Sept. 19, 2002 — The University of the Virgin Islands is embarking on a new program designed to relate research to improvements in Virgin Islands communities and quality of life.
EPSCoR, the Experimental Program for the Stimulation of Competitive Research, is a National Science Foundation program started more than two decades ago to allow states and territories to upgrade research infrastructure in their area and improve competitiveness for research grants from government agencies. It seeks to support high-quality research that serves the needs of the community by building its economy, said a release.
Dr. Henry H. Smith, vice provost for research and public service at UVI, applied for and has received for the university a planning grant. During the next nine months three task forces will identify interests of researchers, strengths of local research, and community needs that research can meet, and will establish processes and criteria for selecting research focus areas to be pursued during the first three-year implementation grant period. The Virgin Islands' special interests in marine sciences, water supply and natural disasters are shared in particular by Alaska and Hawaii, which are also EPSCoR entities.
Smith is program director, and Prof. Roy Watlington is VI-EPSCoR coordinator. Smith and Watlington recently participated in a national EPSCoR program in Anchorage, Alaska.
The program is open to states or territories that have been awarded small amounts — as small as 7/10 of a percent of the NSF budget — in order to upgrade their ability to obtain and use grant funds. Because states with that low level of funding usually have no large research institutions to do the job. The lead university in such cases has to consider interests of all research institutions in the jurisdiction.
The program is awarded to UVI as coordinator of the territory-level program and, in addition to fostering research at the university, also fosters public and private sector research as well. Non-federal matching is a continuing requirement.
The planning grant, said Smith, is a one-year grant that has already begun. The following implementation grants are on a three-year basis, with reapplying necessary.
The following examples of other areas' activities financed by EPSCoR funding show the possibilities of this program for impacting the Virgin Islands' economy and life conditions:
— Puerto Rico, which has been an EPSCoR site since 1985, mounted a high-performance computing facility with a network infrastructure.
— Montana spearheads a document delivery project that involves the librarians at many of the 30-plus EPSCoR sites. The V.I. electronic connectivity makes this project viable, doing away with the sending of borrowed library books and journals for last week's research need.
— Vermont has cooperative research to improve management and restoration of the state's environment. Projects are underway in the area of public waters, treating dairy wastes, and wetlands.
— Oklahoma established the Arkansas Center for Space and Planetary Sciences, which allows the two states to develop a major mission to visit asteroids and bring back samples.
— Idaho has a major project with watershed restoration, including land use and farming practices, sediment damage, and water quality.
The projects range from dreams of outer space to management of wetlands, and UVI will lead the way in choosing projects that fit the needs and desires of V.I. communities.
For more about EPSCoR, visit the National Science Foundation's EPSCor Web page at www.ehr.nsf.gov/epscor/. UVI expects to mount its own EPSCor Web page soon.
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Sept. 19, 2002 — The University of the Virgin Islands is embarking on a new program designed to relate research to improvements in Virgin Islands communities and quality of life.
EPSCoR, the Experimental Program for the Stimulation of Competitive Research, is a National Science Foundation program started more than two decades ago to allow states and territories to upgrade research infrastructure in their area and improve competitiveness for research grants from government agencies. It seeks to support high-quality research that serves the needs of the community by building its economy, said a release.
Dr. Henry H. Smith, vice provost for research and public service at UVI, applied for and has received for the university a planning grant. During the next nine months three task forces will identify interests of researchers, strengths of local research, and community needs that research can meet, and will establish processes and criteria for selecting research focus areas to be pursued during the first three-year implementation grant period. The Virgin Islands' special interests in marine sciences, water supply and natural disasters are shared in particular by Alaska and Hawaii, which are also EPSCoR entities.
Smith is program director, and Prof. Roy Watlington is VI-EPSCoR coordinator. Smith and Watlington recently participated in a national EPSCoR program in Anchorage, Alaska.
The program is open to states or territories that have been awarded small amounts — as small as 7/10 of a percent of the NSF budget — in order to upgrade their ability to obtain and use grant funds. Because states with that low level of funding usually have no large research institutions to do the job. The lead university in such cases has to consider interests of all research institutions in the jurisdiction.
The program is awarded to UVI as coordinator of the territory-level program and, in addition to fostering research at the university, also fosters public and private sector research as well. Non-federal matching is a continuing requirement.
The planning grant, said Smith, is a one-year grant that has already begun. The following implementation grants are on a three-year basis, with reapplying necessary.
The following examples of other areas' activities financed by EPSCoR funding show the possibilities of this program for impacting the Virgin Islands' economy and life conditions:
— Puerto Rico, which has been an EPSCoR site since 1985, mounted a high-performance computing facility with a network infrastructure.
— Montana spearheads a document delivery project that involves the librarians at many of the 30-plus EPSCoR sites. The V.I. electronic connectivity makes this project viable, doing away with the sending of borrowed library books and journals for last week's research need.
— Vermont has cooperative research to improve management and restoration of the state's environment. Projects are underway in the area of public waters, treating dairy wastes, and wetlands.
— Oklahoma established the Arkansas Center for Space and Planetary Sciences, which allows the two states to develop a major mission to visit asteroids and bring back samples.
— Idaho has a major project with watershed restoration, including land use and farming practices, sediment damage, and water quality.
The projects range from dreams of outer space to management of wetlands, and UVI will lead the way in choosing projects that fit the needs and desires of V.I. communities.
For more about EPSCoR, visit the National Science Foundation's EPSCor Web page at www.ehr.nsf.gov/epscor/. UVI expects to mount its own EPSCor Web page soon.
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Sept. 19, 2002 – The V.I. Department of Education announced Thursday that five recent graduates from St. Thomas high schools have been named as 2002 Robert C. Byrd Scholarship recipients. Each will receive a $1,500 award, which is renewable up to four years if the student maintains eligibility.
The outstanding students are Ashley Courlas, Elenoe C. Smith, Deon LeCointe, Rishaun D. Malone, and J'nelle Scarbriel.
Courlas, an Antilles School graduate, is attending Cornell University. She is the daughter of Jan and George Courlas.
Smith also graduated from Antilles, and she is now attending Princeton University. She is the daughter of Henry and Muriel Smith.
LeCointe, a graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, attends University of Miami. He is the son of Enette LeCointe.
Malone, the son of Denise D. Abramsen, also graduated from CAHS. He is attending the University of Miami as well.
Scarbriel, a one year recipient of the scholarship, graduated from All Saints School. The daughter of Patrice Scarbriel is attending University of Delaware.
The Byrd Scholarship is administered annually by the V.I. Department of Education, in compliance with the Higher Education Act of 1965.

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Sept. 19, 2002 – The V.I. Department of Education announced Thursday that five recent graduates from St. Thomas high schools have been named as 2002 Robert C. Byrd Scholarship recipients. Each will receive a $1,500 award, which is renewable up to four years if the student maintains eligibility.
The outstanding students are Ashley Courlas, Elenoe C. Smith, Deon LeCointe, Rishaun D. Malone, and J'nelle Scarbriel.
Courlas, an Antilles School graduate, is attending Cornell University. She is the daughter of Jan and George Courlas.
Smith also graduated from Antilles, and she is now attending Princeton University. She is the daughter of Henry and Muriel Smith.
LeCointe, a graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, attends University of Miami. He is the son of Enette LeCointe.
Malone, the son of Denise D. Abramsen, also graduated from CAHS. He is attending the University of Miami as well.
Scarbriel, a one year recipient of the scholarship, graduated from All Saints School. The daughter of Patrice Scarbriel is attending University of Delaware.
The Byrd Scholarship is administered annually by the V.I. Department of Education, in compliance with the Higher Education Act of 1965.

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.

Sept. 19, 2002 – The V.I. Department of Education announced Thursday that five recent graduates from St. Thomas high schools have been named as 2002 Robert C. Byrd Scholarship recipients. Each will receive a $1,500 award, which is renewable up to four years if the student maintains eligibility.
The outstanding students are Ashley Courlas, Elenoe C. Smith, Deon LeCointe, Rishaun D. Malone, and J'nelle Scarbriel.
Courlas, an Antilles School graduate, is attending Cornell University. She is the daughter of Jan and George Courlas.
Smith also graduated from Antilles, and she is now attending Princeton University. She is the daughter of Henry and Muriel Smith.
LeCointe, a graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, attends University of Miami. He is the son of Enette LeCointe.
Malone, the son of Denise D. Abramsen, also graduated from CAHS. He is attending the University of Miami as well.
Scarbriel, a one year recipient of the scholarship, graduated from All Saints School. The daughter of Patrice Scarbriel is attending University of Delaware.
The Byrd Scholarship is administered annually by the V.I. Department of Education, in compliance with the Higher Education Act of 1965.

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
All interested persons are hereby notified that in accordance with Section 717 Chapter 12 of Title 29, Virgin Islands Code, as amended, dealing with the Economic Development Commission, a Public Hearing on the following applications for tax exemption will be held on Thursday, October 3, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. at the Casino Control Commission Hearing Room, Orange Grove St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.
NAME: …………….TYPE: ……………….LOCATION:
1. South Bay Partners, LLLP *DSB-Business & Management Consulting (New) St. Thomas, V.I.
2. Matrix Ventures, LLC *DSB-Management Consulting (New) St. Croix, V.I.
3. JS Management, LLP *DSB-Business & Management Consultant (New) St. Croix, V.I.
4. Consolidated National Corp. *DSB-Investment Management & Financial Advisory (New) St. Thomas, V.I.
5. Four Winds Plaza Corporation Shopping Mall (New) St. Thomas, V.I.
6. Managed Quantitative Advisors St. Croix, LLLP *DSB-Investment/Financial Consulting Service (New) St. Croix, V.I.
7. Marmarus Management Company LLC *DSB-Investment/Financial (New) St. Croix, V.I.
8. St. Croix Renaissance Group, LLLP Eco-industrial Park (New) St. Croix, V.I.
Any person, firm or corporation interested in the approval or disapproval of the applications may appear and be heard, provided that a written statement is submitted to the Chief Executive Officer of the Economic Development Commission at least one day prior to the hearing at P.O. Box 223499 Christiansted, St. Croix USVI 00822, (Phone) 773-6499 (Fax) 773-7701.

Frank Schulterbrandt, Esq.
Chief Executive Officer
* Designated Service Business

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
All interested persons are hereby notified that in accordance with Section 717 Chapter 12 of Title 29, Virgin Islands Code, as amended, dealing with the Economic Development Commission, a Public Hearing on the following applications for tax exemption will be held on Thursday, October 3, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. at the Casino Control Commission Hearing Room, Orange Grove St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.
NAME: …………….TYPE: ……………….LOCATION:
1. South Bay Partners, LLLP *DSB-Business & Management Consulting (New) St. Thomas, V.I.
2. Matrix Ventures, LLC *DSB-Management Consulting (New) St. Croix, V.I.
3. JS Management, LLP *DSB-Business & Management Consultant (New) St. Croix, V.I.
4. Consolidated National Corp. *DSB-Investment Management & Financial Advisory (New) St. Thomas, V.I.
5. Four Winds Plaza Corporation Shopping Mall (New) St. Thomas, V.I.
6. Managed Quantitative Advisors St. Croix, LLLP *DSB-Investment/Financial Consulting Service (New) St. Croix, V.I.
7. Marmarus Management Company LLC *DSB-Investment/Financial (New) St. Croix, V.I.
8. St. Croix Renaissance Group, LLLP Eco-industrial Park (New) St. Croix, V.I.
Any person, firm or corporation interested in the approval or disapproval of the applications may appear and be heard, provided that a written statement is submitted to the Chief Executive Officer of the Economic Development Commission at least one day prior to the hearing at P.O. Box 223499 Christiansted, St. Croix USVI 00822, (Phone) 773-6499 (Fax) 773-7701.

Frank Schulterbrandt, Esq.
Chief Executive Officer
* Designated Service Business

Sept. 19, 2002 – Although he said it belongs in the hands of the judiciary, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull signed into law on Wednesday a provision in the Omnibus Act of 2003 which effectively kills binding arbitration agreements required as a condition of employment by several local employers, including Hovensa.
Turnbull signed the Omnibus Act and the Fiscal Year 2003 budget bills, approving the $490 million executive budget, along with $29.1 million for the University of the Virgin Islands, $16.5 million for the Legislature, and $23.7 million for the Territorial Court and Judicial Council. He advised Senate President Almando "Rocky" Liburd of his action in a letter that was faxed to the Source after midnight.
He also approved the 2002 $1.9 Community Development Block Grant allocations, which cover a myriad of projects, and several rezonings.
Both print daily newspapers had carried full-page advertising pro and con about the arbitration bill. Hovensa's ad urged the governor to veto the bill, calling the provision "legally flawed." Proponents of the measure subsequently took out their own ad calling the provision illegal.
The governor cut the Omnibus bill by about $13 million in line-item vetoes, including a $2.5 million appropriation for the creation of an appellate court. The Senate originally had bid for a territorial supreme court but in an amendment changed it to an appellate court. Turnbull said he supports the creation of the court, but the idea needs public hearings. "It shouldn't be done in a vacuum," he told Liburd.
He item-vetoed a bill which would have reprogrammed tobacco funds for the creation of a cardiac center at Juan F. Luis Hospital. He said he had been advised by bond counsel that "this unilateral change in the tobacco bond authorization could violate the terms of the indenture and constitute an event of default." Several minority senators has raised concerns about reprogramming the funds.
In November, the Public Finance Authority floated $21.7 million in bonds backed by the territory's share of the national tobacco settlement proceeds with the money earmarked for specific purposes; the Luis portion is for renovating an emergency room and clinic, improving the cardiac care unit, and building a new warehouse, water line and air conditioning system for the morgue.
Once again, Turnbull scolded the senators for their "spending spree," which he said "threatens to over-appropriate the funds of the government before it addresses the most basic of needs."
He also vetoed the creation of a new Youth Affairs, Sports and Recreation Department, which would consolidate certain activities now overseen by various agencies, saying it is "fatally flawed." He noted that he had proposed a similar department, himself, in his reorganization plan, but that his proposal tried to reduce the size of government, not inflate it. That plan, which didn't pass Senate muster, also called for putting all government housing operations under one umbrella.
The Senate can override any of the governor's vetoes with 10 votes.
The Source will have a full account of the governor's actions on the bills later in the day.

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Sept. 18, 2002 – Airlines using V.I. airports can heave a sigh of relief — although it may be a short one. The Port Authority board voted Wednesday to defer increasing landing and passenger fees, temporarily.
The 35 percent increase in fees was to commence Oct. 1, the start of VIPA's fiscal year. The board voted to hold off the increase at least until its October meeting. Members asked VIPA staff to present further information about alternative financing possibilities to make up a projected $5.3 million deficit in the Port Authority's aviation division in FY 2003.
When Gordon Finch, VIPA executive director, met with airline officials on Tuesday, he explained VIPA's position in increasing the fees. The airlines weren't buying what Finch had to say. (See "Raise fees and lose flights, airlines tell VIPA".)
The board spent Wednesday morning exploring other means by which VIPA could make up the deficit, in light of warnings the airlines sounded on Tuesday about cutting back service to the territory. American Airlines said it would eliminate St. Croix mainland service "within 60 days" of a fee increase. And American Eagle said it would cut its flights and staffs by half.
Finch presented a petition he said he had received on Wednesday morning from Julia Carter, general manager of American Eagle on St. Croix. He said it contained 600 signatures of St. Croix residents asking VIPA not to raise the fees.
Speaking on Wednesday afternoon, Carter said the petition was a "community effort." She said workers at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport started just last weekend to gather the signatures, which she said total 800 now. "We just went into the neighborhoods and got people to sign," she said. She stressed she was speaking as "an individual," and not in her position with American Eagle. "It's a community effort," she said again.
Finch and Bob Arthur, director of Landrum & Brown, the Port Authority's bond rate consultants, both expressed concerns about VIPA's standing in the bond market, should its aviation division show a deficit. Finch said a deficit would definitely hurt VIPA when it goes to the bond market for financing for its proposed Crown Bay project.
Asked by board members how VIPA's budget could be further cut, Finch said the only way would be to cut personnel. Actually, VIPA has had to hire more staff to comply with new airport security measures.
Finch later said forestalling capital projects could be a possibility, although one he didn't appear to endorse. "We could do that to shore up the aviation division for FY 2003, but it would be a one-time fix," he said. And the same deficit might have to be faced next year.
Arthur said although the territory's air traffic is down only 9.2 percent for FY 2002, as compared with the national average of 14 percent, that still represents a drop of 76,936 passengers, which equals $1.5 million in revenue "we didn't receive."
In advising the board of its options, Arthur laid out a different scenario than he had presented on Tuesday. Based on the airlines' warnings of fewer flights, "the equation has changed," he said.
So, he said, the board should consider that if it institutes the fee hikes, the move may result in fewer flights, passengers and revenue for the authority, "less money for all."
Board member and Attorney General Iver Stridiron, who earlier was voted board vice chair, questioned Arthur about VIPA's arrangement with the signatory airlines. "If VIPA in unable to meet its debt, won't the signatories have to pay?" he asked.
Arthur said, "Then we both lose; there is no easy answer."
The signatory airlines signed an agreement with VIPA in 1989 to back up the Port Authority, should it suffer losses, so as to ensure that the V.I. airports will be able to repay a $35 million bond debt. Arthur had said on Tuesday that VIPA is $13 million in default on that debt and stands to lose its ability to issue bonds unless it raises the airport fees.
Stridiron seconded a motion by Leslie Milliner to defer the fee decision for further study but amended it to specify that the study be done by VIPA staff and presented at the October board meeting with recommendations on how the fees could be reduced.
Finch reminded the board that delaying the fee increases would throw VIPA's FY 2003 budget "out of whack."
Although Stridiron voted to defer action on the increases, he expressed several concerns. He said he was "troubled" by certain behavior of the airlines in the territory, adding, "I wish I could say that I thought the airlines shared the pain of the V.I."
At a time when the territory needs visitors, he pointed out, the airlines "decide to eliminate the senior citizen program." He had mentioned that on Tuesday to the airline representatives, who declined to comment.
Stridiron also said he is tired of publicity about St. Croix, which is thought of as the territory's "Achilles heel." The airlines "have us over a barrel with threats to pull out, and St. Croix always gets it in the neck," he said.
He suggested that the airlines instead be true partners and try customer stimulus programs for the territory. "They've lowered fares all over the states, but not here," he said. The distance from New York to California is vastly greater than to the territory, he said, but it costs more to fly from New York to St. Thomas than to California. "We should insist that they work with us and become true partners and share our work and our pain," he said.
Board members Kent E. Bernier, Leslie A. Milliner, Robert O 'Connor Jr., Dean Plaskett, Pamela Richards, board chair, and Stridiron attended the meeting. Wayne Callwood was absent.

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