Oct. 23, 2002 – School policy vs. freedom of expression. That was the debate Wednesday as the Board of Education met to decide whether a John H. Woodson Junior High School student will be allowed to attend classes wearing his hair in braided corn rows. A decision could come on Thursday and will be binding for students throughout the territory.
Anthony Gibson, 12, was sent home from school on Sept. 19 and again the following day for wearing the braids, which violate a school policy set forth in a newsletter issued by the Woodson principal before classes began this year.
Anthony's father, Shawn Gibson, had already requested a hearing on the matter by the school board when Woodson Principal Vaughn Hewitt sent a letter on Sept. 30 informing the boy's parents that he had been transferred to Arthur A. Richards Junior High.
Attorneys representing the Education Department and the Gibsons presented their case before the board on Wednesday in a Territorial Court meeting room on St. Croix.
"It's unbelievable, considering the state our educational system is in, that anyone would spend time and effort depriving students of their constitutional rights," Anthony and Shawn Gibson's attorney, Lee Rohn, said.
Rohn said Anthony prefers to wear his hair in corn rows as an expression of his African heritage and in remembrance of slavery. She cited a U.S. Supreme Court decision holding that a student's decision to wear his or her hair a certain way as a statement of beliefs or a religion may not be violated by the school board.
Hewitt, she noted, "adopted this policy for male students only."
She said the principal refused to meet with Shawn Gibson to discuss the matter and suspended Anthony without following the proper protocol. When Anthony was dismissed from school the second time, on Sept. 20, Hewitt called police to escort the boy and his father off the school grounds.
"The child was told, 'If you wear your hair in braids again, we won't call your father to come pick you up, we'll call the police to come pick you up,'" Rohn told the school board.
She also said Hewitt slandered Anthony by saying that boys who wear braids are usually members of gangs.
Rohn asked that the Education Department discipline Hewitt for his failure to follow suspension policy, award attorney's fees to Shawn Gibson, and rule that any future decision against the wearing of braids be disallowed.
Education attorney Tregenza Roach argued that the policy, which is at least six years old, is in place to protect students.
"It is an easy thing for people to misconstrue," Roach said Wednesday night after the meeting. He said the issue is not with Anthony in particular. "This policy in place didn't just drop out of the sky, and it didn't arise out of this particular incident," he said.
The school has had problems in the past with students identifying themselves as members of a particular gang or group by wearing the braids, Roach said. "It's easy for people to say this is a trivial issue," he told the board, "but they are not on the front lines; they are not dealing with the schools on a day-to-day basis."
School officials have seen a noticeable decline in gang-related violence on the Woodson campus since implementation of the policy, Roach said. He challenged Rohn's citing of the 1969 Supreme Court decision, saying that the case had to do with students wearing armbands as a political statement and that the nation's highest court has consistently refused to hear cases dealing specifically with hair.
"In fact, the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals dealt specifically with hair, and they said the school boards may determine those policies," Roach said.
For background on the corn rows controversy, see "Student's lawyer vows fight over hairstyle".
The hearing will continue on Thursday, Jorge Galiber, board chair, said, and after all testimony has been heard, the board will caucus to decide whether braids are acceptable.
Roach suggested that one board member, Claudette Petersen, recuse herself from the deliberations. He said Petersen, who also is president of the St. Croix Central High School Parent-Teacher Association, has stated publicly on radio talk shows that the braids should be allowed.
Prior to voting on the braids matter, the board will vote on whether Petersen should be allowed to participate in the hairstyle decision.
Board members present at the hearing in addition to Galiber and Petersen were Harry Daniel, Terrence D. Joseph, Keith Richards and Yvonne Williams. Gerald Hodge Sr. was excused, and Linda Thomas was absent.
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SEE 'THE RING' BEFORE YOU DIE
Oct. 24, 2002 – "The Ring" begins with the premise of four Seattle high school friends spending a weekend at a remote Washington state inn, where the TV's botched reception drives them to play an unmarked videotape from the manager's lending library. A telephone call to their cabin immediately after they view the tape warns them that they'll die in seven days. Seven days later, the teens die at exactly the same time they finished watching the tape, in three separate "accidents."
Rachel (Naomi Watts), the aunt of one of the girls, is a reporter at a Seattle newspaper and starts an investigation that leads her to view the tape, too. She immediately gets a similar phone call saying she will die in seven days, setting the clock for her to save herself and solve the mysterious meaning behind the ring, an image victims are meant to see the moment before they die.
Rachel's ex-boyfriend, Noah (Martin Henderson), is a video technician, and she calls him despite their estranged relationship to help her figure out the source of the video, and he also views the tape one day later. They make a copy of the tape, which inadvertently is watched by their quiet, intelligent son, Aidan (David Dorfman), who happens to be communicating with a young girl's spirit that had told him his cousin was going to die, an event he drew a picture of the week before his cousin died.
Rachel's investigation leads her to an island off northern Washington, the site of a lighthouse seen on the puzzling videotape. Outside a horse ranch operated by Richard Morgan (Brian Cox), Rachel realizes she is standing in the picture her son drew back in Seattle, although he had never been to the island. Inside the Morgan home, Rachel realizes it is the house in the video. She calls Aidan back in Seattle, and he tells her the little girl, who shows him things, hates the barn because the horses keep her awake. She can't sleep.
Aidan can't sleep.
And neither will moviegoers after they see "The Ring."
Director Gore Verbinski has succeeded in bringing a truly suspenseful horror film back to the screen. "The Ring" is an American remake of a 1998 Japanese blockbuster, "Ringu," which has already spawned three sequels in Japan. Sound and photographic effects work together masterfully to keep audiences on the edge of their seats, alternately screaming and clutching their chests.
And "The Ring" provides heart-stopping scares while keeping a PG-13 rating, which goes to prove that suspense and a good script can be just as frightening as gore and violence — while allowing larger numbers of viewers to see the potent images on the videotape. Go see "The Ring" again in seven days. Just don't take your cell phone to the theater. But if you do, and it rings, whatever you do, don't answer it.
The 1 hour 45 minute film is rated PG-13 for thematic elements, disturbing images and language.
"The Ring" is playing at Market Square East.
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.
Rachel (Naomi Watts), the aunt of one of the girls, is a reporter at a Seattle newspaper and starts an investigation that leads her to view the tape, too. She immediately gets a similar phone call saying she will die in seven days, setting the clock for her to save herself and solve the mysterious meaning behind the ring, an image victims are meant to see the moment before they die.
Rachel's ex-boyfriend, Noah (Martin Henderson), is a video technician, and she calls him despite their estranged relationship to help her figure out the source of the video, and he also views the tape one day later. They make a copy of the tape, which inadvertently is watched by their quiet, intelligent son, Aidan (David Dorfman), who happens to be communicating with a young girl's spirit that had told him his cousin was going to die, an event he drew a picture of the week before his cousin died.
Rachel's investigation leads her to an island off northern Washington, the site of a lighthouse seen on the puzzling videotape. Outside a horse ranch operated by Richard Morgan (Brian Cox), Rachel realizes she is standing in the picture her son drew back in Seattle, although he had never been to the island. Inside the Morgan home, Rachel realizes it is the house in the video. She calls Aidan back in Seattle, and he tells her the little girl, who shows him things, hates the barn because the horses keep her awake. She can't sleep.
Aidan can't sleep.
And neither will moviegoers after they see "The Ring."
Director Gore Verbinski has succeeded in bringing a truly suspenseful horror film back to the screen. "The Ring" is an American remake of a 1998 Japanese blockbuster, "Ringu," which has already spawned three sequels in Japan. Sound and photographic effects work together masterfully to keep audiences on the edge of their seats, alternately screaming and clutching their chests.
And "The Ring" provides heart-stopping scares while keeping a PG-13 rating, which goes to prove that suspense and a good script can be just as frightening as gore and violence — while allowing larger numbers of viewers to see the potent images on the videotape. Go see "The Ring" again in seven days. Just don't take your cell phone to the theater. But if you do, and it rings, whatever you do, don't answer it.
The 1 hour 45 minute film is rated PG-13 for thematic elements, disturbing images and language.
"The Ring" is playing at Market Square East.
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.
SCHOOL HAIRSTYLE HEARING CONTINUING THURSDAY
Oct. 23, 2002 – School policy vs. freedom of expression. That was the debate Wednesday as the Board of Education met to decide whether a John H. Woodson Junior High School student will be allowed to attend classes wearing his hair in braided corn rows. A decision could come on Thursday and will be binding for students throughout the territory.
Anthony Gibson, 12, was sent home from school on Sept. 19 and again the following day for wearing the braids, which violate a school policy set forth in a newsletter issued by the Woodson principal before classes began this year.
Anthony's father, Shawn Gibson, had already requested a hearing on the matter by the school board when Woodson Principal Vaughn Hewitt sent a letter on Sept. 30 informing the boy's parents that he had been transferred to Arthur A. Richards Junior High.
Attorneys representing the Education Department and the Gibsons presented their case before the board Wednesday in a Territorial Court meeting room on St. Croix.
"It's unbelievable, considering the state our educational system is in, that anyone would spend time and effort depriving students of their constitutional rights," Anthony and Shawn Gibson's attorney, Lee Rohn, said.
Rohn said Anthony prefers to wear his hair in corn rows as an expression of his African heritage and in remembrance of slavery. She cited a U.S. Supreme Court decision holding that a student's decision to wear his or her hair a certain way as a statement of beliefs or a religion may not be violated by the school board.
Hewitt, she noted, "adopted this policy for male students only."
She said the principal refused to meet with Shawn Gibson to discuss the matter and suspended Anthony without following the proper protocol. When Anthony was dismissed from school the second time, on Sept. 20, Hewitt called police to escort the boy and his father off the school grounds.
"The child was told, 'If you wear your hair in braids again, we won't call your father to come pick you up, we'll call the police to come pick you up,'" Rohn told the school board.
She also said Hewitt slandered Anthony by saying that boys who wear braids are usually members of gangs.
Rohn asked that the Education Department discipline Hewitt for his failure to follow suspension policy, award attorney's fees to Shawn Gibson, and rule that any future decision against the wearing of braids be disallowed.
Education attorney Tregenza Roach argued that the policy, which is at least six years old, is in place to protect students.
"It is an easy thing for people to misconstrue," Roach said Wednesday night after the meeting. He said the issue is not with Anthony in particular. "This policy in place didn't just drop out of the sky, and it didn't arise out of this particular incident," he said.
The school has had problems in the past with students identifying themselves as members of a particular gang or group by wearing the braids, Roach said. "It's easy for people to say this is a trivial issue," he told the board, "but they are not on the front lines; they are not dealing with the schools on a day-to-day basis."
School officials have seen a noticeable decline in gang-related violence on the Woodson campus since implementation of the policy, Roach said. He challenged Rohn's citing of the 1969 Supreme Court decision, saying that the case had to do with students wearing armbands as a political statement and that the nation's highest court has consistently refused to hear cases dealing specifically with hair.
"In fact, the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals dealt specifically with hair, and they said the school boards may determine those policies," Roach said.
For background on the corn rows controversy, see "Student's lawyer vows fight over hairstyle".
The hearing will continue on Thursday, Jorge Galiber, board chair, said, and after all testimony has been heard, the board will caucus to decide whether braids are acceptable.
Roach suggested that one board member, Claudette Petersen, recuse herself from the deliberations. He said Petersen, who also is president of the St. Croix Central High School Parent-Teacher Association, has stated publicly on radio talk shows that the braids should be allowed.
Prior to voting on the braids matter, the board will vote on whether Petersen should be allowed to participate in the hairstyle decision.
Board members present at the hearing in addition to Galiber and Petersen were Harry Daniel, Terrence D. Joseph, Keith Richards and Yvonne Williams. Gerald Hodge Sr. was excused, and Linda Thomas was absent.
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.
Anthony Gibson, 12, was sent home from school on Sept. 19 and again the following day for wearing the braids, which violate a school policy set forth in a newsletter issued by the Woodson principal before classes began this year.
Anthony's father, Shawn Gibson, had already requested a hearing on the matter by the school board when Woodson Principal Vaughn Hewitt sent a letter on Sept. 30 informing the boy's parents that he had been transferred to Arthur A. Richards Junior High.
Attorneys representing the Education Department and the Gibsons presented their case before the board Wednesday in a Territorial Court meeting room on St. Croix.
"It's unbelievable, considering the state our educational system is in, that anyone would spend time and effort depriving students of their constitutional rights," Anthony and Shawn Gibson's attorney, Lee Rohn, said.
Rohn said Anthony prefers to wear his hair in corn rows as an expression of his African heritage and in remembrance of slavery. She cited a U.S. Supreme Court decision holding that a student's decision to wear his or her hair a certain way as a statement of beliefs or a religion may not be violated by the school board.
Hewitt, she noted, "adopted this policy for male students only."
She said the principal refused to meet with Shawn Gibson to discuss the matter and suspended Anthony without following the proper protocol. When Anthony was dismissed from school the second time, on Sept. 20, Hewitt called police to escort the boy and his father off the school grounds.
"The child was told, 'If you wear your hair in braids again, we won't call your father to come pick you up, we'll call the police to come pick you up,'" Rohn told the school board.
She also said Hewitt slandered Anthony by saying that boys who wear braids are usually members of gangs.
Rohn asked that the Education Department discipline Hewitt for his failure to follow suspension policy, award attorney's fees to Shawn Gibson, and rule that any future decision against the wearing of braids be disallowed.
Education attorney Tregenza Roach argued that the policy, which is at least six years old, is in place to protect students.
"It is an easy thing for people to misconstrue," Roach said Wednesday night after the meeting. He said the issue is not with Anthony in particular. "This policy in place didn't just drop out of the sky, and it didn't arise out of this particular incident," he said.
The school has had problems in the past with students identifying themselves as members of a particular gang or group by wearing the braids, Roach said. "It's easy for people to say this is a trivial issue," he told the board, "but they are not on the front lines; they are not dealing with the schools on a day-to-day basis."
School officials have seen a noticeable decline in gang-related violence on the Woodson campus since implementation of the policy, Roach said. He challenged Rohn's citing of the 1969 Supreme Court decision, saying that the case had to do with students wearing armbands as a political statement and that the nation's highest court has consistently refused to hear cases dealing specifically with hair.
"In fact, the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals dealt specifically with hair, and they said the school boards may determine those policies," Roach said.
For background on the corn rows controversy, see "Student's lawyer vows fight over hairstyle".
The hearing will continue on Thursday, Jorge Galiber, board chair, said, and after all testimony has been heard, the board will caucus to decide whether braids are acceptable.
Roach suggested that one board member, Claudette Petersen, recuse herself from the deliberations. He said Petersen, who also is president of the St. Croix Central High School Parent-Teacher Association, has stated publicly on radio talk shows that the braids should be allowed.
Prior to voting on the braids matter, the board will vote on whether Petersen should be allowed to participate in the hairstyle decision.
Board members present at the hearing in addition to Galiber and Petersen were Harry Daniel, Terrence D. Joseph, Keith Richards and Yvonne Williams. Gerald Hodge Sr. was excused, and Linda Thomas was absent.
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.
TURNBULL: PFA AUDIT REPORT UNSEEN AS OF OCT. 17
Oct. 23, 2002 – In a release circulated Wednesday evening from Government House, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull issued a five-sentence statement concerning his review of the draft report of an audit of the Public Finance Authority by the Office of Inspector General.
The statement is as follows:
"Certain news reports in the print and broadcast media suggest that I misled the Virgin Islands public during an interview on Oct. 17 while appearing on TV2 with regard to reading the draft audit report on the Public Finance Authority. Let me again assure the Virgin Islands public that I had not seen the federal Inspector General's draft of the audit at the time of the interview.
"On Friday morning, Oct. 18, the day after the interview, I received a briefing from the director of finance and administration of the Public Finance Authority, Mr. Kenneth Mapp, and chief of staff, Mrs. Juel T.R. Molloy, and other staff members on the audit in question. At that time I reviewed the draft response, agreed with its contents and signed it.
"There is nothing untrue with my statement on Thursday evening, and I stand by it."
For a summary of the draft report, along with comments critical of it made by Mapp on Tuesday, see Audit faults PFA for management, spending ills".
As a cover letter to the 30-page draft report, Arnold van Beverhoudt, regional audit manager for the Office of Inspector General, wrote to Turnbull in his capacity as chair of the PFA board of directors, with the letter copied to the "director of finance and administration, Public Finance Authority" — that it, Mapp.
The address used was 21 Kongens Gade, Charlotte Amalie, which is Government House.
The letter is dated Oct. 1. In it, van Beverhoudt asked that Turnbull respond to the report by Oct. 16, stating "concurrence or nonconcurrence with the findings and each recommendation, including specific reasons for any nonconcurrence." The governor's response, the letter continued, "should also provide information on actions taken or planned, including target dates and titles of officials responsible for implementation."
And, it said, "If a response is not received by the due date, the final report will be issued without benefit of your comments."
Turnbull's statement on Wednesday did not address why he had not seen the draft report as of Oct. 17, although he had been requested in a letter dated Oct. 1 to submit his response to it by Oct. 16.
The Wednesday statement from Government House also did not provide any indication of the contents of "the draft response" that he said he reviewed, agreed with and signed on Oct. 18.
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 statement is as follows:
"Certain news reports in the print and broadcast media suggest that I misled the Virgin Islands public during an interview on Oct. 17 while appearing on TV2 with regard to reading the draft audit report on the Public Finance Authority. Let me again assure the Virgin Islands public that I had not seen the federal Inspector General's draft of the audit at the time of the interview.
"On Friday morning, Oct. 18, the day after the interview, I received a briefing from the director of finance and administration of the Public Finance Authority, Mr. Kenneth Mapp, and chief of staff, Mrs. Juel T.R. Molloy, and other staff members on the audit in question. At that time I reviewed the draft response, agreed with its contents and signed it.
"There is nothing untrue with my statement on Thursday evening, and I stand by it."
For a summary of the draft report, along with comments critical of it made by Mapp on Tuesday, see Audit faults PFA for management, spending ills".
As a cover letter to the 30-page draft report, Arnold van Beverhoudt, regional audit manager for the Office of Inspector General, wrote to Turnbull in his capacity as chair of the PFA board of directors, with the letter copied to the "director of finance and administration, Public Finance Authority" — that it, Mapp.
The address used was 21 Kongens Gade, Charlotte Amalie, which is Government House.
The letter is dated Oct. 1. In it, van Beverhoudt asked that Turnbull respond to the report by Oct. 16, stating "concurrence or nonconcurrence with the findings and each recommendation, including specific reasons for any nonconcurrence." The governor's response, the letter continued, "should also provide information on actions taken or planned, including target dates and titles of officials responsible for implementation."
And, it said, "If a response is not received by the due date, the final report will be issued without benefit of your comments."
Turnbull's statement on Wednesday did not address why he had not seen the draft report as of Oct. 17, although he had been requested in a letter dated Oct. 1 to submit his response to it by Oct. 16.
The Wednesday statement from Government House also did not provide any indication of the contents of "the draft response" that he said he reviewed, agreed with and signed on Oct. 18.
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.
TURNBULL: PFA AUDIT REPORT UNSEEN AS OF OCT. 17
Oct. 23, 2002 – In a release circulated Wednesday evening from Government House, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull issued a five-sentence statement concerning his review of the draft report of an audit of the Public Finance Authority by the Office of Inspector General.
The statement is as follows:
"Certain news reports in the print and broadcast media suggest that I misled the Virgin Islands public during an interview on Oct. 17 while appearing on TV2 with regard to reading the draft audit report on the Public Finance Authority. Let me again assure the Virgin Islands public that I had not seen the federal Inspector General's draft of the audit at the time of the interview.
"On Friday morning, Oct. 18, the day after the interview, I received a briefing from the director of finance and administration of the Public Finance Authority, Mr. Kenneth Mapp, and chief of staff, Mrs. Juel T.R. Molloy, and other staff members on the audit in question. At that time I reviewed the draft response, agreed with its contents and signed it.
"There is nothing untrue with my statement on Thursday evening, and I stand by it."
For a summary of the draft report, along with comments critical of it made by Mapp on Tuesday, see Audit faults PFA for management, spending ills".
As a cover letter to the 30-page draft report, Arnold van Beverhoudt, regional audit manager for the Office of Inspector General, wrote to Turnbull in his capacity as chair of the PFA board of directors, with the letter copied to the "director of finance and administration, Public Finance Authority" — that it, Mapp.
The address used was 21 Kongens Gade, Charlotte Amalie, which is Government House.
The letter is dated Oct. 1. In it, van Beverhoudt asked that Turnbull respond to the report by Oct. 16, stating "concurrence or nonconcurrence with the findings and each recommendation, including specific reasons for any nonconcurrence." The governor's response, the letter continued, "should also provide information on actions taken or planned, including target dates and titles of officials responsible for implementation."
And, it said, "If a response is not received by the due date, the final report will be issued without benefit of your comments."
Turnbull's statement on Wednesday did not address why he had not seen the draft report as of Oct. 17, although he had been requested in a letter dated Oct. 1 to submit his response to it by Oct. 16.
The Wednesday statement from Government House also did not provide any indication of the contents of "the draft response" that he said he reviewed, agreed with and signed on Oct. 18.
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 statement is as follows:
"Certain news reports in the print and broadcast media suggest that I misled the Virgin Islands public during an interview on Oct. 17 while appearing on TV2 with regard to reading the draft audit report on the Public Finance Authority. Let me again assure the Virgin Islands public that I had not seen the federal Inspector General's draft of the audit at the time of the interview.
"On Friday morning, Oct. 18, the day after the interview, I received a briefing from the director of finance and administration of the Public Finance Authority, Mr. Kenneth Mapp, and chief of staff, Mrs. Juel T.R. Molloy, and other staff members on the audit in question. At that time I reviewed the draft response, agreed with its contents and signed it.
"There is nothing untrue with my statement on Thursday evening, and I stand by it."
For a summary of the draft report, along with comments critical of it made by Mapp on Tuesday, see Audit faults PFA for management, spending ills".
As a cover letter to the 30-page draft report, Arnold van Beverhoudt, regional audit manager for the Office of Inspector General, wrote to Turnbull in his capacity as chair of the PFA board of directors, with the letter copied to the "director of finance and administration, Public Finance Authority" — that it, Mapp.
The address used was 21 Kongens Gade, Charlotte Amalie, which is Government House.
The letter is dated Oct. 1. In it, van Beverhoudt asked that Turnbull respond to the report by Oct. 16, stating "concurrence or nonconcurrence with the findings and each recommendation, including specific reasons for any nonconcurrence." The governor's response, the letter continued, "should also provide information on actions taken or planned, including target dates and titles of officials responsible for implementation."
And, it said, "If a response is not received by the due date, the final report will be issued without benefit of your comments."
Turnbull's statement on Wednesday did not address why he had not seen the draft report as of Oct. 17, although he had been requested in a letter dated Oct. 1 to submit his response to it by Oct. 16.
The Wednesday statement from Government House also did not provide any indication of the contents of "the draft response" that he said he reviewed, agreed with and signed on Oct. 18.
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.
TURNBULL: PFA AUDIT REPORT UNSEEN AS OF OCT. 17
Oct. 23, 2002 – In a release circulated Wednesday evening from Government House, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull issued a five-sentence statement concerning his review of the draft report of an audit of the Public Finance Authority by the Office of Inspector General.
The statement is as follows:
"Certain news reports in the print and broadcast media suggest that I misled the Virgin Islands public during an interview on Oct. 17 while appearing on TV2 with regard to reading the draft audit report on the Public Finance Authority. Let me again assure the Virgin Islands public that I had not seen the federal Inspector General's draft of the audit at the time of the interview.
"On Friday morning, Oct. 18, the day after the interview, I received a briefing from the director of finance and administration of the Public Finance Authority, Mr. Kenneth Mapp, and chief of staff, Mrs. Juel T.R. Molloy, and other staff members on the audit in question. At that time I reviewed the draft response, agreed with its contents and signed it.
"There is nothing untrue with my statement on Thursday evening, and I stand by it."
For a summary of the draft report, along with comments critical of it made by Mapp on Tuesday, see Audit faults PFA for management, spending ills".
As a cover letter to the 30-page draft report, Arnold van Beverhoudt, regional audit manager for the Office of Inspector General, wrote to Turnbull in his capacity as chair of the PFA board of directors, with the letter copied to the "director of finance and administration, Public Finance Authority" — that it, Mapp.
The address used was 21 Kongens Gade, Charlotte Amalie, which is Government House.
The letter is dated Oct. 1. In it, van Beverhoudt asked that Turnbull respond to the report by Oct. 16, stating "concurrence or nonconcurrence with the findings and each recommendation, including specific reasons for any nonconcurrence." The governor's response, the letter continued, "should also provide information on actions taken or planned, including target dates and titles of officials responsible for implementation."
And, it said, "If a response is not received by the due date, the final report will be issued without benefit of your comments."
Turnbull's statement on Wednesday did not address why he had not seen the draft report as of Oct. 17, although he had been requested in a letter dated Oct. 1 to submit his response to it by Oct. 16.
The Wednesday statement from Government House also did not provide any indication of the contents of "the draft response" that he said he reviewed, agreed with and signed on Oct. 18.
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 statement is as follows:
"Certain news reports in the print and broadcast media suggest that I misled the Virgin Islands public during an interview on Oct. 17 while appearing on TV2 with regard to reading the draft audit report on the Public Finance Authority. Let me again assure the Virgin Islands public that I had not seen the federal Inspector General's draft of the audit at the time of the interview.
"On Friday morning, Oct. 18, the day after the interview, I received a briefing from the director of finance and administration of the Public Finance Authority, Mr. Kenneth Mapp, and chief of staff, Mrs. Juel T.R. Molloy, and other staff members on the audit in question. At that time I reviewed the draft response, agreed with its contents and signed it.
"There is nothing untrue with my statement on Thursday evening, and I stand by it."
For a summary of the draft report, along with comments critical of it made by Mapp on Tuesday, see Audit faults PFA for management, spending ills".
As a cover letter to the 30-page draft report, Arnold van Beverhoudt, regional audit manager for the Office of Inspector General, wrote to Turnbull in his capacity as chair of the PFA board of directors, with the letter copied to the "director of finance and administration, Public Finance Authority" — that it, Mapp.
The address used was 21 Kongens Gade, Charlotte Amalie, which is Government House.
The letter is dated Oct. 1. In it, van Beverhoudt asked that Turnbull respond to the report by Oct. 16, stating "concurrence or nonconcurrence with the findings and each recommendation, including specific reasons for any nonconcurrence." The governor's response, the letter continued, "should also provide information on actions taken or planned, including target dates and titles of officials responsible for implementation."
And, it said, "If a response is not received by the due date, the final report will be issued without benefit of your comments."
Turnbull's statement on Wednesday did not address why he had not seen the draft report as of Oct. 17, although he had been requested in a letter dated Oct. 1 to submit his response to it by Oct. 16.
The Wednesday statement from Government House also did not provide any indication of the contents of "the draft response" that he said he reviewed, agreed with and signed on Oct. 18.
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.
MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO MURDER, THREE RAPES
Oct. 23, 2002 – Jeffrey Warner, the man prosecutors call a serial rapist, has pleaded guilty to one count of murder and three counts of rape. Attorney General Iver Stridiron said under the plea agreement the defendant, charged with attacking several teen-age girls near Tutu Park Mall, faces at least 60 years in jail.
The government's case against Warner, 40, ended in Territorial Court on Monday, when he entered a plea of guilty to killing Yathera Corona, 19, in April 1999. Corona's body was found near the entrance to the Midas Auto Service Experts shop in Tutu Park Mall the morning after she was last seen alive, leaving her job at the nearby Plaza Extra supermarket.
Warner also pleaded guilty to aggravated first-degree rape in three cases involving girls aged 12 to 15. Stridiron said Warner is suspected of having committed other crimes as well. "There were actually eight victims," the attorney general said, but the statute of limitations had run out in some of the cases. He said the attacks took place near the shopping mall between 1996 and 2001.
Had the cases in which he entered guilty pleas gone to trial, Warner could, if convicted, have faced a sentence of life in prison without parole. Sentencing on the guilty pleas is scheduled for Nov. 22.
Stridiron said Warner would have to serve at least half of his sentence, or more than 30 years, before becoming eligible for parole. Because he is a native of another Caribbean nation, prosecutors added a provision to his sentence for automatic deportation if he completes his prison sentence and is released.
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The government's case against Warner, 40, ended in Territorial Court on Monday, when he entered a plea of guilty to killing Yathera Corona, 19, in April 1999. Corona's body was found near the entrance to the Midas Auto Service Experts shop in Tutu Park Mall the morning after she was last seen alive, leaving her job at the nearby Plaza Extra supermarket.
Warner also pleaded guilty to aggravated first-degree rape in three cases involving girls aged 12 to 15. Stridiron said Warner is suspected of having committed other crimes as well. "There were actually eight victims," the attorney general said, but the statute of limitations had run out in some of the cases. He said the attacks took place near the shopping mall between 1996 and 2001.
Had the cases in which he entered guilty pleas gone to trial, Warner could, if convicted, have faced a sentence of life in prison without parole. Sentencing on the guilty pleas is scheduled for Nov. 22.
Stridiron said Warner would have to serve at least half of his sentence, or more than 30 years, before becoming eligible for parole. Because he is a native of another Caribbean nation, prosecutors added a provision to his sentence for automatic deportation if he completes his prison sentence and is released.
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TEACHER CERTIFICATION IS CONFERENCE TOPIC
Oct. 23, 2002 – A two-day conference opening Thursday on St. Thomas was initially intended to address qualifications for special education teachers. But it has been expanded in scope to the overall certification of teachers in the public schools.
Education officials say one-third of the territory's public school teachers are certified. Under the new federal No Child Left Behind Act, all teachers are to have the appropriate licenses and certification by 2006.
"The purpose of the conference is to develop standards for licensing general and special education teachers," said Alscess Lewis-Brown, Education Department personnel director. The department's teacher certification manual is to be reviewed.
Lewis-Brown said she hopes the conference, at the Holiday Inn Windward Passage Hotel, will give decision makers a better understanding of the certification process. Organizers also want to build a shared understanding about the needs of children with disabilities as expressed in No Child Left Behind, she said.
The Board of Education has responsibility for teacher certification, and its executive director, Evadney Hodge, says a lot of work must be done to ensure that the other two-thirds of public school teachers meet the criteria that will be required of them in the next four years.
She said an assessment under way involves the review of teachers' college transcripts in order to gain insights into the kinds of course work they may need in order to progress in the licensing process.
The board also is looking at various means of achieving its goals. Hodge said the University of the Virgin Islands offers practice tests that teachers can take as a form of self-assessment — in terms of general knowledge, subject knowledge and effective teaching methods.
Hodge said the board is talking with UVI about holding summer institutes for teachers to complete their course work for certification. Many teachers have not taken a course in V.I. history, "and that has been a requirement since 1999," she noted.
Education Department officials have been working for a year to develop a manual that would spell out the needs and requirements for teacher certification. Hodge said the manual is still a work in progress, one that will likely need revision. "It began as a special education initiative," she said, "but as we began to work on it, we decided to expand it to include general education."
Along with addressing issues relating to the qualifying of teachers for different subjects and different education levels, the manual looks at certification procedures in other parts of the country and includes copies of documents used by other school systems in conferring certification.
It also looks at the process the board might use to issue teacher endorsements. "Endorsements allow teachers to be transferred from one area of need to another," Brown said.
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Education officials say one-third of the territory's public school teachers are certified. Under the new federal No Child Left Behind Act, all teachers are to have the appropriate licenses and certification by 2006.
"The purpose of the conference is to develop standards for licensing general and special education teachers," said Alscess Lewis-Brown, Education Department personnel director. The department's teacher certification manual is to be reviewed.
Lewis-Brown said she hopes the conference, at the Holiday Inn Windward Passage Hotel, will give decision makers a better understanding of the certification process. Organizers also want to build a shared understanding about the needs of children with disabilities as expressed in No Child Left Behind, she said.
The Board of Education has responsibility for teacher certification, and its executive director, Evadney Hodge, says a lot of work must be done to ensure that the other two-thirds of public school teachers meet the criteria that will be required of them in the next four years.
She said an assessment under way involves the review of teachers' college transcripts in order to gain insights into the kinds of course work they may need in order to progress in the licensing process.
The board also is looking at various means of achieving its goals. Hodge said the University of the Virgin Islands offers practice tests that teachers can take as a form of self-assessment — in terms of general knowledge, subject knowledge and effective teaching methods.
Hodge said the board is talking with UVI about holding summer institutes for teachers to complete their course work for certification. Many teachers have not taken a course in V.I. history, "and that has been a requirement since 1999," she noted.
Education Department officials have been working for a year to develop a manual that would spell out the needs and requirements for teacher certification. Hodge said the manual is still a work in progress, one that will likely need revision. "It began as a special education initiative," she said, "but as we began to work on it, we decided to expand it to include general education."
Along with addressing issues relating to the qualifying of teachers for different subjects and different education levels, the manual looks at certification procedures in other parts of the country and includes copies of documents used by other school systems in conferring certification.
It also looks at the process the board might use to issue teacher endorsements. "Endorsements allow teachers to be transferred from one area of need to another," Brown 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.
TEACHER CERTIFICATION IS CONFERENCE TOPIC
Oct. 23, 2002 – A two-day conference opening Thursday on St. Thomas was initially intended to address qualifications for special education teachers. But it has been expanded in scope to the overall certification of teachers in the public schools.
Education officials say one-third of the territory's public school teachers are certified. Under the new federal No Child Left Behind Act, all teachers are to have the appropriate licenses and certification by 2006.
"The purpose of the conference is to develop standards for licensing general and special education teachers," said Alscess Lewis-Brown, Education Department personnel director. The department's teacher certification manual is to be reviewed.
Lewis-Brown said she hopes the conference, at the Holiday Inn Windward Passage Hotel, will give decision makers a better understanding of the certification process. Organizers also want to build a shared understanding about the needs of children with disabilities as expressed in No Child Left Behind, she said.
The Board of Education has responsibility for teacher certification, and its executive director, Evadney Hodge, says a lot of work must be done to ensure that the other two-thirds of public school teachers meet the criteria that will be required of them in the next four years.
She said an assessment under way involves the review of teachers' college transcripts in order to gain insights into the kinds of course work they may need in order to progress in the licensing process.
The board also is looking at various means of achieving its goals. Hodge said the University of the Virgin Islands offers practice tests that teachers can take as a form of self-assessment — in terms of general knowledge, subject knowledge and effective teaching methods.
Hodge said the board is talking with UVI about holding summer institutes for teachers to complete their course work for certification. Many teachers have not taken a course in V.I. history, "and that has been a requirement since 1999," she noted.
Education Department officials have been working for a year to develop a manual that would spell out the needs and requirements for teacher certification. Hodge said the manual is still a work in progress, one that will likely need revision. "It began as a special education initiative," she said, "but as we began to work on it, we decided to expand it to include general education."
Along with addressing issues relating to the qualifying of teachers for different subjects and different education levels, the manual looks at certification procedures in other parts of the country and includes copies of documents used by other school systems in conferring certification.
It also looks at the process the board might use to issue teacher endorsements. "Endorsements allow teachers to be transferred from one area of need to another," Brown 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.
Education officials say one-third of the territory's public school teachers are certified. Under the new federal No Child Left Behind Act, all teachers are to have the appropriate licenses and certification by 2006.
"The purpose of the conference is to develop standards for licensing general and special education teachers," said Alscess Lewis-Brown, Education Department personnel director. The department's teacher certification manual is to be reviewed.
Lewis-Brown said she hopes the conference, at the Holiday Inn Windward Passage Hotel, will give decision makers a better understanding of the certification process. Organizers also want to build a shared understanding about the needs of children with disabilities as expressed in No Child Left Behind, she said.
The Board of Education has responsibility for teacher certification, and its executive director, Evadney Hodge, says a lot of work must be done to ensure that the other two-thirds of public school teachers meet the criteria that will be required of them in the next four years.
She said an assessment under way involves the review of teachers' college transcripts in order to gain insights into the kinds of course work they may need in order to progress in the licensing process.
The board also is looking at various means of achieving its goals. Hodge said the University of the Virgin Islands offers practice tests that teachers can take as a form of self-assessment — in terms of general knowledge, subject knowledge and effective teaching methods.
Hodge said the board is talking with UVI about holding summer institutes for teachers to complete their course work for certification. Many teachers have not taken a course in V.I. history, "and that has been a requirement since 1999," she noted.
Education Department officials have been working for a year to develop a manual that would spell out the needs and requirements for teacher certification. Hodge said the manual is still a work in progress, one that will likely need revision. "It began as a special education initiative," she said, "but as we began to work on it, we decided to expand it to include general education."
Along with addressing issues relating to the qualifying of teachers for different subjects and different education levels, the manual looks at certification procedures in other parts of the country and includes copies of documents used by other school systems in conferring certification.
It also looks at the process the board might use to issue teacher endorsements. "Endorsements allow teachers to be transferred from one area of need to another," Brown 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.
TEACHER CERTIFICATION IS CONFERENCE TOPIC
Oct. 23, 2002 – A two-day conference opening Thursday on St. Thomas was initially intended to address qualifications for special education teachers. But it has been expanded in scope to the overall certification of teachers in the public schools.
Education officials say one-third of the territory's public school teachers are certified. Under the new federal No Child Left Behind Act, all teachers are to have the appropriate licenses and certification by 2006.
"The purpose of the conference is to develop standards for licensing general and special education teachers," said Alscess Lewis-Brown, Education Department personnel director. The department's teacher certification manual is to be reviewed.
Lewis-Brown said she hopes the conference, at the Holiday Inn Windward Passage Hotel, will give decision makers a better understanding of the certification process. Organizers also want to build a shared understanding about the needs of children with disabilities as expressed in No Child Left Behind, she said.
The Board of Education has responsibility for teacher certification, and its executive director, Evadney Hodge, says a lot of work must be done to ensure that the other two-thirds of public school teachers meet the criteria that will be required of them in the next four years.
She said an assessment under way involves the review of teachers' college transcripts in order to gain insights into the kinds of course work they may need in order to progress in the licensing process.
The board also is looking at various means of achieving its goals. Hodge said the University of the Virgin Islands offers practice tests that teachers can take as a form of self-assessment — in terms of general knowledge, subject knowledge and effective teaching methods.
Hodge said the board is talking with UVI about holding summer institutes for teachers to complete their course work for certification. Many teachers have not taken a course in V.I. history, "and that has been a requirement since 1999," she noted.
Education Department officials have been working for a year to develop a manual that would spell out the needs and requirements for teacher certification. Hodge said the manual is still a work in progress, one that will likely need revision. "It began as a special education initiative," she said, "but as we began to work on it, we decided to expand it to include general education."
Along with addressing issues relating to the qualifying of teachers for different subjects and different education levels, the manual looks at certification procedures in other parts of the country and includes copies of documents used by other school systems in conferring certification.
It also looks at the process the board might use to issue teacher endorsements. "Endorsements allow teachers to be transferred from one area of need to another," Brown 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.
Education officials say one-third of the territory's public school teachers are certified. Under the new federal No Child Left Behind Act, all teachers are to have the appropriate licenses and certification by 2006.
"The purpose of the conference is to develop standards for licensing general and special education teachers," said Alscess Lewis-Brown, Education Department personnel director. The department's teacher certification manual is to be reviewed.
Lewis-Brown said she hopes the conference, at the Holiday Inn Windward Passage Hotel, will give decision makers a better understanding of the certification process. Organizers also want to build a shared understanding about the needs of children with disabilities as expressed in No Child Left Behind, she said.
The Board of Education has responsibility for teacher certification, and its executive director, Evadney Hodge, says a lot of work must be done to ensure that the other two-thirds of public school teachers meet the criteria that will be required of them in the next four years.
She said an assessment under way involves the review of teachers' college transcripts in order to gain insights into the kinds of course work they may need in order to progress in the licensing process.
The board also is looking at various means of achieving its goals. Hodge said the University of the Virgin Islands offers practice tests that teachers can take as a form of self-assessment — in terms of general knowledge, subject knowledge and effective teaching methods.
Hodge said the board is talking with UVI about holding summer institutes for teachers to complete their course work for certification. Many teachers have not taken a course in V.I. history, "and that has been a requirement since 1999," she noted.
Education Department officials have been working for a year to develop a manual that would spell out the needs and requirements for teacher certification. Hodge said the manual is still a work in progress, one that will likely need revision. "It began as a special education initiative," she said, "but as we began to work on it, we decided to expand it to include general education."
Along with addressing issues relating to the qualifying of teachers for different subjects and different education levels, the manual looks at certification procedures in other parts of the country and includes copies of documents used by other school systems in conferring certification.
It also looks at the process the board might use to issue teacher endorsements. "Endorsements allow teachers to be transferred from one area of need to another," Brown 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.
