June 16, 2001 – Jacqueline Petrillo, nee Levey, died in New York on June 7, 2001, after a long battle with cancer. She was 70.
A former resident of St. Thomas, she wrote for The Virgin Islands Daily News from 1970 to 1974.
Prior to and following her time in the territory, she lived in New York, working as a journalist, teacher, counselor and public relations professional. She worked for the Tarrytown Daily News, Lodging magazine and the New York City Board of Education and was a lifelong student of literature, culture and the arts.
She is survived by four children, Mark, Guy, Ralph and Stephanie; daughters-in-law Regina, Leonore and Virginia; son-in-law Douglas; and grandchildren Benjamin and Amanda Gould, Stefano and Franchesca Petrillo, and Nicholas and Jack Petrillo; as well as her former husband and longtime friend, Salvatore Petrillo.
Funeral services were held at Zion Memorial Chapel in Mamaroneck, N.Y., and burial was near the graves of her parents, Samuel Levey and Celia Starr Levey, at King Solomon Memorial Park in Clifton, N.Y.
Donations may be made in her memory to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas TX 75265-0309. For information about the foundation and making donations online or via a toll-free telephone number, see the organization's web site at komen.org/donation.
POLL: GOOD FEELINGS ABOUT DADS DOMINATE
June 16, 2001 – Two things appear evident from the responses to last week's Source reader poll: First, readers would much rather express their views on political and economic issues than share their personal feelings about a private relationship. And second, willingness to share such feelings may depend on whether the views to be expressed are positive or negative.
Last week's question, tied to Father's Day this Sunday and the second annual Fathers' Night Out initiative that got under way in the territory last Wednesday, was this: "How would you best describe your father's relationship with you when you were growing up (or now, if you're still a youth)?"
This was the first time the Source had posed a question asking not for an opinion but for an intimate assessment. The volume of responses — a total of 183 — was significantly lower than that typically received for questions dealing with "public interest" issues. Especially for St. John this was the case, with a total of only eight readers responding.
This could be for several reasons. Readers may simply not feel comfortable expressing such personal feelings in a public forum, or they may be reluctant to do so through the impersonal medium of the Internet, or they may have concerns about their privacy and anonymity in doing so.
Nearly two-thirds of those who chose to respond gave their fathers good grades: A total of 40 percent said their dads were "caring, sharing, involved and supportive." Another 25 percent said their dads, while less affectionate, were concerned, sharing and responsible.
At the other end of the spectrum, 11 percent said their fathers had a negative impact on their lives, and 7 percent said they didn't know or couldn't remember their fathers.
Another 7 percent said their fathers weren't around much and didn't have much impact on their lives.
Yet another 7 percent gave their dads credit for providing for their basic needs despite the lack of a close personal relationship. Except for this response, there were no significant differences among St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John respondents. This option was chosen by 15 percent of all the St. Croix respondents, compared to 3 percent of those on St. Thomas and none on St. John.
Just 3 percent overall said their dads were domineering.
Here are the options poll respondents had, along with the numbers of responses each received:
1. He is/was affectionate, caring, sharing, greatly involved in my life and in almost all ways supportive.
STT (39), STX (30), STJ (4) = Total 73 (41 percent)
2. He is/was less affectionate, yet concerned, sharing or taking responsibility for my upbringing and discipline.
STT (26), STX (17), STJ (2) = Total 45 (25 percent)
3. He is/was too domineering, too controlling in my life.
STT (3), STX (3), STJ (0) = Total 6 (3 percent)
4. He meets/met his responsibilities as far as providing for my basic needs but isn’t/wasn’t very close to me personally.
STT (3), STX (11), STJ (0) = Total 14 (7 percent)
5. He isn’t/wasn’t around much and doesn’t/didn’t have much impact on my life.
STT (6), STX (6), STJ (0) = Total 12 (7 percent)
6. His impact on my life mainly has been/was negative.
STT (15), STX (4), STJ (1) = Total 20 (11 percent)
7. I don’t/didn’t know or can’t remember my father.
STT (8), STX (4), STJ (1) = Total 13 (7 percent)
This is not intended to be a scientific poll. But we feel that, as a rough gauge of how Source readers feel about issues confronting the territory, the results are interesting and worth considering. And we hope that you will consider voting in this week's poll and those to come.
Last week's question, tied to Father's Day this Sunday and the second annual Fathers' Night Out initiative that got under way in the territory last Wednesday, was this: "How would you best describe your father's relationship with you when you were growing up (or now, if you're still a youth)?"
This was the first time the Source had posed a question asking not for an opinion but for an intimate assessment. The volume of responses — a total of 183 — was significantly lower than that typically received for questions dealing with "public interest" issues. Especially for St. John this was the case, with a total of only eight readers responding.
This could be for several reasons. Readers may simply not feel comfortable expressing such personal feelings in a public forum, or they may be reluctant to do so through the impersonal medium of the Internet, or they may have concerns about their privacy and anonymity in doing so.
Nearly two-thirds of those who chose to respond gave their fathers good grades: A total of 40 percent said their dads were "caring, sharing, involved and supportive." Another 25 percent said their dads, while less affectionate, were concerned, sharing and responsible.
At the other end of the spectrum, 11 percent said their fathers had a negative impact on their lives, and 7 percent said they didn't know or couldn't remember their fathers.
Another 7 percent said their fathers weren't around much and didn't have much impact on their lives.
Yet another 7 percent gave their dads credit for providing for their basic needs despite the lack of a close personal relationship. Except for this response, there were no significant differences among St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John respondents. This option was chosen by 15 percent of all the St. Croix respondents, compared to 3 percent of those on St. Thomas and none on St. John.
Just 3 percent overall said their dads were domineering.
Here are the options poll respondents had, along with the numbers of responses each received:
1. He is/was affectionate, caring, sharing, greatly involved in my life and in almost all ways supportive.
STT (39), STX (30), STJ (4) = Total 73 (41 percent)
2. He is/was less affectionate, yet concerned, sharing or taking responsibility for my upbringing and discipline.
STT (26), STX (17), STJ (2) = Total 45 (25 percent)
3. He is/was too domineering, too controlling in my life.
STT (3), STX (3), STJ (0) = Total 6 (3 percent)
4. He meets/met his responsibilities as far as providing for my basic needs but isn’t/wasn’t very close to me personally.
STT (3), STX (11), STJ (0) = Total 14 (7 percent)
5. He isn’t/wasn’t around much and doesn’t/didn’t have much impact on my life.
STT (6), STX (6), STJ (0) = Total 12 (7 percent)
6. His impact on my life mainly has been/was negative.
STT (15), STX (4), STJ (1) = Total 20 (11 percent)
7. I don’t/didn’t know or can’t remember my father.
STT (8), STX (4), STJ (1) = Total 13 (7 percent)
This is not intended to be a scientific poll. But we feel that, as a rough gauge of how Source readers feel about issues confronting the territory, the results are interesting and worth considering. And we hope that you will consider voting in this week's poll and those to come.
NEW UVI ENTRANCE BUILT WITH BUSINESS SUPPORT
June 15, 2001 – The University of the Virgin Islands celebrated Flag Day by raising the U.S. and territorial flags over the new official entrance to UVI's St. Thomas campus.
Visitors turning from the main road that bisects the campus onto the drive that leads up the hill to the Ralph Paiewonsky Library and the administrative offices therein are now greeted by identical blue-bit stone walls on either side. They are set at angles so that each is visible to traffic approaching from one direction. The flags fly over the western wall.
In the flag-raising ceremony Thursday morning, UVI President Orville Kean presented certificates of appreciation to the individuals and companies who donated nearly $48,000 in cash, materials and labor toward the construction work and landscaping of the entrance.
Among those making comments at the ceremony was Leo Francis, director of facilities at UVI from 1995 until this past January, the catalyst behind the entrance project. A former commissioner of Public Works, Francis drew upon personal relationships he had built with local business people to obtain the contributions that made the project possible.
Donations were received from Apex Construction, Bryan's Plants/Garden Supplies, The deJongh Partnership, deSigns, E.D. Plumbing, Fortress Electrical Contracting Corp., Francis Properties, I.H. Associated Architects, Import Supply, Island Roads Corp., Lockhart Caribbean Corp., MSI Building Supplies, Mack Construction Enterprises, Magens Bay Concession, Majestic Construction, Patrick Charles Enterprises, Prestige Painters, Roy's Construction, S & S Services, St. Thomas Concrete-V.I. Cement and Building Products, Tip Top Construction, Val's Insurance and the V.I. Port Authority locally, and Steel Fabricators of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Other university officials taking part in the ceremony included Roy Watlington, chancellor of the St. Thomas campus, and Gwen-Marie Moolenaar, vice president for institutional development. Several executives of businesses that made donations also were on hand and were recognized.
Anyone interested in learning about other opportunities for donor support is asked to telephone Deborah S. Hamilton, UVI director of annual giving, at 693-1042 or 690-5425.
Visitors turning from the main road that bisects the campus onto the drive that leads up the hill to the Ralph Paiewonsky Library and the administrative offices therein are now greeted by identical blue-bit stone walls on either side. They are set at angles so that each is visible to traffic approaching from one direction. The flags fly over the western wall.
In the flag-raising ceremony Thursday morning, UVI President Orville Kean presented certificates of appreciation to the individuals and companies who donated nearly $48,000 in cash, materials and labor toward the construction work and landscaping of the entrance.
Among those making comments at the ceremony was Leo Francis, director of facilities at UVI from 1995 until this past January, the catalyst behind the entrance project. A former commissioner of Public Works, Francis drew upon personal relationships he had built with local business people to obtain the contributions that made the project possible.
Donations were received from Apex Construction, Bryan's Plants/Garden Supplies, The deJongh Partnership, deSigns, E.D. Plumbing, Fortress Electrical Contracting Corp., Francis Properties, I.H. Associated Architects, Import Supply, Island Roads Corp., Lockhart Caribbean Corp., MSI Building Supplies, Mack Construction Enterprises, Magens Bay Concession, Majestic Construction, Patrick Charles Enterprises, Prestige Painters, Roy's Construction, S & S Services, St. Thomas Concrete-V.I. Cement and Building Products, Tip Top Construction, Val's Insurance and the V.I. Port Authority locally, and Steel Fabricators of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Other university officials taking part in the ceremony included Roy Watlington, chancellor of the St. Thomas campus, and Gwen-Marie Moolenaar, vice president for institutional development. Several executives of businesses that made donations also were on hand and were recognized.
Anyone interested in learning about other opportunities for donor support is asked to telephone Deborah S. Hamilton, UVI director of annual giving, at 693-1042 or 690-5425.
MINORITY LAMBASTES NO-QUESTIONS-ASKED VOTE
June 16, 2001 – Still smarting from events earlier in the day, the 24th Legislature's six minority members explained at a hastily called press conference late Friday afternoon why they had walked out of a Senate special session just hours before.
Their exit en masse occurred after the majority bloc dismissed administration officials who had come to the Legislature on St. Thomas to testify on Gov. Charles W. Turnbull's bill to use a projected $100 million windfall in tax revenues to give government workers and elegible retirees salary step increases.
In an earlier letter to Senate President Almando "Rocky" Liburd, the governor had said his financial officials "stand ready" to provide information to the Legislature concerning the bill.
Minority leader David Jones made a motion Friday for the Senate to go into Committee of the Whole to hear testimony from the financial officials. When the motion was defeated, the six senators walked out. The sole unaligned senator, Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg, left shortly afterward.
"We are supposed to be responsible," Sen. Emmett Hansen II said at the press conference several hours later. "We are the financial conscience of the government. We are not here to give out cotton candy to please people." He repeated his comment earlier in the day that he wasn't going to sit by and "rubber stamp" legislation which he hadn't had time to examine.
Jones said, "The majority's continuous disregard of the minority is an example of tyranny, and the governor's action is unprecedented." He was referring to Turnbull having called the majority senators into a closed meeting prior to his Monday press conference to announce the windfall and step-increase plans.
All six minority senators agreed that previous governors — including Turnbull's immediate predecessor, Roy Schneider, who had a turbulent relationship with the Legislature — invariably met with all 15 senators, inviting their input, on bills submitted by the administration.
David called the majority's action Friday an "abuse of power." Sen. Douglas Canton wondered if the governor is "taking his marching orders from the majority."
The issue was raised as to what the governor's agenda is. "This shotgun wedding between the majority caucus and the governor is heading for divorce," Jones said. Turnbull, like all of the minority bloc senators, is a member of the Democratic Party.
But the main thing on the minority minds Friday was the money: Where has the $100 million come from, or is it expected to come from? Is it a recurring source of revenue? And how, precisely, is it to be spent?
Sen. Lorraine Berry, now in her 10th term, said she had never before seen a bill passed in special session without testimony having been taken first. And she has never before missed a roll call vote.
She and her colleagues laughed derisively at the majority's claim to credit for the projected windfall from the Internal Revenue Bureau. The reason the majority didn't want the administration officials to testify, they said, is that the testimony would show that the money has come into the government coffers as a result of legislation enacted by the 23rd Legislature.
Berry, Jones, Roosevelt David and Vargrave Richards approved several measures in the 23rd Legislature — notably Industrial Development Commission reform and the Financial Accountability Act — which have led to increased tax collections now becoming evident, they said. The 23rd Legislature's Finance Committee, which Berry chaired and on which Jones and David served, also appropriated an extra $2 million to IRB to beef up revenue collections.
"They didn't want the public to know where the revenues came from," Berry said. "They have violated the legislative process. It was a travesty."
The minority senators recalled the comment made by majority leader Celestino A. White Sr. in the opening session of the 24th Legislature that the majority had the "right to be wrong" and "we made a rule to waive the rules."
The minority lawmakers said they were pleased that government employees would be put on step. But, Richards asked, "Will the raises be sustained? Will there be recurring funds?" He called dismissing the administration financial officials without taking their testimony "the height of nonsense."
Louis Willis, IRB director, would not confirm a recurring source of such funds. He indicated to the Source earlier in the day that it will depend on whether taxpayers opt to remain in the territory. "Americans have jurisdictions; they can move anywhere — another territory like Guam, or the mainland," he said. "If we are not business friendly, if we don't keep down crime or give public assistance, they could move away." However, he added, "As long as these things are in place, the majority [of taxpayers] should stay here."
Willis also would not comment on who, if anyone, had told him to leave the session before testifying earlier in the day.
Canton, a freshman senator who chairs the Health and Hospitals Committee, expressed concerns about health insurance issues addressed in the governor's bill. He also wondered how the raises would affect nurses and other hospital personnel, since the hospitals are now operated as a quasi-governmental agency..
Hansen, also a first-year lawmaker, noted that the Government Employees Retirement System has a court case pending against the government. "How is that going to affect the retirees?" he asked.
The minority also wondered how the bill will affect exempt and classified employees, and which unionized workers are to be paid in what order.
Jones posed the question of how President Bush's recent federal tax cuts will impact on the IRB, which under the territory's mirror tax system apparently will be obligated to pay out multimillions of dollars in refunds later this year. He also asked, "How about what the government owes" to the Water and Power Authority? "What about the Anguilla landfill … which will close the airport if it isn't fixed?"
In hopes of getting some answers to any and all of their questions, the minority senators said, they will be writing to the governor.
Their exit en masse occurred after the majority bloc dismissed administration officials who had come to the Legislature on St. Thomas to testify on Gov. Charles W. Turnbull's bill to use a projected $100 million windfall in tax revenues to give government workers and elegible retirees salary step increases.
In an earlier letter to Senate President Almando "Rocky" Liburd, the governor had said his financial officials "stand ready" to provide information to the Legislature concerning the bill.
Minority leader David Jones made a motion Friday for the Senate to go into Committee of the Whole to hear testimony from the financial officials. When the motion was defeated, the six senators walked out. The sole unaligned senator, Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg, left shortly afterward.
"We are supposed to be responsible," Sen. Emmett Hansen II said at the press conference several hours later. "We are the financial conscience of the government. We are not here to give out cotton candy to please people." He repeated his comment earlier in the day that he wasn't going to sit by and "rubber stamp" legislation which he hadn't had time to examine.
Jones said, "The majority's continuous disregard of the minority is an example of tyranny, and the governor's action is unprecedented." He was referring to Turnbull having called the majority senators into a closed meeting prior to his Monday press conference to announce the windfall and step-increase plans.
All six minority senators agreed that previous governors — including Turnbull's immediate predecessor, Roy Schneider, who had a turbulent relationship with the Legislature — invariably met with all 15 senators, inviting their input, on bills submitted by the administration.
David called the majority's action Friday an "abuse of power." Sen. Douglas Canton wondered if the governor is "taking his marching orders from the majority."
The issue was raised as to what the governor's agenda is. "This shotgun wedding between the majority caucus and the governor is heading for divorce," Jones said. Turnbull, like all of the minority bloc senators, is a member of the Democratic Party.
But the main thing on the minority minds Friday was the money: Where has the $100 million come from, or is it expected to come from? Is it a recurring source of revenue? And how, precisely, is it to be spent?
Sen. Lorraine Berry, now in her 10th term, said she had never before seen a bill passed in special session without testimony having been taken first. And she has never before missed a roll call vote.
She and her colleagues laughed derisively at the majority's claim to credit for the projected windfall from the Internal Revenue Bureau. The reason the majority didn't want the administration officials to testify, they said, is that the testimony would show that the money has come into the government coffers as a result of legislation enacted by the 23rd Legislature.
Berry, Jones, Roosevelt David and Vargrave Richards approved several measures in the 23rd Legislature — notably Industrial Development Commission reform and the Financial Accountability Act — which have led to increased tax collections now becoming evident, they said. The 23rd Legislature's Finance Committee, which Berry chaired and on which Jones and David served, also appropriated an extra $2 million to IRB to beef up revenue collections.
"They didn't want the public to know where the revenues came from," Berry said. "They have violated the legislative process. It was a travesty."
The minority senators recalled the comment made by majority leader Celestino A. White Sr. in the opening session of the 24th Legislature that the majority had the "right to be wrong" and "we made a rule to waive the rules."
The minority lawmakers said they were pleased that government employees would be put on step. But, Richards asked, "Will the raises be sustained? Will there be recurring funds?" He called dismissing the administration financial officials without taking their testimony "the height of nonsense."
Louis Willis, IRB director, would not confirm a recurring source of such funds. He indicated to the Source earlier in the day that it will depend on whether taxpayers opt to remain in the territory. "Americans have jurisdictions; they can move anywhere — another territory like Guam, or the mainland," he said. "If we are not business friendly, if we don't keep down crime or give public assistance, they could move away." However, he added, "As long as these things are in place, the majority [of taxpayers] should stay here."
Willis also would not comment on who, if anyone, had told him to leave the session before testifying earlier in the day.
Canton, a freshman senator who chairs the Health and Hospitals Committee, expressed concerns about health insurance issues addressed in the governor's bill. He also wondered how the raises would affect nurses and other hospital personnel, since the hospitals are now operated as a quasi-governmental agency..
Hansen, also a first-year lawmaker, noted that the Government Employees Retirement System has a court case pending against the government. "How is that going to affect the retirees?" he asked.
The minority also wondered how the bill will affect exempt and classified employees, and which unionized workers are to be paid in what order.
Jones posed the question of how President Bush's recent federal tax cuts will impact on the IRB, which under the territory's mirror tax system apparently will be obligated to pay out multimillions of dollars in refunds later this year. He also asked, "How about what the government owes" to the Water and Power Authority? "What about the Anguilla landfill … which will close the airport if it isn't fixed?"
In hopes of getting some answers to any and all of their questions, the minority senators said, they will be writing to the governor.
DAVID EDGECOMBE SPEAKER AT ROTARY EAST
Rotary East will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 20, at the Ritz-Carlton Resort.
Guest speaker David Edgecombe, Reichhold Center Director, will discuss the upcoming season.
Guest speaker David Edgecombe, Reichhold Center Director, will discuss the upcoming season.
ROTARY EAST BANQUET
Rotary East will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 27, at the Ritz-Carlton Resort for their end-of-the-year banquet and presentations. All fellow Rotarians are invited.
DAVID EDGECOMBE GUEST SPEAKER AT ROTARY EAST
June 16, 2001 — Rotary East will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Ritz-Carlton Resort.
Guest speaker David Edgecombe, director of the Reichhold Center, will discuss the upcoming season.
Guest speaker David Edgecombe, director of the Reichhold Center, will discuss the upcoming season.
ROTARY EAST BANQUET
June 16, 2001 — Rotary East will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 27, at the Ritz-Carlton Resort for their end-of-the-year banquet and presentations.
All fellow Rotarians are invited.
All fellow Rotarians are invited.
SERVICES FOR EDUARDO MARRERO WEDNESDAY
Eduardo Marrero, known to his friends as "Goldo," of D. Hamilton Jackson Terrace, died Tuesday, June 12 at Juan F. Luis Hospital. He was 28.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 20, at Holy Cross Catholic Church. A viewing will begin at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Kingshill Cemetery.
He is survived by his fiancé, Julia Browne; mother, Aracelis Bennett; father, Luis F. Marrero; grandparents, Aida Ayala, Pedro Bennett, and Petra Marrero; daughters, Kyleah and Saieda Marrero; step-son, Michael Kelly; sisters, Michelle Encarnacion and Myra Padro; brothers, Wilfredo Valentine, Anthony and Luis Marrero Jr., and Charles Velasquez; nieces, Antenique and Antonisha Marrero and Ninoshka Santiago; nephews, Anthony Marrero Jr. and Robert Santiago; aunts, Elizabeth Bennett, Nilsa Marrero, Naida Marrero, Nerry Priecpe, and Juanita Encarnacion; uncles, Roberto, Carmelo, and Rey Bennett, Luis Perez, Junie Marrero, Jose Figueroa, and Inrique Malta; cousins, Papito Marrero, Aida and Jahida Rodriquez, Regito and Regie Bennett, Eduardo and Roberto Bennett, and Marcus Bennett.
He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Delacy Browne; sisters-in-law, Glynnis Browne, Bridgette Kelly, Nelarie Tabb, and Ursula Knowles; brother-in-law, Trevor Browne; special friends, Teeks, Mark Edwards, K-John, Bobby, Shawn-Shawn, Keno, Olo, Crabie, Tony, Lee, Soundboy, Mario, Troyo, Bobo, Kim Smith, Kema, Shakuma Iles, Mauren Branch, Negra, Angel, Glenda Felix, Susy and family, Shaldon, Eric and Dean; and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral arrangements are in the care of James Memorial Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 20, at Holy Cross Catholic Church. A viewing will begin at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Kingshill Cemetery.
He is survived by his fiancé, Julia Browne; mother, Aracelis Bennett; father, Luis F. Marrero; grandparents, Aida Ayala, Pedro Bennett, and Petra Marrero; daughters, Kyleah and Saieda Marrero; step-son, Michael Kelly; sisters, Michelle Encarnacion and Myra Padro; brothers, Wilfredo Valentine, Anthony and Luis Marrero Jr., and Charles Velasquez; nieces, Antenique and Antonisha Marrero and Ninoshka Santiago; nephews, Anthony Marrero Jr. and Robert Santiago; aunts, Elizabeth Bennett, Nilsa Marrero, Naida Marrero, Nerry Priecpe, and Juanita Encarnacion; uncles, Roberto, Carmelo, and Rey Bennett, Luis Perez, Junie Marrero, Jose Figueroa, and Inrique Malta; cousins, Papito Marrero, Aida and Jahida Rodriquez, Regito and Regie Bennett, Eduardo and Roberto Bennett, and Marcus Bennett.
He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Delacy Browne; sisters-in-law, Glynnis Browne, Bridgette Kelly, Nelarie Tabb, and Ursula Knowles; brother-in-law, Trevor Browne; special friends, Teeks, Mark Edwards, K-John, Bobby, Shawn-Shawn, Keno, Olo, Crabie, Tony, Lee, Soundboy, Mario, Troyo, Bobo, Kim Smith, Kema, Shakuma Iles, Mauren Branch, Negra, Angel, Glenda Felix, Susy and family, Shaldon, Eric and Dean; and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral arrangements are in the care of James Memorial Funeral Home.
MAJORITY BLOC PASSES STEP INCREASE BILL
June 15, 2001 – In a special session on Friday called by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull, the Senate majority approved his bill to appropriate $100 million to pay salary step increases to government workers and eligible retirees.
Over the objections of the non-majority senators, the vote came without a hearing on the bill or any other public opportunity for legislators to put questions to administration officials concerning any aspect of it.
Turnbull had met with majority senators prior to calling a press conference on Monday to announce a $100 million tax windfall and his plans to spend it for step increases. Minority and independent lawmakers, however, got no opportunity to ask questions, let alone get answers to them, about the distribution of the step money or any other aspect of the governor's plan.
Sen. Lorraine L. Berry, who has the longest tenure of any current legislator, said afterward that never before in her experience had the Senate passed a bill in a special session without having taken any testimony concerning it.
After starting about 45 minutes late Friday, Senate President Almando "Rocky" Liburd called a recess shortly into the session. During the recess, most of the majority senators left the chamber.
Several administration financial officers who had been in the chamber also exited during the recess. Some stated afterward that they had been told they were not needed to testify and could leave. No one could say later who gave out that information, and no one in the Senate would take responsibility for having done so.
As Senate staff were carrying out the stack of chairs for the witnesses which they had brought in moments earlier, Sen. Emmett Hansen II demanded of Sen. Carlton Dowe across the room, "Where's the governor's people, dem?" Dowe held up his hands indicating he didn't know. Sen. Roosevelt David called the action "very disrespectful."
When the session resumed about 15 minutes later with all senators back on the floor, Sen. David Jones made a motion to go into Committee of the Whole so the body could take testimony from witnesses. The motion failed along majority/minority lines.
Hansen than told Liburd: "This is the height of irresponsibility without the governor's financial people here to answer questions. They were here; this is totally and completely irresponsible." Hansen and the other minority senators then walked out.
The sole non-aligned senator, Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg, then accused the majority of running a kangaroo court. But, in a moment of levity, he added, "I'm happy to see you're supporting my bill. You're running the Legislature with not even nine — with eight." After that reference to his far-from popular bill to reduce the size of the Senate from 15 to nine members, Donastorg, too, walked out.
Liburd told his remaining majority colleagues: "Too often propaganda is spread, and that's what you just heard. Motions fail and motions pass. They just picked up their marbles and left. We are here on behalf of the people's business, not self-interest."
At his press conference Monday, Turnbull announced a financial windfall of money from the Internal Revenue Bureau. He said the money had been collected from taxpayers in the top personal income bracket who had been attracted to the territory by the Economic Development Commission (formerly the Industrial Development Commission).
While the governor met with the majority bloc before the press conference, minority senators protested that they had no chance to study the measure. Some said on Friday that they still had not even seen the bill before the special session, and they had questions for the governor's financial team. As soon as the session was over, the minority senators announced they would hold a press conference later in the afternoon.
Along with putting government employees on step beginning Oct. 1, the bill passed Friday provides incentives to unions to waive any retroactive money owed and/or certain rights.
It also calls for allocating:
– $2.3 million to the Public Works Department for a summer school repair and maintenance program.
– $390,000 to Public Works for V.I. Carnival cleanup.
– $13.6 million for increased health insurance premiums and a deficit in the pharmaceutical plan.
– $350,000 for a court-mandated master and special master to review property tax bills, and to fund the Foreign Sales Corporation Task Force.
– $400,000 for books and supplies for the summer enrichment program and the coming school year.
The bill also provides money for "other purposes." Those undefined "purposes" grew steadily throughout the afternoon as senators piled one amendment atop another.
Sen. Adelbert Bryan once again made one appropriating an extra $1.5 million for the Legislature, and topped it with another for $500,000 to repair the District Court building which houses the Senate post audit division. The governor had vetoed the budget increase earlier this year, telling the senators they already had "sufficient" funds.
Sen. Donald "Ducks" Cole offered an amendment to an amendment requiring the IRB to provide the Legislature an itemized accounting after the expenditure of every $2.5 million.
The flurry of amendments also would:
– Authorize the governor to reopen negotiations with the American Federation of Teachers locals to increase entry-level salaries of public school teachers.
– Appropriate $500,000 to the Education Department for teacher training and recruitment.
– Appropriate $9 million to the IRB for revenue collection improvement, staff training and contracted work to improve processing.
– Appropriate $1.2 million for parking facilities in Cruz Bay, St. John.
– Appropriate $50,000 to Public Works for St. John Festival cleanup.
– Provide $210,591 from the Homestead and Home Loan Fund as a 10 percent match to the $2.1 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to the Department of Housing, Parks and Recreation for infrastructure of the Castle Burke development on St. Croix.
– Require the Health Insurance Board to submit at least three bids to the governor with recommendations no later than 180 days before an existing contract expires.
– Require government salary increases to be paid no later than Oct. 18, and retirees' annuities to be paid no later than Aug. 31.
Voting for the bill and amendments were the majority bloc — Sens. Liburd, Dowe, Bryan, Cole, Alicia "Chucky" Hansen, Norman Jn. Baptiste, Norma Pickard-Samuel and Celestino White.
According to Sen. Douglas Canton, who cited an opinion from the Legislature legal counsel, the V.I. Code mandates that only germane amendments applying specifically to the legislation at hand may be made in a special session of the Legislature.
Over the objections of the non-majority senators, the vote came without a hearing on the bill or any other public opportunity for legislators to put questions to administration officials concerning any aspect of it.
Turnbull had met with majority senators prior to calling a press conference on Monday to announce a $100 million tax windfall and his plans to spend it for step increases. Minority and independent lawmakers, however, got no opportunity to ask questions, let alone get answers to them, about the distribution of the step money or any other aspect of the governor's plan.
Sen. Lorraine L. Berry, who has the longest tenure of any current legislator, said afterward that never before in her experience had the Senate passed a bill in a special session without having taken any testimony concerning it.
After starting about 45 minutes late Friday, Senate President Almando "Rocky" Liburd called a recess shortly into the session. During the recess, most of the majority senators left the chamber.
Several administration financial officers who had been in the chamber also exited during the recess. Some stated afterward that they had been told they were not needed to testify and could leave. No one could say later who gave out that information, and no one in the Senate would take responsibility for having done so.
As Senate staff were carrying out the stack of chairs for the witnesses which they had brought in moments earlier, Sen. Emmett Hansen II demanded of Sen. Carlton Dowe across the room, "Where's the governor's people, dem?" Dowe held up his hands indicating he didn't know. Sen. Roosevelt David called the action "very disrespectful."
When the session resumed about 15 minutes later with all senators back on the floor, Sen. David Jones made a motion to go into Committee of the Whole so the body could take testimony from witnesses. The motion failed along majority/minority lines.
Hansen than told Liburd: "This is the height of irresponsibility without the governor's financial people here to answer questions. They were here; this is totally and completely irresponsible." Hansen and the other minority senators then walked out.
The sole non-aligned senator, Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg, then accused the majority of running a kangaroo court. But, in a moment of levity, he added, "I'm happy to see you're supporting my bill. You're running the Legislature with not even nine — with eight." After that reference to his far-from popular bill to reduce the size of the Senate from 15 to nine members, Donastorg, too, walked out.
Liburd told his remaining majority colleagues: "Too often propaganda is spread, and that's what you just heard. Motions fail and motions pass. They just picked up their marbles and left. We are here on behalf of the people's business, not self-interest."
At his press conference Monday, Turnbull announced a financial windfall of money from the Internal Revenue Bureau. He said the money had been collected from taxpayers in the top personal income bracket who had been attracted to the territory by the Economic Development Commission (formerly the Industrial Development Commission).
While the governor met with the majority bloc before the press conference, minority senators protested that they had no chance to study the measure. Some said on Friday that they still had not even seen the bill before the special session, and they had questions for the governor's financial team. As soon as the session was over, the minority senators announced they would hold a press conference later in the afternoon.
Along with putting government employees on step beginning Oct. 1, the bill passed Friday provides incentives to unions to waive any retroactive money owed and/or certain rights.
It also calls for allocating:
– $2.3 million to the Public Works Department for a summer school repair and maintenance program.
– $390,000 to Public Works for V.I. Carnival cleanup.
– $13.6 million for increased health insurance premiums and a deficit in the pharmaceutical plan.
– $350,000 for a court-mandated master and special master to review property tax bills, and to fund the Foreign Sales Corporation Task Force.
– $400,000 for books and supplies for the summer enrichment program and the coming school year.
The bill also provides money for "other purposes." Those undefined "purposes" grew steadily throughout the afternoon as senators piled one amendment atop another.
Sen. Adelbert Bryan once again made one appropriating an extra $1.5 million for the Legislature, and topped it with another for $500,000 to repair the District Court building which houses the Senate post audit division. The governor had vetoed the budget increase earlier this year, telling the senators they already had "sufficient" funds.
Sen. Donald "Ducks" Cole offered an amendment to an amendment requiring the IRB to provide the Legislature an itemized accounting after the expenditure of every $2.5 million.
The flurry of amendments also would:
– Authorize the governor to reopen negotiations with the American Federation of Teachers locals to increase entry-level salaries of public school teachers.
– Appropriate $500,000 to the Education Department for teacher training and recruitment.
– Appropriate $9 million to the IRB for revenue collection improvement, staff training and contracted work to improve processing.
– Appropriate $1.2 million for parking facilities in Cruz Bay, St. John.
– Appropriate $50,000 to Public Works for St. John Festival cleanup.
– Provide $210,591 from the Homestead and Home Loan Fund as a 10 percent match to the $2.1 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to the Department of Housing, Parks and Recreation for infrastructure of the Castle Burke development on St. Croix.
– Require the Health Insurance Board to submit at least three bids to the governor with recommendations no later than 180 days before an existing contract expires.
– Require government salary increases to be paid no later than Oct. 18, and retirees' annuities to be paid no later than Aug. 31.
Voting for the bill and amendments were the majority bloc — Sens. Liburd, Dowe, Bryan, Cole, Alicia "Chucky" Hansen, Norman Jn. Baptiste, Norma Pickard-Samuel and Celestino White.
According to Sen. Douglas Canton, who cited an opinion from the Legislature legal counsel, the V.I. Code mandates that only germane amendments applying specifically to the legislation at hand may be made in a special session of the Legislature.
