1. How important is a comprehensive land and water use plan, and why has the territory been unable in more than 20 years of effort to enact one? What will it take to change this, and what, if anything, will you do to bring about such change?
I support the adoption of a Land and Water Use Plan that will address, among other items, the issue of spot zoning on all Virgin Islands and the planned development or non-development of our limited natural resources. Such a plan is long overdue, but in the past one was never able to gain the full support of the legislative or executive branches, or the general community, because of political machinations. It is my intention to garner enough bi-partisan support to finally make a Land and Water Use Plan a reality. A comprehensive plan would be developed with the assistance of experts in this highly specialized field, input from all sectors of the community and all islands, and the government agencies responsible for the implementation and enforcement of its provisions. This will not be an easy task and one that will not be accomplished immediately. Until the Land and Water Use Plan is a reality, as Governor, I will direct the Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources to only recommend zoning changes that are consistent with the surrounding areas and structures. I will also veto zoning measures passed by the Legislature that are inconsistent with this policy.
2. How important is private and public sector partnering, and how can such partnering best be accomplished in order to be most effective in addressing economic and social problems in the territory?
In order for Virgin Islanders to have real economic opportunity, there must be a vibrant and expanding private sector economy, comprised of both large and small businesses. The role of government is to be a facilitator, not a hindrance, to the creation and nurturing of the economy. I firmly believe in the importance of private and public partnering, especially in the guidance and enhancement of the tourism "product" of the Virgin Islands, and utilizing the Economic Development Authority to create and sustain small business opportunities. The deJongh/Arnold Administration will push for the establishment of a Tourism Authority comprised of board members from both the public and private sector. With tourism generating approximately $1 billion a year for our economy, this vital sector must be given the utmost priority and managed with the input of all who have a vested interest in its development. I originally led the group that drafted the legislation establishing a Tourism Authority, which was passed by the 23rd Legislature in December of 2000, but vetoed by the current Governor. I also led the negotiations of a private-public task force with the cruise lines, and ultimately drafted, the Cruise Ship Long Term Operating Agreement also passed by the 23rd Legislature, but never properly implemented by the current Administration. Although not put to good use, these two initiatives are prime examples of my commitment to private-public partnering and the potential strength of public-private partnering in terms of expanding the economy. I also was chairman of the Economic Recovery Task Force which produced the Five-Year Strategic Financial Plan, and included various private-public initiatives for stimulating economic growth.
Likewise, government should partner with non-government organizations to provide needed social services to the community. As Governor, I will institute a coordinated and collaborative initiative with private not-for-profit organizations and non-governmental organizations to access federal and private grant money for a variety of human service programs. For instance I will push for the development of a comprehensive, coordinated system, in conjunction with private organizations, to provide appropriate follow-up services to people living with mental illness and substance abuse. In order for the Virgin Islands to develop into a caring, forward-thinking community, the strengths and assets of all components of the community, whether they be public or private, must be utilized.
3. What are the biggest problems in the public education system, and what will it take to solve them? What will you do toward getting them solved?
Our education system suffers from two basic problems: the lack of standards and the lack of accountability. Both problems can be fixed with real leadership. Our specific problems are the following:
1. Dysfunctional organization system that maintains a centralized management structure, which cannot respond in a two-district school system.
2. Adherence to a general Government apparatus that is unresponsive and fails to give priority to the delivery of education.
3. A funding approach and financing plans that are erratic in meeting the daily operating needs of the schools (inclusive of supplies, tools and pay) and the capital infrastructure requirements of physical plants that are deteriorating and out-of-date.
4. A pay scale that cannot attract or retain teachers over a consistent period of time.
5. The lingering and past-due obligations and the lack of a plan to liquidate this obligation.
6. Low teacher morale.
7. A structure that does not encourage parental involvement and responsibility in the core education program and after-school programs.
8. A system that needs to re-evaluate its mission and its commitment to the students and parents of our community.
9. Not necessarily a problem, but a near-term challenge, is adherence to the No Child Left Behind Act.
We need to put our students first. The educational system exists to serve students, which is done by providing the best education possible. Paul Arnold and I will lead the charge as we focus our will and collective energies to find a way to send the message throughout the territory that education is the single area where we cannot stint, were we must not fail, where we must do our absolute best. Our future depends on it.
We will reallocate the line responsibilities within the administration to make sure that the chain of command is clear. The Commissioner of Education will be responsible for formulating policy, dealing with Washington, D.C., and overseeing the two Assistant Commissioners/Superintendents. The primary responsibility for administering each school will rest with the principal of that school who would have the authority to site-manage the facility with all that term implies. Critical to the school's administration will be the empowerment of parents to ensure follow through on their decision and actions of the school administration.
Funds will be identified to provide the resources to attract and retain teachers. Rewards for meritorious performance must become available to teachers and administrators who excel. While the financial resources to fund a portion of these initiatives will arise from efficiency improvements, we must push for aggressive private sector growth. The expansion of the private sector will generate the financial resources to establish/maintain a competitive pay scale and ensure that the retroactive obligations can be paid based on a multi-year plan. Undertaking tax reform is a key component of achieving private sector growth. Continuing education in subject competence must be encouraged and rewarded. We must become a community that reveres achievement in education, as must as we revere success in sports, business, politics or any other profession.
4. How do you feel about floating future bonds to finance government initiatives, given the territory's present bond indebtedness of more than $1 billion? What will you do to persuade others of your views?
The Government of the Virgin Islands, through the V.I. Public Finance Authority, has approximately $800.0 million of bonded debt. With the inclusion of the V.I. Port Authority, V.I. Water and Power Authority, the University of the Virgin Islands, and the V.I. Housing Finance Authority, the aggregate bonded debt is close to or exceeds $1
.0 billion. I do not believe that we will be able to avoid the issuance of additional bonded debt in the future, especially given some critical capital expenditure needs, e.g. solid waste, wastewater, sewage, housing, water and power. However, a de Jongh/Arnold Administration will change the manner in which bonded monies are determined to be required and ultimately used. The issuance of bonded debt will only be issued in the case of capital projects and not to meet annual operating expenditures. To the extent possible, the repayment of bonded debt should be tied to a specific revenue stream, with the pledge of a general obligation of the people of the Virgin Islands (the General Fund) a secondary source of repayment, thereby ensuring the per capita debt can be reduced over time. Additionally, bonded debt issuance must only be one component of a comprehensive working plan of the funding requirements of the government and its semi-autonomous instrumentalities. The bonded debt per capita of the government has increased by 29 percent in year 2000 to $8,388, and if the bonded debts of the semi-autonomous instrumentalities are included, this number increases to over $9,000. This is among the highest of any state, municipality or territory. A component of the de Jongh/Arnold Administration will be to evaluate early payment of certain bonds based on call features and refinancing/defeasance of bonds based on lower interest rates in order to reduce the annual debt service burden and free-up the resources for essential services or projects.
The de Jongh/Arnold Administration will persuade others of our approach based on openness of the financial records, transparency in the numbers and involvement in the process.
5. What is the most viable solution to the territory's solid-waste disposal problems? What will you do to advance the implementation of this solution?
The deJongh/Arnold Administration will support the concepts of composting and recycling of appropriate materials, as well as high tech, environmentally friendly waste-to-energy facilities. However, we fully recognize that no new solutions to the territory's solid waste problems can be pursued until new or converted sites for the collection and disposal of municipal waste are developed. These sites are essential infrastructure elements what make all other solutions possible.
On St. Croix, after an open public process requesting proposals, negotiations will commence immediately with private landowners and developers, with considerations given for design-build, full service, contracts for a facility within the industrial mega-plex or on the island's west end. Gone will be the smoke and fire menace that has plagued central and western St. Croix for 25 years.
St. Thomas is more challenging and available land is a premium. The present dump must be converted to a modernized site for the collection and disposal of municipal solid wastes. Additionally, a full service, high tech volume reduction solution must be quickly implemented. This action will provide relief to those residents of Bovoni and Bolongo whose health and quality of life are jeopardized on a daily basis.
6. What is the most viable solution to the territory's sewage disposal problems? What will you do to advance the implementation of this solution?
Recognizing that many of today's sewage issues relate directly to age and original installation problems, especially on St. Croix, the deJongh/Arnold Administration will give the highest priority to the repair and replacement of the 35 plus year old sewage system that is at or very near the end of its useful life. Special attention will be given to insuring that the transmission infrastructure is appropriate for the highly corrosive soils of the Virgin Islands and that upgrades to all treatment plants and ocean discharge will meet all Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) deadlines. Additionally, the sewage treatment lagoon at the St. Thomas airport, with its attendant noxious odors affecting both health and image at the territory's gateway, must be replaced with a certified sewage treatment facility. The days of discharging three million or more gallons a day of raw or partially treated waste into our offshore waters must stop. Plans for this treatment facility have been available for more than 20 years – what has been lacking is the political will to get it done. An aggressive coordinated campaign seeking federal assistance for this effort will be initiated immediately upon taking office.
7. How do you assess the economy of the Virgin Islands at this time, and what do you see as its best hope for growth? What will you do to foster that growth?
The economy of the Virgin Islands cannot be assessed as a single unit but evaluated by the individual economies of each island and its contribution to the whole. St. Croix is essentially light industry, which has seen its growth stagnated over the last several years, with major employment sourced from HOVENSA, some government, and most recently the influx of financial service companies, through the Economic Development Commission, has increased residential and commercial real estate activity. The tourism industry has been on a downward path, with the loss of the cruise ship traffic in 2002 a major blow. Agriculture has the potential to be an import-substitution business in certain areas as long as government policy of investment is developed and implemented. St. Thomas is primarily tourism driven, resulting in the construction activity, and a governmental apparatus that is primarily domiciled on this island. Financial services have increased thereby diversifying employment and generating both residential and commercial real estate activity. The marine/charter yacht industry can be recaptured as we expand our docking options. St. John has enjoyed growth from a tourism standpoint over the last several years and increasing residential real estate activity in the residential area for investors and second-home properties. Water Island has maintained its residential focus, with its commercial potential not yet realized. In the aggregate, the assets exist for the Virgin Islands to realize tremendous growth once the strategic decision is made to coordinate development activities and economic opportunities. We cannot lose sight that as of July 2002, the unemployment rate in the district of St. Croix was 11 percent, in the district of St. Thomas-St. John over 9 percent, and that 33 percent of our children in the Virgin Islands live below the poverty line.
The creation of an independent tourism entity that will market the Virgin Islands, generally, and the creation of specific brand identification for each location is a key requirement to attain some level of coordinated growth in the tourism area. This entity will also address the attraction of a brand-name hotel to the island of St. Croix, start the work on a hotel/resort complex on Water Island and expand hotel capacity overall, with a focus on quality and product diversity. The attraction of the hotel rooms will, in turn, lead to serious discussions with airlines and charter companies for the destination and uniqueness that is offered by the brand offering of the different islands, thereby ensuring the Virgin Islands becomes competitive once again.
A de Jongh/Arnold Administration will change the focus of the Economic Development Authority (EDA) to create and sustain small business opportunities and begin a more targeted marketing focus for light industry and financial services, especially in the captive insurance area. In financial services, gain has been achieved in the absence of any policy development or aggressive targeted marketing by the government – whoever submits an application has had it processed. Our Administration will target specific firms with a concentration on diversifying our position in the financial services arena to include more trading, back-office operations and advanced research. We will also develop a listing of potential firms in the light manufacturing area that can be attracted
to St. Croix building on the skill set and human capital that has existed and trained at HOVENSA and its subcontractors, V.I. Rum Industries, and the watch companies. We intend to work closely with the St. Croix Renaissance group on the development of their park as a key feature of our economic plan. Agriculture will also enjoy a different focus in a de Jongh/Arnold Administration will a heavy concentration on investment and development as vehicles for production and distribution that will ensure its economic success. Additionally, we will create economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs that will expand our business community and allow them to migrate from employees to owners. Tax reform is a critical component of this initiative as is a 'buy local' policy by the government and the establishment of a venture guaranty fund to supplement bank financing – approaches and policies that will be critical to the de Jongh/Arnold Administration.
8. How pervasive is corruption within the local government, and how should this problem, if you consider it to be a problem, best be addressed?
I do believe that corruption within the local government is a very serious problem. Corruption comes in many forms, such as "granting" a favor to a friend who is not prepared to meet all the requirements of a license or permit, to not charging someone with a crime because of their family connections, to awarding a contract to a crony solely for political purposes. All of them are wrong. Corruption must not be tolerated and it must stop at the top. The de Jongh/Arnold Administration will provide "transparency" to all Executive Branch operations and prosecute any employee found in violation of the law in the commission of the government's business. The rules and regulations of all government departments will be enforced and violators will be disciplined as allowed.
Corruption in government is another symptom of the community's laxity toward crime. We must re-instill within our citizens respect for the law, any law, as the benchmark for a civilized and courteous community. It will one of my priorities as Governor to bring back a level playing ground for every citizen of the community, regardless of race, creed, national origin or any other factor. Everyone must be treated fairly under the law, but laws must also be respected and enforced equally.
9. What is the most viable solution to Government Employees Retirement System payouts exceeding revenues, and what will you do to advance the implementation of this solution?
The Government Employees Retirement System (GERS) has seen its financial future put in jeopardy as its unfunded liability has increased from $519 million as of September 30, 1999, to an estimate of over $750 million in September of 2002. Additionally, each year for the past three years, invested assets of $25 million have been liquidated to meet operating needs. Compounding this scenario is the fact that past-due obligations from government agencies, departments and instrumentalities remain unpaid and unfunded mandates have been passed by the V.I. Legislature.
What is required, which John de Jongh assisted in developing and supported as a GERS trustee, and which the de Jongh/Arnold Administration will initiate, is retirement system reform that: develops a two-tier system, increases the contribution rates for the government, and develops a legislative approach that only legislation with identified funding will be passed and subject to implementation. The development of the two-tier plan will also include consideration of segregation of the retirement benefits by benefit class, e.g. hazardous employees, regular employees, health professionals, educators. The reform will also expand the investment options of the investment managers to increase yields but limit risks and exposure. This new two-tier system will maintain the retirement commitment of current employees but change to a lower payout for the new employees and allow for the differential to go towards closing the gap on the unfunded liability.
10. What is the most viable solution to government spending exceeding revenues, and what will you do to advance the implementation of this solution?
The most viable solution rests with the selection of the financial officers and adhering to financial management that is founded on the principle that "you don't spend what you don't have." A financial management system that is operated to provide real-time information is critical to successful management of governmental operations, as is the reporting and availability of the information to the public. There must also be consequences for waste, corruption and mismanagement of government resources, and we will continue to promote and support the work of the V.I. Inspector General. Access and transparency will be cornerstones of the de Jongh/Arnold Administration.
These operating foundations can only be successfully implemented based on selecting qualified individual for financial positions, with the knowledge and experience of governmental accounting and budgeting. Additionally, the de Jongh/Arnold Administration will develop a revenue budget policy that takes into account prior year collections in establishing revenue projections versus unrealistic revenue estimates that are based on expenditure levels. We will also work closely with the V.I. Legislature to develop a funding mechanism that mandates that legislation requiring expenditure be supported by an identified funding source.
11. How do alignments between majority and minority blocs in the
Legislature and adversarial relationships between the legislative and executive branches of government best serve the best interests of the people of the Virgin Islands?
The establishment of the majority-minority blocs within the Legislature and the interactive relationship with the Executive Branch results in a dynamic that serves in the best interests of the people of the Virgin Islands as it assures debate and counter-balancing positions. Historically, the relationships have been adversarial and counterproductive, which resulted primarily from the absence of leadership. An Executive Branch that is proactive and aggressive on its policies and inclusive of the Legislature will achieve forward movement, and, in turn, force the Legislature to focus on policies as opposed to getting involved in the operating affairs of the government. This dynamic will lead to the majority and minority blocs debating issues and ensuring that the wide range of options has been considered prior to legislation being enacted.
DATE CHANGED FOR MISS UVI PAGEANT
Oct. 29, 2002 – The Miss University of the Virgin Islands pageant previously scheduled for November has been changed to Feb. 15, 2003. The pageant will be held on St. Croix.
For more information, call student activities supervisor Clint Ferris at 692-4188.
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.
For more information, call student activities supervisor Clint Ferris at 692-4188.
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.
DATE CHANGED FOR MISS UVI PAGEANT
Oct. 29, 2002 – The Miss University of the Virgin Islands pageant previously scheduled for November has been changed to Feb. 15, 2003. The pageant will be held on St. Croix.
For more information, call student activities supervisor Clint Ferris at 692-4188.
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.
For more information, call student activities supervisor Clint Ferris at 692-4188.
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.
DATE CHANGED FOR MISS UVI PAGEANT
Oct. 29, 2002 – The Miss University of the Virgin Islands pageant previously scheduled for November has been changed to Feb. 15, 2003. The pageant will be held on St. Croix.
For more information, call student activities supervisor Clint Ferris at 692-4188.
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 student activities supervisor Clint Ferris at 692-4188.
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.
CHALLENGE OF PSC CHAIR RAISES ICC QUESTIONS
Oct. 28, 2002 – A demand last Thursday by Innovative Communication Corp. that the chair of the Public Services Commission relinquish his seat has raised questions about ICC's organization and its relationship to Innovative Telephone, which the PSC regulates.
ICC attorney Kevin Rames wrote the commission charging that its chair, attorney Desmond Maynard, is unable to act without bias in matters related to Innovative Telephone because he represents a former Virgin Islands Daily News photographer who is suing both the newspaper and its parent company, which is ICC.
The letter contends that Maynard's representation of Hillary Hodge constitutes a conflict of interest because in his capacity of PSC chair, he is privy to certain confidential information about Innovative Telephone, which also is a subsidiary of ICC.
Rames said Maynard recently asked the court to extend the Hodge suit to include ICC and its owner, Jeffrey Prosser, as defendants after learning that "the payroll decisions of the Daily News are actually made or approved by ICC."
He charged that Maynard would stand to win a lot more money if ICC and Prosser were to lose the case.
Subsequently, Rames said, the confidential financial information of the parent company and its relationships with its subsidiaries, including the Daily News, have been made a "matter of significant concern" in Hodge's case.
He also said Maynard is working on the lawsuit with a St. Croix attorney, Lee Rohn, who represents three other former Daily News employees suing the newspaper and its parent company, alleging unlawful discharge.
"Vitelco is not one of the defendants in the Hodge case," Rohn pointed out Monday, referring to Innovative Telephone by the acronym of its former name, V.I. Telephone Corp. "Vitelco is the only PSC company in question. In every other case involving ICC or the Daily News, Prosser has claimed that the companies are all independent of each other; now they've taken a totally contrary position."
Indeed, in a motion to dismiss a complaint filed by Penny Feuerzeig, former Daily News executive editor, ICC denied that it owns the newspaper and said that it is owned by The Daily News Publishing Co. The motion also said ICC did not purchase the newspaper but did purchase its stock in 1997.
"As such, neither defendant [Prosser or ICC] was the employer of the plaintiff at the time of her resignation," the motion said.
Rohn said ICC has contended that it is a separate entity from the telephone company in other court documents. Rames's letter "seems to indicate that the affidavits filed with the courts are a misrepresentation or the letter is a misrepresentation," she said.
"In his zealousness to come after Mr. Maynard, he has apparently shot himself in the proverbial foot," Rohn said.
Rames pointed out that Maynard supported a move to open Innovative Telephone's "confidential financial information," in the form of its financial reports, to the media. The PSC, in opposition to the chair, voted in September against making the reports public.
Subsequently, The Source, citing the local and federal Freedom of Information Acts, requested in writing earlier this month that the PSC make public the financial reports of all regulated utilities in the territory.
Phone company delays paying assessments
Maynard also has been a major player in the PSC's push for Innovative Telephone to pay the commission more than $600,000 it has been assessed since May 2001 for rate investigation costs. At its Sept. 30 meeting, the commission ordered the phone company to pay $400,000 of the amount by Oct. 4. The deadline passed with no payment.
Attorney Frederick Watts, hearing examiner for the PSC's Innovative Telephone rate investigation, said Monday that the company delivered a check for $75,000 on Friday, along with a promise to make additional payments. It earlier paid $75,000 and so now has paid $150,000 toward the total. According to V.I. law, Watts said, the company had to make the payment immediately. He said it would be up to the PSC to impose any sanctions against the company.
Regarding ICC's complaint against Maynard, Sen. Emmett Hansen II, an ex-officio PSC member, said the commission should avoid even an appearance of impropriety. "We have to avoid that at all costs. It's a small community and a very small professional class when you look at the people who perform certain tasks," he said.
Attorneys in the Virgin Islands who are free of what may be considered a conflict of interest where ICC is concerned are difficult to come by, according to Rohn.
"Early on," she said, Prosser "attempted to hire virtually every attorney on the island [of St. Croix] so they would all be conflicted out — including me," she said. "He asked if I would be willing to do some of his 'First Amendment work.'
"In the beginning, he had everybody doing a little something," Rohn continued. "I saw what he was doing early on, and was very careful not to do any work for him."
Innovative Telephone is the subject of two hearings this week before the Senate Economic Development, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Committee. Its chair, Sen. Adelbert Bryan, said the focus of the sessions, Thursday on St. Croix and Friday on St. Thomas, will be on whether the company is in compliance with requirements for its Economic Development Commission tax benefits.
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.
ICC attorney Kevin Rames wrote the commission charging that its chair, attorney Desmond Maynard, is unable to act without bias in matters related to Innovative Telephone because he represents a former Virgin Islands Daily News photographer who is suing both the newspaper and its parent company, which is ICC.
The letter contends that Maynard's representation of Hillary Hodge constitutes a conflict of interest because in his capacity of PSC chair, he is privy to certain confidential information about Innovative Telephone, which also is a subsidiary of ICC.
Rames said Maynard recently asked the court to extend the Hodge suit to include ICC and its owner, Jeffrey Prosser, as defendants after learning that "the payroll decisions of the Daily News are actually made or approved by ICC."
He charged that Maynard would stand to win a lot more money if ICC and Prosser were to lose the case.
Subsequently, Rames said, the confidential financial information of the parent company and its relationships with its subsidiaries, including the Daily News, have been made a "matter of significant concern" in Hodge's case.
He also said Maynard is working on the lawsuit with a St. Croix attorney, Lee Rohn, who represents three other former Daily News employees suing the newspaper and its parent company, alleging unlawful discharge.
"Vitelco is not one of the defendants in the Hodge case," Rohn pointed out Monday, referring to Innovative Telephone by the acronym of its former name, V.I. Telephone Corp. "Vitelco is the only PSC company in question. In every other case involving ICC or the Daily News, Prosser has claimed that the companies are all independent of each other; now they've taken a totally contrary position."
Indeed, in a motion to dismiss a complaint filed by Penny Feuerzeig, former Daily News executive editor, ICC denied that it owns the newspaper and said that it is owned by The Daily News Publishing Co. The motion also said ICC did not purchase the newspaper but did purchase its stock in 1997.
"As such, neither defendant [Prosser or ICC] was the employer of the plaintiff at the time of her resignation," the motion said.
Rohn said ICC has contended that it is a separate entity from the telephone company in other court documents. Rames's letter "seems to indicate that the affidavits filed with the courts are a misrepresentation or the letter is a misrepresentation," she said.
"In his zealousness to come after Mr. Maynard, he has apparently shot himself in the proverbial foot," Rohn said.
Rames pointed out that Maynard supported a move to open Innovative Telephone's "confidential financial information," in the form of its financial reports, to the media. The PSC, in opposition to the chair, voted in September against making the reports public.
Subsequently, The Source, citing the local and federal Freedom of Information Acts, requested in writing earlier this month that the PSC make public the financial reports of all regulated utilities in the territory.
Phone company delays paying assessments
Maynard also has been a major player in the PSC's push for Innovative Telephone to pay the commission more than $600,000 it has been assessed since May 2001 for rate investigation costs. At its Sept. 30 meeting, the commission ordered the phone company to pay $400,000 of the amount by Oct. 4. The deadline passed with no payment.
Attorney Frederick Watts, hearing examiner for the PSC's Innovative Telephone rate investigation, said Monday that the company delivered a check for $75,000 on Friday, along with a promise to make additional payments. It earlier paid $75,000 and so now has paid $150,000 toward the total. According to V.I. law, Watts said, the company had to make the payment immediately. He said it would be up to the PSC to impose any sanctions against the company.
Regarding ICC's complaint against Maynard, Sen. Emmett Hansen II, an ex-officio PSC member, said the commission should avoid even an appearance of impropriety. "We have to avoid that at all costs. It's a small community and a very small professional class when you look at the people who perform certain tasks," he said.
Attorneys in the Virgin Islands who are free of what may be considered a conflict of interest where ICC is concerned are difficult to come by, according to Rohn.
"Early on," she said, Prosser "attempted to hire virtually every attorney on the island [of St. Croix] so they would all be conflicted out — including me," she said. "He asked if I would be willing to do some of his 'First Amendment work.'
"In the beginning, he had everybody doing a little something," Rohn continued. "I saw what he was doing early on, and was very careful not to do any work for him."
Innovative Telephone is the subject of two hearings this week before the Senate Economic Development, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Committee. Its chair, Sen. Adelbert Bryan, said the focus of the sessions, Thursday on St. Croix and Friday on St. Thomas, will be on whether the company is in compliance with requirements for its Economic Development Commission tax benefits.
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.
CHALLENGE OF PSC CHAIR RAISES ICC QUESTIONS
Oct. 28, 2002 – A demand last Thursday by Innovative Communication Corp. that the chair of the Public Services Commission relinquish his seat has raised questions about ICC's organization and its relationship to Innovative Telephone, which the PSC regulates.
ICC attorney Kevin Rames wrote the commission charging that its chair, attorney Desmond Maynard, is unable to act without bias in matters related to Innovative Telephone because he represents a former Virgin Islands Daily News photographer who is suing both the newspaper and its parent company, which is ICC.
The letter contends that Maynard's representation of Hillary Hodge constitutes a conflict of interest because in his capacity of PSC chair, he is privy to certain confidential information about Innovative Telephone, which also is a subsidiary of ICC.
Rames said Maynard recently asked the court to extend the Hodge suit to include ICC and its owner, Jeffrey Prosser, as defendants after learning that "the payroll decisions of the Daily News are actually made or approved by ICC."
He charged that Maynard would stand to win a lot more money if ICC and Prosser were to lose the case.
Subsequently, Rames said, the confidential financial information of the parent company and its relationships with its subsidiaries, including the Daily News, have been made a "matter of significant concern" in Hodge's case.
He also said Maynard is working on the lawsuit with a St. Croix attorney, Lee Rohn, who represents three other former Daily News employees suing the newspaper and its parent company, alleging unlawful discharge.
"Vitelco is not one of the defendants in the Hodge case," Rohn pointed out Monday, referring to Innovative Telephone by the acronym of its former name, V.I. Telephone Corp. "Vitelco is the only PSC company in question. In every other case involving ICC or the Daily News, Prosser has claimed that the companies are all independent of each other; now they've taken a totally contrary position."
Indeed, in a motion to dismiss a complaint filed by Penny Feuerzeig, former Daily News executive editor, ICC denied that it owns the newspaper and said that it is owned by The Daily News Publishing Co. The motion also said ICC did not purchase the newspaper but did purchase its stock in 1997.
"As such, neither defendant [Prosser or ICC] was the employer of the plaintiff at the time of her resignation," the motion said.
Rohn said ICC has contended that it is a separate entity from the telephone company in other court documents. Rames's letter "seems to indicate that the affidavits filed with the courts are a misrepresentation or the letter is a misrepresentation," she said.
"In his zealousness to come after Mr. Maynard, he has apparently shot himself in the proverbial foot," Rohn said.
Rames pointed out that Maynard supported a move to open Innovative Telephone's "confidential financial information," in the form of its financial reports, to the media. The PSC, in opposition to the chair, voted in September against making the reports public.
Subsequently, The Source, citing the local and federal Freedom of Information Acts, requested in writing earlier this month that the PSC make public the financial reports of all regulated utilities in the territory.
Phone company delays paying assessments
Maynard also has been a major player in the PSC's push for Innovative Telephone to pay the commission more than $600,000 it has been assessed since May 2001 for rate investigation costs. At its Sept. 30 meeting, the commission ordered the phone company to pay $400,000 of the amount by Oct. 4. The deadline passed with no payment.
Attorney Frederick Watts, hearing examiner for the PSC's Innovative Telephone rate investigation, said Monday that the company delivered a check for $75,000 on Friday, along with a promise to make additional payments. It earlier paid $75,000 and so now has paid $150,000 toward the total. According to V.I. law, Watts said, the company had to make the payment immediately. He said it would be up to the PSC to impose any sanctions against the company.
Regarding ICC's complaint against Maynard, Sen. Emmett Hansen II, an ex-officio PSC member, said the commission should avoid even an appearance of impropriety. "We have to avoid that at all costs. It's a small community and a very small professional class when you look at the people who perform certain tasks," he said.
Attorneys in the Virgin Islands who are free of what may be considered a conflict of interest where ICC is concerned are difficult to come by, according to Rohn.
"Early on," she said, Prosser "attempted to hire virtually every attorney on the island [of St. Croix] so they would all be conflicted out — including me," she said. "He asked if I would be willing to do some of his 'First Amendment work.'
"In the beginning, he had everybody doing a little something," Rohn continued. "I saw what he was doing early on, and was very careful not to do any work for him."
Innovative Telephone is the subject of two hearings this week before the Senate Economic Development, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Committee. Its chair, Sen. Adelbert Bryan, said the focus of the sessions, Thursday on St. Croix and Friday on St. Thomas, will be on whether the company is in compliance with requirements for its Economic Development Commission tax benefits.
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.
ICC attorney Kevin Rames wrote the commission charging that its chair, attorney Desmond Maynard, is unable to act without bias in matters related to Innovative Telephone because he represents a former Virgin Islands Daily News photographer who is suing both the newspaper and its parent company, which is ICC.
The letter contends that Maynard's representation of Hillary Hodge constitutes a conflict of interest because in his capacity of PSC chair, he is privy to certain confidential information about Innovative Telephone, which also is a subsidiary of ICC.
Rames said Maynard recently asked the court to extend the Hodge suit to include ICC and its owner, Jeffrey Prosser, as defendants after learning that "the payroll decisions of the Daily News are actually made or approved by ICC."
He charged that Maynard would stand to win a lot more money if ICC and Prosser were to lose the case.
Subsequently, Rames said, the confidential financial information of the parent company and its relationships with its subsidiaries, including the Daily News, have been made a "matter of significant concern" in Hodge's case.
He also said Maynard is working on the lawsuit with a St. Croix attorney, Lee Rohn, who represents three other former Daily News employees suing the newspaper and its parent company, alleging unlawful discharge.
"Vitelco is not one of the defendants in the Hodge case," Rohn pointed out Monday, referring to Innovative Telephone by the acronym of its former name, V.I. Telephone Corp. "Vitelco is the only PSC company in question. In every other case involving ICC or the Daily News, Prosser has claimed that the companies are all independent of each other; now they've taken a totally contrary position."
Indeed, in a motion to dismiss a complaint filed by Penny Feuerzeig, former Daily News executive editor, ICC denied that it owns the newspaper and said that it is owned by The Daily News Publishing Co. The motion also said ICC did not purchase the newspaper but did purchase its stock in 1997.
"As such, neither defendant [Prosser or ICC] was the employer of the plaintiff at the time of her resignation," the motion said.
Rohn said ICC has contended that it is a separate entity from the telephone company in other court documents. Rames's letter "seems to indicate that the affidavits filed with the courts are a misrepresentation or the letter is a misrepresentation," she said.
"In his zealousness to come after Mr. Maynard, he has apparently shot himself in the proverbial foot," Rohn said.
Rames pointed out that Maynard supported a move to open Innovative Telephone's "confidential financial information," in the form of its financial reports, to the media. The PSC, in opposition to the chair, voted in September against making the reports public.
Subsequently, The Source, citing the local and federal Freedom of Information Acts, requested in writing earlier this month that the PSC make public the financial reports of all regulated utilities in the territory.
Phone company delays paying assessments
Maynard also has been a major player in the PSC's push for Innovative Telephone to pay the commission more than $600,000 it has been assessed since May 2001 for rate investigation costs. At its Sept. 30 meeting, the commission ordered the phone company to pay $400,000 of the amount by Oct. 4. The deadline passed with no payment.
Attorney Frederick Watts, hearing examiner for the PSC's Innovative Telephone rate investigation, said Monday that the company delivered a check for $75,000 on Friday, along with a promise to make additional payments. It earlier paid $75,000 and so now has paid $150,000 toward the total. According to V.I. law, Watts said, the company had to make the payment immediately. He said it would be up to the PSC to impose any sanctions against the company.
Regarding ICC's complaint against Maynard, Sen. Emmett Hansen II, an ex-officio PSC member, said the commission should avoid even an appearance of impropriety. "We have to avoid that at all costs. It's a small community and a very small professional class when you look at the people who perform certain tasks," he said.
Attorneys in the Virgin Islands who are free of what may be considered a conflict of interest where ICC is concerned are difficult to come by, according to Rohn.
"Early on," she said, Prosser "attempted to hire virtually every attorney on the island [of St. Croix] so they would all be conflicted out — including me," she said. "He asked if I would be willing to do some of his 'First Amendment work.'
"In the beginning, he had everybody doing a little something," Rohn continued. "I saw what he was doing early on, and was very careful not to do any work for him."
Innovative Telephone is the subject of two hearings this week before the Senate Economic Development, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Committee. Its chair, Sen. Adelbert Bryan, said the focus of the sessions, Thursday on St. Croix and Friday on St. Thomas, will be on whether the company is in compliance with requirements for its Economic Development Commission tax benefits.
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.
CHALLENGE OF PSC CHAIR RAISES ICC QUESTIONS
Oct. 28, 2002 – A demand last Thursday by Innovative Communication Corp. that the chair of the Public Services Commission relinquish his seat has raised questions about ICC's organization and its relationship to Innovative Telephone, which the PSC regulates.
ICC attorney Kevin Rames wrote the commission charging that its chair, attorney Desmond Maynard, is unable to act without bias in matters related to Innovative Telephone because he represents a former Virgin Islands Daily News photographer who is suing both the newspaper and its parent company, which is ICC.
The letter contends that Maynard's representation of Hillary Hodge constitutes a conflict of interest because in his capacity of PSC chair, he is privy to certain confidential information about Innovative Telephone, which also is a subsidiary of ICC.
Rames said Maynard recently asked the court to extend the Hodge suit to include ICC and its owner, Jeffrey Prosser, as defendants after learning that "the payroll decisions of the Daily News are actually made or approved by ICC."
He charged that Maynard would stand to win a lot more money if ICC and Prosser were to lose the case.
Subsequently, Rames said, the confidential financial information of the parent company and its relationships with its subsidiaries, including the Daily News, have been made a "matter of significant concern" in Hodge's case.
He also said Maynard is working on the lawsuit with a St. Croix attorney, Lee Rohn, who represents three other former Daily News employees suing the newspaper and its parent company, alleging unlawful discharge.
"Vitelco is not one of the defendants in the Hodge case," Rohn pointed out Monday, referring to Innovative Telephone by the acronym of its former name, V.I. Telephone Corp. "Vitelco is the only PSC company in question. In every other case involving ICC or the Daily News, Prosser has claimed that the companies are all independent of each other; now they've taken a totally contrary position."
Indeed, in a motion to dismiss a complaint filed by Penny Feuerzeig, former Daily News executive editor, ICC denied that it owns the newspaper and said that it is owned by The Daily News Publishing Co. The motion also said ICC did not purchase the newspaper but did purchase its stock in 1997.
"As such, neither defendant [Prosser or ICC] was the employer of the plaintiff at the time of her resignation," the motion said.
Rohn said ICC has contended that it is a separate entity from the telephone company in other court documents. Rames's letter "seems to indicate that the affidavits filed with the courts are a misrepresentation or the letter is a misrepresentation," she said.
"In his zealousness to come after Mr. Maynard, he has apparently shot himself in the proverbial foot," Rohn said.
Rames pointed out that Maynard supported a move to open Innovative Telephone's "confidential financial information," in the form of its financial reports, to the media. The PSC, in opposition to the chair, voted in September against making the reports public.
Subsequently, The Source, citing the local and federal Freedom of Information Acts, requested in writing earlier this month that the PSC make public the financial reports of all regulated utilities in the territory.
Phone company delays paying assessments
Maynard also has been a major player in the PSC's push for Innovative Telephone to pay the commission more than $600,000 it has been assessed since May 2001 for rate investigation costs. At its Sept. 30 meeting, the commission ordered the phone company to pay $400,000 of the amount by Oct. 4. The deadline passed with no payment.
Attorney Frederick Watts, hearing examiner for the PSC's Innovative Telephone rate investigation, said Monday that the company delivered a check for $75,000 on Friday, along with a promise to make additional payments. It earlier paid $75,000 and so now has paid $150,000 toward the total. According to V.I. law, Watts said, the company had to make the payment immediately. He said it would be up to the PSC to impose any sanctions against the company.
Regarding ICC's complaint against Maynard, Sen. Emmett Hansen II, an ex-officio PSC member, said the commission should avoid even an appearance of impropriety. "We have to avoid that at all costs. It's a small community and a very small professional class when you look at the people who perform certain tasks," he said.
Attorneys in the Virgin Islands who are free of what may be considered a conflict of interest where ICC is concerned are difficult to come by, according to Rohn.
"Early on," she said, Prosser "attempted to hire virtually every attorney on the island [of St. Croix] so they would all be conflicted out — including me," she said. "He asked if I would be willing to do some of his 'First Amendment work.'
"In the beginning, he had everybody doing a little something," Rohn continued. "I saw what he was doing early on, and was very careful not to do any work for him."
Innovative Telephone is the subject of two hearings this week before the Senate Economic Development, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Committee. Its chair, Sen. Adelbert Bryan, said the focus of the sessions, Thursday on St. Croix and Friday on St. Thomas, will be on whether the company is in compliance with requirements for its Economic Development Commission tax benefits.
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.
ICC attorney Kevin Rames wrote the commission charging that its chair, attorney Desmond Maynard, is unable to act without bias in matters related to Innovative Telephone because he represents a former Virgin Islands Daily News photographer who is suing both the newspaper and its parent company, which is ICC.
The letter contends that Maynard's representation of Hillary Hodge constitutes a conflict of interest because in his capacity of PSC chair, he is privy to certain confidential information about Innovative Telephone, which also is a subsidiary of ICC.
Rames said Maynard recently asked the court to extend the Hodge suit to include ICC and its owner, Jeffrey Prosser, as defendants after learning that "the payroll decisions of the Daily News are actually made or approved by ICC."
He charged that Maynard would stand to win a lot more money if ICC and Prosser were to lose the case.
Subsequently, Rames said, the confidential financial information of the parent company and its relationships with its subsidiaries, including the Daily News, have been made a "matter of significant concern" in Hodge's case.
He also said Maynard is working on the lawsuit with a St. Croix attorney, Lee Rohn, who represents three other former Daily News employees suing the newspaper and its parent company, alleging unlawful discharge.
"Vitelco is not one of the defendants in the Hodge case," Rohn pointed out Monday, referring to Innovative Telephone by the acronym of its former name, V.I. Telephone Corp. "Vitelco is the only PSC company in question. In every other case involving ICC or the Daily News, Prosser has claimed that the companies are all independent of each other; now they've taken a totally contrary position."
Indeed, in a motion to dismiss a complaint filed by Penny Feuerzeig, former Daily News executive editor, ICC denied that it owns the newspaper and said that it is owned by The Daily News Publishing Co. The motion also said ICC did not purchase the newspaper but did purchase its stock in 1997.
"As such, neither defendant [Prosser or ICC] was the employer of the plaintiff at the time of her resignation," the motion said.
Rohn said ICC has contended that it is a separate entity from the telephone company in other court documents. Rames's letter "seems to indicate that the affidavits filed with the courts are a misrepresentation or the letter is a misrepresentation," she said.
"In his zealousness to come after Mr. Maynard, he has apparently shot himself in the proverbial foot," Rohn said.
Rames pointed out that Maynard supported a move to open Innovative Telephone's "confidential financial information," in the form of its financial reports, to the media. The PSC, in opposition to the chair, voted in September against making the reports public.
Subsequently, The Source, citing the local and federal Freedom of Information Acts, requested in writing earlier this month that the PSC make public the financial reports of all regulated utilities in the territory.
Phone company delays paying assessments
Maynard also has been a major player in the PSC's push for Innovative Telephone to pay the commission more than $600,000 it has been assessed since May 2001 for rate investigation costs. At its Sept. 30 meeting, the commission ordered the phone company to pay $400,000 of the amount by Oct. 4. The deadline passed with no payment.
Attorney Frederick Watts, hearing examiner for the PSC's Innovative Telephone rate investigation, said Monday that the company delivered a check for $75,000 on Friday, along with a promise to make additional payments. It earlier paid $75,000 and so now has paid $150,000 toward the total. According to V.I. law, Watts said, the company had to make the payment immediately. He said it would be up to the PSC to impose any sanctions against the company.
Regarding ICC's complaint against Maynard, Sen. Emmett Hansen II, an ex-officio PSC member, said the commission should avoid even an appearance of impropriety. "We have to avoid that at all costs. It's a small community and a very small professional class when you look at the people who perform certain tasks," he said.
Attorneys in the Virgin Islands who are free of what may be considered a conflict of interest where ICC is concerned are difficult to come by, according to Rohn.
"Early on," she said, Prosser "attempted to hire virtually every attorney on the island [of St. Croix] so they would all be conflicted out — including me," she said. "He asked if I would be willing to do some of his 'First Amendment work.'
"In the beginning, he had everybody doing a little something," Rohn continued. "I saw what he was doing early on, and was very careful not to do any work for him."
Innovative Telephone is the subject of two hearings this week before the Senate Economic Development, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Committee. Its chair, Sen. Adelbert Bryan, said the focus of the sessions, Thursday on St. Croix and Friday on St. Thomas, will be on whether the company is in compliance with requirements for its Economic Development Commission tax benefits.
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.
AD URGES 'ELIGIBLE' BVI RESIDENTS TO VOTE IN USVI
Oct. 28, 2002 – The political campaign of one of the teams running for governor and lieutenant governor is taking its message across Sir Francis Drake Channel.
Listeners to Tortola radio station ZBVI can hear an appeal by Charles W. Turnbull and Vargrave Richards to join hundreds of fellow "eligible voters" who live in the British Virgin Islands in crossing the channel and casting their ballots for the Democratic slate Nov. 5. The ad pledges that those who make the trip by boat will be met by surface transportation to take them to the polls.
"It's an ad for the Committee to Re-Elect Turnbull/Richards. It's an ad inviting everybody who is eligible to vote to come down and vote for Turnbull and Richards," Sandra Potter, ZBVI operations and sales manager, said Monday.
Taking the political campaign out of the territory is not viewed as unusual in Tortola. "It's the same thing that happens here for our elections," Potter said. "Boatloads of people come from St. Thomas to vote in our elections."
According to the political ad airing on the BVI airwaves, up to 2,000 voters are eligible to make the reverse trip on USVI election day.
BVI Elections Supervisor Lisa Penn Lettsome said residents in the U.S. territory can vote in the British territory as long as they meet a list of requirements, but for her counterpart in the U.S. territory, the right to cast a legitimate vote doesn't go both ways.
"The legal basis for it is in our constitution," Lettsome said of the British Virgins' allowing of inter-territorial voting. "It's under the provisions that define persons who are eligible to be registered to vote."
St. Thomas resident Godfrey de Castro, a former attorney general in the U.S. territory, said he's one of the voters who exercises such rights in two territories. "I don't see any problem," he said Monday. "I think it's great because the people of the British Virgin Islands and the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands have lived so closely together for so many years."
But USVI Elections Supervisor John Abramson Jr. said there is, indeed, a problem. He said U.S. citizens signing the territory's voter registration cards state, among other things, that they are not voting in other states, countries or territories and that they have lived in the territory for at least three months prior to the vote.
To do otherwise, he said, is breaking the law. So far, Abramson said Monday, he has gotten complaints about extra-territorial voter solicitations but has yet to see the evidence that this is happening. "These allegations are only allegations until somebody has the testicular fortitude to charge somebody is committing perjury," he said.
For the last three election cycles, Abramson said, in an effort to ensure that only bona fide voters take part in local elections, he has been collecting registered voter lists from the BVI and doing some cross-checking.
Lettsome said such lists of those who can legitimately vote are posted in public places around the British territory weeks before an election. Abramson said he uses the BVI list to "verify it against my own and come up with anybody's name that seems to be similar."
Abramson expressed concern about the radio ads and said he would contact the Tortola station to find out more about them.
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.
Listeners to Tortola radio station ZBVI can hear an appeal by Charles W. Turnbull and Vargrave Richards to join hundreds of fellow "eligible voters" who live in the British Virgin Islands in crossing the channel and casting their ballots for the Democratic slate Nov. 5. The ad pledges that those who make the trip by boat will be met by surface transportation to take them to the polls.
"It's an ad for the Committee to Re-Elect Turnbull/Richards. It's an ad inviting everybody who is eligible to vote to come down and vote for Turnbull and Richards," Sandra Potter, ZBVI operations and sales manager, said Monday.
Taking the political campaign out of the territory is not viewed as unusual in Tortola. "It's the same thing that happens here for our elections," Potter said. "Boatloads of people come from St. Thomas to vote in our elections."
According to the political ad airing on the BVI airwaves, up to 2,000 voters are eligible to make the reverse trip on USVI election day.
BVI Elections Supervisor Lisa Penn Lettsome said residents in the U.S. territory can vote in the British territory as long as they meet a list of requirements, but for her counterpart in the U.S. territory, the right to cast a legitimate vote doesn't go both ways.
"The legal basis for it is in our constitution," Lettsome said of the British Virgins' allowing of inter-territorial voting. "It's under the provisions that define persons who are eligible to be registered to vote."
St. Thomas resident Godfrey de Castro, a former attorney general in the U.S. territory, said he's one of the voters who exercises such rights in two territories. "I don't see any problem," he said Monday. "I think it's great because the people of the British Virgin Islands and the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands have lived so closely together for so many years."
But USVI Elections Supervisor John Abramson Jr. said there is, indeed, a problem. He said U.S. citizens signing the territory's voter registration cards state, among other things, that they are not voting in other states, countries or territories and that they have lived in the territory for at least three months prior to the vote.
To do otherwise, he said, is breaking the law. So far, Abramson said Monday, he has gotten complaints about extra-territorial voter solicitations but has yet to see the evidence that this is happening. "These allegations are only allegations until somebody has the testicular fortitude to charge somebody is committing perjury," he said.
For the last three election cycles, Abramson said, in an effort to ensure that only bona fide voters take part in local elections, he has been collecting registered voter lists from the BVI and doing some cross-checking.
Lettsome said such lists of those who can legitimately vote are posted in public places around the British territory weeks before an election. Abramson said he uses the BVI list to "verify it against my own and come up with anybody's name that seems to be similar."
Abramson expressed concern about the radio ads and said he would contact the Tortola station to find out more about them.
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.
AD URGES 'ELIGIBLE' BVI RESIDENTS TO VOTE IN USVI
Oct. 28, 2002 – The political campaign of one of the candidate teams running for governor and lieutenant governor is taking its message across Sir Francis Drake Channel.
Listeners to Tortola radio station ZBVI can hear an appeal by the team of Charles W. Turnbull and Vargrave Richards to join hundreds of fellow "eligible voters" who live in the British Virgin Islands in crossing the channel and casting their ballots for the Democratic slate on Nov. 5. The ad pledges that those who make the trip by boat will be met by surface transportation to take them to the polls.
"It's an ad for the Committee to Re-Elect Turnbull/Richards. It's an ad inviting everybody who is eligible to vote to come down and vote for Turnbull and Richards," Sandra Potter, ZBVI operations and sales manager, said on Monday.
Taking the political campaign out of the territory is not viewed as unusual in Tortola. "It's the same thing that happens here for our elections," Potter said. "Boatloads of people come from St. Thomas to vote in our elections."
According to the political ad currently heard on the BVI airwaves, there are up to 2,000 voters eligible to make the reverse trip on USVI election day.
BVI Elections Supervisor Lisa Penn Lettsome said residents in the U.S. territory can vote in the British territory as long as they meet a list of requirements, but for her counterpart in the U.S. territory, the right to cast a legitimate vote doesn't go both ways.
"The legal basis for it is in our constitution," Lettsome said of the British Virgins' allowing of inter-territorial voting. "It's under the provisions that define persons who are eligible to be registered to vote."
St. Thomas resident Godfrey de Castro, a former attorney general in the U.S. territory, said he's one of the voters who exercises such rights in two territories. "I don't see any problem," he said Monday. "I think it's great because the people of the British Virgin Islands and the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands have lived so closely together for so many years."
But USVI Elections Supervisor John Abramson Jr. said there is, indeed, a problem. He said U.S. citizens signing the territory's voter registration cards state, among other things, that they are not voting in other states, countries or territories and they have lived in the territory for at least three months prior to the vote.
To do otherwise, he said, is breaking the law. So far, Abramson said on Monday, he has gotten complaints about extra-territorial voter solicitations but has yet to see the evidence that this is happening. "These allegations are only allegations until somebody has the testicular fortitude to charge somebody is committing perjury," he said.
For the last three election cycles, Abramson said, in an effort to ensure that only bona fide voters take part in local elections, he has been collecting registered voter lists from the BVI and doing some cross-checking.
Lettsome said such lists of those who can legitimately vote are posted in public places around the British territory weeks before an election. Abramson said he uses the BVI list to "verify it against my own and come up with anybody's name that seems to be similar."
Abramson expressed concern about the radio ads and said he would contact the Tortola station to find out more about them.
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.
Listeners to Tortola radio station ZBVI can hear an appeal by the team of Charles W. Turnbull and Vargrave Richards to join hundreds of fellow "eligible voters" who live in the British Virgin Islands in crossing the channel and casting their ballots for the Democratic slate on Nov. 5. The ad pledges that those who make the trip by boat will be met by surface transportation to take them to the polls.
"It's an ad for the Committee to Re-Elect Turnbull/Richards. It's an ad inviting everybody who is eligible to vote to come down and vote for Turnbull and Richards," Sandra Potter, ZBVI operations and sales manager, said on Monday.
Taking the political campaign out of the territory is not viewed as unusual in Tortola. "It's the same thing that happens here for our elections," Potter said. "Boatloads of people come from St. Thomas to vote in our elections."
According to the political ad currently heard on the BVI airwaves, there are up to 2,000 voters eligible to make the reverse trip on USVI election day.
BVI Elections Supervisor Lisa Penn Lettsome said residents in the U.S. territory can vote in the British territory as long as they meet a list of requirements, but for her counterpart in the U.S. territory, the right to cast a legitimate vote doesn't go both ways.
"The legal basis for it is in our constitution," Lettsome said of the British Virgins' allowing of inter-territorial voting. "It's under the provisions that define persons who are eligible to be registered to vote."
St. Thomas resident Godfrey de Castro, a former attorney general in the U.S. territory, said he's one of the voters who exercises such rights in two territories. "I don't see any problem," he said Monday. "I think it's great because the people of the British Virgin Islands and the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands have lived so closely together for so many years."
But USVI Elections Supervisor John Abramson Jr. said there is, indeed, a problem. He said U.S. citizens signing the territory's voter registration cards state, among other things, that they are not voting in other states, countries or territories and they have lived in the territory for at least three months prior to the vote.
To do otherwise, he said, is breaking the law. So far, Abramson said on Monday, he has gotten complaints about extra-territorial voter solicitations but has yet to see the evidence that this is happening. "These allegations are only allegations until somebody has the testicular fortitude to charge somebody is committing perjury," he said.
For the last three election cycles, Abramson said, in an effort to ensure that only bona fide voters take part in local elections, he has been collecting registered voter lists from the BVI and doing some cross-checking.
Lettsome said such lists of those who can legitimately vote are posted in public places around the British territory weeks before an election. Abramson said he uses the BVI list to "verify it against my own and come up with anybody's name that seems to be similar."
Abramson expressed concern about the radio ads and said he would contact the Tortola station to find out more about them.
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.
AD URGES 'ELIGIBLE' BVI RESIDENTS TO VOTE IN USVI
Oct. 28, 2002 – The political campaign of one of the candidate teams running for governor and lieutenant governor is taking its message across Sir Francis Drake Channel.
Listeners to Tortola radio station ZBVI can hear an appeal by the team of Charles W. Turnbull and Vargrave Richards to join hundreds of fellow "eligible voters" who live in the British Virgin Islands in crossing the channel and casting their ballots for the Democratic slate on Nov. 5. The ad pledges that those who make the trip by boat will be met by surface transportation to take them to the polls.
"It's an ad for the Committee to Re-Elect Turnbull/Richards. It's an ad inviting everybody who is eligible to vote to come down and vote for Turnbull and Richards," Sandra Potter, ZBVI operations and sales manager, said on Monday.
Taking the political campaign out of the territory is not viewed as unusual in Tortola. "It's the same thing that happens here for our elections," Potter said. "Boatloads of people come from St. Thomas to vote in our elections."
According to the political ad currently heard on the BVI airwaves, there are up to 2,000 voters eligible to make the reverse trip on USVI election day.
BVI Elections Supervisor Lisa Penn Lettsome said residents in the U.S. territory can vote in the British territory as long as they meet a list of requirements, but for her counterpart in the U.S. territory, the right to cast a legitimate vote doesn't go both ways.
"The legal basis for it is in our constitution," Lettsome said of the British Virgins' allowing of inter-territorial voting. "It's under the provisions that define persons who are eligible to be registered to vote."
St. Thomas resident Godfrey de Castro, a former attorney general in the U.S. territory, said he's one of the voters who exercises such rights in two territories. "I don't see any problem," he said Monday. "I think it's great because the people of the British Virgin Islands and the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands have lived so closely together for so many years."
But USVI Elections Supervisor John Abramson Jr. said there is, indeed, a problem. He said U.S. citizens signing the territory's voter registration cards state, among other things, that they are not voting in other states, countries or territories and they have lived in the territory for at least three months prior to the vote.
To do otherwise, he said, is breaking the law. So far, Abramson said on Monday, he has gotten complaints about extra-territorial voter solicitations but has yet to see the evidence that this is happening. "These allegations are only allegations until somebody has the testicular fortitude to charge somebody is committing perjury," he said.
For the last three election cycles, Abramson said, in an effort to ensure that only bona fide voters take part in local elections, he has been collecting registered voter lists from the BVI and doing some cross-checking.
Lettsome said such lists of those who can legitimately vote are posted in public places around the British territory weeks before an election. Abramson said he uses the BVI list to "verify it against my own and come up with anybody's name that seems to be similar."
Abramson expressed concern about the radio ads and said he would contact the Tortola station to find out more about them.
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.
Listeners to Tortola radio station ZBVI can hear an appeal by the team of Charles W. Turnbull and Vargrave Richards to join hundreds of fellow "eligible voters" who live in the British Virgin Islands in crossing the channel and casting their ballots for the Democratic slate on Nov. 5. The ad pledges that those who make the trip by boat will be met by surface transportation to take them to the polls.
"It's an ad for the Committee to Re-Elect Turnbull/Richards. It's an ad inviting everybody who is eligible to vote to come down and vote for Turnbull and Richards," Sandra Potter, ZBVI operations and sales manager, said on Monday.
Taking the political campaign out of the territory is not viewed as unusual in Tortola. "It's the same thing that happens here for our elections," Potter said. "Boatloads of people come from St. Thomas to vote in our elections."
According to the political ad currently heard on the BVI airwaves, there are up to 2,000 voters eligible to make the reverse trip on USVI election day.
BVI Elections Supervisor Lisa Penn Lettsome said residents in the U.S. territory can vote in the British territory as long as they meet a list of requirements, but for her counterpart in the U.S. territory, the right to cast a legitimate vote doesn't go both ways.
"The legal basis for it is in our constitution," Lettsome said of the British Virgins' allowing of inter-territorial voting. "It's under the provisions that define persons who are eligible to be registered to vote."
St. Thomas resident Godfrey de Castro, a former attorney general in the U.S. territory, said he's one of the voters who exercises such rights in two territories. "I don't see any problem," he said Monday. "I think it's great because the people of the British Virgin Islands and the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands have lived so closely together for so many years."
But USVI Elections Supervisor John Abramson Jr. said there is, indeed, a problem. He said U.S. citizens signing the territory's voter registration cards state, among other things, that they are not voting in other states, countries or territories and they have lived in the territory for at least three months prior to the vote.
To do otherwise, he said, is breaking the law. So far, Abramson said on Monday, he has gotten complaints about extra-territorial voter solicitations but has yet to see the evidence that this is happening. "These allegations are only allegations until somebody has the testicular fortitude to charge somebody is committing perjury," he said.
For the last three election cycles, Abramson said, in an effort to ensure that only bona fide voters take part in local elections, he has been collecting registered voter lists from the BVI and doing some cross-checking.
Lettsome said such lists of those who can legitimately vote are posted in public places around the British territory weeks before an election. Abramson said he uses the BVI list to "verify it against my own and come up with anybody's name that seems to be similar."
Abramson expressed concern about the radio ads and said he would contact the Tortola station to find out more about them.
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