March 7, 2002 – What folks still refer to as "the ballroom" in the place they still call "The Grand Hotel" will be the scene Friday evening of something it hasn't seen for decades — dancing, to the sounds of a big band, live.
It's the "Big Band Jump," a fundraiser for the local USO, and it's taking place in The Art Gallery in the Grand Hotel, which is the full and formal name of Michael Paiewonsky's enterprise that occupies the old ballroom as well as ground-floor space in what today is known as Grand Galleria.
Planners say they're expecting a big turnout for the big band bash.
Frank Farmer is president of the local organization that provides hospitality for military personnel away from home and one of the volunteers putting the event together. Last year, he says, the USO had to hold an emergency fundraiser in order to keep its doors open, but proper planning and a heightened sense of patriotism are going to change all that.
USO members welcomed an invitation from Paiewonsky to utilize his erstwhile ballroom space for the dance and talked it up at Rotary meetings on St. Thomas. They collected donations of food and merchandise from shops and restaurants. Foster said they're hoping more than 500 people will attend. "We're counting on it being the only fundraiser for the entire year," he said.
For the $10 price of admission, partygoers get to enjoy music by the University of the Virgin Islands Jazz Ensemble, a complimentary drink, a spread of hors d'oeuvres and a chance at an assortment of door prizes. Organizers suggest it will be a wonderful way to wind down after working all week.
With U.S. service personnel now going to war, support for the USO has risen at a time when more military ships are expected to travel through the region. "For the enlisted personnel, the USO is a real necessity, partuclarly for these teen-agers who are new to the Navy," Jim Lovell, president of the Navy League, said. The Navy League provides similar hospitality services for commissioned officers when they arrive on shore leave.
In short, Lovell said, the USO gives the sailors somewhere to go instead of wandering the streets of Charlotte Amalie, getting bored after spending all their money. (Or, as he didn't say, occasionally getting themselves into trouble).
Farmer said he noticed a change in the usual visiting pattern shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy "was here in October, then they were deployed to New York," he said. "We were setting the building up and had just bought the sodas, and they just upped and took off."
These days, word of the comings and goings of U.S. warships is kept quiet. But Lovell said the deploying of America's ships abroad means foreign navies and coast guards are dropping in more often — and the doors of the USO are also opened for them.
The money raised by Friday's event will go toward the cost of operating the USO recreation center on the Charlotte Amalie waterfront east of the Holiday Inn Windward Passage Hotel. The center was badly damaged by Hurricane Marilyn in 1995 but has since been repaired with a new roof, ceiling fans and a small snack bar. There are sofas and a pool table inside, and pay phones outside near the open-air buffet, where sailors can pick up a chicken wing or two when their big ships are in port.
Farmer said if the fundraiser goes well and there's enough money's left after meeting the expenses of running the center, he would like to add a cybercafe. Today's men and women in uniform like to write home using e-mail, he notes, and to download the latest pictures of their kids.
MAN CHARGED WITH THREATENING CHILD WITNESS
March 7, 2002 – Police arrested a St. Joseph and Rosendahl man Wednesday and charged him with threatening to kill a child who was a witness in the November shooting death of Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School student Alphonso Blyden III and is expected to testify in court about what transpired.
Leroy Williams, 21, was charged Wednesday with retaliating or threatening a witness.
Territorial Court Judge Brenda Hollar found probably cause on Thursday to uphold the charge. Williams was expected to be released upon posting $50,000 bail.
Alphonso — who is identified in court records as "Alphonse" and as being 13, although reports at the time gave his name as Alphonso and his age as 12 — was killed last Nov. 3 at a home in St. Joseph and Rosendahl. Police have charged Williams' girlfriend, Karema Thompson, with involuntary manslaughter in the boy's death, saying she accidentally shot him in the home, where he had gone to visit a friend.
According to an affidavit signed by Police Det. Mario Stout, the minor witness, who has not been identified, was speaking on the telephone with Alphonso when Alphonso told the witness Thompson was playing with "a tool," Stout wrote. The witness then heard the sound of a gunshot and Thompson's voice calling the boy's name and pleading for him to "hold on."
Stout wrote that he later overheard Thompson telling the mother of the witness to tell her child not to tell police about what the child had heard over the telephone.
The detective's affidavit further states that the witness told detectives that on Feb. 27, Williams slowly drove a white Jeep past the witness's home in the Tutu Hi-Rise community. According to the child, Stout said, Williams gestured as if he were holding a gun, pointed at the witness and then made a motion as if he were firing the weapon.
Since then, Stout wrote, the witness has been afraid to stay home alone or to walk to the bus stop to go to school.
Leroy Williams, 21, was charged Wednesday with retaliating or threatening a witness.
Territorial Court Judge Brenda Hollar found probably cause on Thursday to uphold the charge. Williams was expected to be released upon posting $50,000 bail.
Alphonso — who is identified in court records as "Alphonse" and as being 13, although reports at the time gave his name as Alphonso and his age as 12 — was killed last Nov. 3 at a home in St. Joseph and Rosendahl. Police have charged Williams' girlfriend, Karema Thompson, with involuntary manslaughter in the boy's death, saying she accidentally shot him in the home, where he had gone to visit a friend.
According to an affidavit signed by Police Det. Mario Stout, the minor witness, who has not been identified, was speaking on the telephone with Alphonso when Alphonso told the witness Thompson was playing with "a tool," Stout wrote. The witness then heard the sound of a gunshot and Thompson's voice calling the boy's name and pleading for him to "hold on."
Stout wrote that he later overheard Thompson telling the mother of the witness to tell her child not to tell police about what the child had heard over the telephone.
The detective's affidavit further states that the witness told detectives that on Feb. 27, Williams slowly drove a white Jeep past the witness's home in the Tutu Hi-Rise community. According to the child, Stout said, Williams gestured as if he were holding a gun, pointed at the witness and then made a motion as if he were firing the weapon.
Since then, Stout wrote, the witness has been afraid to stay home alone or to walk to the bus stop to go to school.
MAN CHARGED WITH THREATENING CHILD WITNESS
March 7, 2002 — Police arrested a St. Joseph and Rosendal man Wednesday and charged him with threatening to kill a child witness who is expected to testify in connection with the shooting death in November of 13-year-old Alphonse Blyden III.
Leroy Williams, 21, was charged Wednesday with retaliating or threatening a witness. Territorial Court Judge Brenda Hollar on Thursday found probable cause to support the charge, and Williams was expected to be released upon the posting of $50,000 bail.
According to an affidavit signed by police Detective Mario Stout, Blyden was killed Nov. 3, 2001, at a home in St. Joseph and Rosendal.
Police have charged Williams' girlfriend, Karema Thompson, with involuntary manslaughter in the case, saying she accidentally shot Blyden.
The minor witness, who has not been identified, was speaking on the telephone with Blyden when Blyden told the witness that Thompson was playing with "a tool," Stout wrote. The witness then heard the sound of a gunshot and Thompson's voice calling the boy's name and pleading for him to "hold on."
Stout wrote that he later overheard Thompson telling the mother of the witness to tell the witness not to tell police what the witness heard.
The witness told detectives that on Feb. 27, Williams slowly drove a white Jeep past the home of the witness at Tutu Hi-Rise. Williams made a gesture as if he were holding a gun, pointed it at the witness and then made a motion as if the gun were discharging, Stout wrote.
Since then, the witness has said that he/she has been afraid to stay home alone or to walk to the bus stop to go to school, Stout wrote.
Leroy Williams, 21, was charged Wednesday with retaliating or threatening a witness. Territorial Court Judge Brenda Hollar on Thursday found probable cause to support the charge, and Williams was expected to be released upon the posting of $50,000 bail.
According to an affidavit signed by police Detective Mario Stout, Blyden was killed Nov. 3, 2001, at a home in St. Joseph and Rosendal.
Police have charged Williams' girlfriend, Karema Thompson, with involuntary manslaughter in the case, saying she accidentally shot Blyden.
The minor witness, who has not been identified, was speaking on the telephone with Blyden when Blyden told the witness that Thompson was playing with "a tool," Stout wrote. The witness then heard the sound of a gunshot and Thompson's voice calling the boy's name and pleading for him to "hold on."
Stout wrote that he later overheard Thompson telling the mother of the witness to tell the witness not to tell police what the witness heard.
The witness told detectives that on Feb. 27, Williams slowly drove a white Jeep past the home of the witness at Tutu Hi-Rise. Williams made a gesture as if he were holding a gun, pointed it at the witness and then made a motion as if the gun were discharging, Stout wrote.
Since then, the witness has said that he/she has been afraid to stay home alone or to walk to the bus stop to go to school, Stout wrote.
V.I. BEACON SCHOOLS OUTREACH GOES ONLINE
March 7, 2002 – The award-winning V.I. Beacon Schools afterschool program has just carved a new niche, this time in cyberspace — with the launch this week of its own Internet web site.
Valerie George, program executive director, is delighted with the new venture but is still watching over it with a mother's careful eye.
"It's been brewing for a long time," she said. "I go to conferences or meetings, and people always ask 'What's your web site?' Now I have something to tell them … Now we have something to show them so people can see what we're doing."
George has put so much effort and energy into developing and promoting the territory's Beacon schools program over the last five-plus years that it's hard to imaging anyone who lives here not knowing what it's all about.
The Beacon Schools concept was brought to light locally in 1996, when Sen. Lorraine Berry invited representatives of New York's highly successful Beacon Schools program to participate in that year's Youth Symposium. The afterschool tutoring concept was adopted by local education officials, and a plan was drafted to develop a not-for-profit V.I. Beacon Schools program in 1997.
Schools designated as "beacons" in a community keep their doors open after classes and into the evening, offering a variety of educational, recreational and life-enhancing programs for youngsters as well as adults. In the V.I. Beacons, teachers and facilitators are recruited from the schools and the community as "activity sponsors." The Beacon program provides administrative, monetary and in-kind support.
As executive director, George hasn't missed a beat since the program's inception, whether she is organizing the annual celebrity golf tournament fundraiser, attending a performance by the Addelita Cancryn Marching Iguanas band, or overseeing the day-to-day administration of the ambitious program from behind her desk.
"We started the web site in December," George said. Staff program monitor Luanne Melchior, who has only been on the job since last fall, designed the site. "She set it up, and I would add information or correct the stuff," George said. Former University of the Virgin Islands business professor Solomon Sentongo-Kabuka provided technical assistance, she noted. "He was a great help."
The web site "is not finished," she quickly added. "It's still — now what's the computer phrase? — Developing, yes, we're still developing it."
It will be an ongoing effort, with information updated each month, she said. "We are going to have links — we have some now — to partnering programs, and we will be adding more links to organizations that have impacted Beacon through funding, technical assistance or partnership, nationally or locally."
The handsome, easily navigable site is done in shades of blue and lavender. The home page has a banner running across the top urging people to register for the 6th annual 2002 Beacon Golf Tournament, Aug. 9-11. The site includes the history of the "Beacon experience," tells how to join, lists the grants funding its operations and provides current news.
To see it for yourself, just go to Beacon Schools V.I..
George said the program has recently set up an endowment fund, the Beacon Community Learning Center Fund, which is administered by the Community Foundation of the V.I. "That way, people can contribute to the program directly, as well as at the golf tournament," she said.
Setting up the endowment program took $10,000, she said, half of it funded by the Beacon program itself and half with a grant from the ICC Prosser Foundation.
"We have grown unbelievably," George said. In 1997, one Beacon school was established on St. Croix, one on St. Thomas and one on St. John, and in their first year they attracted about 700 participants. In 2000, St. Croix and St. Thomas each added a second school, and today some 4,000 to 5,000 people are involved.
In 2000, V.I. Beacon Schools received the prestigious Metropolitan Life Foundation
Outstanding After-school Partnership Award. The program came under consideration for the award because George saw some information about it and impulsively decided to apply. It was the first such application she ever submitted.
Valerie George, program executive director, is delighted with the new venture but is still watching over it with a mother's careful eye.
"It's been brewing for a long time," she said. "I go to conferences or meetings, and people always ask 'What's your web site?' Now I have something to tell them … Now we have something to show them so people can see what we're doing."
George has put so much effort and energy into developing and promoting the territory's Beacon schools program over the last five-plus years that it's hard to imaging anyone who lives here not knowing what it's all about.
The Beacon Schools concept was brought to light locally in 1996, when Sen. Lorraine Berry invited representatives of New York's highly successful Beacon Schools program to participate in that year's Youth Symposium. The afterschool tutoring concept was adopted by local education officials, and a plan was drafted to develop a not-for-profit V.I. Beacon Schools program in 1997.
Schools designated as "beacons" in a community keep their doors open after classes and into the evening, offering a variety of educational, recreational and life-enhancing programs for youngsters as well as adults. In the V.I. Beacons, teachers and facilitators are recruited from the schools and the community as "activity sponsors." The Beacon program provides administrative, monetary and in-kind support.
As executive director, George hasn't missed a beat since the program's inception, whether she is organizing the annual celebrity golf tournament fundraiser, attending a performance by the Addelita Cancryn Marching Iguanas band, or overseeing the day-to-day administration of the ambitious program from behind her desk.
"We started the web site in December," George said. Staff program monitor Luanne Melchior, who has only been on the job since last fall, designed the site. "She set it up, and I would add information or correct the stuff," George said. Former University of the Virgin Islands business professor Solomon Sentongo-Kabuka provided technical assistance, she noted. "He was a great help."
The web site "is not finished," she quickly added. "It's still — now what's the computer phrase? — Developing, yes, we're still developing it."
It will be an ongoing effort, with information updated each month, she said. "We are going to have links — we have some now — to partnering programs, and we will be adding more links to organizations that have impacted Beacon through funding, technical assistance or partnership, nationally or locally."
The handsome, easily navigable site is done in shades of blue and lavender. The home page has a banner running across the top urging people to register for the 6th annual 2002 Beacon Golf Tournament, Aug. 9-11. The site includes the history of the "Beacon experience," tells how to join, lists the grants funding its operations and provides current news.
To see it for yourself, just go to Beacon Schools V.I..
George said the program has recently set up an endowment fund, the Beacon Community Learning Center Fund, which is administered by the Community Foundation of the V.I. "That way, people can contribute to the program directly, as well as at the golf tournament," she said.
Setting up the endowment program took $10,000, she said, half of it funded by the Beacon program itself and half with a grant from the ICC Prosser Foundation.
"We have grown unbelievably," George said. In 1997, one Beacon school was established on St. Croix, one on St. Thomas and one on St. John, and in their first year they attracted about 700 participants. In 2000, St. Croix and St. Thomas each added a second school, and today some 4,000 to 5,000 people are involved.
In 2000, V.I. Beacon Schools received the prestigious Metropolitan Life Foundation
Outstanding After-school Partnership Award. The program came under consideration for the award because George saw some information about it and impulsively decided to apply. It was the first such application she ever submitted.
V.I. BEACON SCHOOLS OUTREACH GOES ONLINE
March 7, 2002 – The award-winning V.I. Beacon Schools afterschool program has just carved a new niche, this time in cyberspace — with the launch this week of its own Internet web site.
Valerie George, program executive director, is delighted with the new venture but is still watching over it with a mother's careful eye.
"It's been brewing for a long time," she said. "I go to conferences or meetings, and people always ask 'What's your web site?' Now I have something to tell them … Now we have something to show them so people can see what we're doing."
George has put so much effort and energy into developing and promoting the territory's Beacon schools program over the last five-plus years that it's hard to imaging anyone who lives here not knowing what it's all about.
The Beacon Schools concept was brought to light locally in 1996, when Sen. Lorraine Berry invited representatives of New York's highly successful Beacon Schools program to participate in that year's Youth Symposium. The afterschool tutoring concept was adopted by local education officials, and a plan was drafted to develop a not-for-profit V.I. Beacon Schools program in 1997.
Schools designated as "beacons" in a community keep their doors open after classes and into the evening, offering a variety of educational, recreational and life-enhancing programs for youngsters as well as adults. In the V.I. Beacons, teachers and facilitators are recruited from the schools and the community as "activity sponsors." The Beacon program provides administrative, monetary and in-kind support.
As executive director, George hasn't missed a beat since the program's inception, whether she is organizing the annual celebrity golf tournament fundraiser, attending a performance by the Addelita Cancryn Marching Iguanas band, or overseeing the day-to-day administration of the ambitious program from behind her desk.
"We started the web site in December," George said. Staff program monitor Luanne Melchior, who has only been on the job since last fall, designed the site. "She set it up, and I would add information or correct the stuff," George said. Former University of the Virgin Islands business professor Solomon Sentongo-Kabuka provided technical assistance, she noted. "He was a great help."
The web site "is not finished," she quickly added. "It's still — now what's the computer phrase? — Developing, yes, we're still developing it."
It will be an ongoing effort, with information updated each month, she said. "We are going to have links — we have some now — to partnering programs, and we will be adding more links to organizations that have impacted Beacon through funding, technical assistance or partnership, nationally or locally."
The handsome, easily navigable site is done in shades of blue and lavender. The home page has a banner running across the top urging people to register for the 6th annual 2002 Beacon Golf Tournament, Aug. 9-11. The site includes the history of the "Beacon experience," tells how to join, lists the grants funding its operations and provides current news.
To see it for yourself, just go to Beacon Schools V.I..
George said the program has recently set up an endowment fund, the Beacon Community Learning Center Fund, which is administered by the Community Foundation of the V.I. "That way, people can contribute to the program directly, as well as at the golf tournament," she said.
Setting up the endowment program took $10,000, she said, half of it funded by the Beacon program itself and half with a grant from the ICC Prosser Foundation.
"We have grown unbelievably," George said. In 1997, one Beacon school was established on St. Croix, one on St. Thomas and one on St. John, and in their first year they attracted about 700 participants. In 2000, St. Croix and St. Thomas each added a second school, and today some 4,000 to 5,000 people are involved.
In 2000, V.I. Beacon Schools received the prestigious Metropolitan Life Foundation
Outstanding After-school Partnership Award. The program came under consideration for the award because George saw some information about it and impulsively decided to apply. It was the first such application she ever submitted.
Valerie George, program executive director, is delighted with the new venture but is still watching over it with a mother's careful eye.
"It's been brewing for a long time," she said. "I go to conferences or meetings, and people always ask 'What's your web site?' Now I have something to tell them … Now we have something to show them so people can see what we're doing."
George has put so much effort and energy into developing and promoting the territory's Beacon schools program over the last five-plus years that it's hard to imaging anyone who lives here not knowing what it's all about.
The Beacon Schools concept was brought to light locally in 1996, when Sen. Lorraine Berry invited representatives of New York's highly successful Beacon Schools program to participate in that year's Youth Symposium. The afterschool tutoring concept was adopted by local education officials, and a plan was drafted to develop a not-for-profit V.I. Beacon Schools program in 1997.
Schools designated as "beacons" in a community keep their doors open after classes and into the evening, offering a variety of educational, recreational and life-enhancing programs for youngsters as well as adults. In the V.I. Beacons, teachers and facilitators are recruited from the schools and the community as "activity sponsors." The Beacon program provides administrative, monetary and in-kind support.
As executive director, George hasn't missed a beat since the program's inception, whether she is organizing the annual celebrity golf tournament fundraiser, attending a performance by the Addelita Cancryn Marching Iguanas band, or overseeing the day-to-day administration of the ambitious program from behind her desk.
"We started the web site in December," George said. Staff program monitor Luanne Melchior, who has only been on the job since last fall, designed the site. "She set it up, and I would add information or correct the stuff," George said. Former University of the Virgin Islands business professor Solomon Sentongo-Kabuka provided technical assistance, she noted. "He was a great help."
The web site "is not finished," she quickly added. "It's still — now what's the computer phrase? — Developing, yes, we're still developing it."
It will be an ongoing effort, with information updated each month, she said. "We are going to have links — we have some now — to partnering programs, and we will be adding more links to organizations that have impacted Beacon through funding, technical assistance or partnership, nationally or locally."
The handsome, easily navigable site is done in shades of blue and lavender. The home page has a banner running across the top urging people to register for the 6th annual 2002 Beacon Golf Tournament, Aug. 9-11. The site includes the history of the "Beacon experience," tells how to join, lists the grants funding its operations and provides current news.
To see it for yourself, just go to Beacon Schools V.I..
George said the program has recently set up an endowment fund, the Beacon Community Learning Center Fund, which is administered by the Community Foundation of the V.I. "That way, people can contribute to the program directly, as well as at the golf tournament," she said.
Setting up the endowment program took $10,000, she said, half of it funded by the Beacon program itself and half with a grant from the ICC Prosser Foundation.
"We have grown unbelievably," George said. In 1997, one Beacon school was established on St. Croix, one on St. Thomas and one on St. John, and in their first year they attracted about 700 participants. In 2000, St. Croix and St. Thomas each added a second school, and today some 4,000 to 5,000 people are involved.
In 2000, V.I. Beacon Schools received the prestigious Metropolitan Life Foundation
Outstanding After-school Partnership Award. The program came under consideration for the award because George saw some information about it and impulsively decided to apply. It was the first such application she ever submitted.
MANDATORY BUSINESS BENEFITS BILL SPARKS FLAK
March 7, 2002 – Sen. Celestino A. White's bill to require that all businesses receiving tax breaks from the Economic Development Commission or benefitting from the so-called "Bill 0411" provide employee retirement and leave benefit plans has generated a volatile reaction from the private sector and the administrative branch.
"Bill 0411," legislation enacted into law in the early 1980s, exempts tourist-oriented retail businesses from paying duty on the importation of "luxury" items such as jewelry, watches, cameras, electronics, china and crystal. Virtually every shop, large and small, in the territory's visitor-oriented shopping areas benefits from the measure.
White said in a release that he expects to bring the bill to the Senate floor on April 16 or 17 — the week preceding the finale of V.I. Carnival 2002.
In a WVWI Radio news interview, White said the law initially would apply only to new EDA beneficiaries. "It won't affect those businesses already receiving benefits," he said. "However, when those businesses apply for benefit extensions, it will apply."
Frank Fox, recently elected president of the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce, took a dim view of the measure. "I don't think we should further encumber the companies we are trying to attract to the territory," he said. "We are in competition with a lot of various jurisdictions, and if we make our requirements more onerous, we may not get the companies."
At the same time, Fox said, "These companies want to attract talent, and to do that they must have benefits. But I don't think they should be made mandatory."
Joe Aubain, St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce executive director, said the St. Thomas-St. John organization considers the bill to be anti-businesses.
Dean Plaskett, chair of the Economic Development Authority, which oversees the Economic Development Commission (formerly the Industrial Development Commission), said the bill would severely weaken the EDA's advantage in attracting new businesses to the territory.
At a Senate Economic Development, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Committee hearing on White's bill last October, he made the authority's stand clear. "It is the position of the EDA governing board that mandating an employee benefit package would not be in the best interest of the board," he said then.
In its dealings with "at least 25 companies since March 1, 2001," Plaskett said, the EDA board "made sure" the employees of every one were assured of some combination of benefits "to include health, dental, life, retirement, profit-sharing, training …"
Under questioning at the October hearing from Sen. Adelbert Bryan, the committee chair, Plaskett said a benefits package now is specified in a company's certificate of tax exemption. He said he could not vouch for what had transpired before his tenure.
Frank Schulterbrandt, EDA chief executive officer, said he agrees with Plaskett's views "because, in essence, when you look at most of the special conditions of the certificate, most of them require these benefits."
In his October testimony, Plaskett said: "In this competitive market, particularly dealing with other islands, states and countries, we're competing for the same companies. This measure would take the negotiating power away from the EDC with regards to the benefits and benefit packages that would be allowed for employees, or provided for employees."
Further, he said, the impact of White's bill would be to limit the types of benefits employees of beneficiary companies receive. Now, he said, the EDC can "negotiate profit-sharing or set IRA's [individual retirement accounts] instead of a pension," and these in some instances "are better instruments for the employees."
Plaskett asked that the proposed law exclude companies within the EDA's Small Business Program, "small local companies with typically fewer than 10 employees."
The bill states, in part, that businesses shall "establish and maintain an employee pension benefit plan as provided under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act … and an employee welfare benefits plan that includes medical insurance, vacation and sick leave in amounts that are determined by the EDA board and reported as required by the ERIS Act." The benefits plan must be "consistent with the federal law governing such private-sector employee retirement plans."
Plaskett said the language needed "further definition."
White said in his release last week that he has been "crafting the legislation for the past three and half years."
"After devoting some 10 to 30 years of service," he said, "many private-sector employees are treated to a watch, a bus ride around the island and free tennis lessons. My legislation will change that practice."
White said he anticipated flak from the private sector about the bill. "As private business employers have started lobbying to kill this important private sector legislation, I urge private-sector workers and their families to stand firmly in support," he said in the release.
The release stated that Senate President Almando "Rocky" Liburd had told White that the bill "is ready for consideration by the full legislative body."
"Bill 0411," legislation enacted into law in the early 1980s, exempts tourist-oriented retail businesses from paying duty on the importation of "luxury" items such as jewelry, watches, cameras, electronics, china and crystal. Virtually every shop, large and small, in the territory's visitor-oriented shopping areas benefits from the measure.
White said in a release that he expects to bring the bill to the Senate floor on April 16 or 17 — the week preceding the finale of V.I. Carnival 2002.
In a WVWI Radio news interview, White said the law initially would apply only to new EDA beneficiaries. "It won't affect those businesses already receiving benefits," he said. "However, when those businesses apply for benefit extensions, it will apply."
Frank Fox, recently elected president of the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce, took a dim view of the measure. "I don't think we should further encumber the companies we are trying to attract to the territory," he said. "We are in competition with a lot of various jurisdictions, and if we make our requirements more onerous, we may not get the companies."
At the same time, Fox said, "These companies want to attract talent, and to do that they must have benefits. But I don't think they should be made mandatory."
Joe Aubain, St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce executive director, said the St. Thomas-St. John organization considers the bill to be anti-businesses.
Dean Plaskett, chair of the Economic Development Authority, which oversees the Economic Development Commission (formerly the Industrial Development Commission), said the bill would severely weaken the EDA's advantage in attracting new businesses to the territory.
At a Senate Economic Development, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Committee hearing on White's bill last October, he made the authority's stand clear. "It is the position of the EDA governing board that mandating an employee benefit package would not be in the best interest of the board," he said then.
In its dealings with "at least 25 companies since March 1, 2001," Plaskett said, the EDA board "made sure" the employees of every one were assured of some combination of benefits "to include health, dental, life, retirement, profit-sharing, training …"
Under questioning at the October hearing from Sen. Adelbert Bryan, the committee chair, Plaskett said a benefits package now is specified in a company's certificate of tax exemption. He said he could not vouch for what had transpired before his tenure.
Frank Schulterbrandt, EDA chief executive officer, said he agrees with Plaskett's views "because, in essence, when you look at most of the special conditions of the certificate, most of them require these benefits."
In his October testimony, Plaskett said: "In this competitive market, particularly dealing with other islands, states and countries, we're competing for the same companies. This measure would take the negotiating power away from the EDC with regards to the benefits and benefit packages that would be allowed for employees, or provided for employees."
Further, he said, the impact of White's bill would be to limit the types of benefits employees of beneficiary companies receive. Now, he said, the EDC can "negotiate profit-sharing or set IRA's [individual retirement accounts] instead of a pension," and these in some instances "are better instruments for the employees."
Plaskett asked that the proposed law exclude companies within the EDA's Small Business Program, "small local companies with typically fewer than 10 employees."
The bill states, in part, that businesses shall "establish and maintain an employee pension benefit plan as provided under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act … and an employee welfare benefits plan that includes medical insurance, vacation and sick leave in amounts that are determined by the EDA board and reported as required by the ERIS Act." The benefits plan must be "consistent with the federal law governing such private-sector employee retirement plans."
Plaskett said the language needed "further definition."
White said in his release last week that he has been "crafting the legislation for the past three and half years."
"After devoting some 10 to 30 years of service," he said, "many private-sector employees are treated to a watch, a bus ride around the island and free tennis lessons. My legislation will change that practice."
White said he anticipated flak from the private sector about the bill. "As private business employers have started lobbying to kill this important private sector legislation, I urge private-sector workers and their families to stand firmly in support," he said in the release.
The release stated that Senate President Almando "Rocky" Liburd had told White that the bill "is ready for consideration by the full legislative body."
UVI BULLETIN BOARD
March 7, 2002 – The University of the Virgin Islands announces these upcoming events:
UVIsion Planning Anniversary Issue
The student newspaper UVIsion is soliciting written contributions for a 40th anniversary edition to be published March 31. Articles about milestones and accomplishments from all divisions, components and departments are sought. The deadline for submissions, which should be limited to two typewritten pages, is 5 p.m. March 20. Send submissions or questions and comments by e-mail to uvision@uvi.edu or call 693-1359.
Fish Fry Set Friday, March 8, at Sports and Fitness Center
The Community Engagement Committee will host a fish fry and johnnycake sale Friday, March 8, at 4:30 p.m. in the Sports and Fitness Center Parking Lot. The committee also expressed thanks to those who supported last week's fish fry.
Teaching Workshop Slated
UVI faculty registered for the Title II workshop on innovative teaching and technology are reminded that it will be held on Saturday, March 9, at the Wyndham Sugar Bay Hotel. A continental breakfast will be served starting at 8 a.m. and the workshop will conclude at 4:30 p.m.
Business Tax Preparation Seminar Set
UVI's Small Business Development Center, in collaboration with the V.I. Internal Revenue Bureau, will offer a free seminar on "Filing Your Business Taxes for 2001" March 7 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the center's training facility at Nisky Center. For details call 776-3206.
For more on the University of the Virgin Islands, visit the website at www.uvi.edu.
UVIsion Planning Anniversary Issue
The student newspaper UVIsion is soliciting written contributions for a 40th anniversary edition to be published March 31. Articles about milestones and accomplishments from all divisions, components and departments are sought. The deadline for submissions, which should be limited to two typewritten pages, is 5 p.m. March 20. Send submissions or questions and comments by e-mail to uvision@uvi.edu or call 693-1359.
Fish Fry Set Friday, March 8, at Sports and Fitness Center
The Community Engagement Committee will host a fish fry and johnnycake sale Friday, March 8, at 4:30 p.m. in the Sports and Fitness Center Parking Lot. The committee also expressed thanks to those who supported last week's fish fry.
Teaching Workshop Slated
UVI faculty registered for the Title II workshop on innovative teaching and technology are reminded that it will be held on Saturday, March 9, at the Wyndham Sugar Bay Hotel. A continental breakfast will be served starting at 8 a.m. and the workshop will conclude at 4:30 p.m.
Business Tax Preparation Seminar Set
UVI's Small Business Development Center, in collaboration with the V.I. Internal Revenue Bureau, will offer a free seminar on "Filing Your Business Taxes for 2001" March 7 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the center's training facility at Nisky Center. For details call 776-3206.
For more on the University of the Virgin Islands, visit the website at www.uvi.edu.
LAST DAY TO APPLY FOR UVI SUMMER FILM MAKING
March 7, 2002 – The Reichhold Center for the Arts will be the summer venue for 15 young people, at the 2nd annual Youth Movie Making Workshop.
Applications from young people ages 13 to 21 are due May 24 for the workshop to be held June 24 to August 9. Scholarships are available. For more information and applications, call 693-1550.
Applications from young people ages 13 to 21 are due May 24 for the workshop to be held June 24 to August 9. Scholarships are available. For more information and applications, call 693-1550.
REICHHOLD OFFERING SUMMER YOUTH FILMMAKING
March 7, 2002 – The Reichhold Center for the Arts will be the summer venue for 15 young people, at the 2nd annual Youth Movie Making Workshop.
"Last year the pupils learned about the brave new world of digital communications and developed skills that will service them for a lifetime," Reichhold director David Edgecombe said in a release. "It proved to be a wonderful experience and we expect the same will be true again this summer."
Applications from young people ages 13 to 21 are due May 24 for the workshop to be held June 24 to August 9. Scholarships are available. For more information and applications, call 693-1550.
Whether the interest is behind the scenes or out front, all aspects of filmmaking – except perhaps the art of accepting an Oscar or an Emmy – will be explored, as the group will put together a movie starting from just an idea. Everyone in the group will get to participate in every aspect, even if an individual's major contribution comes to be in one particular area.
The idea for a film will come from the group, as the first assignment.
Then comes script writing, scene and background choosing, choice of music perhaps, maybe some choreography, becoming or choosing and coaching actors or narrators, actual filming, technical aspects such as splicing and computer-enhancement, editing, editing, editing – and, finally, finding everyone's name in the credit lines of the finished product.
Last year's product, a 10-minute dramatic movie entitled "Faith", was telecast on WTJX-TV in August. Richard Sturdivant, a college communications major, wrote and directed the movie, which was shot and edited entirely by workshop participants.
"Last year the pupils learned about the brave new world of digital communications and developed skills that will service them for a lifetime," Reichhold director David Edgecombe said in a release. "It proved to be a wonderful experience and we expect the same will be true again this summer."
Applications from young people ages 13 to 21 are due May 24 for the workshop to be held June 24 to August 9. Scholarships are available. For more information and applications, call 693-1550.
Whether the interest is behind the scenes or out front, all aspects of filmmaking – except perhaps the art of accepting an Oscar or an Emmy – will be explored, as the group will put together a movie starting from just an idea. Everyone in the group will get to participate in every aspect, even if an individual's major contribution comes to be in one particular area.
The idea for a film will come from the group, as the first assignment.
Then comes script writing, scene and background choosing, choice of music perhaps, maybe some choreography, becoming or choosing and coaching actors or narrators, actual filming, technical aspects such as splicing and computer-enhancement, editing, editing, editing – and, finally, finding everyone's name in the credit lines of the finished product.
Last year's product, a 10-minute dramatic movie entitled "Faith", was telecast on WTJX-TV in August. Richard Sturdivant, a college communications major, wrote and directed the movie, which was shot and edited entirely by workshop participants.
REICHHOLD OFFERS SUMMER YOUTH FILMMAKING
March 7, 2002 – The Reichhold Center for the Arts will be the summer venue for 15 young people at the 2nd annual Youth Movie Making Workshop.
"Last year the pupils learned about the brave new world of digital communications and developed skills that will service them for a lifetime," Reichhold director David Edgecombe said in a release. "It proved to be a wonderful experience and we expect the same will be true again this summer."
Applications from young people ages 13 to 21 are due May 24 for the workshop to be held June 24 to August 9. Scholarships are available. For more information and applications, call 693-1550.
Whether the interest is behind the scenes or out front, all aspects of filmmaking – except perhaps the art of accepting an Oscar or an Emmy – will be explored, as the group will put together a movie starting from just an idea. Everyone in the group will get to participate in every aspect, even if an individual's major contribution comes to be in one particular area.
The idea for a film will come from the group, as the first assignment.
Then comes script writing, scene and background choosing, choice of music perhaps, maybe some choreography, becoming or choosing and coaching actors or narrators, actual filming, technical aspects such as splicing and computer-enhancement, editing, editing, editing – and, finally, finding everyone's name in the credit lines of the finished product.
Last year's product, a 10-minute dramatic movie entitled "Faith", was telecast on WTJX-TV in August. Richard Sturdivant, a college communications major, wrote and directed the movie, which was shot and edited entirely by workshop participants.
"Last year the pupils learned about the brave new world of digital communications and developed skills that will service them for a lifetime," Reichhold director David Edgecombe said in a release. "It proved to be a wonderful experience and we expect the same will be true again this summer."
Applications from young people ages 13 to 21 are due May 24 for the workshop to be held June 24 to August 9. Scholarships are available. For more information and applications, call 693-1550.
Whether the interest is behind the scenes or out front, all aspects of filmmaking – except perhaps the art of accepting an Oscar or an Emmy – will be explored, as the group will put together a movie starting from just an idea. Everyone in the group will get to participate in every aspect, even if an individual's major contribution comes to be in one particular area.
The idea for a film will come from the group, as the first assignment.
Then comes script writing, scene and background choosing, choice of music perhaps, maybe some choreography, becoming or choosing and coaching actors or narrators, actual filming, technical aspects such as splicing and computer-enhancement, editing, editing, editing – and, finally, finding everyone's name in the credit lines of the finished product.
Last year's product, a 10-minute dramatic movie entitled "Faith", was telecast on WTJX-TV in August. Richard Sturdivant, a college communications major, wrote and directed the movie, which was shot and edited entirely by workshop participants.
