Dear Source,
The second print advertisement, in a series exposing unorthodox and wasteful consulting contracts and other agreements signed by Governor Charles Turnbull, appeared in two daily print newspapers on Tuesday, Sept. 24. This ad spotlights a Professional Services Contract between Elmo D. Roebuck, former senator, and the Government of the Virgin Islands. The advertisements have been produced by the de Jongh Arnold 2002 campaign team.
Once you read the details of Roebuck's contract, as I have, you'll be astounded to see that he is being paid $80 an hour on a part-time basis. And what is he doing for this $80 an hour? By the terms of the contract, he is to "provide consulting services including, but not limited to, financial matters, legislative matters, economic matters, operations of the various departments/ agencies and instrumentalities of the Government which will promote and advance the economic well-being of the Territory."
I'd like the governor to explain what this jargon actually means, produce a solid piece of Roebuck's work that has "advanced the economic well-being" of our islands, and inform the public of how much has been paid to Roebuck under this contract to date.
Our schools lack books and basic teaching materials; our police department lacks the manpower and equipment with which to perform its duties and protect our citizens; and our hospitals face a daily nursing shortage. Yet, the Turnbull Administration finds it more important to put these basic needs on the back burner and instead pay $80 an hour to a former senator, who already is receiving retirement benefits in excess of those paid to most government retirees!
Governor, it is a matter of priorities. I urge you to stop wasting precious government resources on your favored few and pay attention to the needs of the people whom you were elected to serve.
John de Jongh
St. Thomas
Candidate for Governor
We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to source@viaccess.net.
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.
RICHARDS SAYS LILI LED HER TO SKIP CONFERENCE
Sept. 25, 2002 – Tourism Commissioner Pamela Richards is back on St. Croix this week after deciding not to go to Cancun, Mexico, to attend the 9th annual conference of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association this week.
Richards said on Wednesday that she was attending an airport management conference in Tampa, Florida, last weekend and planned to head to Cancun from there, when she got news of Tropical Storm Lili being headed for the Virgin Islands.
In Tampa, "We were monitoring Isidore," the hurricane then attacking Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula coastline, she said, "when we heard another storm was approaching the V.I. So I called VITEMA [the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency] to find out about the storm in the territory — and decided to return to the V.I., since I am part of the governor's cabinet."
Richards said reports at the time about Isidore were confusing. "The airlines would tell us one thing, that flights were operating, and then CNN said the storm was heading for Cancun, and it was being evacuated," she said.
At the weeklong F-CCA conference, Richards was scheduled to participate in a panel discussing cruise ship "conversion" programs, which refers to turning cruise visitors into returning overnight hotel guests. She said the panel could go on without her, since there five other members.
A Tuesday report in a print newspaper said Richards was attending the conference to present the Tourism Department's plan to persuade cruise lines to send their ships back to St. Croix. Richards said on Wednesday that she submitted that report in August, and her planned appearance at the F-CCA conference had "nothing to do with trying to lure cruise ships to the territory." The newspaper said she was "scheduled to lobby major cruise lines about a possible return to St. Croix."
Richards said it had been her intent as a panelist to explain the Tourism Department's "Free Stay Caribbean" program wherein hotel guests who book a five-night stay get two extra nights free. And, Richards said, "We have gone one step further, and included the Charter Yacht League in the program."
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.
Richards said on Wednesday that she was attending an airport management conference in Tampa, Florida, last weekend and planned to head to Cancun from there, when she got news of Tropical Storm Lili being headed for the Virgin Islands.
In Tampa, "We were monitoring Isidore," the hurricane then attacking Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula coastline, she said, "when we heard another storm was approaching the V.I. So I called VITEMA [the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency] to find out about the storm in the territory — and decided to return to the V.I., since I am part of the governor's cabinet."
Richards said reports at the time about Isidore were confusing. "The airlines would tell us one thing, that flights were operating, and then CNN said the storm was heading for Cancun, and it was being evacuated," she said.
At the weeklong F-CCA conference, Richards was scheduled to participate in a panel discussing cruise ship "conversion" programs, which refers to turning cruise visitors into returning overnight hotel guests. She said the panel could go on without her, since there five other members.
A Tuesday report in a print newspaper said Richards was attending the conference to present the Tourism Department's plan to persuade cruise lines to send their ships back to St. Croix. Richards said on Wednesday that she submitted that report in August, and her planned appearance at the F-CCA conference had "nothing to do with trying to lure cruise ships to the territory." The newspaper said she was "scheduled to lobby major cruise lines about a possible return to St. Croix."
Richards said it had been her intent as a panelist to explain the Tourism Department's "Free Stay Caribbean" program wherein hotel guests who book a five-night stay get two extra nights free. And, Richards said, "We have gone one step further, and included the Charter Yacht League in the program."
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.
GERS BOARD MEETS MONDAY
Board of Trustees will hold the next special meeting at the GERS Conference Room located on the 3rd floor of the GERS Building.
GERS BOARD MEETS MONDAY
Sept. 25, 2002 – The next special meeting of the Government Employees' Retirement System Board of Trustees will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 30, at the GERS Conference Room located on the 3rd floor of the GERS Building.
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.
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.
HEARING ON ST. CROIX TOURISM PLAN CANCELED
Sept. 25, 2002 – Sen. Emmett Hansen II has canceled the Government Operations Committee hearing that had been scheduled for Friday on St. Croix to take testimony on the Tourism Department's marketing plan for the island.
Hansen, the committee chair, said he has reviewed the plan and that discussion has reached the point of "diminishing returns, and nothing further is to be gained."
In August, he canceled a similar meeting at the last minute when Tourism Commissioner Pamela Richards sent word that she would not attend.
As a result of town meetings Hansen held on St. Croix on tourism as it relates to the island's infrastructure, a private sector group, St. Croix Alive, was formed. The group has formulated its own plan aimed at securing visits by cruise ships to the island. (See the St. Croix Source story "A tale of two marketing plans … to be continued".)
Hansen had not invited Richards to testify at the Friday committee hearing. According to the Senate calendar for the week, the invitation list consisted of Police Commissioner Franz Christian, Housing Parks and Recreation Commissioner Ira Hobson, Licensing and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Andrew Rutnik, Public Works Commissioner Wayne Callwood and Agriculture Commissioner Henry Schuster.
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.
Hansen, the committee chair, said he has reviewed the plan and that discussion has reached the point of "diminishing returns, and nothing further is to be gained."
In August, he canceled a similar meeting at the last minute when Tourism Commissioner Pamela Richards sent word that she would not attend.
As a result of town meetings Hansen held on St. Croix on tourism as it relates to the island's infrastructure, a private sector group, St. Croix Alive, was formed. The group has formulated its own plan aimed at securing visits by cruise ships to the island. (See the St. Croix Source story "A tale of two marketing plans … to be continued".)
Hansen had not invited Richards to testify at the Friday committee hearing. According to the Senate calendar for the week, the invitation list consisted of Police Commissioner Franz Christian, Housing Parks and Recreation Commissioner Ira Hobson, Licensing and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Andrew Rutnik, Public Works Commissioner Wayne Callwood and Agriculture Commissioner Henry Schuster.
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.
HEARING ON ST. CROIX TOURISM PLAN CANCELED
Sept. 25, 2002 – Sen. Emmett Hansen II has canceled the Government Operations Committee hearing that had been scheduled for Friday on St. Croix to take testimony on the Tourism Department's marketing plan for the island.
Hansen, the committee chair, said he has reviewed the plan and that discussion has reached the point of "diminishing returns, and nothing further is to be gained."
In August, he canceled a similar meeting at the last minute when Tourism Commissioner Pamela Richards sent word that she would not attend.
As a result of town meetings Hansen held on St. Croix on tourism as it relates to the island's infrastructure, a private sector group, St. Croix Alive, was formed. The group has formulated its own plan aimed at securing visits by cruise ships to the island. (See the St. Croix Source story "A tale of two marketing plans … to be continued".)
Hansen had not invited Richards to testify at the Friday committee hearing. According to the Senate calendar for the week, the invitation list consisted of Police Commissioner Franz Christian, Housing Parks and Recreation Commissioner Ira Hobson, Licensing and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Andrew Rutnik, Public Works Commissioner Wayne Callwood and Agriculture Commissioner Henry Schuster.
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.
Hansen, the committee chair, said he has reviewed the plan and that discussion has reached the point of "diminishing returns, and nothing further is to be gained."
In August, he canceled a similar meeting at the last minute when Tourism Commissioner Pamela Richards sent word that she would not attend.
As a result of town meetings Hansen held on St. Croix on tourism as it relates to the island's infrastructure, a private sector group, St. Croix Alive, was formed. The group has formulated its own plan aimed at securing visits by cruise ships to the island. (See the St. Croix Source story "A tale of two marketing plans … to be continued".)
Hansen had not invited Richards to testify at the Friday committee hearing. According to the Senate calendar for the week, the invitation list consisted of Police Commissioner Franz Christian, Housing Parks and Recreation Commissioner Ira Hobson, Licensing and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Andrew Rutnik, Public Works Commissioner Wayne Callwood and Agriculture Commissioner Henry Schuster.
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.
ANTILLES HOSTS CAMEROON EXCHANGE STUDENTS
Sept. 25, 2002 – Two scholar-athletes from the Republic of Cameroon have come a long way from home to attend Antilles School.
Tafo Fabrice Gordan is from the political capital, Yaounde, and Abdoul Aziz Mohammed is from the economic capital, Douala. Both are part of an exchange program that allows the students an opportunity to learn about a different culture and a chance to prepare for a college experience that will benefit them their entire lives.
Fabrice, a sophomore, and Aziz, a junior, are both outstanding students, at the top of their classes in Cameroon. The two young men offer V.I. students an opportunity to learn about a totally different continent, culture, economy, government and country, one with French as the official language,.
"Over 200 dialects are spoken in Cameroon," Aziz said, "and we enjoy many different climates. Cameroon is like a small Africa."
Aziz and Fabrice are challenging Antilles students to converse in French with them, and in their brief time here, they have improved their fluency in English dramatically, even though, they said, "Americans talk very quickly!"
Both students are outstanding athletes, and they will play basketball and soccer or volleyball, once they have adjusted to their new academic schedule.
But studying at Antilles School offers the Cameroon students much more than an opportunity to participate in athletics.
"For my family, studies come first, and preparing for college is the No. 1 priority," Fabrice said. "I want to go to a good college."
Although both Aziz and Fabrice are accustomed to large classes and more general courses, they have had little trouble adjusting to the school and the island.
Aziz said, "We have come to a country where nobody knows us, and it is such a wonderful thing, like a dream. We are doing what we want in terms of our future, and everyone is very friendly and nice – the students, the faculty and the family we live with."
Aziz and Fabrice are living with a family where scholarship and athletics are familiar. Dawn Wheatley, a math teacher at Antilles, and her husband, Maurice, are the parents of six outstanding student-athletes, three of whom are students at Antilles: Anna, Nicole and Rebekah. Their three sons are currently enrolled in college and graduate school.
Art Scott, Head of Antilles School, said he is excited about the exchange. "It is Antilles' privilege to host two superb student-athletes from Cameroon," he said. "In the purest sense, exchanges like this offer both sides exceptional opportunities for sharing and mutual growth."
Cameroon, which was formerly French Cameroon and a part of British Cameroon, became independent in 1961. Slightly larger than California, Cameroon's population is close to 16 million.
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.
Tafo Fabrice Gordan is from the political capital, Yaounde, and Abdoul Aziz Mohammed is from the economic capital, Douala. Both are part of an exchange program that allows the students an opportunity to learn about a different culture and a chance to prepare for a college experience that will benefit them their entire lives.
Fabrice, a sophomore, and Aziz, a junior, are both outstanding students, at the top of their classes in Cameroon. The two young men offer V.I. students an opportunity to learn about a totally different continent, culture, economy, government and country, one with French as the official language,.
"Over 200 dialects are spoken in Cameroon," Aziz said, "and we enjoy many different climates. Cameroon is like a small Africa."
Aziz and Fabrice are challenging Antilles students to converse in French with them, and in their brief time here, they have improved their fluency in English dramatically, even though, they said, "Americans talk very quickly!"
Both students are outstanding athletes, and they will play basketball and soccer or volleyball, once they have adjusted to their new academic schedule.
But studying at Antilles School offers the Cameroon students much more than an opportunity to participate in athletics.
"For my family, studies come first, and preparing for college is the No. 1 priority," Fabrice said. "I want to go to a good college."
Although both Aziz and Fabrice are accustomed to large classes and more general courses, they have had little trouble adjusting to the school and the island.
Aziz said, "We have come to a country where nobody knows us, and it is such a wonderful thing, like a dream. We are doing what we want in terms of our future, and everyone is very friendly and nice – the students, the faculty and the family we live with."
Aziz and Fabrice are living with a family where scholarship and athletics are familiar. Dawn Wheatley, a math teacher at Antilles, and her husband, Maurice, are the parents of six outstanding student-athletes, three of whom are students at Antilles: Anna, Nicole and Rebekah. Their three sons are currently enrolled in college and graduate school.
Art Scott, Head of Antilles School, said he is excited about the exchange. "It is Antilles' privilege to host two superb student-athletes from Cameroon," he said. "In the purest sense, exchanges like this offer both sides exceptional opportunities for sharing and mutual growth."
Cameroon, which was formerly French Cameroon and a part of British Cameroon, became independent in 1961. Slightly larger than California, Cameroon's population is close to 16 million.
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.
UVI POET NOMINATED FOR AWARD
Sept. 25, 2002 – Mary Myers, a University of the Virgin Islands employee, was nominated as Poet of the Year for 2002 by the International Society of Poets.
Myers was inducted as an International Poet of Merit and Honored Member of the International Society of Poets at the summer 2002 convention and symposium held in August in Washington, D.C., where she presented her poem "Special Lady" to an audience of fellow poets.
As an International Poet of Merit honoree, Myers received an engraved silver bowl mounted on a walnut base along with a commemorative award medallion.
Myers said she was ecstatic about her nomination. "The poem nominated has a special meaning to me," she said. "Being nominated has made me appreciate the work that I have done thus far, and has given me more encouragement to write often."
Myers, an administrative assistant II/financial aid administrator on UVI’s St. Thomas campus, has been writing poetry for 17 years.
To read the poem, log on to www.poetry.com and search for Mary Myers.
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.
Myers was inducted as an International Poet of Merit and Honored Member of the International Society of Poets at the summer 2002 convention and symposium held in August in Washington, D.C., where she presented her poem "Special Lady" to an audience of fellow poets.
As an International Poet of Merit honoree, Myers received an engraved silver bowl mounted on a walnut base along with a commemorative award medallion.
Myers said she was ecstatic about her nomination. "The poem nominated has a special meaning to me," she said. "Being nominated has made me appreciate the work that I have done thus far, and has given me more encouragement to write often."
Myers, an administrative assistant II/financial aid administrator on UVI’s St. Thomas campus, has been writing poetry for 17 years.
To read the poem, log on to www.poetry.com and search for Mary Myers.
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.
PISTARKLE PRESENTS
The Pistarkle Theater will present the play "The Importance of Being Earnest" at Tillett Gardens. Admission opens at 7:30 p.m.
Subscribers, donors and flex pass holders are asked to reserve dates so seats can be held until 10 minutes before showtime.
Subscribers, donors and flex pass holders are asked to reserve dates so seats can be held until 10 minutes before showtime.
ROTARY OF ST. THOMAS II MEETS WEDNESDAY
The Rotary Club of St. Thomas II will meet at Marriott's Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort.
On Wednesday the guest speaker will be UVI President, Dr. Laverne E. Ragster. She will address the New Generations, Rotary's September topic.
On Wednesday the guest speaker will be UVI President, Dr. Laverne E. Ragster. She will address the New Generations, Rotary's September topic.
