Aug. 23, 2002 – With gambling addiction an increasingly visible problem since the Divi Carina Bay Casino opened its doors in March 2000, the V.I. Alliance for Responsible Gaming wants to help.
However, Casino Control Commission Director Shawna K. Richards said the Finance Department hasn't released a penny of the more than $3 million deposited by Divi Carina Bay in the Casino Revenue Fund so the Alliance can set up a treatment program.
The V.I. Casino and Resort Control Act of 1995 mandates that 1 percent of the casino fund go to gambling and addiction programs and 1 percent to The Village–Virgin Islands Partners in Recovery, for preventing and treating gambling addictions.
While the law doesn't state who gets the first 1 percent, the Alliance for Responsible Gaming is an appropriate organization to set up such a program, said Richards. The alliance is made up of representatives from the casino, lottery and horse-racing industries, gaming regulators and mental health professionals.
"Although providing gambling education and treatment programs is not a mandated responsibility of the Casino Control Commission, we have taken a very aggressive role in spearheading the efforts of the Alliance because we believe it is our responsibility to the Virgin Islands community," Lloyd McAlpin, Casino Control commissioner, said in a news release.
Richards said the Alliance would like to provide training for people who deal with gambling addictions and set up a 24-hour hot line for people who need help. She did not know how much money would be needed for these programs.
McAlpin said access to those funds would allow the newly formed Gamblers Anonymous and The Village to help people who need it.
Despite the provision in the Casino and Resort Control Act of 1995 that it get 1 percent of the Casino Revenue Fund, The Village also has not received any money, director Chainie Lang said.
"People will seek help if they know help is there, but we cannot do it without dollars" Lang said.
Both she and Richards are quick to point out that gambling addictions existed across the territory before the arrival of the Divi, mentioning horse-racing, dog fights and cockfights as examples.
One member of Gamblers Anonymous who spoke on condition of anonymity said that across the United States, about 3 percent of the population are thought to be compulsive gamblers. Gamblers Anonymous started about six weeks ago, according to this source, who said attendance was low, in part because word isn't out about the group.
"Compulsive gambling is a new subject. There hasn't been any type of awareness program," the person said.
A money management program that starts with children and high school students could help prevent people from becoming compulsive gamblers, said the source. Instead, they would learn to budget a set amount for entertainment, including gambling, and stop when they spent it.
Gamblers Anonymous follows a 12-step assisted self-help program similar to Alcoholics Anonymous. The source said the group did not need funding.
In fact the GA Web site states "Every Gamblers Anonymous Group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions." Twelve-step groups traditionally support themselves by accepting small donations, usually about $1, at meetings.
The organization meets at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays at Speak the Word Ministries in Peter's Rest, St. Croix.
Finance Commissioner Bernice Turnbull did not return a phone call requesting comment about the money earmarked for treatment.
Lang said people who want information about Gamblers Anonymous can call the Village at 719-9800 or write to Gamblers Anonymous in care of The Village at Box 5105, Sunny Isle, St. Croix, 00823.
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AIRPORT SCREENER TESTING CONTINUES
Aug. 23, 2002 – Testing for federal Transportation Security Administration screener jobs began Wednesday on St. Croix, said Delegate to Congress Donna Christensen in a news release.
The tests are being given at the Buccaneer Hotel and will continue until the TSA has filled the jobs at Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas and Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix.
Testing began about three weeks ago at the Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort and Spa on St. Thomas. "We need a lot of people for St. Thomas and St. Croix," a tester said.
For persons who are interested but haven't yet applied for one of 140 baggage and passenger screeners in St. Croix and 130 jobs in St. Thomas, it's not too late. Go online at www.tsa.dot.gov or call 888-328-6172 to apply. Online, under menu choice at left for "Employment Opportunities," choose "Security Screener Opportunities."
TSA officials first announced the 270 hiring figure in July. (See Feds: V.I. Airport Screeners to Increase Six-fold)
Those who make it through the application process receive notification to call 877-631-5627 or 888-328-6172, or to go online to www.monster.com to register for the test.
"Within a week, they'll get a call back," said one tester at the Buccaneer.
They will be given an appointment at 7 a.m., 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. When they show up at the Buccaneer or the Wyndham, they will be directed to the testing location. Their name must be on the list in order for the guard at the gate to let them in.
The federal screener jobs pay $23,600 to $35,400 depending on experience. Additionally, workers get what the federal government calls locality pay and federal government benefits (health insurance, life insurance, retirement, paid vacation, and sick leave).
Screeners now employed at the airports are being encouraged to apply for these jobs. Anyone with relevant experience, which could include military experience, would be a suitable candidate as well.
Cyril E. King Airport currently has 31 screeners and three supervisors. Henry E. Rohlsen Airport has 14 screeners and three supervisors. All work for Worldwide Flight Services Inc., which holds contracts with the airlines for the service.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens, speak English, hold a high school or general equivalency diploma, pass hearing and visual tests, and able to lift suitcases.
The jobs are supposed to start by Nov. 19, the deadline handed down by President George W. Bush when he signed into law the Aviation and Transportation Security Act on Nov. 19, 2001. It shifts responsibility for airport screening from private companies to the federal government.
The agency is currently recruiting people for these full- and part-time positions at 429 airports across the country. As of Aug. 20, said the TSA Website, "TSA has hired over 16,500 screeners, more than half of the 30,000 [passenger screeners] needed by the November deadline."
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 tests are being given at the Buccaneer Hotel and will continue until the TSA has filled the jobs at Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas and Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix.
Testing began about three weeks ago at the Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort and Spa on St. Thomas. "We need a lot of people for St. Thomas and St. Croix," a tester said.
For persons who are interested but haven't yet applied for one of 140 baggage and passenger screeners in St. Croix and 130 jobs in St. Thomas, it's not too late. Go online at www.tsa.dot.gov or call 888-328-6172 to apply. Online, under menu choice at left for "Employment Opportunities," choose "Security Screener Opportunities."
TSA officials first announced the 270 hiring figure in July. (See Feds: V.I. Airport Screeners to Increase Six-fold)
Those who make it through the application process receive notification to call 877-631-5627 or 888-328-6172, or to go online to www.monster.com to register for the test.
"Within a week, they'll get a call back," said one tester at the Buccaneer.
They will be given an appointment at 7 a.m., 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. When they show up at the Buccaneer or the Wyndham, they will be directed to the testing location. Their name must be on the list in order for the guard at the gate to let them in.
The federal screener jobs pay $23,600 to $35,400 depending on experience. Additionally, workers get what the federal government calls locality pay and federal government benefits (health insurance, life insurance, retirement, paid vacation, and sick leave).
Screeners now employed at the airports are being encouraged to apply for these jobs. Anyone with relevant experience, which could include military experience, would be a suitable candidate as well.
Cyril E. King Airport currently has 31 screeners and three supervisors. Henry E. Rohlsen Airport has 14 screeners and three supervisors. All work for Worldwide Flight Services Inc., which holds contracts with the airlines for the service.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens, speak English, hold a high school or general equivalency diploma, pass hearing and visual tests, and able to lift suitcases.
The jobs are supposed to start by Nov. 19, the deadline handed down by President George W. Bush when he signed into law the Aviation and Transportation Security Act on Nov. 19, 2001. It shifts responsibility for airport screening from private companies to the federal government.
The agency is currently recruiting people for these full- and part-time positions at 429 airports across the country. As of Aug. 20, said the TSA Website, "TSA has hired over 16,500 screeners, more than half of the 30,000 [passenger screeners] needed by the November deadline."
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.
RULES PUTS OFF 2 BIG BUDGET BILLS UNTIL MONDAY
Aug. 23, 2002 – All but the biggest chunks of the government's Fiscal Year 2003 budget made their way through the Senate Rules Committee Thursday, despite the repeated efforts of one senator to bring proceedings to a halt.
Sen. Adelbert Bryan, who attended no Finance Committee budget hearings, made up for lost time Thursday, questioning the intent and financing of each bill, while opining far and wide on everything from Saddam Hussein and President Bush to Cruzan Rum sales at A.H. Riise.
The committee approved 23 of the 26 bills on the agenda, allowed one to die in committee, and postponed action until Monday on the executive branch budget and the voluminous Omnibus Appropriation Act of 2003. Also yet to be adopted is the Legislature's own FY 2003 budget, which originates in the Rules Committee.
Thursday's session was to have begun at 10 a.m. but was delayed for more than an hour awaiting the arrival of some St. Croix senators because their flight to St. Thomas was late. It was recessed shortly after it was convened, when Bryan demanded the post auditor's analysis of each bill on the agenda, so work didn't actually get under way until early afternoon.
After calling a half-hour recess around 6 p.m., the Rules chair, Sen. Carlton Dowe, announced the executive budget and Omnibus bills would be heard on Monday, which had been scheduled for a full Senate session for final review of all the budget bills. Dowe said the full session would be changed to Tuesday and Wednesday.
The executive branch budget, the Omnibus bill and the legislative budget were to have been heard last in the afternoon. The other bills, which had gone through extensive review in the Finance Committee and mark-up sessions, were approved with little discussion. The only dissenting votes came from Bryan, who either abstained or voted "no" on all but three of the measures.
The bills approved include fund transfers, supplemental department appropriations, $29 million for the University of the Virgin Islands, a $4.5 million for WTJX-TV/the V.I. Public Television System to comply with the federally mandated conversion from analog to digital transmission, and additional funding for the territory's three carnival events.
Bryan quizzed Post Auditor Terry Drake on each bill, asking questions Drake sometimes couldn't answer. Things came to a head when Bryan demanded to know the breakdown of appropriations from the Internal Revenue Matching Fund. The fund is supported by excise taxes from rum sales on the U.S. mainland, and therefore fluctuates. Bryan demanded to know the present amount in the fund, a figure Drake could not supply.
Hansen noted, and her other colleagues agreed, that it is impossible to know the precise amount of money in the fund at any given time. "It is a projection," she said. "If people drink more rum next year, then it's more; and if they don't, it's less." She added that Bryan was fully aware of how the fund operated.
As Bryan continued to badger Drake, Sen. Norma Pickard-Samuel also came to the post auditor's defense. "The impression is that we don't get information; that is not so," she said. "We do get information."
More sparks over Lieutenant Governor's Office
Another hot-button topic of the day was the budget for the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, which Hansen and Lt. Gov. Gerard Luz James II spoke out on in back-to-back press conferences last week. The Finance Committee cut James's budget by about $1.4 million from the increase the governor had proposed after James refused to appear before the committee himself, instead on two occasions sending his chief of staff. Hansen refused to hear testimony from the aide, so the budget never got an airing before the committee.
Bryan persisted in quizzing Drake about the $1.4 million cut. "These are people who deal with property taxes and insurance," Bryan said. "On the one hand, you are increasing salaries, and on the other hand, you are decreasing the salaries of others."
Drake's explanation of the committee's action was: "It was vacant positions that were cut from the lieutenant governor's office. There were no employees in the positions at the time."
Bryan disagreed, insisting that James's office had been shorted 25 positions. He said he would later offer an amendment on the office budget. "They don't have new employees to assess properties like Hovensa," Bryan said.
Hansen said, "If these positions were so important, why weren't they listed in the classified category? They're political positions." She added of James, "He should have come before the committee." She also pointed out that, had Bryan attended the budget hearings, he would have had all the information he needed.
Pickard-Samuel, a Finance Committee member, sided with Hansen, making it clear the committee had not reduced James's staff. "I don't want anyone in this community to think we cut anyone's salary," she said. James has said he was in the process of interviewing candidates for the positions and that he terminated the process because of the budget cut.
No support for privatization of clinics
A bill transferring the East End Family Health Center on St. Thomas to the St. Thomas East End Medical Center Corp. and the Frederiksted Health Center/Ingeborg Nesbitt Clinic to Frederiksted Health Care Inc. was not approved. It died in committee for lack of a second after Sen. Donald "Ducks" Cole moved its adoption.
From the start, Hansen had opposed the transfer of the facilities from government status to not-for-profit operations, which Government House has cited as an example of its move toward privitization of certain government services. Administration officials had said the clinics at not-for-profits would be eligible for federal grant funding they could not receive as government entities.
At the last Finance Committee meeting, it was approved despite her protests on a 3-1 vote, with one abstention. Sens. Douglas E. Canton Jr., Cole and Dowe voted "yes," with Hansen voting "no" and Sen. Norman Jn Baptist abstaining. On Thursday, Cole found himself standing alone.
At the Finance hearing, Hansen had called the proposal, submitted by the governor, "very ridiculous." She compared it to giving the territory's hospitals semi-autonomy, which she said has been the downfall of Juan F. Luis Hospital on St. Croix by creating jurisdictional problems within the facility. On Thursday, Hansen asked Dowe if the bill could be moved again in the Rules Committee. Dowe replied, "Yes, but not today." Hansen retorted, "I'll move it again. I'll move it to kill it."
As Bryan continued to try to hold the meeting hostage with his verbal attacks on Drake and his relentless questioning of issues already resolved in earlier meetings, Dowe criticized his colleague's tactics. "Every member of this body had the opportunity to attend budget hearings," Dowe said. "Today is not the time" to be raising questions already addressed, he said.
All of the budget bills were reported out to the full Senate on a "close rule," which means they cannot be amended on the floor — and effectively prevents any non-majority member from acting on them. The Rules Committee comprises all majority members.
Budget bills approved
The committee approved:
No. 24-0265 – to appropriate money to the Property and Procurement Department for operating expenses from Business and Commercial Properties Revolving Fund.
No. 24-0266 – to appropriate money to the University of the Virgin Islands for salaries and expenses, and for other purposes.
No. 24-0267 – to appropriate money to the Finance and Labor Departments for operating expenses from the Government Insurance Fund.
No. 24-0268 – to appropriate a lump sum from the Health Revolving Fund.
No. 24-0269 – to app ropriate a lump sum from the Indirect Cost Fund for salaries, operating expenses and other purposes of the Office of Management and Budget, Division of Personnel, Property and Procurement Department and Finance Department.
No. 24-0270 – to appropriate a lump sum from the Insurance Guaranty Fund to the General Fund.
No. 24-0271 – to appropriate funds from the Interest Revenue Fund.
No. 24-0272 – to appropriate funds from the Internal Revenue Matching Fund.
No. 24-0273 – to appropriate funds from the Caribbean Basin Initiative Fund.
No. 24-0274 – to appropriate funds from the Transportation Revolving Fund for salaries, fringe benefits, supplies and other services and charges for the Property and Procurement Department.
No. 24-0275 – to appropriate funds for Public Works Department operating expenses from the Sewage System Fund.
No. 24-0276 – to appropriate $10 million from the Transportation Trust Fund to the General Fund.
No. 24-0277 – to appropriate funds to the Public Services Commission for operating expenses.
No. 24-0278 – to appropriate funds for Public Works Department operating expenses from the St. John Capital Improvement Fund.
No. 24-0279 – to appropriate $4.5 million from the General Fund to WTJX/Public Television System.
No. 24-0280 – to appropriate funds from the Tourism Advertising Revolving Fund to the Housing Parks and Recreation Department.
No. 24-0281 – to provide for operating expenses of the Public Employees Relations Board and the Labor Management Committee.
No. 24-0286 – to authorize the Office of Management and Budget director to allocate funds from the Miscellaneous Section of the 2003 Fiscal Year Budget to cover salary increases to each department and agency of the executive branch. *
No. 24-0287 – to amend the V.I. Code to permit the Property and Procurement commissioner to set fees for use of the government printing office.
No. 24-0288 – to appropriate funds to the Taxicab Commission for operating expenses.
No. 24-0289 – to appropriate funds from the Anti-Litter and Beautification Fund to the Public Works Department, and for other purposes.
No. 24-0290 – to appropriate funds for Territorial Court and Judicial Council salaries and expenses, and for other purposes. *
No. 24-0291 – to appropriate funds for Territorial Public Defender's Office operating expenses. *
* These three bills were approved unanimously. On all of the others, Bryan cast the lone "no" vote or abstained.
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Sen. Adelbert Bryan, who attended no Finance Committee budget hearings, made up for lost time Thursday, questioning the intent and financing of each bill, while opining far and wide on everything from Saddam Hussein and President Bush to Cruzan Rum sales at A.H. Riise.
The committee approved 23 of the 26 bills on the agenda, allowed one to die in committee, and postponed action until Monday on the executive branch budget and the voluminous Omnibus Appropriation Act of 2003. Also yet to be adopted is the Legislature's own FY 2003 budget, which originates in the Rules Committee.
Thursday's session was to have begun at 10 a.m. but was delayed for more than an hour awaiting the arrival of some St. Croix senators because their flight to St. Thomas was late. It was recessed shortly after it was convened, when Bryan demanded the post auditor's analysis of each bill on the agenda, so work didn't actually get under way until early afternoon.
After calling a half-hour recess around 6 p.m., the Rules chair, Sen. Carlton Dowe, announced the executive budget and Omnibus bills would be heard on Monday, which had been scheduled for a full Senate session for final review of all the budget bills. Dowe said the full session would be changed to Tuesday and Wednesday.
The executive branch budget, the Omnibus bill and the legislative budget were to have been heard last in the afternoon. The other bills, which had gone through extensive review in the Finance Committee and mark-up sessions, were approved with little discussion. The only dissenting votes came from Bryan, who either abstained or voted "no" on all but three of the measures.
The bills approved include fund transfers, supplemental department appropriations, $29 million for the University of the Virgin Islands, a $4.5 million for WTJX-TV/the V.I. Public Television System to comply with the federally mandated conversion from analog to digital transmission, and additional funding for the territory's three carnival events.
Bryan quizzed Post Auditor Terry Drake on each bill, asking questions Drake sometimes couldn't answer. Things came to a head when Bryan demanded to know the breakdown of appropriations from the Internal Revenue Matching Fund. The fund is supported by excise taxes from rum sales on the U.S. mainland, and therefore fluctuates. Bryan demanded to know the present amount in the fund, a figure Drake could not supply.
Hansen noted, and her other colleagues agreed, that it is impossible to know the precise amount of money in the fund at any given time. "It is a projection," she said. "If people drink more rum next year, then it's more; and if they don't, it's less." She added that Bryan was fully aware of how the fund operated.
As Bryan continued to badger Drake, Sen. Norma Pickard-Samuel also came to the post auditor's defense. "The impression is that we don't get information; that is not so," she said. "We do get information."
More sparks over Lieutenant Governor's Office
Another hot-button topic of the day was the budget for the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, which Hansen and Lt. Gov. Gerard Luz James II spoke out on in back-to-back press conferences last week. The Finance Committee cut James's budget by about $1.4 million from the increase the governor had proposed after James refused to appear before the committee himself, instead on two occasions sending his chief of staff. Hansen refused to hear testimony from the aide, so the budget never got an airing before the committee.
Bryan persisted in quizzing Drake about the $1.4 million cut. "These are people who deal with property taxes and insurance," Bryan said. "On the one hand, you are increasing salaries, and on the other hand, you are decreasing the salaries of others."
Drake's explanation of the committee's action was: "It was vacant positions that were cut from the lieutenant governor's office. There were no employees in the positions at the time."
Bryan disagreed, insisting that James's office had been shorted 25 positions. He said he would later offer an amendment on the office budget. "They don't have new employees to assess properties like Hovensa," Bryan said.
Hansen said, "If these positions were so important, why weren't they listed in the classified category? They're political positions." She added of James, "He should have come before the committee." She also pointed out that, had Bryan attended the budget hearings, he would have had all the information he needed.
Pickard-Samuel, a Finance Committee member, sided with Hansen, making it clear the committee had not reduced James's staff. "I don't want anyone in this community to think we cut anyone's salary," she said. James has said he was in the process of interviewing candidates for the positions and that he terminated the process because of the budget cut.
No support for privatization of clinics
A bill transferring the East End Family Health Center on St. Thomas to the St. Thomas East End Medical Center Corp. and the Frederiksted Health Center/Ingeborg Nesbitt Clinic to Frederiksted Health Care Inc. was not approved. It died in committee for lack of a second after Sen. Donald "Ducks" Cole moved its adoption.
From the start, Hansen had opposed the transfer of the facilities from government status to not-for-profit operations, which Government House has cited as an example of its move toward privitization of certain government services. Administration officials had said the clinics at not-for-profits would be eligible for federal grant funding they could not receive as government entities.
At the last Finance Committee meeting, it was approved despite her protests on a 3-1 vote, with one abstention. Sens. Douglas E. Canton Jr., Cole and Dowe voted "yes," with Hansen voting "no" and Sen. Norman Jn Baptist abstaining. On Thursday, Cole found himself standing alone.
At the Finance hearing, Hansen had called the proposal, submitted by the governor, "very ridiculous." She compared it to giving the territory's hospitals semi-autonomy, which she said has been the downfall of Juan F. Luis Hospital on St. Croix by creating jurisdictional problems within the facility. On Thursday, Hansen asked Dowe if the bill could be moved again in the Rules Committee. Dowe replied, "Yes, but not today." Hansen retorted, "I'll move it again. I'll move it to kill it."
As Bryan continued to try to hold the meeting hostage with his verbal attacks on Drake and his relentless questioning of issues already resolved in earlier meetings, Dowe criticized his colleague's tactics. "Every member of this body had the opportunity to attend budget hearings," Dowe said. "Today is not the time" to be raising questions already addressed, he said.
All of the budget bills were reported out to the full Senate on a "close rule," which means they cannot be amended on the floor — and effectively prevents any non-majority member from acting on them. The Rules Committee comprises all majority members.
Budget bills approved
The committee approved:
No. 24-0265 – to appropriate money to the Property and Procurement Department for operating expenses from Business and Commercial Properties Revolving Fund.
No. 24-0266 – to appropriate money to the University of the Virgin Islands for salaries and expenses, and for other purposes.
No. 24-0267 – to appropriate money to the Finance and Labor Departments for operating expenses from the Government Insurance Fund.
No. 24-0268 – to appropriate a lump sum from the Health Revolving Fund.
No. 24-0269 – to app ropriate a lump sum from the Indirect Cost Fund for salaries, operating expenses and other purposes of the Office of Management and Budget, Division of Personnel, Property and Procurement Department and Finance Department.
No. 24-0270 – to appropriate a lump sum from the Insurance Guaranty Fund to the General Fund.
No. 24-0271 – to appropriate funds from the Interest Revenue Fund.
No. 24-0272 – to appropriate funds from the Internal Revenue Matching Fund.
No. 24-0273 – to appropriate funds from the Caribbean Basin Initiative Fund.
No. 24-0274 – to appropriate funds from the Transportation Revolving Fund for salaries, fringe benefits, supplies and other services and charges for the Property and Procurement Department.
No. 24-0275 – to appropriate funds for Public Works Department operating expenses from the Sewage System Fund.
No. 24-0276 – to appropriate $10 million from the Transportation Trust Fund to the General Fund.
No. 24-0277 – to appropriate funds to the Public Services Commission for operating expenses.
No. 24-0278 – to appropriate funds for Public Works Department operating expenses from the St. John Capital Improvement Fund.
No. 24-0279 – to appropriate $4.5 million from the General Fund to WTJX/Public Television System.
No. 24-0280 – to appropriate funds from the Tourism Advertising Revolving Fund to the Housing Parks and Recreation Department.
No. 24-0281 – to provide for operating expenses of the Public Employees Relations Board and the Labor Management Committee.
No. 24-0286 – to authorize the Office of Management and Budget director to allocate funds from the Miscellaneous Section of the 2003 Fiscal Year Budget to cover salary increases to each department and agency of the executive branch. *
No. 24-0287 – to amend the V.I. Code to permit the Property and Procurement commissioner to set fees for use of the government printing office.
No. 24-0288 – to appropriate funds to the Taxicab Commission for operating expenses.
No. 24-0289 – to appropriate funds from the Anti-Litter and Beautification Fund to the Public Works Department, and for other purposes.
No. 24-0290 – to appropriate funds for Territorial Court and Judicial Council salaries and expenses, and for other purposes. *
No. 24-0291 – to appropriate funds for Territorial Public Defender's Office operating expenses. *
* These three bills were approved unanimously. On all of the others, Bryan cast the lone "no" vote or abstained.
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STUDENTS ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT THEME
Aug. 24, 2002 – The deadline for submitting suggestions for the theme contest announced earlier this summer has been extended to Friday, Aug. 30, to boost student participation. the contest is open to public school students, grades 4 – 12. Submissions to the contest should be no longer than one line and capture the student's creative view of his/her overall educational experience. All entries should include the student's name, date of birth, address, contact number, grad school and principal's name.
Students are asked to drop off their entries at the Commissioner's Office at 2133 Hospital Street, Christiand or the Curriculum Center at Kingshill.
Entries may also be faxed to 773-4624, to the attention of Mr. Anthony Mills).
As an added incentive, the Department solicited prized from local businesses for the contest so that students will become as creative as possible and be rewarded for their efforts. The author of the theme selected will receive a grand prize worth $500 in school supplies, books and other merchandise.
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.
Students are asked to drop off their entries at the Commissioner's Office at 2133 Hospital Street, Christiand or the Curriculum Center at Kingshill.
Entries may also be faxed to 773-4624, to the attention of Mr. Anthony Mills).
As an added incentive, the Department solicited prized from local businesses for the contest so that students will become as creative as possible and be rewarded for their efforts. The author of the theme selected will receive a grand prize worth $500 in school supplies, books and other merchandise.
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.
INSURANCE EXAMINATION DATE SET
Aug. 24, 2002 – The Division of Banking and Insurance will be administering the Insurance examination on St. Croix at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 9, at the Division of Personnel, Estate Orange Grove, Christiansted.
The last date to register will be by 3 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 9.
The registration fee is $25.
For further information contact the Office of the Lieutenant Governor – Division of Banking and Insurance at 773-6459.
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The last date to register will be by 3 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 9.
The registration fee is $25.
For further information contact the Office of the Lieutenant Governor – Division of Banking and Insurance at 773-6459.
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ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS REPORTING SCHEDULE
Aug. 24, 2002 – Terrence T. Joseph, St. Croix Insular Superintendent of Schools, announed that all returning elementary school students should report to school on Tuesday, Aug. 27. Transfer and Kindergarten students should report at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 28, accompanied by parents or guardians. Classes will be held all day.
Terrence T. Joseph, St. Croix Insular Superintendent of Schools, announed that all returning elementary school students should report to school on Tuesday, Aug. 27. Transfer and Kindergarten students should report at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 28, accompanied by parents or guardians.
Terrence T. Joseph, St. Croix Insular Superintendent of Schools, announed that all returning elementary school students should report to school on Tuesday, Aug. 27. Transfer and Kindergarten students should report at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 28, accompanied by parents or guardians.
DAY ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAM UNDERWAY
Aug. 24, 2002 – Registration for classes for the Day Adult Education Program is currently underway. Individuals may register between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Day Adult Center on Commandant Gade Monday through Friday. Classes will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 3.
Programs offered through the Day Adult Education Center are aimed at preparing individuals with skills needed to prepare for today's job market. In addition, courses to prepare students to obstain a GED Diploma and classes in basic computer operations are of benefit.
Space is limited, so individuals are encouraged to register immediatley.
Additional information by be obtained by phone the Day Adult Eduaction Center at 774-6899.
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 v… click here.
Programs offered through the Day Adult Education Center are aimed at preparing individuals with skills needed to prepare for today's job market. In addition, courses to prepare students to obstain a GED Diploma and classes in basic computer operations are of benefit.
Space is limited, so individuals are encouraged to register immediatley.
Additional information by be obtained by phone the Day Adult Eduaction Center at 774-6899.
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STUDENTS – PARTICIPATE IN LUNCH PROGRAM
Aug. 24, s00s – The St. Thomas-St. John District Director of the School Lunch Program, Elva Richards-Huggins, announced that breakfast and lunch will be served to all public school students beginning the first day of school, Aug. 27.
Students are encouraged to participate in the programs as they provide nutritious and well-balanced meals. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and has been proven that eating in the morning stimulates the mind and prpared the body for growth and exercise.
Students are encouraged to participate in the programs as they provide nutritious and well-balanced meals. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and has been proven that eating in the morning stimulates the mind and prpared the body for growth and exercise.
DOBER ANNOUNCES 2002-2003 OPENING SCHEDULE
Aug. 24, 2002 – Elise Caiby Warner, principal of Leonard Dober Elementary School, announced the following schedule for Kindergarten students attending the new school year.
Aug. 27 – 8 a.m. students in grades one to six are to report.
Aug. 28 – 8 a.m. students whose last names begin with the letters A-L, for orientation and a full day of classes.
Aug. 29 – 8 a.m. students whose last names begin with the letters M-Z will meet for orientation and a full day of classes.
All students are to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. parents are reminded that immunization records are required to complete the registration.
Gym uniforms and workbooks will be available for purchase.
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 v… click here.
Aug. 27 – 8 a.m. students in grades one to six are to report.
Aug. 28 – 8 a.m. students whose last names begin with the letters A-L, for orientation and a full day of classes.
Aug. 29 – 8 a.m. students whose last names begin with the letters M-Z will meet for orientation and a full day of classes.
All students are to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. parents are reminded that immunization records are required to complete the registration.
Gym uniforms and workbooks will be available for purchase.
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 v… click here.
MARCELLI OPENING DATES FOR 2002-2003
Aug. 24, 2002 – Jeanne Richards, principal of Evelyn E. Marcelli Elementary School, has announced the beginning of classes for the 2002 -2003 school year.
Reporting dates for all Kindergarten students is as follows:
Aug. 28 – Last names beginning A-L.
Aug. 29 – Last names beginning with M-Z.
All Kindergarten students are to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Parents are reminded that Kindergarten students are to be prepared for a full day of classes following orientation.
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 v… click here.
Reporting dates for all Kindergarten students is as follows:
Aug. 28 – Last names beginning A-L.
Aug. 29 – Last names beginning with M-Z.
All Kindergarten students are to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Parents are reminded that Kindergarten students are to be prepared for a full day of classes following orientation.
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 v… click here.
