Sept. 26. 2001 – Funeral arrangements are pending for Calvert C. Marsh, who died Monday on St. John. A native St. Johnian, he was 55.
Marsh, a building appraiser with the Tax Assessor's Office, started work in that agency in the 1970s. Before that, he worked as a police officer. "He was a dedicated worker. He was very soft spoken but firm," Tax Assessor Roy Martin said from his St. Thomas office.
Marsh's sister, Eglah Clendinen, said that her brother was always willing to bring the family together and to help people." He was a good, kind-hearted person," she said.
St. John resident Robert O'Connor recalled Marsh as a "regular guy." He said the two of them played baseball together and that Marsh served several times as president of the St. John Lions Club.
Longtime friend J. Brion Morrisette said that Marsh was a person who made the transition from the old St. John to the new. Born in Coral Bay, he grew up in a time when horses were the only land transportation from there to Cruz Bay.
"He had his feet in both worlds," Morrisette said, adding that his friend had the social graces typical of old-time St. Johnians, but the business skills needed for today's world.
As St. John moved into a tourism-based economy, Marsh became an entrepreneur, opening a restaurant called The Still on the Coral Bay waterfront. When the establishment closed, he leased the property, and Morrisette said he had recently converted part of it to short-term rental apartments. "He had wonderful business vision," Morrisette said.
Marsh is survived by his wife, Augusta Marsh; son David Marsh; daughter Liz Yvonne Tanner Marsh; brothers Kenneth and Meredith Marsh; sisters Eglah Clendenin, Myrine Hodge, Minerva Marsh Jacobs and Joan Marsh Krigger; and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral arrangements are by Creque's Funeral Home.
TOURISM'S UNRETURNED CALLS MAY BE COSTLY
Sept. 26, 2001 – When her telephone rings with messages about exposure opportunities for the territory, Tourism Commissioner Pamela Richards doesn't call back, say two people who have been frustrated in their efforts to set up events on St. Thomas that could reach a wide audience of potential visitors.
"We need the enthusiastic endorsement of the Tourism Department," said Mike Gautreaux, who didn't get it.
Gautreaux hoped to film a segment of the Billfishing Xtreme Release League tournament here in August. But when Richards failed to call him back with a decision on the Tourism Department's help, he moved the segment to Tortola.
The tournament, filmed on location at five different sites, is in the midst of airing on ESPN. Each show lasts a half hour.
"The real benefit is that it repeats over and over," said Michael Bornn, a former acting Tourism commissioner, who made the initial contact with Gautreaux. Bornn said the people who watch such television shows come from all walks of life, and they are people who might book a trip to the Virgin Islands after seeing footage on television. "It lights their fire," he said.
Gautreaux said he started trying to work with Tourism in January on plans for the fishing tournament. He met once with Assistant Commissioner Monique Sibilly-Hodge in May, but when Richards failed to follow through with a decision by July, he changed the locale.
"I couldn't wait any more," he said, adding that the British Virgin Islands government was very receptive to his proposal.
He said that when he learned about the Tourism Department's dire financial straits from other sources, he was willing to cut a deal that called for three shows to air this year and three next year. While he needed $40,000 from the department to make it happen, the money could be paid after the start of the next fiscal year on Oct. 1. He said the money was needed for airline transportation and tournament expenses.
Gautreaux said he would love to shoot a fishing tournament segment on St. Thomas, but it will take cooperation from the Tourism Department to make it happen.
Nels Hawkinson is going ahead with plans to hold the University of the Virgin Islands Paradise Jam Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments, but he's doing it with no help from the Tourism Department.
"They haven't even bothered to return one phone call," he said, adding that he called Richards at least six times.
He said this was especially bothersome given the state of the tourism industry since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
The tournaments will run Nov. 17-26. Eleven women's teams and six men's teams, all from mainland colleges, will play at the new UVI Sports and Fitness Center. Hawkinson said that video coverage of the games will air on television stations in the hometowns of the 17 teams. The areas include major markets from the East Coast to the central states.
"This is unbelievable advertising for the Virgin Islands," he said, adding that ESPN is touting the tournament.
Hawkinson said he wanted to do joint local marketing with Tourism in order to sell local tickets to the tournament games. And he hoped the department would help with finding donors of goods and services to help defray expenses.
Richards' response to the comments made by Hawkinson and Gautreaux would not surprise them. She didn't return a phone call to the Source, either.
"We need the enthusiastic endorsement of the Tourism Department," said Mike Gautreaux, who didn't get it.
Gautreaux hoped to film a segment of the Billfishing Xtreme Release League tournament here in August. But when Richards failed to call him back with a decision on the Tourism Department's help, he moved the segment to Tortola.
The tournament, filmed on location at five different sites, is in the midst of airing on ESPN. Each show lasts a half hour.
"The real benefit is that it repeats over and over," said Michael Bornn, a former acting Tourism commissioner, who made the initial contact with Gautreaux. Bornn said the people who watch such television shows come from all walks of life, and they are people who might book a trip to the Virgin Islands after seeing footage on television. "It lights their fire," he said.
Gautreaux said he started trying to work with Tourism in January on plans for the fishing tournament. He met once with Assistant Commissioner Monique Sibilly-Hodge in May, but when Richards failed to follow through with a decision by July, he changed the locale.
"I couldn't wait any more," he said, adding that the British Virgin Islands government was very receptive to his proposal.
He said that when he learned about the Tourism Department's dire financial straits from other sources, he was willing to cut a deal that called for three shows to air this year and three next year. While he needed $40,000 from the department to make it happen, the money could be paid after the start of the next fiscal year on Oct. 1. He said the money was needed for airline transportation and tournament expenses.
Gautreaux said he would love to shoot a fishing tournament segment on St. Thomas, but it will take cooperation from the Tourism Department to make it happen.
Nels Hawkinson is going ahead with plans to hold the University of the Virgin Islands Paradise Jam Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments, but he's doing it with no help from the Tourism Department.
"They haven't even bothered to return one phone call," he said, adding that he called Richards at least six times.
He said this was especially bothersome given the state of the tourism industry since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
The tournaments will run Nov. 17-26. Eleven women's teams and six men's teams, all from mainland colleges, will play at the new UVI Sports and Fitness Center. Hawkinson said that video coverage of the games will air on television stations in the hometowns of the 17 teams. The areas include major markets from the East Coast to the central states.
"This is unbelievable advertising for the Virgin Islands," he said, adding that ESPN is touting the tournament.
Hawkinson said he wanted to do joint local marketing with Tourism in order to sell local tickets to the tournament games. And he hoped the department would help with finding donors of goods and services to help defray expenses.
Richards' response to the comments made by Hawkinson and Gautreaux would not surprise them. She didn't return a phone call to the Source, either.
TOURISM'S UNRETURNED CALLS MAY BE COSTLY
Sept. 26, 2001 – When her telephone rings with messages about exposure opportunities for the territory, Tourism Commissioner Pamela Richards doesn't call back, say two people who have been frustrated in their efforts to set up events on St. Thomas that could reach a wide audience of potential visitors.
"We need the enthusiastic endorsement of the Tourism Department," said Mike Gautreaux, who didn't get it.
Gautreaux hoped to film a segment of the Billfishing Xtreme Release League tournament here in August. But when Richards failed to call him back with a decision on the Tourism Department's help, he moved the segment to Tortola.
The tournament, filmed on location at five different sites, is in the midst of airing on ESPN. Each show lasts a half hour.
"The real benefit is that it repeats over and over," said Michael Bornn, a former acting Tourism commissioner, who made the initial contact with Gautreaux. Bornn said the people who watch such television shows come from all walks of life, and they are people who might book a trip to the Virgin Islands after seeing footage on television. "It lights their fire," he said.
Gautreaux said he started trying to work with Tourism in January on plans for the fishing tournament. He met once with Assistant Commissioner Monique Sibilly-Hodge in May, but when Richards failed to follow through with a decision by July, he changed the locale.
"I couldn't wait any more," he said, adding that the British Virgin Islands government was very receptive to his proposal.
He said that when he learned about the Tourism Department's dire financial straits from other sources, he was willing to cut a deal that called for three shows to air this year and three next year. While he needed $40,000 from the department to make it happen, the money could be paid after the start of the next fiscal year on Oct. 1. He said the money was needed for airline transportation and tournament expenses.
Gautreaux said he would love to shoot a fishing tournament segment on St. Thomas, but it will take cooperation from the Tourism Department to make it happen.
Nels Hawkinson is going ahead with plans to hold the University of the Virgin Islands Paradise Jam Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments, but he's doing it with no help from the Tourism Department.
"They haven't even bothered to return one phone call," he said, adding that he called Richards at least six times.
He said this was especially bothersome given the state of the tourism industry since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
The tournaments will run Nov. 17-26. Eleven women's teams and six men's teams, all from mainland colleges, will play at the new UVI Sports and Fitness Center. Hawkinson said that video coverage of the games will air on television stations in the hometowns of the 17 teams. The areas include major markets from the East Coast to the central states.
"This is unbelievable advertising for the Virgin Islands," he said, adding that ESPN is touting the tournament.
Hawkinson said he wanted to do joint local marketing with Tourism in order to sell local tickets to the tournament games. And he hoped the department would help with finding donors of goods and services to help defray expenses.
Richards' response to the comments made by Hawkinson and Gautreaux would not surprise them. She didn't return a phone call to the Source, either.
"We need the enthusiastic endorsement of the Tourism Department," said Mike Gautreaux, who didn't get it.
Gautreaux hoped to film a segment of the Billfishing Xtreme Release League tournament here in August. But when Richards failed to call him back with a decision on the Tourism Department's help, he moved the segment to Tortola.
The tournament, filmed on location at five different sites, is in the midst of airing on ESPN. Each show lasts a half hour.
"The real benefit is that it repeats over and over," said Michael Bornn, a former acting Tourism commissioner, who made the initial contact with Gautreaux. Bornn said the people who watch such television shows come from all walks of life, and they are people who might book a trip to the Virgin Islands after seeing footage on television. "It lights their fire," he said.
Gautreaux said he started trying to work with Tourism in January on plans for the fishing tournament. He met once with Assistant Commissioner Monique Sibilly-Hodge in May, but when Richards failed to follow through with a decision by July, he changed the locale.
"I couldn't wait any more," he said, adding that the British Virgin Islands government was very receptive to his proposal.
He said that when he learned about the Tourism Department's dire financial straits from other sources, he was willing to cut a deal that called for three shows to air this year and three next year. While he needed $40,000 from the department to make it happen, the money could be paid after the start of the next fiscal year on Oct. 1. He said the money was needed for airline transportation and tournament expenses.
Gautreaux said he would love to shoot a fishing tournament segment on St. Thomas, but it will take cooperation from the Tourism Department to make it happen.
Nels Hawkinson is going ahead with plans to hold the University of the Virgin Islands Paradise Jam Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments, but he's doing it with no help from the Tourism Department.
"They haven't even bothered to return one phone call," he said, adding that he called Richards at least six times.
He said this was especially bothersome given the state of the tourism industry since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
The tournaments will run Nov. 17-26. Eleven women's teams and six men's teams, all from mainland colleges, will play at the new UVI Sports and Fitness Center. Hawkinson said that video coverage of the games will air on television stations in the hometowns of the 17 teams. The areas include major markets from the East Coast to the central states.
"This is unbelievable advertising for the Virgin Islands," he said, adding that ESPN is touting the tournament.
Hawkinson said he wanted to do joint local marketing with Tourism in order to sell local tickets to the tournament games. And he hoped the department would help with finding donors of goods and services to help defray expenses.
Richards' response to the comments made by Hawkinson and Gautreaux would not surprise them. She didn't return a phone call to the Source, either.
FEDERAL GRANTS TO FIRE SERVICES NEAR $1M
Sept. 26, 2001 – V.I. firefighters received more good financial news, as the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced a new award of $415,754 to purchase firefighting equipment. Funds are for personal protective equipment, fire prevention programs, wellness and fitness programs, firefighting equipment and vehicles. V.I. Fire Services is among 158 fire departments to receive grants in the latest round of awards.
Two earlier FEMA awards totaling almost $500,000 for trucks and firefighting equipment were announced in August and early September. A U.S. Agriculture Department wildland grant of $138,000, to help with special problems of fighting fires in wild and rural areas, was announced last week. And Fire Services grants writer Donald Charles Sr. reports that a grant of $49,870 from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department will go to retrofit the fireboat.
Charles is pleased with the success of grant applications and says the community will see the results in the coming months.
Delegate Donna Christian Christensen, in a release announcing the latest FEMA award, credited FEMA Region II officials with working with V.I. Fire Services to submit grant applications. "We have recently seen the importance that firefighters play in our communities," she said. "I am elated that they have been provided with this level of support."
Two earlier FEMA awards totaling almost $500,000 for trucks and firefighting equipment were announced in August and early September. A U.S. Agriculture Department wildland grant of $138,000, to help with special problems of fighting fires in wild and rural areas, was announced last week. And Fire Services grants writer Donald Charles Sr. reports that a grant of $49,870 from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department will go to retrofit the fireboat.
Charles is pleased with the success of grant applications and says the community will see the results in the coming months.
Delegate Donna Christian Christensen, in a release announcing the latest FEMA award, credited FEMA Region II officials with working with V.I. Fire Services to submit grant applications. "We have recently seen the importance that firefighters play in our communities," she said. "I am elated that they have been provided with this level of support."
FEDERAL GRANTS TO FIRE SERVICES NEAR $1M
Sept. 26, 2001 – V.I. firefighters received more good financial news, as the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced a new award of $415,754 to purchase firefighting equipment. Funds are for personal protective equipment, fire prevention programs, wellness and fitness programs, firefighting equipment and vehicles. V.I. Fire Services is among 158 fire departments to receive grants in the latest round of awards.
Two earlier FEMA awards totaling almost $500,000 for trucks and firefighting equipment were announced in August and early September. A U.S. Agriculture Department wildland grant of $138,000, to help with special problems of fighting fires in wild and rural areas, was announced last week. And Fire Services grants writer Donald Charles Sr. reports that a grant of $49,870 from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department will go to retrofit the fireboat.
Charles is pleased with the success of grant applications and says the community will see the results in the coming months.
Delegate Donna Christian Christensen, in a release announcing the latest FEMA award, credited FEMA Region II officials with working with V.I. Fire Services to submit grant applications. "We have recently seen the importance that firefighters play in our communities," she said. "I am elated that they have been provided with this level of support."
Two earlier FEMA awards totaling almost $500,000 for trucks and firefighting equipment were announced in August and early September. A U.S. Agriculture Department wildland grant of $138,000, to help with special problems of fighting fires in wild and rural areas, was announced last week. And Fire Services grants writer Donald Charles Sr. reports that a grant of $49,870 from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department will go to retrofit the fireboat.
Charles is pleased with the success of grant applications and says the community will see the results in the coming months.
Delegate Donna Christian Christensen, in a release announcing the latest FEMA award, credited FEMA Region II officials with working with V.I. Fire Services to submit grant applications. "We have recently seen the importance that firefighters play in our communities," she said. "I am elated that they have been provided with this level of support."
WOLF TRAP PRODUCTION SHOWS OFF ST. JOHN'S 'FACE'
Sept. 26, 2001 – The weekend before the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, St. John was the center of attention at a one-night event just outside the nation's capital that could have a positive impact in attracting visitors to the island for years to come.
While the dancers and musicians were the stars, the V.I. National Park served as the backdrop for the Sept. 8 "Face of America" performance at Wolf Trap, the only performing arts national park in the nation. Located in Vienna, Va., the facility is operated by the National Park Service and the Wolf Trap Foundation.
"It was pretty darn exciting," said V.I. National Park Supt. John King said.
Scenes shot on St. John in the spring were splashed across two large screens during live performances premiering new works by the dance troupes Donald Byrd/The Group and Ronald K. Browne/Evidence and jazz musician Steve Turre and his band Sanctified Shells. The program also featured a storyteller, Alice McGill, with tales based on Virgin Islands culture and a video presentation shot on St. John of a choreographed performance by members of the U.S. Olympic Synchronized Swim Team.
Those in attendance at the performance, King said, also included other park top brass, park staff, Friends of the Park staff, Friends members who live in the Washington area, former V.I. National Park Supt. Russ Berry and Delegate Donna Christian Christensen. They were in the company of some 3,300 other ticket holders, many of them likely candidates for a vacation in the Virgin Islands, King suggested.
"I can't help but believe this will influence their planning," he said.
A documentary on the making of the production may be in the works, Wolf Trap spokeswoman Danette Willis said. If it materializes, millions of people could be exposed to St. John's enticements. "We're trying to get a television series," Willis said.
Wolf Trap also plans to create a video using the footage shot on St. John. It will be shown at the National Park Visitor Center in Cruz Bay.
And while a picture of St. John scenery may be worth a thousand words, members of the national press corps and listeners to National Public Radio did hear about the performance, too, when Wolf Trap's director, Terrence D. Jones, spoke.
The St. John project was only the second for the "Face of America" series. The first, last year, focused on Yosemite National Park in California. Willis said Wolf Trap picked St. John's national park this time because, unlike Yosemite, it was one that few people had heard about.
Wolf Trap plans to continue its "Faces of America" series. "Just as our national parks showcase and preserve for future generations some of America's finest natural resources and places of cultural heritage, it is our unique role as America's national park for the performing arts to expand upon the artistic heritage with contemporary voices interpreting the world for future generations," Jones said in a press release.
He said the "Face of America" series supports the Wolf Trap park's commitment to the preservation of natural and cultural resources. It uses the performing arts to celebrate the diverse people, histories and landscapes that exist within America's national parks.
Sites announced to date for coming years are Kentucky's Mammoth Cave National Park in 2002, a three-site "Celebration of Flight" in 2003, three Hawaiian sites in 2004, the Southwest's Grand Canyon National Park in 2005 and Virginia's Shenandoah National Park in 2006.
One of the adjunct activities in connection with the development of this year's program was a contest to create a poster to promote the event. The winning entry, by Elizabeth Miles, a student at the Savannah College of Art and Design, is pictured here. Miles incorporated themes of the performances into her work, evoking the feel of the V.I. National Park and Coral Reefs National Monument on the island, the "Face of America" web site states.
Tourism Commissioner Pamela Richards did not return a telephone call requesting comment a about the program.
For more information about the Sept. 8 presentation and the series, see Wolf Trap's "Face of America" web site.
While the dancers and musicians were the stars, the V.I. National Park served as the backdrop for the Sept. 8 "Face of America" performance at Wolf Trap, the only performing arts national park in the nation. Located in Vienna, Va., the facility is operated by the National Park Service and the Wolf Trap Foundation.
"It was pretty darn exciting," said V.I. National Park Supt. John King said.
Scenes shot on St. John in the spring were splashed across two large screens during live performances premiering new works by the dance troupes Donald Byrd/The Group and Ronald K. Browne/Evidence and jazz musician Steve Turre and his band Sanctified Shells. The program also featured a storyteller, Alice McGill, with tales based on Virgin Islands culture and a video presentation shot on St. John of a choreographed performance by members of the U.S. Olympic Synchronized Swim Team.
Those in attendance at the performance, King said, also included other park top brass, park staff, Friends of the Park staff, Friends members who live in the Washington area, former V.I. National Park Supt. Russ Berry and Delegate Donna Christian Christensen. They were in the company of some 3,300 other ticket holders, many of them likely candidates for a vacation in the Virgin Islands, King suggested.
"I can't help but believe this will influence their planning," he said.
A documentary on the making of the production may be in the works, Wolf Trap spokeswoman Danette Willis said. If it materializes, millions of people could be exposed to St. John's enticements. "We're trying to get a television series," Willis said.
Wolf Trap also plans to create a video using the footage shot on St. John. It will be shown at the National Park Visitor Center in Cruz Bay.
And while a picture of St. John scenery may be worth a thousand words, members of the national press corps and listeners to National Public Radio did hear about the performance, too, when Wolf Trap's director, Terrence D. Jones, spoke.
The St. John project was only the second for the "Face of America" series. The first, last year, focused on Yosemite National Park in California. Willis said Wolf Trap picked St. John's national park this time because, unlike Yosemite, it was one that few people had heard about.
Wolf Trap plans to continue its "Faces of America" series. "Just as our national parks showcase and preserve for future generations some of America's finest natural resources and places of cultural heritage, it is our unique role as America's national park for the performing arts to expand upon the artistic heritage with contemporary voices interpreting the world for future generations," Jones said in a press release.
He said the "Face of America" series supports the Wolf Trap park's commitment to the preservation of natural and cultural resources. It uses the performing arts to celebrate the diverse people, histories and landscapes that exist within America's national parks.
Sites announced to date for coming years are Kentucky's Mammoth Cave National Park in 2002, a three-site "Celebration of Flight" in 2003, three Hawaiian sites in 2004, the Southwest's Grand Canyon National Park in 2005 and Virginia's Shenandoah National Park in 2006.
One of the adjunct activities in connection with the development of this year's program was a contest to create a poster to promote the event. The winning entry, by Elizabeth Miles, a student at the Savannah College of Art and Design, is pictured here. Miles incorporated themes of the performances into her work, evoking the feel of the V.I. National Park and Coral Reefs National Monument on the island, the "Face of America" web site states.
Tourism Commissioner Pamela Richards did not return a telephone call requesting comment a about the program.
For more information about the Sept. 8 presentation and the series, see Wolf Trap's "Face of America" web site.
JUDGE ROSS NOMINATED TO SECOND TERM
Sept. 26, 2001 – Territorial Court Judge Edgar D. Ross has been nominated to a second six-year term by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull.
Ross has served in several government positions during his legal career. He was Attorney General during the administration of Gov. Cyril E. King. He served as General Counsel of the Territorial Court, U.S. District Court Clerk/Magistrate, and Senior Sitting Judge of the Territorial Court. He was an elected member of the 20th Legislature. A Frederiksted native, Ross holds a law degree from Howard University School of Law.
Ross's term of office ends October 9, 2001. In transmitting the nomination to the Legislature, Turnbull said, "Your prompt confirmation will allow the Court to continue to meet its busy agenda without interruption."
Ross has served in several government positions during his legal career. He was Attorney General during the administration of Gov. Cyril E. King. He served as General Counsel of the Territorial Court, U.S. District Court Clerk/Magistrate, and Senior Sitting Judge of the Territorial Court. He was an elected member of the 20th Legislature. A Frederiksted native, Ross holds a law degree from Howard University School of Law.
Ross's term of office ends October 9, 2001. In transmitting the nomination to the Legislature, Turnbull said, "Your prompt confirmation will allow the Court to continue to meet its busy agenda without interruption."
SONY SUES ICC OVER CABLE-TV EQUIPMENT DEBT
Sept. 26, 2001 – Sony Broadcast Corp. has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court on St. Thomas against ICC-TV and its parent company, Innovative Communication Corp., claiming that ICC has failed to make payments on about $5 million in broadcast equipment purchased in May 2000.
ICC-TV, or Innovative Cable TV, was formerly known as St. Thomas-St. John Cable TV and St. Croix Cable TV.
In the lawsuit, filed Sept. 14, Sony claims that it informed ICC that it was in default in August of this year, when ICC failed to make payments of $872,967 on the equipment.
The suit asks the court to order ICC to sell the equipment in order to pay off the debt, and to make other payments to make up any deficit that may remain.
ICC, owned by St. Croix businessman Jeffrey Prosser, has not yet filed legal papers in response to the lawsuit, but Holland Redfield II, the company's vice president for corporate affairs, said it is not unusual for a large company with many subsidiaries to get sued sometimes.
ICC also is the parent company of Innovative Telephone (the former V.I. Telephone Corp. — Vitelco), four other Caribbean cable companies; Innovative Wireless; and the Virgin Islands Daily News.
"Obviously, there are sometimes lawsuits and disputes. We get sued from time to time," Redfield said. "There is a disagreement, and we'll handle it in a court of law."
He declined to comment on any specifics of the matter, as the case is in litigation. But he noted that a lawsuit against a company should not be taken as a sign that the company could be having financial problems.
"A lawsuit doesn't mean a company's in trouble," he said, adding that ICC considers the outlook optimistic for its companies and for the overall economy of the Virgin Islands.
The lawsuit, filed by Gregory Hodges of the Dudley, Topper and Feuerzeig law firm, states that Sony entered into an agreement in May 2000 to sell ICC-TV two television production suites and two remote broadcast vans for about $5.1 million. The agreement was later modified to drop one of the vans and add a cancellation charge for that order, the suit states.
The agreement stipulated that Sony would hold a security interest in the equipment that was sold to ICC-TV, according to the lawsuit. ICC's failure to pay the principal owed on the equipment plus interest and other costs constitutes a default, Sony claims in its suit.
Redfield noted that any dispute has at least two sides to it, and that ICC had not had a chance to make a legal response to Sony's claims.
ICC-TV, or Innovative Cable TV, was formerly known as St. Thomas-St. John Cable TV and St. Croix Cable TV.
In the lawsuit, filed Sept. 14, Sony claims that it informed ICC that it was in default in August of this year, when ICC failed to make payments of $872,967 on the equipment.
The suit asks the court to order ICC to sell the equipment in order to pay off the debt, and to make other payments to make up any deficit that may remain.
ICC, owned by St. Croix businessman Jeffrey Prosser, has not yet filed legal papers in response to the lawsuit, but Holland Redfield II, the company's vice president for corporate affairs, said it is not unusual for a large company with many subsidiaries to get sued sometimes.
ICC also is the parent company of Innovative Telephone (the former V.I. Telephone Corp. — Vitelco), four other Caribbean cable companies; Innovative Wireless; and the Virgin Islands Daily News.
"Obviously, there are sometimes lawsuits and disputes. We get sued from time to time," Redfield said. "There is a disagreement, and we'll handle it in a court of law."
He declined to comment on any specifics of the matter, as the case is in litigation. But he noted that a lawsuit against a company should not be taken as a sign that the company could be having financial problems.
"A lawsuit doesn't mean a company's in trouble," he said, adding that ICC considers the outlook optimistic for its companies and for the overall economy of the Virgin Islands.
The lawsuit, filed by Gregory Hodges of the Dudley, Topper and Feuerzeig law firm, states that Sony entered into an agreement in May 2000 to sell ICC-TV two television production suites and two remote broadcast vans for about $5.1 million. The agreement was later modified to drop one of the vans and add a cancellation charge for that order, the suit states.
The agreement stipulated that Sony would hold a security interest in the equipment that was sold to ICC-TV, according to the lawsuit. ICC's failure to pay the principal owed on the equipment plus interest and other costs constitutes a default, Sony claims in its suit.
Redfield noted that any dispute has at least two sides to it, and that ICC had not had a chance to make a legal response to Sony's claims.
SONY SUES ICC OVER CABLE-TV EQUIPMENT DEBT
Sept. 26, 2001 – Sony Broadcast Corp. has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court on St. Thomas against ICC-TV and its parent company, Innovative Communication Corp., claiming that ICC has failed to make payments on about $5 million in broadcast equipment purchased in May 2000.
ICC-TV, or Innovative Cable TV, was formerly known as St. Thomas-St. John Cable TV and St. Croix Cable TV.
In the lawsuit, filed Sept. 14, Sony claims that it informed ICC that it was in default in August of this year, when ICC failed to make payments of $872,967 on the equipment.
The suit asks the court to order ICC to sell the equipment in order to pay off the debt, and to make other payments to make up any deficit that may remain.
ICC, owned by St. Croix businessman Jeffrey Prosser, has not yet filed legal papers in response to the lawsuit, but Holland Redfield II, the company's vice president for corporate affairs, said it is not unusual for a large company with many subsidiaries to get sued sometimes.
ICC also is the parent company of Innovative Telephone (the former V.I. Telephone Corp. — Vitelco), four other Caribbean cable companies; Innovative Wireless; and the Virgin Islands Daily News.
"Obviously, there are sometimes lawsuits and disputes. We get sued from time to time," Redfield said. "There is a disagreement, and we'll handle it in a court of law."
He declined to comment on any specifics of the matter, as the case is in litigation. But he noted that a lawsuit against a company should not be taken as a sign that the company could be having financial problems.
"A lawsuit doesn't mean a company's in trouble," he said, adding that ICC considers the outlook optimistic for its companies and for the overall economy of the Virgin Islands.
The lawsuit, filed by Gregory Hodges of the Dudley, Topper and Feuerzeig law firm, states that Sony entered into an agreement in May 2000 to sell ICC-TV two television production suites and two remote broadcast vans for about $5.1 million. The agreement was later modified to drop one of the vans and add a cancellation charge for that order, the suit states.
The agreement stipulated that Sony would hold a security interest in the equipment that was sold to ICC-TV, according to the lawsuit. ICC's failure to pay the principal owed on the equipment plus interest and other costs constitutes a default, Sony claims in its suit.
Redfield noted that any dispute has at least two sides to it, and that ICC had not had a chance to make a legal response to Sony's claims.
ICC-TV, or Innovative Cable TV, was formerly known as St. Thomas-St. John Cable TV and St. Croix Cable TV.
In the lawsuit, filed Sept. 14, Sony claims that it informed ICC that it was in default in August of this year, when ICC failed to make payments of $872,967 on the equipment.
The suit asks the court to order ICC to sell the equipment in order to pay off the debt, and to make other payments to make up any deficit that may remain.
ICC, owned by St. Croix businessman Jeffrey Prosser, has not yet filed legal papers in response to the lawsuit, but Holland Redfield II, the company's vice president for corporate affairs, said it is not unusual for a large company with many subsidiaries to get sued sometimes.
ICC also is the parent company of Innovative Telephone (the former V.I. Telephone Corp. — Vitelco), four other Caribbean cable companies; Innovative Wireless; and the Virgin Islands Daily News.
"Obviously, there are sometimes lawsuits and disputes. We get sued from time to time," Redfield said. "There is a disagreement, and we'll handle it in a court of law."
He declined to comment on any specifics of the matter, as the case is in litigation. But he noted that a lawsuit against a company should not be taken as a sign that the company could be having financial problems.
"A lawsuit doesn't mean a company's in trouble," he said, adding that ICC considers the outlook optimistic for its companies and for the overall economy of the Virgin Islands.
The lawsuit, filed by Gregory Hodges of the Dudley, Topper and Feuerzeig law firm, states that Sony entered into an agreement in May 2000 to sell ICC-TV two television production suites and two remote broadcast vans for about $5.1 million. The agreement was later modified to drop one of the vans and add a cancellation charge for that order, the suit states.
The agreement stipulated that Sony would hold a security interest in the equipment that was sold to ICC-TV, according to the lawsuit. ICC's failure to pay the principal owed on the equipment plus interest and other costs constitutes a default, Sony claims in its suit.
Redfield noted that any dispute has at least two sides to it, and that ICC had not had a chance to make a legal response to Sony's claims.
SENATE LEAVES GOVERNOR'S CDBG GRANTS INTACT
Sept. 26, 2001 – After vowing at a Sept. 10 meeting to reject the governor's proposed allocation of nearly $2.2 million in 2001 federal Community Development Block Grant funds and to reprogram the distribution themselves, the Senate passed the grants in their original form Tuesday in the second day of its Fiscal Year 2002 budget session.
At the previous meeting, some senators had disagreed sharply with the allocations the CDBG commission had made.
The largest proposed grant — $220,000 to rehabilitate a Frenchtown fishing facility — had been hotly denounced by Sens. Norma Pickard-Samuel and Celestino A. White Sr., who pointed out that only $40,850 was proposed for renovation of the American Legion facility on St. Thomas. The two vowed it wouldn't pass, accusing St. Thomas-Water Island Administrator Louis Hill, who presented the project, of putting it ahead of worthy, faith-based projects. Both senators were absent for the vote on the bill Tuesday.
The Frenchtown project, part on an overall waterfront enhancement plan, is to build a covered pavilion fronted by palm trees and containing two public restrooms.
Governmental and non-governmental agencies this year requested a total of $13.4 million for projects; the CDBG commission awarded $2.189 million. The commission, which is within the Planning and Natural Resources Department, reviews grant application projects each year and sends its recommendations to the governor, who reviews the submissions and then forwards them with his recommendations to the Legislature.
The recommended grants were presented late, which some senators took issue with at the Sept. 10 meeting. The annual deadline for submitting grant proposals to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is July 31. For the third year in a row, the territory missed the deadline and had to ask HUD for an extension. Gov. Charles W. Turnbull received an extension to Sept. 30 this year.
The grant amounts are equally divided between the two districts. By island, they are:
– St. Thomas, 18 proposals — $803,950
– St. John, 5 proposals — $71,650
– St. Croix, 14 proposals — $875,600
In addition, $437,800 was proposed for the territory's administration of the CDBG program, bringing the total to $2,189,000.
The senators took a number of recesses in Tuesday afternoon's session where they hastily drafted amendments quicky reprogramming the grant money. However, they ultimately voted to accept the bill in its original form in fear that the last minute changes could break federal rules that earmark certain percentages for construction, public service projects and administration expenses.
The bill passed 11–2 with Sens. White and Pickard-Samuel absent for the vote. Sens. Emmett Hansen II and Adelbert Bryan voted against.
For a complete listing of all the grants, see "Governor seeks CDBG funds for 37 projects".
At the previous meeting, some senators had disagreed sharply with the allocations the CDBG commission had made.
The largest proposed grant — $220,000 to rehabilitate a Frenchtown fishing facility — had been hotly denounced by Sens. Norma Pickard-Samuel and Celestino A. White Sr., who pointed out that only $40,850 was proposed for renovation of the American Legion facility on St. Thomas. The two vowed it wouldn't pass, accusing St. Thomas-Water Island Administrator Louis Hill, who presented the project, of putting it ahead of worthy, faith-based projects. Both senators were absent for the vote on the bill Tuesday.
The Frenchtown project, part on an overall waterfront enhancement plan, is to build a covered pavilion fronted by palm trees and containing two public restrooms.
Governmental and non-governmental agencies this year requested a total of $13.4 million for projects; the CDBG commission awarded $2.189 million. The commission, which is within the Planning and Natural Resources Department, reviews grant application projects each year and sends its recommendations to the governor, who reviews the submissions and then forwards them with his recommendations to the Legislature.
The recommended grants were presented late, which some senators took issue with at the Sept. 10 meeting. The annual deadline for submitting grant proposals to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is July 31. For the third year in a row, the territory missed the deadline and had to ask HUD for an extension. Gov. Charles W. Turnbull received an extension to Sept. 30 this year.
The grant amounts are equally divided between the two districts. By island, they are:
– St. Thomas, 18 proposals — $803,950
– St. John, 5 proposals — $71,650
– St. Croix, 14 proposals — $875,600
In addition, $437,800 was proposed for the territory's administration of the CDBG program, bringing the total to $2,189,000.
The senators took a number of recesses in Tuesday afternoon's session where they hastily drafted amendments quicky reprogramming the grant money. However, they ultimately voted to accept the bill in its original form in fear that the last minute changes could break federal rules that earmark certain percentages for construction, public service projects and administration expenses.
The bill passed 11–2 with Sens. White and Pickard-Samuel absent for the vote. Sens. Emmett Hansen II and Adelbert Bryan voted against.
For a complete listing of all the grants, see "Governor seeks CDBG funds for 37 projects".
