Aug. 31, 2001 – Three out of four of Gov. Charles W. Turnbull's new picks for the Public Services Commission made the cut Thursday at a Senate Rules Committee hearing.
All of the current PSC members' terms have expired, and the commission often has not been able to muster a quorum. In February 2000, Turnbull had sent five nominations to the Senate for approval. Eventually, and for varying reasons, all five withdrew their names from consideration.
Approved as new PSC chair, replacing Walter Challenger, whose term expired in 1999, was Alric Simmonds, Turnbull's deputy chief of staff. The others approved Thursday were Valencio Jackson, Finance Department assistant commissioner, to fill a vacancy; and Desmond Maynard, a PSC member since 1995, who was reappointed to another term.
The governor had nominated Jerris T. Browne, Police deputy commissioner, for the seat last occupied by Patrick Williams of St. Croix. Sen. Donald "Ducks" Cole rose in support of Browne's nomination but received no second to his motion as the committee remained silent. Earlier, Sen. Norma Pickard-Samuel had questioned Browne's knowledge of the PSC and expressed surprise to find that he was unaware of current legislation mandating rate investigations.
Rules Committee members said the commission, which regulates public utilities in the territory — specifically, telephone, water and power, cable television and inter-island ferry services — has come in for a lot of criticism in recent years for a seeming lack of effectiveness and allegations of possible wrongdoing.
Maynard, who has publicly disagreed with some of Challenger's actions, told the senators that the commission's reputation was deserved. "The PSC has been plagued with political discord," he said. "It is essential that we regain the public's trust … The number of cases we have processed is down drastically." He suggested better staffing and utilization of up-to-date technology as steps in the right direction.
Questioned by Sens. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg and Roosevelt David, Maynard provided information about a consulting firm the PSC recently hired. Maynard called the hiring of AUS Consultants to conduct a rate investigation of Innovative Telephone, formerly Vitelco, a suspect move.
Maynard walked out of a PSC meeting in May after disagreeing with Challenger when the hiring of AUS was on the table. After his departure, the commission voted, 3-0, to make AUS its consultant. Four members constitute a quorum. Challenger said at the time that since a quorum was present when the meeting started, the motion and vote to hire AUS was legal.
Maynard said — and an associate of Edward H. Salmon, AUS president, also told the Source — that AUS had worked for Vitelco, now called Innovative Telephone, in the past on a depreciation matter. "That information should have been presented to the commission," Maynard said Thursday. "I think it represents a conflict of interest."
He admitted to having deliberately skipped some PSC meetings, "not because I didn't want to participate. I just didn't want to be part of what I consider a charade."
Maynard also said he has evidence that the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities terminated a consulting contract with AUS because of ethical breaches on the Salmon's part.
Donastorg charged earlier this month that Salmon was forced to leave that board in 1996 and that his ouster was related to dinners he allegedly accepted from lawyers representing companies the board regulated.
Simmonds and Jackson breezed through the three-hour hearing, essentially stating how they would protect the consumers' interest, which, senators noted, should be the PSC's mission. Rules chair Carlton Dowe asked them how the fact that they are government employees and Turnbull is their boss would affect their conduct on the commission. Both said they had the ability to be independent thinkers, apparently satisfying the committee.
A fourth nominee, Verne C. David, was unable to attend the hearing and will be considered at a Sept. 13 meeting.
The committee also approved a resolution honoring Henry A. Millen for his contributions to the V.I. Housing Authority and a lease agreement between the government and the John's Folly Learning Institute on St. John.
Rules Committee members attending the meeting were Cole, Dowe, Pickard-Samuel and Adelbert Bryan. Sens. Almando "Rocky" Liburd and Alicia "Chucky" Hansen, also members, were excused. Liburd is out of the territory and Hansen was on St. Croix as chair of the Finance Committee. Donastorg and David, also present, are not members of the committee.
‘GRAND STRATEGY’ AGAINST CRIME PLANNED
Aug. 31, 2001 — The latest rash of violence in the territory has Gov. Charles W. Turnbull and his top law-enforcement officers brainstorming how to curb the criminal element.
After a government function Thursday on St. Croix, Turnbull said he was scheduled to meet with Police Commissioner Franz Christian and other police officials to discuss a strategy to deal with a surge of violence in the community.
In June, police officer Lennox Lettsome was shot in the neck and back during a shootout at the Contant Car Wash on St. Thomas. Later that month, officer Wendell Williams disappeared on St. Croix. He is still missing, with only the burned hulk of his vehicle found. Two weeks ago, during a daring mid-day robbery on St. Thomas, a Finance Department peace officer was shot with his own gun and robbed as he was carrying two bags of money into the Chase Bank branch in Estate Thomas. And over the weekend, shots were fired at two police officers on St. Thomas after they stopped a vehicle for running a red light.
Also over the weekend, Kaunda Bryan, 25, the son of Sen. Adelbert Bryan, was fatally shot on St. Croix during an argument over an impromptu horse race. Then on Wednesday, three more men, two on St. Thomas and one on St. Croix, were critically wounded in gun-related incidents.
"We have to get a handle on this right away," Turnbull said, adding that the flow of illegal guns into the territory needs to be checked."We cannot permit a handful … of rebels to destroy this beautiful territory."
The governor said plans would be drawn up to combat the violence, but he declined to give any details in order not to tip the hand of police officials.
"We’re going to come up with a grand strategy … to beat the criminals," Turnbull said.
He said he would immediately sign a revised version of the Gun Control Act of 2001, a bill he vetoed recently because of what he termed a "Draconian" property seizure provision. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Emmett Hansen II, sought to increase the fine for illegal gun possession from $1,000 to $5,000 and imprisonment from two years to five years maximum. Second offenses would go from a fine of $2,000 to $10,000 and imprisonment of not more than 15 years.
If an illegal firearm were carried by a felon or used in a crime of violence, the fine would go from $10,000 to $25,000, with imprisonment from 15 to 20 years. A machine gun used in a violent crime would bring a fine $50,000, up from $12,000, with 20 years' imprisonment.
Turnbull vetoed the bill because of its property seizure provision. It called for real property to be seized if any illegal, unauthorized or unlicensed firearm or ammunition was found to have been "stored, concealed or housed with the knowledge, consent or privity of the owner(s), or where through the exercise of due diligence the owner(s) should have known" of its being there.
"We’re going to work on that and remove it so an innocent person won’t suffer," Turnbull said, "Remove that and I will sign the bill the moment it comes to my desk."
Turnbull dismissed a call by Lt. Gov. Gerard Luz James II earlier this week for the creation of an anti-violence crime task force, which James said he wanted to chair. The governor said a task force already exists.
After a government function Thursday on St. Croix, Turnbull said he was scheduled to meet with Police Commissioner Franz Christian and other police officials to discuss a strategy to deal with a surge of violence in the community.
In June, police officer Lennox Lettsome was shot in the neck and back during a shootout at the Contant Car Wash on St. Thomas. Later that month, officer Wendell Williams disappeared on St. Croix. He is still missing, with only the burned hulk of his vehicle found. Two weeks ago, during a daring mid-day robbery on St. Thomas, a Finance Department peace officer was shot with his own gun and robbed as he was carrying two bags of money into the Chase Bank branch in Estate Thomas. And over the weekend, shots were fired at two police officers on St. Thomas after they stopped a vehicle for running a red light.
Also over the weekend, Kaunda Bryan, 25, the son of Sen. Adelbert Bryan, was fatally shot on St. Croix during an argument over an impromptu horse race. Then on Wednesday, three more men, two on St. Thomas and one on St. Croix, were critically wounded in gun-related incidents.
"We have to get a handle on this right away," Turnbull said, adding that the flow of illegal guns into the territory needs to be checked."We cannot permit a handful … of rebels to destroy this beautiful territory."
The governor said plans would be drawn up to combat the violence, but he declined to give any details in order not to tip the hand of police officials.
"We’re going to come up with a grand strategy … to beat the criminals," Turnbull said.
He said he would immediately sign a revised version of the Gun Control Act of 2001, a bill he vetoed recently because of what he termed a "Draconian" property seizure provision. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Emmett Hansen II, sought to increase the fine for illegal gun possession from $1,000 to $5,000 and imprisonment from two years to five years maximum. Second offenses would go from a fine of $2,000 to $10,000 and imprisonment of not more than 15 years.
If an illegal firearm were carried by a felon or used in a crime of violence, the fine would go from $10,000 to $25,000, with imprisonment from 15 to 20 years. A machine gun used in a violent crime would bring a fine $50,000, up from $12,000, with 20 years' imprisonment.
Turnbull vetoed the bill because of its property seizure provision. It called for real property to be seized if any illegal, unauthorized or unlicensed firearm or ammunition was found to have been "stored, concealed or housed with the knowledge, consent or privity of the owner(s), or where through the exercise of due diligence the owner(s) should have known" of its being there.
"We’re going to work on that and remove it so an innocent person won’t suffer," Turnbull said, "Remove that and I will sign the bill the moment it comes to my desk."
Turnbull dismissed a call by Lt. Gov. Gerard Luz James II earlier this week for the creation of an anti-violence crime task force, which James said he wanted to chair. The governor said a task force already exists.
PICKARD-SAMUEL, BRYAN KILL ANIMAL-RIGHTS BILL
Aug. 30, 2001 – The animal anti-cruelty bill died a quick but far-from-painless death Thursday evening in the Senate Rules Committee. It was killed by a 2-2 vote on a motion by Sen. Adelbert Bryan to table the measure.
"The bill dies in committee," Rules chair Carlton Dowe, who supported the bill, declared.
The causes of death: cockfighting and politics.
After listening to informed and impassioned testimony from the bill's supporters during the St. Thomas hearing, Sen. Norma Pickard-Samuel declared she could not vote for something she found "hypocritical." She said the bill didn't outlaw cockfighting, which she objected to. "All animals should be protected," she said, adding that she would vote for the bill if a cockfighting ban were included.
Mary Edwards, manager of the St. Croix Animal Shelter, explained that a ban on cockfighting was originally in the bill. She said Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg, the bill's sponsor, had told her if she wanted the bill to pass, the cockfighting section had to come out. "It was a take it or leave it situation," Edwards said, as Donastorg had made clear to her that the cock-fighting lobby was strong enough to kill the bill.
"We've been trying to get this bill passed since 1996," Edwards said she told Pickard-Samuel. "I disapprove of cock fighting as much as you do, but we want to get this bill passed."
Edwards earlier had given moving testimony in a plea for the stronger penalties against animal abuse the bill set. She said that on Tuesday a woman had called the shelter to report that a dog was dying in front of her house, bleeding on the sidewalk but still alive. She said the woman asked to have the dog picked up and put out of its misery. Before the dog could be picked up, the woman called back to say somebody had put the animal in a plastic bag and put it in the compactor of a garbage truck.
Also testifying were animal advocates Rita Roth and Lorraine Mason; Laura Michalski, a social worker from Family Resource Center; and Hubert Brumant, Humane Society of St. Thomas shelter manager. All spoke of the link between cruelty to animals and violence against humans.
The witnesses reacted in shock at the abrupt vote to table the bill. Bryan had long shown open disdain for the measure, ridiculing it at every hearing. Thursday he railed about what he termed the bill's "hypocrisy," invoking racial issues. He wondered if the people who started slavery had been cruel to animals first.
After Edwards said animal cruelty is now a felony in 32 states, Bryan retorted, "If you want to live with this bill, go back to those 32 states." He said no one would tell him what to feed his animals, adding, "Alpo, Science Diet brought in by Topa Equities, it's hypocritical."
Edwards said the bill's language about animals being fed properly meant fed and watered adequately. She said some people think rabbits get enough water from grass and don't give them water to drink. "The bill is simply common sense," she said.
Bryan asked where the witnesses against the measure were. Dowe said he had invited public testimony on the bill.
Sens. Donald "Ducks" Cole and Dowe affirmed their support of the bill. Cole said he attends cock fights. "We eat chickens and it's no problem," he said, "so I wonder about the cockfights — it seems like a contradiction." However, he said, "We are all God's creatures, and we must be protected."
After Pickard-Samuel said she would support the bill with a ban of cockfighting included, Edwards suggested she write an amendment to that effect then and there. Pickard-Samuel, however, said Donastorg should write it and bring it to her to submit. Cole said he would support the bill with a cockfight ban added. "I voted for it without it, and I will vote for it with it," he said.
Voting to table the bill were Bryan and Pickard-Samuel. Voting against tabling were Dowe and Cole. Rules Committee member and bill sponsor Celestino A. White Sr., who had been in the Senate chamber earlier, was off the floor when the vote was taken. The other two committee members, Sens. Almando "Rocky" Liburd and Alicia "Chucky" Hansen, were excused. Liburd is away from the territory; Hansen was on St. Croix for ongoing Finance Committee budget hearings.
After Dowe adjourned the meeting following the vote, tempers flared in full force in the hall outside the chamber. Shouting, Cole and Pickard-Samuel accused Donastorg of killing his own bill by omitting a cockfighting ban. "You killed it, yourself," Pickard-Samuel told Donastorg, accusing him of playing political games and adding, "I won't play them." He angrily threw the same charge back at her.
Brumant vainly tried to convince them all that the bill should be passed as Cole and Pickard-Samuel continued shouting about getting an amendment to ban cockfights. "You write it, and I'll move it," Cole told Donastorg. Bryan was in the hallway but didn't enter the fray.
In an emotional statement to reporters as he left the building, Cole said he would submit an amended bill to the committee with the cockfighting ban. "All I have to do is take it to Dowe, and I know he will put it back on the Rules agenda," he said. But he insisted, "Donastorg has to write the amendment."
Cole and Pickard-Samuel were adamant about not wanting to author such an amendment. Cockfighting is a lucrative activity in the territory with a large following.
Donastorg is not a member of the Rules Committee and so could not have written an amendment during the hearing.
In a release issued by his office later, Donastorg said, "A scam was perpetrated against the people of the V.I. by their senators. Once again, they're trying to confuse people and cloud the real issues at hand."
"The bill dies in committee," Rules chair Carlton Dowe, who supported the bill, declared.
The causes of death: cockfighting and politics.
After listening to informed and impassioned testimony from the bill's supporters during the St. Thomas hearing, Sen. Norma Pickard-Samuel declared she could not vote for something she found "hypocritical." She said the bill didn't outlaw cockfighting, which she objected to. "All animals should be protected," she said, adding that she would vote for the bill if a cockfighting ban were included.
Mary Edwards, manager of the St. Croix Animal Shelter, explained that a ban on cockfighting was originally in the bill. She said Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg, the bill's sponsor, had told her if she wanted the bill to pass, the cockfighting section had to come out. "It was a take it or leave it situation," Edwards said, as Donastorg had made clear to her that the cock-fighting lobby was strong enough to kill the bill.
"We've been trying to get this bill passed since 1996," Edwards said she told Pickard-Samuel. "I disapprove of cock fighting as much as you do, but we want to get this bill passed."
Edwards earlier had given moving testimony in a plea for the stronger penalties against animal abuse the bill set. She said that on Tuesday a woman had called the shelter to report that a dog was dying in front of her house, bleeding on the sidewalk but still alive. She said the woman asked to have the dog picked up and put out of its misery. Before the dog could be picked up, the woman called back to say somebody had put the animal in a plastic bag and put it in the compactor of a garbage truck.
Also testifying were animal advocates Rita Roth and Lorraine Mason; Laura Michalski, a social worker from Family Resource Center; and Hubert Brumant, Humane Society of St. Thomas shelter manager. All spoke of the link between cruelty to animals and violence against humans.
The witnesses reacted in shock at the abrupt vote to table the bill. Bryan had long shown open disdain for the measure, ridiculing it at every hearing. Thursday he railed about what he termed the bill's "hypocrisy," invoking racial issues. He wondered if the people who started slavery had been cruel to animals first.
After Edwards said animal cruelty is now a felony in 32 states, Bryan retorted, "If you want to live with this bill, go back to those 32 states." He said no one would tell him what to feed his animals, adding, "Alpo, Science Diet brought in by Topa Equities, it's hypocritical."
Edwards said the bill's language about animals being fed properly meant fed and watered adequately. She said some people think rabbits get enough water from grass and don't give them water to drink. "The bill is simply common sense," she said.
Bryan asked where the witnesses against the measure were. Dowe said he had invited public testimony on the bill.
Sens. Donald "Ducks" Cole and Dowe affirmed their support of the bill. Cole said he attends cock fights. "We eat chickens and it's no problem," he said, "so I wonder about the cockfights — it seems like a contradiction." However, he said, "We are all God's creatures, and we must be protected."
After Pickard-Samuel said she would support the bill with a ban of cockfighting included, Edwards suggested she write an amendment to that effect then and there. Pickard-Samuel, however, said Donastorg should write it and bring it to her to submit. Cole said he would support the bill with a cockfight ban added. "I voted for it without it, and I will vote for it with it," he said.
Voting to table the bill were Bryan and Pickard-Samuel. Voting against tabling were Dowe and Cole. Rules Committee member and bill sponsor Celestino A. White Sr., who had been in the Senate chamber earlier, was off the floor when the vote was taken. The other two committee members, Sens. Almando "Rocky" Liburd and Alicia "Chucky" Hansen, were excused. Liburd is away from the territory; Hansen was on St. Croix for ongoing Finance Committee budget hearings.
After Dowe adjourned the meeting following the vote, tempers flared in full force in the hall outside the chamber. Shouting, Cole and Pickard-Samuel accused Donastorg of killing his own bill by omitting a cockfighting ban. "You killed it, yourself," Pickard-Samuel told Donastorg, accusing him of playing political games and adding, "I won't play them." He angrily threw the same charge back at her.
Brumant vainly tried to convince them all that the bill should be passed as Cole and Pickard-Samuel continued shouting about getting an amendment to ban cockfights. "You write it, and I'll move it," Cole told Donastorg. Bryan was in the hallway but didn't enter the fray.
In an emotional statement to reporters as he left the building, Cole said he would submit an amended bill to the committee with the cockfighting ban. "All I have to do is take it to Dowe, and I know he will put it back on the Rules agenda," he said. But he insisted, "Donastorg has to write the amendment."
Cole and Pickard-Samuel were adamant about not wanting to author such an amendment. Cockfighting is a lucrative activity in the territory with a large following.
Donastorg is not a member of the Rules Committee and so could not have written an amendment during the hearing.
In a release issued by his office later, Donastorg said, "A scam was perpetrated against the people of the V.I. by their senators. Once again, they're trying to confuse people and cloud the real issues at hand."
V.I. MUCH IN EVIDENCE AT WEED AND SEED MEETING
Aug. 30, 2001 – Some 2,000 youths and adults from across the nation attending the national Weed and Seed conference in Philadelphia that ended Thursday got to see what the program is all about in the Virgin Islands — and it's about a lot.
Members of St. Croix's Grove Place Weed and Seed Banjo/Calypso Players performed on Sunday at a luncheon, immediately following an address by U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft.
On Wednesday morning, the Eulalie Rivera Elementary School Steppers performed at a plenary session. Also within the V.I. delegation were three teen-agers who are certified master scuba divers from the Bovoni Weed and Seed dive program on St. Thomas. All told, about a dozen youngsters from St. Croix and another dozen from St. Thomas took part in the conference.
The Bovoni dive program is the only one of its kind in the nation. David L. Atkinson, acting U.S. attorney for the Virgin Islands, noted that the program was recently featured in Insights, a national magazine published by the Weed and Seed executive office.
Atkinson said that due to the huge success of the U.S. Justice Department initiative across the nation, President Bush's budget for 2002 calls for a $25 million increase in funding for the Weedf and Seed program. According to a release, from Atkinson's office, the increase is expected to be approved in Congress, where the program has broad bipartisan support.
Weed and Seed is a strategy (as opposed to a grant program) within the Justice Department's Office of Justice Programs that incorporates community-based initiatives. It is a multi-agency approach to law enforcement, crime prevention and community revitalization that aims to reduce, control and prevent violent crime, drug abuse and gang activity in targeted high-crime neighborhoods across the nation.
According to its web site, Operation Weed and Seed, as it was first named in 1990, became a key component in the previous Bush administration's anti-crime efforts and helped shape the national debate about how to prevent and control crime. The initiative "wins back our inner cities by weeding out gang leaders, drug dealers and career criminals and seeding communities with expanded employment, education and social services," then-President George Bush said.
A community-oriented policing component bridges the weeding and seeding strategies, according to promotional material. The program began with three sites in 1991; today it has nearly 300.
The V.I. Weed and Seed groups were started two years ago under the leadership of former U.S. Attorney James Hurd, who resigned in January. The Boys and Girls Club of the Bovoni Weed and Seed won a prestigious Environmental Quality Award earlier this year from the national Environmental Protection Agency for its island cleanup projects.
Among those attending Sunday's opening session of the conference at the Philadelphia Marriott Hotel was Delegate Donna Christian Christensen. The conference theme was "A Decade of Weed and Seed … Leave No Neighborhood Behind."
The conference — for Weed and Seed staff as well as youth delegates — included daylong "Learning Labs" on such topics as conflict resolution, empowering communities through technology, the mobile community-outreach police station concept, and drug demand reduction. There were bus and trolley tours to the sites of the six Philadelphia Weed and Seed projects.
The members of the Eulalie Rivera Steppers who made the trip are Neheh Barry, Kimesha Bloodman, Christine Chooran, Shamela Flemming, Rashema George, Shana Gilbert, Iyanna Jones, Nneka Richards, Shawndell Simon, Shenelle Warden and Jamilah Williams.
The Banjo/Calypso Players who took part are Juan Becerril, Demaris Belardo, Crystal Belgrave, Ray Christian, Sasha Greene, Kathleen Guadalupe, Laquida Iles, Jahmeelah Matthews, Jahnailah Morris, Tanisha Poleon, Nailah Richards, Alenna Rivera and John Williams.
Members of St. Croix's Grove Place Weed and Seed Banjo/Calypso Players performed on Sunday at a luncheon, immediately following an address by U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft.
On Wednesday morning, the Eulalie Rivera Elementary School Steppers performed at a plenary session. Also within the V.I. delegation were three teen-agers who are certified master scuba divers from the Bovoni Weed and Seed dive program on St. Thomas. All told, about a dozen youngsters from St. Croix and another dozen from St. Thomas took part in the conference.
The Bovoni dive program is the only one of its kind in the nation. David L. Atkinson, acting U.S. attorney for the Virgin Islands, noted that the program was recently featured in Insights, a national magazine published by the Weed and Seed executive office.
Atkinson said that due to the huge success of the U.S. Justice Department initiative across the nation, President Bush's budget for 2002 calls for a $25 million increase in funding for the Weedf and Seed program. According to a release, from Atkinson's office, the increase is expected to be approved in Congress, where the program has broad bipartisan support.
Weed and Seed is a strategy (as opposed to a grant program) within the Justice Department's Office of Justice Programs that incorporates community-based initiatives. It is a multi-agency approach to law enforcement, crime prevention and community revitalization that aims to reduce, control and prevent violent crime, drug abuse and gang activity in targeted high-crime neighborhoods across the nation.
According to its web site, Operation Weed and Seed, as it was first named in 1990, became a key component in the previous Bush administration's anti-crime efforts and helped shape the national debate about how to prevent and control crime. The initiative "wins back our inner cities by weeding out gang leaders, drug dealers and career criminals and seeding communities with expanded employment, education and social services," then-President George Bush said.
A community-oriented policing component bridges the weeding and seeding strategies, according to promotional material. The program began with three sites in 1991; today it has nearly 300.
The V.I. Weed and Seed groups were started two years ago under the leadership of former U.S. Attorney James Hurd, who resigned in January. The Boys and Girls Club of the Bovoni Weed and Seed won a prestigious Environmental Quality Award earlier this year from the national Environmental Protection Agency for its island cleanup projects.
Among those attending Sunday's opening session of the conference at the Philadelphia Marriott Hotel was Delegate Donna Christian Christensen. The conference theme was "A Decade of Weed and Seed … Leave No Neighborhood Behind."
The conference — for Weed and Seed staff as well as youth delegates — included daylong "Learning Labs" on such topics as conflict resolution, empowering communities through technology, the mobile community-outreach police station concept, and drug demand reduction. There were bus and trolley tours to the sites of the six Philadelphia Weed and Seed projects.
The members of the Eulalie Rivera Steppers who made the trip are Neheh Barry, Kimesha Bloodman, Christine Chooran, Shamela Flemming, Rashema George, Shana Gilbert, Iyanna Jones, Nneka Richards, Shawndell Simon, Shenelle Warden and Jamilah Williams.
The Banjo/Calypso Players who took part are Juan Becerril, Demaris Belardo, Crystal Belgrave, Ray Christian, Sasha Greene, Kathleen Guadalupe, Laquida Iles, Jahmeelah Matthews, Jahnailah Morris, Tanisha Poleon, Nailah Richards, Alenna Rivera and John Williams.
GOVERNOR SEEKS CDBG FUNDS FOR 37 PROJECTS
Aug. 30, 2001 – Gov. Charles W. Turnbull has submitted his proposed allocation of $2.189 million in federal Community Development Block Grant funds to the Legislature. He proposes apportioning the money among 37 not-for-profit and government agency projects.
The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the program is administered in the territory by the Planning and Natural Resources Department.
The deadline for the territory to submit its proposal to the federal government was July 31. Turnbull sent his request to the Legislature on Aug. 13. In his letter to Senate President Almando "Rocky" Liburd accompanying his proposal, Turnbull wrote: "Recognizing that you and your colleagues would need additional time to consider and approve the bill, I will request an extension."
Planning and Natural Resources reviews all applications received for CDBG funding and makes its recommendations to the governor. For this year's funding, 89 applications were submitted, and the total funding sought was $13,403,219. By federal law, no more than 15 percent of the grant money may be used for public service projects. All of the remainder except for program administration support is to be used for construction projects. By V.I. law, the total funding must be divided equally between the St. Croix and St. Thomas-St. John districts. The Legislature must approve all V.I. participation in federally funded programs.
The governor stated that funding was sought for a total of 37 public service projects, of which 19 were approved; for a total of 52 construction projects, of which 18 were approved. Total proposed allocations by island are $803,950 for St. Thomas and $71,650 on St. John for a total of $875,600, and also $875,600 for St. Croix. The allocation for administrative support is $437,800.
Here is how Turnbull proposes to disburse the CDBG project funds:
Public service
St. Thomas:
Anglican Outreach Services — operation of an after-school program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
Down Street People — operation of an after-school program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
Faith Wesleyan Holiness Church — operation of an after-school program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
Housing, Parks and Recreation Department — operation of a swimming program for low- to moderate-income youths, $10,000.
Kidscope — crisis intervention, counseling and other support services to young victims of abuse and violence and their families, $15,000.
Methodist Training and Outreach Center — operation of an after-school program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
Methodist Training and Outreach Center — operation of an outreach center for the homeless, $27,300.
St. Thomas Livestock Association — operation of a summer agricultural program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
V.I. Housing Authority — operation of a scuba diving program for low- to moderate-income youths within the housing projects, $7,500.
V.I. Missions — operation of an after-school and General Equivalency Diploma (GED) program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
V.I. Resource Center for the Disabled — operation of an after-school training program for the disabled, $15,000.
We From Up Street — operation of an after-school program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
St. Croix:
Camp Arawak Program — operation of a job-skill training program for low- to moderate-income individuals, $50,000.
Housing, Parks and Recreation Department — operation of an after-school sports clinic for about 100 at-risk youths, $25,000.
Proyecto SAL — operation of an after-school program to provide tutoring services to children experiencing difficulty with the English language, $16,900.
V.I. Resource Center for the Disabled — operation of an after-school program for the disabled at Ricardo Richards Elementary School, $25,000.
St. John:
Carabana Ensemble Theatre Company — operation of an after-school theater program and a weekend library, $10,825.
John Folly Learning Institute — operation of an after-school program for low- to moderate-income youths, $10,825.
V.I. Resource Center for the Disabled — operation of an after-school program for the disabled at Julius Sprauve School, $10,000.
Construction
St. Thomas:
American Legion Post 90 — renovation of facility to improve lighting and remove asbestos, $40,850.
Education Department — installation of lifts and ramps at various public schools to increase handicapped access, $50,000.
Housing, Parks and Recreation Department — renovation and upgrading of restroom facilities at Coki Point Beach, $39,300.
Long Path/Garden Street Association — construction of a community center and playground for neighborhood residents, $250,000.
Methodist Training and Outreach Center — matching funds for 8 single-room units for the homeless, $24,000.
St. Thomas Administrator — rehabilitation and expansion of the fishermen's facility in Frenchtown, $220,000.
St. Croix:
Adventist Development Relief Agency (Hispanic) — construction of a facility to provide after-school programs and operation of a soup kitchen, $60,000.
Agriculture Department — expansion of the St. Croix Farmers Market, $50,000.
Arma Pavie Sport Club — rehabilitation of a facility and improvement of a baseball field, $40,000.
Education Department — installation of lifts and ramps at various public schools to increase handicapped access, $162,700.
Housing, Parks and Recreation Department — construction of a recreational and community center at Canegata Ball Park, $200,000.
Housing, Parks and Recreation Department — expansion of the Vincent Mason pool recreation area to include existing slab, adding of picnic benches and installation of lights, $20,000.
Housing, Parks and Recreation Department — renovation of the Police Athletic League Burning Bush recreation facility and construction of a handicapped-accessible restroom, $40,000.
Our Town Frederiksted — grants and low-interest loans for homeowners in the Frederiksted area to rehabilitate their residences to safe and decent living conditions, $115,000.
St. Croix Foundation for Development — renovating to revitalize historic town structures in Christiansted and Frederiksted, $50,000.
Women's Coalition of St. Croix — construction of a fence to secure a public facility and ensure the safety of clients, $21,000.
St. John:
Carabana Ensemble Theatre Company — rehabilitation of a facility for use for theater workshops and as a weekend library, $10,000.
Education Department — installation of lifts and ramps at Julius Sprauve School to increase handicapped access, $30,000.
The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the program is administered in the territory by the Planning and Natural Resources Department.
The deadline for the territory to submit its proposal to the federal government was July 31. Turnbull sent his request to the Legislature on Aug. 13. In his letter to Senate President Almando "Rocky" Liburd accompanying his proposal, Turnbull wrote: "Recognizing that you and your colleagues would need additional time to consider and approve the bill, I will request an extension."
Planning and Natural Resources reviews all applications received for CDBG funding and makes its recommendations to the governor. For this year's funding, 89 applications were submitted, and the total funding sought was $13,403,219. By federal law, no more than 15 percent of the grant money may be used for public service projects. All of the remainder except for program administration support is to be used for construction projects. By V.I. law, the total funding must be divided equally between the St. Croix and St. Thomas-St. John districts. The Legislature must approve all V.I. participation in federally funded programs.
The governor stated that funding was sought for a total of 37 public service projects, of which 19 were approved; for a total of 52 construction projects, of which 18 were approved. Total proposed allocations by island are $803,950 for St. Thomas and $71,650 on St. John for a total of $875,600, and also $875,600 for St. Croix. The allocation for administrative support is $437,800.
Here is how Turnbull proposes to disburse the CDBG project funds:
Public service
St. Thomas:
Anglican Outreach Services — operation of an after-school program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
Down Street People — operation of an after-school program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
Faith Wesleyan Holiness Church — operation of an after-school program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
Housing, Parks and Recreation Department — operation of a swimming program for low- to moderate-income youths, $10,000.
Kidscope — crisis intervention, counseling and other support services to young victims of abuse and violence and their families, $15,000.
Methodist Training and Outreach Center — operation of an after-school program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
Methodist Training and Outreach Center — operation of an outreach center for the homeless, $27,300.
St. Thomas Livestock Association — operation of a summer agricultural program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
V.I. Housing Authority — operation of a scuba diving program for low- to moderate-income youths within the housing projects, $7,500.
V.I. Missions — operation of an after-school and General Equivalency Diploma (GED) program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
V.I. Resource Center for the Disabled — operation of an after-school training program for the disabled, $15,000.
We From Up Street — operation of an after-school program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
St. Croix:
Camp Arawak Program — operation of a job-skill training program for low- to moderate-income individuals, $50,000.
Housing, Parks and Recreation Department — operation of an after-school sports clinic for about 100 at-risk youths, $25,000.
Proyecto SAL — operation of an after-school program to provide tutoring services to children experiencing difficulty with the English language, $16,900.
V.I. Resource Center for the Disabled — operation of an after-school program for the disabled at Ricardo Richards Elementary School, $25,000.
St. John:
Carabana Ensemble Theatre Company — operation of an after-school theater program and a weekend library, $10,825.
John Folly Learning Institute — operation of an after-school program for low- to moderate-income youths, $10,825.
V.I. Resource Center for the Disabled — operation of an after-school program for the disabled at Julius Sprauve School, $10,000.
Construction
St. Thomas:
American Legion Post 90 — renovation of facility to improve lighting and remove asbestos, $40,850.
Education Department — installation of lifts and ramps at various public schools to increase handicapped access, $50,000.
Housing, Parks and Recreation Department — renovation and upgrading of restroom facilities at Coki Point Beach, $39,300.
Long Path/Garden Street Association — construction of a community center and playground for neighborhood residents, $250,000.
Methodist Training and Outreach Center — matching funds for 8 single-room units for the homeless, $24,000.
St. Thomas Administrator — rehabilitation and expansion of the fishermen's facility in Frenchtown, $220,000.
St. Croix:
Adventist Development Relief Agency (Hispanic) — construction of a facility to provide after-school programs and operation of a soup kitchen, $60,000.
Agriculture Department — expansion of the St. Croix Farmers Market, $50,000.
Arma Pavie Sport Club — rehabilitation of a facility and improvement of a baseball field, $40,000.
Education Department — installation of lifts and ramps at various public schools to increase handicapped access, $162,700.
Housing, Parks and Recreation Department — construction of a recreational and community center at Canegata Ball Park, $200,000.
Housing, Parks and Recreation Department — expansion of the Vincent Mason pool recreation area to include existing slab, adding of picnic benches and installation of lights, $20,000.
Housing, Parks and Recreation Department — renovation of the Police Athletic League Burning Bush recreation facility and construction of a handicapped-accessible restroom, $40,000.
Our Town Frederiksted — grants and low-interest loans for homeowners in the Frederiksted area to rehabilitate their residences to safe and decent living conditions, $115,000.
St. Croix Foundation for Development — renovating to revitalize historic town structures in Christiansted and Frederiksted, $50,000.
Women's Coalition of St. Croix — construction of a fence to secure a public facility and ensure the safety of clients, $21,000.
St. John:
Carabana Ensemble Theatre Company — rehabilitation of a facility for use for theater workshops and as a weekend library, $10,000.
Education Department — installation of lifts and ramps at Julius Sprauve School to increase handicapped access, $30,000.
GOVERNOR SEEKS CDBG FUNDS FOR 37 PROJECTS
Aug. 30, 2001 – Gov. Charles W. Turnbull has submitted his proposed allocation of $2.189 million in federal Community Development Block Grant funds to the Legislature. He proposes apportioning the money among 37 not-for-profit and government agency projects.
The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the program is administered in the territory by the Planning and Natural Resources Department.
The deadline for the territory to submit its proposal to the federal government was July 31. Turnbull sent his request to the Legislature on Aug. 13. In his letter to Senate President Almando "Rocky" Liburd accompanying his proposal, Turnbull wrote: "Recognizing that you and your colleagues would need additional time to consider and approve the bill, I will request an extension."
Planning and Natural Resources reviews all applications received for CDBG funding and makes its recommendations to the governor. For this year's funding, 89 applications were submitted, and the total funding sought was $13,403,219. By federal law, no more than 15 percent of the grant money may be used for public service projects. All of the remainder except for program administration support is to be used for construction projects. By V.I. law, the total funding must be divided equally between the St. Croix and St. Thomas-St. John districts. The Legislature must approve all V.I. participation in federally funded programs.
The governor stated that funding was sought for a total of 37 public service projects, of which 19 were approved; for a total of 52 construction projects, of which 18 were approved. Total proposed allocations by island are $803,950 for St. Thomas and $71,650 on St. John for a total of $875,600, and also $875,600 for St. Croix. The allocation for administrative support is $437,800.
Here is how Turnbull proposes to disburse the CDBG project funds:
Public service
St. Thomas:
Anglican Outreach Services — operation of an after-school program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
Down Street People — operation of an after-school program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
Faith Wesleyan Holiness Church — operation of an after-school program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
Housing, Parks and Recreation Department — operation of a swimming program for low- to moderate-income youths, $10,000.
Kidscope — crisis intervention, counseling and other support services to young victims of abuse and violence and their families, $15,000.
Methodist Training and Outreach Center — operation of an after-school program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
Methodist Training and Outreach Center — operation of an outreach center for the homeless, $27,300.
St. Thomas Livestock Association — operation of a summer agricultural program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
V.I. Housing Authority — operation of a scuba diving program for low- to moderate-income youths within the housing projects, $7,500.
V.I. Missions — operation of an after-school and General Equivalency Diploma (GED) program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
V.I. Resource Center for the Disabled — operation of an after-school training program for the disabled, $15,000.
We From Up Street — operation of an after-school program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
St. Croix:
Camp Arawak Program — operation of a job-skill training program for low- to moderate-income individuals, $50,000.
Housing, Parks and Recreation Department — operation of an after-school sports clinic for about 100 at-risk youths, $25,000.
Proyecto SAL — operation of an after-school program to provide tutoring services to children experiencing difficulty with the English language, $16,900.
V.I. Resource Center for the Disabled — operation of an after-school program for the disabled at Ricardo Richards Elementary School, $25,000.
St. John:
Carabana Ensemble Theatre Company — operation of an after-school theater program and a weekend library, $10,825.
John Folly Learning Institute — operation of an after-school program for low- to moderate-income youths, $10,825.
V.I. Resource Center for the Disabled — operation of an after-school program for the disabled at Julius Sprauve School, $10,000.
Construction
St. Thomas:
American Legion Post 90 — renovation of facility to improve lighting and remove asbestos, $40,850.
Education Department — installation of lifts and ramps at various public schools to increase handicapped access, $50,000.
Housing, Parks and Recreation Department — renovation and upgrading of restroom facilities at Coki Point Beach, $39,300.
Long Path/Garden Street Association — construction of a community center and playground for neighborhood residents, $250,000.
Methodist Training and Outreach Center — matching funds for 8 single-room units for the homeless, $24,000.
St. Thomas Administrator — rehabilitation and expansion of the fishermen's facility in Frenchtown, $220,000.
St. Croix:
Adventist Development Relief Agency (Hispanic) — construction of a facility to provide after-school programs and operation of a soup kitchen, $60,000.
Agriculture Department — expansion of the St. Croix Farmers Market, $50,000.
Arma Pavie Sport Club — rehabilitation of a facility and improvement of a baseball field, $40,000.
Education Department — installation of lifts and ramps at various public schools to increase handicapped access, $162,700.
Housing, Parks and Recreation Department — construction of a recreational and community center at Canegata Ball Park, $200,000.
Housing, Parks and Recreation Department — expansion of the Vincent Mason pool recreation area to include existing slab, adding of picnic benches and installation of lights, $20,000.
Housing, Parks and Recreation Department — renovation of the Police Athletic League Burning Bush recreation facility and construction of a handicapped-accessible restroom, $40,000.
Our Town Frederiksted — grants and low-interest loans for homeowners in the Frederiksted area to rehabilitate their residences to safe and decent living conditions, $115,000.
St. Croix Foundation for Development — renovating to revitalize historic town structures in Christiansted and Frederiksted, $50,000.
Women's Coalition of St. Croix — construction of a fence to secure a public facility and ensure the safety of clients, $21,000.
St. John:
Carabana Ensemble Theatre Company — rehabilitation of a facility for use for theater workshops and as a weekend library, $10,000.
Education Department — installation of lifts and ramps at Julius Sprauve School to increase handicapped access, $30,000.
The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the program is administered in the territory by the Planning and Natural Resources Department.
The deadline for the territory to submit its proposal to the federal government was July 31. Turnbull sent his request to the Legislature on Aug. 13. In his letter to Senate President Almando "Rocky" Liburd accompanying his proposal, Turnbull wrote: "Recognizing that you and your colleagues would need additional time to consider and approve the bill, I will request an extension."
Planning and Natural Resources reviews all applications received for CDBG funding and makes its recommendations to the governor. For this year's funding, 89 applications were submitted, and the total funding sought was $13,403,219. By federal law, no more than 15 percent of the grant money may be used for public service projects. All of the remainder except for program administration support is to be used for construction projects. By V.I. law, the total funding must be divided equally between the St. Croix and St. Thomas-St. John districts. The Legislature must approve all V.I. participation in federally funded programs.
The governor stated that funding was sought for a total of 37 public service projects, of which 19 were approved; for a total of 52 construction projects, of which 18 were approved. Total proposed allocations by island are $803,950 for St. Thomas and $71,650 on St. John for a total of $875,600, and also $875,600 for St. Croix. The allocation for administrative support is $437,800.
Here is how Turnbull proposes to disburse the CDBG project funds:
Public service
St. Thomas:
Anglican Outreach Services — operation of an after-school program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
Down Street People — operation of an after-school program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
Faith Wesleyan Holiness Church — operation of an after-school program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
Housing, Parks and Recreation Department — operation of a swimming program for low- to moderate-income youths, $10,000.
Kidscope — crisis intervention, counseling and other support services to young victims of abuse and violence and their families, $15,000.
Methodist Training and Outreach Center — operation of an after-school program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
Methodist Training and Outreach Center — operation of an outreach center for the homeless, $27,300.
St. Thomas Livestock Association — operation of a summer agricultural program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
V.I. Housing Authority — operation of a scuba diving program for low- to moderate-income youths within the housing projects, $7,500.
V.I. Missions — operation of an after-school and General Equivalency Diploma (GED) program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
V.I. Resource Center for the Disabled — operation of an after-school training program for the disabled, $15,000.
We From Up Street — operation of an after-school program for low- to moderate-income youths, $15,000.
St. Croix:
Camp Arawak Program — operation of a job-skill training program for low- to moderate-income individuals, $50,000.
Housing, Parks and Recreation Department — operation of an after-school sports clinic for about 100 at-risk youths, $25,000.
Proyecto SAL — operation of an after-school program to provide tutoring services to children experiencing difficulty with the English language, $16,900.
V.I. Resource Center for the Disabled — operation of an after-school program for the disabled at Ricardo Richards Elementary School, $25,000.
St. John:
Carabana Ensemble Theatre Company — operation of an after-school theater program and a weekend library, $10,825.
John Folly Learning Institute — operation of an after-school program for low- to moderate-income youths, $10,825.
V.I. Resource Center for the Disabled — operation of an after-school program for the disabled at Julius Sprauve School, $10,000.
Construction
St. Thomas:
American Legion Post 90 — renovation of facility to improve lighting and remove asbestos, $40,850.
Education Department — installation of lifts and ramps at various public schools to increase handicapped access, $50,000.
Housing, Parks and Recreation Department — renovation and upgrading of restroom facilities at Coki Point Beach, $39,300.
Long Path/Garden Street Association — construction of a community center and playground for neighborhood residents, $250,000.
Methodist Training and Outreach Center — matching funds for 8 single-room units for the homeless, $24,000.
St. Thomas Administrator — rehabilitation and expansion of the fishermen's facility in Frenchtown, $220,000.
St. Croix:
Adventist Development Relief Agency (Hispanic) — construction of a facility to provide after-school programs and operation of a soup kitchen, $60,000.
Agriculture Department — expansion of the St. Croix Farmers Market, $50,000.
Arma Pavie Sport Club — rehabilitation of a facility and improvement of a baseball field, $40,000.
Education Department — installation of lifts and ramps at various public schools to increase handicapped access, $162,700.
Housing, Parks and Recreation Department — construction of a recreational and community center at Canegata Ball Park, $200,000.
Housing, Parks and Recreation Department — expansion of the Vincent Mason pool recreation area to include existing slab, adding of picnic benches and installation of lights, $20,000.
Housing, Parks and Recreation Department — renovation of the Police Athletic League Burning Bush recreation facility and construction of a handicapped-accessible restroom, $40,000.
Our Town Frederiksted — grants and low-interest loans for homeowners in the Frederiksted area to rehabilitate their residences to safe and decent living conditions, $115,000.
St. Croix Foundation for Development — renovating to revitalize historic town structures in Christiansted and Frederiksted, $50,000.
Women's Coalition of St. Croix — construction of a fence to secure a public facility and ensure the safety of clients, $21,000.
St. John:
Carabana Ensemble Theatre Company — rehabilitation of a facility for use for theater workshops and as a weekend library, $10,000.
Education Department — installation of lifts and ramps at Julius Sprauve School to increase handicapped access, $30,000.
RINEHART LEAVING UVI AFTER 24 YEARS
Aug. 30, 2001 – Frank Rinehart's teaching legacy at the University of the Virgin Islands goes back to when it was still the College of the Virgin Islands, but after 24 years, he is moving on.
He has taken a post as the dean of Science, Health and Business at Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York, and leaves Saturday for his new home.
His wife, Elena Vimercati, said she will continue her work as a web designer and will continue to service her Virgin Islands clients from Rochester.
Rinehart described himself as a chemist. He has taught sciences at UVI and served a stint as chair of the Division of Science and Mathematics.
He said he is grateful for the professional experience he had at UVI and that the staff and administration there are supportive of his decision.
"There's time for a change in everyone's life," he said.
"We're going to freeze this winter, but we'll have a beautiful fall first," he said, adding that Rochester offers a variety of cultural events and opportunities.
He's also excited about Monroe, saying "It's probably one of the 30 best community colleges in the U.S."
Vimercati, a native of Italy, has fewer years in the Virgin Islands, but also made a mark on the community. She was a charter broker for three years before going into web page design. And for several years she acted as interpreter and facilitator for Italian tourists visiting Caneel Bay in August.
Some parting advice from Rinehart: Two institutions in the Virgin Islands that are particularly worthy and in need of support from the community are United Way and UVI.
A past president of United Way, he served on the board for six years. He said the organization has set an ambitious challenge this year, raising its annual fund-raising goal from $500,000 to $650,000. It will need the entire community pulling together to meet the goal, he said.
The university also needs financial support, he said. "Faculty salaries have slipped," especially those for junior faculty, he said.
He has taken a post as the dean of Science, Health and Business at Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York, and leaves Saturday for his new home.
His wife, Elena Vimercati, said she will continue her work as a web designer and will continue to service her Virgin Islands clients from Rochester.
Rinehart described himself as a chemist. He has taught sciences at UVI and served a stint as chair of the Division of Science and Mathematics.
He said he is grateful for the professional experience he had at UVI and that the staff and administration there are supportive of his decision.
"There's time for a change in everyone's life," he said.
"We're going to freeze this winter, but we'll have a beautiful fall first," he said, adding that Rochester offers a variety of cultural events and opportunities.
He's also excited about Monroe, saying "It's probably one of the 30 best community colleges in the U.S."
Vimercati, a native of Italy, has fewer years in the Virgin Islands, but also made a mark on the community. She was a charter broker for three years before going into web page design. And for several years she acted as interpreter and facilitator for Italian tourists visiting Caneel Bay in August.
Some parting advice from Rinehart: Two institutions in the Virgin Islands that are particularly worthy and in need of support from the community are United Way and UVI.
A past president of United Way, he served on the board for six years. He said the organization has set an ambitious challenge this year, raising its annual fund-raising goal from $500,000 to $650,000. It will need the entire community pulling together to meet the goal, he said.
The university also needs financial support, he said. "Faculty salaries have slipped," especially those for junior faculty, he said.
SEA NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers are needed for Mangrove Restoration at Salt River, a project of the St. Croix Environmental Association.
Join the V.I. ReLeaf Program to replant red and black mangrove seedlings.
Students can earn community service credits for school requirements if they participate.
The volunteers are needed to transport materials, drive a boat, collect seed and plant seedlings.
For more information call 773-1989.
Join the V.I. ReLeaf Program to replant red and black mangrove seedlings.
Students can earn community service credits for school requirements if they participate.
The volunteers are needed to transport materials, drive a boat, collect seed and plant seedlings.
For more information call 773-1989.
CASINO CONTROL COMMISSION MEETING
The public is invited to attend the next Casino Control Commission meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 12, at the Commission's offices at #5 Orange Grove, Christiansted.
The agenda will include consideration of casino employee licenses, casino servicing entity licenses, authorization for the operation of new casino games and the required preparation for the implementation of the newly enacted Internet Gaming Act.
The agenda will include consideration of casino employee licenses, casino servicing entity licenses, authorization for the operation of new casino games and the required preparation for the implementation of the newly enacted Internet Gaming Act.
CASINO CONTROL COMMISSION MEETING
The public is invited to attend the next regular meeting of the Casino Control Commission at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 12,at the Commission's offices at #5 Orange Grove, Christiansted.
The agenda will include consideration of casino employee licenses, casino servicing entity licenses, authorization for the operation of new casino games and the required preparation for the implementation of the newly enacted Internet Gaming Act.
The agenda will include consideration of casino employee licenses, casino servicing entity licenses, authorization for the operation of new casino games and the required preparation for the implementation of the newly enacted Internet Gaming Act.
