Sept. 18, 2001 – In the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, increased security remains in effect throughout the Virgin Islands at private-sector installations as well as governmental facilities and offices.
Two U.S. Coast Guard cutters arrived at St. Thomas several days ago, dispatched to escort cruise ships in and out of the Charlotte Amalie harbor. The procedure is "just a precaution," Coast Guard Lt. John Reinert said. "There have been no threats."
Reinert said Coast Guard officers have stepped up checks at the West Indian Co. and Crown Bay docks on St. Thomas. WICO remains on alert, spokesman Calvin Wheatley said, adding, "I don't know when it will be relaxed." He said he doesn't expect any attacks here, but the island needs to remain prepared.
Federal agents detained two people on Sunday at the WICO dock after they were spotted taking photographs in a restricted area. Wheatley said suppliers delivering provisions to the cruise ships must produce WICO-approved identification when asked. "We are carefully monitoring the presence of people along the dock," he said.
All of WICO's 60 employees already carried identification before the Sept. 11 attack, and the security staff knows them all, Wheatley said.
Alex Moorhead, vice president for government affairs and human relations at the Hovensa oil refinery on St. Croix, declined to provide any security details but said the refinery remained on alert. "It is causing a minimum of inconvenience to employees," he said, noting that employee bag searches were part of the security program before the attack.
Federal buildings on St. Thomas and St. Croix also remain on alert. Stanley Brown, who manages both buildings, said that staff moved into high alert on Sept. 11. "Nothing has changed," he said, declining to provide details.
James O'Bryan, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull's assistant for public affairs and policy initiatives, said security has been increased at key government buildings. He declined to give specifics but said that, in some instances, employees now must go through checkpoints.
While most agencies continue watching their backs, the V.I. National Park on St. John is not doing so. Supt. John King said the park closed the Visitor Center right after the attack but reopened it the next day. It is unlikely the park would be a target of any attack, he said.
King noted that certain other national parks such as those where the Statue of Liberty in New York and Independence Hall in Philadelphia are located remain under higher vigilance. "They are important symbols of our nation," he said.
No one could be reached for comment at the Water and Power Authority or
Innovative Telephone.
ACCUSED HOVENSA BOMB CALLER GOES TO COURT
Sept. 18, 2001 — The 28-year-old man accused of calling in a bomb threat to the Hovensa refinery a day after terrorist attacks on the mainland had actually worked for a subcontractor at the giant facility for a month.
Norman Rampersad Jr. appeared at an advice-of-rights hearing in U.S. District Court on Tuesday, a day after he was arrested by FBI agents for allegedly making a threatening phone call on Sept. 12 to Bechtel Corp., a Hovensa subcontractor. The call forced the refinery to shut down while a search was made for an explosive device.
Rampersad told U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Resnick that he had worked for Bechtel making $12.89 an hour for a month, but gave no reason why he made the alleged call.
Neither Assistant U.S. Attorney David Nissman nor the FBI said how Rampersad was identified as the caller. But as part of his bail conditions, Resnick ordered Rampersad to give up his cellular phone. Calls made from cellular phones can be tracked by triangulating the location of the base station and antenna nearest to the caller.
Resnick meanwhile, set bond at $25,000, but let Rampersad out on $2,000 bail. He will be in the third-party custody of his sister. Rampersad is not allowed to possess any type of weapon or make contact with Hovensa or any of its contractors.
"No phone calls with those companies whatsoever," Resnick said. "None. Period."
Resnick also ordered Rampersad to log all his calls, including the time, date, who he calls and for how long the call lasts until his trial, which has yet to be scheduled.
Rampersad was arrested for, among other things, maliciously conveying false information to damage and destroy real and personal property and to injure others by means of fire or explosion. He faces a maximum of up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Rampersad was also charged with transmission of threatening communication in interstate commerce to injure another person, which carries a maximum of five years in prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Norman Rampersad Jr. appeared at an advice-of-rights hearing in U.S. District Court on Tuesday, a day after he was arrested by FBI agents for allegedly making a threatening phone call on Sept. 12 to Bechtel Corp., a Hovensa subcontractor. The call forced the refinery to shut down while a search was made for an explosive device.
Rampersad told U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Resnick that he had worked for Bechtel making $12.89 an hour for a month, but gave no reason why he made the alleged call.
Neither Assistant U.S. Attorney David Nissman nor the FBI said how Rampersad was identified as the caller. But as part of his bail conditions, Resnick ordered Rampersad to give up his cellular phone. Calls made from cellular phones can be tracked by triangulating the location of the base station and antenna nearest to the caller.
Resnick meanwhile, set bond at $25,000, but let Rampersad out on $2,000 bail. He will be in the third-party custody of his sister. Rampersad is not allowed to possess any type of weapon or make contact with Hovensa or any of its contractors.
"No phone calls with those companies whatsoever," Resnick said. "None. Period."
Resnick also ordered Rampersad to log all his calls, including the time, date, who he calls and for how long the call lasts until his trial, which has yet to be scheduled.
Rampersad was arrested for, among other things, maliciously conveying false information to damage and destroy real and personal property and to injure others by means of fire or explosion. He faces a maximum of up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Rampersad was also charged with transmission of threatening communication in interstate commerce to injure another person, which carries a maximum of five years in prison and a fine up to $250,000.
FIRE SERVICES GETS U.S. GRANTS FOR UPGRADES
Sept. 18, 2001 – V.I. Fire Services recently received two federal grants totaling $395,528 to upgrade its response cabability, Ian Williams Sr., its director, said in a news release.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency provided $257,528 from the Firefighters Investment Response Grant fund, which is for equipment such as breathing devices, hoses, power tools, generators and professional first-aid kits.
A U.S. Agriculture Department wild land grant of $138,000 will help the department conduct training, purchase tools used to fight fires in what is termed wild land, and provide reliable water sources in rural areas.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency provided $257,528 from the Firefighters Investment Response Grant fund, which is for equipment such as breathing devices, hoses, power tools, generators and professional first-aid kits.
A U.S. Agriculture Department wild land grant of $138,000 will help the department conduct training, purchase tools used to fight fires in what is termed wild land, and provide reliable water sources in rural areas.
FIRE SERVICES GETS U.S. GRANTS FOR UPGRADES
Sept. 18, 2001 – V.I. Fire Services recently received two federal grants totaling $395,528 to upgrade its response cabability, Ian Williams Sr., its director, said in a news release.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency provided $257,528 from the Firefighters Investment Response Grant fund, which is for equipment such as breathing devices, hoses, power tools, generators and professional first-aid kits.
A U.S. Agriculture Department wild land grant of $138,000 will help the department conduct training, purchase tools used to fight fires in what is termed wild land, and provide reliable water sources in rural areas.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency provided $257,528 from the Firefighters Investment Response Grant fund, which is for equipment such as breathing devices, hoses, power tools, generators and professional first-aid kits.
A U.S. Agriculture Department wild land grant of $138,000 will help the department conduct training, purchase tools used to fight fires in what is termed wild land, and provide reliable water sources in rural areas.
FIRE SERVICES GETS U.S. GRANTS FOR UPGRADES
Sept. 18, 2001 – V.I. Fire Services recently received two federal grants totaling $395,528 to upgrade its response capability, Ian Williams Sr., its director, said in a news release.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency provided $257,528 from the Firefighters Investment Response Grant fund, which is for equipment such as breathing devices, hoses, power tools, generators and professional first-aid kits.
A U.S. Agriculture Department wild land grant of $138,000 will help the department conduct training, purchase tools used to fight fires in what is termed wild land, and provide reliable water sources in rural areas.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency provided $257,528 from the Firefighters Investment Response Grant fund, which is for equipment such as breathing devices, hoses, power tools, generators and professional first-aid kits.
A U.S. Agriculture Department wild land grant of $138,000 will help the department conduct training, purchase tools used to fight fires in what is termed wild land, and provide reliable water sources in rural areas.
JUDGE ORDERS FLAG PINS REMOVED IN COURT
Sept. 18, 2001 – Lofton P. Holder, an assistant attorney general with the V.I. Justice Department, was stunned on Monday when Territorial Court Judge Rhys Hodge ordered him to remove his American flag lapel pin.
"I feel my First Amendment rights have been violated and trampled on," he said afterward.
Holder said he was wearing the pin as a patriotic sign of support for President George W. Bush in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
A Vietnam combat veteran, Holder said the situation unfolded during jury selection for several upcoming criminal trials. He said Stephen Brusch, a defense attorney, told Hodge that the pin violated his client's rights because it would taint the jury.
"How that could taint an American jury in an American courtroom, I don't know," Holder reflected.
Holder said Brusch then asked Hodge to order him to take the pin off. He said the judge did so, and he removed his pin.
According to Holder, Hodge compared the situation to one in the O.J. Simpson murder trial in which U.S. District Judge Lance Ito told a prosecutor to remove an angel pin. Holder said he sees no similarity between the two instances.
He also said it was later discovered that a defendant — not his client — also was wearing a flag pin. That defendant also took off his pin after Hodge ordered him to do so.
In Territorial Court and U.S. District Court, U.S. flags are prominently displayed on poles at the front of all court rooms.
Brusch, reached at his law office on St. Thomas, refused to comment on any cases. Hodge did not return a telephone call requesting comment.
"I feel my First Amendment rights have been violated and trampled on," he said afterward.
Holder said he was wearing the pin as a patriotic sign of support for President George W. Bush in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
A Vietnam combat veteran, Holder said the situation unfolded during jury selection for several upcoming criminal trials. He said Stephen Brusch, a defense attorney, told Hodge that the pin violated his client's rights because it would taint the jury.
"How that could taint an American jury in an American courtroom, I don't know," Holder reflected.
Holder said Brusch then asked Hodge to order him to take the pin off. He said the judge did so, and he removed his pin.
According to Holder, Hodge compared the situation to one in the O.J. Simpson murder trial in which U.S. District Judge Lance Ito told a prosecutor to remove an angel pin. Holder said he sees no similarity between the two instances.
He also said it was later discovered that a defendant — not his client — also was wearing a flag pin. That defendant also took off his pin after Hodge ordered him to do so.
In Territorial Court and U.S. District Court, U.S. flags are prominently displayed on poles at the front of all court rooms.
Brusch, reached at his law office on St. Thomas, refused to comment on any cases. Hodge did not return a telephone call requesting comment.
STORYTELLING CONTINUES AT TUTU PARK MALL
The Salvation Army's storytelling hour continues at Tutu Park Mall on St. Thomas every Saturday at 11 a.m.
Capt. Debra Sam, who launched the program in June, has decided to continue with the storytelling hour indefinitely because of the enthusiastic turnout she's been experiencing.
"I want to continue being there for those kids who look forward to this Saturday morning activity," Sam said.
Children who wish to participate are to be accompanied by an adult to the store next to Pro-Nails, left off the center court.
Pamela Morales, marketing director for Tutu Park Mall, said the mall management is proud to offer facilities to host such activities and that she hopes more organizations will collaborate on future projects like this.
"Now more than ever we have to become more involved with our children," Morales said. "I just hope more organizations find value in designing activities like the Salvation Army's."
For more information contact Sam at 776-0070 or Morales at 775-4658.
Capt. Debra Sam, who launched the program in June, has decided to continue with the storytelling hour indefinitely because of the enthusiastic turnout she's been experiencing.
"I want to continue being there for those kids who look forward to this Saturday morning activity," Sam said.
Children who wish to participate are to be accompanied by an adult to the store next to Pro-Nails, left off the center court.
Pamela Morales, marketing director for Tutu Park Mall, said the mall management is proud to offer facilities to host such activities and that she hopes more organizations will collaborate on future projects like this.
"Now more than ever we have to become more involved with our children," Morales said. "I just hope more organizations find value in designing activities like the Salvation Army's."
For more information contact Sam at 776-0070 or Morales at 775-4658.
STORYTELLING CONTINUES AT TUTU PARK MALL
The Salvation Army's storytelling hour continues at Tutu Park Mall every Saturday at 11 a.m.
Capt. Debra Sam, who launched the program in June, has decided to continue with the storytelling hour indefinitely because of the enthusiastic turnout she's been experiencing.
"I want to continue being there for those kids who look forward to this Saturday morning activity," Sam said.
Children who wish to participate are to be accompanied by an adult to the store next to Pro-Nails, left off the center court.
Pamela Morales, marketing director for Tutu Park Mall, said the mall management is proud to offer facilities to host such activities and she hopes more organizations will collaborate on future projects like this.
"Now more than ever we have to become more involved with our children," Morales said. "I just hope more organizations find value in designing activities like the Salvation Army's."
For more information contact Sam at 776-0070 or Morales at 775-4658.
Capt. Debra Sam, who launched the program in June, has decided to continue with the storytelling hour indefinitely because of the enthusiastic turnout she's been experiencing.
"I want to continue being there for those kids who look forward to this Saturday morning activity," Sam said.
Children who wish to participate are to be accompanied by an adult to the store next to Pro-Nails, left off the center court.
Pamela Morales, marketing director for Tutu Park Mall, said the mall management is proud to offer facilities to host such activities and she hopes more organizations will collaborate on future projects like this.
"Now more than ever we have to become more involved with our children," Morales said. "I just hope more organizations find value in designing activities like the Salvation Army's."
For more information contact Sam at 776-0070 or Morales at 775-4658.
LABOR FORUM TO ADDRESS HOSPITALITY CUTBACKS
Sept. 18, 2001 – The Labor Department will hold a town meeting at 6 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Holiday Inn Windward Passage Hotel on St. Thomas. Labor Commissioner Cecil Benjamin said the focus of the meeting will be on hospitality industry workers' concerns in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the mainland.
Labor Department officials will be on hand to answer questions and Benjamin has invited the St. Thomas/St. John Chamber of Commerce to send a representative.
Labor spokeswoman Rhona Martinez said the department expects the number of visitors to drop as a result of the Sept. 11 violence and the predicted war against terrorism. This will have a huge negative impact on the hospitality industry, she said, and hospitality industry workers need to prepare for the anticipated loss of jobs. "They need to know their rights," she said.
They also need to know what to do if those rights are violated, what Labor Department division is responsible for handling their claim or concern, and where they can go for specific services, Martinez said.
She said services that the Labor Department offers to help displaced workers include unemployment insurance, job training and help from the Dislocated Workers Unit, which assists those who lose their jobs with such things as contacting their banks to negotiate new loan-payment plans. "And we can direct them to other services," she said.
The town meeting, scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m., is the second is a series planned earlier this year by the Labor Department. The first was in July on St. Croix with Hovensa oil refinery workers. Martinez said another meeting is planned for St. John in October, but no date has been set.
Labor Department officials will be on hand to answer questions and Benjamin has invited the St. Thomas/St. John Chamber of Commerce to send a representative.
Labor spokeswoman Rhona Martinez said the department expects the number of visitors to drop as a result of the Sept. 11 violence and the predicted war against terrorism. This will have a huge negative impact on the hospitality industry, she said, and hospitality industry workers need to prepare for the anticipated loss of jobs. "They need to know their rights," she said.
They also need to know what to do if those rights are violated, what Labor Department division is responsible for handling their claim or concern, and where they can go for specific services, Martinez said.
She said services that the Labor Department offers to help displaced workers include unemployment insurance, job training and help from the Dislocated Workers Unit, which assists those who lose their jobs with such things as contacting their banks to negotiate new loan-payment plans. "And we can direct them to other services," she said.
The town meeting, scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m., is the second is a series planned earlier this year by the Labor Department. The first was in July on St. Croix with Hovensa oil refinery workers. Martinez said another meeting is planned for St. John in October, but no date has been set.
DEFINE 'ELECTION REFORM,' ABRAMSON URGES
Sept. 18, 2001 – Supervisor of Elections John Abramson, who's going to be talking about "election reform" at a public gathering Saturday, wants to know what people mean by the term.
"We need a working definition; it's a very ambiguous phrase," he said. "For most electors, it's a buzzword."
Abramson was discussing the issue in preparation for Sen. Lorraine Berry's Virgin Islanders for Democratic Action forum, where he will be a panelist.
The forum had been scheduled for last Saturday but was postponed in observance of the national and territorial period of mourning for victims and families of the Sept. 11 terrorist bombing attacks. The meeting, which is open to the public, starts at 10 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Windward Passage Hotel on St. Thomas.
Berry said the forum is intended to allow people to "share their recommendations" and to "develop viable alternatives to elect senators." She said all proposals will be discussed, including the idea of setting up a municipal-based government with town councils.
"Reducing the Senate or having a part-time Senate isn't enough," Berry said. She said she understands that St. John voters are "coming in carloads" to the forum to discuss their "perceived lack of representation" in the government at present.
According to Abramson, a lot more than the means of electing senators is at issue. "The first question is what do people mean by 'election reform'?" he said. "As administrator of the system, if I talk about it in perspective, it's how can I amend, change or improve delivery of services from the election system?"
But, he noted, "If I were a candidate, I'd view it from another perspective, and if I were an elector, then, obviously, again my perspective would be different."
In considering election reform, Abramson said, the entire system of government should be questioned. "Reducing the Senate has nothing to do with election reform; that's legislative reform," he said, "There are more than 20,000 methods of selecting senators, or hybrids of these. It's a massive undertaking. I don't think people understand how technical this is. I have 25 pages written on this already." He added, "I don't think Sen. Berry will be able to accomplish much in one short forum."
He continued, "Our present type of government is commander-in-chief type, like the previous naval administration of the territory. It's not a civilian regime. If we are thinking about changing that, we might need a completely different method of selecting our officials."
Abramson said that former Crucian senator Arnold Golden will talk about municipal government and about St. John getting its fair share. "Change can't be done in a vacuum," he said. "We're all stakeholders — the election system is a stakeholder with a role to fulfill."
In his view, "We need to have good dialog with all views represented. We should have a new commission, a group of people to come up with a comprehensive method of reform.
"If the candidates, the political parties and the general public all have their say, it's a piecemeal approach which will result in catastrophic confusion."
Abramson said a good example of what's wrong with the present system is the administrative burden put on the governor. "The governor has to sign every new hire," he said. "To make it more effective and efficient, this form of government has to change."
As far as referendums go, Abramson contends that "there is no such animal in the V.I." He said, "A referendum is a legislative activity. Only the Legislature can determine a referendum, and they can set the parameters for it. To get it on the ballot, you have to use an initiative with 50 percent of registered voters' approval, and 50 percent voting."
He said several other ways of electing representatives are feasible: "If representation is your goal, numbered seats could work. Districting is another option, requiring extensive mapping." The ultimate decision rests with the Legislature, he said; after a new commission made recommendations, the Senate would have to debate and decide on them.
Virgin Islanders for Democratic Action was founded in 1990. "I want to revitalize my club with this forum," Berry said. "Hopefully by January we can develop a new set of officers. We want to be catalyst — to get the information out."
Those slated to speak and offer short-term and long-term proposals to create an election system with more accountability are Abramson; Golden; Arturo Watlington, V.I. Democratic Party chair; Woodrow Green, Caribbean Democratic Alliance Club chair; Delia Smith, assistant attorney general; Maxwell MacIntosh, attorney; and Paul Leary and Malik Sekou, political scientists. Wanda Mills will serve as moderator.
"We need a working definition; it's a very ambiguous phrase," he said. "For most electors, it's a buzzword."
Abramson was discussing the issue in preparation for Sen. Lorraine Berry's Virgin Islanders for Democratic Action forum, where he will be a panelist.
The forum had been scheduled for last Saturday but was postponed in observance of the national and territorial period of mourning for victims and families of the Sept. 11 terrorist bombing attacks. The meeting, which is open to the public, starts at 10 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Windward Passage Hotel on St. Thomas.
Berry said the forum is intended to allow people to "share their recommendations" and to "develop viable alternatives to elect senators." She said all proposals will be discussed, including the idea of setting up a municipal-based government with town councils.
"Reducing the Senate or having a part-time Senate isn't enough," Berry said. She said she understands that St. John voters are "coming in carloads" to the forum to discuss their "perceived lack of representation" in the government at present.
According to Abramson, a lot more than the means of electing senators is at issue. "The first question is what do people mean by 'election reform'?" he said. "As administrator of the system, if I talk about it in perspective, it's how can I amend, change or improve delivery of services from the election system?"
But, he noted, "If I were a candidate, I'd view it from another perspective, and if I were an elector, then, obviously, again my perspective would be different."
In considering election reform, Abramson said, the entire system of government should be questioned. "Reducing the Senate has nothing to do with election reform; that's legislative reform," he said, "There are more than 20,000 methods of selecting senators, or hybrids of these. It's a massive undertaking. I don't think people understand how technical this is. I have 25 pages written on this already." He added, "I don't think Sen. Berry will be able to accomplish much in one short forum."
He continued, "Our present type of government is commander-in-chief type, like the previous naval administration of the territory. It's not a civilian regime. If we are thinking about changing that, we might need a completely different method of selecting our officials."
Abramson said that former Crucian senator Arnold Golden will talk about municipal government and about St. John getting its fair share. "Change can't be done in a vacuum," he said. "We're all stakeholders — the election system is a stakeholder with a role to fulfill."
In his view, "We need to have good dialog with all views represented. We should have a new commission, a group of people to come up with a comprehensive method of reform.
"If the candidates, the political parties and the general public all have their say, it's a piecemeal approach which will result in catastrophic confusion."
Abramson said a good example of what's wrong with the present system is the administrative burden put on the governor. "The governor has to sign every new hire," he said. "To make it more effective and efficient, this form of government has to change."
As far as referendums go, Abramson contends that "there is no such animal in the V.I." He said, "A referendum is a legislative activity. Only the Legislature can determine a referendum, and they can set the parameters for it. To get it on the ballot, you have to use an initiative with 50 percent of registered voters' approval, and 50 percent voting."
He said several other ways of electing representatives are feasible: "If representation is your goal, numbered seats could work. Districting is another option, requiring extensive mapping." The ultimate decision rests with the Legislature, he said; after a new commission made recommendations, the Senate would have to debate and decide on them.
Virgin Islanders for Democratic Action was founded in 1990. "I want to revitalize my club with this forum," Berry said. "Hopefully by January we can develop a new set of officers. We want to be catalyst — to get the information out."
Those slated to speak and offer short-term and long-term proposals to create an election system with more accountability are Abramson; Golden; Arturo Watlington, V.I. Democratic Party chair; Woodrow Green, Caribbean Democratic Alliance Club chair; Delia Smith, assistant attorney general; Maxwell MacIntosh, attorney; and Paul Leary and Malik Sekou, political scientists. Wanda Mills will serve as moderator.
