The Virgin Islands Casino Control Commission will hold a public hearing on the casino license application of Golden Gaming L.L.C. at 9 a.m. Monday, June 25, at the commission offices, #5 Orange Grove, Christiansted. The hearings will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 26 and 27, if necessary.
Anyone interested in giving testimony or comments regarding the application by Golden Gaming L.L.C. should file a written request with the Casino Control Commission no later than Friday, June 22.
CASINO LICENSE HEARINGS MONDAY
June 18, 2001 — The Virgin Islands Casino Control Commission will hold a public hearing on the casino license application of Golden Gaming L.L.C. at 9 a.m. Monday, at the commission offices at #5 Orange Grove, Christiansted. The hearings will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 26 and 27, if necessary.
Anyone interested in giving testimony or comments regarding the application by Golden Gaming L.L.C. should file a written request with the Casino Control Commission no later than Friday.
Anyone interested in giving testimony or comments regarding the application by Golden Gaming L.L.C. should file a written request with the Casino Control Commission no later than Friday.
V.I. ASKS FEMA TO CANCEL MARILYN LOAN
June 18, 2001 – The administration has completed its application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency to have over $161 million in principal and interest owed on a Hurricane Marilyn disaster loan forgiven, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull said Monday.
"We have filed the necessary paperwork to begin the process to cancel the outstanding balance on the Hurricane Marilyn Community Disaster Loan," the governor announced at his press conference. "This process will take several months, if not longer."
According to records of FEMA – which had threatened to cut off aid to the territory because of its failure to repay previous loans – the Virgin Islands has repaid $7.4 million of the money owed from Marilyn. Including the accumulated interest, it should be paying off the balance to the tune of just over $9 million per year.
One of the application requirements for canceling the Marilyn loan is the submission of the official financial statements of the territory for the three fiscal years after the year of the disaster, Carol Hector-Harris, a regional FEMA officer, said.
FEMA and other federal officials have expressed their dissatisfaction with the financial reports prepared by the government, questioning the accuracy of the fiscal year accountings of the government's finances. According to one FEMA document, "It is questionable whether the financial statements being prepared are the 'official' financial statements of the territory" for fiscal years 1996 through 1998.
Turnbull's announcement that the territory has asked for forgiveness of the Marilyn loan comes five days after the Appropriations Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives approved $3.5 million to cover the costs in canceling an outstanding balance of $46 million the territory still owes on a similar loan received after Hurricane Hugo ravaged the islands in 1989.
If the Senate Appropriations Committee concurs in that action, the Virgin Islands could have to repay as little as $1 million to wipe out the Hugo loan, Turnbull has said.
At his press conference Monday at Government House on St. Thomas, the governor said the congressional action last Wednesday was "unprecedented." If the Hugo debt is thus reduced, he said, it would the first time any territory or state has managed to have a loan from FEMA forgiven.
"This action is unprecedented in the annals of Congress. It has never been done," he said."
"We have filed the necessary paperwork to begin the process to cancel the outstanding balance on the Hurricane Marilyn Community Disaster Loan," the governor announced at his press conference. "This process will take several months, if not longer."
According to records of FEMA – which had threatened to cut off aid to the territory because of its failure to repay previous loans – the Virgin Islands has repaid $7.4 million of the money owed from Marilyn. Including the accumulated interest, it should be paying off the balance to the tune of just over $9 million per year.
One of the application requirements for canceling the Marilyn loan is the submission of the official financial statements of the territory for the three fiscal years after the year of the disaster, Carol Hector-Harris, a regional FEMA officer, said.
FEMA and other federal officials have expressed their dissatisfaction with the financial reports prepared by the government, questioning the accuracy of the fiscal year accountings of the government's finances. According to one FEMA document, "It is questionable whether the financial statements being prepared are the 'official' financial statements of the territory" for fiscal years 1996 through 1998.
Turnbull's announcement that the territory has asked for forgiveness of the Marilyn loan comes five days after the Appropriations Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives approved $3.5 million to cover the costs in canceling an outstanding balance of $46 million the territory still owes on a similar loan received after Hurricane Hugo ravaged the islands in 1989.
If the Senate Appropriations Committee concurs in that action, the Virgin Islands could have to repay as little as $1 million to wipe out the Hugo loan, Turnbull has said.
At his press conference Monday at Government House on St. Thomas, the governor said the congressional action last Wednesday was "unprecedented." If the Hugo debt is thus reduced, he said, it would the first time any territory or state has managed to have a loan from FEMA forgiven.
"This action is unprecedented in the annals of Congress. It has never been done," he said."
TURNBULL CONFIDENT STEP MONEY WILL BE THERE
June 18, 2001 – The territory's financial picture is looking up, and the $30 million just allocated to bring unionized government workers on step can be sustained as long as tax money keeps rolling in, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull said at a press conference Monday afternoon.
He said the $100 million in appropriations earmarked for step increases, school repairs and other purposes that the Senate approved Friday is the result of both cost-cutting measures and an increase in tax revenues.
"Cost-cutting measures, along with others too numerous to mention, put this government in a position in which expenditures did not exceed revenues for the first time in about 15 years," the governor said. "It is because of this fiscal discipline and the increase in revenues that I will be able to deliver on my promise to begin the long-overdue implementation of step increases for government employees during the coming fiscal year."
During the press briefing at Government House on St. Thomas, Turnbull offered an explanation of sorts to the members of the 24th Legislature who are not a part of the majority — which passed his bill Friday after the other seven left the Senate chambers to protest the vote being taken without a hearing on the measure. The governor noted that he had met with the majority last Monday but said did not have time to meet with minority members.
He said he contacted two minority senators but declined to name them. Any governor must work with the Senate majority, regardless of political affiliation, "because the majority controls the Legislature," he said.
"Here in the Virgin Islands, when times are bad, elected and appointed officials of government must all share the blame," he said. "Likewise, when conditions improve, there is more than enough room for all elected and appointed officials to take credit."
While some union leaders have been skeptical that the funding source for the step increases will be reoccurring, Turnbull said he would not have directed the increases if the money was not there.
"When my financial advisors presented me with the current financial projections and indicated to me … that this government would be able to sustain step increases to government employees and retirees, I decided it was the appropriate time to keep this administration's commitment to implement these increases as soon as it became feasible," he said.
He later stated there is no dedicated funding source to ensure union members will continue to see the step increases for years to come. However, he said, based on his financial advisers' projections, the money will be there if the tax money keeps rolling in.
"I can't bring you the money for 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and on down the line," he said. "But we can sustain these increases, and these people have been suffering for a long time. Our government employees' morale is down. We've got to do something about our government employees."
Turnbull was asked whether he would veto the Senate majority's vote to increase the budget for the Legislature itself by $1.5 million plus another half million for building repairs — allocations tacked on as amendments to the governor's bill Friday. He said he would review the measure and then make a decision. He earlier vetoed a similar measure passed by the Legislature in April, saying the Senate had "sufficient" funds.
He said the $100 million in appropriations earmarked for step increases, school repairs and other purposes that the Senate approved Friday is the result of both cost-cutting measures and an increase in tax revenues.
"Cost-cutting measures, along with others too numerous to mention, put this government in a position in which expenditures did not exceed revenues for the first time in about 15 years," the governor said. "It is because of this fiscal discipline and the increase in revenues that I will be able to deliver on my promise to begin the long-overdue implementation of step increases for government employees during the coming fiscal year."
During the press briefing at Government House on St. Thomas, Turnbull offered an explanation of sorts to the members of the 24th Legislature who are not a part of the majority — which passed his bill Friday after the other seven left the Senate chambers to protest the vote being taken without a hearing on the measure. The governor noted that he had met with the majority last Monday but said did not have time to meet with minority members.
He said he contacted two minority senators but declined to name them. Any governor must work with the Senate majority, regardless of political affiliation, "because the majority controls the Legislature," he said.
"Here in the Virgin Islands, when times are bad, elected and appointed officials of government must all share the blame," he said. "Likewise, when conditions improve, there is more than enough room for all elected and appointed officials to take credit."
While some union leaders have been skeptical that the funding source for the step increases will be reoccurring, Turnbull said he would not have directed the increases if the money was not there.
"When my financial advisors presented me with the current financial projections and indicated to me … that this government would be able to sustain step increases to government employees and retirees, I decided it was the appropriate time to keep this administration's commitment to implement these increases as soon as it became feasible," he said.
He later stated there is no dedicated funding source to ensure union members will continue to see the step increases for years to come. However, he said, based on his financial advisers' projections, the money will be there if the tax money keeps rolling in.
"I can't bring you the money for 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and on down the line," he said. "But we can sustain these increases, and these people have been suffering for a long time. Our government employees' morale is down. We've got to do something about our government employees."
Turnbull was asked whether he would veto the Senate majority's vote to increase the budget for the Legislature itself by $1.5 million plus another half million for building repairs — allocations tacked on as amendments to the governor's bill Friday. He said he would review the measure and then make a decision. He earlier vetoed a similar measure passed by the Legislature in April, saying the Senate had "sufficient" funds.
PRIVATE PROPERTY TO BE ASSESSED EVERY 5 YEARS
June 18, 2001 – One amendment to the bill allocating salary step increases for government workers that was approved by the Legislature in special session on Friday will have the effect of restricting increases in personal property taxes.
The measure provides for the Tax Assessor's Office to reassess non-commercial property every five years, instead of every other year, as is now the case.
At present, Sen. Almando "Rocky" Liburd said in a release, the assessment of non-commercial property that has not been improved since the last valuation can be increased by up to 10 percent every two years. Under the new measure, the 10 percent cap remains but the increase can occur only once in five years.
Property tax in the Virgin Islands is calculated as 1.25 percent of assessed value, with assessed value defined by statute as 60 percent of actual value. There are homestead and veterans' exemptions for personal property.
Noting that a commission authorized by the Legislature is studying various tax issues, the release said Liburd expects "there will be more action taken on property taxes and other tax issues over this legislative term." He said such measures are needed to assist local property owners in holding on to their land, and that he is committed "to doing everything possible to assist Virgin Islands residents in obtaining and keeping their piece of the rock."
The measure provides for the Tax Assessor's Office to reassess non-commercial property every five years, instead of every other year, as is now the case.
At present, Sen. Almando "Rocky" Liburd said in a release, the assessment of non-commercial property that has not been improved since the last valuation can be increased by up to 10 percent every two years. Under the new measure, the 10 percent cap remains but the increase can occur only once in five years.
Property tax in the Virgin Islands is calculated as 1.25 percent of assessed value, with assessed value defined by statute as 60 percent of actual value. There are homestead and veterans' exemptions for personal property.
Noting that a commission authorized by the Legislature is studying various tax issues, the release said Liburd expects "there will be more action taken on property taxes and other tax issues over this legislative term." He said such measures are needed to assist local property owners in holding on to their land, and that he is committed "to doing everything possible to assist Virgin Islands residents in obtaining and keeping their piece of the rock."
PRIVATE PROPERTY TO BE ASSESSED EVERY 5 YEARS
June 18, 2001 – One amendment to the bill allocating salary step increases for government workers that was approved by the Legislature in special session on Friday will have the effect of restricting increases in personal property taxes.
The measure provides for the Tax Assessor's Office to reassess non-commercial property every five years, instead of every other year, as is now the case.
At present, Sen. Almando "Rocky" Liburd said in a release, the assessment of non-commercial property that has not been improved since the last valuation can be increased by up to 10 percent every two years. Under the new measure, the 10 percent cap remains but the increase can occur only once in five years.
Property tax in the Virgin Islands is calculated as 1.25 percent of assessed value, with assessed value defined by statute as 60 percent of actual value. There are homestead and veterans' exemptions for personal property.
Noting that a commission authorized by the Legislature is studying various tax issues, the release said Liburd expects "there will be more action taken on property taxes and other tax issues over this legislative term." He said such measures are needed to assist local property owners in holding on to their land, and that he is committed "to doing everything possible to assist Virgin Islands residents in obtaining and keeping their piece of the rock."
The measure provides for the Tax Assessor's Office to reassess non-commercial property every five years, instead of every other year, as is now the case.
At present, Sen. Almando "Rocky" Liburd said in a release, the assessment of non-commercial property that has not been improved since the last valuation can be increased by up to 10 percent every two years. Under the new measure, the 10 percent cap remains but the increase can occur only once in five years.
Property tax in the Virgin Islands is calculated as 1.25 percent of assessed value, with assessed value defined by statute as 60 percent of actual value. There are homestead and veterans' exemptions for personal property.
Noting that a commission authorized by the Legislature is studying various tax issues, the release said Liburd expects "there will be more action taken on property taxes and other tax issues over this legislative term." He said such measures are needed to assist local property owners in holding on to their land, and that he is committed "to doing everything possible to assist Virgin Islands residents in obtaining and keeping their piece of the rock."
LT. GOVERNOR LIMITS INSURANCE COMMISSIONS
June 18, 2001 – The government's latest attempt to mitigate skyrocketing insurance costs could end up doing little more than costing local agents significant money, according to one longtime Virgin Islands agent.
Last week Lt. Gov. Gerard Luz James II issued an order providing that property and insurance carriers that file for rate increases must limit the agent's commission to the dollar amount paid on the prior premium.
James also said that "astronomical rates" are leading to many residents opting to do without insurance altogether.
John Harper, spokesman for the V.I. Insurance Association, had nothing to say Monday in response to the order or the press release James circulated about the order. He said he wants to poll individual agents.
One agent, who asked not to be identified by name, criticized James's plan. The lieutenant governor, who is also the insurance commissioner, has failed to take into account how the agents' commissions work, he said.
Most commissions are determined on a percentage basis of the total premium, he said. For example, if an agent worked on a 15 percent commission, he received $150 for a $1,000 policy last year. But this year, if his commission is frozen at the $150 amount, but the policy goes up to $1,500, that means he has dropped to 10 percent.
An agent's own liability insurance is determined by the volume he writes, not the commissions he earns. So if his percentage of commission drops, "then we end up a little bit short," the agent said. And the agency's bad debt increases, too. In other words, the cost of the agent's liability insurance is increasing but his commissions are not.
The agent also criticized James for turning down some rate increase requests. He said Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Puerto Rico pulled out of writing commercial business in the territory this year because its request was denied, contributing to the unavailability crisis. "There are some people not going to get insurance at any price," he warned.
Royal is still writing homeowner's insurance in the territory.
The agent agreed with James about the scope of the problem. Rates have increased as much as 50 percent on some commercial properties. And many customers –"I'd say 25 percent" — are only partially renewing policies, opting out of the more expensive windstorm coverage and leaving themselves vulnerable to hurricanes.
CELLULAR DEAL FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS DONORS
June 18, 2001 – If you care to donate $20 or more to the Special Olympics program in the next month and a half, you can reap some rewards, yourself.
For the second year, Cingular Wireless, a national cellular telephone service provider, is offering incentives to attract new subscribers and raise funds for the sports program. Last year, its customers contributed $8.9 million nationwide to the program, according to a release.
Donations being raised nationwide now will support year-round training and competitions for the athletes and help send the U.S. team to the 2003 Special Olympic Games in Ireland. All funds contributed in the Virgin Islands will support the V.I. Special Olympics program.
Those who sign up for service through the end of July and donate at least $20 to the Special Olympics will be eligible for a free Ericsson A1228 handset, a special $45 rate plan and a gift certificate for five movie rentals at participating Blockbuster Video outlets.
The Special Olympics, founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, is an international year-round program of sports training, competition and friendship for individuals with mental retardation. Over a million athletes in more than 160 countries train and compete in 26 summer and winter sports. For more information, visit the Special Olympics web site.
Timothy Shriver, Special Olympics Inc. president, said the company's support will enable the organization "to reach thousands of athletes who would otherwise never have experienced the joy of the Special Olympics movement."
Cingular, a joint venture of SBC Communications and BellSouth, is the nation's second-largest wireless company, serving more than 20.5 million customers on the mainland and in Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
For the second year, Cingular Wireless, a national cellular telephone service provider, is offering incentives to attract new subscribers and raise funds for the sports program. Last year, its customers contributed $8.9 million nationwide to the program, according to a release.
Donations being raised nationwide now will support year-round training and competitions for the athletes and help send the U.S. team to the 2003 Special Olympic Games in Ireland. All funds contributed in the Virgin Islands will support the V.I. Special Olympics program.
Those who sign up for service through the end of July and donate at least $20 to the Special Olympics will be eligible for a free Ericsson A1228 handset, a special $45 rate plan and a gift certificate for five movie rentals at participating Blockbuster Video outlets.
The Special Olympics, founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, is an international year-round program of sports training, competition and friendship for individuals with mental retardation. Over a million athletes in more than 160 countries train and compete in 26 summer and winter sports. For more information, visit the Special Olympics web site.
Timothy Shriver, Special Olympics Inc. president, said the company's support will enable the organization "to reach thousands of athletes who would otherwise never have experienced the joy of the Special Olympics movement."
Cingular, a joint venture of SBC Communications and BellSouth, is the nation's second-largest wireless company, serving more than 20.5 million customers on the mainland and in Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
LIBRARY TO TAKE ON SATURDAY CHILDREN'S PROGRAM
June 18, 2001 – The Saturday children's reading program at the Enid M. Baa Library is going to change and going to stay the same. And, for youngsters who love reading and being read to, that's good news on both counts.
When the not-for-profit group Friends of the St. Thomas Libraries initiated the weekly story-time and activities program at the start of May, members made the commitment to continue it through June 23 in the hope that library personnel would pick up the ball from there. They supplied volunteer readers, organized and supervised arts and crafts activities and handled publicity.
Their hope has been realized. The Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums within the Planning and Natural Resources Department will assume supervision of the program, which "will continue indefinitely," Friends secretary Carol Lotz said Monday.
Overseeing the program starting June 30 will be Audrey Muriel, the Baa library staff person in the children's room; her boss, Simon Caines, coordinator of public libraries; and his boss, Claudette Lewis, assistant Planning and Natural Resources commissioner.
"We are thrilled that they have seen the importance of the program and the interest of the community," Lotz said, adding that the Friends is asking all current volunteers to continue "your presence and reading to the children."
The transfer of oversight responsibility "will be a subtle change," Lotz said, because Muriel has been there all along to check out books and keep the children's room in order, and Lewis or Caines has come by to open and close the facility each week.
The Friends' new commitment now is to help find readers and to participate as much as possible in the program, but not necessarily every week. It has not committed to continue providing arts and crafts activities and materials. It has passed on to Lewis suggestions for computer software and talking books that could be purchased.
Except for the children's reading program, the library is not open on Saturdays. The program hours now are 9 a.m. to noon. Effective June 30, they will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
When the not-for-profit group Friends of the St. Thomas Libraries initiated the weekly story-time and activities program at the start of May, members made the commitment to continue it through June 23 in the hope that library personnel would pick up the ball from there. They supplied volunteer readers, organized and supervised arts and crafts activities and handled publicity.
Their hope has been realized. The Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums within the Planning and Natural Resources Department will assume supervision of the program, which "will continue indefinitely," Friends secretary Carol Lotz said Monday.
Overseeing the program starting June 30 will be Audrey Muriel, the Baa library staff person in the children's room; her boss, Simon Caines, coordinator of public libraries; and his boss, Claudette Lewis, assistant Planning and Natural Resources commissioner.
"We are thrilled that they have seen the importance of the program and the interest of the community," Lotz said, adding that the Friends is asking all current volunteers to continue "your presence and reading to the children."
The transfer of oversight responsibility "will be a subtle change," Lotz said, because Muriel has been there all along to check out books and keep the children's room in order, and Lewis or Caines has come by to open and close the facility each week.
The Friends' new commitment now is to help find readers and to participate as much as possible in the program, but not necessarily every week. It has not committed to continue providing arts and crafts activities and materials. It has passed on to Lewis suggestions for computer software and talking books that could be purchased.
Except for the children's reading program, the library is not open on Saturdays. The program hours now are 9 a.m. to noon. Effective June 30, they will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
HILLAIRE WOODARD EARNS ARMY RESERVES HONORS
June 17, 2001 – A St. Thomas daughter, Maj. Hillaire Wheatley Woodard, U.S. Army Reserves, graduated with distinguished honors from the Army Transportation School's Transportation Coordinator-Automated Information Management System course at Fort Eustis, Va., on Friday, June 15.
The daughter of Hortencia "Joyce" Wheatley and the late Bernard "Hamlet" Wheatley, she earned a perfect graduating score of 100.
The TC-AIMS II program integrates current information systems of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard into a single automated system capable of meeting multiple and individual service operations.
Woodard also is a distinguished graduate of two previous Army Transportation School courses, having also completed one of them with a perfect 100 score.
Woodard, who received her commission in the Army Reserves in 1988, currently serves as a team leader for the 1179th Deployment Support Transportation Brigade in New York State. She previously served in New York's Army National Guard as a platoon leader, executive officer and commander for the 719th Transportation Company; and as area office manager for the Selective Service System, commander for the 107th Corps Support Group Headquarters Company, and instructor at the Empire State Military Academy.
Woodard attended Charlotte Amalie High School up to 11th grade, then transferred to Washington Irving High in New York City, where she graduated with honors in 1984.
In her civilian career, she is associate director for accreditation and regulatory affairs at New York City Health and Hospital Corp. She holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's in public administration at John Jay College. She is married to Capt. Dwight Everett Woodard and they have a daughter, D'Anne.
Woodard has received recognition throughout her military service — as a recipient of the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserves Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the National Guard Long and Faithful 5-Year Award. She was nominated for the General Douglas MacArthur Award and the Women in Government Award.
The daughter of Hortencia "Joyce" Wheatley and the late Bernard "Hamlet" Wheatley, she earned a perfect graduating score of 100.
The TC-AIMS II program integrates current information systems of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard into a single automated system capable of meeting multiple and individual service operations.
Woodard also is a distinguished graduate of two previous Army Transportation School courses, having also completed one of them with a perfect 100 score.
Woodard, who received her commission in the Army Reserves in 1988, currently serves as a team leader for the 1179th Deployment Support Transportation Brigade in New York State. She previously served in New York's Army National Guard as a platoon leader, executive officer and commander for the 719th Transportation Company; and as area office manager for the Selective Service System, commander for the 107th Corps Support Group Headquarters Company, and instructor at the Empire State Military Academy.
Woodard attended Charlotte Amalie High School up to 11th grade, then transferred to Washington Irving High in New York City, where she graduated with honors in 1984.
In her civilian career, she is associate director for accreditation and regulatory affairs at New York City Health and Hospital Corp. She holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's in public administration at John Jay College. She is married to Capt. Dwight Everett Woodard and they have a daughter, D'Anne.
Woodard has received recognition throughout her military service — as a recipient of the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserves Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the National Guard Long and Faithful 5-Year Award. She was nominated for the General Douglas MacArthur Award and the Women in Government Award.
