Sept. 27, 2002 – District Court Judge Thomas K. Moore told a group of St. John taxi drivers on Friday that they — or their organization — will have to pay the commercial user fees that the National Park Service put into effect for the V.I. National Park at the start of this year.
The St. John Taxi Association challenged the $250 annual association permit imposed as of last Jan. 1. The drivers argued that the roads that run through the park are public roads, and since they already pay franchise fees and road taxes, they should not have to pay an additional fee for conducting tours in the park. (See "Taxi association seeks court injunction on fees".)
"We lost our case," taxi association spokeswoman Lorelei Monsanto said on Friday, adding that Moore ruled that park officials "have a right to charge commercially because the roads go through their property."
But Monsanto said an appeal is being prepared and will be filed within the next 10 days.
The park's Commercial Services Plan, adopted by the National Park Service last year, requires taxi drivers or their associations to pay an annual fee for a permit to operate in the park. The suit, filed on Jan. 2, asked the court for a permanent injunction against any park plan to charge taxi drivers a fee to use park facilities.
(Park Superintendent John King was out of the territory on Friday but returned on Saturday to say that he had been expecting the judge to rule in favor of the park. He said of the taxi association, "It is their prerogative to file an appeal, but it is our intention to contact them, send them a permit application and ask that they complete that, bring it in and get a decal.")
The park initially set the permit fees at $300 for individual drivers and $750 for associations and companies. An association fee covers all of its members. After driver protests and political debates last fall, Park Superintendent John King announced that he was reducing the fees to $75 and $250, respectively. No permits are required for drivers who strictly transport people from point A to point B.
A number of individual drivers, some of them association members, went ahead and got permits on their own so they could continue operating in the park, King said in March. As of that time, he said, 83 drivers had done so.
The St. John Taxi Association, however, remained adamant that it would not pay a penny. The association represents 55 independent drivers who together provide a large share of the transportation services through the national park during tourist season.
In rejecting the association's request for an injunction halting imposition of the permit fees, Moore said in a bench ruling that Congress had granted the National Park Service the right to impose such fees.
(Park officials decided not to issue citations to drivers who were a party to the court challenge. But now that the ruling has upheld the commercial use permits, King said on Saturday, he is asking the association to pay its permit fee and pick up the decals which show rangers that its drivers are in compliance with the program. "We certainly hope they would do as the judge has ruled," he said.)
The comprehensive Commercial Services Plan was developed to institute uniform policies for the conduct of businesses providing guest services within the V.I. National Park, and to promote the park's mission to preserve natural resources while those businesses continue to operate.
Moore is expected to issue his written opinion in the case next week.
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.
CASINO PROMOTION TO SPLIT WINNINGS WITH CHARITY
Sept. 27, 2002 – The Divi Carina Bay Casino is building a token-filled winners' circle, with the total value of its contents to be split between a winner and his or her chosen charity.
Completion of the 6-foot multi-layered circle, filled with an undisclosed amount of casino tokens, is scheduled for today.
The casino's latest promotion begins Tuesday with a contest that allows Beachcomber's Club members to enter their guesses as to how much money is in the circle.
On Nov. 25, the amount will be revealed and the person with the closest guess to the actual amount will split the money in the circle with his or her chosen charity. In the case of multiple winners, the cash prize will be split equally.
Barbara Shattles, casino general manager, said, "This community has done so much for us; I'm proud to have this unique opportunity to give back, and have timed it to coincide with the giving season."
Beachcomber's Club members will be able to enter one ticket per day. As with any casino promotion, winners must be 21 and must be present to win.
Divi Carina Bay Casino is open from noon to 4 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from noon to 6 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays.
For more information, call 773-9700 ext. 759.
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.
Completion of the 6-foot multi-layered circle, filled with an undisclosed amount of casino tokens, is scheduled for today.
The casino's latest promotion begins Tuesday with a contest that allows Beachcomber's Club members to enter their guesses as to how much money is in the circle.
On Nov. 25, the amount will be revealed and the person with the closest guess to the actual amount will split the money in the circle with his or her chosen charity. In the case of multiple winners, the cash prize will be split equally.
Barbara Shattles, casino general manager, said, "This community has done so much for us; I'm proud to have this unique opportunity to give back, and have timed it to coincide with the giving season."
Beachcomber's Club members will be able to enter one ticket per day. As with any casino promotion, winners must be 21 and must be present to win.
Divi Carina Bay Casino is open from noon to 4 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from noon to 6 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays.
For more information, call 773-9700 ext. 759.
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.
PUEBLO EXEC SAYS V.I. OPERATIONS FINANCIALLY FINE
Sept. 27, 2002 – Despite a recent national report about financial troubles at their parent company, an executive of Pueblo Supermarkets and Blockbuster Video says all is well with the chains' stores in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
Earlier this week the financial news service PR Newswire announced a voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by Nutritional Sourcing Corp. The subsidiaries of NSC include Xtra Superfood Centers Inc., which operates supermarkets and Blockbuster video stores on St. Thomas and St. Croix. NSC also operates in Puerto Rico, doing business as Pueblo International and Pueblo Entertainment.
Melissa Lammers, a Pueblo International senior vice president, said on Friday that NSC filed for bankruptcy protection after Pueblo missed a debt repayment last month. That led to the parent company missing an interest payment to its bondholders. Earlier press reports said the company would use the bankrupcy process to develop a reorganization plan in an attempt to relieve a heavy debt burden.
Lammers said those financial issues are having no effect on retail operations in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. "Pueblo is doing fine and is not a party to the Chapter 11 at all; so, nothing will change at Pueblo," she said.
Six Pueblo supermarkets and two Blockbuster stores operate in the Virgin Islands, while 41 Pueblo supermarkets and 39 video stores are doing business in Puerto Rico, she said, and a new flagship Pueblo store is scheduled to open next month in Isla Verde.
Lammers said the local stores are "enjoying increased profits," with supermarket revenues rising in the past nine months and video sales showing an increase in recent weeks.
National financial reports cautioned, however, that the NSC restructuring might not succeed in reversing that company's financial situation. As uncertainties, they cited "substantial indebtedness," local market competition and the question of whether bondholders would be willing to accept a refinancing plan.
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.
Earlier this week the financial news service PR Newswire announced a voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by Nutritional Sourcing Corp. The subsidiaries of NSC include Xtra Superfood Centers Inc., which operates supermarkets and Blockbuster video stores on St. Thomas and St. Croix. NSC also operates in Puerto Rico, doing business as Pueblo International and Pueblo Entertainment.
Melissa Lammers, a Pueblo International senior vice president, said on Friday that NSC filed for bankruptcy protection after Pueblo missed a debt repayment last month. That led to the parent company missing an interest payment to its bondholders. Earlier press reports said the company would use the bankrupcy process to develop a reorganization plan in an attempt to relieve a heavy debt burden.
Lammers said those financial issues are having no effect on retail operations in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. "Pueblo is doing fine and is not a party to the Chapter 11 at all; so, nothing will change at Pueblo," she said.
Six Pueblo supermarkets and two Blockbuster stores operate in the Virgin Islands, while 41 Pueblo supermarkets and 39 video stores are doing business in Puerto Rico, she said, and a new flagship Pueblo store is scheduled to open next month in Isla Verde.
Lammers said the local stores are "enjoying increased profits," with supermarket revenues rising in the past nine months and video sales showing an increase in recent weeks.
National financial reports cautioned, however, that the NSC restructuring might not succeed in reversing that company's financial situation. As uncertainties, they cited "substantial indebtedness," local market competition and the question of whether bondholders would be willing to accept a refinancing plan.
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.
PUEBLO EXEC SAYS V.I. OPERATIONS FINANCIALLY FINE
Sept. 27, 2002 – Despite a recent national report about financial troubles at their parent company, an executive of Pueblo Supermarkets and Blockbuster Video says all is well with the chains' stores in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
Earlier this week the financial news service PR Newswire announced a voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by Nutritional Sourcing Corp. The subsidiaries of NSC include Xtra Superfood Centers Inc., which operates supermarkets and Blockbuster video stores on St. Thomas and St. Croix. NSC also operates in Puerto Rico, doing business as Pueblo International and Pueblo Entertainment.
Melissa Lammers, a Pueblo International senior vice president, said on Friday that NSC filed for bankruptcy protection after Pueblo missed a debt repayment last month. That led to the parent company missing an interest payment to its bondholders. Earlier press reports said the company would use the bankrupcy process to develop a reorganization plan in an attempt to relieve a heavy debt burden.
Lammers said those financial issues are having no effect on retail operations in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. "Pueblo is doing fine and is not a party to the Chapter 11 at all; so, nothing will change at Pueblo," she said.
Six Pueblo supermarkets and two Blockbuster stores operate in the Virgin Islands, while 41 Pueblo supermarkets and 39 video stores are doing business in Puerto Rico, she said, and a new flagship Pueblo store is scheduled to open next month in Isla Verde.
Lammers said the local stores are "enjoying increased profits," with supermarket revenues rising in the past nine months and video sales showing an increase in recent weeks.
National financial reports cautioned, however, that the NSC restructuring might not succeed in reversing that company's financial situation. As uncertainties, they cited "substantial indebtedness," local market competition and the question of whether bondholders would be willing to accept a refinancing plan.
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.
Earlier this week the financial news service PR Newswire announced a voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by Nutritional Sourcing Corp. The subsidiaries of NSC include Xtra Superfood Centers Inc., which operates supermarkets and Blockbuster video stores on St. Thomas and St. Croix. NSC also operates in Puerto Rico, doing business as Pueblo International and Pueblo Entertainment.
Melissa Lammers, a Pueblo International senior vice president, said on Friday that NSC filed for bankruptcy protection after Pueblo missed a debt repayment last month. That led to the parent company missing an interest payment to its bondholders. Earlier press reports said the company would use the bankrupcy process to develop a reorganization plan in an attempt to relieve a heavy debt burden.
Lammers said those financial issues are having no effect on retail operations in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. "Pueblo is doing fine and is not a party to the Chapter 11 at all; so, nothing will change at Pueblo," she said.
Six Pueblo supermarkets and two Blockbuster stores operate in the Virgin Islands, while 41 Pueblo supermarkets and 39 video stores are doing business in Puerto Rico, she said, and a new flagship Pueblo store is scheduled to open next month in Isla Verde.
Lammers said the local stores are "enjoying increased profits," with supermarket revenues rising in the past nine months and video sales showing an increase in recent weeks.
National financial reports cautioned, however, that the NSC restructuring might not succeed in reversing that company's financial situation. As uncertainties, they cited "substantial indebtedness," local market competition and the question of whether bondholders would be willing to accept a refinancing plan.
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.
PUEBLO EXEC SAYS V.I. OPERATIONS FINANCIALLY FINE
Sept. 27, 2002 – Despite a recent national report about financial troubles at their parent company, an executive of Pueblo Supermarkets and Blockbuster Video says all is well with the chains' stores in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
Earlier this week the financial news service PR Newswire announced a voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by Nutritional Sourcing Corp. The subsidiaries of NSC include Xtra Superfood Centers Inc., which operates supermarkets and Blockbuster video stores on St. Thomas and St. Croix. NSC also operates in Puerto Rico, doing business as Pueblo International and Pueblo Entertainment.
Melissa Lammers, a Pueblo International senior vice president, said on Friday that NSC filed for bankruptcy protection after Pueblo missed a debt repayment last month. That led to the parent company missing an interest payment to its bondholders. Earlier press reports said the company would use the bankrupcy process to develop a reorganization plan in an attempt to relieve a heavy debt burden.
Lammers said those financial issues are having no effect on retail operations in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. "Pueblo is doing fine and is not a party to the Chapter 11 at all; so, nothing will change at Pueblo," she said.
Six Pueblo supermarkets and two Blockbuster stores operate in the Virgin Islands, while 41 Pueblo supermarkets and 39 video stores are doing business in Puerto Rico, she said, and a new flagship Pueblo store is scheduled to open next month in Isla Verde.
Lammers said the local stores are "enjoying increased profits," with supermarket revenues rising in the past nine months and video sales showing an increase in recent weeks.
National financial reports cautioned, however, that the NSC restructuring might not succeed in reversing that company's financial situation. As uncertainties, they cited "substantial indebtedness," local market competition and the question of whether bondholders would be willing to accept a refinancing plan.
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.
Earlier this week the financial news service PR Newswire announced a voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by Nutritional Sourcing Corp. The subsidiaries of NSC include Xtra Superfood Centers Inc., which operates supermarkets and Blockbuster video stores on St. Thomas and St. Croix. NSC also operates in Puerto Rico, doing business as Pueblo International and Pueblo Entertainment.
Melissa Lammers, a Pueblo International senior vice president, said on Friday that NSC filed for bankruptcy protection after Pueblo missed a debt repayment last month. That led to the parent company missing an interest payment to its bondholders. Earlier press reports said the company would use the bankrupcy process to develop a reorganization plan in an attempt to relieve a heavy debt burden.
Lammers said those financial issues are having no effect on retail operations in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. "Pueblo is doing fine and is not a party to the Chapter 11 at all; so, nothing will change at Pueblo," she said.
Six Pueblo supermarkets and two Blockbuster stores operate in the Virgin Islands, while 41 Pueblo supermarkets and 39 video stores are doing business in Puerto Rico, she said, and a new flagship Pueblo store is scheduled to open next month in Isla Verde.
Lammers said the local stores are "enjoying increased profits," with supermarket revenues rising in the past nine months and video sales showing an increase in recent weeks.
National financial reports cautioned, however, that the NSC restructuring might not succeed in reversing that company's financial situation. As uncertainties, they cited "substantial indebtedness," local market competition and the question of whether bondholders would be willing to accept a refinancing plan.
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.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION TO MEET
Planning and Natural Resources Commissioner Dean Plaskett announces a meeting of the St. Thomas-St. John Historic Preservation Commission on Oct. 8 at 4 p.m. in the State Historic Preservation Office on St. Thomas.
For more information, call 776-8605.
For more information, call 776-8605.
LIBRARIES, ARCHIVES AND MUSEUMS TO 'OPEN HOUSE'
Sept. 27, 2002 – Planning and Natural Resources Commissioner Dean Plaskett invites the public to a territorywide open house for the Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums next Thursday.
The division will display and demonstrate the new computers it received and installed through a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, with an aim of establishing access to information technology resources.
Every public library in the territory will be furnished with six additional computers equipped with word processing, reference and children's programs, made available in both Spanish and English.
The Athalie M. Petersen and Elaine I. Sprauve public libraries will hold their open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Enid M. Baa and Florence Williams public libraries will hold theirs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Staff members will be available to answer questions and explain how to use the new computers. For more information, call Sharlene Harris, director of Libraries, Archives and Museums, at 774-3407.
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 division will display and demonstrate the new computers it received and installed through a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, with an aim of establishing access to information technology resources.
Every public library in the territory will be furnished with six additional computers equipped with word processing, reference and children's programs, made available in both Spanish and English.
The Athalie M. Petersen and Elaine I. Sprauve public libraries will hold their open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Enid M. Baa and Florence Williams public libraries will hold theirs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Staff members will be available to answer questions and explain how to use the new computers. For more information, call Sharlene Harris, director of Libraries, Archives and Museums, at 774-3407.
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.
LIBRARIES, ARCHIVES AND MUSEUMS TO 'OPEN HOUSE'
Sept. 27, 2002 – Planning and Natural Resources Commissioner Dean Plaskett invites the public to a territorywide open house for the Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums next Thursday.
The division will display and demonstrate the new computers it received and installed through a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, with an aim of establishing access to information technology resources.
Every public library in the territory will be furnished with six additional computers equipped with word processing, reference and children's programs, made available in both Spanish and English.
The Athalie M. Petersen and Elaine I. Sprauve public libraries will hold their open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Enid M. Baa and Florence Williams public libraries will hold theirs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Staff members will be available to answer questions and explain how to use the new computers. For more information, call Sharlene Harris, director of Libraries, Archives and Museums, at 774-3407.
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 division will display and demonstrate the new computers it received and installed through a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, with an aim of establishing access to information technology resources.
Every public library in the territory will be furnished with six additional computers equipped with word processing, reference and children's programs, made available in both Spanish and English.
The Athalie M. Petersen and Elaine I. Sprauve public libraries will hold their open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Enid M. Baa and Florence Williams public libraries will hold theirs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Staff members will be available to answer questions and explain how to use the new computers. For more information, call Sharlene Harris, director of Libraries, Archives and Museums, at 774-3407.
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.
LIBRARIES, ARCHIVES AND MUSEUMS TO 'OPEN HOUSE'
Sept. 27, 2002 – Planning and Natural Resources Commissioner Dean Plaskett invites the public to a territorywide open house for the Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums next Thursday.
The division will display and demonstrate the new computers it received and installed through a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, with an aim of establishing access to information technology resources.
Every public library in the territory will be furnished with six additional computers equipped with word processing, reference and children's programs, made available in both Spanish and English.
The Athalie M. Petersen and Elaine I. Sprauve public libraries will hold their open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Enid M. Baa and Florence Williams public libraries will hold theirs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Staff members will be available to answer questions and explain how to use the new computers. For more information, call Sharlene Harris, director of Libraries, Archives and Museums, at 774-3407.
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 division will display and demonstrate the new computers it received and installed through a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, with an aim of establishing access to information technology resources.
Every public library in the territory will be furnished with six additional computers equipped with word processing, reference and children's programs, made available in both Spanish and English.
The Athalie M. Petersen and Elaine I. Sprauve public libraries will hold their open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Enid M. Baa and Florence Williams public libraries will hold theirs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Staff members will be available to answer questions and explain how to use the new computers. For more information, call Sharlene Harris, director of Libraries, Archives and Museums, at 774-3407.
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.
SCHNEIDER CEO NAMED HEALTH CARE 'UP AND COMER'
Sept. 27, 2002 – Rodney E. Miller Sr., chief executive officer of Roy L. Schneider Hospital, has been named one of 13 "Up and Comers" in health-care leadership by Modern Healthcare magazine.
Miller, who joined the hospital in May, was selected from a group of more than 100 nominated health-care executives as a leader who will change the industry.
Since assuming the helm at Schneider Hospital, Miller has focused on increasing the hospital's efficiency and providing the highest level of patient care.
Miller, the hospital board and staff continue with plans to develop the hospital's cancer center. Groundbreaking at the new facility is scheduled for early next year with completion estimated for mid-2005.
Before joining Schneider Hospital, Miller was the administrator of the cardiovascular unit at Memorial Healthcare System in Savannah, Ga.
"I view this as recognition not only for me, but also for the entire Virgin Islands community," Miller said, adding that he looked forward to working with the community "to make the Roy L. Schneider Hospital the health-care provider of choice for residents of the territory and the entire Caribbean."
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.
Miller, who joined the hospital in May, was selected from a group of more than 100 nominated health-care executives as a leader who will change the industry.
Since assuming the helm at Schneider Hospital, Miller has focused on increasing the hospital's efficiency and providing the highest level of patient care.
Miller, the hospital board and staff continue with plans to develop the hospital's cancer center. Groundbreaking at the new facility is scheduled for early next year with completion estimated for mid-2005.
Before joining Schneider Hospital, Miller was the administrator of the cardiovascular unit at Memorial Healthcare System in Savannah, Ga.
"I view this as recognition not only for me, but also for the entire Virgin Islands community," Miller said, adding that he looked forward to working with the community "to make the Roy L. Schneider Hospital the health-care provider of choice for residents of the territory and the entire Caribbean."
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.
