Oct. 16, 2002 – While intermittent phone outages since Innovative Telephone workers went on strike have cause numerous inconveniences, an outage that has lasted for more than a week in St. John's Peter Bay stood in the way of timely medical help on Tuesday for one man.
"We're talking about people arguing over pensions, and now people's lives are at stake," said the villa manager at St. John Savvy, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
He said he had to make a mad dash Tuesday night to the Emergency Medical Services in Cruz Bay to get help for his client, one of 17 homeowners in the Peter Bay area. The manager said the 65-year-old man, who has a heart condition, ruptured his esophagus while vomiting. "He lost massive amounts of blood," the manager said.
After "top-notch" treatment by the island's emergency medical technicians, the manager said, the man was taken to by ambulance boat to Roy L. Schneider Hospital and was subsequently airlifted to Fort Lauderdale.
The manager pointed out that most cellular telephones do not work in Peter Bay because a Tortola service overrides them.
He also noted that it was fortunate that no problems arose at a campaign gala for Gov. Charles W. Turnbull and his running mate, Sen. Vargrave Richards, held at a Peter Bay villa on Saturday.
Thomas Dunn, spokesman for Innovative Telephone, said he wasn't aware of the Peter Bay problem and told a reporter she should have asked for the customer's service order number.
The villa manager said he reported the problem to the 912 repair number more than a week ago. "I kept calling daily, but they told me if it was already reported, I did not need to report it again," he said.
Late last week, he said, he finally reached a supervisor, who told him the problem would be fixed by Sunday. "Today is Wednesday," the manager said.
On Wednesday morning, he drove to Cruz Bay to ask the Innovative union workers walking the picket line for help. They told him they couldn't help.
Dennis Demar, whose wife, Kathy, also manages vacation villas in the Peter Bay area, said he called 912 on Tuesday to report the outage. "The message box was filled up. It said it had reached its capacity and to call the operator," he said.
He said he called the number for the operator and no one answered.
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LITTLE LEAGUE ELECTIONS FOR 2003 SEASON
The Alvin McBean East Little League will hold elections for all administrative and executive positions for the 2003 season. All managers, parents in good standing and interested volunteers are welcome to paricipate in the nomination and selection of the league officers and other officials.
For more information contact Kirby Callendar at 693-1463.
For more information contact Kirby Callendar at 693-1463.
MEDICAL CRISIS IMPACTED BY LACK OF PHONE SERVICE
Oct. 16, 2002 – While intermittent phone outages since Innovative Telephone workers went on strike have cause numerous inconveniences, an outage that has lasted for more than a week in St. John's Peter Bay stood in the way of timely medical help on Tuesday for one man.
"We're talking about people arguing over pensions, and now people's lives are at stake," said the villa manager at St. John Savvy, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
He said he had to make a mad dash Tuesday night to the Emergency Medical Services in Cruz Bay to get help for his client, one of 17 homeowners in the Peter Bay area. The manager said the 65-year-old man, who has a heart condition, ruptured his esophagus while vomiting. "He lost massive amounts of blood," the manager said.
After "top-notch" treatment by the island's emergency medical technicians, the manager said, the man was taken to by ambulance boat to Roy L. Schneider Hospital and was subsequently airlifted to Fort Lauderdale.
The manager pointed out that most cellular telephones do not work in Peter Bay because a Tortola service overrides them.
He also noted that it was fortunate that no problems arose at a campaign gala for Gov. Charles W. Turnbull and his running mate, Sen. Vargrave Richards, held at a Peter Bay villa on Saturday.
Thomas Dunn, spokesman for Innovative Telephone, said he wasn't aware of the Peter Bay problem and told a reporter she should have asked for the customer's service order number.
The villa manager said he reported the problem to the 912 repair number more than a week ago. "I kept calling daily, but they told me if it was already reported, I did not need to report it again," he said.
Late last week, he said, he finally reached a supervisor, who told him the problem would be fixed by Sunday. "Today is Wednesday," the manager said.
On Wednesday morning, he drove to Cruz Bay to ask the Innovative union workers walking the picket line for help. They told him they couldn't help.
Dennis Demar, whose wife, Kathy, also manages vacation villas in the Peter Bay area, said he called 912 on Tuesday to report the outage. "The message box was filled up. It said it had reached its capacity and to call the operator," he said.
He said he called the number for the operator and no one answered.
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.
"We're talking about people arguing over pensions, and now people's lives are at stake," said the villa manager at St. John Savvy, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
He said he had to make a mad dash Tuesday night to the Emergency Medical Services in Cruz Bay to get help for his client, one of 17 homeowners in the Peter Bay area. The manager said the 65-year-old man, who has a heart condition, ruptured his esophagus while vomiting. "He lost massive amounts of blood," the manager said.
After "top-notch" treatment by the island's emergency medical technicians, the manager said, the man was taken to by ambulance boat to Roy L. Schneider Hospital and was subsequently airlifted to Fort Lauderdale.
The manager pointed out that most cellular telephones do not work in Peter Bay because a Tortola service overrides them.
He also noted that it was fortunate that no problems arose at a campaign gala for Gov. Charles W. Turnbull and his running mate, Sen. Vargrave Richards, held at a Peter Bay villa on Saturday.
Thomas Dunn, spokesman for Innovative Telephone, said he wasn't aware of the Peter Bay problem and told a reporter she should have asked for the customer's service order number.
The villa manager said he reported the problem to the 912 repair number more than a week ago. "I kept calling daily, but they told me if it was already reported, I did not need to report it again," he said.
Late last week, he said, he finally reached a supervisor, who told him the problem would be fixed by Sunday. "Today is Wednesday," the manager said.
On Wednesday morning, he drove to Cruz Bay to ask the Innovative union workers walking the picket line for help. They told him they couldn't help.
Dennis Demar, whose wife, Kathy, also manages vacation villas in the Peter Bay area, said he called 912 on Tuesday to report the outage. "The message box was filled up. It said it had reached its capacity and to call the operator," he said.
He said he called the number for the operator and no one answered.
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.
EAST LITTLE LEAGUE ELECTIONS FOR 2003 SEASON
Oct. 16, 2002 – The Alvin McBean East Little League will hold elections for all administrative and executive positions for the 2003 season at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6. All managers, parents in good standing and interested volunteers are welcome to participate in the nomination and selection of the league officers and other officials.
For more information contact Kirby Callendar at 693-1463.
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 v… click A>.
For more information contact Kirby Callendar at 693-1463.
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 v… click A>.
DE JONGH ARNOLD TEAM TO HOLD FOOD SALE
The de Jongh Arnold campaign team will hold a food sale in the Four Winds Plaza. Traditional dishes and cold drinks will be on sale.
For further information call 714-5646.
For further information call 714-5646.
BIRTH OF THE BAB TO BE CELEBRATED SUNDAY
Oct. 16, 2002 – The Baha'is of the Virgin Islands will celebrate the Birth of Bab Holy Day on Sunday throughout the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.
On St. Croix, the celebration will be held at 10 a.m. at the Frederiksted Baha'i Center located at 22A Smithfield.
For more information about the Baha'i Faith call 774-3648, send an e-mail to V.I. Baha'i or visit the V.I. Baha'i Web site.
For directions to the site of the activities on St. Croix, call 772-3827.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice… click here.
On St. Croix, the celebration will be held at 10 a.m. at the Frederiksted Baha'i Center located at 22A Smithfield.
For more information about the Baha'i Faith call 774-3648, send an e-mail to V.I. Baha'i or visit the V.I. Baha'i Web site.
For directions to the site of the activities on St. Croix, call 772-3827.
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.
ANNUAL 5 MILE RACE WILL BE THIS SATURDAY
The Annual Virgin Islands Pace Runners West Indies Five Mile Road Race will begin at the former West Indies Lab on East End r
Road and finish at Green Kay. The race is open to runners of all levels and awards will be presented to the top finishers.
For more information call V.I. Pace Runners at 777-0258 or visit www.virginislandspace.org.
Road and finish at Green Kay. The race is open to runners of all levels and awards will be presented to the top finishers.
For more information call V.I. Pace Runners at 777-0258 or visit www.virginislandspace.org.
ANNUAL 5 MILE ROAD RACE WILL BE THIS SATURDAY
Oct. 16, 2002 – The Annual Virgin Islands Pace Runners West Indies Five Mile Road Race will be held at 6 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, starting at the former West Indies Lab on East End Road and finish at Green Kay. Open to runners of all levels, awards will be presented to the top finishers.
For more information call VI Pace Runners at 777-0258 or visit www.virginislandspace.org.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice… click here.
For more information call VI Pace Runners at 777-0258 or visit www.virginislandspace.org.
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.
WATERFRONT TRAFFIC TO BE TIGHT FOR A WHILE
Oct. 16, 2002 – It appears that things aren't going to get any easier any time soon for motorists who have been sitting in rush-hour traffic for the last two weeks as sewage line repairs continue by the Alexander A. Farrelly Criminal Justice Complex.
Everton Gibson, Public Works Department project supervisor, said on Wednesday that he hopes to finish by this weekend, or the middle of next week, but that's a cautious estimate. "It's a ticklish project," he said. "You never know what your going to meet."
He said his crews have been working around the clock on the project, which started in late September, and were progressing well, only to discover they didn't have the proper piping.
"We had to get an emergency request through Property and Procurement to get the parts that weren't on the island," he said. "It's not a small thing — it's a 30-inch pipe we're working on."
The pipeline they are working on carries sewage from the Havensight and Estate Thomas areas to the Airport Lagoon sewage plant. "We're working hard to prevent it [the sewage] from going into the sea," Gibson said. Yellow plastic booms to contain the sewage can be seen floating in the water just off the Legislature Building.
Westbound traffic has few problems. Eastbound traffic is being detoured through the Fort Christian parking lot, which slows traffic severely at peak drive times. One day last week, motorists were backed up to Nisky Center.
Public Works Commissioner Wayne Callwood is urging motorists to adhere to the posted signs and barricades along the work site. He also suggested using alternative routes.
He said speeding vehicles have knocked down several barricades, which can pose a danger to the crew members. As a result, he said, "a speed bump had to be installed to slow down the drivers."
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.
Everton Gibson, Public Works Department project supervisor, said on Wednesday that he hopes to finish by this weekend, or the middle of next week, but that's a cautious estimate. "It's a ticklish project," he said. "You never know what your going to meet."
He said his crews have been working around the clock on the project, which started in late September, and were progressing well, only to discover they didn't have the proper piping.
"We had to get an emergency request through Property and Procurement to get the parts that weren't on the island," he said. "It's not a small thing — it's a 30-inch pipe we're working on."
The pipeline they are working on carries sewage from the Havensight and Estate Thomas areas to the Airport Lagoon sewage plant. "We're working hard to prevent it [the sewage] from going into the sea," Gibson said. Yellow plastic booms to contain the sewage can be seen floating in the water just off the Legislature Building.
Westbound traffic has few problems. Eastbound traffic is being detoured through the Fort Christian parking lot, which slows traffic severely at peak drive times. One day last week, motorists were backed up to Nisky Center.
Public Works Commissioner Wayne Callwood is urging motorists to adhere to the posted signs and barricades along the work site. He also suggested using alternative routes.
He said speeding vehicles have knocked down several barricades, which can pose a danger to the crew members. As a result, he said, "a speed bump had to be installed to slow down the drivers."
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.
MAIL-IN ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUESTS DUE THURSDAY
Oct. 15, 2002 – Thursday is the last opportunity for voters to request a mail-in absentee ballot to cast their votes in the Nov. 5 general election, according to John Abramson, supervisor of Elections.
Abramson said, however, that anyone who will be out of the territory during the election but does not have a specific forwarding address can cast a vote before the election date.
Abramson said he hopes ballots will be available this week so people can execute a vote if they are leaving the territory. "They would deliver it into the ballot box themselves," he said.
Early voting must be done at the Elections offices. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked Nov. 5, Abramson said.
To get an absentee ballot, a friend or family member must fill out an application at the Board of Elections office with the voter's address, board member Ana Davila said. She said the board will then mail the ballot to the voter.
Abramson said the procedure for counting absentee ballots assures that the voting is kept secret. Ten days after the general election, he said, the Board of Elections will separate the white envelopes containing ballots from the voters' affidavits, noting the date and time they were received.
After that, the board will begin to count the ballots. "By the time they get to the ballots in the white envelopes, they have no idea whose ballot belongs to whom," he said.
There are some absentee votes that are not kept secret, Abramson said — those cast by voters who opt to fax their ballots to the Board of Elections on Nov. 5. He said people who choose to do that must sign a waiver giving up their right to secrecy as their votes are tabulated.
Those planning to fax their ballots are still required to fill out an application for an absentee ballot.
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.
Abramson said, however, that anyone who will be out of the territory during the election but does not have a specific forwarding address can cast a vote before the election date.
Abramson said he hopes ballots will be available this week so people can execute a vote if they are leaving the territory. "They would deliver it into the ballot box themselves," he said.
Early voting must be done at the Elections offices. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked Nov. 5, Abramson said.
To get an absentee ballot, a friend or family member must fill out an application at the Board of Elections office with the voter's address, board member Ana Davila said. She said the board will then mail the ballot to the voter.
Abramson said the procedure for counting absentee ballots assures that the voting is kept secret. Ten days after the general election, he said, the Board of Elections will separate the white envelopes containing ballots from the voters' affidavits, noting the date and time they were received.
After that, the board will begin to count the ballots. "By the time they get to the ballots in the white envelopes, they have no idea whose ballot belongs to whom," he said.
There are some absentee votes that are not kept secret, Abramson said — those cast by voters who opt to fax their ballots to the Board of Elections on Nov. 5. He said people who choose to do that must sign a waiver giving up their right to secrecy as their votes are tabulated.
Those planning to fax their ballots are still required to fill out an application for an absentee ballot.
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.
