Oct. 4, 2002 – Gov. Charles W. Turnbull has approved five new applications for economic development benefits and has granted an extension for one other company.
According to a Government House release, High Seas Management, IFW St. Croix Group, Four Points Management, Balfour Vantage and The Link Group will operate as "designated service businesses" providing financial, business, economic and management consulting services, investment fund management, research and development and e-commerce for clients outside the U.S.V.I.
Of the five, two will be located on St. Croix, two will be on St. Thomas and one will be on St. John.
IVAX Pharmaceuticals Inc. will continue manufacturing pharmaceutical products on St. Croix.
The approval of these new economic development benefit applications comes just more than a week after the governor signed off on 11 new applications and extended the benefits to one other company.
The six companies approved today represent a total new investment of nearly $1.8 million, according to Government House. The new companies will employ 56 individuals with a total annual salary of almost $2.5 million.
Turnbull commended Frank Schulterbrandt, chief executive officer of the Economic Development Authority, and his staff for a professional and thorough execution of the screening process.
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CANCRYN STUDENTS HAVE A RIGHT TO COMPLAIN
Oct. 4, 2002 – As far as educators at Addelita Cancryn Junior High School are concerned, the demonstration by a group of students on Thursday protesting physical conditions at the facility was an object lesson in free speech rights.
The Cancryn students were protesting hot classrooms — a day after physical education teachers at Charlotte Amalie High School called in sick in what was reportedly a protest of heat in their gymnasium.
The junior high students also were protesting the fact that they don't even have a gymnasium — and complaining that their athletic field is inadequate and that they are plagued by pigeons that congregate at an open area of the school roof and foul the air with their droppings.
On Wednesday, the Education Department distributed a release in which Cancryn Principal Yvonne Pilgrim stated: "The students will demonstrate their right to free speech, petition and assembly as outlined in the Bill of Rights through the application of their current study in U.S. history to real-life situations."
It may or may not have been a coincidence that the students' protest took place on the day that a government inspection team was on the school grounds checking up on maintenance work done during the summer. Keith Richards, the governor's special assistant for capital improvement projects, was among those present for the inspection.
The government allocated $140,000 for a number of summer maintenance projects at the school over the summer, including repairs to windows, doors, tiles, roofs, bathroom floors, cisterns and air conditioners, along with painting.
Last May, legislators were told that the school has more than 900 students but no place to hold an assembly for more than 400. They also learned that, with no gym, Cancryn physical education activities are held outdoors in a dirt cricket field west of the school where students experience heat exhaustion, dehydration and aggravations due to allergies and asthma. If the weather is inclement, the senators were told, the students get no p-e activities at all.
Also visiting the school on Thursday was Sen. Carlton Dowe. He said the Senate had approved a quarter-million dollar appropriation allocated by the Public Finance Authority for Cancryn. "It's up to the Department of Education to decide what they're going to do" with the money, he said.
According to Richards, however, while he believes the money is sitting in the PFA, it has already been spent and is awaiting distribution to contractors for the summer maintenance work. "The contractors haven't been paid completely," he said. "The $250,000 may be held to reimburse on projects that have already been done and money that's already been spent."
Capital projects that were needed at Cancryn included connecting the school's water line to a new water system, upgrading the electrical system, and making improvements to the security system, he said..
The good news is that the pigeon problem is already being addressed, with some success reported in chasing off the birds. But relieving the heat in the classrooms will require a long-term effort, Richards said. He told Cancryn administrators that converting to school-wide air conditioning would take planning, funding and an electrical upgrade to support the system.
If authorities want to address the youngsters' complaints about conditions at the school, he said, the work must be contracted on a competitive bidding process. The Senate will have to appropriate money for the work, he said, or Education officials will have to find the funds from within their resources.
Richards also said the problem of excessive heat in the Charlotte Amalie High School gym could have been solved as part of the summer school maintenance program, but that it did not come to the attention of decision makers in time to be included on the project list. "The fans and the ventilation in the gym was something that had to be done," he said.
But, he added, corrective action is under way in the CAHS case. The capital improvements office was expecting to hear from three contractors on Friday in response to a "scope of work" description put together for the high school gym last week. If funds are available, the work can proceed quickly, he said; but if not, it will have to wait until the resources are in place.
Richards and Dowe said they would like to see permanent solutions at both schools. Building a new CAHS gym is on the To Do list at Government House, Richards said, and funding is expected to come from an upcoming bond issue. But it will take a long time for the project to proceed from design to reality, he said.
Dowe said he believes the best solution for Cancryn would be to build a whole new junior high school for central and western St. Thomas. But he said it is more likely that a gymnasium and a cafeteria will be built for the existing school — projects for which the Legislature earlier approved funding.
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 Cancryn students were protesting hot classrooms — a day after physical education teachers at Charlotte Amalie High School called in sick in what was reportedly a protest of heat in their gymnasium.
The junior high students also were protesting the fact that they don't even have a gymnasium — and complaining that their athletic field is inadequate and that they are plagued by pigeons that congregate at an open area of the school roof and foul the air with their droppings.
On Wednesday, the Education Department distributed a release in which Cancryn Principal Yvonne Pilgrim stated: "The students will demonstrate their right to free speech, petition and assembly as outlined in the Bill of Rights through the application of their current study in U.S. history to real-life situations."
It may or may not have been a coincidence that the students' protest took place on the day that a government inspection team was on the school grounds checking up on maintenance work done during the summer. Keith Richards, the governor's special assistant for capital improvement projects, was among those present for the inspection.
The government allocated $140,000 for a number of summer maintenance projects at the school over the summer, including repairs to windows, doors, tiles, roofs, bathroom floors, cisterns and air conditioners, along with painting.
Last May, legislators were told that the school has more than 900 students but no place to hold an assembly for more than 400. They also learned that, with no gym, Cancryn physical education activities are held outdoors in a dirt cricket field west of the school where students experience heat exhaustion, dehydration and aggravations due to allergies and asthma. If the weather is inclement, the senators were told, the students get no p-e activities at all.
Also visiting the school on Thursday was Sen. Carlton Dowe. He said the Senate had approved a quarter-million dollar appropriation allocated by the Public Finance Authority for Cancryn. "It's up to the Department of Education to decide what they're going to do" with the money, he said.
According to Richards, however, while he believes the money is sitting in the PFA, it has already been spent and is awaiting distribution to contractors for the summer maintenance work. "The contractors haven't been paid completely," he said. "The $250,000 may be held to reimburse on projects that have already been done and money that's already been spent."
Capital projects that were needed at Cancryn included connecting the school's water line to a new water system, upgrading the electrical system, and making improvements to the security system, he said..
The good news is that the pigeon problem is already being addressed, with some success reported in chasing off the birds. But relieving the heat in the classrooms will require a long-term effort, Richards said. He told Cancryn administrators that converting to school-wide air conditioning would take planning, funding and an electrical upgrade to support the system.
If authorities want to address the youngsters' complaints about conditions at the school, he said, the work must be contracted on a competitive bidding process. The Senate will have to appropriate money for the work, he said, or Education officials will have to find the funds from within their resources.
Richards also said the problem of excessive heat in the Charlotte Amalie High School gym could have been solved as part of the summer school maintenance program, but that it did not come to the attention of decision makers in time to be included on the project list. "The fans and the ventilation in the gym was something that had to be done," he said.
But, he added, corrective action is under way in the CAHS case. The capital improvements office was expecting to hear from three contractors on Friday in response to a "scope of work" description put together for the high school gym last week. If funds are available, the work can proceed quickly, he said; but if not, it will have to wait until the resources are in place.
Richards and Dowe said they would like to see permanent solutions at both schools. Building a new CAHS gym is on the To Do list at Government House, Richards said, and funding is expected to come from an upcoming bond issue. But it will take a long time for the project to proceed from design to reality, he said.
Dowe said he believes the best solution for Cancryn would be to build a whole new junior high school for central and western St. Thomas. But he said it is more likely that a gymnasium and a cafeteria will be built for the existing school — projects for which the Legislature earlier approved funding.
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.
'WHO'S PROMOTING ST. CROIX?' ASKS THE AD CLUB
Oct. 4, 2002 – "Who's Promoting St. Croix?" asks the Advertising Club of the Virgin Islands, based on St. Croix, in the first presentation of their season's professional lecture series.
The lecture will be held at a noon luncheon meeting Wednesday, Oct. 9, at the Caravelle Hotel conference room.
Speaking on the topic will be Sun Airways' chief executive officer, Bruce Tasner, and vice president Michael Molina, and Hugh Dalton of St. Croix Alive and "GEM of the Caribbean." Anyone who promotes St. Croix is also welcome to say a few words, according to a release.
The luncheon is $16 for members and $21 for nonmembers. RSVP is requested to 719-0578 by noon Tuesday. New sponsors and new members are encouraged.
The release suggests attendees park in the lot across from the seaplane lot and walk along the Boardwalk.
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 lecture will be held at a noon luncheon meeting Wednesday, Oct. 9, at the Caravelle Hotel conference room.
Speaking on the topic will be Sun Airways' chief executive officer, Bruce Tasner, and vice president Michael Molina, and Hugh Dalton of St. Croix Alive and "GEM of the Caribbean." Anyone who promotes St. Croix is also welcome to say a few words, according to a release.
The luncheon is $16 for members and $21 for nonmembers. RSVP is requested to 719-0578 by noon Tuesday. New sponsors and new members are encouraged.
The release suggests attendees park in the lot across from the seaplane lot and walk along the Boardwalk.
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.
AD CLUB LECTURES WILL FEATURE PROFESSIONALS
Oct. 4, 2002 – The Advertising Club of the Virgin Islands, based on St. Croix, has announced the schedule for this season's Professional Lecture Series.
Series sponsors thus far include St. Croix Insurance and Bohlke Airways. The club is seeking more sponsors and new members.
Oct. 9 "Who's Promoting St. Croix?" featuring Sun Airways chief executive officer Bruce Tasner and vice president Mike Molina, along with High Dalton of St. Croix Alive.
Nov. 13 To be announced.
Dec. 11 Frank Schulterbrandt, Economic Development Commission, will lecture on small business loans and marketing EDC at trade shows.
Jan 15 "Showtime! Presentation Tips for Advertising Presenters" will be the topic of Ken Yarborough, senior vice president of West Wayne Inc. in Atlanta, Ga.
Feb. 12 Howard Bell, president of the American Advertising Federation in Washington, D.C., will discuss "The Public's Love/Hate Relationship with Advertising (and What To Do About It)
March 12 Jerome Dominus, vice president for network sales and marketing of Cable TV Advertising Bureau in New York, will be speaker.
April 9 Dan Price of Oink Radio in New York, N.Y. will present "Radio Advertising: What Works and What Doesn't."
May 14 "Where Marketing Meets Programming: How to Effectively Implement a Web Development Project" is the topic of Russell Inman, president and chief executive officer of Cobalt, a Washington, D.C., firm.
All meetings are at noon at the Caravelle Hotel, unless otherwise announced. The club suggests attendees park in the lot across from the seaplane lot and walk along the Boardwalk. Cost is $16 for members and $21 for nonmembers. Call Linda at 719-0578 if interested in joining.
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.
Series sponsors thus far include St. Croix Insurance and Bohlke Airways. The club is seeking more sponsors and new members.
Oct. 9 "Who's Promoting St. Croix?" featuring Sun Airways chief executive officer Bruce Tasner and vice president Mike Molina, along with High Dalton of St. Croix Alive.
Nov. 13 To be announced.
Dec. 11 Frank Schulterbrandt, Economic Development Commission, will lecture on small business loans and marketing EDC at trade shows.
Jan 15 "Showtime! Presentation Tips for Advertising Presenters" will be the topic of Ken Yarborough, senior vice president of West Wayne Inc. in Atlanta, Ga.
Feb. 12 Howard Bell, president of the American Advertising Federation in Washington, D.C., will discuss "The Public's Love/Hate Relationship with Advertising (and What To Do About It)
March 12 Jerome Dominus, vice president for network sales and marketing of Cable TV Advertising Bureau in New York, will be speaker.
April 9 Dan Price of Oink Radio in New York, N.Y. will present "Radio Advertising: What Works and What Doesn't."
May 14 "Where Marketing Meets Programming: How to Effectively Implement a Web Development Project" is the topic of Russell Inman, president and chief executive officer of Cobalt, a Washington, D.C., firm.
All meetings are at noon at the Caravelle Hotel, unless otherwise announced. The club suggests attendees park in the lot across from the seaplane lot and walk along the Boardwalk. Cost is $16 for members and $21 for nonmembers. Call Linda at 719-0578 if interested in joining.
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.
2 MORE FISH-ATTRACTING DEVICES INSTALLED
Oct. 4, 2002 – The Fish and Wildlife Division of the Planning and Natural Resources Department recently installed two fish aggregation devices north of St. Thomas, according to a DPNR release. Efforts to learn more about the project were unsuccessful because DPNR's public relations person, Annette Morales, did not return several phone calls left over the space of two days.
Small orange buoys floating on the water mark the locations of the devices, which were installed, respectively, 3 three miles and 13 miles north of Hans Lollick. The devices are used to attract fish. A year ago, Fish and Wildlife installed three of them off St. Thomas and four off St. Croix. (See "Damaged fish-attracting devices pose danger".)
In other Fish and Wildlife news, the commissioner announced that the agency recently surveyed the artificial reef southeast of Saba Island off St. Thomas as part of its efforts to get the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to renew its permit for the artificial site. The reefs attract fish, which are caught by commercial and recreational fishermen.
As with the fish-attracting devices, further information was not available because Morales did not return phone calls. Except for Morales, all Planning and Natural Resources employees are prohibited from talking to the media without permission.
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.
Small orange buoys floating on the water mark the locations of the devices, which were installed, respectively, 3 three miles and 13 miles north of Hans Lollick. The devices are used to attract fish. A year ago, Fish and Wildlife installed three of them off St. Thomas and four off St. Croix. (See "Damaged fish-attracting devices pose danger".)
In other Fish and Wildlife news, the commissioner announced that the agency recently surveyed the artificial reef southeast of Saba Island off St. Thomas as part of its efforts to get the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to renew its permit for the artificial site. The reefs attract fish, which are caught by commercial and recreational fishermen.
As with the fish-attracting devices, further information was not available because Morales did not return phone calls. Except for Morales, all Planning and Natural Resources employees are prohibited from talking to the media without permission.
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.
HOUSE PANEL OKS FEDERAL FUNDING FOR V.I. BUSES
Oct. 4, 2002 – Legislation that would bring the territory $1 million a year in federal funding over the next several years to buy public transit buses won approval this week by the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation Appropriations Committee.
Brian Modeste, an aide to Delegate Donna M. Christensen, was unsure how many years would be covered by the funding.
A Government House release said that Congress appropriated $500,000 last year to help the territory modernize its VITRAN fleet of buses. Public Works Commissioner Wayne Callwood said that amount with the first $1 million, should it be approved, would allow the territory to buy six buses.
Efforts to find out what islands would get the buses were unsuccessful.
The measure still needs full House as well as Senate approval before going to President Bush for his consideration.
Modeste said the transportation bill also would designate Henry E. Rohlsen Airport as a "priority" airport. Such a designation, he said, would be "telling the Federal Aviation Administration to give it priority when it comes to funding."
According to the release, the Turnbull administration asked for $3.5 million in this year's FAA appropriation to cover the cost of completing federally required modifications to the new Rohlsen terminal.
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.
Brian Modeste, an aide to Delegate Donna M. Christensen, was unsure how many years would be covered by the funding.
A Government House release said that Congress appropriated $500,000 last year to help the territory modernize its VITRAN fleet of buses. Public Works Commissioner Wayne Callwood said that amount with the first $1 million, should it be approved, would allow the territory to buy six buses.
Efforts to find out what islands would get the buses were unsuccessful.
The measure still needs full House as well as Senate approval before going to President Bush for his consideration.
Modeste said the transportation bill also would designate Henry E. Rohlsen Airport as a "priority" airport. Such a designation, he said, would be "telling the Federal Aviation Administration to give it priority when it comes to funding."
According to the release, the Turnbull administration asked for $3.5 million in this year's FAA appropriation to cover the cost of completing federally required modifications to the new Rohlsen terminal.
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.
HOUSE PANEL OKS FEDERAL FUNDING FOR V.I. BUSES
Oct. 4, 2002 – Legislation that would bring the territory $1 million a year in federal funding over the next several years to buy public transit buses won approval this week by the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation Appropriations Committee.
Brian Modeste, an aide to Delegate Donna M. Christensen, was unsure how many years would be covered by the funding.
A Government House release said that Congress appropriated $500,000 last year to help the territory modernize its VITRAN fleet of buses. Public Works Commissioner Wayne Callwood said that amount with the first $1 million, should it be approved, would allow the territory to buy six buses.
Efforts to find out what islands would get the buses were unsuccessful.
The measure still needs full House as well as Senate approval before going to President Bush for his consideration.
Modeste said the transportation bill also would designate Henry E. Rohlsen Airport as a "priority" airport. Such a designation, he said, would be "telling the Federal Aviation Administration to give it priority when it comes to funding."
According to the release, the Turnbull administration asked for $3.5 million in this year's FAA appropriation to cover the cost of completing federally required modifications to the new Rohlsen terminal.
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.
Brian Modeste, an aide to Delegate Donna M. Christensen, was unsure how many years would be covered by the funding.
A Government House release said that Congress appropriated $500,000 last year to help the territory modernize its VITRAN fleet of buses. Public Works Commissioner Wayne Callwood said that amount with the first $1 million, should it be approved, would allow the territory to buy six buses.
Efforts to find out what islands would get the buses were unsuccessful.
The measure still needs full House as well as Senate approval before going to President Bush for his consideration.
Modeste said the transportation bill also would designate Henry E. Rohlsen Airport as a "priority" airport. Such a designation, he said, would be "telling the Federal Aviation Administration to give it priority when it comes to funding."
According to the release, the Turnbull administration asked for $3.5 million in this year's FAA appropriation to cover the cost of completing federally required modifications to the new Rohlsen terminal.
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 PANEL OKS FEDERAL FUNDING FOR V.I. BUSES
Oct. 4, 2002 – Legislation that would bring the territory $1 million a year in federal funding over the next several years to buy public transit buses won approval this week by the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation Appropriations Committee.
Brian Modeste, an aide to Delegate Donna M. Christensen, was unsure how many years would be covered by the funding.
A Government House release said that Congress appropriated $500,000 last year to help the territory modernize its VITRAN fleet of buses. Public Works Commissioner Wayne Callwood said that amount with the first $1 million, should it be approved, would allow the territory to buy six buses.
Efforts to find out what islands would get the buses were unsuccessful.
The measure still needs full House as well as Senate approval before going to President Bush for his consideration.
Modeste said the transportation bill also would designate Henry E. Rohlsen Airport as a "priority" airport. Such a designation, he said, would be "telling the Federal Aviation Administration to give it priority when it comes to funding."
According to the release, the Turnbull administration asked for $3.5 million in this year's FAA appropriation to cover the cost of completing federally required modifications to the new Rohlsen terminal.
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.
Brian Modeste, an aide to Delegate Donna M. Christensen, was unsure how many years would be covered by the funding.
A Government House release said that Congress appropriated $500,000 last year to help the territory modernize its VITRAN fleet of buses. Public Works Commissioner Wayne Callwood said that amount with the first $1 million, should it be approved, would allow the territory to buy six buses.
Efforts to find out what islands would get the buses were unsuccessful.
The measure still needs full House as well as Senate approval before going to President Bush for his consideration.
Modeste said the transportation bill also would designate Henry E. Rohlsen Airport as a "priority" airport. Such a designation, he said, would be "telling the Federal Aviation Administration to give it priority when it comes to funding."
According to the release, the Turnbull administration asked for $3.5 million in this year's FAA appropriation to cover the cost of completing federally required modifications to the new Rohlsen terminal.
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.
'WHO'S PROMOTING ST. CROIX?' AD CLUB ASKS
Oct. 4, 2002 – "Who's Promoting St. Croix?" asks the Advertising Club of the Virgin Islands, based on St. Croix, in the first presentation of their season's professional lecture series.
The lecture will be held at a noon luncheon meeting Wednesday, Oct. 9, at the Caravelle Hotel conference room.
Speaking on the topic will be Sun Airways' chief executive office, Bruce Tasner, and vice president Michael Molina, and Hugh Dalton of St. Croix Alive and "GEM of the Caribbean." Anyone who promotes St. Croix is also welcome to say a few words, according to a release.
The luncheon is $16 for members and $21 for nonmembers. RSVP is requested to 719-0578 by noon Tuesday. New sponsors and new members are encouraged.
The release suggests attendees park in the lot across from the seaplane lot and walk along the Boardwalk.
The lecture will be held at a noon luncheon meeting Wednesday, Oct. 9, at the Caravelle Hotel conference room.
Speaking on the topic will be Sun Airways' chief executive office, Bruce Tasner, and vice president Michael Molina, and Hugh Dalton of St. Croix Alive and "GEM of the Caribbean." Anyone who promotes St. Croix is also welcome to say a few words, according to a release.
The luncheon is $16 for members and $21 for nonmembers. RSVP is requested to 719-0578 by noon Tuesday. New sponsors and new members are encouraged.
The release suggests attendees park in the lot across from the seaplane lot and walk along the Boardwalk.
CUSTOMER SERVICE: GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND
Oct. 4, 2002 – The Small Business Development Center of the University of the Virgin Islands will conduct a small business seminar entitled "Customer Service Excellence: Going Above & Beyond" from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Center's training facility in Nisky Center, St. Thomas.
Admission to the seminar is $15 if you pre-register by 3 p.m. Wednesday; after that the cost is $20. Admission for UVI faculty, staff and students is free, although they must pre-register. Call 776-3206 to pre-register.
The seminar will include coverage of employee role, employer role, and the benefits of going above and beyond.
The facility is on the second floor in the east wing of Nisky Center.
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.
Admission to the seminar is $15 if you pre-register by 3 p.m. Wednesday; after that the cost is $20. Admission for UVI faculty, staff and students is free, although they must pre-register. Call 776-3206 to pre-register.
The seminar will include coverage of employee role, employer role, and the benefits of going above and beyond.
The facility is on the second floor in the east wing of Nisky Center.
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.
