June 29, 2001- Tickets for the Reichhold Center for the Arts 2001-02 season will go on sale Aug. 6.
The season opens on Oct. 13 with a concert by the contemporary jazz group Spyro Gyra. It will be followed by the third annual visit of the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra, a Birch Forum co-production, on Nov. 3; the "queen of salsa," Celia Cruz, on Jan. 26; Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico, on Feb. 23; a reggae concert to be announced, in March; and the eighth annual STARfest local talent revue, on May 11/12 and 19/20.
The Reichhold offers two types of discounted subscription packages. The Foundation Series, for all six presentations, is $247 for covered seating and $160 in the open air, a savings of 10 percent off individual ticket prices. The "Create-Your-Own" Series allows patrons to choose any four or five performances and get 5 percent off the individual ticket prices.
In addition to discounted tickets, season subscribers will get invitations to meet-the-artist receptions. "This year, we are throwing two grand bashes, one for Spyro Gyra, who will be celebrating their 25th anniversary in music, and the other for Latin music queen Celia Cruz," Reichhold director David Edgecombe said. Only Reichhold subscribers and donors will be invited to these events, he said.
Individual show ticket prices are: Spyro Gyra — $55 covered/$35 open air; Puerto Rico Symphony — $60/$30; Celia Cruz — $65/$42; Ballet Concierto — $35/$25; Reggae Festival — $35/$28 uncovered; and STARfest — $25/$18.
Tickets also may be purchased for the two summer 2002 Caribbean Repertory Company play productions to be announced. All tickets for these performances are $15.
For details on tickets and information on becoming a Reichhold donor, call the Reichhold Center box office at 693-1559. Hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
SEPTEMBER IS V.I. LABOR AWARENESS MONTH
Sept. 5, 2001 – Gov. Charles W. Turnbull has issued a proclamation designating September as Labor Awareness Month in the Virgin Islands. Noting that the economic competitiveness of the territory rests largely on the skills and abilities of the workforce, the proclamation focuses on significant contributions that workers have made to the territory’s development.
"Businesses and government increasingly rely on their workers to adapt to advancements in technology, to produce high quality goods and services, and to make the production improvements that ensure future competitive advantages," the governor said.
The proclamation encourages workers and youths to adopt lifelong learning to enhance employability. Collaborative efforts of workers, employers, educators and unions are required, Gov. Turnbull stated.
He urged residents to participate in activities scheduled in observance of the month. For information about those plans, call Rhona Martinez at the Labor Department St. Croix office, 773-1994, ext. 230.
"Businesses and government increasingly rely on their workers to adapt to advancements in technology, to produce high quality goods and services, and to make the production improvements that ensure future competitive advantages," the governor said.
The proclamation encourages workers and youths to adopt lifelong learning to enhance employability. Collaborative efforts of workers, employers, educators and unions are required, Gov. Turnbull stated.
He urged residents to participate in activities scheduled in observance of the month. For information about those plans, call Rhona Martinez at the Labor Department St. Croix office, 773-1994, ext. 230.
FREE SEMINAR SET ON 501 (C) (3) AND (4) STATUS
Sept. 4, 2001 – A free seminar for not-for-profit, faith and other community organizations interested in obtaining federal tax-exempt status will be held Sept. 17 on St. Croix.
The seminar will be presented by the Community Development Block Grant office of the Planning and Natural Resources Department, the federal Housing and Urban Development Department, and the Internal Revenue Service.
Eligibility requirements set forth in sections 501 (c) (3) and (4) of the Internal Revenue Code, required forms, legal issues and certification will be covered. There also will be information for organizations interested in applying for funds from HUD and other federal agencies.
The session is set for 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Education Department Curriculum Center in Kingshill. Those wishing to take part are asked to advise Yvette Christopher, Community Development Block Grant senior planner, at 774-3320 by Sept. 10.
The seminar will be presented by the Community Development Block Grant office of the Planning and Natural Resources Department, the federal Housing and Urban Development Department, and the Internal Revenue Service.
Eligibility requirements set forth in sections 501 (c) (3) and (4) of the Internal Revenue Code, required forms, legal issues and certification will be covered. There also will be information for organizations interested in applying for funds from HUD and other federal agencies.
The session is set for 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Education Department Curriculum Center in Kingshill. Those wishing to take part are asked to advise Yvette Christopher, Community Development Block Grant senior planner, at 774-3320 by Sept. 10.
JEWISH HIGH HOLY DAYS BEGIN SEPT. 17
Sept. 4, 2001 – Beginning the evening of Sept. 17, the Jewish community around the world will celebrate a 10-day period from Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur known as the Ten Days of Repentance.
Rosh Hashanah, the first day of the Hebrew month of Tishri, marks the beginning of the Jewish new year. "But it has meaning beyond the start of the calendar year," Rabbi Jay Heyman of the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas said. "It is the beginning of a period of self-examination and introspection which continues through Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement."
The Torah — the Five Books of Moses — designates the first of Tishri as a day of "memorial, proclaimed with the blast of horns" (Leviticus 23:24, Numbers 29:1). For Jews, Heyman said, the sounding of the Shofar, the ram's horn, is symbolic in a multi-faceted way: "recalling past events, looking to the Messianic future, proclaiming divine sovereignty and much more. The sound of the Shofar is a call to a divine summons, to examine our hearts, and to plead our case before the Eternal."
Activities during the period are directed toward reconciliation with both God and other people, he said. On Rosh Hashanah, individuals take the first steps toward atonement. "But this initial recognition of sin with its accompanying remorse requires further steps to complete the process of repentance. Thus, the penitential process is continued for 10 days, culminating with Yom Kippur and its 24 hours of self-examination, confession and fasting."
For the Jewish community, Heyman said, the High Holy Days period "provides an opportunity to alter conduct, readjust values, and set things right in one's personal life." Honesty and confession of wrongdoing are required, he said, and the purpose throughout the period of the holy "Days of Awe" is to move the individual toward reconciliation, renewal and return.
For information about High Holy Days services, see the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas web site: www.onepaper.com/synagogue, or call the synagogue office at 774-4312.
Rosh Hashanah, the first day of the Hebrew month of Tishri, marks the beginning of the Jewish new year. "But it has meaning beyond the start of the calendar year," Rabbi Jay Heyman of the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas said. "It is the beginning of a period of self-examination and introspection which continues through Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement."
The Torah — the Five Books of Moses — designates the first of Tishri as a day of "memorial, proclaimed with the blast of horns" (Leviticus 23:24, Numbers 29:1). For Jews, Heyman said, the sounding of the Shofar, the ram's horn, is symbolic in a multi-faceted way: "recalling past events, looking to the Messianic future, proclaiming divine sovereignty and much more. The sound of the Shofar is a call to a divine summons, to examine our hearts, and to plead our case before the Eternal."
Activities during the period are directed toward reconciliation with both God and other people, he said. On Rosh Hashanah, individuals take the first steps toward atonement. "But this initial recognition of sin with its accompanying remorse requires further steps to complete the process of repentance. Thus, the penitential process is continued for 10 days, culminating with Yom Kippur and its 24 hours of self-examination, confession and fasting."
For the Jewish community, Heyman said, the High Holy Days period "provides an opportunity to alter conduct, readjust values, and set things right in one's personal life." Honesty and confession of wrongdoing are required, he said, and the purpose throughout the period of the holy "Days of Awe" is to move the individual toward reconciliation, renewal and return.
For information about High Holy Days services, see the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas web site: www.onepaper.com/synagogue, or call the synagogue office at 774-4312.
JEWISH HIGH HOLY DAYS BEGIN SEPT. 17
Sept. 4, 2001 – Beginning the evening of Sept. 17, the Jewish community in the Virgin Islands and around the world will celebrate a 10-day period from Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur known as the Ten Days of Repentance.
Rosh Hashanah, the first day of the Hebrew month of Tishri, marks the beginning of the Jewish new year. "But it has meaning beyond the start of the calendar year," Rabbi Jay Heyman of the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas said. "It is the beginning of a period of self-examination and introspection which continues through Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement."
The Torah — the Five Books of Moses — designates the first of Tishri as a day of "memorial, proclaimed with the blast of horns" (Leviticus 23:24, Numbers 29:1). For Jews, Heyman said, the sounding of the Shofar, the ram's horn, is symbolic in a multi-faceted way: "recalling past events, looking to the Messianic future, proclaiming divine sovereignty and much more. The sound of the Shofar is a call to a divine summons, to examine our hearts, and to plead our case before the Eternal."
Activities during the period are directed toward reconciliation with both God and other people, he said. On Rosh Hashanah, individuals take the first steps toward atonement. "But this initial recognition of sin with its accompanying remorse requires further steps to complete the process of repentance. Thus, the penitential process is continued for 10 days, culminating with Yom Kippur and its 24 hours of self-examination, confession and fasting."
For the Jewish community, Heyman said, the High Holy Days period "provides an opportunity to alter conduct, readjust values, and set things right in one's personal life." Honesty and confession of wrongdoing are required, he said, and the purpose throughout the period of the holy "Days of Awe" is to move the individual toward reconciliation, renewal and return.
For information about High Holy Days services, see the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas web site: www.onepaper.com/synagogue, or call the synagogue office at 774-4312.
Rosh Hashanah, the first day of the Hebrew month of Tishri, marks the beginning of the Jewish new year. "But it has meaning beyond the start of the calendar year," Rabbi Jay Heyman of the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas said. "It is the beginning of a period of self-examination and introspection which continues through Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement."
The Torah — the Five Books of Moses — designates the first of Tishri as a day of "memorial, proclaimed with the blast of horns" (Leviticus 23:24, Numbers 29:1). For Jews, Heyman said, the sounding of the Shofar, the ram's horn, is symbolic in a multi-faceted way: "recalling past events, looking to the Messianic future, proclaiming divine sovereignty and much more. The sound of the Shofar is a call to a divine summons, to examine our hearts, and to plead our case before the Eternal."
Activities during the period are directed toward reconciliation with both God and other people, he said. On Rosh Hashanah, individuals take the first steps toward atonement. "But this initial recognition of sin with its accompanying remorse requires further steps to complete the process of repentance. Thus, the penitential process is continued for 10 days, culminating with Yom Kippur and its 24 hours of self-examination, confession and fasting."
For the Jewish community, Heyman said, the High Holy Days period "provides an opportunity to alter conduct, readjust values, and set things right in one's personal life." Honesty and confession of wrongdoing are required, he said, and the purpose throughout the period of the holy "Days of Awe" is to move the individual toward reconciliation, renewal and return.
For information about High Holy Days services, see the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas web site: www.onepaper.com/synagogue, or call the synagogue office at 774-4312.
BREWERS BEACH CLOSED WHILE WATER'S TESTED
Sept. 4, 2001 – The beach at Brewers Bay will remain closed while Planning and Natural Resources Department officials await test results from water samples taken Tuesday to determine whether sewage discharged from a nearby treatment plant has contaminated water in the bay.
Preliminary test results on water collected from 10 sites in Brewers Bay should be available Wednesday, according to Hollis Griffin, director of DPNR's Environmental Protection Division. The beach will remain closed at least until the preliminary results are in, and possibly longer if the results show the water has been contaminated, he said.
Meantime, officials of both Planning and Natural Resources and the Public Works Department were working to come up with a plan to address the problem at the sewage treatment plant by Cyril E. King Airport that caused the sewage discharge.
DPNR issued an alert late Friday advising the public not to swim or fish at Brewers Bay because of possible water contamination. On Tuesday, officials said the discharge was due to damage to a partition to contain sewage sludge at the treatment plant. They said the partition was damaged when Tropical Storm Dean brought heavy winds and rain to St. Thomas on Aug. 22.
After partial treatment, sewage is contained in a lagoon, where heavier solids sink to the bottom. The cleaner water at the surface is carried through an outflow pipe to be discharged about 1,000 feet out at sea. When the partition was damaged, it may have allowed some of the heavier solids to be discharged as well, Griffin said.
Also Tuesday, Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg said it had been brought to his attention that "there were no operators present" at the treatment plant at the time of the discharge "and that several other plants are often not properly staffed." He made the comments in a letter to Sen. Donald "Ducks" Cole in which he further stated, "It is also my understanding that operators were brought from Puerto Rico to assist" with the sewage discharge crisis.
Cole chairs the Legislature's Planning and Environmental Protection Committee. In the letter, which Donastorg released to the news media, Donastorg repeated an earlier call for Cole to convene an emergency meeting of the panel "to investigate" the sewage discharge at the lagoon plant.
"My worst fears were realized when I received the news that the screen broke away and that raw sewage had spilled into Lindbergh and Brewers Bays," Donastorg wrote. He added, "we need to have the experts along with administration officials come before the committee and answer many pertinent questions."
Donastorg, a member of the committee, was its chair in the 23rd Legislature. The committee "has clear jurisdiction and oversight authority in this matter," he told Cole.
Planning and Natural Resource officials were working Tuesday to complete an "order of corrective action" outlining what Public Works personnel need to do to fix the sewage treatment plant problem.
After an inspection Tuesday, Griffin said he hoped the necessary repairs could be made within a week. The plant will remain in operation, he said, and the possible contamination could continue. Officials said Tuesday they did not know how much of the sludge had been discharged.
The plant treats all sewage from the downtown Charlotte Amalie area east to Havensight, about 2.5 million gallons of wastewater on an average day.
Preliminary test results on water collected from 10 sites in Brewers Bay should be available Wednesday, according to Hollis Griffin, director of DPNR's Environmental Protection Division. The beach will remain closed at least until the preliminary results are in, and possibly longer if the results show the water has been contaminated, he said.
Meantime, officials of both Planning and Natural Resources and the Public Works Department were working to come up with a plan to address the problem at the sewage treatment plant by Cyril E. King Airport that caused the sewage discharge.
DPNR issued an alert late Friday advising the public not to swim or fish at Brewers Bay because of possible water contamination. On Tuesday, officials said the discharge was due to damage to a partition to contain sewage sludge at the treatment plant. They said the partition was damaged when Tropical Storm Dean brought heavy winds and rain to St. Thomas on Aug. 22.
After partial treatment, sewage is contained in a lagoon, where heavier solids sink to the bottom. The cleaner water at the surface is carried through an outflow pipe to be discharged about 1,000 feet out at sea. When the partition was damaged, it may have allowed some of the heavier solids to be discharged as well, Griffin said.
Also Tuesday, Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg said it had been brought to his attention that "there were no operators present" at the treatment plant at the time of the discharge "and that several other plants are often not properly staffed." He made the comments in a letter to Sen. Donald "Ducks" Cole in which he further stated, "It is also my understanding that operators were brought from Puerto Rico to assist" with the sewage discharge crisis.
Cole chairs the Legislature's Planning and Environmental Protection Committee. In the letter, which Donastorg released to the news media, Donastorg repeated an earlier call for Cole to convene an emergency meeting of the panel "to investigate" the sewage discharge at the lagoon plant.
"My worst fears were realized when I received the news that the screen broke away and that raw sewage had spilled into Lindbergh and Brewers Bays," Donastorg wrote. He added, "we need to have the experts along with administration officials come before the committee and answer many pertinent questions."
Donastorg, a member of the committee, was its chair in the 23rd Legislature. The committee "has clear jurisdiction and oversight authority in this matter," he told Cole.
Planning and Natural Resource officials were working Tuesday to complete an "order of corrective action" outlining what Public Works personnel need to do to fix the sewage treatment plant problem.
After an inspection Tuesday, Griffin said he hoped the necessary repairs could be made within a week. The plant will remain in operation, he said, and the possible contamination could continue. Officials said Tuesday they did not know how much of the sludge had been discharged.
The plant treats all sewage from the downtown Charlotte Amalie area east to Havensight, about 2.5 million gallons of wastewater on an average day.
GRANT TO BENEFIT V.I. HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
Sept. 4, 2001 – Frederiksted Health Care Inc. is the recipient of a $100,000 planning grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services which will benefit medical care at facilities on all three islands, according to executive director Vivian Ebbesen Fludd.
The grant is to establish an Integrated System Development Initiative, which will allow integrated computer interfacing among both hospitals, the East End Medical Corp., Frederiksted Health Care Inc., and the Health Department. The Myrah Keating Clinic on St. John is included through the Roy Lester Schneider Hospital
Delegate Donna Christian Christensen announced the grant Aug. 31.
"I want to thank HHS Secretary [Tommy G.] Thompson and the staff of the Bureau of Primary Health Care for their continued support of health care in the territory," Christensen said in a release.
Frederiksted Health Care is the lead agency, and all facilities will contribute to the required 50 percent match with dollars or staff time. Hiring of a coordinator and implementation will begin in September.
The long-term objective, Fludd said, is to identify the total of uninsured patients and work toward a subsidized insurance plan to provide some coverage for all. It is estimated that about 33 percent of patients are uninsured or underinsured.
The grant is to establish an Integrated System Development Initiative, which will allow integrated computer interfacing among both hospitals, the East End Medical Corp., Frederiksted Health Care Inc., and the Health Department. The Myrah Keating Clinic on St. John is included through the Roy Lester Schneider Hospital
Delegate Donna Christian Christensen announced the grant Aug. 31.
"I want to thank HHS Secretary [Tommy G.] Thompson and the staff of the Bureau of Primary Health Care for their continued support of health care in the territory," Christensen said in a release.
Frederiksted Health Care is the lead agency, and all facilities will contribute to the required 50 percent match with dollars or staff time. Hiring of a coordinator and implementation will begin in September.
The long-term objective, Fludd said, is to identify the total of uninsured patients and work toward a subsidized insurance plan to provide some coverage for all. It is estimated that about 33 percent of patients are uninsured or underinsured.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
All interested persons are hereby notified that in accordance with Section 717 Chapter 12 of Title 29, Virgin Islands Code, as amended, dealing with the Economic Development Commission, a Public Hearing on the following applications for tax exemption will be held on Thursday, September 6, 2001 at 9:30 a.m. at the Government Development Bank, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
NAME: ……………………………………..TYPE: …………………LOCATION:
1.Management Associates, LLC Designated Service Business (New) St Thomas, V.I
2.Masterpasqua & Associates, LLC Designated Service Business (New) St Thomas, V.I
3. US BOS, Inc.Designated Service Business (New) St. Thomas, V.I
4. Marriott Ownership Resorts (St. Thomas Inc.) Timeshare Resort (New) St. Thomas, V.I.
5. Alpha Broadcasting Corp. Commercial Broadcasting TV (New) St. Croix, V.I.
Any person, firm or corporation interested in the approval or disapproval of the applications may appear and be heard, provided that a written statement is submitted to the Chief Executive Officer of the Economic Development Commission at least one day prior to the hearing at P.O. Box 3499 Christiansted, St. Croix USVI 00822, (Phone) 773-6499 (Fax) 773-7701 .
Nadine T. Marchena
Acting Chief Executive Officer
NAME: ……………………………………..TYPE: …………………LOCATION:
1.Management Associates, LLC Designated Service Business (New) St Thomas, V.I
2.Masterpasqua & Associates, LLC Designated Service Business (New) St Thomas, V.I
3. US BOS, Inc.Designated Service Business (New) St. Thomas, V.I
4. Marriott Ownership Resorts (St. Thomas Inc.) Timeshare Resort (New) St. Thomas, V.I.
5. Alpha Broadcasting Corp. Commercial Broadcasting TV (New) St. Croix, V.I.
Any person, firm or corporation interested in the approval or disapproval of the applications may appear and be heard, provided that a written statement is submitted to the Chief Executive Officer of the Economic Development Commission at least one day prior to the hearing at P.O. Box 3499 Christiansted, St. Croix USVI 00822, (Phone) 773-6499 (Fax) 773-7701 .
Nadine T. Marchena
Acting Chief Executive Officer
DEPUY THREEPEATS AS TRIATHLON WINNER
Sept. 4, 2001 – For the third year in a row, St. John resident Louise DePuy took home the top prize in the women's division at Monday's Love City Triathlon.
"I've been working on my running," she said afterward, noting that she now has help from a coach.
DePuy, 32, who swam competitively when she was younger, said she already was a strong swimmer and biker, but running had been her nemesis. With a total time of 1:50:46, she knocked more than five minutes off her 2000 time, a success she attributed to her improved running. She said she was surprised she did so well, as she hadn't had much time to practice.
Tortola resident Philippe Leroy, who gave his age as 40-plus, won the men's division with a time of 1:40:39.
DePuy, who also was the race director, said nearly 40 people participated. They started with a half-mile swim at Maho Bay, hopped on their bikes for a 14-mile ride from Maho Bay into Cruz Bay and then on to Coral Bay, and finished with a four-mile run.
In the women's division, St. Croix resident Theresa Harper, 35, captured the second place, also for the third year in a row. Her time was 1:59:10. Third went to St. John resident Jude Woodcock, who had a time of 1:59:54.
Woodcock, 45, suffered problems with her bike again this year. Last year a flat tire knocked her out of the race, but this time a passerby helped her get her chain out of the pedal as she headed through Cruz Bay so she could complete the event. "And I did the best run I've done off a bike ever," she said.
This triathlon was a prelude for Woodcock's next big event, Hawaii's Ironman Triathlon, set for Oct. 6.
In the men's division, Chris Ghiorse, 37, of Tortola took second place with a time of 1:46:43. Jamie Bate of St. Croix, 33, came in third clocking 1:53:44.
In the relay competition, the team of St. John residents Tory Lane, Paul Fredsell and Hank Slodden captured first place with a time of 1:51:46. Second went to the St. John team of Mercedes Cover, Dave Thompson and Jennifer Stanley, whose total time was 1:53:27. Third went to the St. Croix team of Marie Witmer, Sue Brown and Louise Middaugh, who finished in 2:07:06.
St. John claimed the International Award, which goes to the island with the three fastest individual competitors from both the men's and women's divisions.
"I've been working on my running," she said afterward, noting that she now has help from a coach.
DePuy, 32, who swam competitively when she was younger, said she already was a strong swimmer and biker, but running had been her nemesis. With a total time of 1:50:46, she knocked more than five minutes off her 2000 time, a success she attributed to her improved running. She said she was surprised she did so well, as she hadn't had much time to practice.
Tortola resident Philippe Leroy, who gave his age as 40-plus, won the men's division with a time of 1:40:39.
DePuy, who also was the race director, said nearly 40 people participated. They started with a half-mile swim at Maho Bay, hopped on their bikes for a 14-mile ride from Maho Bay into Cruz Bay and then on to Coral Bay, and finished with a four-mile run.
In the women's division, St. Croix resident Theresa Harper, 35, captured the second place, also for the third year in a row. Her time was 1:59:10. Third went to St. John resident Jude Woodcock, who had a time of 1:59:54.
Woodcock, 45, suffered problems with her bike again this year. Last year a flat tire knocked her out of the race, but this time a passerby helped her get her chain out of the pedal as she headed through Cruz Bay so she could complete the event. "And I did the best run I've done off a bike ever," she said.
This triathlon was a prelude for Woodcock's next big event, Hawaii's Ironman Triathlon, set for Oct. 6.
In the men's division, Chris Ghiorse, 37, of Tortola took second place with a time of 1:46:43. Jamie Bate of St. Croix, 33, came in third clocking 1:53:44.
In the relay competition, the team of St. John residents Tory Lane, Paul Fredsell and Hank Slodden captured first place with a time of 1:51:46. Second went to the St. John team of Mercedes Cover, Dave Thompson and Jennifer Stanley, whose total time was 1:53:27. Third went to the St. Croix team of Marie Witmer, Sue Brown and Louise Middaugh, who finished in 2:07:06.
St. John claimed the International Award, which goes to the island with the three fastest individual competitors from both the men's and women's divisions.
NEW SPORTS LIGHTING MEANS LOWER ELECTRIC BILLS
Sept. 4, 2001 – Thanks to a $3 million appropriation from a federal fund, numerous recreation facilities on St. Thomas and St. Croix have new energy-efficient lighting. And there's more to come.
V.I. Energy Office director Victor Somme said the change from conventional lighting will save the Housing, Parks and Recreation Department lots of money.
Roy Canton, the department's supervisor of planning and maintenance, said he hadn't "crunched the numbers" to determine the total savings. However, he said, as an example, it costs $11 to $12 an hour to light Paul E. Joseph Stadium on St. Croix with conventional lighting. At the similarly sized D.C. Canegata Ball Park, the department spends $4 to $5 an hour for energy-efficient lighting.
Somme said the money was appropriated from a fund created when a federal court ruled that U.S. oil companies had overcharged when selling oil in the 1970s and 1980s. Money that the oil companies put into the fund is disbursed periodically to states and territories.
The Housing, Parks and Recreation conversion to energy-efficient lighting for recreational facilities began several years ago. On St. Thomas, Phase 1 involved the installation of new lights at Lionel Roberts Stadium, the ball fields in Smith Bay and Kirwan Terrace, and the Winston Raymo Center. On St. Croix, Phase 1 lighting installation was at D.C. Canegata Ball Park, AA baseball field, LBJ basketball and volleyball courts, Mon Bijou basketball court, and the Renhold Jackson Complex softball field, basketball court and volleyball court. In addition, solar lighting was installed at the Fort Frederick playground.
Phase 2 is scheduled for completion on Oct. 1. It has involved the installation on St. Thomas of energy-efficient lights at Joseph Aubain and Emile Griffith Ball Parks and at the Charlotte Amalie High School racetrack. On St. Croix, Phase 2 has brought new lighting to the Education Complex track and field facility, the Horace Clark tennis courts, and the basketball and tennis courts at Stoney Ground, D.C. Canegata, LaValle, Glynn and Princess communities.
Somme said as soon as the new fiscal year starts, on Oct. 1, decisions will be made on what projects will be included in Phase 3.
If Housing, Parks and Recreation can secure a long-term lease on the basketball court and baseball field in St. John's Coral Bay, Canton said, the department may make energy-efficient improvements to those facilities. Currently, the lights often stay on all night because no one turns off the switch. The Moravian Church owns the property. Somme said lease negotiations are under way.
V.I. Energy Office director Victor Somme said the change from conventional lighting will save the Housing, Parks and Recreation Department lots of money.
Roy Canton, the department's supervisor of planning and maintenance, said he hadn't "crunched the numbers" to determine the total savings. However, he said, as an example, it costs $11 to $12 an hour to light Paul E. Joseph Stadium on St. Croix with conventional lighting. At the similarly sized D.C. Canegata Ball Park, the department spends $4 to $5 an hour for energy-efficient lighting.
Somme said the money was appropriated from a fund created when a federal court ruled that U.S. oil companies had overcharged when selling oil in the 1970s and 1980s. Money that the oil companies put into the fund is disbursed periodically to states and territories.
The Housing, Parks and Recreation conversion to energy-efficient lighting for recreational facilities began several years ago. On St. Thomas, Phase 1 involved the installation of new lights at Lionel Roberts Stadium, the ball fields in Smith Bay and Kirwan Terrace, and the Winston Raymo Center. On St. Croix, Phase 1 lighting installation was at D.C. Canegata Ball Park, AA baseball field, LBJ basketball and volleyball courts, Mon Bijou basketball court, and the Renhold Jackson Complex softball field, basketball court and volleyball court. In addition, solar lighting was installed at the Fort Frederick playground.
Phase 2 is scheduled for completion on Oct. 1. It has involved the installation on St. Thomas of energy-efficient lights at Joseph Aubain and Emile Griffith Ball Parks and at the Charlotte Amalie High School racetrack. On St. Croix, Phase 2 has brought new lighting to the Education Complex track and field facility, the Horace Clark tennis courts, and the basketball and tennis courts at Stoney Ground, D.C. Canegata, LaValle, Glynn and Princess communities.
Somme said as soon as the new fiscal year starts, on Oct. 1, decisions will be made on what projects will be included in Phase 3.
If Housing, Parks and Recreation can secure a long-term lease on the basketball court and baseball field in St. John's Coral Bay, Canton said, the department may make energy-efficient improvements to those facilities. Currently, the lights often stay on all night because no one turns off the switch. The Moravian Church owns the property. Somme said lease negotiations are under way.
