July 2, 2001 – This Friday evening's regular art, music, wine, cheese and socializing get-together at the Color of Joy in Red Hook offers the exceptional enticement of "full-moon jazz" with Sally Smith on vocals and keyboard.
The location is a convenient start-of-weekend stop-off for folks heading home by ferry from St. Thomas to St. John, host Corinne Van Rensselaer noted.
Technically, the full moon is making its appearance on Thursday, but it should be looking good Friday evening from the broad Marlin Deck overlooking the marina at American Yacht Harbor, Van Rensselaer said.
The public is invited to stop by, see what's new in the art gallery/gift shop, enjoy complimentary wine, cheese and crackers, and savor the summer breeze and music on the deck. Hours are 6 to 8 p.m. For further information, call Van Rensselaer or Mercedes Berruz at 775-4020.
FRIDAY SIP TO FEATURE LUNAR SPECIAL GUEST
July 2, 2001 – This Friday evening's regular art, music, wine, cheese and socializing get-together at the Color of Joy in Red Hook offers the exceptional enticement of "full-moon jazz" with Sally Smith on vocals and keyboard.
Technically, the full moon is making its appearance on Thursday, but it should be looking good Friday evening from the broad Marlin Deck overlooking the marina at American Yacht Harbor, host Corinne Van Rensselaer said.
The public is invited to stop by, see what's new in the art gallery/gift shop, enjoy complimentary wine, cheese and crackers, and savor the summer breeze and music on the deck. Hours are 6 to 8 p.m. For further information, call Van Rensselaer or Mercedes Berruz at 775-4020.
Technically, the full moon is making its appearance on Thursday, but it should be looking good Friday evening from the broad Marlin Deck overlooking the marina at American Yacht Harbor, host Corinne Van Rensselaer said.
The public is invited to stop by, see what's new in the art gallery/gift shop, enjoy complimentary wine, cheese and crackers, and savor the summer breeze and music on the deck. Hours are 6 to 8 p.m. For further information, call Van Rensselaer or Mercedes Berruz at 775-4020.
$6,000 REWARD FOR INFO ON MISSING POLICE OFFICER
July 2, 2001 – Police have increased to $6,000 the reward being offered for information on the whereabouts of Cpl. Wendell "Lazee" Williams, a St. Croix officer who has not been seen for 18 days.
The government, the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce and the two police union locals on St. Croix — the Police Benevolent Association and the Law Enforcement Supervisors Union — have put up money to increase the reward offering. As police criminal investigators pound the pavement in search of information on Williams' whereabouts, search teams are continuing their efforts to locate the 18-year veteran of the St. Croix force.
On Saturday and Sunday, search teams of police personnel, volunteers and retired police officers fanned out across the island. But Operaton Quest, as the recovery effort has been dubbed, has yet to yield tangible results.
Deputy Police Chief Novelle Francis said Saturday that land and aerial searches conducted across the island "have been fruitless thus far." Williams' burned vehicle was found a week ago near Castle Burke.
Francis said he is hoping that the increase in the reward fund will lead to additional information from the community.
The acting commander of the criminal investigation bureau, Lt. Gregory Bennerson, urged the community to support the search effort. Information received so far "has provided some leads," he said, but more help is needed. Bennerson praised the efforts of Territorial Court marshals who have assisted in the effort.
Williams disappeared in mid-June after dropping a relative off at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport. What was initially a missing person case was upgraded to a criminal investigation last week with the discovery of Williams' burned vehicle.
Williams is described by police officials as being 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing 190-200 pounds, with brown eyes, a beard and graying hair in a low-cut Afro style. He is known to frequent the Five Corners service station and the Peter's Rest cricket field.
Anyone with information as to his possible whereabouts is asked to call police at 778-4950, 778-2211 ext. 4530 or the emergency number 911.
The government, the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce and the two police union locals on St. Croix — the Police Benevolent Association and the Law Enforcement Supervisors Union — have put up money to increase the reward offering. As police criminal investigators pound the pavement in search of information on Williams' whereabouts, search teams are continuing their efforts to locate the 18-year veteran of the St. Croix force.
On Saturday and Sunday, search teams of police personnel, volunteers and retired police officers fanned out across the island. But Operaton Quest, as the recovery effort has been dubbed, has yet to yield tangible results.
Deputy Police Chief Novelle Francis said Saturday that land and aerial searches conducted across the island "have been fruitless thus far." Williams' burned vehicle was found a week ago near Castle Burke.
Francis said he is hoping that the increase in the reward fund will lead to additional information from the community.
The acting commander of the criminal investigation bureau, Lt. Gregory Bennerson, urged the community to support the search effort. Information received so far "has provided some leads," he said, but more help is needed. Bennerson praised the efforts of Territorial Court marshals who have assisted in the effort.
Williams disappeared in mid-June after dropping a relative off at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport. What was initially a missing person case was upgraded to a criminal investigation last week with the discovery of Williams' burned vehicle.
Williams is described by police officials as being 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing 190-200 pounds, with brown eyes, a beard and graying hair in a low-cut Afro style. He is known to frequent the Five Corners service station and the Peter's Rest cricket field.
Anyone with information as to his possible whereabouts is asked to call police at 778-4950, 778-2211 ext. 4530 or the emergency number 911.
TEMPEST 1ST OVER THE LINE IN LADY TRISTRAM RACE
July 2, 2001 – New sailors and new boats added excitement to the age-old Lady Tristram Cup, hosted by the St. Thomas Yacht Club Sunday, with Tempest coming in first in the spinnaker class and Feeling Friendly winning the new IC-24 class.
"We has some new people on board that hadn't sailed with us before and the winds were in our favor," said John Haracivit, who skippered the winning spinnaker racing boat, Tempest, a Beneteau 38. All five boats in this class were exceedingly close at the finish on both actual time and corrected handicap time considering the course was a clockwise circumnavigation of St. Thomas.
Tortola's Eddie Brockbank was poised for the first place position aboard his Olson 30, Fastidiots, until just minutes before the finish line the jib ripped and de-powered the vessel enough for Tempest to sail by. Tortola's Kevin Rowlette's Olson 30, Rushin Rowlette, also gained time on Fastidiot's breakdown and finished second. "It's good to have our Tortola friends come over and join us and give us some good competition," Haracivit said during the awards.
Since making its debut at the Rolex Regatta in April, the IC-24 class has been actively racing during Friday night fun nights, in sailing classes as at regattas like the Lady Tristram. Six IC-24s, which are a converted J24 design that makes them easier to sail, sailed a shorter course that navigated Great St. James and out to Frenchcap. "The real key to our win was Chris calling tactics. The winds were shifty out there today. But with Chris no one just sits there as crew. Everyone got to take a turn at the tiller," said Ruth Miller, who crewed aboard the winning IC-24, Feeling Friendly, along with IC-24 innovator, Chris Rosenberg.
Chris Thompson's No Sea Um finished second, while Cold Beer V with IC-24 builder Morgan Avery at the helm came in third. Since the IC-24 design makes each boat identical, there was no handicap to calculate. The beauty of the equal design also proved at the finish line as all six boats finished within four minutes of each other after a two-plus hour race.
The Lady Tristram Regatta, now in it's 37th year, is the longest continually held race by the St. Thomas Yacht Club. The name of the race comes from an early member, Col. John Brindley. Brindley regularly sailed his 46-foot Rhodes yawl, the Lady Tristram, in club races. Though he crossed the finish line first on several occasions, he never won a race once times had been corrected for handicap. Brindley felt that what really counted was who finished first. He felt so strongly, in fact, that he donated a perpetual trophy and named it after his boat. Since then, though handicaps are calculated and class winners are announced, the Lady Tristram Trophy is awarded to the monohull sailing around the course in the fastest elapsed time. Tempest earned this honor this year, and along with the winner's title Haracivit was awarded gear as a prize from regatta sponsor, Budget Marine.
"We has some new people on board that hadn't sailed with us before and the winds were in our favor," said John Haracivit, who skippered the winning spinnaker racing boat, Tempest, a Beneteau 38. All five boats in this class were exceedingly close at the finish on both actual time and corrected handicap time considering the course was a clockwise circumnavigation of St. Thomas.
Tortola's Eddie Brockbank was poised for the first place position aboard his Olson 30, Fastidiots, until just minutes before the finish line the jib ripped and de-powered the vessel enough for Tempest to sail by. Tortola's Kevin Rowlette's Olson 30, Rushin Rowlette, also gained time on Fastidiot's breakdown and finished second. "It's good to have our Tortola friends come over and join us and give us some good competition," Haracivit said during the awards.
Since making its debut at the Rolex Regatta in April, the IC-24 class has been actively racing during Friday night fun nights, in sailing classes as at regattas like the Lady Tristram. Six IC-24s, which are a converted J24 design that makes them easier to sail, sailed a shorter course that navigated Great St. James and out to Frenchcap. "The real key to our win was Chris calling tactics. The winds were shifty out there today. But with Chris no one just sits there as crew. Everyone got to take a turn at the tiller," said Ruth Miller, who crewed aboard the winning IC-24, Feeling Friendly, along with IC-24 innovator, Chris Rosenberg.
Chris Thompson's No Sea Um finished second, while Cold Beer V with IC-24 builder Morgan Avery at the helm came in third. Since the IC-24 design makes each boat identical, there was no handicap to calculate. The beauty of the equal design also proved at the finish line as all six boats finished within four minutes of each other after a two-plus hour race.
The Lady Tristram Regatta, now in it's 37th year, is the longest continually held race by the St. Thomas Yacht Club. The name of the race comes from an early member, Col. John Brindley. Brindley regularly sailed his 46-foot Rhodes yawl, the Lady Tristram, in club races. Though he crossed the finish line first on several occasions, he never won a race once times had been corrected for handicap. Brindley felt that what really counted was who finished first. He felt so strongly, in fact, that he donated a perpetual trophy and named it after his boat. Since then, though handicaps are calculated and class winners are announced, the Lady Tristram Trophy is awarded to the monohull sailing around the course in the fastest elapsed time. Tempest earned this honor this year, and along with the winner's title Haracivit was awarded gear as a prize from regatta sponsor, Budget Marine.
ROLLING CYBER-DICE: INTERNET GAMING IN THE V.I.
Beginning a two-part series
July 1, 2001 — With gambling behemoth Nevada the first jurisdiction in the United States about to enter into the realm of Internet gambling, the stakes have been raised for Virgin Islands lawmakers trying to hammer out an acceptable online gaming bill for the territory.
As Nevada positions itself again to be the nation's pioneer in gambling -– this time in cyberspace — one question is whether it’s too late for other jurisdictions, such as the Virgin Islands, to deal themselves into the Internet game. Some supporters of Internet gaming in the territory say that having Nevada take the point on cyberspace gaming issues could be a good thing for the Virgin Islands.
Early in June, the Nevada Legislature passed an Internet gaming law — a 180-degree turn from the position it (and most Nevada casino operators) held just a few years ago. Nevada's governor signed the bill into law last week.
Why the about-face? Internet gambling is projected to generate more than $10 billion a year by 2005. And the world’s leader in casino gaming doesn’t want to be left out of the action.
A critical question now is how other jurisdictions that have been considering dealing themselves into online gaming will fare up against the name recognition and draw of Las Vegas. No question: It's a gamble.
There are legal hurdles, too. Neither Congress nor the U.S. Justice Department has taken a definitive stand on whether Internet gambling violates the federal Wire Act of 1960. That question is open to interpretation and will likely be put to the test by the gaming industry in Nevada.
Meantime, the Virgin Islands is drafting its own Internet gaming legislation. Is it too late, given Nevada’s premier positioning?
Not in the least, supporters say.
Follow the leader
Anthony Cabot, a Las Vegas-based attorney and expert on Internet gambling who is familiar with the Virgin Islands gaming industry, told the Source that it will take the powerful, well-financed Nevada gaming industry more than a year to launch a viable and legal Internet gaming framework. He said the Nevada Gaming Commission and the Gaming Control Board would have to be assured that Internet gaming software can keep underage players from participating and that the games will be accessible only in places where Internet gaming is legal — which at the moment doesn’t include anyplace in the United States or its territories.
"Software, hardware and procedures: They all go together," Cabot said. "Work needs to be done."
The timeline for accomplishing it could work in favor of the Virgin Islands by letting Nevada blaze the trail, Eileen Petersen, chair of the V.I. Casino Control Commission, said in a recent interview.
"If we were to follow the lead of Las Vegas, we would be in good company," Petersen said. "They don’t want to run afoul of federal statutes. They have the resources to do that. We don’t."
Ahead of the curve
The V.I. Legislature passed the Casino Control Act of 1995 decades after the casino boom hit the United States. And then it took another five years for the first casino to open on St. Croix, the only island in the territory where casino gambling is legal.
But Senate President Almando "Rocky" Liburd, one of the sponsors of the territory’s Internet gaming bill, said the Virgin Islands is now a "pioneer" as far as Internet gaming goes. Besides Nevada, he said, New Jersey is the only other U.S. jurisdiction seriously considering such an endeavor at the moment.
The territory is in an ideal position to launch itself as an Internet-gaming center for three reasons, Liburd said: It has an established Casino Control Commission, it is under the U.S. flag, and St. Croix is a hub for two major fiber-optic cable systems that span the globe.
Internet gambling industry investors "are looking for a credible base so they can say they are clearly legal and above board," he said. "I think it’s a new day in the Virgin Islands. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain."
On Friday, the Senate Economic Development, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Committee amended the Internet bill and sent it to the Rules Committee. At the committee hearing, Petersen emphasized that, if her commission will have to license and regulate Internet gaming companies that set up their servers on St. Croix, it will need more support and funding.
In a previous interview, too, Petersen had noted that it could take some time for Nevada to get online, "and they have all the resources." She expressed concern that local politicians and others in the community might criticize the commission if it takes what may seem like a long time to get Internet gaming rolling once legislation is passed — as happened with casinos.
"In the Virgin Islands, if they passed the legislation, they’d want it to be up and running in two months," she said. "When it took us three years [for the first casino], the Virgin Islands felt they didn’t need the Casino Control Commission."
Two master franchisers and a server farm
What will likely speed up the establishment of online gambling in the territory, despite the cash-poor government, is how the proposed Internet gaming legislation is written. One amendment to the bill approved by the committee Friday provides for two "master franchisers" to fund and build a data center, or a "server farm," where Internet gaming firms will house their websites.
The master franchisers will charge the gaming firms to operate and then pay taxes to the government. Perspective gaming firms will pay application and licensing fees to the Casino Control Commission, which will be responsible for investigating and approving them, as it does for brick-and-mortar casino applicants.
Initially, V.I. Technological Initiative LLP, a company formed specifically for Internet gaming by St. Thomas businessmen Nick Pourzal, Michael Bornn and Tom Colameco, was to hold the sole franchise. But even though the St. Thomas trio did the initial work on the proposed bill, senators decided to allow a franchiser from St. Croix into the game.
Two principals in the company, St. Croix Gaming LLP, are Bernie Burkholder, president and CEO of Treasure Bay Gaming & Resorts Inc., which operates the Divi Casino on St. Croix, and St. Croix businessman Paul Arnold. According to Liburd, if either firm fails to pass the Casino Control Commission’s rigorous background check, others will be allowed to apply for the franchise.
According to estimates from V.I. Technological Initiative when it was proposed as the sole franchise holder, the government would stand to collect 10 percent of the company’s gross revenues, projected at about $50 million a year by 2003.
Nevada will tax the revenues generated by its Internet gaming firms at 6.25 percent, which is also the rate for casinos in the state. Internet gaming firms will also have to pay a $500,000 fee every two years to continue operating.
Rolling the cyber-dice
Bornn said he had mixed feelings about Nevada’s entry into Internet gaming before the Virgin Islands. He also said Puerto Rico is considering online gambling legislation. Because of that, he said, the Virgin Islands can’t afford to let the pending legislation languish.
"It’s not like we came up with this idea out of the blue," he said. "We knew what Nevada was up to."
Now, Bornn said, the territory needs to "piggy-back" onto the state's pioneering efforts. Having Las Vegas at the table won’t knock the Virgin Islands out of the game, he said, but it will make it harder for the territory to be viable.
"Lo and behold, they beat us to the punch. We are in the shadow, no doubt," he said. "Having Nevada in the picture makes it difficult. The package the Virgin Islands has to offer has to be more enticing."
What t hat will be remains to be seen. Liburd was the Senate president in 1995, when legislation for casino gaming was being drawn up. The initial proposal and the final bill were worlds apart. The Internet gaming bill is already on the same path, Liburd said.
"It’s not final," he said. "We know from experience with the casino bill there will be new issues."
Next: The legal hurdles facing Internet gaming
July 1, 2001 — With gambling behemoth Nevada the first jurisdiction in the United States about to enter into the realm of Internet gambling, the stakes have been raised for Virgin Islands lawmakers trying to hammer out an acceptable online gaming bill for the territory.
As Nevada positions itself again to be the nation's pioneer in gambling -– this time in cyberspace — one question is whether it’s too late for other jurisdictions, such as the Virgin Islands, to deal themselves into the Internet game. Some supporters of Internet gaming in the territory say that having Nevada take the point on cyberspace gaming issues could be a good thing for the Virgin Islands.
Early in June, the Nevada Legislature passed an Internet gaming law — a 180-degree turn from the position it (and most Nevada casino operators) held just a few years ago. Nevada's governor signed the bill into law last week.
Why the about-face? Internet gambling is projected to generate more than $10 billion a year by 2005. And the world’s leader in casino gaming doesn’t want to be left out of the action.
A critical question now is how other jurisdictions that have been considering dealing themselves into online gaming will fare up against the name recognition and draw of Las Vegas. No question: It's a gamble.
There are legal hurdles, too. Neither Congress nor the U.S. Justice Department has taken a definitive stand on whether Internet gambling violates the federal Wire Act of 1960. That question is open to interpretation and will likely be put to the test by the gaming industry in Nevada.
Meantime, the Virgin Islands is drafting its own Internet gaming legislation. Is it too late, given Nevada’s premier positioning?
Not in the least, supporters say.
Follow the leader
Anthony Cabot, a Las Vegas-based attorney and expert on Internet gambling who is familiar with the Virgin Islands gaming industry, told the Source that it will take the powerful, well-financed Nevada gaming industry more than a year to launch a viable and legal Internet gaming framework. He said the Nevada Gaming Commission and the Gaming Control Board would have to be assured that Internet gaming software can keep underage players from participating and that the games will be accessible only in places where Internet gaming is legal — which at the moment doesn’t include anyplace in the United States or its territories.
"Software, hardware and procedures: They all go together," Cabot said. "Work needs to be done."
The timeline for accomplishing it could work in favor of the Virgin Islands by letting Nevada blaze the trail, Eileen Petersen, chair of the V.I. Casino Control Commission, said in a recent interview.
"If we were to follow the lead of Las Vegas, we would be in good company," Petersen said. "They don’t want to run afoul of federal statutes. They have the resources to do that. We don’t."
Ahead of the curve
The V.I. Legislature passed the Casino Control Act of 1995 decades after the casino boom hit the United States. And then it took another five years for the first casino to open on St. Croix, the only island in the territory where casino gambling is legal.
But Senate President Almando "Rocky" Liburd, one of the sponsors of the territory’s Internet gaming bill, said the Virgin Islands is now a "pioneer" as far as Internet gaming goes. Besides Nevada, he said, New Jersey is the only other U.S. jurisdiction seriously considering such an endeavor at the moment.
The territory is in an ideal position to launch itself as an Internet-gaming center for three reasons, Liburd said: It has an established Casino Control Commission, it is under the U.S. flag, and St. Croix is a hub for two major fiber-optic cable systems that span the globe.
Internet gambling industry investors "are looking for a credible base so they can say they are clearly legal and above board," he said. "I think it’s a new day in the Virgin Islands. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain."
On Friday, the Senate Economic Development, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Committee amended the Internet bill and sent it to the Rules Committee. At the committee hearing, Petersen emphasized that, if her commission will have to license and regulate Internet gaming companies that set up their servers on St. Croix, it will need more support and funding.
In a previous interview, too, Petersen had noted that it could take some time for Nevada to get online, "and they have all the resources." She expressed concern that local politicians and others in the community might criticize the commission if it takes what may seem like a long time to get Internet gaming rolling once legislation is passed — as happened with casinos.
"In the Virgin Islands, if they passed the legislation, they’d want it to be up and running in two months," she said. "When it took us three years [for the first casino], the Virgin Islands felt they didn’t need the Casino Control Commission."
Two master franchisers and a server farm
What will likely speed up the establishment of online gambling in the territory, despite the cash-poor government, is how the proposed Internet gaming legislation is written. One amendment to the bill approved by the committee Friday provides for two "master franchisers" to fund and build a data center, or a "server farm," where Internet gaming firms will house their websites.
The master franchisers will charge the gaming firms to operate and then pay taxes to the government. Perspective gaming firms will pay application and licensing fees to the Casino Control Commission, which will be responsible for investigating and approving them, as it does for brick-and-mortar casino applicants.
Initially, V.I. Technological Initiative LLP, a company formed specifically for Internet gaming by St. Thomas businessmen Nick Pourzal, Michael Bornn and Tom Colameco, was to hold the sole franchise. But even though the St. Thomas trio did the initial work on the proposed bill, senators decided to allow a franchiser from St. Croix into the game.
Two principals in the company, St. Croix Gaming LLP, are Bernie Burkholder, president and CEO of Treasure Bay Gaming & Resorts Inc., which operates the Divi Casino on St. Croix, and St. Croix businessman Paul Arnold. According to Liburd, if either firm fails to pass the Casino Control Commission’s rigorous background check, others will be allowed to apply for the franchise.
According to estimates from V.I. Technological Initiative when it was proposed as the sole franchise holder, the government would stand to collect 10 percent of the company’s gross revenues, projected at about $50 million a year by 2003.
Nevada will tax the revenues generated by its Internet gaming firms at 6.25 percent, which is also the rate for casinos in the state. Internet gaming firms will also have to pay a $500,000 fee every two years to continue operating.
Rolling the cyber-dice
Bornn said he had mixed feelings about Nevada’s entry into Internet gaming before the Virgin Islands. He also said Puerto Rico is considering online gambling legislation. Because of that, he said, the Virgin Islands can’t afford to let the pending legislation languish.
"It’s not like we came up with this idea out of the blue," he said. "We knew what Nevada was up to."
Now, Bornn said, the territory needs to "piggy-back" onto the state's pioneering efforts. Having Las Vegas at the table won’t knock the Virgin Islands out of the game, he said, but it will make it harder for the territory to be viable.
"Lo and behold, they beat us to the punch. We are in the shadow, no doubt," he said. "Having Nevada in the picture makes it difficult. The package the Virgin Islands has to offer has to be more enticing."
What t hat will be remains to be seen. Liburd was the Senate president in 1995, when legislation for casino gaming was being drawn up. The initial proposal and the final bill were worlds apart. The Internet gaming bill is already on the same path, Liburd said.
"It’s not final," he said. "We know from experience with the casino bill there will be new issues."
Next: The legal hurdles facing Internet gaming
FIRST WAPA DUNNING NOTICES ARE IN THE MAIL
July 1, 2001 – Letters went out over the weekend from the Water and Power Authority to government departments including Finance, Public Works, and Housing, Parks and Recreation with the ultimatum promised last week: Pay up by July 15 or look for the lights to go out.
The government owes more than $25 million in past-due water and electricity bills. Joseph Thomas, who took over as executive director of the utility seven weeks ago, told the WAPA board on Thursday and the Public Services Commission on Friday that the debt burden threatens the operation's solvency.
"It comes up in every financial decision we make. Every time we go to the bond market, every time we go to get a letter of credit, we are going to be paying more than we should because of our outstanding receivables," he said.
Government agencies are required to pay their own utility costs out of their fiscal budgets — submitting the bills to the Finance Department for payment. However, Finance Commissioner Bernice Turnbull has said that many agencies do not submit their utility bills to her department for payment and some have not done so for years.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull is scheduled to meet with Thomas on July 10, five days before the deadline WAPA has given the departments to get current. The governor called the Legislature into special session on Thursday to address, among other things, numerous requests for supplemental budget appropriations that included $10 million for WAPA. The Senate majority referred that appropriation measure and most of the others to the Finance Committee.
Thomas said he hopes to reach an agreement with the government. The utility stands to lose even more money by shutting off its largest customer, he noted. "It's crazy to have to go to the point where lights are shut off," he said, "and I am the last one to want to do that."
Sen. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen, who chairs the Finance Committee, said Thursday that if the utility disconnects government agencies, legislators will vote to abolish the leadership of WAPA and return management operations to the government.
Even if the government pays the $10 million the governor has requested, Thomas said, that won't avoid disconnection. However, he has said that power will not be interrupted for critical government services, including hospitals, airports and police and fire stations.
The government owes more than $25 million in past-due water and electricity bills. Joseph Thomas, who took over as executive director of the utility seven weeks ago, told the WAPA board on Thursday and the Public Services Commission on Friday that the debt burden threatens the operation's solvency.
"It comes up in every financial decision we make. Every time we go to the bond market, every time we go to get a letter of credit, we are going to be paying more than we should because of our outstanding receivables," he said.
Government agencies are required to pay their own utility costs out of their fiscal budgets — submitting the bills to the Finance Department for payment. However, Finance Commissioner Bernice Turnbull has said that many agencies do not submit their utility bills to her department for payment and some have not done so for years.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull is scheduled to meet with Thomas on July 10, five days before the deadline WAPA has given the departments to get current. The governor called the Legislature into special session on Thursday to address, among other things, numerous requests for supplemental budget appropriations that included $10 million for WAPA. The Senate majority referred that appropriation measure and most of the others to the Finance Committee.
Thomas said he hopes to reach an agreement with the government. The utility stands to lose even more money by shutting off its largest customer, he noted. "It's crazy to have to go to the point where lights are shut off," he said, "and I am the last one to want to do that."
Sen. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen, who chairs the Finance Committee, said Thursday that if the utility disconnects government agencies, legislators will vote to abolish the leadership of WAPA and return management operations to the government.
Even if the government pays the $10 million the governor has requested, Thomas said, that won't avoid disconnection. However, he has said that power will not be interrupted for critical government services, including hospitals, airports and police and fire stations.
ADE FOR SUMMER THIRST COMES FROM THE BUSH
July 1, 2001 – You can celebrate both Emancipation Day and Fourth of July with a cool glass of red hibiscusade.
The patriotic-looking bright red blooms of the hibiscus shrub are one of about 420 different island leaves, flowers and plants that are used to make traditional island bush teas. "Hibiscusade" is a bush tea with the refreshing citrus-y appeal of a limeade.
To make hibiscusade, pick the hibiscus blooms early in the morning when they are open and fresh. Eight to ten flowers easily make one quart of beverage, or figure two blooms per one-cup serving. (In days gone by, more blooms were used, the result being a thick, syrupy drink that was said to cure both coughs and colds.)
The key to making hibiscusade is to pour boiling water over the blooms. Heat magically leaches the redness from the petals into the water, thus making for a beautiful drink. Refrigerate the liquid to let it steep. When it's chilled, strain off the flowers, and flavor the liquid to taste.
Hibiscusade naturally has a mild, slightly bitter taste. Some recipes call for adding grated fresh ginger as flavoring. Most people add a sweetener such as table sugar, brown sugar, honey or an artificial sugar substitute. You also can mix hibiscusade 50/50 with cranberry juice as a sweetener, or with sparking water for a calorie-free fizz. Some even add a splash of rum!
Hibiscusade
8 to 10 red hibiscus blooms
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 quart water
Juice of 1 to 2 fresh limes
Sweetener to taste
Pluck and discard stamens from blooms. Rinse blooms in cool water and drain. Combine ginger and two cups water in a saucepan. Bring water to a boil and add blooms. Remove pan from heat, let cool about 10 to 15 minutes, then cover with a lid and refrigerate. Let blooms steep in water for at least two hours. Strain off liquid and discard blooms. Stir remaining 2 cups of water into liquid, and then add lime juice and sweetener of choice. Serve cold or over ice. Makes 4 servings.
Nutrition Note: Hibiscus blooms are considered to be a good source of vitamin C.
The patriotic-looking bright red blooms of the hibiscus shrub are one of about 420 different island leaves, flowers and plants that are used to make traditional island bush teas. "Hibiscusade" is a bush tea with the refreshing citrus-y appeal of a limeade.
To make hibiscusade, pick the hibiscus blooms early in the morning when they are open and fresh. Eight to ten flowers easily make one quart of beverage, or figure two blooms per one-cup serving. (In days gone by, more blooms were used, the result being a thick, syrupy drink that was said to cure both coughs and colds.)
The key to making hibiscusade is to pour boiling water over the blooms. Heat magically leaches the redness from the petals into the water, thus making for a beautiful drink. Refrigerate the liquid to let it steep. When it's chilled, strain off the flowers, and flavor the liquid to taste.
Hibiscusade naturally has a mild, slightly bitter taste. Some recipes call for adding grated fresh ginger as flavoring. Most people add a sweetener such as table sugar, brown sugar, honey or an artificial sugar substitute. You also can mix hibiscusade 50/50 with cranberry juice as a sweetener, or with sparking water for a calorie-free fizz. Some even add a splash of rum!
Hibiscusade
8 to 10 red hibiscus blooms
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 quart water
Juice of 1 to 2 fresh limes
Sweetener to taste
Pluck and discard stamens from blooms. Rinse blooms in cool water and drain. Combine ginger and two cups water in a saucepan. Bring water to a boil and add blooms. Remove pan from heat, let cool about 10 to 15 minutes, then cover with a lid and refrigerate. Let blooms steep in water for at least two hours. Strain off liquid and discard blooms. Stir remaining 2 cups of water into liquid, and then add lime juice and sweetener of choice. Serve cold or over ice. Makes 4 servings.
Nutrition Note: Hibiscus blooms are considered to be a good source of vitamin C.
TURNBULL SIGNS TOBACCO SETTLEMENT BILL
July 1, 2001 – Gov. Charles W. Turnbull has signed into law amendments to the territory's Tobacco Settlement Act, bringing the territory into compliance with the 1998 Tobacco Settlement Agreement and opening the way for up to $50 million to flow into government coffers over the next 25 years.
Previously unaware that the local law was not in compliance with the master settlement agreement reached in 1998, Turnbull last week called a special session of the Legislature to amend the act by the July 1 deadline.
The tobacco settlement gives the Virgin Islands and other states and territories cash payments in exchange for exempting tobacco companies from future legal action. The statute the territory was required to enact in order to participate in the deal contained typing and technical language errors.
After spending four hours reviewing and revising the bill during the special session Friday morning, the Legislature approved the amendments by a vote of 14-1, with Sen. Adelbert M. Bryan offering the dissenting vote.
Previously unaware that the local law was not in compliance with the master settlement agreement reached in 1998, Turnbull last week called a special session of the Legislature to amend the act by the July 1 deadline.
The tobacco settlement gives the Virgin Islands and other states and territories cash payments in exchange for exempting tobacco companies from future legal action. The statute the territory was required to enact in order to participate in the deal contained typing and technical language errors.
After spending four hours reviewing and revising the bill during the special session Friday morning, the Legislature approved the amendments by a vote of 14-1, with Sen. Adelbert M. Bryan offering the dissenting vote.
TURNBULL SIGNS TOBACCO SETTLEMENT BILL
July 1, 2001 – Gov. Charles W. Turnbull has signed into law amendments to the territory's Tobacco Settlement Act, thus bringing the territory into compliance with the 1998 Tobacco Settlement Agreement, and opening the way for up to $50 million to flow into government coffers over the next 25 years.
Previously unaware that the local law was not in compliance with the master settlement agreement reached in 1998, Turnbull last week called a special session of the Legislature to amend the act by the July 1 deadline.
The tobacco settlement gives the Virgin Islands and other states and territories cash payments in exchange for exempting tobacco companies from future legal action. The statute the territory was required to enact in order to participate in the deal contained typing and technical language errors.
After spending four hours reviewing and revising the bill during the special session Friday morning, the Legislature approved the amendments by a vote of 14-1, with Sen. Adelbert M. Bryan offering the dissenting vote.
Previously unaware that the local law was not in compliance with the master settlement agreement reached in 1998, Turnbull last week called a special session of the Legislature to amend the act by the July 1 deadline.
The tobacco settlement gives the Virgin Islands and other states and territories cash payments in exchange for exempting tobacco companies from future legal action. The statute the territory was required to enact in order to participate in the deal contained typing and technical language errors.
After spending four hours reviewing and revising the bill during the special session Friday morning, the Legislature approved the amendments by a vote of 14-1, with Sen. Adelbert M. Bryan offering the dissenting vote.
TURNBULL SIGNS TOBACCO SETTLEMENT BILL
July 1, 2001 – Gov. Charles W. Turnbull has signed into law amendments to the territory's Tobacco Settlement Act, bringing the territory into compliance with the 1998 Tobacco Settlement Agreement and opening the way for up to $50 million to flow into government coffers over the next 25 years.
Previously unaware that the local law was not in compliance with the master settlement agreement reached in 1998, Turnbull last week called a special session of the Legislature to amend the act by the July 1 deadline.
The tobacco settlement gives the Virgin Islands and other states and territories cash payments in exchange for exempting tobacco companies from future legal action. The statute the territory was required to enact in order to participate in the deal contained typing and technical language errors.
After spending four hours reviewing and revising the bill during the special session Friday morning, the Legislature approved the amendments by a vote of 14-1, with Sen. Adelbert M. Bryan offering the dissenting vote.
Previously unaware that the local law was not in compliance with the master settlement agreement reached in 1998, Turnbull last week called a special session of the Legislature to amend the act by the July 1 deadline.
The tobacco settlement gives the Virgin Islands and other states and territories cash payments in exchange for exempting tobacco companies from future legal action. The statute the territory was required to enact in order to participate in the deal contained typing and technical language errors.
After spending four hours reviewing and revising the bill during the special session Friday morning, the Legislature approved the amendments by a vote of 14-1, with Sen. Adelbert M. Bryan offering the dissenting vote.
