Oct. 30, 2002 – The STAR Northside two-mile and five-mile fun runs will be held Sunday from the Crown Mountain Road entrance to Sogenfri, one mile west of Feraris/Lulus restaurant.
Registration begins at 7 a.m. with both races starting at 7:30. Registration is $2 for adults, $1 for youth under 18 and STAR members.
For more information, call Craig at 777-6093.
AMATEUR RADIO LICENSE TESTING
Source staff
Oct. 30, 2002 – A testing session for all amateur radio licenses will be held Nov. 9 at Vitema headquarters. Registration will be from 8:30 to 9 a.m. only, with testing for registered applicants beginning at 9.
For more information, call Ron Martin at 774-2244 days.
Oct. 30, 2002 – A testing session for all amateur radio licenses will be held Nov. 9 at Vitema headquarters. Registration will be from 8:30 to 9 a.m. only, with testing for registered applicants beginning at 9.
For more information, call Ron Martin at 774-2244 days.
RADIO LICENSE TESTING TO BE HELD NOV. 9
Oct. 30, 2002 – A testing session for all amateur radio licenses will be held Nov. 9 at Vitema headquarters. Registration will be from 8:30 to 9 a.m. only, with testing for registered applicants beginning at 9.
For more information, call Ron Martin at 774-2244 days.
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.
For more information, call Ron Martin at 774-2244 days.
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.
LICENSING DIVISION HONORING 6 'TAXI AMBASSADORS'
Oct. 30, 2002 – Two individuals each on St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix are being honored this week as Taxi Ambassadors of the Year by the Taxicab Division of the Licensing and Consumer Affairs Department.
"The Ambassadors of the Year are taxicab drivers who have gone above and beyond their duty," Mario Carroll, division director, said.
He said the six honorees were chosen because of their service, interaction with their passengers, ability to resolve conflicts, condition of their vehicles, grooming and other factors.
A series of luncheons honoring the drivers kicked off Tuesday at the Old Mill nightclub on St. Thomas. There, Keturah Richards and Newman Francis received plaques for their service.
On Wednesday, James Penn and Randolph Thomas received their awards at a luncheon held at the Westin Resort on St. John.
On Thursday, Kelvin Dennie and Victor Jouavel will receive similar honors at a luncheon to be held at Gertrude's Restaurant on St. Croix.
Francis works for Kelly Tours, which operates out of the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas Resort. "He is one of the best for the island," said his boss, Kelly Ramsey.
Richards works under the V.I. Taxi Association umbrella and usually starts his day out at The West Indian Co. dock. "She's a class act. Other cab drivers should look to her," Eustace Grant, president of the taxi association, said. She has the ability to smooth over problems and turn negatives into positives, he added.
Penn is president of the Westin Taxi Association. Licensing and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Andrew Rutnik, who presented the St. John awards on Wednesday, said that when opportunity knocked, Penn answered. "He started down at the bottom," Rutnik said, mentioning that Penn also owns a trucking company.
Thomas, who heads the St. John Taxi Association, is the elder statesman of island's taxi industry. Rutnik noted that he was able to organize the taxi drivers who work at the Cruz Bay dock, describing the task as a difficult one with many challenges.
Jouavel works out of Sunterra Carambola Beach Resort. He said that he was surprised to receive the award. What he likes most about his job, he said, is meeting people and exchanging views with them. "And I like to serve the community," he added.
Dennie, who works on the Christiansted waterfront, said he likes the independence that comes with being a taxi driver. "And it gives you an opportunity to meet people — good people, bad people and in-between people," he said.
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 Ambassadors of the Year are taxicab drivers who have gone above and beyond their duty," Mario Carroll, division director, said.
He said the six honorees were chosen because of their service, interaction with their passengers, ability to resolve conflicts, condition of their vehicles, grooming and other factors.
A series of luncheons honoring the drivers kicked off Tuesday at the Old Mill nightclub on St. Thomas. There, Keturah Richards and Newman Francis received plaques for their service.
On Wednesday, James Penn and Randolph Thomas received their awards at a luncheon held at the Westin Resort on St. John.
On Thursday, Kelvin Dennie and Victor Jouavel will receive similar honors at a luncheon to be held at Gertrude's Restaurant on St. Croix.
Francis works for Kelly Tours, which operates out of the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas Resort. "He is one of the best for the island," said his boss, Kelly Ramsey.
Richards works under the V.I. Taxi Association umbrella and usually starts his day out at The West Indian Co. dock. "She's a class act. Other cab drivers should look to her," Eustace Grant, president of the taxi association, said. She has the ability to smooth over problems and turn negatives into positives, he added.
Penn is president of the Westin Taxi Association. Licensing and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Andrew Rutnik, who presented the St. John awards on Wednesday, said that when opportunity knocked, Penn answered. "He started down at the bottom," Rutnik said, mentioning that Penn also owns a trucking company.
Thomas, who heads the St. John Taxi Association, is the elder statesman of island's taxi industry. Rutnik noted that he was able to organize the taxi drivers who work at the Cruz Bay dock, describing the task as a difficult one with many challenges.
Jouavel works out of Sunterra Carambola Beach Resort. He said that he was surprised to receive the award. What he likes most about his job, he said, is meeting people and exchanging views with them. "And I like to serve the community," he added.
Dennie, who works on the Christiansted waterfront, said he likes the independence that comes with being a taxi driver. "And it gives you an opportunity to meet people — good people, bad people and in-between people," he said.
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.
LICENSING DIVISION HONORING 6 'TAXI AMBASSADORS'
Oct. 30, 2002 – Two individuals each on St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix are being honored this week as Taxi Ambassadors of the Year by the Taxicab Division of the Licensing and Consumer Affairs Department.
"The Ambassadors of the Year are taxicab drivers who have gone above and beyond their duty," Mario Carroll, division director, said.
He said the six honorees were chosen because of their service, interaction with their passengers, ability to resolve conflicts, condition of their vehicles, grooming and other factors.
A series of luncheons honoring the drivers kicked off Tuesday at the Old Mill nightclub on St. Thomas. There, Keturah Richards and Newman Francis received plaques for their service.
On Wednesday, James Penn and Randolph Thomas received their awards at a luncheon held at the Westin Resort on St. John.
On Thursday, Kelvin Dennie and Victor Jouavel will receive similar honors at a luncheon to be held at Gertrude's Restaurant on St. Croix.
Francis works for Kelly Tours, which operates out of the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas Resort. "He is one of the best for the island," said his boss, Kelly Ramsey.
Richards works under the V.I. Taxi Association umbrella and usually starts his day out at The West Indian Co. dock. "She's a class act. Other cab drivers should look to her," Eustace Grant, president of the taxi association, said. She has the ability to smooth over problems and turn negatives into positives, he added.
Penn is president of the Westin Taxi Association. Licensing and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Andrew Rutnik, who presented the St. John awards on Wednesday, said that when opportunity knocked, Penn answered. "He started down at the bottom," Rutnik said, mentioning that Penn also owns a trucking company.
Thomas, who heads the St. John Taxi Association, is the elder statesman of island's taxi industry. Rutnik noted that he was able to organize the taxi drivers who work at the Cruz Bay dock, describing the task as a difficult one with many challenges.
Jouavel works out of Sunterra Carambola Beach Resort. He said that he was surprised to receive the award. What he likes most about his job, he said, is meeting people and exchanging views with them. "And I like to serve the community," he added.
Dennie, who works on the Christiansted waterfront, said he likes the independence that comes with being a taxi driver. "And it gives you an opportunity to meet people — good people, bad people and in-between people," he said.
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 Ambassadors of the Year are taxicab drivers who have gone above and beyond their duty," Mario Carroll, division director, said.
He said the six honorees were chosen because of their service, interaction with their passengers, ability to resolve conflicts, condition of their vehicles, grooming and other factors.
A series of luncheons honoring the drivers kicked off Tuesday at the Old Mill nightclub on St. Thomas. There, Keturah Richards and Newman Francis received plaques for their service.
On Wednesday, James Penn and Randolph Thomas received their awards at a luncheon held at the Westin Resort on St. John.
On Thursday, Kelvin Dennie and Victor Jouavel will receive similar honors at a luncheon to be held at Gertrude's Restaurant on St. Croix.
Francis works for Kelly Tours, which operates out of the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas Resort. "He is one of the best for the island," said his boss, Kelly Ramsey.
Richards works under the V.I. Taxi Association umbrella and usually starts his day out at The West Indian Co. dock. "She's a class act. Other cab drivers should look to her," Eustace Grant, president of the taxi association, said. She has the ability to smooth over problems and turn negatives into positives, he added.
Penn is president of the Westin Taxi Association. Licensing and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Andrew Rutnik, who presented the St. John awards on Wednesday, said that when opportunity knocked, Penn answered. "He started down at the bottom," Rutnik said, mentioning that Penn also owns a trucking company.
Thomas, who heads the St. John Taxi Association, is the elder statesman of island's taxi industry. Rutnik noted that he was able to organize the taxi drivers who work at the Cruz Bay dock, describing the task as a difficult one with many challenges.
Jouavel works out of Sunterra Carambola Beach Resort. He said that he was surprised to receive the award. What he likes most about his job, he said, is meeting people and exchanging views with them. "And I like to serve the community," he added.
Dennie, who works on the Christiansted waterfront, said he likes the independence that comes with being a taxi driver. "And it gives you an opportunity to meet people — good people, bad people and in-between people," he said.
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.
LICENSING DIVISION HONORING 6 'TAXI AMBASSADORS'
Oct. 30, 2002 – Two individuals each on St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix are being honored this week as Taxi Ambassadors of the Year by the Taxicab Division of the Licensing and Consumer Affairs Department.
"The Ambassadors of the Year are taxicab drivers who have gone above and beyond their duty," Mario Carroll, division director, said.
He said the six honorees were chosen because of their service, interaction with their passengers, ability to resolve conflicts, condition of their vehicles, grooming and other factors.
A series of luncheons honoring the drivers kicked off Tuesday at the Old Mill nightclub on St. Thomas. There, Keturah Richards and Newman Francis received plaques for their service.
On Wednesday, James Penn and Randolph Thomas received their awards at a luncheon held at the Westin Resort on St. John.
On Thursday, Kelvin Dennie and Victor Jouavel will receive similar honors at a luncheon to be held at Gertrude's Restaurant on St. Croix.
Francis works for Kelly Tours, which operates out of the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas Resort. "He is one of the best for the island," said his boss, Kelly Ramsey.
Richards works under the V.I. Taxi Association umbrella and usually starts his day out at The West Indian Co. dock. "She's a class act. Other cab drivers should look to her," Eustace Grant, president of the taxi association, said. She has the ability to smooth over problems and turn negatives into positives, he added.
Penn is president of the Westin Taxi Association. Licensing and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Andrew Rutnik, who presented the St. John awards on Wednesday, said that when opportunity knocked, Penn answered. "He started down at the bottom," Rutnik said, mentioning that Penn also owns a trucking company.
Thomas, who heads the St. John Taxi Association, is the elder statesman of island's taxi industry. Rutnik noted that he was able to organize the taxi drivers who work at the Cruz Bay dock, describing the task as a difficult one with many challenges.
Jouavel works out of Sunterra Carambola Beach Resort. He said that he was surprised to receive the award. What he likes most about his job, he said, is meeting people and exchanging views with them. "And I like to serve the community," he added.
Dennie, who works on the Christiansted waterfront, said he likes the independence that comes with being a taxi driver. "And it gives you an opportunity to meet people — good people, bad people and in-between people," he said.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
"The Ambassadors of the Year are taxicab drivers who have gone above and beyond their duty," Mario Carroll, division director, said.
He said the six honorees were chosen because of their service, interaction with their passengers, ability to resolve conflicts, condition of their vehicles, grooming and other factors.
A series of luncheons honoring the drivers kicked off Tuesday at the Old Mill nightclub on St. Thomas. There, Keturah Richards and Newman Francis received plaques for their service.
On Wednesday, James Penn and Randolph Thomas received their awards at a luncheon held at the Westin Resort on St. John.
On Thursday, Kelvin Dennie and Victor Jouavel will receive similar honors at a luncheon to be held at Gertrude's Restaurant on St. Croix.
Francis works for Kelly Tours, which operates out of the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas Resort. "He is one of the best for the island," said his boss, Kelly Ramsey.
Richards works under the V.I. Taxi Association umbrella and usually starts his day out at The West Indian Co. dock. "She's a class act. Other cab drivers should look to her," Eustace Grant, president of the taxi association, said. She has the ability to smooth over problems and turn negatives into positives, he added.
Penn is president of the Westin Taxi Association. Licensing and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Andrew Rutnik, who presented the St. John awards on Wednesday, said that when opportunity knocked, Penn answered. "He started down at the bottom," Rutnik said, mentioning that Penn also owns a trucking company.
Thomas, who heads the St. John Taxi Association, is the elder statesman of island's taxi industry. Rutnik noted that he was able to organize the taxi drivers who work at the Cruz Bay dock, describing the task as a difficult one with many challenges.
Jouavel works out of Sunterra Carambola Beach Resort. He said that he was surprised to receive the award. What he likes most about his job, he said, is meeting people and exchanging views with them. "And I like to serve the community," he added.
Dennie, who works on the Christiansted waterfront, said he likes the independence that comes with being a taxi driver. "And it gives you an opportunity to meet people — good people, bad people and in-between people," he said.
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.
INITIATIVE SIGNATURES TO BE SOUGHT OUTSIDE POLLS
Oct. 30, 2002 – Voters on election day will have an option outside of the polling place to let their political will be known. They'll be invited to sign a green petition endorsing an election reform initiative calling for numbered seats in the Legislature.
Hugh Dalton, spokesman for Citizens for Legislative Reform, the group sponsoring the initiative, said on Wednesday that its members will be circulating the petition outside polling places on all three islands.
Last spring, when the group formally began its quest to bring about the change through the grassroots initiative process, it hoped to get the issue on the fall general election ballot, or, failing that, the gubernatorial runoff ballot two weeks later, should there be one.
Last month, Dalton said at a Rotary Club luncheon on St. Thomas that he was still hoping to collect enough signatures — 3,000 in each district — to get it on the ballot. (See the St. Thomas Source story "Initiative needs more St. Thomas signatures".) But that hasn't happened. Still, it doesn't mean the effort is dead.
The initiative officially came into existence after 1 percent of the registered voters in both districts signed a petition last spring asking for numbered seats. The initiative process from there:
– The Boards of Elections verified the signatures and found a sufficient number valid.
– A "titling board" consisting of Elections Supervisor John Abramson Jr., Attorney General Iver Stridiron and Legislative Counsel Yvonne Tharpes met on May 20 to draft the wording of the initiative. It calls for seven numbered Senate seats in each district, with a 15th senator, who must reside on St. John, continuing to be elected at large territorywide as is now the case.
– A few weeks after that, Abramson officially transmitted the go-ahead to the group — he says he thinks it was in early June. From then, the organizers have 180 days, or approximately until early December, to collect the signatures of either10 percent of the registered voters in each district or else 41 percent of all registered voters across the territory on the petition calling for the change to numbered seats. These signatures also must be verified by the Boards of Elections.
– If the group is successful in collecting the required numbers of signatures, the petition then will go to the Legislature, which has 30 days to act on the initiative. If it votes yes, numbered seats become law. If it votes no — which is all but certain — the initiative goes to a public vote. If that happens, a total of 50 percent plus one of the territory's registered voters must give their approval in order for it to become law.
The group still needs 1,500 hundred signatures in the St. Thomas-St. John district, Dalton said. He said 3,000 signatures have been collected on St. Croix, but the group wants to get 10 percent more than that as a cushion for any that are not acceptable, such as persons who are not registered voters or who sign the petition more than once.
Dalton said the group is currently comparing all signatures with the registered voter lists. "We are actually going through them ourselves," he said, "to be sure of an accurate count."
He said he is undeterred by not getting the initiative on the Nov. 5 ballot or the Nov. 19 runoff, should it occur. He even sees a possibility that a lame duck Legislature could approve it after the election. Several senators have publicly endorsed the measure.
According to Abramson, if the group doesn't get the required numbers of signatures by the deadline, "they will have to start all over again." There is no provision for extending the 180-day period, he said. "For practical purposes, I think their time for this time has run out," he said on Wednesday.
However, Abramson has previously said that a special election could be called for a vote on the issue. If not, the next opportunity will be the general election of 2004.
Among candidates seeking election on Nov. 5, the committee has cited support from Delegate Donna M. Christensen; gubernatorial candidates Michael Bornn, Cora Christian and Gov. Charles W. Turnbull; lieutenant governor candidate Vargrave Richards; and senatorial candidates Craig Barshinger, Elroi Baumann, Sen. Lorraine Berry, Sen. Douglas E. Canton Jr., Sen. Roosevelt David, Sen. Emmett Hansen II and Luther Renee.
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.
Hugh Dalton, spokesman for Citizens for Legislative Reform, the group sponsoring the initiative, said on Wednesday that its members will be circulating the petition outside polling places on all three islands.
Last spring, when the group formally began its quest to bring about the change through the grassroots initiative process, it hoped to get the issue on the fall general election ballot, or, failing that, the gubernatorial runoff ballot two weeks later, should there be one.
Last month, Dalton said at a Rotary Club luncheon on St. Thomas that he was still hoping to collect enough signatures — 3,000 in each district — to get it on the ballot. (See the St. Thomas Source story "Initiative needs more St. Thomas signatures".) But that hasn't happened. Still, it doesn't mean the effort is dead.
The initiative officially came into existence after 1 percent of the registered voters in both districts signed a petition last spring asking for numbered seats. The initiative process from there:
– The Boards of Elections verified the signatures and found a sufficient number valid.
– A "titling board" consisting of Elections Supervisor John Abramson Jr., Attorney General Iver Stridiron and Legislative Counsel Yvonne Tharpes met on May 20 to draft the wording of the initiative. It calls for seven numbered Senate seats in each district, with a 15th senator, who must reside on St. John, continuing to be elected at large territorywide as is now the case.
– A few weeks after that, Abramson officially transmitted the go-ahead to the group — he says he thinks it was in early June. From then, the organizers have 180 days, or approximately until early December, to collect the signatures of either10 percent of the registered voters in each district or else 41 percent of all registered voters across the territory on the petition calling for the change to numbered seats. These signatures also must be verified by the Boards of Elections.
– If the group is successful in collecting the required numbers of signatures, the petition then will go to the Legislature, which has 30 days to act on the initiative. If it votes yes, numbered seats become law. If it votes no — which is all but certain — the initiative goes to a public vote. If that happens, a total of 50 percent plus one of the territory's registered voters must give their approval in order for it to become law.
The group still needs 1,500 hundred signatures in the St. Thomas-St. John district, Dalton said. He said 3,000 signatures have been collected on St. Croix, but the group wants to get 10 percent more than that as a cushion for any that are not acceptable, such as persons who are not registered voters or who sign the petition more than once.
Dalton said the group is currently comparing all signatures with the registered voter lists. "We are actually going through them ourselves," he said, "to be sure of an accurate count."
He said he is undeterred by not getting the initiative on the Nov. 5 ballot or the Nov. 19 runoff, should it occur. He even sees a possibility that a lame duck Legislature could approve it after the election. Several senators have publicly endorsed the measure.
According to Abramson, if the group doesn't get the required numbers of signatures by the deadline, "they will have to start all over again." There is no provision for extending the 180-day period, he said. "For practical purposes, I think their time for this time has run out," he said on Wednesday.
However, Abramson has previously said that a special election could be called for a vote on the issue. If not, the next opportunity will be the general election of 2004.
Among candidates seeking election on Nov. 5, the committee has cited support from Delegate Donna M. Christensen; gubernatorial candidates Michael Bornn, Cora Christian and Gov. Charles W. Turnbull; lieutenant governor candidate Vargrave Richards; and senatorial candidates Craig Barshinger, Elroi Baumann, Sen. Lorraine Berry, Sen. Douglas E. Canton Jr., Sen. Roosevelt David, Sen. Emmett Hansen II and Luther Renee.
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.
INITIATIVE SIGNATURES TO BE SOUGHT OUTSIDE POLLS
Oct. 30, 2002 – Voters on election day will have an option outside of the polling place to let their political will be known. They'll be invited to sign a green petition endorsing an election reform initiative calling for numbered seats in the Legislature.
Hugh Dalton, spokesman for Citizens for Legislative Reform, the group sponsoring the initiative, said on Wednesday that its members will be circulating the petition outside polling places on all three islands.
Last spring, when the group formally began its quest to bring about the change through the grassroots initiative process, it hoped to get the issue on the fall general election ballot, or, failing that, the gubernatorial runoff ballot two weeks later, should there be one.
Last month, Dalton said at a Rotary Club luncheon on St. Thomas that he was still hoping to collect enough signatures — 3,000 in each district — to get it on the ballot. (See the St. Thomas Source story "Initiative needs more St. Thomas signatures".) But that hasn't happened. Still, it doesn't mean the effort is dead.
The initiative officially came into existence after 1 percent of the registered voters in both districts signed a petition last spring asking for numbered seats. The initiative process from there:
– The Boards of Elections verified the signatures and found a sufficient number valid.
– A "titling board" consisting of Elections Supervisor John Abramson Jr., Attorney General Iver Stridiron and Legislative Counsel Yvonne Tharpes met on May 20 to draft the wording of the initiative. It calls for seven numbered Senate seats in each district, with a 15th senator, who must reside on St. John, continuing to be elected at large territorywide as is now the case.
– A few weeks after that, Abramson officially transmitted the go-ahead to the group — he says he thinks it was in early June. From then, the organizers have 180 days, or approximately until early December, to collect the signatures of either10 percent of the registered voters in each district or else 41 percent of all registered voters across the territory on the petition calling for the change to numbered seats. These signatures also must be verified by the Boards of Elections.
– If the group is successful in collecting the required numbers of signatures, the petition then will go to the Legislature, which has 30 days to act on the initiative. If it votes yes, numbered seats become law. If it votes no — which is all but certain — the initiative goes to a public vote. If that happens, a total of 50 percent plus one of the territory's registered voters must give their approval in order for it to become law.
The group still needs 1,500 hundred signatures in the St. Thomas-St. John district, Dalton said. He said 3,000 signatures have been collected on St. Croix, but the group wants to get 10 percent more than that as a cushion for any that are not acceptable, such as persons who are not registered voters or who sign the petition more than once.
Dalton said the group is currently comparing all signatures with the registered voter lists. "We are actually going through them ourselves," he said, "to be sure of an accurate count."
He said he is undeterred by not getting the initiative on the Nov. 5 ballot or the Nov. 19 runoff, should it occur. He even sees a possibility that a lame duck Legislature could approve it after the election. Several senators have publicly endorsed the measure.
According to Abramson, if the group doesn't get the required numbers of signatures by the deadline, "they will have to start all over again." There is no provision for extending the 180-day period, he said. "For practical purposes, I think their time for this time has run out," he said on Wednesday.
However, Abramson has previously said that a special election could be called for a vote on the issue. If not, the next opportunity will be the general election of 2004.
Among candidates seeking election on Nov. 5, the committee has cited support from Delegate Donna M. Christensen; gubernatorial candidates Michael Bornn, Cora Christian and Gov. Charles W. Turnbull; lieutenant governor candidate Vargrave Richards; and senatorial candidates Craig Barshinger, Elroi Baumann, Sen. Lorraine Berry, Sen. Douglas E. Canton Jr., Sen. Roosevelt David, Sen. Emmett Hansen II and Luther Renee.
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.
Hugh Dalton, spokesman for Citizens for Legislative Reform, the group sponsoring the initiative, said on Wednesday that its members will be circulating the petition outside polling places on all three islands.
Last spring, when the group formally began its quest to bring about the change through the grassroots initiative process, it hoped to get the issue on the fall general election ballot, or, failing that, the gubernatorial runoff ballot two weeks later, should there be one.
Last month, Dalton said at a Rotary Club luncheon on St. Thomas that he was still hoping to collect enough signatures — 3,000 in each district — to get it on the ballot. (See the St. Thomas Source story "Initiative needs more St. Thomas signatures".) But that hasn't happened. Still, it doesn't mean the effort is dead.
The initiative officially came into existence after 1 percent of the registered voters in both districts signed a petition last spring asking for numbered seats. The initiative process from there:
– The Boards of Elections verified the signatures and found a sufficient number valid.
– A "titling board" consisting of Elections Supervisor John Abramson Jr., Attorney General Iver Stridiron and Legislative Counsel Yvonne Tharpes met on May 20 to draft the wording of the initiative. It calls for seven numbered Senate seats in each district, with a 15th senator, who must reside on St. John, continuing to be elected at large territorywide as is now the case.
– A few weeks after that, Abramson officially transmitted the go-ahead to the group — he says he thinks it was in early June. From then, the organizers have 180 days, or approximately until early December, to collect the signatures of either10 percent of the registered voters in each district or else 41 percent of all registered voters across the territory on the petition calling for the change to numbered seats. These signatures also must be verified by the Boards of Elections.
– If the group is successful in collecting the required numbers of signatures, the petition then will go to the Legislature, which has 30 days to act on the initiative. If it votes yes, numbered seats become law. If it votes no — which is all but certain — the initiative goes to a public vote. If that happens, a total of 50 percent plus one of the territory's registered voters must give their approval in order for it to become law.
The group still needs 1,500 hundred signatures in the St. Thomas-St. John district, Dalton said. He said 3,000 signatures have been collected on St. Croix, but the group wants to get 10 percent more than that as a cushion for any that are not acceptable, such as persons who are not registered voters or who sign the petition more than once.
Dalton said the group is currently comparing all signatures with the registered voter lists. "We are actually going through them ourselves," he said, "to be sure of an accurate count."
He said he is undeterred by not getting the initiative on the Nov. 5 ballot or the Nov. 19 runoff, should it occur. He even sees a possibility that a lame duck Legislature could approve it after the election. Several senators have publicly endorsed the measure.
According to Abramson, if the group doesn't get the required numbers of signatures by the deadline, "they will have to start all over again." There is no provision for extending the 180-day period, he said. "For practical purposes, I think their time for this time has run out," he said on Wednesday.
However, Abramson has previously said that a special election could be called for a vote on the issue. If not, the next opportunity will be the general election of 2004.
Among candidates seeking election on Nov. 5, the committee has cited support from Delegate Donna M. Christensen; gubernatorial candidates Michael Bornn, Cora Christian and Gov. Charles W. Turnbull; lieutenant governor candidate Vargrave Richards; and senatorial candidates Craig Barshinger, Elroi Baumann, Sen. Lorraine Berry, Sen. Douglas E. Canton Jr., Sen. Roosevelt David, Sen. Emmett Hansen II and Luther Renee.
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.
INITIATIVE SIGNATURES TO BE SOUGHT OUTSIDE POLLS
Oct. 30, 2002 – Voters on election day will have an option outside of the polling place to let their political will be known. They'll be invited to sign a green petition endorsing an election reform initiative calling for numbered seats in the Legislature.
Hugh Dalton, spokesman for Citizens for Legislative Reform, the group sponsoring the initiative, said on Wednesday that its members will be circulating the petition outside polling places on all three islands.
Last spring, when the group formally began its quest to bring about the change through the grassroots initiative process, it hoped to get the issue on the fall general election ballot, or, failing that, the gubernatorial runoff ballot two weeks later, should there be one.
Last month, Dalton said at a Rotary Club luncheon on St. Thomas that he was still hoping to collect enough signatures — 3,000 in each district — to get it on the ballot. (See "Initiative needs more St. Thomas signatures".) But that hasn't happened. Still, it doesn't mean the effort is dead.
The initiative officially came into existence after 1 percent of the registered voters in both districts signed a petition last spring asking for numbered seats. The initiative process from there:
– The Boards of Elections verified the signatures and found a sufficient number valid.
– A "titling board" consisting of Elections Supervisor John Abramson Jr., Attorney General Iver Stridiron and Legislative Counsel Yvonne Tharpes met on May 20 to draft the wording of the initiative. It calls for seven numbered Senate seats in each district, with a 15th senator, who must reside on St. John, continuing to be elected at large territorywide as is now the case.
– A few weeks after that, Abramson officially transmitted the go-ahead to the group — he says he thinks it was in early June. From then, the organizers have 180 days, or approximately until early December, to collect the signatures of either10 percent of the registered voters in each district or else 41 percent of all registered voters across the territory on the petition calling for the change to numbered seats. These signatures also must be verified by the Boards of Elections.
– If the group is successful in collecting the required numbers of signatures, the petition then will go to the Legislature, which has 30 days to act on the initiative. If it votes yes, numbered seats become law. If it votes no — which is all but certain — the initiative goes to a public vote. If that happens, a total of 50 percent plus one of the territory's registered voters must give their approval in order for it to become law.
The group still needs 1,500 hundred signatures in the St. Thomas-St. John district, Dalton said. He said 3,000 signatures have been collected on St. Croix, but the group wants to get 10 percent more than that as a cushion for any that are not acceptable, such as persons who are not registered voters or who sign the petition more than once.
Dalton said the group is currently comparing all signatures with the registered voter lists. "We are actually going through them ourselves," he said, "to be sure of an accurate count."
He said he is undeterred by not getting the initiative on the Nov. 5 ballot or the Nov. 19 runoff, should it occur. He even sees a possibility that a lame duck Legislature could approve it after the election. Several senators have publicly endorsed the measure.
According to Abramson, if the group doesn't get the required numbers of signatures by the deadline, "they will have to start all over again." There is no provision for extending the 180-day period, he said. "For practical purposes, I think their time for this time has run out," he said on Wednesday.
However, Abramson has previously said that a special election could be called for a vote on the issue. If not, the next opportunity will be the general election of 2004.
Among candidates seeking election on Nov. 5, the committee has cited support from Delegate Donna M. Christensen; gubernatorial candidates Michael Bornn, Cora Christian and Gov. Charles W. Turnbull; lieutenant governor candidate Vargrave Richards; and senatorial candidates Craig Barshinger, Elroi Baumann, Sen. Lorraine Berry, Sen. Douglas E. Canton Jr., Sen. Roosevelt David, Sen. Emmett Hansen II and Luther Renee.
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Hugh Dalton, spokesman for Citizens for Legislative Reform, the group sponsoring the initiative, said on Wednesday that its members will be circulating the petition outside polling places on all three islands.
Last spring, when the group formally began its quest to bring about the change through the grassroots initiative process, it hoped to get the issue on the fall general election ballot, or, failing that, the gubernatorial runoff ballot two weeks later, should there be one.
Last month, Dalton said at a Rotary Club luncheon on St. Thomas that he was still hoping to collect enough signatures — 3,000 in each district — to get it on the ballot. (See "Initiative needs more St. Thomas signatures".) But that hasn't happened. Still, it doesn't mean the effort is dead.
The initiative officially came into existence after 1 percent of the registered voters in both districts signed a petition last spring asking for numbered seats. The initiative process from there:
– The Boards of Elections verified the signatures and found a sufficient number valid.
– A "titling board" consisting of Elections Supervisor John Abramson Jr., Attorney General Iver Stridiron and Legislative Counsel Yvonne Tharpes met on May 20 to draft the wording of the initiative. It calls for seven numbered Senate seats in each district, with a 15th senator, who must reside on St. John, continuing to be elected at large territorywide as is now the case.
– A few weeks after that, Abramson officially transmitted the go-ahead to the group — he says he thinks it was in early June. From then, the organizers have 180 days, or approximately until early December, to collect the signatures of either10 percent of the registered voters in each district or else 41 percent of all registered voters across the territory on the petition calling for the change to numbered seats. These signatures also must be verified by the Boards of Elections.
– If the group is successful in collecting the required numbers of signatures, the petition then will go to the Legislature, which has 30 days to act on the initiative. If it votes yes, numbered seats become law. If it votes no — which is all but certain — the initiative goes to a public vote. If that happens, a total of 50 percent plus one of the territory's registered voters must give their approval in order for it to become law.
The group still needs 1,500 hundred signatures in the St. Thomas-St. John district, Dalton said. He said 3,000 signatures have been collected on St. Croix, but the group wants to get 10 percent more than that as a cushion for any that are not acceptable, such as persons who are not registered voters or who sign the petition more than once.
Dalton said the group is currently comparing all signatures with the registered voter lists. "We are actually going through them ourselves," he said, "to be sure of an accurate count."
He said he is undeterred by not getting the initiative on the Nov. 5 ballot or the Nov. 19 runoff, should it occur. He even sees a possibility that a lame duck Legislature could approve it after the election. Several senators have publicly endorsed the measure.
According to Abramson, if the group doesn't get the required numbers of signatures by the deadline, "they will have to start all over again." There is no provision for extending the 180-day period, he said. "For practical purposes, I think their time for this time has run out," he said on Wednesday.
However, Abramson has previously said that a special election could be called for a vote on the issue. If not, the next opportunity will be the general election of 2004.
Among candidates seeking election on Nov. 5, the committee has cited support from Delegate Donna M. Christensen; gubernatorial candidates Michael Bornn, Cora Christian and Gov. Charles W. Turnbull; lieutenant governor candidate Vargrave Richards; and senatorial candidates Craig Barshinger, Elroi Baumann, Sen. Lorraine Berry, Sen. Douglas E. Canton Jr., Sen. Roosevelt David, Sen. Emmett Hansen II and Luther Renee.
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MURDER CHARGES FILED IN LABOR DAY SHOOTING
Oct. 30, 2002 – Police have charged a St. Thomas man with first-degree murder in connection with the Labor Day weekend abduction and shooting death of 21-year-old Travis Poleon in downtown Charlotte Amalie.
Gregory "Merv" Williams was arrested Tuesday night without incident, Police Chief Novelle Francis said, and bail was set at $500,000. Williams was to appear in Territorial Court for an initial hearing on Wednesday.
On Sept. 1, police said, Poleon, a Garden Street resident, was abducted and shot in the downtown area. He was found by officers on the porch of a residence in the Agnes Fancy area with a head injury and gunshot wounds to his legs. He was taken to Roy L. Schneider Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Several persons had called the police to report that Poleon's assailants had abducted him near the Holiday Inn Windward Passage Hotel and shot him as he attempted to flee.
Francis did not comment on any possible motive for the abduction and shooting, and he declined to say whether police are seeking other suspects in the case.
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Gregory "Merv" Williams was arrested Tuesday night without incident, Police Chief Novelle Francis said, and bail was set at $500,000. Williams was to appear in Territorial Court for an initial hearing on Wednesday.
On Sept. 1, police said, Poleon, a Garden Street resident, was abducted and shot in the downtown area. He was found by officers on the porch of a residence in the Agnes Fancy area with a head injury and gunshot wounds to his legs. He was taken to Roy L. Schneider Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Several persons had called the police to report that Poleon's assailants had abducted him near the Holiday Inn Windward Passage Hotel and shot him as he attempted to flee.
Francis did not comment on any possible motive for the abduction and shooting, and he declined to say whether police are seeking other suspects in the case.
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.
