Sept. 19, 2001 – Recognizing the value of information, the Cancer Information Service produces newspaper columns focused on the dissemination of such information in a question-and-answer form. Readers are encouraged to e-mail questions about any type of cancer, myths and rumors, or other cancer-related concerns. Answers utilizing the latest information on cancer-related issues will be provided via this medium in an easy-to-understand format.
The Cancer Information Service is a program of the National Cancer Institute, the nation’s primary agency for cancer research, and is entirely federally funded through the NCI. Through a network of regional offices, the CIS provides the latest and most accurate cancer information to patients, their families, health professionals and the public. It does this by:
– Talking with people one-on-one through its telephone service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).
– Working with businesses and organizations through its Partnership Program.
– Participating in research efforts to find the best ways to help people adopt more healthful behaviors.
– Providing cancer information on the Internet at Cancer Information Service.
Since Oct. 15, 1999, the CIS has been providing service to V.I. residents through the toll-free telephone number. There is no charge to for the service, and all calls are confidential. The hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
People who call the toll-free number are connected to trained staff members who are experienced at explaining scientific information in understandable terms in both English and Spanish. The only time that the telephone specialist may ask for the caller's name and address is if the caller requests that printed information be mailed. And after the material is sent, the name and address record is destroyed.
On St. Thomas, the CIS has opened a regional Partnership Program office to serve the territory. The program is dedicated to reaching medically underserved populations. Partnering with local businesses and organizations, the CIS can provide an array of support services in areas such as cancer education, program planning and implementation, training assistance and media development.
One of the partners of the CIS is the "Every Woman at Heart" V.I. Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. Its purpose is to reduce mortality from breast and cervical cancers. Once a woman meets the income guidelines, the program provides underinsured or uninsured women over the age of 50 with free mammograms and women over the age of 18 with free pap smears. Program staff personnel will schedule appointments with doctors but provide transportation, if necessary. They also provide information on health education and treatment options. The woman is supported through every step of the process, providing a continuum of care.
For more information about "Every Woman at Heart, " call 774-9000, ext. 4643 on St. Thomas or 773-2676 on St. Croix.
For more information about the CIS and its services in the Virgin Islands, send an e-mail to Carthy Thomas, Partnership Program coordinator. Thomas also may be reached by telephone at 774-9000, ext. 4707. Queries also may be mailed to Health Department, Old Municipal Hospital, Bldg. F, St. Thomas VI 00802.
Many people in the Virgin Islands have lots of questions, comments and concerns about cancer. Any and off of them can be answered in the CIS column. I encourage the people of the Virgin Islands to utilize the services available. As our people become more educated about cancer, they will be able to make more informed decisions concerning health care. We look forward to hearing from you!
Carthy Thomas,
Partnership Program Coordinator
Coastal Cancer Information Service
CARLSBERG TOUR NOT TO BE MISSED — AND IT WASN'T
Sixth and last in a series of articles on the Summer 2001 visit to Denmark by the Friends of Denmark, hosted by the West Indian Society there
More than 20 years ago, our son sailed into Copenhagen on a freighter. Being 20 years of age and having been at sea for almost two weeks, he headed straight for the Carlsberg Brewery. His experiences at this fabled institution gave his mother and me one of our best stories about him — and made a similar tour by us inevitable.
Friday was the day that we rode our bicycles to the train station and where we boarded a train to get off at the Valby stop. At the Visitor Center, we were given a self-guided tour pamphlet and turned loose in the original brewery. By 1847, Copenhagen had become one of the denser major cities in the world. Given the crowded conditions, J.C. Jacobsen decided to build his brewery outside the city's ramparts, on a hill at Valby. He called the brewery Carlsberg (Carl's hill) after his son Carl.
The son followed in his father's footsteps. After a tour of Europe, he began his career as a brewer, opening his own brewery 10 years later, in 1971. In 1906, the New and Old Carlsbergs merged into Carlsberg Breweries.
In 1970, after almost a century working together, Tuborg and Carlsberg merged. Today, Carlsberg exports some 12 percent of its Danish output and owns all or part of some 72 breweries in 40 countries around the world. The publicity would have you know that some 30 million bottles of Carlsberg beer are opened around the world every day.
Our son was given a guided tour by a lively Danish lass. Judy and I were turned loose to wander around the old brewery with a map, augmented by numerous information boards and challenged by hordes of foreign tourists — German, Swedish, Japanese, Italian, Russian, and some we didn't recognize.
The machinery was polished to a shine, but the most interesting area to me was the malting germination bins. I have toiled toward the bottom of a silo in Kansas where corn stalks had been working for almost a year. You could only work so long and had to get out before you collapsed with a case of secondary drunkenness. I can only imagine working all day with a pitchfork and shovel turning heaps of barley as it germinated in the bins, which filled the entire basement of the brewery.
Another interesting area was the stable, which still houses the Carlsberg prize hitch of draft horses used to pull the ceremonial beer wagons. While we were there, the horses were undergoing a periodic veterinary examination which entailed minute study of each animal by four individuals.
At last we reached the bar. If you thought it was fun mixing it up with a couple hundred individuals of mixed nationalities touring the brewery, try drinking with them.
When my son visited the brewery, he was allowed to drink all the beer he wanted. We have a priceless picture of him and his friends attempting to ride their bicycles back to the ship. Today, each tourist gets two tickets good for beer, soft drinks (Carlsberg is associated with Coca-Cola) and water. I tried a glass of Old Carl and one of Tuborg Classic. Since we had to ride our bicycles I decided against the Elephant.
The Carlsberg complex covers many square blocks. It houses the latest modern brewery, warehouses, several institutes, laboratories, museums and the corporate headquarters. Wending our way through the maze with the help of a map, we came upon the Elephant Gates. This famous landmark was conceived and constructed in the mid-1800s, when art and architecture were bragging points for the world's foremost industrialists.
With a healthy respect for lunch, we headed for the nearest bakery for a sandwich and then to a park to eat it in. On the far side of the park we found the Royal Copenhagen factory and factory store. What the factory store lacked in finesse, it made up for with discounted prices. We were able to purchase fine ceramic statues at 40 percent below downtown prices, which encouraged us to get one for each child and grandchild. We also had an adventure roaming through two floors and a tent packed with every conceivable product of one of the world's finest manufacturers of ceramics.
The location of this gem is the northwest corner of Frederiksberg Have, or north of the Copenhagen Zoo on Sondre Fasanvej just south of Peter Bangs Vej. After well over an hour and hundreds of dollars, we shouldered our backpacks and lit out for our hosts' home.
Ending it all with a ball
Friday evening was the big "Good-bye Ball." Some 70 Virgin Islanders and more than 150 Danes met at the Egmont H. Peterson Student Dormitory. The Egmont, a hotel with students living there year 'round, rents out the restaurant for parties. The management allowed the Danish West Indian Society to have a bar and bring in their own food. It was the best of all worlds.
We began socializing in the bar area with wine and snacks provided by the individual society members and beer and other drinks available at the bar. Many of the hosts from Jutland and Fynn came into Copenhagen for the festivities, so it was a real mash-up of socialization.
A unique aspect of the location was a very narrow, curved stairway between the bar and the main salon. Since it allowed one thin person at a time to make the transition from the bar to the dining area, it was a great place to meet people. The pace of the evening was leisurely, with lots of time to enjoy the snacks, first course, main course and dessert. After two weeks of events, a couple sets of hosts, and several other parties, everyone had many friends to have one last conversation with.
The high point of the evening, after the food, was the Original Danish Polcalypso Orchestra. Polka-plus-calypso is the kind of fusion of Danish and West Indian music that only true fans of the two forms could create.
Band leader Kazo Dierpaul became infatuated with it around 1988, formed a band and made it his mission to introduce the music to all of Europe. To maintain the Caribbean influence, the band visits the islands regularly and has extended its range to the U.S. mainland. Band members play banjo, harmonica, saxophone, clarinet, guitar, drums, percussion and bass.
The band had played for the visiting Friends of Denmark group four years ago and has traveled to the territory several times to play — most recently with St Thomas's Jamesie (of Jamesie and the Happy Seven) Brewster appearing as guest artist.
Once the band began playing, several rows of tables were removed, and the floor was packed with dancers until the evening was brought to a close. There is absolutely no question in anyone's mind concerning the success of Festival 2001. We all enjoy the finer things in life: eating, socializing and dancing. Skal!
More than 20 years ago, our son sailed into Copenhagen on a freighter. Being 20 years of age and having been at sea for almost two weeks, he headed straight for the Carlsberg Brewery. His experiences at this fabled institution gave his mother and me one of our best stories about him — and made a similar tour by us inevitable.
Friday was the day that we rode our bicycles to the train station and where we boarded a train to get off at the Valby stop. At the Visitor Center, we were given a self-guided tour pamphlet and turned loose in the original brewery. By 1847, Copenhagen had become one of the denser major cities in the world. Given the crowded conditions, J.C. Jacobsen decided to build his brewery outside the city's ramparts, on a hill at Valby. He called the brewery Carlsberg (Carl's hill) after his son Carl.
The son followed in his father's footsteps. After a tour of Europe, he began his career as a brewer, opening his own brewery 10 years later, in 1971. In 1906, the New and Old Carlsbergs merged into Carlsberg Breweries.
In 1970, after almost a century working together, Tuborg and Carlsberg merged. Today, Carlsberg exports some 12 percent of its Danish output and owns all or part of some 72 breweries in 40 countries around the world. The publicity would have you know that some 30 million bottles of Carlsberg beer are opened around the world every day.
Our son was given a guided tour by a lively Danish lass. Judy and I were turned loose to wander around the old brewery with a map, augmented by numerous information boards and challenged by hordes of foreign tourists — German, Swedish, Japanese, Italian, Russian, and some we didn't recognize.
The machinery was polished to a shine, but the most interesting area to me was the malting germination bins. I have toiled toward the bottom of a silo in Kansas where corn stalks had been working for almost a year. You could only work so long and had to get out before you collapsed with a case of secondary drunkenness. I can only imagine working all day with a pitchfork and shovel turning heaps of barley as it germinated in the bins, which filled the entire basement of the brewery.
Another interesting area was the stable, which still houses the Carlsberg prize hitch of draft horses used to pull the ceremonial beer wagons. While we were there, the horses were undergoing a periodic veterinary examination which entailed minute study of each animal by four individuals.
At last we reached the bar. If you thought it was fun mixing it up with a couple hundred individuals of mixed nationalities touring the brewery, try drinking with them.
When my son visited the brewery, he was allowed to drink all the beer he wanted. We have a priceless picture of him and his friends attempting to ride their bicycles back to the ship. Today, each tourist gets two tickets good for beer, soft drinks (Carlsberg is associated with Coca-Cola) and water. I tried a glass of Old Carl and one of Tuborg Classic. Since we had to ride our bicycles I decided against the Elephant.
The Carlsberg complex covers many square blocks. It houses the latest modern brewery, warehouses, several institutes, laboratories, museums and the corporate headquarters. Wending our way through the maze with the help of a map, we came upon the Elephant Gates. This famous landmark was conceived and constructed in the mid-1800s, when art and architecture were bragging points for the world's foremost industrialists.
With a healthy respect for lunch, we headed for the nearest bakery for a sandwich and then to a park to eat it in. On the far side of the park we found the Royal Copenhagen factory and factory store. What the factory store lacked in finesse, it made up for with discounted prices. We were able to purchase fine ceramic statues at 40 percent below downtown prices, which encouraged us to get one for each child and grandchild. We also had an adventure roaming through two floors and a tent packed with every conceivable product of one of the world's finest manufacturers of ceramics.
The location of this gem is the northwest corner of Frederiksberg Have, or north of the Copenhagen Zoo on Sondre Fasanvej just south of Peter Bangs Vej. After well over an hour and hundreds of dollars, we shouldered our backpacks and lit out for our hosts' home.
Ending it all with a ball
Friday evening was the big "Good-bye Ball." Some 70 Virgin Islanders and more than 150 Danes met at the Egmont H. Peterson Student Dormitory. The Egmont, a hotel with students living there year 'round, rents out the restaurant for parties. The management allowed the Danish West Indian Society to have a bar and bring in their own food. It was the best of all worlds.
We began socializing in the bar area with wine and snacks provided by the individual society members and beer and other drinks available at the bar. Many of the hosts from Jutland and Fynn came into Copenhagen for the festivities, so it was a real mash-up of socialization.
A unique aspect of the location was a very narrow, curved stairway between the bar and the main salon. Since it allowed one thin person at a time to make the transition from the bar to the dining area, it was a great place to meet people. The pace of the evening was leisurely, with lots of time to enjoy the snacks, first course, main course and dessert. After two weeks of events, a couple sets of hosts, and several other parties, everyone had many friends to have one last conversation with.
The high point of the evening, after the food, was the Original Danish Polcalypso Orchestra. Polka-plus-calypso is the kind of fusion of Danish and West Indian music that only true fans of the two forms could create.
Band leader Kazo Dierpaul became infatuated with it around 1988, formed a band and made it his mission to introduce the music to all of Europe. To maintain the Caribbean influence, the band visits the islands regularly and has extended its range to the U.S. mainland. Band members play banjo, harmonica, saxophone, clarinet, guitar, drums, percussion and bass.
The band had played for the visiting Friends of Denmark group four years ago and has traveled to the territory several times to play — most recently with St Thomas's Jamesie (of Jamesie and the Happy Seven) Brewster appearing as guest artist.
Once the band began playing, several rows of tables were removed, and the floor was packed with dancers until the evening was brought to a close. There is absolutely no question in anyone's mind concerning the success of Festival 2001. We all enjoy the finer things in life: eating, socializing and dancing. Skal!
FIREFIGHTERS HOSTING VIGIL WEDNESDAY EVENING
Sept. 19, 2001 – V.I. Fire Services on St. Thomas will hold a candlelight vigil at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Emancipation Garden to pay tribute to those firefighters and police officers who lost their lives in responding to the terrorist attacks in New York City on Sept. 11.
Ian Williams Sr., Fire Services director, is asking police personnel, other emergency workers and the public "to join us in honoring these fallen American heroes."
Ian Williams Sr., Fire Services director, is asking police personnel, other emergency workers and the public "to join us in honoring these fallen American heroes."
FLAGS TO STAY AT HALF-STAFF THROUGH SATURDAY
Sept. 19, 2001 – In keeping with President George W. Bush's extending of the period of national mourning until sunset Saturday, all American and U.S. Virgin Islands flags are to fly at half-staff in the territory until that time, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull announced Tuesday in a release.
The Government House release points out that, when the flag of the United States is flown at half-staff, flags of other nations should not be flown at all. This is established flag etiquette, according to the reference work "Protocol: The Complete Handbook of Diplomatic, Official and Social Usage" by Mary Jane McCaffree and Pauline Innis.
Ships in U.S. waters are similarly expected to fly the American flag at half-mast until Saturday evening.
The Government House release points out that, when the flag of the United States is flown at half-staff, flags of other nations should not be flown at all. This is established flag etiquette, according to the reference work "Protocol: The Complete Handbook of Diplomatic, Official and Social Usage" by Mary Jane McCaffree and Pauline Innis.
Ships in U.S. waters are similarly expected to fly the American flag at half-mast until Saturday evening.
PLANS FOR 7 NAVY SHIPS TO VISIT NOW REMOTE
Sept. 19, 2001 – Ten days ago, working plans to welcome seven visiting U.S. Navy warships — including an aircraft carrier — to the territory by the end of September had local service providers and suppliers looking forward to a much-needed infusion of visitor spending.
Now, with the Navy on war alert in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, those plans have been put on indefinite hold, according to local residents in the know, and Navy communications reflect a stark change of policy with regard to saying anything about plans at all.
On Sept. 9, Frank Farmer, a member of the United Service Organization (USO) board on St. Thomas, had put out a call for volunteers and donations of food, drink and paper products for naval personnel who would be aboard "ships in the territory later this month."
The next day, Farmer told the Source the ships were from the USS John F. Kennedy Battle Group, including the Kennedy aircraft carrier itself. He had just asked James O'Bryan at Government House for help getting the USO building on the Charlotte Amalie waterfront ready to receive visitors and was about to call AT&T "to get extra phones put in."
He noted that the visit plans were tentative. "It's always tentative with the Navy," he explained, "and then, a week prior to their arrival, we know for sure."
Navy League national director Norma Kennedy confirmed on Sept. 10 that the USS Kennedy would be visiting Sept. 25-29. She knew because her "good friend Mo," the carrier's commanding officer, Capt. Maurice Joyce, was planning to stay at Marriott's Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort, where Kennedy works, and "I made his room reservation."
In fact, she said, there already were 40 reservations at the Reef from Navy personnel who would be in port. She added that plans to leave on Sept. 13 for a vacation in Europe would keep her from greeting her many friends among the "typical ship's compliment of 5,800 military personnel."
Also on Sept. 10, Cmdr. John Kirby, Second Fleet public affairs officer in Norfolk, Va., said Navy ships would be visiting the islands "later this month" and that the visit would be "in conjunction with some of our exercises."
According to published reports, the Navy had notified Puerto Rican officials on Sept. 7 that a new round of Navy bombing exercises off Vieques "could begin as soon as Sept. 24" and could last 23 days. Under a 1983 agreement, the Navy is required to give the Puerto Rico government 15 days' notice before the start of exercises.
Kirby added, "We make it a policy not to discuss specific ships, ports or dates, but these are ships of the USS John F. Kennedy's Battle Group, and they will be visiting some ports down there."
That same afternoon, Linda Oliver of the Navy's agent in the territory, C&C Port Services, said the USS Kennedy and six as yet unnamed warships from the carrier's Battle Group were expected. She said plans were being made with the Port Authority for two of the vessels to berth at the Crown Bay dock Sept. 20-24, while two others would anchor off St. John in Pillsbury Sound and another was scheduled to visit St. Croix.
On Sept. 25-29, Oliver said, the Kennedy was scheduled to anchor south of Hassel Island and begin tendering "over 5,000" crew to and from the Coast Guard dock at King's Wharf. At the same time, she said, the seventh ship would be visiting St. Croix.
A day later, all plans were put on hold by the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. National reports late that day, Sept. 11, said the USS Kennedy had been ordered to the New York area.
Sindi Coombs, owner of C&C Port Services, said later that her mainland Navy contacts had "not heard from the ships either for a cancellation or a confirmation" of the planned Virgin Islands calls. "It could be nothing more than the ships are so busy doing whatever they're doing that they haven't had time to respond," she said. But "if they're needed in other parts of the world, that's fine," she added, because "they'll come back."
On Sept. 12, Kennedy said she hadn't heard anything but felt sure that the aircraft carrier was "not coming in," because of the reports that it had been deployed to New York.
An e-mail to Kirby on Friday asking for an update on whether Navy ships would be visiting local ports as planned brought the terse response on Saturday that "For security purposes, I am not going to discuss the future movements of our ships."
Also on Saturday, Coombs said she still had received no word from the Navy. But, having advised suppliers that the visits might be off, she "had not had one complaint from a vendor" about the potential loss of revenues. "If the Navy ships come," she said, "we are going to be hosting men and women who will probably be going to war for us in the near future." As such, she said, they should be "treated with as much respect and patriotism as we can muster."
On Sunday, Frank Farmer's wife, Cynthia, said they now do not expect to see the USS Kennedy this month, because of the Navy being put on war readiness. When next the carrier does call in the islands, "We will have to be more than ready to show them how much they are appreciated," she said. "We should greet them with a round of applause," she said, "no matter what."
Now, with the Navy on war alert in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, those plans have been put on indefinite hold, according to local residents in the know, and Navy communications reflect a stark change of policy with regard to saying anything about plans at all.
On Sept. 9, Frank Farmer, a member of the United Service Organization (USO) board on St. Thomas, had put out a call for volunteers and donations of food, drink and paper products for naval personnel who would be aboard "ships in the territory later this month."
The next day, Farmer told the Source the ships were from the USS John F. Kennedy Battle Group, including the Kennedy aircraft carrier itself. He had just asked James O'Bryan at Government House for help getting the USO building on the Charlotte Amalie waterfront ready to receive visitors and was about to call AT&T "to get extra phones put in."
He noted that the visit plans were tentative. "It's always tentative with the Navy," he explained, "and then, a week prior to their arrival, we know for sure."
Navy League national director Norma Kennedy confirmed on Sept. 10 that the USS Kennedy would be visiting Sept. 25-29. She knew because her "good friend Mo," the carrier's commanding officer, Capt. Maurice Joyce, was planning to stay at Marriott's Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort, where Kennedy works, and "I made his room reservation."
In fact, she said, there already were 40 reservations at the Reef from Navy personnel who would be in port. She added that plans to leave on Sept. 13 for a vacation in Europe would keep her from greeting her many friends among the "typical ship's compliment of 5,800 military personnel."
Also on Sept. 10, Cmdr. John Kirby, Second Fleet public affairs officer in Norfolk, Va., said Navy ships would be visiting the islands "later this month" and that the visit would be "in conjunction with some of our exercises."
According to published reports, the Navy had notified Puerto Rican officials on Sept. 7 that a new round of Navy bombing exercises off Vieques "could begin as soon as Sept. 24" and could last 23 days. Under a 1983 agreement, the Navy is required to give the Puerto Rico government 15 days' notice before the start of exercises.
Kirby added, "We make it a policy not to discuss specific ships, ports or dates, but these are ships of the USS John F. Kennedy's Battle Group, and they will be visiting some ports down there."
That same afternoon, Linda Oliver of the Navy's agent in the territory, C&C Port Services, said the USS Kennedy and six as yet unnamed warships from the carrier's Battle Group were expected. She said plans were being made with the Port Authority for two of the vessels to berth at the Crown Bay dock Sept. 20-24, while two others would anchor off St. John in Pillsbury Sound and another was scheduled to visit St. Croix.
On Sept. 25-29, Oliver said, the Kennedy was scheduled to anchor south of Hassel Island and begin tendering "over 5,000" crew to and from the Coast Guard dock at King's Wharf. At the same time, she said, the seventh ship would be visiting St. Croix.
A day later, all plans were put on hold by the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. National reports late that day, Sept. 11, said the USS Kennedy had been ordered to the New York area.
Sindi Coombs, owner of C&C Port Services, said later that her mainland Navy contacts had "not heard from the ships either for a cancellation or a confirmation" of the planned Virgin Islands calls. "It could be nothing more than the ships are so busy doing whatever they're doing that they haven't had time to respond," she said. But "if they're needed in other parts of the world, that's fine," she added, because "they'll come back."
On Sept. 12, Kennedy said she hadn't heard anything but felt sure that the aircraft carrier was "not coming in," because of the reports that it had been deployed to New York.
An e-mail to Kirby on Friday asking for an update on whether Navy ships would be visiting local ports as planned brought the terse response on Saturday that "For security purposes, I am not going to discuss the future movements of our ships."
Also on Saturday, Coombs said she still had received no word from the Navy. But, having advised suppliers that the visits might be off, she "had not had one complaint from a vendor" about the potential loss of revenues. "If the Navy ships come," she said, "we are going to be hosting men and women who will probably be going to war for us in the near future." As such, she said, they should be "treated with as much respect and patriotism as we can muster."
On Sunday, Frank Farmer's wife, Cynthia, said they now do not expect to see the USS Kennedy this month, because of the Navy being put on war readiness. When next the carrier does call in the islands, "We will have to be more than ready to show them how much they are appreciated," she said. "We should greet them with a round of applause," she said, "no matter what."
MARCHENA EXPECTS $4 MILLION FROM SENATE
Sept, 19, 2001 – Nadine Marchena, acting chief executive officer for the Economic Development Authority, said Tuesday night she is confident the Legislature will give her the $4.07 million she has asked for to run the authority properly.
After the tragic, economically disastrous events of last week, Marchena said, "What senator would not want to fund this program," which many hope will offset some of the expected financial losses in the tourism market after terrorist attacks Sept. 11 on New York and Washington, D.C.
Marchena had asked the Legislature to appropriate the money before the attacks, she said.
The EDA's initiatives in bringing diverse companies to the territory, especially financial management firms, has been credited for an extra $100 million "found" by the government and used to fund, among other things, step increases for government workers.
"If they are serious, they will give us those monies," Marchena said. "If they don't, we won't be able to offer the benefits we've been talking about."
Those benefits include funding and assisting small businesses in the Virgin Islands.
Marchena was speaking to a group of about 18 business owners at an open house held to "continue the dialogue" between EDA staff and the business people it serves. It was the second such event and was called to discuss the newly approved micro-loan program for small businesses and the new small business program.
The Senate appropriated $500,000 from the general fund to finance the loans. Marchena said she had just been told about the new loan program "yesterday or the day before," and did not yet have a process in place for loan applications. However, she said it would be a "low document" process since the program is not federally funded.
The small business program lowers the amount of investment to $20,000 and the number of employees to two in order to be eligible for benefits. In order to qualify for the program, the business must be 50 percent locally owned. "Locally" is defined as being born in the Virgin Islands and living here for five consecutive years or being a resident for 10 consecutive years.
New programs notwithstanding, Marchena repeated what she has said several times in public forums: To carry out the work mandated for the authority, she will need more money and staff. The authority now has 16 employees for both St. Thomas and St. Croix.
Despite funding woes and staff shortages, Marchena reported 72 companies have been processed for benefits or loans this year, leaving eight pending public hearings and eight others awaiting loan approval.
The other good news, she said, is that the EDA — an umbrella agency for the Economic Development Commission, the Government Development Bank, the Small Business Development Agency and the Industrial Park Development Agency — finally has a full board of directors. The board has been meeting at least every two weeks, sometimes until midnight, to clean up the backlog of applications for economic development benefits and loans, she said.
The board members are Dean Plaskett, Planning and Natural Resources commissioner, chair; Kent Bernier, the governor's adviser on fiscal affairs; Willis Todman of the Government Employees Retirement System; Louis Willis, Internal Revenue Service director; and Randolph Allen, Malcolm Plaskett and former Sen. Mary Ann Pickard, who serve on behalf of the private sector.
The open house was held on St. Thomas at the Palms Court Harborview Hotel.
After the tragic, economically disastrous events of last week, Marchena said, "What senator would not want to fund this program," which many hope will offset some of the expected financial losses in the tourism market after terrorist attacks Sept. 11 on New York and Washington, D.C.
Marchena had asked the Legislature to appropriate the money before the attacks, she said.
The EDA's initiatives in bringing diverse companies to the territory, especially financial management firms, has been credited for an extra $100 million "found" by the government and used to fund, among other things, step increases for government workers.
"If they are serious, they will give us those monies," Marchena said. "If they don't, we won't be able to offer the benefits we've been talking about."
Those benefits include funding and assisting small businesses in the Virgin Islands.
Marchena was speaking to a group of about 18 business owners at an open house held to "continue the dialogue" between EDA staff and the business people it serves. It was the second such event and was called to discuss the newly approved micro-loan program for small businesses and the new small business program.
The Senate appropriated $500,000 from the general fund to finance the loans. Marchena said she had just been told about the new loan program "yesterday or the day before," and did not yet have a process in place for loan applications. However, she said it would be a "low document" process since the program is not federally funded.
The small business program lowers the amount of investment to $20,000 and the number of employees to two in order to be eligible for benefits. In order to qualify for the program, the business must be 50 percent locally owned. "Locally" is defined as being born in the Virgin Islands and living here for five consecutive years or being a resident for 10 consecutive years.
New programs notwithstanding, Marchena repeated what she has said several times in public forums: To carry out the work mandated for the authority, she will need more money and staff. The authority now has 16 employees for both St. Thomas and St. Croix.
Despite funding woes and staff shortages, Marchena reported 72 companies have been processed for benefits or loans this year, leaving eight pending public hearings and eight others awaiting loan approval.
The other good news, she said, is that the EDA — an umbrella agency for the Economic Development Commission, the Government Development Bank, the Small Business Development Agency and the Industrial Park Development Agency — finally has a full board of directors. The board has been meeting at least every two weeks, sometimes until midnight, to clean up the backlog of applications for economic development benefits and loans, she said.
The board members are Dean Plaskett, Planning and Natural Resources commissioner, chair; Kent Bernier, the governor's adviser on fiscal affairs; Willis Todman of the Government Employees Retirement System; Louis Willis, Internal Revenue Service director; and Randolph Allen, Malcolm Plaskett and former Sen. Mary Ann Pickard, who serve on behalf of the private sector.
The open house was held on St. Thomas at the Palms Court Harborview Hotel.
MARCHENA EXPECTS $4 MILLION FROM SENATE
Sept, 19, 2001 – Nadine Marchena, acting chief executive officer for the Economic Development Authority, said Tuesday night she is confident the Legislature will give her the $4.07 million she has asked for to run the authority properly.
After the tragic, economically disastrous events of last week, Marchena said, "What senator would not want to fund this program," which many hope will offset some of the expected financial losses in the tourism market after terrorist attacks Sept. 11 on New York and Washington, D.C.
Marchena had asked the Legislature to appropriate the money before the attacks, she said.
The EDA's initiatives in bringing diverse companies to the territory, especially financial management firms, has been credited for an extra $100 million "found" by the government and used to fund, among other things, step increases for government workers.
"If they are serious, they will give us those monies," Marchena said. "If they don't, we won't be able to offer the benefits we've been talking about."
Those benefits include funding and assisting small businesses in the Virgin Islands.
Marchena was speaking to a group of about 18 business owners at an open house held to "continue the dialogue" between EDA staff and the business people it serves. It was the second such event and was called to discuss the newly approved micro-loan program for small businesses and the new small business program.
The Senate appropriated $500,000 from the general fund to finance the loans. Marchena said she had just been told about the new loan program "yesterday or the day before," and did not yet have a process in place for loan applications. However, she said it would be a "low document" process since the program is not federally funded.
The small business program lowers the amount of investment to $20,000 and the number of employees to two in order to be eligible for benefits. In order to qualify for the program, the business must be 50 percent locally owned. "Locally" is defined as being born in the Virgin Islands and living here for five consecutive years or being a resident for 10 consecutive years.
New programs notwithstanding, Marchena repeated what she has said several times in public forums: To carry out the work mandated for the authority, she will need more money and staff. The authority now has 16 employees for both St. Thomas and St. Croix.
Despite funding woes and staff shortages, Marchena reported 72 companies have been processed for benefits or loans this year, leaving eight pending public hearings and eight others awaiting loan approval.
The other good news, she said, is that the EDA — an umbrella agency for the Economic Development Commission, the Government Development Bank, the Small Business Development Agency and the Industrial Park Development Agency — finally has a full board of directors. The board has been meeting at least every two weeks, sometimes until midnight, to clean up the backlog of applications for economic development benefits and loans, she said.
The board members are Dean Plaskett, Planning and Natural Resources commissioner, chair; Kent Bernier, the governor's adviser on fiscal affairs; Willis Todman of the Government Employees Retirement System; Louis Willis, Internal Revenue Service director; and Randolph Allen, Malcolm Plaskett and former Sen. Mary Ann Pickard, who serve on behalf of the private sector.
The open house was held on St. Thomas at the Palms Court Harborview Hotel.
After the tragic, economically disastrous events of last week, Marchena said, "What senator would not want to fund this program," which many hope will offset some of the expected financial losses in the tourism market after terrorist attacks Sept. 11 on New York and Washington, D.C.
Marchena had asked the Legislature to appropriate the money before the attacks, she said.
The EDA's initiatives in bringing diverse companies to the territory, especially financial management firms, has been credited for an extra $100 million "found" by the government and used to fund, among other things, step increases for government workers.
"If they are serious, they will give us those monies," Marchena said. "If they don't, we won't be able to offer the benefits we've been talking about."
Those benefits include funding and assisting small businesses in the Virgin Islands.
Marchena was speaking to a group of about 18 business owners at an open house held to "continue the dialogue" between EDA staff and the business people it serves. It was the second such event and was called to discuss the newly approved micro-loan program for small businesses and the new small business program.
The Senate appropriated $500,000 from the general fund to finance the loans. Marchena said she had just been told about the new loan program "yesterday or the day before," and did not yet have a process in place for loan applications. However, she said it would be a "low document" process since the program is not federally funded.
The small business program lowers the amount of investment to $20,000 and the number of employees to two in order to be eligible for benefits. In order to qualify for the program, the business must be 50 percent locally owned. "Locally" is defined as being born in the Virgin Islands and living here for five consecutive years or being a resident for 10 consecutive years.
New programs notwithstanding, Marchena repeated what she has said several times in public forums: To carry out the work mandated for the authority, she will need more money and staff. The authority now has 16 employees for both St. Thomas and St. Croix.
Despite funding woes and staff shortages, Marchena reported 72 companies have been processed for benefits or loans this year, leaving eight pending public hearings and eight others awaiting loan approval.
The other good news, she said, is that the EDA — an umbrella agency for the Economic Development Commission, the Government Development Bank, the Small Business Development Agency and the Industrial Park Development Agency — finally has a full board of directors. The board has been meeting at least every two weeks, sometimes until midnight, to clean up the backlog of applications for economic development benefits and loans, she said.
The board members are Dean Plaskett, Planning and Natural Resources commissioner, chair; Kent Bernier, the governor's adviser on fiscal affairs; Willis Todman of the Government Employees Retirement System; Louis Willis, Internal Revenue Service director; and Randolph Allen, Malcolm Plaskett and former Sen. Mary Ann Pickard, who serve on behalf of the private sector.
The open house was held on St. Thomas at the Palms Court Harborview Hotel.
MARCHENA EXPECTS $4 MILLION FROM SENATE
Sept, 19, 2001 – Nadine Marchena, acting chief executive officer for the Economic Development Authority, said Tuesday night she is confident the Legislature will give her the $4.07 million she has asked for to run the authority properly.
After the tragic, economically disastrous events of last week, Marchena said, "What senator would not want to fund this program," which many hope will offset some of the expected financial losses in the tourism market after terrorist attacks Sept. 11 on New York and Washington, D.C.
Marchena had asked the Legislature to appropriate the money before the attacks, she said.
The EDA's initiatives in bringing diverse companies to the territory, especially financial management firms, has been credited for an extra $100 million "found" by the government and used to fund, among other things, step increases for government workers.
"If they are serious, they will give us those monies," Marchena said. "If they don't, we won't be able to offer the benefits we've been talking about."
Those benefits include funding and assisting small businesses in the Virgin Islands.
Marchena was speaking to a group of about 18 business owners at an open house held to "continue the dialogue" between EDA staff and the business people it serves. It was the second such event and was called to discuss the newly approved micro-loan program for small businesses and the new small business program.
The Senate appropriated $500,000 from the general fund to finance the loans. Marchena said she had just been told about the new loan program "yesterday or the day before," and did not yet have a process in place for loan applications. However, she said it would be a "low document" process since the program is not federally funded.
The small business program lowers the amount of investment to $20,000 and the number of employees to two in order to be eligible for benefits. In order to qualify for the program, the business must be 50 percent locally owned. "Locally" is defined as being born in the Virgin Islands and living here for five consecutive years or being a resident for 10 consecutive years.
New programs notwithstanding, Marchena repeated what she has said several times in public forums: To carry out the work mandated for the authority, she will need more money and staff. The authority now has 16 employees for both St. Thomas and St. Croix.
Despite funding woes and staff shortages, Marchena reported 72 companies have been processed for benefits or loans this year, leaving eight pending public hearings and eight others awaiting loan approval.
The other good news, she said, is that the EDA — an umbrella agency for the Economic Development Commission, the Government Development Bank, the Small Business Development Agency and the Industrial Park Development Agency — finally has a full board of directors. The board has been meeting at least every two weeks, sometimes until midnight, to clean up the backlog of applications for economic development benefits and loans, she said.
The board members are Dean Plaskett, Planning and Natural Resources commissioner, chair; Kent Bernier, the governor's adviser on fiscal affairs; Willis Todman of the Government Employees Retirement System; Louis Willis, Internal Revenue Service director; and Randolph Allen, Malcolm Plaskett and former Sen. Mary Ann Pickard, who serve on behalf of the private sector.
The open house was held on St. Thomas at the Palms Court Harborview Hotel.
After the tragic, economically disastrous events of last week, Marchena said, "What senator would not want to fund this program," which many hope will offset some of the expected financial losses in the tourism market after terrorist attacks Sept. 11 on New York and Washington, D.C.
Marchena had asked the Legislature to appropriate the money before the attacks, she said.
The EDA's initiatives in bringing diverse companies to the territory, especially financial management firms, has been credited for an extra $100 million "found" by the government and used to fund, among other things, step increases for government workers.
"If they are serious, they will give us those monies," Marchena said. "If they don't, we won't be able to offer the benefits we've been talking about."
Those benefits include funding and assisting small businesses in the Virgin Islands.
Marchena was speaking to a group of about 18 business owners at an open house held to "continue the dialogue" between EDA staff and the business people it serves. It was the second such event and was called to discuss the newly approved micro-loan program for small businesses and the new small business program.
The Senate appropriated $500,000 from the general fund to finance the loans. Marchena said she had just been told about the new loan program "yesterday or the day before," and did not yet have a process in place for loan applications. However, she said it would be a "low document" process since the program is not federally funded.
The small business program lowers the amount of investment to $20,000 and the number of employees to two in order to be eligible for benefits. In order to qualify for the program, the business must be 50 percent locally owned. "Locally" is defined as being born in the Virgin Islands and living here for five consecutive years or being a resident for 10 consecutive years.
New programs notwithstanding, Marchena repeated what she has said several times in public forums: To carry out the work mandated for the authority, she will need more money and staff. The authority now has 16 employees for both St. Thomas and St. Croix.
Despite funding woes and staff shortages, Marchena reported 72 companies have been processed for benefits or loans this year, leaving eight pending public hearings and eight others awaiting loan approval.
The other good news, she said, is that the EDA — an umbrella agency for the Economic Development Commission, the Government Development Bank, the Small Business Development Agency and the Industrial Park Development Agency — finally has a full board of directors. The board has been meeting at least every two weeks, sometimes until midnight, to clean up the backlog of applications for economic development benefits and loans, she said.
The board members are Dean Plaskett, Planning and Natural Resources commissioner, chair; Kent Bernier, the governor's adviser on fiscal affairs; Willis Todman of the Government Employees Retirement System; Louis Willis, Internal Revenue Service director; and Randolph Allen, Malcolm Plaskett and former Sen. Mary Ann Pickard, who serve on behalf of the private sector.
The open house was held on St. Thomas at the Palms Court Harborview Hotel.
BOTH PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS GET BOMB THREAT CALLS
Sept. 18, 2001 – A bomb threat was telephoned Tuesday morning to Ivanna Eudora Kean High School and another was called in to Charlotte Amalie High School around noon. Eudora Kean closed for the day after the threat was received there. Bomb threats were also called in to the ScotiaBank branch on Veterans Drive.
A anonymous caller had told police Monday night, "There will be numerous bombs planted in each of the schools tomorrow."
Education Department officials said Eudora Kean closed for the day after the bomb threat was received there about 10 a.m. Tuesday. Classes continued at CAHS.
Education Commissioner Ruby Simmonds called the threats "unconscionable" in the wake of the terrorist attacks on the mainland last week. "This is not a time for pranks," she said, adding that students were losing valuable learning time because of the calls, and that they would not be able to make up for the missed lessons. School officials have to take any threat to the children seriously, she added.
A spate of other bomb threats and resulting evacuations have been made in the territory since the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C., a week ago:
– On Monday, the Human Services Department offices in the Knud-Hansen complex on St. Thomas received a threat.
– On Sunday, the Pueblo supermarket in Sub Base received a threat.
– On Saturday night, the Capt. Vic car barge was forced to end a Jam Band boat ride because of a bomb threat, law-enforcement officials reported.
– Last Wednesday, the Guy Benjamin Elementary School on St. John and the ScotiaBank branch in Tutu Park Mall received bomb threats.
No explosions have occurred, and no bombs have been found at the sites.
On Monday, FBI agents on St. Croix arrested Norman Rampersad Jr. and charged him with making a bomb threat to a subcontractor at the Hovensa oil refinery last week. If convicted, Rampersad could face up to 10 years in prison on the charge of calling in a bomb threat.
Police Commissioner Franz Christian has said that he considers any bomb threat a threat to human life, and cases will be treated as such.
A anonymous caller had told police Monday night, "There will be numerous bombs planted in each of the schools tomorrow."
Education Department officials said Eudora Kean closed for the day after the bomb threat was received there about 10 a.m. Tuesday. Classes continued at CAHS.
Education Commissioner Ruby Simmonds called the threats "unconscionable" in the wake of the terrorist attacks on the mainland last week. "This is not a time for pranks," she said, adding that students were losing valuable learning time because of the calls, and that they would not be able to make up for the missed lessons. School officials have to take any threat to the children seriously, she added.
A spate of other bomb threats and resulting evacuations have been made in the territory since the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C., a week ago:
– On Monday, the Human Services Department offices in the Knud-Hansen complex on St. Thomas received a threat.
– On Sunday, the Pueblo supermarket in Sub Base received a threat.
– On Saturday night, the Capt. Vic car barge was forced to end a Jam Band boat ride because of a bomb threat, law-enforcement officials reported.
– Last Wednesday, the Guy Benjamin Elementary School on St. John and the ScotiaBank branch in Tutu Park Mall received bomb threats.
No explosions have occurred, and no bombs have been found at the sites.
On Monday, FBI agents on St. Croix arrested Norman Rampersad Jr. and charged him with making a bomb threat to a subcontractor at the Hovensa oil refinery last week. If convicted, Rampersad could face up to 10 years in prison on the charge of calling in a bomb threat.
Police Commissioner Franz Christian has said that he considers any bomb threat a threat to human life, and cases will be treated as such.
'HELMET DRIVE' TO BENEFIT FIREFIGHTERS' FAMILIES
Sept. 18, 2001 – Firefighters territorywide launched a "helmet drive" Tuesday morning to collect donations for the families of New York firefighters who lost their lives in responding to the terrorist attacks a week ago.
"We have firefighters in front of each station holding out their helmets to collect whatever anyone wants to give," Lt. Neil Berry said.
On Sunday, Berry said, "A small delegation of V.I. firefighters is going to New York to give a check to the New York firefighters' families. There is a memorial service for the firefighters on Sunday, and we want to be there."
Firefighter David Hodge got the drive going. "We came up with this within the last 48 hours," he said. "They are our fallen comrades."
Berry and Hodge said all of the V.I. firefighters feel a strong bond with their New York colleagues. "They always come to the station to say hi when they are here on vacation," one said. "We all have NYFD T-shirts." They agreed that "we had to do it; we all feel the tragedy."
Members of both the firefighters union and the fire supervisors union are holding out their helmets, Hodge said. Cash and checks are accepted. Checks should be made out to Firefighters Local 2125, he said.
Response so far has been good, Hodge said. "The people have been really appreciative — even the tourists are giving us a little dollar or so." He stressed that any amount is fine, "25 cents, anything. And we want to make it absolutely clear that every penny is going into the check to give to the families."
"We have firefighters in front of each station holding out their helmets to collect whatever anyone wants to give," Lt. Neil Berry said.
On Sunday, Berry said, "A small delegation of V.I. firefighters is going to New York to give a check to the New York firefighters' families. There is a memorial service for the firefighters on Sunday, and we want to be there."
Firefighter David Hodge got the drive going. "We came up with this within the last 48 hours," he said. "They are our fallen comrades."
Berry and Hodge said all of the V.I. firefighters feel a strong bond with their New York colleagues. "They always come to the station to say hi when they are here on vacation," one said. "We all have NYFD T-shirts." They agreed that "we had to do it; we all feel the tragedy."
Members of both the firefighters union and the fire supervisors union are holding out their helmets, Hodge said. Cash and checks are accepted. Checks should be made out to Firefighters Local 2125, he said.
Response so far has been good, Hodge said. "The people have been really appreciative — even the tourists are giving us a little dollar or so." He stressed that any amount is fine, "25 cents, anything. And we want to make it absolutely clear that every penny is going into the check to give to the families."
