Sept. 29, 2002 – The United Way of St. Thomas-St. John 2003 fund-raising campaign got off to a strong start Saturday with 24 percent of its $650,000 goal already realized.
During a campaign kickoff and appreciation breakfast at the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas Resort, a total of 53 companies, organizations and individuals together pledged $155,574 in donations.
Campaign chair Steve Jones praised the generosity of the early supporters and thanked them for their confidence in the United Way. "I stand before you grateful today that, with 24 percent of the goal achieved, the challenge of raising $650,000 has been lessened," he said.
The largest kickoff donor on Saturday was The West Indian Co., which pledged $15,000. donation. It was followed by the law firm of Dudley, Topper and Feuerzeig with $12,500, FirstBank with $7,000, and five contributors of $5,000 — Bank of Nova Scotia, Caneel Bay Resort, Dr. and Mrs. Alfred Heath, Randolph H. Knight and Topa Properties.
Also making pledges at the kickoff were Banco Popular with $4,000, A.H. Riise Stores with $3,500. ADT Security with $3,000, Knight Quality Stations with $3,000, Tom Rinquist with $3,000, Karen I. Lockhart Foundation with $2,700, George Dudley and Susan Laura Lugo with $2,500, Henry and Penny Feuerzeig with $2,500, Financial Trust with $2,500, Pharmed Group with $2,500, St. John Community Foundation with $2,500, Theodore Tunick and Co. with $2,500, E. Jonathon Gjessing with $2,000, Guardian Insurance with $2,000 and Topa Insurance with $2,000.
The remaining pledges came from other community organizations, private citizens, the business sector and the board of directors and staff of the United Way.
The United Way will use the money it raises during the 2003 campaign to support 18 member agencies: American Red Cross St. Thomas-St. John chapter, Boy Scouts of America V.I. Council, Carabana Ensemble Theater Company, Catholic Charities of the V.I., Civil Air Patrol, Downstreet People Youth in Action, Dial-a-Ride on St. Thomas and on St. John, Ebenezer Gardens, Fair Haven Camp, Friends of Volunteers in Public Schools, Girl Scout Council of the V.I., Legal Services of the V.I., Lutheran Reformation Summer Program, St. Thomas Reformed Church Summer Program, Shaky Acres, Victim Advocate Program and the V.I. Institute for Teaching and Learning.
At Saturday's gathering, the United Way organization paid tribute to more than 400 individuals, businesses, organizations and government entities for their contributions and volunteer support in the 2002 campaign. Past campaign chair Susan Lugo reminded those in attendance that support for the United Way is really about people: "people who benefit from the services provided by the member agencies, and people who care enough to help others."
Four companies were recognized as 2002 Corporate Sponsors for their donations of $10,000 or more — WICO, Dudley Topper and Feuerzeig, Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association and Topa Equities. Receiving 2002 Outstanding Corporate Support Awards for contributions of $5,000-$9,999 were Caneel Bay Resort, Caribbean Atlantic Trading, Chase Bank, FirstBank, Knight Quality Stations, MSI Building Supplies and Scotia Bank.
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GETAWAY DRIVER SOUGHT IN STORE OWNER'S MURDER
Sept. 29, 2002 – Police on St. Croix were continuing over the weekend to search for the alleged accomplice of a man charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of a convenience store owner last Monday.
They said the assailant made his getaway in a green Honda sedan that was driven by an accomplice.
Based on the victim's own identification of her assailant before she died, police on St. Croix have charged Khamalli Barker, 22, of Estate Calquohoun with fatally shooting Rose Ovalle during a daylight robbery that reportedly netted $60 to $80.
Barker is being held on $1 million bail.
Police said Ovalle, 33, identified Barker before dying at Juan F. Luis Hospital on Monday evening following emergency surgery.
Deputy Police Chief Angel Santos said police arrested Barker at his residence in Calquohoun without incident on Wednesday.
According to Santos, Ovalle was able to identify Barker because he was a regular customer at the Ovalle Grocery and Convenience Store. Santos said Barker entered the store shortly before 11 a.m. Monday and robbed Ovalle, who was at the front counter, at gunpoint, then shot the victim three times and fled in the green vehicle.
Police officials said they have received information from community members that has aided in them in the investigation. The weapon, believed to be a small-caliber handgun, has not been recovered, they said.
Police Chief Novelle Francis said his department has been working closely with the V.I. Justice Department because police have built their case based on the testimony of the now-deceased victim. "We are confident that we have picked up the right individual," he said, referring to Barker.
Ovalle became the 15th homicide victim on St. Croix this year, and the 33rd in the territory. Charges have yet to be filed in 12 of the St. Croix cases. As of the date of her death, there had been 10 killings on St. Croix and a total of 17 in the territory in 2001. Police officials asked that anyone with information concerning any of the cases call the police on St. Croix at 778-4950, 778-2211 or emergency 911.
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They said the assailant made his getaway in a green Honda sedan that was driven by an accomplice.
Based on the victim's own identification of her assailant before she died, police on St. Croix have charged Khamalli Barker, 22, of Estate Calquohoun with fatally shooting Rose Ovalle during a daylight robbery that reportedly netted $60 to $80.
Barker is being held on $1 million bail.
Police said Ovalle, 33, identified Barker before dying at Juan F. Luis Hospital on Monday evening following emergency surgery.
Deputy Police Chief Angel Santos said police arrested Barker at his residence in Calquohoun without incident on Wednesday.
According to Santos, Ovalle was able to identify Barker because he was a regular customer at the Ovalle Grocery and Convenience Store. Santos said Barker entered the store shortly before 11 a.m. Monday and robbed Ovalle, who was at the front counter, at gunpoint, then shot the victim three times and fled in the green vehicle.
Police officials said they have received information from community members that has aided in them in the investigation. The weapon, believed to be a small-caliber handgun, has not been recovered, they said.
Police Chief Novelle Francis said his department has been working closely with the V.I. Justice Department because police have built their case based on the testimony of the now-deceased victim. "We are confident that we have picked up the right individual," he said, referring to Barker.
Ovalle became the 15th homicide victim on St. Croix this year, and the 33rd in the territory. Charges have yet to be filed in 12 of the St. Croix cases. As of the date of her death, there had been 10 killings on St. Croix and a total of 17 in the territory in 2001. Police officials asked that anyone with information concerning any of the cases call the police on St. Croix at 778-4950, 778-2211 or emergency 911.
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OPENINGS FOR AFTER SCHOOL TUTORIAL TEACHERS
Sept. 28, 2002 – The VIHA Department of Management and Tenant Services, Community Services Division St. Thomas/St. John District is requesting quotations from qualified teachers for its After School Tutorial Program.
The After School Tutorial Program will be held four days weekly, Monday through Thursday, 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the following communities:
Paul M. Pearson Gardens Community Center
H.H. Bergs Home Community Center
Oswald Harris Court Ruth Dazle Community Center
Michael J. Kirwan Terrace, Ramona Blades Community Center
Tutu Hi-Rise Community Center
Knolls at Contant Community Center
Roles and responsibilites of the teacher are:
Homework and test preparation
Observation of significant date/events
Provide assistance in reading comprehension, essay writing and math
Review report cards and monitor grades
Address areas of academic deficiencies
Include the following information in your resumes:
Goals and objectives for students
Previous experience with tutoring
Educational background – must include a minimum of 3 years of experience
Three references, one a character reference including name, address and telephone numbers of those providing information
Crimial backgroud report.
Interested persons must submit resume to the V.I. Housing Authoity
Attention: Mrs. Judy George
Personnel Analyst
Virgin islands Housing Authority
P.O. box 7668
St. thomas, V.I. 00801
Deadline for submittal in Monday, Oct. 7, by 5 p.m.
For more information contact Mrs. Jennifer I. Lettsome-Tuckett, Community Services Supervisor at 777-8442, ext 7396 or Ms. Jacqueline Joseph, Administrative Secretary at 777-8442 ext 7394.
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The After School Tutorial Program will be held four days weekly, Monday through Thursday, 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the following communities:
Paul M. Pearson Gardens Community Center
H.H. Bergs Home Community Center
Oswald Harris Court Ruth Dazle Community Center
Michael J. Kirwan Terrace, Ramona Blades Community Center
Tutu Hi-Rise Community Center
Knolls at Contant Community Center
Roles and responsibilites of the teacher are:
Homework and test preparation
Observation of significant date/events
Provide assistance in reading comprehension, essay writing and math
Review report cards and monitor grades
Address areas of academic deficiencies
Include the following information in your resumes:
Goals and objectives for students
Previous experience with tutoring
Educational background – must include a minimum of 3 years of experience
Three references, one a character reference including name, address and telephone numbers of those providing information
Crimial backgroud report.
Interested persons must submit resume to the V.I. Housing Authoity
Attention: Mrs. Judy George
Personnel Analyst
Virgin islands Housing Authority
P.O. box 7668
St. thomas, V.I. 00801
Deadline for submittal in Monday, Oct. 7, by 5 p.m.
For more information contact Mrs. Jennifer I. Lettsome-Tuckett, Community Services Supervisor at 777-8442, ext 7396 or Ms. Jacqueline Joseph, Administrative Secretary at 777-8442 ext 7394.
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ROTARY II WILL MEET AT THE REEF
Sept. 28, 2002 – The Rotary Club of St. Thomas II will meet at 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at Marriott's Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort.
The guest speaker will be Mr. Hugh Dalton, the topic, "The Initiative for Numbered Seats in the Legislature."
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The guest speaker will be Mr. Hugh Dalton, the topic, "The Initiative for Numbered Seats in the Legislature."
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ROTARY II WILL MEET AT THE REEF
The Rotary Club of St. Thomas II will meet at Marriott's Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort.
The guest speaker will be Mr. Hugh Dalton whose topic will be "The Initiative for Numbered Seats in the Legislature."
The guest speaker will be Mr. Hugh Dalton whose topic will be "The Initiative for Numbered Seats in the Legislature."
ROTARY II WILL MEET AT THE REEF
The Rotary Club of St. Thomas II will meet at Marriott's Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort. The guest speaker will be Mr. Hugh Dalton whose topic is "The Initiative for Numbered Seats in the Legislature."
DAVID A. PHILLIPS FUNERAL WEDNESDAY
David A. Phillips, age 79, of Est. Mon Bijou, died on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at the Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at Hope Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Viewing will begin at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at the Kingshill Cemetery.
He is survived by his daughters Cutie, Debbie, Denise Phillips Cornelius, Rosemary Phillips, Bridgette Phillips; stepdaughters Juliet and Jeannie Jack, and Aramintha; 12 grandchildren; other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.
Viewing will begin at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at the Kingshill Cemetery.
He is survived by his daughters Cutie, Debbie, Denise Phillips Cornelius, Rosemary Phillips, Bridgette Phillips; stepdaughters Juliet and Jeannie Jack, and Aramintha; 12 grandchildren; other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.
PFA BOARD COMMITS TO FUNDING ST. CROIX PROJECTS
Sept. 27, 2002 – The Frederiksted waterfront is going to get a long-overdue cleanup as a first step in renovating its Veterans Park.
The Public Finance Authority board approved initial funding for the undertaking at its meeting Friday on St. Thomas. The work is to be part of the PFA's wider Beach, Park and Upland Improvement project which eventually will affect all of St. Croix.
The work will be done by Coastal Systems International of Miami, which is closely associated with major cruise lines, and which administered Miami Beach improvements after Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida in 1992. Coastal Systems, in conjunction with Paradigm Design of St. Thomas, will do the initial design work for all of the projects; local contractors will do the construction.
Coastal's Harvey Sasso gave a PowerPoint demonstration on the plans, including a rendering of the completed Frederiksted park, which will include pathways lined with mahogany trees and royal palms, and a total renovation of the site including the Veterans Memorial. Sasso stressed that the project's goal is to create a specific tourism identity for St. Croix, separate from the other Virgin Islands.
However, Kenneth Mapp, PFA director of finance and administration, said the project's first phase will involve cleanup of the area, replacement of broken lights and retrieval of ballast and chains from the sea. He said there are no other government funds available for this work.
Starting the cleanup effort, Mapp said, will show the cruise lines that "we are doing something."
He asked the board for $80,000 for the design phase. Another $1.3 million will be needed for its implementation, he said, asking the board for $350,000 to get the work started, with the money to be repaid from bond funds.
The work will be done in conjunction with the Housing Parks and Recreation Department under the guidance of Commissioner Ira Hobson, who attended Friday's meeting.
This effort falls within $79 million worth of projects which Gov. Charles W. Trumbull announced in August, saying they would be funded from the refinancing of 1999 bonds and the issuing of new bonds. The St. Croix projects, ratified at an August PFA board meeting, were unanimously adopted as resolutions on Friday. They fall under $6 million allocated for the island's economic development initiatives.
Other allocations include:
– Financing of the GARVEE bonds, backed by future National Highway Administration funds, for the Enighed Pond commercial port project on St. John and the Red Hook marine terminal on St. Thomas.
– $1l.5 million for the Education Department for projects including the construction of a gymnasium at Addelita Cancryn Junior High School and infrastructure improvements at Charlotte Amalie High School, Central High School, John Woodson Junior High School, Elena Christian Junior High School and other schools in the territory.
– $5 million for the Police Department, including $62,000 for a recruitment campaign to be created by Austin Advertising of St. Thomas.
– $3 million for the V I. Fire Service.
– $2 million for Phase I of the conversion of WTJX-TV, the territory's public television channel, to digital from analog transmission. Channel 12 is under a federal mandate to switch to digital transmission by early next year. The Senate already has appropriated $4.5 million for the changeover; however, $2 million of that amount goes to the station's Fiscal Year 2003 budget.
– $100,000 for equity investment in the Frederiksted Mini Mall.
– $2 million for the St. Thomas waterfront improvement project.
-$1.5 million for the Human Services Department.
– $ 5 million for the Economic Development Authority, and $2 million for the EDA's micro-loan program.
The board approved a $750,000 equity investment loan for King's Alley Management Inc. to conduct economic feasability studies, and for renovation.
The board also renewed the one-year contracts of its bond counsels: Buchanan & Ingersoll, Winston & Strawn, and Harris, Beach and Wilcox.
The board went into executive session, closing the meeting to the press, with four items remaining on agenda. They were:
– Status report on Crucian Conference Center.
– Lease agreement, VIPFA and Telarg, LLC.
– VIPFA due diligence questionnaire.
– 2002 summer maintenance program.
(On Saturday morning, in an interview with St. Croix radio host Alvin Gee, Sen. David Jones elaborated on the Crucian Conference Center, saying the development would cost $41 million. No information was forthcoming from the PFA Friday on the center.)
Before the board went behind closed doors, PFA attorney James H. Hindels read aloud a section of the V.I. Code which allows for public bodies to meet in executive session covering certain matters under which he said the four agenda items fell.
All five PFA board members — Gov. Charles W. Trumbull, Finance Commissioner Bernice Trumbull, Office of Management and Budget director Ira Mills, and the two private-sector members, Paul J. Arnold and Roy D. Jackson — attended Friday's meeting. Also present were Elmo D. Roebuck and Housing Parks and Recreation Commissioner Ira Hobson.
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 Public Finance Authority board approved initial funding for the undertaking at its meeting Friday on St. Thomas. The work is to be part of the PFA's wider Beach, Park and Upland Improvement project which eventually will affect all of St. Croix.
The work will be done by Coastal Systems International of Miami, which is closely associated with major cruise lines, and which administered Miami Beach improvements after Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida in 1992. Coastal Systems, in conjunction with Paradigm Design of St. Thomas, will do the initial design work for all of the projects; local contractors will do the construction.
Coastal's Harvey Sasso gave a PowerPoint demonstration on the plans, including a rendering of the completed Frederiksted park, which will include pathways lined with mahogany trees and royal palms, and a total renovation of the site including the Veterans Memorial. Sasso stressed that the project's goal is to create a specific tourism identity for St. Croix, separate from the other Virgin Islands.
However, Kenneth Mapp, PFA director of finance and administration, said the project's first phase will involve cleanup of the area, replacement of broken lights and retrieval of ballast and chains from the sea. He said there are no other government funds available for this work.
Starting the cleanup effort, Mapp said, will show the cruise lines that "we are doing something."
He asked the board for $80,000 for the design phase. Another $1.3 million will be needed for its implementation, he said, asking the board for $350,000 to get the work started, with the money to be repaid from bond funds.
The work will be done in conjunction with the Housing Parks and Recreation Department under the guidance of Commissioner Ira Hobson, who attended Friday's meeting.
This effort falls within $79 million worth of projects which Gov. Charles W. Trumbull announced in August, saying they would be funded from the refinancing of 1999 bonds and the issuing of new bonds. The St. Croix projects, ratified at an August PFA board meeting, were unanimously adopted as resolutions on Friday. They fall under $6 million allocated for the island's economic development initiatives.
Other allocations include:
– Financing of the GARVEE bonds, backed by future National Highway Administration funds, for the Enighed Pond commercial port project on St. John and the Red Hook marine terminal on St. Thomas.
– $1l.5 million for the Education Department for projects including the construction of a gymnasium at Addelita Cancryn Junior High School and infrastructure improvements at Charlotte Amalie High School, Central High School, John Woodson Junior High School, Elena Christian Junior High School and other schools in the territory.
– $5 million for the Police Department, including $62,000 for a recruitment campaign to be created by Austin Advertising of St. Thomas.
– $3 million for the V I. Fire Service.
– $2 million for Phase I of the conversion of WTJX-TV, the territory's public television channel, to digital from analog transmission. Channel 12 is under a federal mandate to switch to digital transmission by early next year. The Senate already has appropriated $4.5 million for the changeover; however, $2 million of that amount goes to the station's Fiscal Year 2003 budget.
– $100,000 for equity investment in the Frederiksted Mini Mall.
– $2 million for the St. Thomas waterfront improvement project.
-$1.5 million for the Human Services Department.
– $ 5 million for the Economic Development Authority, and $2 million for the EDA's micro-loan program.
The board approved a $750,000 equity investment loan for King's Alley Management Inc. to conduct economic feasability studies, and for renovation.
The board also renewed the one-year contracts of its bond counsels: Buchanan & Ingersoll, Winston & Strawn, and Harris, Beach and Wilcox.
The board went into executive session, closing the meeting to the press, with four items remaining on agenda. They were:
– Status report on Crucian Conference Center.
– Lease agreement, VIPFA and Telarg, LLC.
– VIPFA due diligence questionnaire.
– 2002 summer maintenance program.
(On Saturday morning, in an interview with St. Croix radio host Alvin Gee, Sen. David Jones elaborated on the Crucian Conference Center, saying the development would cost $41 million. No information was forthcoming from the PFA Friday on the center.)
Before the board went behind closed doors, PFA attorney James H. Hindels read aloud a section of the V.I. Code which allows for public bodies to meet in executive session covering certain matters under which he said the four agenda items fell.
All five PFA board members — Gov. Charles W. Trumbull, Finance Commissioner Bernice Trumbull, Office of Management and Budget director Ira Mills, and the two private-sector members, Paul J. Arnold and Roy D. Jackson — attended Friday's meeting. Also present were Elmo D. Roebuck and Housing Parks and Recreation Commissioner Ira Hobson.
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.
PFA BOARD COMMITS TO FUNDING ENIGHED PROJECT
Sept. 27, 2002 – The Frederiksted waterfront is going to get a long-overdue cleanup as a first step in renovating its Veterans Park.
The Public Finance Authority board approved initial funding for the undertaking at its meeting Friday on St. Thomas. The work is to be part of the PFA's wider Beach, Park and Upland Improvement project which eventually will affect all of St. Croix.
The work will be done by Coastal Systems International of Miami, which is closely associated with major cruise lines, and which administered Miami Beach improvements after Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida in 1992. Coastal Systems, in conjunction with Paradigm Design of St. Thomas, will do the initial design work for all of the projects; local contractors will do the construction.
Coastal's Harvey Sasso gave a PowerPoint demonstration on the plans, including a rendering of the completed Frederiksted park, which will include pathways lined with mahogany trees and royal palms, and a total renovation of the site including the Veterans Memorial. Sasso stressed that the project's goal is to create a specific tourism identity for St. Croix, separate from the other Virgin Islands.
However, Kenneth Mapp, PFA director of finance and administration, said the project's first phase will involve cleanup of the area, replacement of broken lights and retrieval of ballast and chains from the sea. He said there are no other government funds available for this work.
Starting the cleanup effort, Mapp said, will show the cruise lines that "we are doing something."
He asked the board for $80,000 for the design phase. Another $1.3 million will be needed for its implementation, he said, asking the board for $350,000 to get the work started, with the money to be repaid from bond funds.
The work will be done in conjunction with the Housing Parks and Recreation Department under the guidance of Commissioner Ira Hobson, who attended Friday's meeting.
This effort falls within $79 million worth of projects which Gov. Charles W. Trumbull announced in August, saying they would be funded from the refinancing of 1999 bonds and the issuing of new bonds. The St. Croix projects, ratified at an August PFA board meeting, were unanimously adopted as resolutions on Friday. They fall under $6 million allocated for the island's economic development initiatives.
Other allocations include:
– Financing of the GARVEE bonds, backed by future National Highway Administration funds, for the Enighed Pond commercial port project on St. John and the Red Hook marine terminal on St. Thomas.
– $1l.5 million for the Education Department for projects including the construction of a gymnasium at Addelita Cancryn Junior High School and infrastructure improvements at Charlotte Amalie High School, Central High School, John Woodson Junior High School, Elena Christian Junior High School and other schools in the territory.
– $5 million for the Police Department, including $62,000 for a recruitment campaign to be created by Austin Advertising of St. Thomas.
– $3 million for the V I. Fire Service.
– $2 million for Phase I of the conversion of WTJX-TV, the territory's public television channel, to digital from analog transmission. Channel 12 is under a federal mandate to switch to digital transmission by early next year. The Senate already has appropriated $4.5 million for the changeover; however, $2 million of that amount goes to the station's Fiscal Year 2003 budget.
– $100,000 for equity investment in the Frederiksted Mini Mall.
– $2 million for the St. Thomas waterfront improvement project.
-$1.5 million for the Human Services Department.
– $ 5 million for the Economic Development Authority, and $2 million for the EDA's micro-loan program.
The board approved a $750,000 equity investment loan for King's Alley Management Inc. to conduct economic feasability studies, and for renovation.
The board also renewed the one-year contracts of its bond counsels: Buchanan & Ingersoll, Winston & Strawn, and Harris, Beach and Wilcox.
The board went into executive session, closing the meeting to the press, with four items remaining on agenda. They were:
– Status report on Crucian Conference Center.
– Lease agreement, VIPFA and Telarg, LLC.
– VIPFA due diligence questionnaire.
– 2002 summer maintenance program.
(On Saturday morning, in an interview with St. Croix radio host Alvin Gee, Sen. David Jones elaborated on the Crucian Conference Center, saying the development would cost $41 million. No information was forthcoming from the PFA Friday on the center.)
Before the board went behind closed doors, PFA attorney James H. Hindels read aloud a section of the V.I. Code which allows for public bodies to meet in executive session covering certain matters under which he said the four agenda items fell.
All five PFA board members — Gov. Charles W. Trumbull, Finance Commissioner Bernice Trumbull, Office of Management and Budget director Ira Mills, and the two private-sector members, Paul J. Arnold and Roy D. Jackson — attended Friday's meeting. Also present were Elmo D. Roebuck and Housing Parks and Recreation Commissioner Ira Hobson.
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 Public Finance Authority board approved initial funding for the undertaking at its meeting Friday on St. Thomas. The work is to be part of the PFA's wider Beach, Park and Upland Improvement project which eventually will affect all of St. Croix.
The work will be done by Coastal Systems International of Miami, which is closely associated with major cruise lines, and which administered Miami Beach improvements after Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida in 1992. Coastal Systems, in conjunction with Paradigm Design of St. Thomas, will do the initial design work for all of the projects; local contractors will do the construction.
Coastal's Harvey Sasso gave a PowerPoint demonstration on the plans, including a rendering of the completed Frederiksted park, which will include pathways lined with mahogany trees and royal palms, and a total renovation of the site including the Veterans Memorial. Sasso stressed that the project's goal is to create a specific tourism identity for St. Croix, separate from the other Virgin Islands.
However, Kenneth Mapp, PFA director of finance and administration, said the project's first phase will involve cleanup of the area, replacement of broken lights and retrieval of ballast and chains from the sea. He said there are no other government funds available for this work.
Starting the cleanup effort, Mapp said, will show the cruise lines that "we are doing something."
He asked the board for $80,000 for the design phase. Another $1.3 million will be needed for its implementation, he said, asking the board for $350,000 to get the work started, with the money to be repaid from bond funds.
The work will be done in conjunction with the Housing Parks and Recreation Department under the guidance of Commissioner Ira Hobson, who attended Friday's meeting.
This effort falls within $79 million worth of projects which Gov. Charles W. Trumbull announced in August, saying they would be funded from the refinancing of 1999 bonds and the issuing of new bonds. The St. Croix projects, ratified at an August PFA board meeting, were unanimously adopted as resolutions on Friday. They fall under $6 million allocated for the island's economic development initiatives.
Other allocations include:
– Financing of the GARVEE bonds, backed by future National Highway Administration funds, for the Enighed Pond commercial port project on St. John and the Red Hook marine terminal on St. Thomas.
– $1l.5 million for the Education Department for projects including the construction of a gymnasium at Addelita Cancryn Junior High School and infrastructure improvements at Charlotte Amalie High School, Central High School, John Woodson Junior High School, Elena Christian Junior High School and other schools in the territory.
– $5 million for the Police Department, including $62,000 for a recruitment campaign to be created by Austin Advertising of St. Thomas.
– $3 million for the V I. Fire Service.
– $2 million for Phase I of the conversion of WTJX-TV, the territory's public television channel, to digital from analog transmission. Channel 12 is under a federal mandate to switch to digital transmission by early next year. The Senate already has appropriated $4.5 million for the changeover; however, $2 million of that amount goes to the station's Fiscal Year 2003 budget.
– $100,000 for equity investment in the Frederiksted Mini Mall.
– $2 million for the St. Thomas waterfront improvement project.
-$1.5 million for the Human Services Department.
– $ 5 million for the Economic Development Authority, and $2 million for the EDA's micro-loan program.
The board approved a $750,000 equity investment loan for King's Alley Management Inc. to conduct economic feasability studies, and for renovation.
The board also renewed the one-year contracts of its bond counsels: Buchanan & Ingersoll, Winston & Strawn, and Harris, Beach and Wilcox.
The board went into executive session, closing the meeting to the press, with four items remaining on agenda. They were:
– Status report on Crucian Conference Center.
– Lease agreement, VIPFA and Telarg, LLC.
– VIPFA due diligence questionnaire.
– 2002 summer maintenance program.
(On Saturday morning, in an interview with St. Croix radio host Alvin Gee, Sen. David Jones elaborated on the Crucian Conference Center, saying the development would cost $41 million. No information was forthcoming from the PFA Friday on the center.)
Before the board went behind closed doors, PFA attorney James H. Hindels read aloud a section of the V.I. Code which allows for public bodies to meet in executive session covering certain matters under which he said the four agenda items fell.
All five PFA board members — Gov. Charles W. Trumbull, Finance Commissioner Bernice Trumbull, Office of Management and Budget director Ira Mills, and the two private-sector members, Paul J. Arnold and Roy D. Jackson — attended Friday's meeting. Also present were Elmo D. Roebuck and Housing Parks and Recreation Commissioner Ira Hobson.
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.
PFA BOARD COMMITS TO FUNDING ST. CROIX PROJECTS
Sept. 27, 2002 – The Frederiksted waterfront is going to get a long-overdue cleanup as a first step in renovating its Veterans Park.
The Public Finance Authority board approved initial funding for the undertaking at its meeting Friday on St. Thomas. The work is to be part of the PFA's wider Beach, Park and Upland Improvement project which eventually will affect all of St. Croix.
The work will be done by Coastal Systems International of Miami, which is closely associated with major cruise lines, and which administered Miami Beach improvements after Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida in 1992. Coastal Systems, in conjunction with Paradigm Design of St. Thomas, will do the initial design work for all of the projects; local contractors will do the construction.
Coastal's Harvey Sasso gave a PowerPoint demonstration on the plans, including a rendering of the completed Frederiksted park, which will include pathways lined with mahogany trees and royal palms, and a total renovation of the site including the Veterans Memorial. Sasso stressed that the project's goal is to create a specific tourism identity for St. Croix, separate from the other Virgin Islands.
However, Kenneth Mapp, PFA director of finance and administration, said the project's first phase will involve cleanup of the area, replacement of broken lights and retrieval of ballast and chains from the sea. He said there are no other government funds available for this work.
Starting the cleanup effort, Mapp said, will show the cruise lines that "we are doing something."
He asked the board for $80,000 for the design phase. Another $1.3 million will be needed for its implementation, he said, asking the board for $350,000 to get the work started, with the money to be repaid from bond funds.
The work will be done in conjunction with the Housing Parks and Recreation Department under the guidance of Commissioner Ira Hobson, who attended Friday's meeting.
This effort falls within $79 million worth of projects which Gov. Charles W. Trumbull announced in August, saying they would be funded from the refinancing of 1999 bonds and the issuing of new bonds. The St. Croix projects, ratified at an August PFA board meeting, were unanimously adopted as resolutions on Friday. They fall under $6 million allocated for the island's economic development initiatives.
Other allocations include:
– Financing of the GARVEE bonds, backed by future National Highway Administration funds, for the Enighed Pond commercial port project on St. John and the Red Hook marine terminal on St. Thomas.
– $1l.5 million for the Education Department for projects including the construction of a gymnasium at Addelita Cancryn Junior High School and infrastructure improvements at Charlotte Amalie High School, Central High School, John Woodson Junior High School, Elena Christian Junior High School and other schools in the territory.
– $5 million for the Police Department, including $62,000 for a recruitment campaign to be created by Austin Advertising of St. Thomas.
– $3 million for the V I. Fire Service.
– $2 million for Phase I of the conversion of WTJX-TV, the territory's public television channel, to digital from analog transmission. Channel 12 is under a federal mandate to switch to digital transmission by early next year. The Senate already has appropriated $4.5 million for the changeover; however, $2 million of that amount goes to the station's Fiscal Year 2003 budget.
– $100,000 for equity investment in the Frederiksted Mini Mall.
– $2 million for the St. Thomas waterfront improvement project.
-$1.5 million for the Human Services Department.
– $ 5 million for the Economic Development Authority, and $2 million for the EDA's micro-loan program.
The board approved a $750,000 equity investment loan for King's Alley Management Inc. to conduct economic feasability studies, and for renovation.
The board also renewed the one-year contracts of its bond counsels: Buchanan & Ingersoll, Winston & Strawn, and Harris, Beach and Wilcox.
The board went into executive session, closing the meeting to the press, with four items remaining on agenda. They were:
– Status report on Crucian Conference Center.
– Lease agreement, VIPFA and Telarg, LLC.
– VIPFA due diligence questionnaire.
– 2002 summer maintenance program.
(On Saturday morning, in an interview with St. Croix radio host Alvin Gee, Sen. David Jones elaborated on the Crucian Conference Center, saying the development would cost $41 million. No information was forthcoming from the PFA Friday on the center.)
Before the board went behind closed doors, PFA attorney James H. Hindels read aloud a section of the V.I. Code which allows for public bodies to meet in executive session covering certain matters under which he said the four agenda items fell.
All five PFA board members — Gov. Charles W. Trumbull, Finance Commissioner Bernice Trumbull, Office of Management and Budget director Ira Mills, and the two private-sector members, Paul J. Arnold and Roy D. Jackson — attended Friday's meeting. Also present were Elmo D. Roebuck and Housing Parks and Recreation Commissioner Ira Hobson.
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 Public Finance Authority board approved initial funding for the undertaking at its meeting Friday on St. Thomas. The work is to be part of the PFA's wider Beach, Park and Upland Improvement project which eventually will affect all of St. Croix.
The work will be done by Coastal Systems International of Miami, which is closely associated with major cruise lines, and which administered Miami Beach improvements after Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida in 1992. Coastal Systems, in conjunction with Paradigm Design of St. Thomas, will do the initial design work for all of the projects; local contractors will do the construction.
Coastal's Harvey Sasso gave a PowerPoint demonstration on the plans, including a rendering of the completed Frederiksted park, which will include pathways lined with mahogany trees and royal palms, and a total renovation of the site including the Veterans Memorial. Sasso stressed that the project's goal is to create a specific tourism identity for St. Croix, separate from the other Virgin Islands.
However, Kenneth Mapp, PFA director of finance and administration, said the project's first phase will involve cleanup of the area, replacement of broken lights and retrieval of ballast and chains from the sea. He said there are no other government funds available for this work.
Starting the cleanup effort, Mapp said, will show the cruise lines that "we are doing something."
He asked the board for $80,000 for the design phase. Another $1.3 million will be needed for its implementation, he said, asking the board for $350,000 to get the work started, with the money to be repaid from bond funds.
The work will be done in conjunction with the Housing Parks and Recreation Department under the guidance of Commissioner Ira Hobson, who attended Friday's meeting.
This effort falls within $79 million worth of projects which Gov. Charles W. Trumbull announced in August, saying they would be funded from the refinancing of 1999 bonds and the issuing of new bonds. The St. Croix projects, ratified at an August PFA board meeting, were unanimously adopted as resolutions on Friday. They fall under $6 million allocated for the island's economic development initiatives.
Other allocations include:
– Financing of the GARVEE bonds, backed by future National Highway Administration funds, for the Enighed Pond commercial port project on St. John and the Red Hook marine terminal on St. Thomas.
– $1l.5 million for the Education Department for projects including the construction of a gymnasium at Addelita Cancryn Junior High School and infrastructure improvements at Charlotte Amalie High School, Central High School, John Woodson Junior High School, Elena Christian Junior High School and other schools in the territory.
– $5 million for the Police Department, including $62,000 for a recruitment campaign to be created by Austin Advertising of St. Thomas.
– $3 million for the V I. Fire Service.
– $2 million for Phase I of the conversion of WTJX-TV, the territory's public television channel, to digital from analog transmission. Channel 12 is under a federal mandate to switch to digital transmission by early next year. The Senate already has appropriated $4.5 million for the changeover; however, $2 million of that amount goes to the station's Fiscal Year 2003 budget.
– $100,000 for equity investment in the Frederiksted Mini Mall.
– $2 million for the St. Thomas waterfront improvement project.
-$1.5 million for the Human Services Department.
– $ 5 million for the Economic Development Authority, and $2 million for the EDA's micro-loan program.
The board approved a $750,000 equity investment loan for King's Alley Management Inc. to conduct economic feasability studies, and for renovation.
The board also renewed the one-year contracts of its bond counsels: Buchanan & Ingersoll, Winston & Strawn, and Harris, Beach and Wilcox.
The board went into executive session, closing the meeting to the press, with four items remaining on agenda. They were:
– Status report on Crucian Conference Center.
– Lease agreement, VIPFA and Telarg, LLC.
– VIPFA due diligence questionnaire.
– 2002 summer maintenance program.
(On Saturday morning, in an interview with St. Croix radio host Alvin Gee, Sen. David Jones elaborated on the Crucian Conference Center, saying the development would cost $41 million. No information was forthcoming from the PFA Friday on the center.)
Before the board went behind closed doors, PFA attorney James H. Hindels read aloud a section of the V.I. Code which allows for public bodies to meet in executive session covering certain matters under which he said the four agenda items fell.
All five PFA board members — Gov. Charles W. Trumbull, Finance Commissioner Bernice Trumbull, Office of Management and Budget director Ira Mills, and the two private-sector members, Paul J. Arnold and Roy D. Jackson — attended Friday's meeting. Also present were Elmo D. Roebuck and Housing Parks and Recreation Commissioner Ira Hobson.
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.
