Oct. 4, 2001 – "Zoolander" is not the next "Jurassic Park" sequel, although it's assuredly escapist fare. It's the tale of Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller), an appealing airhead of a blond male supermodel.
If you like Stiller, you will be in clover. He wrote, directed and produced the movie, in addition to casting himself in the title role. What more could you ask? Quite a bit, according to many in the corps of the nation's film reviewers who have pronounced the picture "stretched beyond wearability," among other things.
But all is not lost. Jon Voight is said to be a "crack up" as Zoolander's stern coal-miner father. And one charitable reviewer said the movie is not without "a few moments of genuinely inspired absurdity." Depending on the depth of the inspiration, and the quality of the popcorn, this alone could make it worth a couple of spare hours' time.
Now, the plot: The unwitting, or unwitted, Zoolander suddenly finds himself playing the dupe of an evil fashion cartel that brainwashed him into trying to kill the prime minister of Malaysia, thus ensuring continuance of the sweat shops and child labor so important to today's read-to-wear industry. How did a humble coal miner's son find himself in a pickle like this? Well, he is blond. But there's the rub, as well: How can poor Zoolander think fast enough to thwart the nasty cartel when he apparently has trouble thinking at any speed at all? The open-endedness of it all leaves something for most of us to relate to. And isn't that what one is supposed to do with movies?
"Zoolander" runs 1 hour and 45 minute and is rated PG-13 for sexual content and drug references. It's playing at Sunny Isles Theaters.
DINE ON REGULAR MENU FARE FOR A SPECIAL CAUSE
Oct. 6, 2001 – If you enjoy the companionship of animals and the comfort of good food, the Humane Society of St. Thomas is hosting a series of fund-raisers that may be hard to pass up.
On Tuesday night, if you dine at the East End Café in Red Hook, a portion of your bill will go directly into the society's coffers as part of the organization's new "Dine for a Good Cause — Help Support the Paws" program.
The first such dinner took place last month at Latitude 18, also in Red Hook. Society board member and program director Cara Hinton said it was a "great" start: "We had more than 30 people, wonderful food, and made about $160," she said.
The third outing will be in Frenchtown, on Nov. 5 at the Epernay Grill. On these designated evenings, "You can eat anything you want off the regular menu," Hinton said, "and just tell the restaurant that it's for the Humane Society."
Hinton is eager to enlist other restaurants in the program. She can be reached at 715-1442.
Meantime, the Humane Soceity has kicked off another fund-raising activity — selling poinsettias for the yearend holidays. The potted plants, available in red, white or a combination of colors, will be ready for delivery by the end of November. They're priced from $10 to $25. Orders may be placed by calling Hinton at the above number or by faxing requests to 715-1379.
The St. Thomas animal shelter, like its counterparts on St. Croix and St. John, has not received government funding in more than two years for public pickup and impounding services provided. The St. Thomas agency has been existing on a shoestring budget with donations, the help of community volunteers, and funds raised at its traditional Valentine Ball.
Supplemental Fiscal Year 2001 budget appropriations signed by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull in early August included $75,000 each for the St. Thomas and St. Croix agencies and $10,000 for the one on St. John. Hubert Brumant, manager of the St. Thomas shelter, said Friday that the funding is in "a little roundabout" now until the paperwork, which has to make the rounds of several departments, is completed.
On Tuesday night, if you dine at the East End Café in Red Hook, a portion of your bill will go directly into the society's coffers as part of the organization's new "Dine for a Good Cause — Help Support the Paws" program.
The first such dinner took place last month at Latitude 18, also in Red Hook. Society board member and program director Cara Hinton said it was a "great" start: "We had more than 30 people, wonderful food, and made about $160," she said.
The third outing will be in Frenchtown, on Nov. 5 at the Epernay Grill. On these designated evenings, "You can eat anything you want off the regular menu," Hinton said, "and just tell the restaurant that it's for the Humane Society."
Hinton is eager to enlist other restaurants in the program. She can be reached at 715-1442.
Meantime, the Humane Soceity has kicked off another fund-raising activity — selling poinsettias for the yearend holidays. The potted plants, available in red, white or a combination of colors, will be ready for delivery by the end of November. They're priced from $10 to $25. Orders may be placed by calling Hinton at the above number or by faxing requests to 715-1379.
The St. Thomas animal shelter, like its counterparts on St. Croix and St. John, has not received government funding in more than two years for public pickup and impounding services provided. The St. Thomas agency has been existing on a shoestring budget with donations, the help of community volunteers, and funds raised at its traditional Valentine Ball.
Supplemental Fiscal Year 2001 budget appropriations signed by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull in early August included $75,000 each for the St. Thomas and St. Croix agencies and $10,000 for the one on St. John. Hubert Brumant, manager of the St. Thomas shelter, said Friday that the funding is in "a little roundabout" now until the paperwork, which has to make the rounds of several departments, is completed.
12TH TROPICAL DEPRESSION HEADING FOR REGION
Oct. 6, 2001 – As Virgin Islands residents enjoyed a sunny Saturday, after a Friday filled with high winds and occasional heavy rain showers associated with Tropical Storm Iris, Tropical Depression 12 formed in the Atlantic Ocean.
At 11 a.m. Saturday, its location was 1,097 miles southeast of the Virgin Islands. It was centered at 11.2 degrees north latitude and 51.1 degrees west longitude. Sustained winds were clocked at 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. The system was moving west-northwest at 13 mph. The minimum pressure was 1008 millibars.
Forecaster Andy Roche at the National Weather Service in San Juan said Tropical Depression 12 is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Jerry within the next day or two. "It should be near our area on Tuesday," he said.
He said it was too soon to tell how close it would come. "We have to wait until it gets to the Lesser Antilles" to make a projection, he said.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Iris is nearly a hurricane as it heads for Jamaica and Cuba. Governments of both nations have posted hurricane warnings. The storm is expected to become a hurricane Saturday night or Sunday. As of 11 a.m. Saturday, Iris had sustained winds of 65 mph and was moving west-northwest at 16 mph. Its center was located at 16.7 degrees north latitude and 71.2 degrees west longitude.
In August, Colorado State professor William Gray predicted that 12 named storms would develop during the 2001 hurricane season. If Tropical Depression 12 becomes a tropical storm, it will be the 10th named storm.
Hurricane season runs until Nov. 30 so more tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes could still form.
At 11 a.m. Saturday, its location was 1,097 miles southeast of the Virgin Islands. It was centered at 11.2 degrees north latitude and 51.1 degrees west longitude. Sustained winds were clocked at 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. The system was moving west-northwest at 13 mph. The minimum pressure was 1008 millibars.
Forecaster Andy Roche at the National Weather Service in San Juan said Tropical Depression 12 is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Jerry within the next day or two. "It should be near our area on Tuesday," he said.
He said it was too soon to tell how close it would come. "We have to wait until it gets to the Lesser Antilles" to make a projection, he said.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Iris is nearly a hurricane as it heads for Jamaica and Cuba. Governments of both nations have posted hurricane warnings. The storm is expected to become a hurricane Saturday night or Sunday. As of 11 a.m. Saturday, Iris had sustained winds of 65 mph and was moving west-northwest at 16 mph. Its center was located at 16.7 degrees north latitude and 71.2 degrees west longitude.
In August, Colorado State professor William Gray predicted that 12 named storms would develop during the 2001 hurricane season. If Tropical Depression 12 becomes a tropical storm, it will be the 10th named storm.
Hurricane season runs until Nov. 30 so more tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes could still form.
TRAVEL TAX-CREDIT BILL 'INTENDED' TO INCLUDE V.I.
Oct. 5, 2001 – In an effort to shore up the nation's sinking tourism industry, a bill introduced in both houses of Congress Thursday would give Americans tax credits to vacation in any of the 50 states. By understanding among those who drafted the bill, Delegate Donna Christian Christensen said Friday, it would apply to the Virgin Islands, too.
The Travel America Now Act, which has bipartisan sponsorship, would give individuals a tax credit of up to $500 and couples a credit of up to $1,000 for any non-business travel taking them more than a hundred miles from home. It would be in effect from the time the measure becomes law until the end of 2001.
The credit would apply "for all travel expenses," including air, land and water transportation, hotels, meals, entertainment, tours, agency fees and even any applicable taxes.
"The travel and tourism industry's health closely connects to the state of the overall national economy," Sen. Jon Kyl (R., Arizona), the Senate sponsor, said. The aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks have devastated the industry "more than any other segment of the economy," he said, "and the situation will worsen until Americans resume travel."
On Friday, Matthew Latimer, a press aide to Kyl, told the Source that the bill would cover travel "only in the 50 U.S. states, not the territories."
But Christensen said that's not so.
She said she attended a Travel and Tourism Caucus meeting on Wednesday that was "a round-table meeting with representatives of the Travel Industry of America," a lobbying group that was pushing for tax-credit legislation as well as other proposals. "When they kept talking about 'the states,' I specifically asked them if this included the territories," she said. "I know that in many cases, if the language says 'the United States' or 'the 50 states,' usually the territories are included."
Christensen said she "barely got the question out when they said, 'Yes, we would never leave the territories out.' I left there feeling comfortable."
The Senate bill is co-sponsored by Sen. Zell Miller (D., Georgia). The identical House bill is sponsored by Rep. John B. Shadegg (R., Arizona) and co-sponsored by Reps. Neil Abercrombie (D., Hawaii) and Heather Wilson (R., New Mexico).
A Senate aide who was involved in the drafting of the bill and who asked not to be identified said restricting the bill's application to the 50 states was "a conscious decision in keeping with who we're trying to assist." But, this individual added, "The fact that it doesn't apply to the U.S. territories is one of these issues where, with the speed with which we were drafting it, we probably didn't hear from every single affected travel and tourism area."
On Friday, based on that information and the comment from Latimer, the Source published an earlier version of this story quoting the Capitol Hill sources as saying the territories were not included in the tax-credit legislation. Christensen said when she saw that story, she called her House colleague Abercrombie, who also represents a tourism-intensive island constituency.
"He had not been able to attend the TIA round table," she said, "but he assured me that the bill includes the territories. He actually put me on hold and checked with his legislative people, then came back and said the intention is that the territories are being included."
A call from her office to that of Shadegg brought a similar response — plus the information that "the issue also was raised in the Senate, and they were intending to address it, too," she said.
The bill would apply to travel aboard cruise ships leaving and returning to ports of "the 50 states," the Senate aide said. Most ships calling in the Virgin Islands depart from San Juan, P.R., or the east coast of Florida..
Whether and by whom the Virgin Islands is considered part of the United States became an issue in late August, when the nation's major airlines announced they were reducing the cap on travel agent commissions to $20 for domestic travel. The cap had been $50. For ticketing purposes, the airlines consider the Virgin Islands a domestic destination. In effect, the move was an incentive for travel agents across the nation to encourage clients to visit other Caribbean islands instead, since the cap on commissions for foreign travel is $100.
The Senate aide noted that the legislation could be made to encompass the Virgin Islands in either of two ways: if the language "could be somewhat up to interpretation" because of ambuity, or if changes were made in committee.
However, the aide added, "There is a feeling among many members of Congress that we need to be confining any of our preferential spending bills to the United States. We are looking to have U.S. hotels, motels and travel-related businesses profit."
According to Christensen, "Since the question is being raised" about the territories being included, "we are going to specifically state it as so." But, she added that Abercrombie "was clear that it was always the intention to include them."
The proposal, introduced in the House as H.R.3041 and in the Senate as S.1500, will be taken up by the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee as part of the overall economic stimulus package being put together to address the after-effects of the terrorist attacks. If the committees do not include the proposal in the overall package, the Senate aide said, "we will offer it as an amendment."
Kyl estimates the tax-incentive plan could cost the federal government about $10 billion. The summary of the bill states that it is "to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax and other incentives to maintain a vibrant travel and tourism industry, to keep working people working, and to stimulate economic growth, and for other purposes." At the end of the day Friday, the full text of the bills had not been posted on the Library of Congress public-access web site, Thomas.
For e-mail addresses and telephone and fax numbers for members of both the House and the Senate, click here.
The Travel America Now Act, which has bipartisan sponsorship, would give individuals a tax credit of up to $500 and couples a credit of up to $1,000 for any non-business travel taking them more than a hundred miles from home. It would be in effect from the time the measure becomes law until the end of 2001.
The credit would apply "for all travel expenses," including air, land and water transportation, hotels, meals, entertainment, tours, agency fees and even any applicable taxes.
"The travel and tourism industry's health closely connects to the state of the overall national economy," Sen. Jon Kyl (R., Arizona), the Senate sponsor, said. The aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks have devastated the industry "more than any other segment of the economy," he said, "and the situation will worsen until Americans resume travel."
On Friday, Matthew Latimer, a press aide to Kyl, told the Source that the bill would cover travel "only in the 50 U.S. states, not the territories."
But Christensen said that's not so.
She said she attended a Travel and Tourism Caucus meeting on Wednesday that was "a round-table meeting with representatives of the Travel Industry of America," a lobbying group that was pushing for tax-credit legislation as well as other proposals. "When they kept talking about 'the states,' I specifically asked them if this included the territories," she said. "I know that in many cases, if the language says 'the United States' or 'the 50 states,' usually the territories are included."
Christensen said she "barely got the question out when they said, 'Yes, we would never leave the territories out.' I left there feeling comfortable."
The Senate bill is co-sponsored by Sen. Zell Miller (D., Georgia). The identical House bill is sponsored by Rep. John B. Shadegg (R., Arizona) and co-sponsored by Reps. Neil Abercrombie (D., Hawaii) and Heather Wilson (R., New Mexico).
A Senate aide who was involved in the drafting of the bill and who asked not to be identified said restricting the bill's application to the 50 states was "a conscious decision in keeping with who we're trying to assist." But, this individual added, "The fact that it doesn't apply to the U.S. territories is one of these issues where, with the speed with which we were drafting it, we probably didn't hear from every single affected travel and tourism area."
On Friday, based on that information and the comment from Latimer, the Source published an earlier version of this story quoting the Capitol Hill sources as saying the territories were not included in the tax-credit legislation. Christensen said when she saw that story, she called her House colleague Abercrombie, who also represents a tourism-intensive island constituency.
"He had not been able to attend the TIA round table," she said, "but he assured me that the bill includes the territories. He actually put me on hold and checked with his legislative people, then came back and said the intention is that the territories are being included."
A call from her office to that of Shadegg brought a similar response — plus the information that "the issue also was raised in the Senate, and they were intending to address it, too," she said.
The bill would apply to travel aboard cruise ships leaving and returning to ports of "the 50 states," the Senate aide said. Most ships calling in the Virgin Islands depart from San Juan, P.R., or the east coast of Florida..
Whether and by whom the Virgin Islands is considered part of the United States became an issue in late August, when the nation's major airlines announced they were reducing the cap on travel agent commissions to $20 for domestic travel. The cap had been $50. For ticketing purposes, the airlines consider the Virgin Islands a domestic destination. In effect, the move was an incentive for travel agents across the nation to encourage clients to visit other Caribbean islands instead, since the cap on commissions for foreign travel is $100.
The Senate aide noted that the legislation could be made to encompass the Virgin Islands in either of two ways: if the language "could be somewhat up to interpretation" because of ambuity, or if changes were made in committee.
However, the aide added, "There is a feeling among many members of Congress that we need to be confining any of our preferential spending bills to the United States. We are looking to have U.S. hotels, motels and travel-related businesses profit."
According to Christensen, "Since the question is being raised" about the territories being included, "we are going to specifically state it as so." But, she added that Abercrombie "was clear that it was always the intention to include them."
The proposal, introduced in the House as H.R.3041 and in the Senate as S.1500, will be taken up by the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee as part of the overall economic stimulus package being put together to address the after-effects of the terrorist attacks. If the committees do not include the proposal in the overall package, the Senate aide said, "we will offer it as an amendment."
Kyl estimates the tax-incentive plan could cost the federal government about $10 billion. The summary of the bill states that it is "to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax and other incentives to maintain a vibrant travel and tourism industry, to keep working people working, and to stimulate economic growth, and for other purposes." At the end of the day Friday, the full text of the bills had not been posted on the Library of Congress public-access web site, Thomas.
For e-mail addresses and telephone and fax numbers for members of both the House and the Senate, click here.
CHASE: VICB FAILED TO MEET AUGUST DEADLINE
Oct. 5, 2001 — JPMorgan Chase officials denied on Friday the allegations made in a lawsuit filed by Virgin Islands Community Bank owner Jeffrey Prosser the day before concerning a failed deal that would have seen Prosser taking over Chase’s local assets.
VICB’s $50 million lawsuit, filed Thursday in U.S. District Court on St. Croix, claimed that Chase acted fraudulently and misrepresented itself during the three-year negotiating period. VICB officials said that the deal between the two banks was dead.
In a statement issued Friday in New York, officials of JPMorgan Chase, the bank's parent company, said that while they had not seen the VICB lawsuit, "Chase strongly objects to each and every allegation as reported in the press."
Chase meanwhile confirmed that it had filed its own lawsuit "weeks ago" against VICB, Prosser and his company Innovative Communication Corp. for "failure to close on the proposed transactions."
When contacted, Chase spokeswoman Kristen Batteria said she could not elaborate on the statement. The Source obtained an unsigned copy of the Chase suit against VICB, which said that the parties had agreed last April to close the deal on Aug. 3.
The Chase suit alleges that a VICB official told a Chase official on July 20 that VICB "did not have the financial ability to meet their obligations at closing as required by the agreements."
Because of that alleged breach of contract, Chase is seeking not less than $3.5 million in damages.
Michael Dow, VICB president, said that as of Friday night he had not seen the Chase lawsuit.
"I’ve not heard anything about it, let alone been served. And I am the agent of service," Dow said.
While Dow declined to comment on the suit because he had not seen it, he did say that VICB had been reluctant to move forward in July, because of a pending class-action lawsuit against Chase. VICB claims that the lawsuit wasn’t properly disclosed during negotiations and therefore affected the value of the deal.
As for Prosser’s financial wherewithal, Dow said "we were ready and able with all the financial arrangements in place to close."
According to individuals familiar with the deal, local Chase employees were told in July that the bank branches would close on Aug. 3 for a long weekend and then reopen on Aug. 7 as VICB branches. That did not happen.
While VICB is a separate company from ICC, it is believed that Prosser may be financially strapped because ICC, which has borrowed heavily, is suffering from cash-flow problems. That information is according to several local contractors and vendors who are awaiting payment for services, and who asked not to be identified.
ICC also is the defendant in a number of lawsuits seeking payment for goods provided or services rendered, including a $5 million claim by Sony.
VICB’s $50 million lawsuit, filed Thursday in U.S. District Court on St. Croix, claimed that Chase acted fraudulently and misrepresented itself during the three-year negotiating period. VICB officials said that the deal between the two banks was dead.
In a statement issued Friday in New York, officials of JPMorgan Chase, the bank's parent company, said that while they had not seen the VICB lawsuit, "Chase strongly objects to each and every allegation as reported in the press."
Chase meanwhile confirmed that it had filed its own lawsuit "weeks ago" against VICB, Prosser and his company Innovative Communication Corp. for "failure to close on the proposed transactions."
When contacted, Chase spokeswoman Kristen Batteria said she could not elaborate on the statement. The Source obtained an unsigned copy of the Chase suit against VICB, which said that the parties had agreed last April to close the deal on Aug. 3.
The Chase suit alleges that a VICB official told a Chase official on July 20 that VICB "did not have the financial ability to meet their obligations at closing as required by the agreements."
Because of that alleged breach of contract, Chase is seeking not less than $3.5 million in damages.
Michael Dow, VICB president, said that as of Friday night he had not seen the Chase lawsuit.
"I’ve not heard anything about it, let alone been served. And I am the agent of service," Dow said.
While Dow declined to comment on the suit because he had not seen it, he did say that VICB had been reluctant to move forward in July, because of a pending class-action lawsuit against Chase. VICB claims that the lawsuit wasn’t properly disclosed during negotiations and therefore affected the value of the deal.
As for Prosser’s financial wherewithal, Dow said "we were ready and able with all the financial arrangements in place to close."
According to individuals familiar with the deal, local Chase employees were told in July that the bank branches would close on Aug. 3 for a long weekend and then reopen on Aug. 7 as VICB branches. That did not happen.
While VICB is a separate company from ICC, it is believed that Prosser may be financially strapped because ICC, which has borrowed heavily, is suffering from cash-flow problems. That information is according to several local contractors and vendors who are awaiting payment for services, and who asked not to be identified.
ICC also is the defendant in a number of lawsuits seeking payment for goods provided or services rendered, including a $5 million claim by Sony.
CHASE: VICB FAILED TO MEET AUGUST DEADLINE
Oct. 5, 2001 — JPMorgan Chase officials denied on Friday the allegations made in a lawsuit filed by Virgin Islands Community Bank owner Jeffrey Prosser the day before concerning a failed deal that would have seen Prosser taking over Chase’s local assets.
VICB’s $50 million lawsuit, filed Thursday in U.S. District Court on St. Croix, claimed that Chase acted fraudulently and misrepresented itself during the three-year negotiating period. VICB officials said that the deal between the two banks was dead.
In a statement issued Friday in New York, officials of JPMorgan Chase, the bank's parent company, said that while they had not seen the VICB lawsuit, "Chase strongly objects to each and every allegation as reported in the press."
Chase meanwhile confirmed that it had filed its own lawsuit "weeks ago" against VICB, Prosser and his company Innovative Communication Corp. for "failure to close on the proposed transactions."
When contacted, Chase spokeswoman Kristen Batteria said she could not elaborate on the statement. The Source obtained an unsigned copy of the Chase suit against VICB, which said that the parties had agreed last April to close the deal on Aug. 3.
The Chase suit alleges that a VICB official told a Chase official on July 20 that VICB "did not have the financial ability to meet their obligations at closing as required by the agreements."
Because of that alleged breach of contract, Chase is seeking not less than $3.5 million in damages.
Michael Dow, VICB president, said that as of Friday night he had not seen the Chase lawsuit.
"I’ve not heard anything about it, let alone been served. And I am the agent of service," Dow said.
While Dow declined to comment on the suit because he had not seen it, he did say that VICB had been reluctant to move forward in July, because of a pending class-action lawsuit against Chase. VICB claims that the lawsuit wasn’t properly disclosed during negotiations and therefore affected the value of the deal.
As for Prosser’s financial wherewithal, Dow said "we were ready and able with all the financial arrangements in place to close."
According to individuals familiar with the deal, local Chase employees were told in July that the bank branches would close on Aug. 3 for a long weekend and then reopen on Aug. 7 as VICB branches. That did not happen.
While VICB is a separate company from ICC, it is believed that Prosser may be financially strapped because ICC, which has borrowed heavily, is suffering from cash-flow problems. That information is according to several local contractors and vendors who are awaiting payment for services, and who asked not to be identified.
ICC also is the defendant in a number of lawsuits seeking payment for goods provided or services rendered, including a $5 million claim by Sony.
VICB’s $50 million lawsuit, filed Thursday in U.S. District Court on St. Croix, claimed that Chase acted fraudulently and misrepresented itself during the three-year negotiating period. VICB officials said that the deal between the two banks was dead.
In a statement issued Friday in New York, officials of JPMorgan Chase, the bank's parent company, said that while they had not seen the VICB lawsuit, "Chase strongly objects to each and every allegation as reported in the press."
Chase meanwhile confirmed that it had filed its own lawsuit "weeks ago" against VICB, Prosser and his company Innovative Communication Corp. for "failure to close on the proposed transactions."
When contacted, Chase spokeswoman Kristen Batteria said she could not elaborate on the statement. The Source obtained an unsigned copy of the Chase suit against VICB, which said that the parties had agreed last April to close the deal on Aug. 3.
The Chase suit alleges that a VICB official told a Chase official on July 20 that VICB "did not have the financial ability to meet their obligations at closing as required by the agreements."
Because of that alleged breach of contract, Chase is seeking not less than $3.5 million in damages.
Michael Dow, VICB president, said that as of Friday night he had not seen the Chase lawsuit.
"I’ve not heard anything about it, let alone been served. And I am the agent of service," Dow said.
While Dow declined to comment on the suit because he had not seen it, he did say that VICB had been reluctant to move forward in July, because of a pending class-action lawsuit against Chase. VICB claims that the lawsuit wasn’t properly disclosed during negotiations and therefore affected the value of the deal.
As for Prosser’s financial wherewithal, Dow said "we were ready and able with all the financial arrangements in place to close."
According to individuals familiar with the deal, local Chase employees were told in July that the bank branches would close on Aug. 3 for a long weekend and then reopen on Aug. 7 as VICB branches. That did not happen.
While VICB is a separate company from ICC, it is believed that Prosser may be financially strapped because ICC, which has borrowed heavily, is suffering from cash-flow problems. That information is according to several local contractors and vendors who are awaiting payment for services, and who asked not to be identified.
ICC also is the defendant in a number of lawsuits seeking payment for goods provided or services rendered, including a $5 million claim by Sony.
SENATOR: 'STAKEHOLDERS' MUST WORK TOGETHER
Oct. 5, 2001 – Sen. Vargrave Richards has written to Gov. Charles W. Turnbull asking for "increased cooperation between the public and private sectors" during "these tenuous times."
In the Thursday letter, Richards told Turnbull that it is time for him, "as titular head and 'keeper of the flame' for the territory," to "step forward and put an end to the bickering and finger pointing." He did not make specific reference to any particular actions or comments.
"We have all been impacted by the traumatic consequences of the Sept. 11 terrorists acts, emotionally and economically," Richards said. "It is imperative now that community and government leaders take a pro-active approach to resolving our problems."
Richards, a four-term senator and president of the 23rd Legislature, noted that the U.S. House and Senate, Democrats and Republicans, have come together in a spirit of common cause. He suggested the Virgin Islands follow their example.
The leadership of both hotel associations and both Chambers of Commerce in the territory have met with government representatives repeatedly in efforts to combat the slump in tourist arrivals, and both private and public officials have said the talks are proving productive.
Turnbull on Sept. 29 ordered Lt. Gov. Gerard Luz James II to move his offices from Government House on St. Croix for what the governor termed "security reasons." James, who has clashed previously with Turnbull during their administration, responded that he had "no intention of moving out of Government House."
In recent Fiscal Year 2002 budget sessions, the Legislature erupted several times over whether the budget should be reworked in light of the terrorist attacks and their impact on the nation's economy.
In his letter, Richards said it is time that the governor call a meeting of all "stakeholders" to "develop strategies and solutions together."
In the Thursday letter, Richards told Turnbull that it is time for him, "as titular head and 'keeper of the flame' for the territory," to "step forward and put an end to the bickering and finger pointing." He did not make specific reference to any particular actions or comments.
"We have all been impacted by the traumatic consequences of the Sept. 11 terrorists acts, emotionally and economically," Richards said. "It is imperative now that community and government leaders take a pro-active approach to resolving our problems."
Richards, a four-term senator and president of the 23rd Legislature, noted that the U.S. House and Senate, Democrats and Republicans, have come together in a spirit of common cause. He suggested the Virgin Islands follow their example.
The leadership of both hotel associations and both Chambers of Commerce in the territory have met with government representatives repeatedly in efforts to combat the slump in tourist arrivals, and both private and public officials have said the talks are proving productive.
Turnbull on Sept. 29 ordered Lt. Gov. Gerard Luz James II to move his offices from Government House on St. Croix for what the governor termed "security reasons." James, who has clashed previously with Turnbull during their administration, responded that he had "no intention of moving out of Government House."
In recent Fiscal Year 2002 budget sessions, the Legislature erupted several times over whether the budget should be reworked in light of the terrorist attacks and their impact on the nation's economy.
In his letter, Richards said it is time that the governor call a meeting of all "stakeholders" to "develop strategies and solutions together."
WORD OF FAITH INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CENTER SPECIAL EVENTS
The Word of Faith International Christian Center has scheduled special events for the month of October, starting at 6:30 on Monday, Oct. 9, with Thanksgiving Praise and Worship Day at Emancipation Gardens.
Youth Ministries will hold a Back to School Bash starting at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 19, on the Kon Tiki. Admission is $10 per person, ages 12-18. No one other than those leaving from the church will be allowed to board at the dock.
Saturday, Oct. 27, at 3 p.m. there will be Kid's Phi Children's Ministry at the Word of Faith Center.
Youth Ministries will hold a Back to School Bash starting at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 19, on the Kon Tiki. Admission is $10 per person, ages 12-18. No one other than those leaving from the church will be allowed to board at the dock.
Saturday, Oct. 27, at 3 p.m. there will be Kid's Phi Children's Ministry at the Word of Faith Center.
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK BEGINS OCT. 7
Sunday, Oct. 7 begins Fire Prevention Week in the Virgin Islands at 10 a.m. with a church service at Memorial Moravian Church, followed by a motorcade to pay respect to deceased firefighters.
Other activities during the week will include a family beach day on VI/Puerto Rico Friendship Day. There will be exhibits, lectures a kids jamboree and open house at the fire stations.
Fire Marshal Glen Francis invites all resident to participate in any of the scheduled events.
Other activities during the week will include a family beach day on VI/Puerto Rico Friendship Day. There will be exhibits, lectures a kids jamboree and open house at the fire stations.
Fire Marshal Glen Francis invites all resident to participate in any of the scheduled events.
OCT. 7 BEGINS FIRE PREVENTION WEEK
Sunday, Oct. 7, begins Fire Prevention Week in the Virgin Islands. The week's events will begin at 10 a.m. with a church service at the Memorial Moravian Church.
"Cover the Bases and Strike Out Fire" is this year's theme. Flags across the nation are to be lowered to half-staff in honor of fallen firefighters.
Other activities during the week will include a family beach day on VI/Puerto Rico Friendship Day, Monday, Oct. 18. There will be exhibits, lectures, a kids jamboree and open house at the fire stations.
Fire Marshal Glen Francis extends an invitation to all residents to participate in any of the scheduled events.
"Cover the Bases and Strike Out Fire" is this year's theme. Flags across the nation are to be lowered to half-staff in honor of fallen firefighters.
Other activities during the week will include a family beach day on VI/Puerto Rico Friendship Day, Monday, Oct. 18. There will be exhibits, lectures, a kids jamboree and open house at the fire stations.
Fire Marshal Glen Francis extends an invitation to all residents to participate in any of the scheduled events.
