Oct. 21, 2002 – This is national Red Ribbon Week, and here is a rundown of activities throughout the territory, in large part coordinated by the Education Department or presented by the University of the Virgin Islands, in observance of the annual focus on making and keeping communities drug free.
Red Ribbon Week was first observed across the nation in 1985, in memory of Enrique Camarena, a federal Drug Enforcement Agency officer who was killed while investigating a drug pipeline in Mexico. The Virgin Islands joined in the annual observance soon thereafter.
Locally, "Hearts and Minds Together for Peaceful, Drug-Free Lives" is this week's theme, emphasizing the need for communities to focus on eliminating the availability and use of illegal drugs within their own environments.
The V.I. Red Ribbon Week observances began with worship services over the weekend. Here is a rundown of remaining activities by island. All events are open to the public.
St. Thomas
Monday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Pledge Day at all post offices and Kmart in Tutu Park Mall, with volunteers collecting signatures on their drug-free pledge sheets.
Tuesday — Decoration Day, with businesses and institutions invited to compete for recognition in decorating their workspace to reflect Red Ribbon Week; guest speakers in schools.
Wednesday — Recognition Day, with guest speakers in schools.
Wednesday, noon to 2 p.m. — Pledge Day on the UVI campus, with volunteers collecting signatures and handing out red ribbons on the cafeteria terrace.
Thursday, 8:30 – 11 a.m. — march from Emile Griffith Ballpark to Emancipation Garden, where a rally will take place; a health fair will follow in Emancipation Garden.
Thursday — Wear Red Day; noon to 12:30 p.m., judging on the cafeteria terrace of Best Red Ribbon Hairstyle and Most Creative Red Ribbon Outfit; 12:30 to 1 p.m., presentation and judging of a "Users Are Losers" skit competition, cafeteria terrace.
Thursday, 8 p.m. — special Karaoke Night event for students at Iggie's Beach Bar and Grill at Bolongo Bay Beach Club, with a king and queen of karaoke to be chosen. (Doors open at 7 p.m.; karaoke begins at 8.)
Friday – The public in general and students in particular are asked to wear red to signify their pledge to fight drugs; schools will feature guest speakers on drug-related topics.
Saturday, noon-6 p.m. — Weed and Seed program Sports Day activities at the Bovoni Housing Community recreation center and ballpark, including basketball using goggles that make you appear drugged, musical chairs, balloon games, a three-legged race, kickball, and an egg-and-spoon game.
Sunday, 10 a.m. until — Family day at Magens Bay shed No. 2 with games, food and music, open to the public and free, except for regular admission to Magens Bay beach.
Oct. 29, 10 a.m. — judging of the residence halls door decorating competition.
Oct. 31, 12:30 to 2 p.m. — Public forum, "Crisis in Paradise: Drugs, Crime and V.I. Youth," Chase Auditorium, Business Bldg. Room 110.
St. John
Monday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Pledge Day at all post offices, with volunteers collecting signatures on their drug-free pledge sheets.
Tuesday — Decoration Day, with guest speakers in schools.
Wednesday — Recognition Day, with guest speakers in schools.
Thursday, 8:30 a.m. — Students from St. John's public and private schools will march from the V.I. National Park Visitor Center to the Cruz Bay ballfield.
Friday – The public in general and students in particular are asked to wear red to signify their pledge to fight drugs; schools will feature guest speakers on drug-related topics.
St. Croix
Monday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Pledge Day at all post offices, with volunteers collecting signatures on their drug-free pledge sheets.
Monday — UVI St. Croix campus distribution of red ribbons, competition for decorated doors at the residence hall and Melvin Evans Center.
Tuesday — Decoration Day, with guest speakers in schools.
Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. — UVI blood drive at the student center; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., bake sale at the student center.
Wednesday — Recognition Day, with guest speakers in schools.
Wednesday, 10 a.m. — Charles Emmanuel Elementary School students will march around the Aureo Diaz Heights community.
Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. — UVI program at the cafetorium featuring skits by the Peer Health Educators and a demonstration by Police Sgt. Carlos Rosario and his K-9 partner.
Thursday, 9 a.m. — Eulalie Rivera Elementary School students will march around the Grove Place community.
Thursday, 10 a.m. — Lew Muckle Elementary School students will march at the Sion Farm complex.
Thursday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — UVI Pledge Day, with volunteers collecting signatures in the student center; noon to 3 p.m., Nursing Association will serve up "mocktails" (non-alcoholic cocktails) in the student center.
Thursday, 6 p.m. — Take Back the Night silent march and rally sponsored by the Women's Coalition of St. Croix, in Frederiksted from market at the end of Strand Street to the park by the fort; candles will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring flashlights, especially for children to carry.
Friday, 9 a.m. — Evelyn Williams Elementary School students will march from the school along Centerline Road.
Friday – The public in general and students in particular are asked to wear red to signify their pledge to fight drugs; schools will feature guest speakers on drug-related topics.
Friday — UVI judging of which department's personnel are wearing the most red, judging of door decorations and presentation of awards.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — St. Croix Unity Coalition-sponsored Drug-Free Bazaar featuring children's games, sports, music, speakers and refreshments, at Sunshine Mall; the V.I. National Guard will be on hand with some of those goggles that show wearers how the world appears to someone high on drugs. (Note: This event was initially planned for the Agricultural Department fairgrounds in Estate Lower Love but a change of venue was announced on Friday.)
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JAMIE KEYS WINS EAST END BIKE RACE
Oct. 21, 2002 – Cyclists on St Croix gathered at the Solitude Store on Sunday morning to battle the wind and hills on the East End.
Category A riders rode the 13 mile loop four times. Category B riders, with fresh legs, joined and challenged the Category A cyclists on their third lap in pursuit of first place. A group of Category C riders got a taste of the hills by riding one lap only.
The wind and heat were not enough to pull Jamie Keys from his first place position. Sue Brown, the only female to ride four loops, finished in second place, and Bill Gladfelter captured third place.
The next race will be Nov. 3 on South Shore Road and is open to cyclists of all abilities. Anyone interested in getting involved with cycling should contact Theresa Harper at 773-0079.
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Category A riders rode the 13 mile loop four times. Category B riders, with fresh legs, joined and challenged the Category A cyclists on their third lap in pursuit of first place. A group of Category C riders got a taste of the hills by riding one lap only.
The wind and heat were not enough to pull Jamie Keys from his first place position. Sue Brown, the only female to ride four loops, finished in second place, and Bill Gladfelter captured third place.
The next race will be Nov. 3 on South Shore Road and is open to cyclists of all abilities. Anyone interested in getting involved with cycling should contact Theresa Harper at 773-0079.
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CORAL REEF SWIM TO BRING ATHLETES TO ST. CROIX
Oct. 18, 2002 – This year's St. Croix Coral Reef Swim will bring at least 300 people to the island, organizing committee member Chris Goodier said.
"It's a good deal for St. Croix," she said
The seventh annual five-mile race from Buck Island to the Buccaneer Hotel's Mermaid Beach takes to the water at 7 a.m. Oct. 27. Participants will reach Buck Island by boat, swim across two miles of open water and continue along St. Croix's shoreline to the Buccaneer.
For the first time this year, organizers added a 10-mile Bucc to Buck and Back Again swim. It runs from the Buccaneer to Buck Island and back to the Buccaneer and will start at 6 a.m. Thursday.
Goodier said the event attracts people from all over the world. Last year, a Japanese swimmer got the award for traveling the farthest. About 30 local swimmers are included in the 160 entries.
Goodier said off-island participants bring their families and friends to the event. They stay at the Buccaneer and other hotels, in rental houses and with friends, she said.
"This event not only gives St. Croix international exposure, it helps fill hotel rooms, restaurants, taxis and tours during the slow pre-season period," said Buccaneer manager Elizabeth Armstrong.
Since registration is closed, residents and visitors who didn't sign up to swim can watch the finish at the Buccaneer's Mermaid Beach. Goodier said steel pan players will provide entertainment and DJ Roger W. Morgan will announce the swimmers as they exit the water and run through the palm-fringed finish line.
Last year, the first place solo award went to Alex Kostich, 31, of Burbank, Calif., who also won the two previous years. He won with a time of 1:44:13. Kostich, a former Pan American Games gold medal winner, will return in hopes of making it a four-peat, Goodier said.
Other swimmers to watch include Morgan Locke, 16, who took third last year with a time of 1:48:09, and James Barber, 42. Barber is a master swimmer from Indianapolis and will swim in both events.
Champion swimmers Jill Gellatly from Texas and Laureen Welting from San Francisco, a previous winner in the women's division, are also expected to compete this year.
Goodier said local volunteers make the event happen. She said about 80 kayakers will be out in the water to ensure the swimmers' safety.
Race categories for the five-mile swim include male solo, female solo, male solo with fins, female solo with fins, and a three-person mixed relay team. A junior division consists of male and female solo swimmers under age 18.
Winners receive custom-designed bracelets from the St. Croix-based Caribbean Bracelet Co.
Sponsors include Mongoose Radio, Isle 95 and Sunny 99.5 FM, Bellows International, HOVENSA, Coca-Cola, Cruzan Rum, Endurance Sports, V.I. Family Sports and Fitness Center, the St. Croix Yacht Club and Paint St. Croix.
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"It's a good deal for St. Croix," she said
The seventh annual five-mile race from Buck Island to the Buccaneer Hotel's Mermaid Beach takes to the water at 7 a.m. Oct. 27. Participants will reach Buck Island by boat, swim across two miles of open water and continue along St. Croix's shoreline to the Buccaneer.
For the first time this year, organizers added a 10-mile Bucc to Buck and Back Again swim. It runs from the Buccaneer to Buck Island and back to the Buccaneer and will start at 6 a.m. Thursday.
Goodier said the event attracts people from all over the world. Last year, a Japanese swimmer got the award for traveling the farthest. About 30 local swimmers are included in the 160 entries.
Goodier said off-island participants bring their families and friends to the event. They stay at the Buccaneer and other hotels, in rental houses and with friends, she said.
"This event not only gives St. Croix international exposure, it helps fill hotel rooms, restaurants, taxis and tours during the slow pre-season period," said Buccaneer manager Elizabeth Armstrong.
Since registration is closed, residents and visitors who didn't sign up to swim can watch the finish at the Buccaneer's Mermaid Beach. Goodier said steel pan players will provide entertainment and DJ Roger W. Morgan will announce the swimmers as they exit the water and run through the palm-fringed finish line.
Last year, the first place solo award went to Alex Kostich, 31, of Burbank, Calif., who also won the two previous years. He won with a time of 1:44:13. Kostich, a former Pan American Games gold medal winner, will return in hopes of making it a four-peat, Goodier said.
Other swimmers to watch include Morgan Locke, 16, who took third last year with a time of 1:48:09, and James Barber, 42. Barber is a master swimmer from Indianapolis and will swim in both events.
Champion swimmers Jill Gellatly from Texas and Laureen Welting from San Francisco, a previous winner in the women's division, are also expected to compete this year.
Goodier said local volunteers make the event happen. She said about 80 kayakers will be out in the water to ensure the swimmers' safety.
Race categories for the five-mile swim include male solo, female solo, male solo with fins, female solo with fins, and a three-person mixed relay team. A junior division consists of male and female solo swimmers under age 18.
Winners receive custom-designed bracelets from the St. Croix-based Caribbean Bracelet Co.
Sponsors include Mongoose Radio, Isle 95 and Sunny 99.5 FM, Bellows International, HOVENSA, Coca-Cola, Cruzan Rum, Endurance Sports, V.I. Family Sports and Fitness Center, the St. Croix Yacht Club and Paint St. Croix.
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INNOVATIVE A LIKELY CAUSE OF S&P'S BANK CONCERNS
Oct. 20, 2002 – There's an 80 percent chance that Innovative Telephone is one of the reasons Standard & Poor's has reported a negative outlook for the phone company's principal source of capital, a not-for-profit wholesale bank located near Washington, D.C.
In one of its periodic ratings, issued on Oct. 7, S&P, one of the nation's ranking evaluators of creditworthiness, reviewed the status of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp., a multi-billion-dollar institution that borrows large sums of money on Wall Street and then makes smaller-scale loans to rural electric and phone companies.
S&P, after noting some of the strengths of CFC, then gave it a negative outlook for the future largely because of "credit weakness among some of its top borrowers." CFC's annual reports show, indirectly, that Innovative Telephone is one of its 10 largest borrowers, with a total indebtedness of $615.6 million as of May 30. (See "Phone company borrowing exceeds $615 million".)
Standard & Poor's does not identify borrowers by name unless those borrowers have failed, according to CFC, to meet their legal obligations to that lending agency. But S&P's description of CFC's problems may well point, in part, to the local phone company.
First, S&P notes special problems created for CFC by loans to the telecommunications industry: "The overall stability seen in the rural electric sector may be contrasted with greater volatility in the rural telecommunications sector, to which CFC makes loans . . ."
It then goes on to point out that five of the 10 companies holding the largest CFC loans are in the telecommunications sector. Further, it adds: "S&P has concluded that four of these borrowers exhibit non-investment-grade characteristics . . ."
Elsewhere in the report, S&P says that half of the 10 largest borrowers "exhibit speculative-grade characteristics."
Since Innovative is one of CFC's five largest telecommunications borrowers, the chances are four out of five, or 80 percent, that it is one of the entities causing S&P's concerns.
Given the Oct. 7 issue of this latest rating and the length of the credit-review process, it is likely that it was made without S&P knowing of either the current strike against Innovative Telephone or the phone company's current dispute with the Public Services Commission regarding the utility's failure to pay more than $600,000 it has been billed by the PSC.
While previous S&P reports on CFC have noted worries about too much concentration of its loans to top borrowers and too many of those loans being in the telecommunications industry, they have not discussed those borrowers in such dramatic — for financial reporting — terms as "speculative-grade characteristics."
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.
In one of its periodic ratings, issued on Oct. 7, S&P, one of the nation's ranking evaluators of creditworthiness, reviewed the status of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp., a multi-billion-dollar institution that borrows large sums of money on Wall Street and then makes smaller-scale loans to rural electric and phone companies.
S&P, after noting some of the strengths of CFC, then gave it a negative outlook for the future largely because of "credit weakness among some of its top borrowers." CFC's annual reports show, indirectly, that Innovative Telephone is one of its 10 largest borrowers, with a total indebtedness of $615.6 million as of May 30. (See "Phone company borrowing exceeds $615 million".)
Standard & Poor's does not identify borrowers by name unless those borrowers have failed, according to CFC, to meet their legal obligations to that lending agency. But S&P's description of CFC's problems may well point, in part, to the local phone company.
First, S&P notes special problems created for CFC by loans to the telecommunications industry: "The overall stability seen in the rural electric sector may be contrasted with greater volatility in the rural telecommunications sector, to which CFC makes loans . . ."
It then goes on to point out that five of the 10 companies holding the largest CFC loans are in the telecommunications sector. Further, it adds: "S&P has concluded that four of these borrowers exhibit non-investment-grade characteristics . . ."
Elsewhere in the report, S&P says that half of the 10 largest borrowers "exhibit speculative-grade characteristics."
Since Innovative is one of CFC's five largest telecommunications borrowers, the chances are four out of five, or 80 percent, that it is one of the entities causing S&P's concerns.
Given the Oct. 7 issue of this latest rating and the length of the credit-review process, it is likely that it was made without S&P knowing of either the current strike against Innovative Telephone or the phone company's current dispute with the Public Services Commission regarding the utility's failure to pay more than $600,000 it has been billed by the PSC.
While previous S&P reports on CFC have noted worries about too much concentration of its loans to top borrowers and too many of those loans being in the telecommunications industry, they have not discussed those borrowers in such dramatic — for financial reporting — terms as "speculative-grade characteristics."
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.
INNOVATIVE A LIKELY CAUSE OF S&P'S BANK CONCERNS
Oct. 20, 2002 – There's an 80 percent chance that Innovative Telephone is one of the reasons Standard & Poor's has reported a negative outlook for the phone company's principal source of capital, a not-for-profit wholesale bank located near Washington, D.C.
In one of its periodic ratings, issued on Oct. 7, S&P, one of the nation's ranking evaluators of creditworthiness, reviewed the status of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp., a multi-billion-dollar institution that borrows large sums of money on Wall Street and then makes smaller-scale loans to rural electric and phone companies.
S&P, after noting some of the strengths of CFC, then gave it a negative outlook for the future largely because of "credit weakness among some of its top borrowers." CFC's annual reports show, indirectly, that Innovative Telephone is one of its 10 largest borrowers, with a total indebtedness of $615.6 million as of May 30. (See "Phone company borrowing exceeds $615 million".)
Standard & Poor's does not identify borrowers by name unless those borrowers have failed, according to CFC, to meet their legal obligations to that lending agency. But S&P's description of CFC's problems may well point, in part, to the local phone company.
First, S&P notes special problems created for CFC by loans to the telecommunications industry: "The overall stability seen in the rural electric sector may be contrasted with greater volatility in the rural telecommunications sector, to which CFC makes loans . . ."
It then goes on to point out that five of the 10 companies holding the largest CFC loans are in the telecommunications sector. Further, it adds: "S&P has concluded that four of these borrowers exhibit non-investment-grade characteristics . . ."
Elsewhere in the report, S&P says that half of the 10 largest borrowers "exhibit speculative-grade characteristics."
Since Innovative is one of CFC's five largest telecommunications borrowers, the chances are four out of five, or 80 percent, that it is one of the entities causing S&P's concerns.
Given the Oct. 7 issue of this latest rating and the length of the credit-review process, it is likely that it was made without S&P knowing of either the current strike against Innovative Telephone or the phone company's current dispute with the Public Services Commission regarding the utility's failure to pay more than $600,000 it has been billed by the PSC.
While previous S&P reports on CFC have noted worries about too much concentration of its loans to top borrowers and too many of those loans being in the telecommunications industry, they have not discussed those borrowers in such dramatic — for financial reporting — terms as "speculative-grade characteristics."
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.
In one of its periodic ratings, issued on Oct. 7, S&P, one of the nation's ranking evaluators of creditworthiness, reviewed the status of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp., a multi-billion-dollar institution that borrows large sums of money on Wall Street and then makes smaller-scale loans to rural electric and phone companies.
S&P, after noting some of the strengths of CFC, then gave it a negative outlook for the future largely because of "credit weakness among some of its top borrowers." CFC's annual reports show, indirectly, that Innovative Telephone is one of its 10 largest borrowers, with a total indebtedness of $615.6 million as of May 30. (See "Phone company borrowing exceeds $615 million".)
Standard & Poor's does not identify borrowers by name unless those borrowers have failed, according to CFC, to meet their legal obligations to that lending agency. But S&P's description of CFC's problems may well point, in part, to the local phone company.
First, S&P notes special problems created for CFC by loans to the telecommunications industry: "The overall stability seen in the rural electric sector may be contrasted with greater volatility in the rural telecommunications sector, to which CFC makes loans . . ."
It then goes on to point out that five of the 10 companies holding the largest CFC loans are in the telecommunications sector. Further, it adds: "S&P has concluded that four of these borrowers exhibit non-investment-grade characteristics . . ."
Elsewhere in the report, S&P says that half of the 10 largest borrowers "exhibit speculative-grade characteristics."
Since Innovative is one of CFC's five largest telecommunications borrowers, the chances are four out of five, or 80 percent, that it is one of the entities causing S&P's concerns.
Given the Oct. 7 issue of this latest rating and the length of the credit-review process, it is likely that it was made without S&P knowing of either the current strike against Innovative Telephone or the phone company's current dispute with the Public Services Commission regarding the utility's failure to pay more than $600,000 it has been billed by the PSC.
While previous S&P reports on CFC have noted worries about too much concentration of its loans to top borrowers and too many of those loans being in the telecommunications industry, they have not discussed those borrowers in such dramatic — for financial reporting — terms as "speculative-grade characteristics."
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.
INNOVATIVE A LIKELY CAUSE OF S&P'S BANK CONCERNS
Oct. 20, 2002 – There's an 80 percent chance that Innovative Telephone is one of the reasons Standard & Poor's has reported a negative outlook for the phone company's principal source of capital, a not-for-profit wholesale bank located near Washington, D.C.
In one of its periodic ratings, issued on Oct. 7, S&P, one of the nation's ranking evaluators of creditworthiness, reviewed the status of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp., a multi-billion-dollar institution that borrows large sums of money on Wall Street and then makes smaller-scale loans to rural electric and phone companies.
S&P, after noting some of the strengths of CFC, then gave it a negative outlook for the future largely because of "credit weakness among some of its top borrowers." CFC's annual reports show, indirectly, that Innovative Telephone is one of its 10 largest borrowers, with a total indebtedness of $615.6 million as of May 30. (See "Phone company borrowing exceeds $615 million".)
Standard & Poor's does not identify borrowers by name unless those borrowers have failed, according to CFC, to meet their legal obligations to that lending agency. But S&P's description of CFC's problems may well point, in part, to the local phone company.
First, S&P notes special problems created for CFC by loans to the telecommunications industry: "The overall stability seen in the rural electric sector may be contrasted with greater volatility in the rural telecommunications sector, to which CFC makes loans . . ."
It then goes on to point out that five of the 10 companies holding the largest CFC loans are in the telecommunications sector. Further, it adds: "S&P has concluded that four of these borrowers exhibit non-investment-grade characteristics . . ."
Elsewhere in the report, S&P says that half of the 10 largest borrowers "exhibit speculative-grade characteristics."
Since Innovative is one of CFC's five largest telecommunications borrowers, the chances are four out of five, or 80 percent, that it is one of the entities causing S&P's concerns.
Given the Oct. 7 issue of this latest rating and the length of the credit-review process, it is likely that it was made without S&P knowing of either the current strike against Innovative Telephone or the phone company's current dispute with the Public Services Commission regarding the utility's failure to pay more than $600,000 it has been billed by the PSC.
While previous S&P reports on CFC have noted worries about too much concentration of its loans to top borrowers and too many of those loans being in the telecommunications industry, they have not discussed those borrowers in such dramatic — for financial reporting — terms as "speculative-grade characteristics."
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.
In one of its periodic ratings, issued on Oct. 7, S&P, one of the nation's ranking evaluators of creditworthiness, reviewed the status of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp., a multi-billion-dollar institution that borrows large sums of money on Wall Street and then makes smaller-scale loans to rural electric and phone companies.
S&P, after noting some of the strengths of CFC, then gave it a negative outlook for the future largely because of "credit weakness among some of its top borrowers." CFC's annual reports show, indirectly, that Innovative Telephone is one of its 10 largest borrowers, with a total indebtedness of $615.6 million as of May 30. (See "Phone company borrowing exceeds $615 million".)
Standard & Poor's does not identify borrowers by name unless those borrowers have failed, according to CFC, to meet their legal obligations to that lending agency. But S&P's description of CFC's problems may well point, in part, to the local phone company.
First, S&P notes special problems created for CFC by loans to the telecommunications industry: "The overall stability seen in the rural electric sector may be contrasted with greater volatility in the rural telecommunications sector, to which CFC makes loans . . ."
It then goes on to point out that five of the 10 companies holding the largest CFC loans are in the telecommunications sector. Further, it adds: "S&P has concluded that four of these borrowers exhibit non-investment-grade characteristics . . ."
Elsewhere in the report, S&P says that half of the 10 largest borrowers "exhibit speculative-grade characteristics."
Since Innovative is one of CFC's five largest telecommunications borrowers, the chances are four out of five, or 80 percent, that it is one of the entities causing S&P's concerns.
Given the Oct. 7 issue of this latest rating and the length of the credit-review process, it is likely that it was made without S&P knowing of either the current strike against Innovative Telephone or the phone company's current dispute with the Public Services Commission regarding the utility's failure to pay more than $600,000 it has been billed by the PSC.
While previous S&P reports on CFC have noted worries about too much concentration of its loans to top borrowers and too many of those loans being in the telecommunications industry, they have not discussed those borrowers in such dramatic — for financial reporting — terms as "speculative-grade characteristics."
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.
NEW PUBLISHER RE-RELEASES 'SETTLER'S HANDBOOK'
Oct. 20, 2002 – After a seven-year absence from the shelf, "The Settler’s Handbook for the U.S. Virgin Islands" is making a comeback. Linda Bruton, an 11-year resident of St. Croix, said she saw a definite need for the book to be revised.
"The Settler’s Handbook" provides a wealth of information for newcomers on how to get along in the U.S. Virgin Islands, from moving to the territory to how to register your car, and a brief overview of V.I. history and culture.
"I was pleased to be able to acquire the book from the family of the late owner, Judy Megnin," Bruton said. "The concept was the idea of Doug Burn, a longtime resident of St. Croix."
Bruton spent about seven months researching and revamping the handbook, updating information on everything from government departments to anticipated utility rates. Individual chapters focus specifically on St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John.
"The Settler's Handbook" can be found at The Bookie, Many Hands, St. Croix Landmarks Bookstore, Undercover Books and Carambola Resort's gift shop on St. Croix.
It is being carried at Connections on St. John, and Dockside Bookshop, Hemingways and Island Periodicals at Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas. It also can be purchased online at the Visit St. Croix Web site.
The 190-page book is useful to those considering settling in the territory, and for those already living in the islands. It provides an objective look at living, working and/or investing in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
For more information, call Mongoose Marketing at 719-0578 or send an e-mail to Linda Bruton.
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 Settler’s Handbook" provides a wealth of information for newcomers on how to get along in the U.S. Virgin Islands, from moving to the territory to how to register your car, and a brief overview of V.I. history and culture.
"I was pleased to be able to acquire the book from the family of the late owner, Judy Megnin," Bruton said. "The concept was the idea of Doug Burn, a longtime resident of St. Croix."
Bruton spent about seven months researching and revamping the handbook, updating information on everything from government departments to anticipated utility rates. Individual chapters focus specifically on St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John.
"The Settler's Handbook" can be found at The Bookie, Many Hands, St. Croix Landmarks Bookstore, Undercover Books and Carambola Resort's gift shop on St. Croix.
It is being carried at Connections on St. John, and Dockside Bookshop, Hemingways and Island Periodicals at Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas. It also can be purchased online at the Visit St. Croix Web site.
The 190-page book is useful to those considering settling in the territory, and for those already living in the islands. It provides an objective look at living, working and/or investing in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
For more information, call Mongoose Marketing at 719-0578 or send an e-mail to Linda Bruton.
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.
UVI CELEBRATES WORLD FOOD DAY
Oct. 20, 2002 – With pictures of world hunger flashing across our television screens almost daily and a recent report on the rise of poverty in the territory, World Food Day is the University of the Virgin Islands' annual reminder of the importance of food production in the territory.
The event started 19 years ago on the St. Croix campus of UVI, and Kofi Boateng said the event "is a celebration of the birthday of the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization, which was established Oct. 16, 1945.
Boateng said the main purpose of the celebration is to make residents aware of world food problems, to show them about the plight of malnutrition and to discuss ways to solve world hunger. A smorgasbord of foods were available from different cultures which included St. Kitts, Antigua, Nevis, Trinidad, Puerto Rico and several African countries.
Resident Alfredo Williams said she grows everything in her quarter-acre backyard garden. Williams grows peanuts, grapefruits, cantaloupes, eggplants, bananas and more. "I hope to teach the public that there are a lot of resources to use. We throw away most of the things we have when we can put them to good use," she said.
Williams' display included stewed gooseberry, tamarind and jojo plum, and a collection of medicinal herbs in plastic bags. Williams dries the herbs in a makeshift humidifier. "I got a room hotter than a laundry dryer," she said. "The economy pushes you out here. It's rough! We need a market for our products. People in the states will enjoy our products."
A Ghanaian menu offered samplings of cornmeal and okra stew, peanut soup with rice balls, and kingfish in peanut butter sauce.
About 20 tents dotted the lawn at UVI. Curious participants strolled around greeting friends, sampling various cuisines and picking through seedlings to add to their backyard gardens.
Alexandrea Phillip for her car with both arms filled. She said she attends the event every year and tries her hand at nurturing the seedlings. "Today I got some good lessons on how to water and care for them," she said of the six-inch stalks which included cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers. "I hope I have better luck this year," she said.
Henry Carter, 75, who grew up in Lebanon Hills, selected avocados for a customer interested in preparing guacamole. "From the time I was 2 years old I've been harvesting and selling food," he said. "We didn't have day care centers in those days. My mother used to work me hard."
Kendall Peterson of Farmers in Action said, "This is for the preservation of our farmlands." Peterson circulated a petition in support of an initiative to preserve farmland and establish a sustainable agricultural industry. He had gotten over 150 signatures in support.
Whitney Smith, 13, of the 4-H Rabbit Club, said she sold about five of the 25 rabbits they brought along.
The day's events included DJ Glamorous Sounds, a Caribbean Cook Off contest, a tour of the experiment station, and workshops on aquaculture options for the territory, citrus production, and safe and healthy drinking water.
The World Food Day "Urban Gardening" display seemed to be an ongoing attraction for novice and experienced gardeners. Charles Smith, extension assistant with the Agricultural and Natural Resources Program, said he was sharing different practices of drip irrigation, container gardening and the use of organic mulch.
"We had a full crowd all day. Everybody is interested in the container gardening technique," Smith said.
The container garden displayed beets, chives and celery. Tomatoes and sorrel drank from drip irrigation, while cinnamon basil enjoyed the cool and moistening mulch method. The organic mulch process used dried grass cuttings to loosen the soil and maintain the moisture.
"I came out to do community service, but I learned so much more," Shane Richards, a senior at St. Croix Educational Complex, said. He said his group of volunteers helped set up and breakdown the event, and chaperoned and supervised children's activities like face painting and the train ride around the campus grounds.
"Through community service I see parts of the island I've never seen," Richards said. "It lets me know how the community is."
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 event started 19 years ago on the St. Croix campus of UVI, and Kofi Boateng said the event "is a celebration of the birthday of the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization, which was established Oct. 16, 1945.
Boateng said the main purpose of the celebration is to make residents aware of world food problems, to show them about the plight of malnutrition and to discuss ways to solve world hunger. A smorgasbord of foods were available from different cultures which included St. Kitts, Antigua, Nevis, Trinidad, Puerto Rico and several African countries.
Resident Alfredo Williams said she grows everything in her quarter-acre backyard garden. Williams grows peanuts, grapefruits, cantaloupes, eggplants, bananas and more. "I hope to teach the public that there are a lot of resources to use. We throw away most of the things we have when we can put them to good use," she said.
Williams' display included stewed gooseberry, tamarind and jojo plum, and a collection of medicinal herbs in plastic bags. Williams dries the herbs in a makeshift humidifier. "I got a room hotter than a laundry dryer," she said. "The economy pushes you out here. It's rough! We need a market for our products. People in the states will enjoy our products."
A Ghanaian menu offered samplings of cornmeal and okra stew, peanut soup with rice balls, and kingfish in peanut butter sauce.
About 20 tents dotted the lawn at UVI. Curious participants strolled around greeting friends, sampling various cuisines and picking through seedlings to add to their backyard gardens.
Alexandrea Phillip for her car with both arms filled. She said she attends the event every year and tries her hand at nurturing the seedlings. "Today I got some good lessons on how to water and care for them," she said of the six-inch stalks which included cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers. "I hope I have better luck this year," she said.
Henry Carter, 75, who grew up in Lebanon Hills, selected avocados for a customer interested in preparing guacamole. "From the time I was 2 years old I've been harvesting and selling food," he said. "We didn't have day care centers in those days. My mother used to work me hard."
Kendall Peterson of Farmers in Action said, "This is for the preservation of our farmlands." Peterson circulated a petition in support of an initiative to preserve farmland and establish a sustainable agricultural industry. He had gotten over 150 signatures in support.
Whitney Smith, 13, of the 4-H Rabbit Club, said she sold about five of the 25 rabbits they brought along.
The day's events included DJ Glamorous Sounds, a Caribbean Cook Off contest, a tour of the experiment station, and workshops on aquaculture options for the territory, citrus production, and safe and healthy drinking water.
The World Food Day "Urban Gardening" display seemed to be an ongoing attraction for novice and experienced gardeners. Charles Smith, extension assistant with the Agricultural and Natural Resources Program, said he was sharing different practices of drip irrigation, container gardening and the use of organic mulch.
"We had a full crowd all day. Everybody is interested in the container gardening technique," Smith said.
The container garden displayed beets, chives and celery. Tomatoes and sorrel drank from drip irrigation, while cinnamon basil enjoyed the cool and moistening mulch method. The organic mulch process used dried grass cuttings to loosen the soil and maintain the moisture.
"I came out to do community service, but I learned so much more," Shane Richards, a senior at St. Croix Educational Complex, said. He said his group of volunteers helped set up and breakdown the event, and chaperoned and supervised children's activities like face painting and the train ride around the campus grounds.
"Through community service I see parts of the island I've never seen," Richards said. "It lets me know how the community is."
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.
FORMER DLCA EMPLOYEE TO BEGIN SENTENCE
Oct. 19, 2002 – A former Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs employee will begin serving a year in prison Monday after pleading guilty last week to embezzlement charges.
Anella Pinney, 53, worked as the former assistant director of licensing at the department, and according to court records, swiped more than $6,000 in cash for licensing fees over seven months last year.
On Wednesday, Territorial Court Judge Edgar Ross sentenced Pinney on four of 12 counts of embezzlement, after she struck a deal with the government for her guilty plea.
And although both the prosecution and Pinney's attorney, George Canton Jr., said during the proceedings that Pinney should suffer some punishment other than jail time, Ross refused to impose a mere "slap on the wrist."
"Resignation and restitution will not be the norm of the day," Ross said, according to an article in The Avis. "Employment by the government is not a right; it is an honor."
Pinney is paying back the money she stole, and so far, has made restitution to the tune of $2,000, records show.
Canton said money problems drove Pinney to commit the crimes, and Pinney said she needed the cash to make payments on a vehicle she had purchased.
The explanation, apparently, did not suffice for Ross. Pinney was sentenced to two years – to run concurrently – for each count of embezzlement. He suspended all jail time in excess of one year. Pinney also must repay the $4,425 she still owes DLCA.
Ross released Pinney on her own recognizance to attend to personal matters. She will turn herself into authorities and begin serving her sentence Monday.
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.
Anella Pinney, 53, worked as the former assistant director of licensing at the department, and according to court records, swiped more than $6,000 in cash for licensing fees over seven months last year.
On Wednesday, Territorial Court Judge Edgar Ross sentenced Pinney on four of 12 counts of embezzlement, after she struck a deal with the government for her guilty plea.
And although both the prosecution and Pinney's attorney, George Canton Jr., said during the proceedings that Pinney should suffer some punishment other than jail time, Ross refused to impose a mere "slap on the wrist."
"Resignation and restitution will not be the norm of the day," Ross said, according to an article in The Avis. "Employment by the government is not a right; it is an honor."
Pinney is paying back the money she stole, and so far, has made restitution to the tune of $2,000, records show.
Canton said money problems drove Pinney to commit the crimes, and Pinney said she needed the cash to make payments on a vehicle she had purchased.
The explanation, apparently, did not suffice for Ross. Pinney was sentenced to two years – to run concurrently – for each count of embezzlement. He suspended all jail time in excess of one year. Pinney also must repay the $4,425 she still owes DLCA.
Ross released Pinney on her own recognizance to attend to personal matters. She will turn herself into authorities and begin serving her sentence Monday.
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.
FORMER DLCA EMPLOYEE TO BEGIN SENTENCE
Oct. 19, 2002 – A former Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs employee will begin serving a year in prison Monday after pleading guilty last week to embezzlement charges.
Anella Pinney, 53, worked as the former assistant director of licensing at the department, and according to court records, swiped more than $6,000 in cash for licensing fees over seven months last year.
On Wednesday, Territorial Court Judge Edgar Ross sentenced Pinney on four of 12 counts of embezzlement, after she struck a deal with the government for her guilty plea.
And although both the prosecution and Pinney's attorney, George Canton Jr., said during the proceedings that Pinney should suffer some punishment other than jail time, Ross refused to impose a mere "slap on the wrist."
"Resignation and restitution will not be the norm of the day," Ross said, according to an article in The Avis. "Employment by the government is not a right; it is an honor."
Pinney is paying back the money she stole, and so far, has made restitution to the tune of $2,000, records show.
Canton said money problems drove Pinney to commit the crimes, and Pinney said she needed the cash to make payments on a vehicle she had purchased.
The explanation, apparently, did not suffice for Ross. Pinney was sentenced to two years – to run concurrently – for each count of embezzlement. He suspended all jail time in excess of one year. Pinney also must repay the $4,425 she still owes DLCA.
Ross released Pinney on her own recognizance to attend to personal matters. She will turn herself into authorities and begin serving her sentence Monday.
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.
Anella Pinney, 53, worked as the former assistant director of licensing at the department, and according to court records, swiped more than $6,000 in cash for licensing fees over seven months last year.
On Wednesday, Territorial Court Judge Edgar Ross sentenced Pinney on four of 12 counts of embezzlement, after she struck a deal with the government for her guilty plea.
And although both the prosecution and Pinney's attorney, George Canton Jr., said during the proceedings that Pinney should suffer some punishment other than jail time, Ross refused to impose a mere "slap on the wrist."
"Resignation and restitution will not be the norm of the day," Ross said, according to an article in The Avis. "Employment by the government is not a right; it is an honor."
Pinney is paying back the money she stole, and so far, has made restitution to the tune of $2,000, records show.
Canton said money problems drove Pinney to commit the crimes, and Pinney said she needed the cash to make payments on a vehicle she had purchased.
The explanation, apparently, did not suffice for Ross. Pinney was sentenced to two years – to run concurrently – for each count of embezzlement. He suspended all jail time in excess of one year. Pinney also must repay the $4,425 she still owes DLCA.
Ross released Pinney on her own recognizance to attend to personal matters. She will turn herself into authorities and begin serving her sentence Monday.
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.
