Oct. 8, 2002 – A recent compliance agreement entered into by the federal government and the territory will buy the Education Department an additional three years to fulfill the mandates of the Bush administration's No Child Left Behind Act, signed into law last January, V.I. lawmakers were told on Tuesday.
The Senate Education Committee members also were told, however, that in the St. Thomas-St. John district, teachers have yet to receive new textbooks for this academic year.
Although the Senate Education Committee hearing began with wary comments from a pessimistic Sen. Norman Jn Baptiste, committee chair, acting Education Commissioner Noreen Michael nonetheless presented an upbeat report on progress and plans to improve the territory's embattled public school system.
"Before having heard anything, I have to tell you, I am not optimistic," Baptiste said, noting that Education issues dating as far back as 1994 remain unresolved.
The No Child Left Behind Act seeks to hinge the federal education funding going into states and territories on results, linking those dollars to specific goals while rewarding success and sanctioning failure. Michael said the territory can expect an additional $2 million in U.S. education funding this year, $500,000 of it designated to establish scholastic assessment tests.
She said the compliance agreement focuses on program planning, design and evaluation; financial management; property management and procurement; and human capital. She said the agreement will help set the foundation for fulfilling the No Child Left Behind requirements in three years.
Preparing, training and recruiting high-quality teachers and principals is a major component of the act, and one that will have a significant impact on the territory, Michael said.
Of the 160 paraprofessionals employed by the Education Department, only 16 are registered as having college credits, she said. The new law requires that such employees have at least two years of college, hold an associates of arts degree, or pass an assessment test.
Also, Michael said, more than 40 percent of V.I. public school teachers are teaching outside their area of specialization, and more than half do not meet Board of Education certification requirements.
She said a new Education task force will help bring those teachers into compliance with standards and that the department has stepped up efforts to recruit new teachers from the University of the Virgin Islands and on the mainland.
Meantime, there were published reports on Tuesday of several new teachers complaining that they have yet to receive a Notice of Personnel Action, or NOPA, much less a paycheck. Education officials responding to the complaints said the teachers may have failed to submit required documentation.
The No Child Left Behind Act also deals with improving the academic achievement of the disadvantaged through assessment testing and setting up of report cards for each school, district and state or territory, with the assessments to be available to parents and other stakeholders.
"I am concerned with how we are going to meet the mandates of this law in three, four or even five years," Baptiste said. "I am concerned that we can't even supply kids with basic resources like textbooks." On standardized tests, he added, "How can we expect them to do better?"
On St. Croix, most of the textbooks for this school year have arrived, but the district science coordinator, Rosa White, said elementary school science books have not been replaced since 1989 because of funding constraints. The St. Thomas-St. John District is still awaiting the arrival of new schoolbooks for this year, the senators were told.
Michael said efforts toward regaining accreditation for three of the territory's four public high schools are progressing and that deadlines agreed to with the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, the territory's accrediting institution, have been met.
Middle States withdrew the accreditation of Central, Charlotte Amalie and Ivanna Eudora Kean High Schools last year, citing high teacher and student absenteeism, a lack of substitute teachers and site-management problems. St. Croix's Educational Complex has never been accredited, but the territory is now seeking accreditation for that school as well as the three others.
Michael also said that all of the $32 million in federal education grants received for Fiscal Year 2001 has been expended or obligated.
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HOUSE OKS BILLS SUPPORTIVE OF V.I. WATCH INDUSTRY
Oct. 8, 2002 – With the watch company Unitime packing up to leave St. Croix by the end of the year, two bills passed Monday by the U.S. House of Representatives may give some help to the beleaguered industry.
"The legislation is essential because it will keep the V.I. watch and jewelry manufacturing industry competitive" with foreign companies that "don't have to pay minimum wages or comply with other U.S. labor or environmental laws, even when all duties on watches are eliminated," Delegate Donna M. Christensen said in a release.
One bill would extend and expand a program giving watch and jewelry manufacturers in the Virgin Islands and other territories a federal subsidy equal to 90 percent of the amount they pay in wages if other companies are allowed to import watches to the mainland duty free or paying a reduced duty. The bill extends this "production incentive certificate" program for an additional eight years, to 2015.
Without this provision, there would be no incentive for watch companies to stay in business on St. Croix, Brian Modeste, an aide to Christensen, said on Tuesday..
The other bill would permit a drawback of the duty paid on articles shipped from the mainland to the territories.
Similar bills are expected to move through the U.S. Senate soon, Christensen said.
With Unitime's departure, Modeste said, the territory will have three watch companies left, along with three jewelry manufacturing companies. He said another watch company has expressed interest in setting up shop in the territory but declined to identify it.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull said in a news release on the same subject that the watch industry employs around 200 people in the Virgin Islands.
A Unitime official said the company is closing its St. Croix operation so as to consolidate distribution from its corporate headquarters in Switzerland.
While the watch industry appears to be on the decline in the territory, Turnbull said, the jewelry industry had been on the upswing since Congress extended the wage credit program to jewelry manufacturing in 1999. He said four new jewelry companies have set up shop in the Virgin Islands since 1999, and another is planning to move to the islands "in the near future."
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"The legislation is essential because it will keep the V.I. watch and jewelry manufacturing industry competitive" with foreign companies that "don't have to pay minimum wages or comply with other U.S. labor or environmental laws, even when all duties on watches are eliminated," Delegate Donna M. Christensen said in a release.
One bill would extend and expand a program giving watch and jewelry manufacturers in the Virgin Islands and other territories a federal subsidy equal to 90 percent of the amount they pay in wages if other companies are allowed to import watches to the mainland duty free or paying a reduced duty. The bill extends this "production incentive certificate" program for an additional eight years, to 2015.
Without this provision, there would be no incentive for watch companies to stay in business on St. Croix, Brian Modeste, an aide to Christensen, said on Tuesday..
The other bill would permit a drawback of the duty paid on articles shipped from the mainland to the territories.
Similar bills are expected to move through the U.S. Senate soon, Christensen said.
With Unitime's departure, Modeste said, the territory will have three watch companies left, along with three jewelry manufacturing companies. He said another watch company has expressed interest in setting up shop in the territory but declined to identify it.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull said in a news release on the same subject that the watch industry employs around 200 people in the Virgin Islands.
A Unitime official said the company is closing its St. Croix operation so as to consolidate distribution from its corporate headquarters in Switzerland.
While the watch industry appears to be on the decline in the territory, Turnbull said, the jewelry industry had been on the upswing since Congress extended the wage credit program to jewelry manufacturing in 1999. He said four new jewelry companies have set up shop in the Virgin Islands since 1999, and another is planning to move to the islands "in the near future."
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HOUSE OKS BILLS SUPPORTIVE OF V.I. WATCH INDUSTRY
Oct. 8, 2002 – With the watch company Unitime packing up to leave St. Croix by the end of the year, two bills passed Monday by the U.S. House of Representatives may give some help to the beleaguered industry.
"The legislation is essential because it will keep the V.I. watch and jewelry manufacturing industry competitive" with foreign companies that "don't have to pay minimum wages or comply with other U.S. labor or environmental laws, even when all duties on watches are eliminated," Delegate Donna M. Christensen said in a release.
One bill would extend and expand a program giving watch and jewelry manufacturers in the Virgin Islands and other territories a federal subsidy equal to 90 percent of the amount they pay in wages if other companies are allowed to import watches to the mainland duty free or paying a reduced duty. The bill extends this "production incentive certificate" program for an additional eight years, to 2015.
Without this provision, there would be no incentive for watch companies to stay in business on St. Croix, Brian Modeste, an aide to Christensen, said on Tuesday..
The other bill would permit a drawback of the duty paid on articles shipped from the mainland to the territories.
Similar bills are expected to move through the U.S. Senate soon, Christensen said.
With Unitime's departure, Modeste said, the territory will have three watch companies left, along with three jewelry manufacturing companies. He said another watch company has expressed interest in setting up shop in the territory but declined to identify it.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull said in a news release on the same subject that the watch industry employs around 200 people in the Virgin Islands.
A Unitime official said the company is closing its St. Croix operation so as to consolidate distribution from its corporate headquarters in Switzerland.
While the watch industry appears to be on the decline in the territory, Turnbull said, the jewelry industry had been on the upswing since Congress extended the wage credit program to jewelry manufacturing in 1999. He said four new jewelry companies have set up shop in the Virgin Islands since 1999, and another is planning to move to the islands "in the near future."
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 legislation is essential because it will keep the V.I. watch and jewelry manufacturing industry competitive" with foreign companies that "don't have to pay minimum wages or comply with other U.S. labor or environmental laws, even when all duties on watches are eliminated," Delegate Donna M. Christensen said in a release.
One bill would extend and expand a program giving watch and jewelry manufacturers in the Virgin Islands and other territories a federal subsidy equal to 90 percent of the amount they pay in wages if other companies are allowed to import watches to the mainland duty free or paying a reduced duty. The bill extends this "production incentive certificate" program for an additional eight years, to 2015.
Without this provision, there would be no incentive for watch companies to stay in business on St. Croix, Brian Modeste, an aide to Christensen, said on Tuesday..
The other bill would permit a drawback of the duty paid on articles shipped from the mainland to the territories.
Similar bills are expected to move through the U.S. Senate soon, Christensen said.
With Unitime's departure, Modeste said, the territory will have three watch companies left, along with three jewelry manufacturing companies. He said another watch company has expressed interest in setting up shop in the territory but declined to identify it.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull said in a news release on the same subject that the watch industry employs around 200 people in the Virgin Islands.
A Unitime official said the company is closing its St. Croix operation so as to consolidate distribution from its corporate headquarters in Switzerland.
While the watch industry appears to be on the decline in the territory, Turnbull said, the jewelry industry had been on the upswing since Congress extended the wage credit program to jewelry manufacturing in 1999. He said four new jewelry companies have set up shop in the Virgin Islands since 1999, and another is planning to move to the islands "in the near future."
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.
HOUSE OKS BILLS SUPPORTIVE OF V.I. WATCH INDUSTRY
Oct. 8, 2002 – With the watch company Unitime packing up to leave St. Croix by the end of the year, two bills passed Monday by the U.S. House of Representatives may give some help to the beleaguered industry.
"The legislation is essential because it will keep the V.I. watch and jewelry manufacturing industry competitive" with foreign companies that "don't have to pay minimum wages or comply with other U.S. labor or environmental laws, even when all duties on watches are eliminated," Delegate Donna M. Christensen said in a release.
One bill would extend and expand a program giving watch and jewelry manufacturers in the Virgin Islands and other territories a federal subsidy equal to 90 percent of the amount they pay in wages if other companies are allowed to import watches to the mainland duty free or paying a reduced duty. The bill extends this "production incentive certificate" program for an additional eight years, to 2015.
Without this provision, there would be no incentive for watch companies to stay in business on St. Croix, Brian Modeste, an aide to Christensen, said on Tuesday..
The other bill would permit a drawback of the duty paid on articles shipped from the mainland to the territories.
Similar bills are expected to move through the U.S. Senate soon, Christensen said.
With Unitime's departure, Modeste said, the territory will have three watch companies left, along with three jewelry manufacturing companies. He said another watch company has expressed interest in setting up shop in the territory but declined to identify it.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull said in a news release on the same subject that the watch industry employs around 200 people in the Virgin Islands.
A Unitime official said the company is closing its St. Croix operation so as to consolidate distribution from its corporate headquarters in Switzerland.
While the watch industry appears to be on the decline in the territory, Turnbull said, the jewelry industry had been on the upswing since Congress extended the wage credit program to jewelry manufacturing in 1999. He said four new jewelry companies have set up shop in the Virgin Islands since 1999, and another is planning to move to the islands "in the near future."
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 legislation is essential because it will keep the V.I. watch and jewelry manufacturing industry competitive" with foreign companies that "don't have to pay minimum wages or comply with other U.S. labor or environmental laws, even when all duties on watches are eliminated," Delegate Donna M. Christensen said in a release.
One bill would extend and expand a program giving watch and jewelry manufacturers in the Virgin Islands and other territories a federal subsidy equal to 90 percent of the amount they pay in wages if other companies are allowed to import watches to the mainland duty free or paying a reduced duty. The bill extends this "production incentive certificate" program for an additional eight years, to 2015.
Without this provision, there would be no incentive for watch companies to stay in business on St. Croix, Brian Modeste, an aide to Christensen, said on Tuesday..
The other bill would permit a drawback of the duty paid on articles shipped from the mainland to the territories.
Similar bills are expected to move through the U.S. Senate soon, Christensen said.
With Unitime's departure, Modeste said, the territory will have three watch companies left, along with three jewelry manufacturing companies. He said another watch company has expressed interest in setting up shop in the territory but declined to identify it.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull said in a news release on the same subject that the watch industry employs around 200 people in the Virgin Islands.
A Unitime official said the company is closing its St. Croix operation so as to consolidate distribution from its corporate headquarters in Switzerland.
While the watch industry appears to be on the decline in the territory, Turnbull said, the jewelry industry had been on the upswing since Congress extended the wage credit program to jewelry manufacturing in 1999. He said four new jewelry companies have set up shop in the Virgin Islands since 1999, and another is planning to move to the islands "in the near future."
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.
WOMEN'S GATHERING THEME: 'FAMILIES UNDER SIEGE'
Oct. 8, 2002 – Sen. Lorraine Berry is urging everyone who plans to attend her 7th annual Women's Conference on Saturday at Marriott Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort to register by Wednesday.
This year's conference, "Families under Siege — Tackling the Challenges," concentrates on family issues. It runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the grand ballroom.
For two of the last three years, Berry's forums have focused on family issues — involving children and youth, relationships, responsibilities and sexual awareness. Last year's conference put the emphasis strictly on women's sexual issues. Saturday's conference will focus on help for the whole family.
The event will test Berry's ability to stand on her own two feet — literally. She took a fall about 10 days ago in her home, severely injured her knee. She will definitely be there Saturday. "The only question," she said, "is whether it will be a wheelchair or crutches."
Speakers for the program include Cynthia Clendenin, a public health administrator, who will give the breakfast address, and Pastor Iris Hernandez, who will speak at the luncheon.
Panelists are: Dilsa Capdeville, KidsCope executive director; Gustavus "Cass" Connell, registered nurse; Douglas Dick, assistant attorney general; Dr. Robin Ellick, family physician; Cynthia Farmer of the American Association for Children for Enforcement of Support, a group dedicated to collecting delinquent child-support payments; Carmen George of VICare; Dr. Olaf Hendricks, psychiatrist; Terrene D. Joseph, Justice Department Paternity and Child Support Division liaison officer; Luz Maldonado of The Village on St. Croix; Michal Rhymer, Family Resource Center executive director; Delia Smith, Attorney General's Office; and Territorial Judge Audrey L. Thomas.
Anyone wanting to attend the event should contact Joyce Ann Harrigan in Berry's office by calling 693-3507. Space is limited. Complimentary tickets are being given to the housing communities, with help from the Housing Parks and Recreation Department and the Education Department.
At the conference, certificates for low-cost mammograms will be given out by Shirley Jackson McDonald of the Health Department's Breast and Cervical Cancer Unit.
More than 600 women and a few men attended last year's conference, and Berry said this year it looks as if there may be more.
Any professional women's organization that would like to recruit new members may set up a table in the lobby outside the ballroom, Berry said. One group that has already committed to doing so is Business and Professional Women. To make arrangements for table space, call Berry's office.
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.
This year's conference, "Families under Siege — Tackling the Challenges," concentrates on family issues. It runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the grand ballroom.
For two of the last three years, Berry's forums have focused on family issues — involving children and youth, relationships, responsibilities and sexual awareness. Last year's conference put the emphasis strictly on women's sexual issues. Saturday's conference will focus on help for the whole family.
The event will test Berry's ability to stand on her own two feet — literally. She took a fall about 10 days ago in her home, severely injured her knee. She will definitely be there Saturday. "The only question," she said, "is whether it will be a wheelchair or crutches."
Speakers for the program include Cynthia Clendenin, a public health administrator, who will give the breakfast address, and Pastor Iris Hernandez, who will speak at the luncheon.
Panelists are: Dilsa Capdeville, KidsCope executive director; Gustavus "Cass" Connell, registered nurse; Douglas Dick, assistant attorney general; Dr. Robin Ellick, family physician; Cynthia Farmer of the American Association for Children for Enforcement of Support, a group dedicated to collecting delinquent child-support payments; Carmen George of VICare; Dr. Olaf Hendricks, psychiatrist; Terrene D. Joseph, Justice Department Paternity and Child Support Division liaison officer; Luz Maldonado of The Village on St. Croix; Michal Rhymer, Family Resource Center executive director; Delia Smith, Attorney General's Office; and Territorial Judge Audrey L. Thomas.
Anyone wanting to attend the event should contact Joyce Ann Harrigan in Berry's office by calling 693-3507. Space is limited. Complimentary tickets are being given to the housing communities, with help from the Housing Parks and Recreation Department and the Education Department.
At the conference, certificates for low-cost mammograms will be given out by Shirley Jackson McDonald of the Health Department's Breast and Cervical Cancer Unit.
More than 600 women and a few men attended last year's conference, and Berry said this year it looks as if there may be more.
Any professional women's organization that would like to recruit new members may set up a table in the lobby outside the ballroom, Berry said. One group that has already committed to doing so is Business and Professional Women. To make arrangements for table space, call Berry's office.
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.
WOMEN'S GATHERING THEME: 'FAMILIES UNDER SIEGE'
Oct. 8, 2002 – Sen. Lorraine Berry is urging everyone who plans to attend her 7th annual Women's Conference on Saturday at Marriott Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort to register by Wednesday.
This year's conference, "Families under Siege — Tackling the Challenges," concentrates on family issues. It runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the grand ballroom.
For two of the last three years, Berry's forums have focused on family issues — involving children and youth, relationships, responsibilities and sexual awareness. Last year's conference put the emphasis strictly on women's sexual issues. Saturday's conference will focus on help for the whole family.
The event will test Berry's ability to stand on her own two feet — literally. She took a fall about 10 days ago in her home, severely injured her knee. She will definitely be there Saturday. "The only question," she said, "is whether it will be a wheelchair or crutches."
Speakers for the program include Cynthia Clendenin, a public health administrator, who will give the breakfast address, and Pastor Iris Hernandez, who will speak at the luncheon.
Panelists are: Dilsa Capdeville, KidsCope executive director; Gustavus "Cass" Connell, registered nurse; Douglas Dick, assistant attorney general; Dr. Robin Ellick, family physician; Cynthia Farmer of the American Association for Children for Enforcement of Support, a group dedicated to collecting delinquent child-support payments; Carmen George of VICare; Dr. Olaf Hendricks, psychiatrist; Terrene D. Joseph, Justice Department Paternity and Child Support Division liaison officer; Luz Maldonado of The Village on St. Croix; Michal Rhymer, Family Resource Center executive director; Delia Smith, Attorney General's Office; and Territorial Judge Audrey L. Thomas.
Anyone wanting to attend the event should contact Joyce Ann Harrigan in Berry's office by calling 693-3507. Space is limited. Complimentary tickets are being given to the housing communities, with help from the Housing Parks and Recreation Department and the Education Department.
At the conference, certificates for low-cost mammograms will be given out by Shirley Jackson McDonald of the Health Department's Breast and Cervical Cancer Unit.
More than 600 women and a few men attended last year's conference, and Berry said this year it looks as if there may be more.
Any professional women's organization that would like to recruit new members may set up a table in the lobby outside the ballroom, Berry said. One group that has already committed to doing so is Business and Professional Women. To make arrangements for table space, call Berry's office.
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.
This year's conference, "Families under Siege — Tackling the Challenges," concentrates on family issues. It runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the grand ballroom.
For two of the last three years, Berry's forums have focused on family issues — involving children and youth, relationships, responsibilities and sexual awareness. Last year's conference put the emphasis strictly on women's sexual issues. Saturday's conference will focus on help for the whole family.
The event will test Berry's ability to stand on her own two feet — literally. She took a fall about 10 days ago in her home, severely injured her knee. She will definitely be there Saturday. "The only question," she said, "is whether it will be a wheelchair or crutches."
Speakers for the program include Cynthia Clendenin, a public health administrator, who will give the breakfast address, and Pastor Iris Hernandez, who will speak at the luncheon.
Panelists are: Dilsa Capdeville, KidsCope executive director; Gustavus "Cass" Connell, registered nurse; Douglas Dick, assistant attorney general; Dr. Robin Ellick, family physician; Cynthia Farmer of the American Association for Children for Enforcement of Support, a group dedicated to collecting delinquent child-support payments; Carmen George of VICare; Dr. Olaf Hendricks, psychiatrist; Terrene D. Joseph, Justice Department Paternity and Child Support Division liaison officer; Luz Maldonado of The Village on St. Croix; Michal Rhymer, Family Resource Center executive director; Delia Smith, Attorney General's Office; and Territorial Judge Audrey L. Thomas.
Anyone wanting to attend the event should contact Joyce Ann Harrigan in Berry's office by calling 693-3507. Space is limited. Complimentary tickets are being given to the housing communities, with help from the Housing Parks and Recreation Department and the Education Department.
At the conference, certificates for low-cost mammograms will be given out by Shirley Jackson McDonald of the Health Department's Breast and Cervical Cancer Unit.
More than 600 women and a few men attended last year's conference, and Berry said this year it looks as if there may be more.
Any professional women's organization that would like to recruit new members may set up a table in the lobby outside the ballroom, Berry said. One group that has already committed to doing so is Business and Professional Women. To make arrangements for table space, call Berry's office.
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.
WOMEN'S GATHERING THEME: 'FAMILIES UNDER SIEGE'
Oct. 8, 2002 – Sen. Lorraine Berry is urging everyone who plans to attend her 7th annual Women's Conference on Saturday at Marriott Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort to register by Wednesday.
This year's conference, "Families under Siege — Tackling the Challenges," concentrates on family issues. It runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the grand ballroom.
For two of the last three years, Berry's forums have focused on family issues — involving children and youth, relationships, responsibilities and sexual awareness. Last year's conference put the emphasis strictly on women's sexual issues. Saturday's conference will focus on help for the whole family.
The event will test Berry's ability to stand on her own two feet — literally. She took a fall about 10 days ago in her home, severely injured her knee. She will definitely be there Saturday. "The only question," she said, "is whether it will be a wheelchair or crutches."
Speakers for the program include Cynthia Clendenin, a public health administrator, who will give the breakfast address, and Pastor Iris Hernandez, who will speak at the luncheon.
Panelists are: Dilsa Capdeville, KidsCope executive director; Gustavus "Cass" Connell, registered nurse; Douglas Dick, assistant attorney general; Dr. Robin Ellick, family physician; Cynthia Farmer of the American Association for Children for Enforcement of Support, a group dedicated to collecting delinquent child-support payments; Carmen George of VICare; Dr. Olaf Hendricks, psychiatrist; Terrene D. Joseph, Justice Department Paternity and Child Support Division liaison officer; Luz Maldonado of The Village on St. Croix; Michal Rhymer, Family Resource Center executive director; Delia Smith, Attorney General's Office; and Territorial Judge Audrey L. Thomas.
Anyone wanting to attend the event should contact Joyce Ann Harrigan in Berry's office by calling 693-3507. Space is limited. Complimentary tickets are being given to the housing communities, with help from the Housing Parks and Recreation Department and the Education Department.
At the conference, certificates for low-cost mammograms will be given out by Shirley Jackson McDonald of the Health Department's Breast and Cervical Cancer Unit.
More than 600 women and a few men attended last year's conference, and Berry said this year it looks as if there may be more.
Any professional women's organization that would like to recruit new members may set up a table in the lobby outside the ballroom, Berry said. One group that has already committed to doing so is Business and Professional Women. To make arrangements for table space, call Berry's office.
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.
This year's conference, "Families under Siege — Tackling the Challenges," concentrates on family issues. It runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the grand ballroom.
For two of the last three years, Berry's forums have focused on family issues — involving children and youth, relationships, responsibilities and sexual awareness. Last year's conference put the emphasis strictly on women's sexual issues. Saturday's conference will focus on help for the whole family.
The event will test Berry's ability to stand on her own two feet — literally. She took a fall about 10 days ago in her home, severely injured her knee. She will definitely be there Saturday. "The only question," she said, "is whether it will be a wheelchair or crutches."
Speakers for the program include Cynthia Clendenin, a public health administrator, who will give the breakfast address, and Pastor Iris Hernandez, who will speak at the luncheon.
Panelists are: Dilsa Capdeville, KidsCope executive director; Gustavus "Cass" Connell, registered nurse; Douglas Dick, assistant attorney general; Dr. Robin Ellick, family physician; Cynthia Farmer of the American Association for Children for Enforcement of Support, a group dedicated to collecting delinquent child-support payments; Carmen George of VICare; Dr. Olaf Hendricks, psychiatrist; Terrene D. Joseph, Justice Department Paternity and Child Support Division liaison officer; Luz Maldonado of The Village on St. Croix; Michal Rhymer, Family Resource Center executive director; Delia Smith, Attorney General's Office; and Territorial Judge Audrey L. Thomas.
Anyone wanting to attend the event should contact Joyce Ann Harrigan in Berry's office by calling 693-3507. Space is limited. Complimentary tickets are being given to the housing communities, with help from the Housing Parks and Recreation Department and the Education Department.
At the conference, certificates for low-cost mammograms will be given out by Shirley Jackson McDonald of the Health Department's Breast and Cervical Cancer Unit.
More than 600 women and a few men attended last year's conference, and Berry said this year it looks as if there may be more.
Any professional women's organization that would like to recruit new members may set up a table in the lobby outside the ballroom, Berry said. One group that has already committed to doing so is Business and Professional Women. To make arrangements for table space, call Berry's office.
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.
V.I. COULD SOMEDAY GET ITS TWO-BIT CLAIM TO FAME
Oct. 8, 2002 – You won't get Virgin Islands quarters back in your change anytime soon, but you might be able to one of these years, if the U.S. Senate goes along with a bill passed by the House of Representatives on Monday that would add the five territories and Washington, D.C., to the Commemorative Quarter Dollar Coin Program.
However, Brian Modeste, an aide to Delegate Donna M. Christensen, said on Tuesday that he doubts the Senate will take up its version of the bill before the end of term. So, efforts to expand the program will have to begin anew when the next Congress takes office in January.
"Because it's so late in the session, they may not get to it," Modeste said, noting that Congress is absorbed by the looming war with Iraq.
The House had already passed a bill to expand the coin program once before, Modeste said, but there just wasn't enough support for it in the Senate. However, he said, he believes the proposal eventually will become law.
The U.S. Mint began issuing quarters honoring the states in 1999 in the order of their admittance to the Union, starting with Delaware. It is just now issuing No. 19, Indiana. Mississippi is the last one scheduled for this year.
The final state coin, for Hawaii, is to be issued in 2008. This means it would be at least 2009 before coins commemorating the five territories and the District of Columbia could be issued. When the prospects for a Virgin Islands coin come closer to realty, Modeste said, a contest will be held to pick the design.
Even looking at seven years from now, the issuing of a Virgin Islands quarter can only help the territory's tourism picture, a V.I. hotelier believes.
"That's a nice little positive P.R. thing," said Richard Doumeng, general manager of Bolongo Bay Beach Resort and a past president of the St. Thomas-St. John Hotel and Tourism Association. He said he can envision all kinds of tourism promotions tied to the coin.
"I wish it was sooner, but let's assume we'll still need marketing assistance in 2009," he said.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
However, Brian Modeste, an aide to Delegate Donna M. Christensen, said on Tuesday that he doubts the Senate will take up its version of the bill before the end of term. So, efforts to expand the program will have to begin anew when the next Congress takes office in January.
"Because it's so late in the session, they may not get to it," Modeste said, noting that Congress is absorbed by the looming war with Iraq.
The House had already passed a bill to expand the coin program once before, Modeste said, but there just wasn't enough support for it in the Senate. However, he said, he believes the proposal eventually will become law.
The U.S. Mint began issuing quarters honoring the states in 1999 in the order of their admittance to the Union, starting with Delaware. It is just now issuing No. 19, Indiana. Mississippi is the last one scheduled for this year.
The final state coin, for Hawaii, is to be issued in 2008. This means it would be at least 2009 before coins commemorating the five territories and the District of Columbia could be issued. When the prospects for a Virgin Islands coin come closer to realty, Modeste said, a contest will be held to pick the design.
Even looking at seven years from now, the issuing of a Virgin Islands quarter can only help the territory's tourism picture, a V.I. hotelier believes.
"That's a nice little positive P.R. thing," said Richard Doumeng, general manager of Bolongo Bay Beach Resort and a past president of the St. Thomas-St. John Hotel and Tourism Association. He said he can envision all kinds of tourism promotions tied to the coin.
"I wish it was sooner, but let's assume we'll still need marketing assistance in 2009," he said.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
V.I. COULD SOMEDAY GET ITS TWO-BIT CLAIM TO FAME
Oct. 8, 2002 – You won't get Virgin Islands quarters back in your change anytime soon, but you might be able to one of these years, if the U.S. Senate goes along with a bill passed by the House of Representatives on Monday that would add the five territories and Washington, D.C., to the Commemorative Quarter Dollar Coin Program.
However, Brian Modeste, an aide to Delegate Donna M. Christensen, said on Tuesday that he doubts the Senate will take up its version of the bill before the end of term. So, efforts to expand the program will have to begin anew when the next Congress takes office in January.
"Because it's so late in the session, they may not get to it," Modeste said, noting that Congress is absorbed by the looming war with Iraq.
The House had already passed a bill to expand the coin program once before, Modeste said, but there just wasn't enough support for it in the Senate. However, he said, he believes the proposal eventually will become law.
The U.S. Mint began issuing quarters honoring the states in 1999 in the order of their admittance to the Union, starting with Delaware. It is just now issuing No. 19, Indiana. Mississippi is the last one scheduled for this year.
The final state coin, for Hawaii, is to be issued in 2008. This means it would be at least 2009 before coins commemorating the five territories and the District of Columbia could be issued. When the prospects for a Virgin Islands coin come closer to realty, Modeste said, a contest will be held to pick the design.
Even looking at seven years from now, the issuing of a Virgin Islands quarter can only help the territory's tourism picture, a V.I. hotelier believes.
"That's a nice little positive P.R. thing," said Richard Doumeng, general manager of Bolongo Bay Beach Resort and a past president of the St. Thomas-St. John Hotel and Tourism Association. He said he can envision all kinds of tourism promotions tied to the coin.
"I wish it was sooner, but let's assume we'll still need marketing assistance in 2009," he said.
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.>.
However, Brian Modeste, an aide to Delegate Donna M. Christensen, said on Tuesday that he doubts the Senate will take up its version of the bill before the end of term. So, efforts to expand the program will have to begin anew when the next Congress takes office in January.
"Because it's so late in the session, they may not get to it," Modeste said, noting that Congress is absorbed by the looming war with Iraq.
The House had already passed a bill to expand the coin program once before, Modeste said, but there just wasn't enough support for it in the Senate. However, he said, he believes the proposal eventually will become law.
The U.S. Mint began issuing quarters honoring the states in 1999 in the order of their admittance to the Union, starting with Delaware. It is just now issuing No. 19, Indiana. Mississippi is the last one scheduled for this year.
The final state coin, for Hawaii, is to be issued in 2008. This means it would be at least 2009 before coins commemorating the five territories and the District of Columbia could be issued. When the prospects for a Virgin Islands coin come closer to realty, Modeste said, a contest will be held to pick the design.
Even looking at seven years from now, the issuing of a Virgin Islands quarter can only help the territory's tourism picture, a V.I. hotelier believes.
"That's a nice little positive P.R. thing," said Richard Doumeng, general manager of Bolongo Bay Beach Resort and a past president of the St. Thomas-St. John Hotel and Tourism Association. He said he can envision all kinds of tourism promotions tied to the coin.
"I wish it was sooner, but let's assume we'll still need marketing assistance in 2009," he said.
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.>.
V.I. COULD SOMEDAY GET ITS TWO-BIT CLAIM TO FAME
Oct. 8, 2002 – You won't get Virgin Islands quarters back in your change anytime soon, but you might be able to one of these years, if the U.S. Senate goes along with a bill passed by the House of Representatives on Monday that would add the five territories and Washington, D.C., to the Commemorative Quarter Dollar Coin Program.
However, Brian Modeste, an aide to Delegate Donna M. Christensen, said on Tuesday that he doubts the Senate will take up its version of the bill before the end of term. So, efforts to expand the program will have to begin anew when the next Congress takes office in January.
"Because it's so late in the session, they may not get to it," Modeste said, noting that Congress is absorbed by the looming war with Iraq.
The House had already passed a bill to expand the coin program once before, Modeste said, but there just wasn't enough support for it in the Senate. However, he said, he believes the proposal eventually will become law.
The U.S. Mint began issuing quarters honoring the states in 1999 in the order of their admittance to the Union, starting with Delaware. It is just now issuing No. 19, Indiana. Mississippi is the last one scheduled for this year.
The final state coin, for Hawaii, is to be issued in 2008. This means it would be at least 2009 before coins commemorating the five territories and the District of Columbia could be issued. When the prospects for a Virgin Islands coin come closer to realty, Modeste said, a contest will be held to pick the design.
Even looking at seven years from now, the issuing of a Virgin Islands quarter can only help the territory's tourism picture, a V.I. hotelier believes.
"That's a nice little positive P.R. thing," said Richard Doumeng, general manager of Bolongo Bay Beach Resort and a past president of the St. Thomas-St. John Hotel and Tourism Association. He said he can envision all kinds of tourism promotions tied to the coin.
"I wish it was sooner, but let's assume we'll still need marketing assistance in 2009," he said.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
However, Brian Modeste, an aide to Delegate Donna M. Christensen, said on Tuesday that he doubts the Senate will take up its version of the bill before the end of term. So, efforts to expand the program will have to begin anew when the next Congress takes office in January.
"Because it's so late in the session, they may not get to it," Modeste said, noting that Congress is absorbed by the looming war with Iraq.
The House had already passed a bill to expand the coin program once before, Modeste said, but there just wasn't enough support for it in the Senate. However, he said, he believes the proposal eventually will become law.
The U.S. Mint began issuing quarters honoring the states in 1999 in the order of their admittance to the Union, starting with Delaware. It is just now issuing No. 19, Indiana. Mississippi is the last one scheduled for this year.
The final state coin, for Hawaii, is to be issued in 2008. This means it would be at least 2009 before coins commemorating the five territories and the District of Columbia could be issued. When the prospects for a Virgin Islands coin come closer to realty, Modeste said, a contest will be held to pick the design.
Even looking at seven years from now, the issuing of a Virgin Islands quarter can only help the territory's tourism picture, a V.I. hotelier believes.
"That's a nice little positive P.R. thing," said Richard Doumeng, general manager of Bolongo Bay Beach Resort and a past president of the St. Thomas-St. John Hotel and Tourism Association. He said he can envision all kinds of tourism promotions tied to the coin.
"I wish it was sooner, but let's assume we'll still need marketing assistance in 2009," he said.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
