Dear Source,
Next week, Representative Donna M.C. Christensen and others in the House will consider the Cheney energy plan. Although deceptively billed as a balanced package, the measure is in fact full of giveaways to big energy companies, while lacking meaningful advances in energy efficiency and renewables. Its provisions include:
– Oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge;
– A car & SUV fuel efficiency increase of less than 1 percent, which is smaller than automakers are already voluntarily doing;
– $13 billion in subsidies for coal, one of the biggest air polluters;
– A $23 billion windfall for the oil industry, despite record profits;
– $2.7 billion in nuclear industry subsidies;
– Restrictions on federal ability to protect public lands;
– A dangerous nuclear technology that risks weapons proliferation;
– No significant efficiency boost for appliances like air conditioners;
– A fossil fuel emphasis that raises the threat of global warming;
– No guaranteed, significant increase in clean, renewable energy use.
While we might wonder how these things affect us, make no mistake that we will feel the trickle down effect of out of control mining for gas, coal and oil. The future stands at our feet. Let us not forget the future of our children and grandchildren. What kind of world do we want them to inherit.
Why in a place where the sun shines 365 days of the year (plus or minus a few) aren't we being encouraged to take advantage of free sunlight? We have the potential to show the our Caribbean neighbors and the World our creative and productive potential with renewable solar and wind energy.
Let's hope Donna M. C. Christensen will see through the "greenwash" and oppose this terrible bill.
Caroline A. Browne
St. Thomas
CHENEY ENERGY BILL HAS LOCAL IMPLICATIONS
Dear Source,
Next week, Representative Donna M.C. Christensen and others in the House will consider the Cheney energy plan. Although deceptively billed as a balanced package, the measure is in fact full of giveaways to big energy companies, while lacking meaningful advances in energy efficiency and renewables. Its provisions include:
– Oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge;
– A car & SUV fuel efficiency increase of less than 1 percent, which is smaller than automakers are already voluntarily doing;
– $13 billion in subsidies for coal, one of the biggest air polluters;
– A $23 billion windfall for the oil industry, despite record profits;
– $2.7 billion in nuclear industry subsidies;
– Restrictions on federal ability to protect public lands;
– A dangerous nuclear technology that risks weapons proliferation;
– No significant efficiency boost for appliances like air conditioners;
– A fossil fuel emphasis that raises the threat of global warming;
– No guaranteed, significant increase in clean, renewable energy use.
While we might wonder how these things affect us, make no mistake that we will feel the trickle down effect of out of control mining for gas, coal and oil. The future stands at our feet. Let us not forget the future of our children and grandchildren. What kind of world do we want them to inherit.
Why in a place where the sun shines 365 days of the year (plus or minus a few) aren't we being encouraged to take advantage of free sunlight? We have the potential to show the our Caribbean neighbors and the World our creative and productive potential with renewable solar and wind energy.
Let's hope Donna M. C. Christensen will see through the "greenwash" and oppose this terrible bill.
Caroline A. Browne
St. Thomas
Next week, Representative Donna M.C. Christensen and others in the House will consider the Cheney energy plan. Although deceptively billed as a balanced package, the measure is in fact full of giveaways to big energy companies, while lacking meaningful advances in energy efficiency and renewables. Its provisions include:
– Oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge;
– A car & SUV fuel efficiency increase of less than 1 percent, which is smaller than automakers are already voluntarily doing;
– $13 billion in subsidies for coal, one of the biggest air polluters;
– A $23 billion windfall for the oil industry, despite record profits;
– $2.7 billion in nuclear industry subsidies;
– Restrictions on federal ability to protect public lands;
– A dangerous nuclear technology that risks weapons proliferation;
– No significant efficiency boost for appliances like air conditioners;
– A fossil fuel emphasis that raises the threat of global warming;
– No guaranteed, significant increase in clean, renewable energy use.
While we might wonder how these things affect us, make no mistake that we will feel the trickle down effect of out of control mining for gas, coal and oil. The future stands at our feet. Let us not forget the future of our children and grandchildren. What kind of world do we want them to inherit.
Why in a place where the sun shines 365 days of the year (plus or minus a few) aren't we being encouraged to take advantage of free sunlight? We have the potential to show the our Caribbean neighbors and the World our creative and productive potential with renewable solar and wind energy.
Let's hope Donna M. C. Christensen will see through the "greenwash" and oppose this terrible bill.
Caroline A. Browne
St. Thomas
WAPA MAY BUY POWER FROM NEW WASTE PLANTS
July 26, 2001 – Water and Power Authority executive director Joseph Thomas will be meeting this week with officials of a company proposing to build two solid waste gasification plants in the territory, one on St. Thomas and one on St. Croix.
The meeting with representatives of Caribe Waste Technologies is to iron out a proposal for WAPA to purchase power, he said.
Gasification technology involves heating garbage to the point where it releases combustible gas which can be used for electric energy production. It is thus a means both of disposing of solid waste matter and of producing fuel that in turn can be used to generate electricity.
The Caribe Waste plant on St. Croix is to produce 8 megawatts of electricity a day, and the one on St. Thomas, 2 megawatts, according to Thomas, who has been meeting with CWT representatives.
In theory, he said, WAPA has agreed to purchase electricity from the waste plants, but a pivotal issue has been the "avoided cost" figure. That is the amount of money the utility would save by not producing the water and electricity itself.
In initial discussions, Thomas said, the two parties could not agree on a figure; so a consultant, Stone and Webster, was brought in and arrived at a figure acceptable to both parties — 6.9 cents per kilowatt hour. Thomas said purchasing power from CTW for the same amount of money that it would cost for WAPA to produce the power itself would be "the authority's civic responsibility to the community" in helping solve the territory's solid waste problems.
Thomas told WAPA board members at a meeting on Tuesday that he will meet with CWT officers to discuss the 6.9-cent figure and methods and scheduling for receipt of electricity. He said he would present a complete package to the board at its next meeting.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull had written to the board chair, Carol Burke, asking WAPA's assistance in solving the over-capacity problems at the Bovoni landfill on St. Thomas and the Anguilla landfill on St. Croix.
Adding to the impending crisis on St. Croix, the Federal Aviation Administration has threatened to shut down the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport if the Anguilla landfill isn't closed by 2002. Smoke from the landfill and the birds it attracts pose dangers to aviation, the FAA contends. The Environmental Protection Agency has imposed many fines on the territory because neither landfill complies with environmental laws.
Repeated calls to Sonya Nelthropp, the Public Works Department's solid waste specialist, for further information on the Caribe Waste plans were not returned. The Source could not learn the status of contract negotiations between CWT and the V.I. government.
The meeting with representatives of Caribe Waste Technologies is to iron out a proposal for WAPA to purchase power, he said.
Gasification technology involves heating garbage to the point where it releases combustible gas which can be used for electric energy production. It is thus a means both of disposing of solid waste matter and of producing fuel that in turn can be used to generate electricity.
The Caribe Waste plant on St. Croix is to produce 8 megawatts of electricity a day, and the one on St. Thomas, 2 megawatts, according to Thomas, who has been meeting with CWT representatives.
In theory, he said, WAPA has agreed to purchase electricity from the waste plants, but a pivotal issue has been the "avoided cost" figure. That is the amount of money the utility would save by not producing the water and electricity itself.
In initial discussions, Thomas said, the two parties could not agree on a figure; so a consultant, Stone and Webster, was brought in and arrived at a figure acceptable to both parties — 6.9 cents per kilowatt hour. Thomas said purchasing power from CTW for the same amount of money that it would cost for WAPA to produce the power itself would be "the authority's civic responsibility to the community" in helping solve the territory's solid waste problems.
Thomas told WAPA board members at a meeting on Tuesday that he will meet with CWT officers to discuss the 6.9-cent figure and methods and scheduling for receipt of electricity. He said he would present a complete package to the board at its next meeting.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull had written to the board chair, Carol Burke, asking WAPA's assistance in solving the over-capacity problems at the Bovoni landfill on St. Thomas and the Anguilla landfill on St. Croix.
Adding to the impending crisis on St. Croix, the Federal Aviation Administration has threatened to shut down the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport if the Anguilla landfill isn't closed by 2002. Smoke from the landfill and the birds it attracts pose dangers to aviation, the FAA contends. The Environmental Protection Agency has imposed many fines on the territory because neither landfill complies with environmental laws.
Repeated calls to Sonya Nelthropp, the Public Works Department's solid waste specialist, for further information on the Caribe Waste plans were not returned. The Source could not learn the status of contract negotiations between CWT and the V.I. government.
SEWER LINE REPTURE CAUSES CONTAMINATION
July 26, 2001 – The public is strongly cautioned to avoid contact with water of any kind in the area of the Ralph deChabert Housing Community and the Water and Power Authority Richmond facility, due to contamination from a ruptured sewer line in the area.
A release late Thursday afternoon from the Department of Planning and Natural Resources warned residents and anyone in the vicinity of the Richmond shoreline to avoid areas of storm water runoff, such as guts, puddles and drainage basins. The notice included a warning not to fish or swim in the waters between the Christiansted Wharf and Golden Rock until the sewer line was fixed and the health advisory was lifted.
"As a result of an increased concentration of bacteria due to the discharge, there may be an increased health risk to anyone swimming in these areas," the release, signed by DPNR Commissioner Dean Plaskett, said.
Persons with immune system problems were advised to avoid the contaminated areas altogether.
Plaskett said DPNR would continue to monitor the contamination and keep the public updated on the water quality.
For further information, call the DPNR Division of Environmental Protection at 773-0565.
A release late Thursday afternoon from the Department of Planning and Natural Resources warned residents and anyone in the vicinity of the Richmond shoreline to avoid areas of storm water runoff, such as guts, puddles and drainage basins. The notice included a warning not to fish or swim in the waters between the Christiansted Wharf and Golden Rock until the sewer line was fixed and the health advisory was lifted.
"As a result of an increased concentration of bacteria due to the discharge, there may be an increased health risk to anyone swimming in these areas," the release, signed by DPNR Commissioner Dean Plaskett, said.
Persons with immune system problems were advised to avoid the contaminated areas altogether.
Plaskett said DPNR would continue to monitor the contamination and keep the public updated on the water quality.
For further information, call the DPNR Division of Environmental Protection at 773-0565.
MAILMAN GETS PRISON TERM FOR DISABILITY FRAUD
July 27, 2001 – A long-time postal worker on St. Croix has been sentenced in U.S. District Court to 15 months in prison and then two years of supervised release for fraudulently collecting disability compensation.
District Court Chief Judge Raymond Finch sentenced James Albert Latimer, 56, on his conviction of fraud under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act. Latimer also was ordered to pay restitution of $81,898.94 to the federal Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, which administers programs implementing FECA for federal civilian personnel.
Latimer, of Estate Whim, had been a mail carrier since 1969. He was convicted on Aug. 30, 1999, following a four-day trial. He received the disability payments after claiming to have injured his back in 1996 when attempting to pick up a heavy package.
The prosecution said Latimer was able to work and had concealed his true medical condition from his physician, who was filing Workers' Compensation reports. As evidence, he was videotaped performing "various physical activities that were inconsistent with the medical condition he presented to his doctor," according to a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.
U.S. Attorney David L. Atkinson commended the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for its work in investigating the case.
District Court Chief Judge Raymond Finch sentenced James Albert Latimer, 56, on his conviction of fraud under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act. Latimer also was ordered to pay restitution of $81,898.94 to the federal Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, which administers programs implementing FECA for federal civilian personnel.
Latimer, of Estate Whim, had been a mail carrier since 1969. He was convicted on Aug. 30, 1999, following a four-day trial. He received the disability payments after claiming to have injured his back in 1996 when attempting to pick up a heavy package.
The prosecution said Latimer was able to work and had concealed his true medical condition from his physician, who was filing Workers' Compensation reports. As evidence, he was videotaped performing "various physical activities that were inconsistent with the medical condition he presented to his doctor," according to a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.
U.S. Attorney David L. Atkinson commended the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for its work in investigating the case.
THE IMPORTANCE OF ESTATE PLANNING
Questions concerning death and disability are sometimes difficult for families to discuss. However, individuals must address these issues in advance to ensure that their family members are in a strong position to deal with illness and death. Consider these vital questions, for starters:
What will happen to my assets upon my death? If I suffer an untimely death, how will I provide for my spouse and children? Who do I wish to handle my financial and business affairs if I become mentally or physically incapacitated? Who do I wish to make my healthcare decisions if I am unable to do so?
While many people choose to ignore issues related to death and incompetence until it is too late, planning can ensure that an individual’s wishes are properly carried out — while avoiding disputes and administrative and decision-making dilemmas — when there is an illness or death in the family.
Why draft a will?
Why should endure the time and expense involved in having an estate planning specialist draft a will? First, if an individual wishes to have any control over the distribution of his or her assets upon death, those decisions should be expressed in a properly drafted will. Without a valid will, the Virgin Islands law of intestacy provides a specific order of distribution. Consider this common example which illustrates several of the issues that can arise:
Assume John Doe, who was married to his second wife and had two children from a prior marriage, suffered an untimely death. If Mr. Doe did not have a valid will at the time of his death, Virgin Islands law requires that his wife receive one-third of his probate assets (which include all assets except those held jointly with right of survivorship and life insurance and retirement plans passing to named beneficiaries), and that his two young children split the remaining two-thirds equally.
How does this scenario potentially cause problems? First, Mr. Doe's wife is entitled to only one-third of the inheritance, all of which may be necessary for the her to live comfortably after his untimely death. Moreover, Mr. Doe's current spouse and the children from the prior marriage will often disagree regarding the division and distribution of his assets. Such disagreements often lead to a contested hearing before the Probate Court. These issues could have been easily avoided if John Doe had properly drafted a will.
Consider your children's best interests
A question that should be addressed by parents is "Who will take care of minors if the parent or parents suffer an untimely death?" Without a properly drafted will, the Territorial Court, rather than the parent or parents, will appoint a guardian to take care of children and handle the assets passing to the children until they reach the age of 18.
The Territorial Court judge will make decision based upon the testimony of other family members and friends, many of whom may have different thoughts regarding the best interests of the children. The children will be able to receive their entire inheritance without any limitations only when they reach the age of 18.
However, by having a properly drafted will, the parent or parents can determine in advance who will care for their children and manage their children's inheritance in the event of their untimely death — while also controlling the age at which each child will have unlimited access to his or her share of the inheritance.
Preparation for illness or incapacity
In addition to planning for death, families should also prepare for the possibility that a family member may become mentally or physically incapacitated. By executing a properly drafted Durable Power of Attorney, individuals can appoint whomever they wish to handle business and financial affairs in the event they are unable to do so at any time in the future.
By executing a Healthcare Power of Attorney, they similarly can appoint a person to make health-care decisions on their behalf. This document allows you to provide instructions to your appointed agent regarding basic health-care decisions such as approval or disapproval of certain medical procedures and treatments, and decisions such as whether to consent to the donation of tissue and organs, and at what point life-sustaining treatment should be discontinued.
Additionally, individuals who wish to relieve their family of the burden of making life-sustaining treatment decisions in the event of their incapacity should consider making those decisions in advance by executing a Living Will.
Good estate planning will give you control over your affairs while in good health, continued control over your affairs in the event of mental or physical incapacity, provisions for your dependents in the event of your death or incapacity, and provisions for the efficient distribution of your assets upon your death. With the help of an estate planning specialist, such as the attorneys at Tom Bolt & Associates, P.C., you can ensure that your family is in the best possible position to deal with an untimely illness or death. By addressing such issues in advance, you will avoid both headaches and heartaches for you and your family members.
For further information on wills and estate planning, see www.vilaw.com.
What will happen to my assets upon my death? If I suffer an untimely death, how will I provide for my spouse and children? Who do I wish to handle my financial and business affairs if I become mentally or physically incapacitated? Who do I wish to make my healthcare decisions if I am unable to do so?
While many people choose to ignore issues related to death and incompetence until it is too late, planning can ensure that an individual’s wishes are properly carried out — while avoiding disputes and administrative and decision-making dilemmas — when there is an illness or death in the family.
Why draft a will?
Why should endure the time and expense involved in having an estate planning specialist draft a will? First, if an individual wishes to have any control over the distribution of his or her assets upon death, those decisions should be expressed in a properly drafted will. Without a valid will, the Virgin Islands law of intestacy provides a specific order of distribution. Consider this common example which illustrates several of the issues that can arise:
Assume John Doe, who was married to his second wife and had two children from a prior marriage, suffered an untimely death. If Mr. Doe did not have a valid will at the time of his death, Virgin Islands law requires that his wife receive one-third of his probate assets (which include all assets except those held jointly with right of survivorship and life insurance and retirement plans passing to named beneficiaries), and that his two young children split the remaining two-thirds equally.
How does this scenario potentially cause problems? First, Mr. Doe's wife is entitled to only one-third of the inheritance, all of which may be necessary for the her to live comfortably after his untimely death. Moreover, Mr. Doe's current spouse and the children from the prior marriage will often disagree regarding the division and distribution of his assets. Such disagreements often lead to a contested hearing before the Probate Court. These issues could have been easily avoided if John Doe had properly drafted a will.
Consider your children's best interests
A question that should be addressed by parents is "Who will take care of minors if the parent or parents suffer an untimely death?" Without a properly drafted will, the Territorial Court, rather than the parent or parents, will appoint a guardian to take care of children and handle the assets passing to the children until they reach the age of 18.
The Territorial Court judge will make decision based upon the testimony of other family members and friends, many of whom may have different thoughts regarding the best interests of the children. The children will be able to receive their entire inheritance without any limitations only when they reach the age of 18.
However, by having a properly drafted will, the parent or parents can determine in advance who will care for their children and manage their children's inheritance in the event of their untimely death — while also controlling the age at which each child will have unlimited access to his or her share of the inheritance.
Preparation for illness or incapacity
In addition to planning for death, families should also prepare for the possibility that a family member may become mentally or physically incapacitated. By executing a properly drafted Durable Power of Attorney, individuals can appoint whomever they wish to handle business and financial affairs in the event they are unable to do so at any time in the future.
By executing a Healthcare Power of Attorney, they similarly can appoint a person to make health-care decisions on their behalf. This document allows you to provide instructions to your appointed agent regarding basic health-care decisions such as approval or disapproval of certain medical procedures and treatments, and decisions such as whether to consent to the donation of tissue and organs, and at what point life-sustaining treatment should be discontinued.
Additionally, individuals who wish to relieve their family of the burden of making life-sustaining treatment decisions in the event of their incapacity should consider making those decisions in advance by executing a Living Will.
Good estate planning will give you control over your affairs while in good health, continued control over your affairs in the event of mental or physical incapacity, provisions for your dependents in the event of your death or incapacity, and provisions for the efficient distribution of your assets upon your death. With the help of an estate planning specialist, such as the attorneys at Tom Bolt & Associates, P.C., you can ensure that your family is in the best possible position to deal with an untimely illness or death. By addressing such issues in advance, you will avoid both headaches and heartaches for you and your family members.
For further information on wills and estate planning, see www.vilaw.com.
'TENDER TRAP' IS ST. JOHN ATTRACTION
July 26, 2002 – After rehearsing "The Tender Trap" for eight weeks, The Epiphany Theater Company's director, Frank Bartolucci, confidently signals stage manager Deanna Somerville to "fade music … stage lights up … cue actors!"
And it's on with the show.
The Epiphany production of the 1950s Broadway comedy hit opened for an eight-night run Thursday at The Marketplace in Cruz Bay. Curtain time is 8 p.m., with 2 1/2 hours of entertainment including two 10-minute intermissions.
Performances continue Friday, Saturday and Sunday, then again on Aug. 2, 3, 4 and 5. Admission is $10 at the door.
"The Tender Trap," written by Max Shulman and Robert Paul Smith, was popularized by a film adaptation released in 1955 staring Frank Sinatra and Debbie Reynolds.
Set in an upscale New York City apartment in the '50s, the play revolves around a newly arrived Midwestern bachelor named Charlie (played in the Epiphany production by Jonathan Durham) visiting family man and best friend Joe (Michael Beason) and a bevy of sophisticated city gals including one determined to marry soon, Poppy (Liza Mostsinsker). The other characters are Jessica (Cynthia Smith), Sylvia (Lisa Duncan), Earl (Paul Devine), Julie (Dion Corsilia) and Sol (Tommy Ferrell).
The behind-the-scenes crew in addition to Bartolucci and Somerville includes props master Thomas Theleman, lighting and sound designer Greg Arimura, master carpenter Kenny Rawlins, backdrop artist Deborah Willard, props procurer Tahra Richardson, women's makeup/hair artist Dora McKinney, bookkeeper Barbara Footer and set construction/painting assistants Carol Creel and Tim Jackson.
This is the second production for Epiphany, both with Beason as actor/producer and Bartolucci as director. "We're all volunteers," Beason notes. "Nobody gets paid. We do it purely for the love of theater." He makes a point of giving "a lot of credit to The Marketplace, because they have made this space available to us free of charge and have put up with all our nonsense. They even donated the materials used to build the stage."
On the evening of the dress rehearsal, Bartolucci is upbeat and already looking forward to future Epiphany productions. "We're gonna keep it going and do another one," he says. "This really is community theater as it should be. You find all your talent locally. It's an act of love."
Volunteers interested in getting involved in future Epiphany productions are encouraged to call Bartolucci at 774-1484 or Beason at 776-6744.
And it's on with the show.
The Epiphany production of the 1950s Broadway comedy hit opened for an eight-night run Thursday at The Marketplace in Cruz Bay. Curtain time is 8 p.m., with 2 1/2 hours of entertainment including two 10-minute intermissions.
Performances continue Friday, Saturday and Sunday, then again on Aug. 2, 3, 4 and 5. Admission is $10 at the door.
"The Tender Trap," written by Max Shulman and Robert Paul Smith, was popularized by a film adaptation released in 1955 staring Frank Sinatra and Debbie Reynolds.
Set in an upscale New York City apartment in the '50s, the play revolves around a newly arrived Midwestern bachelor named Charlie (played in the Epiphany production by Jonathan Durham) visiting family man and best friend Joe (Michael Beason) and a bevy of sophisticated city gals including one determined to marry soon, Poppy (Liza Mostsinsker). The other characters are Jessica (Cynthia Smith), Sylvia (Lisa Duncan), Earl (Paul Devine), Julie (Dion Corsilia) and Sol (Tommy Ferrell).
The behind-the-scenes crew in addition to Bartolucci and Somerville includes props master Thomas Theleman, lighting and sound designer Greg Arimura, master carpenter Kenny Rawlins, backdrop artist Deborah Willard, props procurer Tahra Richardson, women's makeup/hair artist Dora McKinney, bookkeeper Barbara Footer and set construction/painting assistants Carol Creel and Tim Jackson.
This is the second production for Epiphany, both with Beason as actor/producer and Bartolucci as director. "We're all volunteers," Beason notes. "Nobody gets paid. We do it purely for the love of theater." He makes a point of giving "a lot of credit to The Marketplace, because they have made this space available to us free of charge and have put up with all our nonsense. They even donated the materials used to build the stage."
On the evening of the dress rehearsal, Bartolucci is upbeat and already looking forward to future Epiphany productions. "We're gonna keep it going and do another one," he says. "This really is community theater as it should be. You find all your talent locally. It's an act of love."
Volunteers interested in getting involved in future Epiphany productions are encouraged to call Bartolucci at 774-1484 or Beason at 776-6744.
'TENDER TRAP' IS MARKETPLACE ATTRACTION
July 26, 2002 – After rehearsing "The Tender Trap" for eight weeks, The Epiphany Theater Company's director, Frank Bartolucci, confidently signals stage manager Deanna Somerville to "fade music … stage lights up … cue actors!"
And it's on with the show.
The Epiphany production of the 1950s Broadway comedy hit opened for an eight-night run Thursday at The Marketplace in Cruz Bay. Curtain time is 8 p.m., with 2 1/2 hours of entertainment including two 10-minute intermissions.
Performances continue Friday, Saturday and Sunday, then again on Aug. 2, 3, 4 and 5. Admission is $10 at the door.
"The Tender Trap," written by Max Shulman and Robert Paul Smith, was popularized by a film adaptation released in 1955 staring Frank Sinatra and Debbie Reynolds.
Set in an upscale New York City apartment in the '50s, the play revolves around a newly arrived Midwestern bachelor named Charlie (played in the Epiphany production by Jonathan Durham) visiting family man and best friend Joe (Michael Beason) and a bevy of sophisticated city gals including one determined to marry soon, Poppy (Liza Mostsinsker). The other characters are Jessica (Cynthia Smith), Sylvia (Lisa Duncan), Earl (Paul Devine), Julie (Dion Corsilia) and Sol (Tommy Ferrell).
The behind-the-scenes crew in addition to Bartolucci and Somerville includes props master Thomas Theleman, lighting and sound designer Greg Arimura, master carpenter Kenny Rawlins, backdrop artist Deborah Willard, props procurer Tahra Richardson, women's makeup/hair artist Dora McKinney, bookkeeper Barbara Footer and set construction/painting assistants Carol Creel and Tim Jackson.
This is the second production for Epiphany, both with Beason as actor/producer and Bartolucci as director. "We're all volunteers," Beason notes. "Nobody gets paid. We do it purely for the love of theater." He makes a point of giving "a lot of credit to The Marketplace, because they have made this space available to us free of charge and have put up with all our nonsense. They even donated the materials used to build the stage."
On the evening of the dress rehearsal, Bartolucci is upbeat and already looking forward to future Epiphany productions. "We're gonna keep it going and do another one," he says. "This really is community theater as it should be. You find all your talent locally. It's an act of love."
Volunteers interested in getting involved in future Epiphany productions are encouraged to call Bartolucci at 774-1484 or Beason at 776-6744.
And it's on with the show.
The Epiphany production of the 1950s Broadway comedy hit opened for an eight-night run Thursday at The Marketplace in Cruz Bay. Curtain time is 8 p.m., with 2 1/2 hours of entertainment including two 10-minute intermissions.
Performances continue Friday, Saturday and Sunday, then again on Aug. 2, 3, 4 and 5. Admission is $10 at the door.
"The Tender Trap," written by Max Shulman and Robert Paul Smith, was popularized by a film adaptation released in 1955 staring Frank Sinatra and Debbie Reynolds.
Set in an upscale New York City apartment in the '50s, the play revolves around a newly arrived Midwestern bachelor named Charlie (played in the Epiphany production by Jonathan Durham) visiting family man and best friend Joe (Michael Beason) and a bevy of sophisticated city gals including one determined to marry soon, Poppy (Liza Mostsinsker). The other characters are Jessica (Cynthia Smith), Sylvia (Lisa Duncan), Earl (Paul Devine), Julie (Dion Corsilia) and Sol (Tommy Ferrell).
The behind-the-scenes crew in addition to Bartolucci and Somerville includes props master Thomas Theleman, lighting and sound designer Greg Arimura, master carpenter Kenny Rawlins, backdrop artist Deborah Willard, props procurer Tahra Richardson, women's makeup/hair artist Dora McKinney, bookkeeper Barbara Footer and set construction/painting assistants Carol Creel and Tim Jackson.
This is the second production for Epiphany, both with Beason as actor/producer and Bartolucci as director. "We're all volunteers," Beason notes. "Nobody gets paid. We do it purely for the love of theater." He makes a point of giving "a lot of credit to The Marketplace, because they have made this space available to us free of charge and have put up with all our nonsense. They even donated the materials used to build the stage."
On the evening of the dress rehearsal, Bartolucci is upbeat and already looking forward to future Epiphany productions. "We're gonna keep it going and do another one," he says. "This really is community theater as it should be. You find all your talent locally. It's an act of love."
Volunteers interested in getting involved in future Epiphany productions are encouraged to call Bartolucci at 774-1484 or Beason at 776-6744.
WAPA MAY BUY POWER FROM NEW WASTE PLANTS
July 26, 2001 – Water and Power Authority executive director Joseph Thomas will be meeting this week with officials of a company proposing to build two solid waste gasification plants in the territory, one on St. Thomas and one on St. Croix.
The meeting with representatives of Caribe Waste Technologies is to iron out a proposal for WAPA to purchase power, he said.
Gasification technology involves heating garbage to the point where it releases combustible gas which can be used for electric energy production. It is thus a means both of disposing of solid waste matter and of producing fuel that in turn can be used to generate electricity.
The Caribe Waste plant on St. Croix is to produce 8 megawatts of electricity a day, and the one on St. Thomas, 2 megawatts, according to Thomas, who has been meeting with CWT representatives.
In theory, he said, WAPA has agreed to purchase electricity from the waste plants, but a pivotal issue has been the "avoided cost" figure. That is the amount of money the utility would save by not producing the water and electricity itself.
In initial discussions, Thomas said, the two parties could not agree on a figure; so a consultant, Stone and Webster, was brought in and arrived at a figure acceptable to both parties — 6.9 cents per kilowatt hour. Thomas said purchasing power from CTW for the same amount of money that it would cost for WAPA to produce the power itself would be "the authority's civic responsibility to the community" in helping solve the territory's solid waste problems.
Thomas told WAPA board members at a meeting on Tuesday that he will meet with CWT officers next Wednesday to discuss the 6.9-cent figure and methods and scheduling for receipt of electricity. He said he would present a complete package to the board at its next meeting.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull had written to the board chair, Carol Burke, asking WAPA's assistance in solving the over-capacity problems at the Bovoni landfill on St. Thomas and the Anguilla landfill on St. Croix.
Adding to the impending crisis on St. Croix, the Federal Aviation Administration has threatened to shut down the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport if the Anguilla landfill isn't closed by 2002. Smoke from the landfill and the birds it attracts pose dangers to aviation, the FAA contends. The Environmental Protection Agency has imposed many fines on the territory because neither landfill complies with environmental laws.
Repeated calls to Sonya Nelthropp, the Public Works Department's solid waste specialist, for further information on the Caribe Waste plans were not returned. The Source could not learn the status of contract negotiations between CWT and the V.I. government.
The meeting with representatives of Caribe Waste Technologies is to iron out a proposal for WAPA to purchase power, he said.
Gasification technology involves heating garbage to the point where it releases combustible gas which can be used for electric energy production. It is thus a means both of disposing of solid waste matter and of producing fuel that in turn can be used to generate electricity.
The Caribe Waste plant on St. Croix is to produce 8 megawatts of electricity a day, and the one on St. Thomas, 2 megawatts, according to Thomas, who has been meeting with CWT representatives.
In theory, he said, WAPA has agreed to purchase electricity from the waste plants, but a pivotal issue has been the "avoided cost" figure. That is the amount of money the utility would save by not producing the water and electricity itself.
In initial discussions, Thomas said, the two parties could not agree on a figure; so a consultant, Stone and Webster, was brought in and arrived at a figure acceptable to both parties — 6.9 cents per kilowatt hour. Thomas said purchasing power from CTW for the same amount of money that it would cost for WAPA to produce the power itself would be "the authority's civic responsibility to the community" in helping solve the territory's solid waste problems.
Thomas told WAPA board members at a meeting on Tuesday that he will meet with CWT officers next Wednesday to discuss the 6.9-cent figure and methods and scheduling for receipt of electricity. He said he would present a complete package to the board at its next meeting.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull had written to the board chair, Carol Burke, asking WAPA's assistance in solving the over-capacity problems at the Bovoni landfill on St. Thomas and the Anguilla landfill on St. Croix.
Adding to the impending crisis on St. Croix, the Federal Aviation Administration has threatened to shut down the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport if the Anguilla landfill isn't closed by 2002. Smoke from the landfill and the birds it attracts pose dangers to aviation, the FAA contends. The Environmental Protection Agency has imposed many fines on the territory because neither landfill complies with environmental laws.
Repeated calls to Sonya Nelthropp, the Public Works Department's solid waste specialist, for further information on the Caribe Waste plans were not returned. The Source could not learn the status of contract negotiations between CWT and the V.I. government.
VIDEO LOTTERY WILL KILL CASINOS, PETERSEN SAYS
July 26, 2001 – Even if Gov. Charles W. Turnbull vetoes legislation passed by the Senate last week allowing video lottery terminals in the territory, the damage is already done with the international gaming community, according to Eileen Petersen, the Casino Control Commission chair.
One investor's representative agreed. One senator didn't.
"Just watch," Petersen said. "In a couple days the international press will pick up on this, and then where will we be? I had high hopes for us."
And, she added, "Who would invest in Internet gambling when our gambling legislation is so unstable?"
"Nonsense," said Sen. David Jones, a long-standing advocate of the video lottery — or "interactive lottery," as he calls it. "If you have big money coming in here, why would you depend on 50,000 people on St. Croix to justify your investments? We can't fill the one thousand rooms that we have."
But Petersen said, "It's about our reputation being put on the line. Major investors won't invest in a community that changes gaming legislation every other month. Passing legislation in the middle of the night is totally improper. It destroys what we have worked so hard to create. It creates a feeling of instability, and that is one thing the gaming industry cannot have."
She continued, "The hotel investors didn't trust us at first. And now, when we have done all the right things and have an excellent reputation, they [the senators] do this just when we are getting the heavyweights."
Jones maintains that VLTs would enhance the V.I. lottery, and that the Lottery Commission should control the games. "It's really low-stakes gaming," he said. "The computers would be hooked up directly to the lottery, and it will be an investment of new employees. It's a different environment, and it's not in direct competition with the casinos."
In fact, he said, "It won't affect them."
However, one heavyweight that is threatening to pull out of the territory after investing heavily in a resort projected ultimately to provide 5,000 jobs is Robin Bay LLC, doing business as Seven Hills Beach Resort and Casino, according to the firm's attorney, Jeffery Moorhead.
"Yesterday was the worst day of my professional life," Moorhead said. "My client called me at 4 a.m. and asked what was going on, and I didn't know about the legislation, myself."
Moorhead said the investors are very upset. "What's disconcerting and very discouraging is to encourage investors with the lure of a casino license, and then allow unregulated video lottery terminals," he said. "You can't encourage multi-million-dollar investors and change the rules midstream."
Moorhead said his client has decided to wait 10 days to see if the governor vetoes the legislation. The resort recently filed its casino application. Application fees are $200,000 for the first two-year license and $175,000 for the one after that.
"They have entered an option to purchase 612 acres a mile west of Divi and put up a 1,500-room hotel, along with several hundred timeshares, shops and a golf course," Moorhead said. "It's a first-class destination resort."
He said the investors want to open a hospitality school with a Johnson and Wales University culinary division to train local residents.
Completion of the new resort would coincide with that of the new Henry E. Rohlsen Airport runway, and marketing would target the South American and European markets.
"What really makes me upset is this is all so underhanded," Moorhead said. "The video lotteries wouldn't provide one hotel room. You'd have kids running down to the gas station spending money they don't have on the VLTs."
Petersen said she hadn't heard anything about the resort's decision but said "they might have been so hurt; that would be their initial reaction."
Moorhead said, "They are investors. They are looking at the bottom line." He is putting his money on a veto by the governor.
Casinos and video lotteries cannot coexist, Petersen maintains. Casinos won't tolerate the video competition, which Sen. Vargrave Richards said Wednesday is considered the "crack cocaine of gambling" by the gaming community.
"I have taken the position that the Legislature doesn't really want hotel growth on St. Croix," Petersen fumed Thursday. "We need an overview of what is happening. The senators don't understand gaming. I have invited them to the office. They don't know the rules and regulations. If they would come by the office and see what it's about, they wouldn't act this way. They don't know the sleepless nights, the sweat and tears of putting things in place, dealing with people all over the world — and getting Wall Street on your side."
Jones said the VLTs would bring an excess of $25 million a year in revenues, and the V.I. Lottery would received $12 million of that. "And the lottery is broke now," he added.
Petersen also took issue with the bill's intent to have the VLTs managed by the Lottery Commission. That body, she said, doesn't have "the checks and balances. We have gaming enforcement checking all the machines used in the casinos here. How many people will be selling these machines? Do they hire a contractor, and the same one who sells it, monitors it?"
She concluded, "This is it for me. I'm that discouraged. This is the signal the Legislature is sending for us to get out. I don't understand it."
With regard to the territory's sole existing casino, the Divi Carina Bay, Petersen said she "wouldn't be surprised if they just said, 'to hell with it.'" Attempts to reach Divi management by telephone Thursday were unsuccessful.
Jones disagrees with Petersen on just about everything except that the territory's economy could use some money. "It's a smokescreen," he said. "How can four or five casinos survive in the V.I.?"
He said the Divi casino isn't making money and its hotel has only a 50 percent occupancy rate. "Even if casinos were built, the V.I. government would have to wait two and a half years to realize direct revenues in terms of taxes," he said.
Jones charged that Petersen "continues to demonize video lottery, and I have serious concerns with that." She "is supposed to regulate the casinos, and she has become an advocate for them," he said. "If she can't regulate it under her commission, she will go to any means to discredit what is being regulated."
He added, "I have a responsibility to look at this in fiscal terms. The casino gaming program will not be compromised in any way."
Richards issued a release Wednesday announcing the passage of the controversial measure as part of the massively amended supplemental appropriations bill. "The long and the short of it," he said Thursday, "is we made a commitment to pass the casino bill and give casinos a certain amount of time to develop hotels and recoup their investments with no other competition. To force this legislation is to undermine the very commitment this government made."
One investor's representative agreed. One senator didn't.
"Just watch," Petersen said. "In a couple days the international press will pick up on this, and then where will we be? I had high hopes for us."
And, she added, "Who would invest in Internet gambling when our gambling legislation is so unstable?"
"Nonsense," said Sen. David Jones, a long-standing advocate of the video lottery — or "interactive lottery," as he calls it. "If you have big money coming in here, why would you depend on 50,000 people on St. Croix to justify your investments? We can't fill the one thousand rooms that we have."
But Petersen said, "It's about our reputation being put on the line. Major investors won't invest in a community that changes gaming legislation every other month. Passing legislation in the middle of the night is totally improper. It destroys what we have worked so hard to create. It creates a feeling of instability, and that is one thing the gaming industry cannot have."
She continued, "The hotel investors didn't trust us at first. And now, when we have done all the right things and have an excellent reputation, they [the senators] do this just when we are getting the heavyweights."
Jones maintains that VLTs would enhance the V.I. lottery, and that the Lottery Commission should control the games. "It's really low-stakes gaming," he said. "The computers would be hooked up directly to the lottery, and it will be an investment of new employees. It's a different environment, and it's not in direct competition with the casinos."
In fact, he said, "It won't affect them."
However, one heavyweight that is threatening to pull out of the territory after investing heavily in a resort projected ultimately to provide 5,000 jobs is Robin Bay LLC, doing business as Seven Hills Beach Resort and Casino, according to the firm's attorney, Jeffery Moorhead.
"Yesterday was the worst day of my professional life," Moorhead said. "My client called me at 4 a.m. and asked what was going on, and I didn't know about the legislation, myself."
Moorhead said the investors are very upset. "What's disconcerting and very discouraging is to encourage investors with the lure of a casino license, and then allow unregulated video lottery terminals," he said. "You can't encourage multi-million-dollar investors and change the rules midstream."
Moorhead said his client has decided to wait 10 days to see if the governor vetoes the legislation. The resort recently filed its casino application. Application fees are $200,000 for the first two-year license and $175,000 for the one after that.
"They have entered an option to purchase 612 acres a mile west of Divi and put up a 1,500-room hotel, along with several hundred timeshares, shops and a golf course," Moorhead said. "It's a first-class destination resort."
He said the investors want to open a hospitality school with a Johnson and Wales University culinary division to train local residents.
Completion of the new resort would coincide with that of the new Henry E. Rohlsen Airport runway, and marketing would target the South American and European markets.
"What really makes me upset is this is all so underhanded," Moorhead said. "The video lotteries wouldn't provide one hotel room. You'd have kids running down to the gas station spending money they don't have on the VLTs."
Petersen said she hadn't heard anything about the resort's decision but said "they might have been so hurt; that would be their initial reaction."
Moorhead said, "They are investors. They are looking at the bottom line." He is putting his money on a veto by the governor.
Casinos and video lotteries cannot coexist, Petersen maintains. Casinos won't tolerate the video competition, which Sen. Vargrave Richards said Wednesday is considered the "crack cocaine of gambling" by the gaming community.
"I have taken the position that the Legislature doesn't really want hotel growth on St. Croix," Petersen fumed Thursday. "We need an overview of what is happening. The senators don't understand gaming. I have invited them to the office. They don't know the rules and regulations. If they would come by the office and see what it's about, they wouldn't act this way. They don't know the sleepless nights, the sweat and tears of putting things in place, dealing with people all over the world — and getting Wall Street on your side."
Jones said the VLTs would bring an excess of $25 million a year in revenues, and the V.I. Lottery would received $12 million of that. "And the lottery is broke now," he added.
Petersen also took issue with the bill's intent to have the VLTs managed by the Lottery Commission. That body, she said, doesn't have "the checks and balances. We have gaming enforcement checking all the machines used in the casinos here. How many people will be selling these machines? Do they hire a contractor, and the same one who sells it, monitors it?"
She concluded, "This is it for me. I'm that discouraged. This is the signal the Legislature is sending for us to get out. I don't understand it."
With regard to the territory's sole existing casino, the Divi Carina Bay, Petersen said she "wouldn't be surprised if they just said, 'to hell with it.'" Attempts to reach Divi management by telephone Thursday were unsuccessful.
Jones disagrees with Petersen on just about everything except that the territory's economy could use some money. "It's a smokescreen," he said. "How can four or five casinos survive in the V.I.?"
He said the Divi casino isn't making money and its hotel has only a 50 percent occupancy rate. "Even if casinos were built, the V.I. government would have to wait two and a half years to realize direct revenues in terms of taxes," he said.
Jones charged that Petersen "continues to demonize video lottery, and I have serious concerns with that." She "is supposed to regulate the casinos, and she has become an advocate for them," he said. "If she can't regulate it under her commission, she will go to any means to discredit what is being regulated."
He added, "I have a responsibility to look at this in fiscal terms. The casino gaming program will not be compromised in any way."
Richards issued a release Wednesday announcing the passage of the controversial measure as part of the massively amended supplemental appropriations bill. "The long and the short of it," he said Thursday, "is we made a commitment to pass the casino bill and give casinos a certain amount of time to develop hotels and recoup their investments with no other competition. To force this legislation is to undermine the very commitment this government made."
