your candidate. First of all, he had more than a B.A. Then, after working as comptroller of Vitelco, he was entrusted to manage Guyana Telephone for his employer, which he did successfully before coming to Lockhart Caribbean. When John de Jongh started working there, none of his finance "expertise" was really needed, since his function was simply to be a spokesperson with the right family connections.
You refer to his work for a finance advisory firm. You must know that these firms have numerous employees, and the contribution he made to the plans developed is not clear from your article. What you did not mention was that after returning to the Virgin Islands, Mr. de Jongh sought to put his finance skills to work by taking over a well-known firm on St. Thomas that was facing bankruptcy. Then, all of a sudden, he dropped it, and the owner had to rebuild his company without the famous "expertise" of John de Jongh.
Finally, when you speak of qualifications, you may have forgotten that Dr. Cora Christian is also a candidate, and an examination of her credentials and a comparison of those with Mr. de Jongh's would hardly lead one to the conclusion expressed in your editorial.
The candidate you have endorsed has had many different positions, but most of them were held for very short times. Could this be because his genius was so advanced that he needed only a short time to accomplish what ordinary mortals needed many years to do? His record shows that he does well while working with companies that have no financial or cash-flow problems.
Your references to our financial problems seem to omit the fact that Mr. de Jongh has said on many occasions that he believes the financial condition of the government is worse now than in 1999. If that is true, how come you have not asked him how he will make payroll if he is elected? Listen to the extravagant promises that he has made in campaign statements, but with no explanation of how a government, in worse state than 1999, will find the money to do what he promises. It is surprising that you have not characterized these statements as irresponsible election promises, and your basis for your judgment is quite out of character with what a journalist is normally willing to swallow hook, line and sinker.
Let me explain that I hold no ill will toward Mr. de Jongh. I believe that he is a fine person, and that he means well in his intentions to lead the Virgin Islands to better days. I believe every candidate has the intention to lead the territory to better days; it is just that some are more realistic in their plans than others, and that some would use certain means that others would not.
I remember the type of journalism that was done by Melvin Claxton when he was a reporter at the Daily News. I cannot imagine him swallowing political rhetoric the way that your editorial seems to have done, without asking the probing questions that the former governor detested so vehemently. It was only days ago that I was lamenting the lack of probing journalism that allowed several candidates to make sweeping statements without probing questions that would seek to determine whether these statements contradict other statements made.
This statement is not intended to attack any candidate; I am simply taking exception to the reasoning offered by your paper for the position that has been taken. So many statements have been made in this campaign about the importance of telling the truth and trust. We trust journalists to probe and tell the public a balanced and factual account of events. If it is an editorial, perhaps it may not be required to be factual and logical, perhaps it may not be necessary to be balanced and realistic, but this is what I expected from your paper. Maybe I am just out of touch with what is accepted as responsible journalism these days.
At any rate, if you had said that you like Mr. de Jongh, that you think he is a fine gentleman and will make a good governor, that would be your right to support those you choose. If you were attempting to show that you have compelling objective reasons for your position, you have failed to convince those who know the facts.
Welby E. Warner
St. Thomas
Your editorial endorsing John de Jongh for governor was a surprising piece of journalism. Normally journalists are expected to be very factual and to have solid reasoning for the conclusions that they come to. I did not find this to be demonstrated in your editorial.
First, you begin by making a statement that does not seem to be related to the present situation, but to the situation that existed in 1998. Have you looked at the figures on government revenues from 1996 to the present time? Have you not seen declining revenues turn into increasing revenues? Have you not seen a considerable drop in the number of government employees since 1998?
It gives the impression that you are not basing your position on facts, trends, or a comparison of the government's condition then and now, you seem to be simply regurgitating the rhetoric from political advertisements.
Your statement that Mr. de Jongh "has proven himself in all areas of public and private life" seems to conveniently ignore the facts surrounding his short tenure at the public positions that he has had, and the controversial circumstances surrounding his leaving of those positions.
You are on the mark when you say that he does not need a job, because he has the friends and family connections that will ensure that he will never want for employment. However, you have chosen to ignore the fact that he was asked by the Democratic Party in 1998 to be a candidate, before Governor Turnbull was asked, and he declined. It was widely believed then that his reluctance was partly due to the fear of being governor when the federal government took over.
Your view on his outstanding ability in financial management is not based on any facts that can be determined from reading your editorial. The resume of your candidate in his brochure lists his educational achievements as having a B.A. degree, nothing more advanced. Lockhart Caribbean had a finance employee before John de Jongh joined the firm. This employee had much more finance experience than your candidate. First of all, he had more than a B.A. Then, after working as comptroller of Vitelco, he was entrusted to manage Guyana Telephone for his employer, which he did successfully before coming to Lockhart Caribbean. When John de Jongh started working there, none of his finance "expertise" was really needed, since his function was simply to be a spokesperson with the right family connections.
You refer to his work for a finance advisory firm. You must know that these firms have numerous employees, and the contribution he made to the plans developed is not clear from your article. What you did not mention was that after returning to the Virgin Islands, Mr. de Jongh sought to put his finance skills to work by taking over a well-known firm on St. Thomas that was facing bankruptcy. Then, all of a sudden, he dropped it, and the owner had to rebuild his company without the famous "expertise" of John de Jongh.
Finally, when you speak of qualifications, you may have forgotten that Dr. Cora Christian is also a candidate, and an examination of her credentials and a comparison of those with Mr. de Jongh's would hardly lead one to the conclusion expressed in your editorial.
The candidate you have endorsed has had many different positions, but most of them were held for very short times. Could this be because his genius was so advanced that he needed only a short time to accomplish what ordinary mortals needed many years to do? His record shows that he does well while working with companies that have no financial or cash-flow problems.
Your references to our financial problems seem to omit the fact that Mr. de Jongh has said on many occasions that he believes the financial condition of the government is worse now than in 1999. If that is true, how come you have not asked him how he will make payroll if he is elected? Listen to the extravagant promises that he has made in campaign statements, but with no explanation of how a government, in worse state than 1999, will find the money to do what he promises. It is surprising that you have not characterized these statements as irresponsible election promises, and your basis for your judgment is quite out of character with what a journalist is normally willing to swallow hook, line and sinker.
Let me explain that I hold no ill will toward Mr. de Jongh. I believe that he is a fine person, and that he means well in his intentions to lead the Virgin Islands to better days. I believe every candidate has the intention to lead the territory to better days; it is just that some are more realistic in their plans than others, and that some would use certain means that others would not.
I remember the type of journalism that was done by Melvin Claxton when he was a reporter at the Daily News. I cannot imagine him swallowing political rhetoric the way that your editorial seems to have done, without asking the probing questions that the former governor detested so vehemently. It was only days ago that I was lamenting the lack of probing journalism that allowed several candidates to make sweeping statements without probing questions that would seek to determine whether these statements contradict other statements made.
This statement is not intended to attack any candidate; I am simply taking exception to the reasoning offered by your paper for the position that has been taken. So many statements have been made in this campaign about the importance of telling the truth and trust. We trust journalists to probe and tell the public a balanced and factual account of events. If it is an editorial, perhaps it may not be required to be factual and logical, perhaps it may not be necessary to be balanced and realistic, but this is what I expected from your paper. Maybe I am just out of touch with what is accepted as responsible journalism these days.
At any rate, if you had said that you like Mr. de Jongh, that you think he is a fine gentleman and will make a good governor, that would be your right to support those you choose. If you were attempting to show that you have compelling objective reasons for your position, you have failed to convince those who know the facts.
Welby E. Warner
St. Thomas
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