To the Source:
Farewell, Mark Marin.
Mark Marin came to Antilles School at the start of the 1979-1980 school year. I know because I happened to be a member of the senior class during his first year as headmaster of Antilles School. As a member of the Class of 1980, Mark Marin's first senior class to graduate at Antilles, I had a great deal of respect for the man. He was a man who respected individual thought and easily mentored students.
After my graduation, we met up at a variety of functions; yet, up until recently, 21 years after graduating I still found myself calling him "Mr. Marin" out of respect.
Mr. Marin's sudden departure was a shock. He will be missed. To his children, I can only say that as time passes, your fond memories will keep your father's spirit alive. To his wife, Jackie, be strong and let time do what it does best: heal. You have my shoulder to lean on when you need it, along with the shoulders of all of Mark's friends. We are here to support you and your family through this difficult period.
The circle of life is sometimes unfair, and the loss of a loved one is something no one is ever prepared to deal with; yet it is part of life. As we are born, so we must die. Dada Vaswani once said, "The greatest tragedy of man is that he thinks he has forever." Mark Marin left his mark on our community in ways we can only imagine. And he did it enjoying every minute of it. He touched the lives of countless children who passed through the doors of Antilles over his years as headmaster, and he is to be credited for his vision. Antilles School is where it is today because of Mark Marin.
Mark Marin's journey on the campus of Antilles School may have come to an end, but the legacy he has left behind will live on forever. The love for the man who influenced so many of today's business and community leaders will remain in our memories and hearts for our lifetimes. Rest in peace, Mr. Marin.
Vinod "Vinnie" Mohanani
Class of 1980
St. Thomas
PAVING WORK TO INTERRUPT TRAFFIC
Aug. 2, 2001 – Paving work on the Queen Mary Highway starting Thursday and continuing through next Wednesday is likely to cause road closures, detours and delays.
The Public Works Department will begin paving between the Kingshill and La Reine intersection Thursday. The work on that section, scheduled to begin at 8:45 a.m. and end at 4:45 p.m., is expected to continue through Friday.
Work will resume Monday at the Kingshill intersection and continue on to the west of the Kingshill intersection.
Public Works Commissioner designate Wayne Callwood said, "Motorists will be detoured accordingly in order to avoid any obstacles with the construction work."
He suggested motorist seek alternative routes such as the Northside Road, Route 75 via Body Slob via Clifton Hill, Route 663 or the Melvin Evans Highway, Route 66.
The Public Works Department will begin paving between the Kingshill and La Reine intersection Thursday. The work on that section, scheduled to begin at 8:45 a.m. and end at 4:45 p.m., is expected to continue through Friday.
Work will resume Monday at the Kingshill intersection and continue on to the west of the Kingshill intersection.
Public Works Commissioner designate Wayne Callwood said, "Motorists will be detoured accordingly in order to avoid any obstacles with the construction work."
He suggested motorist seek alternative routes such as the Northside Road, Route 75 via Body Slob via Clifton Hill, Route 663 or the Melvin Evans Highway, Route 66.
MEMORANDUM SEALS V.I. WAPA PAYMENT PLAN
Aug. 1, 2001 – The saga of the government's $25.9 million debt to the Water and Power Authority is all over but the shouting, at least on paper.
On Wednesday afternoon, WAPA delivered to Government House a memorandum of understanding sealing terms of payment the two entities agreed upon at a July meeting.
"We're very happy the governor is working with us, and we are hopeful he will sign it before he goes off island," Laurie Christian, a WAPA public information officer, said.
Although it has not been announced, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull is expected to attend the 2001 National Association of Governors Conference next week in Rhode Island.
The document delivered Wednesday "puts in writing what we agreed to," Christian said, and it "formalizes the talks held earlier."
Turnbull and his advisers met on July 10 with Joseph R. Thomas Jr., WAPA executive director, and Carol Burke, WAPA board chair, to work out details for payment in full of the longstanding debt. The agreement calls for $17.1 million to be paid by Aug. 15, and another $5.3 million by Nov. 15.
The meeting came about after Thomas had announced a deadline of Aug. 10 for the government to meet its obligations — some dating back more than seven years — or face disconnection of all but essential agencies.
Christian said WAPA officials held "numerous meetings with a variety of government agencies" to validate the utililty's billing figures. These meetings went well, and the agencies were "very responsive," she said
Thomas has said the government's payment of its debt is necessary in order for WAPA to avoid a rate increase in the coming fiscal year and for it to meet its own short- and long-term debt obligations that are coming due.
In July, he said that a payment plan was "most important in boosting the credibility the authority will have for our financial standing." He noted then that "the financial health of a community's utility speaks volumes" to potential investors.
A WAPA press release distributed on July 10, when the utility delivered "demand for payment" notices to government agencies, said the total amount past due for electricity and water amounted to $25.9 million. However, it said, WAPA in turn owed the government $3.5 million for the construction of a water plant. It also has a debt of $5.3 million owed to the Federal Emergency Management Agency from Hurricane Hugo.
Balancing out these two obligations would leave the government owing the $17.1 million that is to be paid by Aug. 15. However, the FEMA amount will enter into the equation only if the administration fails in its efforts to get its Hurricane Hugo debt forgiven. If the debt is forgiven, as expected, "WAPA would expect these funds to be returned," the release said.
In response to challenges of the accuracy of the utility's $25.9 million debt figure, WAPA accounting officials carried out a reconciliation of a sample of government delinquencies representing nearly 60 percent of the total past-due amount. The results supported the earlier accounting "virtually to the penny," WAPA officials said.
On Wednesday afternoon, WAPA delivered to Government House a memorandum of understanding sealing terms of payment the two entities agreed upon at a July meeting.
"We're very happy the governor is working with us, and we are hopeful he will sign it before he goes off island," Laurie Christian, a WAPA public information officer, said.
Although it has not been announced, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull is expected to attend the 2001 National Association of Governors Conference next week in Rhode Island.
The document delivered Wednesday "puts in writing what we agreed to," Christian said, and it "formalizes the talks held earlier."
Turnbull and his advisers met on July 10 with Joseph R. Thomas Jr., WAPA executive director, and Carol Burke, WAPA board chair, to work out details for payment in full of the longstanding debt. The agreement calls for $17.1 million to be paid by Aug. 15, and another $5.3 million by Nov. 15.
The meeting came about after Thomas had announced a deadline of Aug. 10 for the government to meet its obligations — some dating back more than seven years — or face disconnection of all but essential agencies.
Christian said WAPA officials held "numerous meetings with a variety of government agencies" to validate the utililty's billing figures. These meetings went well, and the agencies were "very responsive," she said
Thomas has said the government's payment of its debt is necessary in order for WAPA to avoid a rate increase in the coming fiscal year and for it to meet its own short- and long-term debt obligations that are coming due.
In July, he said that a payment plan was "most important in boosting the credibility the authority will have for our financial standing." He noted then that "the financial health of a community's utility speaks volumes" to potential investors.
A WAPA press release distributed on July 10, when the utility delivered "demand for payment" notices to government agencies, said the total amount past due for electricity and water amounted to $25.9 million. However, it said, WAPA in turn owed the government $3.5 million for the construction of a water plant. It also has a debt of $5.3 million owed to the Federal Emergency Management Agency from Hurricane Hugo.
Balancing out these two obligations would leave the government owing the $17.1 million that is to be paid by Aug. 15. However, the FEMA amount will enter into the equation only if the administration fails in its efforts to get its Hurricane Hugo debt forgiven. If the debt is forgiven, as expected, "WAPA would expect these funds to be returned," the release said.
In response to challenges of the accuracy of the utility's $25.9 million debt figure, WAPA accounting officials carried out a reconciliation of a sample of government delinquencies representing nearly 60 percent of the total past-due amount. The results supported the earlier accounting "virtually to the penny," WAPA officials said.
MARIN'S WELL-LIVED LIFE CELEBRATED AT MEMORIAL
Aug. 1, 2001- A gentle rain began to fall just as hundreds of voices were lifted in song, offering all five stanzas of "Amazing Grace," as a final farewell to Mark Marin, the man whom Gov. Charles W. Turnbull dubbed St. Thomas's headmaster. As the hymn ended, the rain stopped as abruptly as it had begun.
Nearly a thousand adults, youths and children made their way to the Antilles School campus Wednesday morning to pay their last respects to Marin, who had been the school's headmaster for 22 years.
One Virgin Islander observed it was the largest group he had seen assembled for a memorial service since the funeral of the late Gov. Cyril E. King.
Marin died July 27 of a head injury after falling the night before at his St. Thomas home. He would have been 52 on Aug. 7. His death last week stunned the community.
In eulogizing his son, Ken Marin noted that Mark had donated his eyes, lungs, kidneys and heart to "people who would have died" without Mark's gift to them. "Our headmaster is dead," he said, "but our head master is not really dead."
Marin's three children, teen-agers Luke and Andrea, and recent college graduate Amy, took turns courageously and gracefully saying goodbye to a father they clearly loved and respected.
The value of Marin's contributions to the community became ever clearer as those who spoke — siblings, colleagues, friends — noted his many accomplishments as well his well-known attributes, foremost among them his love of life.
His brother Kevin, who is a teacher and administrator at Country Day School on St. Croix, offered a twist on the Greek adage, "The unexamined life is not worth living," saying that where Mark was concerned, one could say, "The unlived life is not worth examining."
Elliott "Mac" Davis, whose friendship with Marin spanned two decades, said through his ups and downs Mark had grown over the years both personally and professional, and that despite his untimely death, he had "lived long enough to come into his own."
Burial at sea was scheduled Wednesday afternoon.
Nearly a thousand adults, youths and children made their way to the Antilles School campus Wednesday morning to pay their last respects to Marin, who had been the school's headmaster for 22 years.
One Virgin Islander observed it was the largest group he had seen assembled for a memorial service since the funeral of the late Gov. Cyril E. King.
Marin died July 27 of a head injury after falling the night before at his St. Thomas home. He would have been 52 on Aug. 7. His death last week stunned the community.
In eulogizing his son, Ken Marin noted that Mark had donated his eyes, lungs, kidneys and heart to "people who would have died" without Mark's gift to them. "Our headmaster is dead," he said, "but our head master is not really dead."
Marin's three children, teen-agers Luke and Andrea, and recent college graduate Amy, took turns courageously and gracefully saying goodbye to a father they clearly loved and respected.
The value of Marin's contributions to the community became ever clearer as those who spoke — siblings, colleagues, friends — noted his many accomplishments as well his well-known attributes, foremost among them his love of life.
His brother Kevin, who is a teacher and administrator at Country Day School on St. Croix, offered a twist on the Greek adage, "The unexamined life is not worth living," saying that where Mark was concerned, one could say, "The unlived life is not worth examining."
Elliott "Mac" Davis, whose friendship with Marin spanned two decades, said through his ups and downs Mark had grown over the years both personally and professional, and that despite his untimely death, he had "lived long enough to come into his own."
Burial at sea was scheduled Wednesday afternoon.
UPSHOT OF VLT LAW: NO DIVI EXPANSION FOR NOW
Aug. 1, 2001 – Bernie Burkholder is profoundly unsettled by the video gambling legislation approved by the Senate majority. "This video lottery terminal issue just really rocked our faith in the stability of the V.I. government," he said Wednesday.
"I am shell shocked that this piece of legislation was passed, and the manner in which it was passed in the middle of the night, buried under the covers," Burkholder said. "Judge [Eileen] Petersen, the Casino Control Commission, and the governor have been so reputable to deal with. The Casino Control Act is very well thought out. It is the watchdog for the gaming commission, and that is why the V.I. is recognized as the legitimate destination it is. You can't have instability in this business."
Burkholder's opinion matters. He is an executive officer of Treasure Bay Corp. and its subsidiary, Treasure Bay VI Corp., which leases St. Croix's Divi Carina Bay Resort and Casino property from its owner, Grapetree Shores Inc., and operates the casino and resort. Treasure Bay has put expansion plans for the property on hold at least until the VLT issue is resolved.
"I have been dealing with the issue of VLT's for seven or eight years," he said. "I believe they are bad in any form and in any jurisdiction, and I believe they are bad for the Virgin Islands."
Burkholder had not been unaware of legislation that Sen. Vargrave Richards introduced Wednesday in the Legislature. The bill requires that a "binding referendum" be held before the body can approve any more gaming licenses.
Richards said his move is "aimed to ensure that current and future investors have a margin of security in knowing that their investment will be protected and upheld."
Such a measure would "go a long way toward restoring investors' confidence," Burkholder said.
Based in Biloxi, Miss., Burkholder has been president for two terms of the Gulf Coast Gaming Operators Association, which represents 11 casinos, and president for one term of the Mississippi Gaming Association, representing 32 casinos.
"We have dealt with the negative aspects of VLT's right alongside Louisiana with its problems, and all the turmoil South Carolina went through before they outlawed them," he said. "We work very closely with the American Gaming Association in Washington, D.C."
The big problem, Burkholder said, is that VLT's are unregulated. He said they encourage underage gambling and gambling addiction, and "there is no way you can adequately regulate them … They are indistinguishable from slot machines, except one spits out coins, and the other spits out tickets."
Experience has shown, he said, that lottery terminals contribute to destroying neighborhoods, because the owner of, say, a nice restaurant and bar will suddenly lose interest in maintaining his previous standard of service — because his profits from the VLT's are so much greater. And the establishment will deteriorate as a direct result.
Burkholder said the territory has built a credible reputation as a legitimate gambling destination over the last two years, but "the VLT's will destroy that credibility. It really sends the wrong message to the world investment community, not just casino businesses."
Speaking for Treasure Bay, he added: "If we were faced with this two years ago, if we knew this was out there, no way would we have come to St. Croix. We thought we had a stable business climate to invest in. These clandestine, late-night deals say ' Whoa! I'm not going there!'" His reference was to the Legislature's late-night passage on July 19 of the VLT enabling legislation as one of many amendments to the mammoth supplemental appropriations bill.
Emphasizing that he does not want to be perceived as holding a ransom over the people of St. Croix, he said, "Eighty percent of the people we deal with are people we have a very fundamental understanding with that they will do the right thing."
He said VLT's will provide no benefits for the territory — no new hotel rooms, no infrastructure. "And if they build these 'entertainment centers' — they call them 'entertainment centers,' I call them casinos', they are in direct competition with the hotel casinos."
Divi, he said, has made the commitment "that we are here to stay, not only for us but for other hotel and casino investors, as well, but we were reasonably assured we would have a level playing field. Now a special-interest group and a minority of senators have destroyed that understanding."
"When the VLT issue first came up a couple months ago, we downsized our expansion plans, and took them off the table," he said. "Then, we put them back on the table, and this comes up again. I talked to our contractor today, Best Construction, and I had to tell them we're off at the moment, although I'd like to say we're on."
Burkholder readily acknowledged that his industry "has its problems," but he added, "We have regulatory oversight, and we are trained to recognize and deal with compulsive gambling. We have checks and balances, and we have security guards 24 hours a day checking underage gamblers. We have problems we are willing to address; the video lottery operators ignore them."
Richards said in a release Wednesday that he remains "vehemently opposed to the VLT's." He said his bill is a move "to curtail the haphazard manner in which business is conducted in the territory. The 'on again, off again' approach to approving legislation or soliciting investments only serves to debilitate the economy and to alienate current and potential investment opportunities."
Attorney General Iver Stridiron said Wednesday the Legislature can fashion a referendum so that the public will expressed becomes legally binding. He said he didn't know whether the Organic Act addresses binding referendums and would "have to look it up."
Last November's referendum on whether the size of the Senate should be reduced has been a bone of contention in the 24th Legislature. The Senate leadership and Stridiron have said that the referendum — in which the vast majority of voters favored a smaller body — was not binding.
Burkholder said action can be taken to build the territory's credibility back up. "We would like to go forward and build the improvements we have planned," he said. "But the reality of it is my confidence is shaken in the system and leadership, and it needs to be restored."
He said the Senate includes "people of integrity like Richards and Emmett Hansen. I believe they are as appalled as we are."
Treasure Bay's position for now is that "we won't move ahead — even if the governor vetoes the legislation and it is not overridden by the Senate — until we are able to sit down with leaders in the Senate and have assurance that the VLT issue is behind us," Burkholder said. "Right now the Senate needs to take an extra step forward to protect its credibility of the investment community."
He said he really hopes it does: "We would like to move ahead. We like St. Croix."
"I am shell shocked that this piece of legislation was passed, and the manner in which it was passed in the middle of the night, buried under the covers," Burkholder said. "Judge [Eileen] Petersen, the Casino Control Commission, and the governor have been so reputable to deal with. The Casino Control Act is very well thought out. It is the watchdog for the gaming commission, and that is why the V.I. is recognized as the legitimate destination it is. You can't have instability in this business."
Burkholder's opinion matters. He is an executive officer of Treasure Bay Corp. and its subsidiary, Treasure Bay VI Corp., which leases St. Croix's Divi Carina Bay Resort and Casino property from its owner, Grapetree Shores Inc., and operates the casino and resort. Treasure Bay has put expansion plans for the property on hold at least until the VLT issue is resolved.
"I have been dealing with the issue of VLT's for seven or eight years," he said. "I believe they are bad in any form and in any jurisdiction, and I believe they are bad for the Virgin Islands."
Burkholder had not been unaware of legislation that Sen. Vargrave Richards introduced Wednesday in the Legislature. The bill requires that a "binding referendum" be held before the body can approve any more gaming licenses.
Richards said his move is "aimed to ensure that current and future investors have a margin of security in knowing that their investment will be protected and upheld."
Such a measure would "go a long way toward restoring investors' confidence," Burkholder said.
Based in Biloxi, Miss., Burkholder has been president for two terms of the Gulf Coast Gaming Operators Association, which represents 11 casinos, and president for one term of the Mississippi Gaming Association, representing 32 casinos.
"We have dealt with the negative aspects of VLT's right alongside Louisiana with its problems, and all the turmoil South Carolina went through before they outlawed them," he said. "We work very closely with the American Gaming Association in Washington, D.C."
The big problem, Burkholder said, is that VLT's are unregulated. He said they encourage underage gambling and gambling addiction, and "there is no way you can adequately regulate them … They are indistinguishable from slot machines, except one spits out coins, and the other spits out tickets."
Experience has shown, he said, that lottery terminals contribute to destroying neighborhoods, because the owner of, say, a nice restaurant and bar will suddenly lose interest in maintaining his previous standard of service — because his profits from the VLT's are so much greater. And the establishment will deteriorate as a direct result.
Burkholder said the territory has built a credible reputation as a legitimate gambling destination over the last two years, but "the VLT's will destroy that credibility. It really sends the wrong message to the world investment community, not just casino businesses."
Speaking for Treasure Bay, he added: "If we were faced with this two years ago, if we knew this was out there, no way would we have come to St. Croix. We thought we had a stable business climate to invest in. These clandestine, late-night deals say ' Whoa! I'm not going there!'" His reference was to the Legislature's late-night passage on July 19 of the VLT enabling legislation as one of many amendments to the mammoth supplemental appropriations bill.
Emphasizing that he does not want to be perceived as holding a ransom over the people of St. Croix, he said, "Eighty percent of the people we deal with are people we have a very fundamental understanding with that they will do the right thing."
He said VLT's will provide no benefits for the territory — no new hotel rooms, no infrastructure. "And if they build these 'entertainment centers' — they call them 'entertainment centers,' I call them casinos', they are in direct competition with the hotel casinos."
Divi, he said, has made the commitment "that we are here to stay, not only for us but for other hotel and casino investors, as well, but we were reasonably assured we would have a level playing field. Now a special-interest group and a minority of senators have destroyed that understanding."
"When the VLT issue first came up a couple months ago, we downsized our expansion plans, and took them off the table," he said. "Then, we put them back on the table, and this comes up again. I talked to our contractor today, Best Construction, and I had to tell them we're off at the moment, although I'd like to say we're on."
Burkholder readily acknowledged that his industry "has its problems," but he added, "We have regulatory oversight, and we are trained to recognize and deal with compulsive gambling. We have checks and balances, and we have security guards 24 hours a day checking underage gamblers. We have problems we are willing to address; the video lottery operators ignore them."
Richards said in a release Wednesday that he remains "vehemently opposed to the VLT's." He said his bill is a move "to curtail the haphazard manner in which business is conducted in the territory. The 'on again, off again' approach to approving legislation or soliciting investments only serves to debilitate the economy and to alienate current and potential investment opportunities."
Attorney General Iver Stridiron said Wednesday the Legislature can fashion a referendum so that the public will expressed becomes legally binding. He said he didn't know whether the Organic Act addresses binding referendums and would "have to look it up."
Last November's referendum on whether the size of the Senate should be reduced has been a bone of contention in the 24th Legislature. The Senate leadership and Stridiron have said that the referendum — in which the vast majority of voters favored a smaller body — was not binding.
Burkholder said action can be taken to build the territory's credibility back up. "We would like to go forward and build the improvements we have planned," he said. "But the reality of it is my confidence is shaken in the system and leadership, and it needs to be restored."
He said the Senate includes "people of integrity like Richards and Emmett Hansen. I believe they are as appalled as we are."
Treasure Bay's position for now is that "we won't move ahead — even if the governor vetoes the legislation and it is not overridden by the Senate — until we are able to sit down with leaders in the Senate and have assurance that the VLT issue is behind us," Burkholder said. "Right now the Senate needs to take an extra step forward to protect its credibility of the investment community."
He said he really hopes it does: "We would like to move ahead. We like St. Croix."
LOTS OF CALLS, NEARLY NONE IN FAVOR OF VLT'S
Aug. 1, 2001 – Telephones at Government House have been ringing off the hook in response to the media blitz over the video lottery terminal gaming issue. "We've had dozens of calls already today," Rina Jacobs McBrowne, Government House spokeswoman, said Wednesday afternoon. "They're still coming in."
The phones also rang all day Tuesday, and their message was near-unanimous. "We had no calls in favor of the VLT's yesterday, and only one this morning," McBrowne said. "One caller said, 'If the governor doesn't veto the VLT's, we'll veto him'," she said with a laugh.
The callers are irate, according to McBrowne. "It has become a very emotional issue."
"The calls are short and angry," she said, saying senators "didn't pay any attention to them about reducing the size of the Senate, and now they are trying to push the VLT's." The callers are vehemently against video lottery terminals, McBrowne said, "They say the don't want them — ever — and that they will bring no money to the territory."
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull apparently must decide in the next two days whether to sign the enabling legislation, which is a part of his massively amended supplemental appropriations bill, or line-item veto it, or let it become law without his signature. He is scheduled to attend the 2001 National Governors Association Conference in Providence, R.I., from Saturday through Tuesday, McBrowne said, although she didn't have confirmation from the governor of his travel dates Wednesday afternoon.
"The governor has been working on it around the clock," she said of the voluminous appropriations bill passed by the Senate on July 19. By law he has until Aug. 8 to act on the measure.
Print newspapers and the broadcast media have been inundated by a campaign by Austin Advertising promoting Southland Gaming of the V.I., the company contracted by the V.I. Lottery Commission three years ago to install and operate the territory's VLT's. One ad says, "Want $20 million? Video lottery will bring in an extra $20 million a year to our government revenues." It gives the Government House phone number, to "call and let the governor know you support the lottery."
Another radio spot features a heavily accented speaker calling himself a cruise ship crew member and asking to be allowed to "have fun spending [his] money here."
A letter to Turnbull from Divi Carina Bay Casino employees urging him to veto the VLT legislation appeared as a full-page ad in Wednesday's issue of The Avis newspaper.
On Tuesday, Austin Advertising distributed to the news media what was labeled an amendment to the original contact between the V.I. Lottery and Southland Gaming. The original contract language provided for the installation of lottery terminals "in airports, racetracks, bars, taverns, nightclubs, restaurants, resorts, hotels and other retail establishments." The amendment keeps that language for St. Thomas and St. John but restricts the terminals' set-up on St. Croix to "not more than two entertainment centers," one in Frederiksted and one in Christiansted, plus the departure lounge at the Henry L. Rohlsen Airport, horse race tracks and horse race simulcast parlors.
It also provides for not more than five such "entertainment centers" in the St. Thomas-St. John district and specifies that each "shall contain not less than 50 operating VLT's at the start-up of the individual entertainment center."
The amendment states that the specified types of installation locations cannot be changed for the next five years without approval of the Legislature, nor can the company establish additional "entertainment centers" without such approval. Implicit in this language is that changes could be made if the Legislature approved them.
One concern of opponents of the video lottery bill is the prospect of the gaming legislation being subject to change at what the Casino Control Commission chair, Eileen Petersen, has called "the whim of the Legislature."
Petersen has stressed that unstable gaming legislation is a hugh red light to potential casino investors.
Source telephone calls to Austin Andrews, V.I. Lottery Commission executive director, seeking information on the matter have gone unreturned since last week.
The phones also rang all day Tuesday, and their message was near-unanimous. "We had no calls in favor of the VLT's yesterday, and only one this morning," McBrowne said. "One caller said, 'If the governor doesn't veto the VLT's, we'll veto him'," she said with a laugh.
The callers are irate, according to McBrowne. "It has become a very emotional issue."
"The calls are short and angry," she said, saying senators "didn't pay any attention to them about reducing the size of the Senate, and now they are trying to push the VLT's." The callers are vehemently against video lottery terminals, McBrowne said, "They say the don't want them — ever — and that they will bring no money to the territory."
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull apparently must decide in the next two days whether to sign the enabling legislation, which is a part of his massively amended supplemental appropriations bill, or line-item veto it, or let it become law without his signature. He is scheduled to attend the 2001 National Governors Association Conference in Providence, R.I., from Saturday through Tuesday, McBrowne said, although she didn't have confirmation from the governor of his travel dates Wednesday afternoon.
"The governor has been working on it around the clock," she said of the voluminous appropriations bill passed by the Senate on July 19. By law he has until Aug. 8 to act on the measure.
Print newspapers and the broadcast media have been inundated by a campaign by Austin Advertising promoting Southland Gaming of the V.I., the company contracted by the V.I. Lottery Commission three years ago to install and operate the territory's VLT's. One ad says, "Want $20 million? Video lottery will bring in an extra $20 million a year to our government revenues." It gives the Government House phone number, to "call and let the governor know you support the lottery."
Another radio spot features a heavily accented speaker calling himself a cruise ship crew member and asking to be allowed to "have fun spending [his] money here."
A letter to Turnbull from Divi Carina Bay Casino employees urging him to veto the VLT legislation appeared as a full-page ad in Wednesday's issue of The Avis newspaper.
On Tuesday, Austin Advertising distributed to the news media what was labeled an amendment to the original contact between the V.I. Lottery and Southland Gaming. The original contract language provided for the installation of lottery terminals "in airports, racetracks, bars, taverns, nightclubs, restaurants, resorts, hotels and other retail establishments." The amendment keeps that language for St. Thomas and St. John but restricts the terminals' set-up on St. Croix to "not more than two entertainment centers," one in Frederiksted and one in Christiansted, plus the departure lounge at the Henry L. Rohlsen Airport, horse race tracks and horse race simulcast parlors.
It also provides for not more than five such "entertainment centers" in the St. Thomas-St. John district and specifies that each "shall contain not less than 50 operating VLT's at the start-up of the individual entertainment center."
The amendment states that the specified types of installation locations cannot be changed for the next five years without approval of the Legislature, nor can the company establish additional "entertainment centers" without such approval. Implicit in this language is that changes could be made if the Legislature approved them.
One concern of opponents of the video lottery bill is the prospect of the gaming legislation being subject to change at what the Casino Control Commission chair, Eileen Petersen, has called "the whim of the Legislature."
Petersen has stressed that unstable gaming legislation is a hugh red light to potential casino investors.
Source telephone calls to Austin Andrews, V.I. Lottery Commission executive director, seeking information on the matter have gone unreturned since last week.
GUN AMNESTY ENDS, BUT ALL NUMBERS NOT IN
Aug. 1, 2001 – Although the 16 weapons collected on St. Thomas in the Police Department's Firearm Amnesty Program, which ended at midnight Tuesday, was not exactly overwhelming, Deputy Police Chief Theodore Carty was heartened.
"That's 16 weapons that aren't on the street where they can be used to kill people," Carty said. "It might be a small number, but it's successful. We do appreciate people turning them in."
Carty said the weapons collected in the program, which began July 10, were mostly revolvers or pistols but included one rifle.
Figures from the St. Croix district were not available Wednesday afternoon, although Police Commissioner Franz Christian said in a release that he was "pleased with public compliance, especially on the island of St. Croix."
The number of weapons collected on St. Croix was substantially higher than those collected in the St. Thomas-St. John district, according to one source.
Earlier this week, Sen. Emmett Hansen II urged everyone with unlicensed firearms to turn them in. "We're not fooling around when it comes to persons having unlicensed firearms," he said. "If you feel you have to have a firearm to protect yourself and your family, get it licensed."
Hansen was the prime sponsor of the Gun Control Act of 2001, which dramatically increases penalties and fines for possession and use of unlicensed firearms. The law also provides for the forfeiture of property should unlicensed firearms be found, Hansen reminded gun owners.
"That's 16 weapons that aren't on the street where they can be used to kill people," Carty said. "It might be a small number, but it's successful. We do appreciate people turning them in."
Carty said the weapons collected in the program, which began July 10, were mostly revolvers or pistols but included one rifle.
Figures from the St. Croix district were not available Wednesday afternoon, although Police Commissioner Franz Christian said in a release that he was "pleased with public compliance, especially on the island of St. Croix."
The number of weapons collected on St. Croix was substantially higher than those collected in the St. Thomas-St. John district, according to one source.
Earlier this week, Sen. Emmett Hansen II urged everyone with unlicensed firearms to turn them in. "We're not fooling around when it comes to persons having unlicensed firearms," he said. "If you feel you have to have a firearm to protect yourself and your family, get it licensed."
Hansen was the prime sponsor of the Gun Control Act of 2001, which dramatically increases penalties and fines for possession and use of unlicensed firearms. The law also provides for the forfeiture of property should unlicensed firearms be found, Hansen reminded gun owners.
2 MINORS HOSPITALIZED AFTER BEING HIT BY VEHICLE
Aug. 1, 2001 – Two unidentified minors who were struck by a vehicle Wednesday afternoon in the Nadir area were reported in serious condition at Roy L. Schneider Hospital.
Police spokeswoman Annette Raimer said the two were struck at 3:15 p.m. near Sanchez Town in the vicinity of the Clinton E. Phipps Race Track.
Raimer said several police units had to be sent to the area to break up a crowd that gathered after the accident.
She could not say if anyone had been arrested in connection with the accident.
Editor's note: Incorrect information provided by police late Wednesday afternoon said the two injured parties in this accident were both minors. A press release Thursday provided different information. See Woman and Child Die Hours After Auto Accident for update.
Police spokeswoman Annette Raimer said the two were struck at 3:15 p.m. near Sanchez Town in the vicinity of the Clinton E. Phipps Race Track.
Raimer said several police units had to be sent to the area to break up a crowd that gathered after the accident.
She could not say if anyone had been arrested in connection with the accident.
Editor's note: Incorrect information provided by police late Wednesday afternoon said the two injured parties in this accident were both minors. A press release Thursday provided different information. See Woman and Child Die Hours After Auto Accident for update.
AUTHORITIES SAY WOMAN'S DEATH 'SUSPICIOUS'
Aug. 1, 2001 – The death last weekend of Jan Mary Hooper has been deemed "suspicious" after the medical examiner's report said she died of "multiple contusions to the back of the head."
Deputy Police Chief Novelle Francis said Wednesday afternoon that investigators were still going over "with a fine-tooth comb" evidence collected since Hooper was found dead in her ex-husband's home in Estate Catherine's Hope.
According to Francis, the medical examiner said the contusions could have been the result of Hooper being struck or somehow coming in contact with a blunt instrument.
He said the report was "inconclusive" and that the death has not been ruled a homicide.
Deputy Police Chief Novelle Francis said Wednesday afternoon that investigators were still going over "with a fine-tooth comb" evidence collected since Hooper was found dead in her ex-husband's home in Estate Catherine's Hope.
According to Francis, the medical examiner said the contusions could have been the result of Hooper being struck or somehow coming in contact with a blunt instrument.
He said the report was "inconclusive" and that the death has not been ruled a homicide.
'SCHOOL'S OUT' PLAYING FOR 3 WEEKS AT UVI
Aug. 1, 2001- Just as parents and pupils and educators and politicians are starting to think about school resuming in a few weeks, the Caribbean Repertory Company of the Reichhold Center for the Arts is staging a play called "School's Out."
It opens this weekend, to run for three Friday-Monday dates, and there's nothing wrong with the timing.
The comedy, by Jamaican playwright Trevor Rhone, the award-winning author of "Smile Orange" and "The Harder They Come," was written in 1974.
There's nothing out of date about it.
The plot centers on an idealistic new teacher in a fictional Caribbean island who sets out to bring about change in a parochial school that's functionally falling apart. His immediate obstacles are fellow faculty members: teachers who, in turn, are sexy and sexually harassed, underqualified and intimidated, all talk and no action, non-native and going strictly by the book, and senior in status and uninterested in reform. And then there's the chaplain, who beneath his clerical collar is lecherous and lazy.
Emotions run high from start to finish, according to publicity, as the actors display "anger, frustration, sexual tension and resignation."
"The issues that were addressed in 'School's Out' almost 30 years ago still exist today," Reichhold director David Edgecombe says. "The play is loosely based on education in Jamaica, but since it draws so many modern parallels, it could literally be anywhere in the Caribbean."
Even in the Virgin Islands, even in 2001.
Through the medium of humor, the play "addresses the educational system, which is very much a topic of discussion in the Virgin Islands," Alvin Hippolyte, who's directing the production, says. "The overall message of the play is that in order for education to be successful, there needs to be good government and diligent parents. It can't be left up to the teachers."
Hippolyte, a St. Lucian who holds graduate degrees in theater and in Latin American and Caribbean history from Howard University, starred in last summer's Repertory Theater production, "Smile, Natives, Smile." Written by Edgecombe, the two-character play was a tour de force for the actors, as Edgecombe twice revised the dialogue — first to remove scatological language after a media preview, and then, for the final performance, to put it back in again.
Several actors in "School's Out" will be familiar to University of the Virgin Islands and community theater-goers: longtime Thatch Farm Theater director Felix Fleming, who's on island from his Anguilla home this summer participating in a UVI summer workshop with young people; Wayne Chinnery, who starred in the UVI Little Theater production of "Fences" a few years ago; George Silcott Jr., who's been in Youth Repertory Theater and Little Theater plays; and Yasir Rashid, who has had lead roles in Pistarckle Theater productions.
Assisting Hippolyte as stage manager is another Little Theater veteran, Gerda Hughes Morales.
The actors and their roles: Rashid is Russ Dacres, the new teacher, who is idealistic, energetic and compassionate but also self-righteous and all too willing to move into the void left by the ever-absent headmaster. Tasida Kelch, UVI student and former V.I. Carnival queen, is Micah McAdam, an attractive, emotionally fickle teacher who tries to help amid the come-ons of the predominantly male staff. Tavis DeWindt, a UVI speech and theater major who appeared locally in "Play Mas," is Hopal Hendry, an ill-spoken, underqualified teacher threatened by Dacres' ideals and activism.
Silcott, a college student majoring in theater, is the Rev. Steele, the predatory clergyman. Chinnery is Rosco Callendar, a philosophical liberal given to playing games instead of putting his attitudes into action. Fleming is Mr. Josephs, a sardonic failure of a senior faculty member, conservative and bemoaning the creeping egalitarianism of modern times. Michael Faass is Patrick Campbell, the outsider whose determination is to do what he is paid to do and no more.
The play was first performed at the Barn Theatre in Kingston, Jamaica, on April 3, 1975. The original cast included Rhone himself as Russ Dacres and popular comedian Oliver Samuels as Rosco Callendar.
Edgecombe said he decided to produce "School's Out" "because so many people asked us to do a comedy this summer." Owing to language and sexual themes, it's recommended for mature audiences only.
Hippolyte teaches speech in the creative and performing arts program at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, N.Y. His directing credits include an off-Off-Broadway production of Woody Allen's "God," Federico Garcia Lorca's "The House of Bernarda Alba," Shakespeare's "As You Like It," and his own play "Limbo." In addition to having completed that play, he has several others in progress. He has appeared in numerous stage productions and in film, and recorded 19th century African-American statesman Frederick Douglass's Fourth of July speech for Voice of America.
The flyers Reichhold marketing manager Dionne Carty has put out promoting the play have carried such enticing phrases as "It's going to be hotter than July!" and "Does art truly imitate life?" Hype, hypothesis or hope? Only one way to find out.
"School's Out" is being presented in the Little Theater in the large white building west of the new Sports and Fitness Center on the airport side of the UVI campus. There are 12 performances — Friday through Monday, then Aug. 10-13 and finally Aug. 17-20. Curtain time nightly is 8 p.m.
Tickets are $15. They may be purchased in advance at the UVI bookstore, Modern Music at both Nisky Center and Havensight, Parrot Fish Music and Crystal and Gifts Galore.
For the first week's performances only, there's a 2-for-1 special. These tickets must be purchased at the Reichhold box office. For further information, call 693-1559.
It opens this weekend, to run for three Friday-Monday dates, and there's nothing wrong with the timing.
The comedy, by Jamaican playwright Trevor Rhone, the award-winning author of "Smile Orange" and "The Harder They Come," was written in 1974.
There's nothing out of date about it.
The plot centers on an idealistic new teacher in a fictional Caribbean island who sets out to bring about change in a parochial school that's functionally falling apart. His immediate obstacles are fellow faculty members: teachers who, in turn, are sexy and sexually harassed, underqualified and intimidated, all talk and no action, non-native and going strictly by the book, and senior in status and uninterested in reform. And then there's the chaplain, who beneath his clerical collar is lecherous and lazy.
Emotions run high from start to finish, according to publicity, as the actors display "anger, frustration, sexual tension and resignation."
"The issues that were addressed in 'School's Out' almost 30 years ago still exist today," Reichhold director David Edgecombe says. "The play is loosely based on education in Jamaica, but since it draws so many modern parallels, it could literally be anywhere in the Caribbean."
Even in the Virgin Islands, even in 2001.
Through the medium of humor, the play "addresses the educational system, which is very much a topic of discussion in the Virgin Islands," Alvin Hippolyte, who's directing the production, says. "The overall message of the play is that in order for education to be successful, there needs to be good government and diligent parents. It can't be left up to the teachers."
Hippolyte, a St. Lucian who holds graduate degrees in theater and in Latin American and Caribbean history from Howard University, starred in last summer's Repertory Theater production, "Smile, Natives, Smile." Written by Edgecombe, the two-character play was a tour de force for the actors, as Edgecombe twice revised the dialogue — first to remove scatological language after a media preview, and then, for the final performance, to put it back in again.
Several actors in "School's Out" will be familiar to University of the Virgin Islands and community theater-goers: longtime Thatch Farm Theater director Felix Fleming, who's on island from his Anguilla home this summer participating in a UVI summer workshop with young people; Wayne Chinnery, who starred in the UVI Little Theater production of "Fences" a few years ago; George Silcott Jr., who's been in Youth Repertory Theater and Little Theater plays; and Yasir Rashid, who has had lead roles in Pistarckle Theater productions.
Assisting Hippolyte as stage manager is another Little Theater veteran, Gerda Hughes Morales.
The actors and their roles: Rashid is Russ Dacres, the new teacher, who is idealistic, energetic and compassionate but also self-righteous and all too willing to move into the void left by the ever-absent headmaster. Tasida Kelch, UVI student and former V.I. Carnival queen, is Micah McAdam, an attractive, emotionally fickle teacher who tries to help amid the come-ons of the predominantly male staff. Tavis DeWindt, a UVI speech and theater major who appeared locally in "Play Mas," is Hopal Hendry, an ill-spoken, underqualified teacher threatened by Dacres' ideals and activism.
Silcott, a college student majoring in theater, is the Rev. Steele, the predatory clergyman. Chinnery is Rosco Callendar, a philosophical liberal given to playing games instead of putting his attitudes into action. Fleming is Mr. Josephs, a sardonic failure of a senior faculty member, conservative and bemoaning the creeping egalitarianism of modern times. Michael Faass is Patrick Campbell, the outsider whose determination is to do what he is paid to do and no more.
The play was first performed at the Barn Theatre in Kingston, Jamaica, on April 3, 1975. The original cast included Rhone himself as Russ Dacres and popular comedian Oliver Samuels as Rosco Callendar.
Edgecombe said he decided to produce "School's Out" "because so many people asked us to do a comedy this summer." Owing to language and sexual themes, it's recommended for mature audiences only.
Hippolyte teaches speech in the creative and performing arts program at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, N.Y. His directing credits include an off-Off-Broadway production of Woody Allen's "God," Federico Garcia Lorca's "The House of Bernarda Alba," Shakespeare's "As You Like It," and his own play "Limbo." In addition to having completed that play, he has several others in progress. He has appeared in numerous stage productions and in film, and recorded 19th century African-American statesman Frederick Douglass's Fourth of July speech for Voice of America.
The flyers Reichhold marketing manager Dionne Carty has put out promoting the play have carried such enticing phrases as "It's going to be hotter than July!" and "Does art truly imitate life?" Hype, hypothesis or hope? Only one way to find out.
"School's Out" is being presented in the Little Theater in the large white building west of the new Sports and Fitness Center on the airport side of the UVI campus. There are 12 performances — Friday through Monday, then Aug. 10-13 and finally Aug. 17-20. Curtain time nightly is 8 p.m.
Tickets are $15. They may be purchased in advance at the UVI bookstore, Modern Music at both Nisky Center and Havensight, Parrot Fish Music and Crystal and Gifts Galore.
For the first week's performances only, there's a 2-for-1 special. These tickets must be purchased at the Reichhold box office. For further information, call 693-1559.
