Two employees of the V.I. Justice Department’s Paternity and Child Support Division were charged with embezzlement and fraud on Wednesday.
The unidentified employees were apprehended by the department’s Public Corruption Task Force, Attorney General Iver Stridiron said in a release Wednesday afternoon. One case concerns the alleged embezzling of an unspecified amount of child support funds, he said, and the second involves public-assistance fraud.
Justice Criminal Division chief Guy Mitchell would say only that formal charges would be filed against the two employees on Thursday.
"These charges come after an exhaustive audit and investigation of the child support accounts and the individuals who maintained them," Stridiron said. He credited Paternity and Child Support personnel and staff from the Inspector General's Office with assisting in the investigation.
"We are confident that the actions of the accused employees did not cause any child to miss any of the support provided by the parents that love and care for them," he also said.
The Public Corruption Task Force, formed by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull, has the mandate to "expose fraud wherever it exists in the Virgin Islands government, past and current," Stridiron said. The two cases "represent the results of just two of the many audits and investigations recently completed by the task force," he said, and "additional cases will be filed in the near future."
Earlier this year, Stridiron filed 14 counts of fraud, conspiracy and falsification of records against former Gov. Roy Schneider and three members of his staff for allegedly housing Walter Brunner, a non-essential government contractor, in a hotel room at Marriott's Frenchman’s Reef Beach Resort after Hurricane Marilyn in 1995. The bill for the room, which was registered under the name of Jean P. Greaux Jr., Schneider's electronic media specialist, totaled around $36,000.
Charges against all the defendants were dropped after Schneider paid the government approximately $50,000.
CLOSE MOST TOURISM OFFICES, PUSH PUERTO RICO
Dear Source,
As a former senator from St Thomas and longtime businessman there, I feel I need to comment on the subject of the offshore Tourism offices.
I worked with [Commissioner-designate Rafael] Jackson for a year in New York under then-Commerce Commissioner Amadeo Frances setting up the Industrial Development Commission mainland office, and I need to tell you that now the Virgin Islands has one very, very fine tourism expert in Commissioner Jackson. He is the very best. The saddest thing about the mainland and foreign offices is they were never set up properly or funded at all, other than salaries.
The immediate need to save money at this point would, I think, call for closing the five offices overseas. These I do believe are totally useless, unless someone could prove otherwise, and filling one airplane to the islands is not enough. Close them now.
The Puerto Rico office needs funding badly and should be given a boost. For many years, the Puerto Rican market has saved the merchants during the summer months. If hotels, etc., were to offer packages and incentives to that market, it would do wonders. It has been all but forgotten. You would think that we would learn from the past.
The airfare is a problem. Between Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands it's a big ripoff. How about subsidizing day-trippers coming over from San Juan — say a rate of $20 a ticket. You would get thousands of Puerto Ricans in the summer and many tourists in the winter. The merchants and hotels would need to cooperate in the effort. It seems to me that since I left Main Street years ago, the merchants there now want everything handed to them on a silver platter.
As to stateside, I would close all but the Los Angeles, New York and maybe Florida offices — and move the New York one to the suburbs to save on rent. No one goes to the 6th floor of Rockefeller Plaza to get a brochure or set up a V.I. trip anymore.
The Coral Gables office is in the wrong place. The city is 95 percent Hispanic, including rich former dictators and politicians from South America. These folks travel, but mostly to Spain and other Hispanic locales. Move that office over to Miami Beach, where millions of tourists and local people traffic all over, or close it.
I also feel the need to comment on the trips and money wasted by former governors and commissioners on trips to Hong Kong, Tawain, Japan and wherever else their expensive joyrides took them. We are still waiting to see the investment and tourism business that was to result.
As to your headline question: Are the mainland Tourism offices productive or pork barrels? Today, they are mostly pork barrels..
David A. Puritz
Florida
As a former senator from St Thomas and longtime businessman there, I feel I need to comment on the subject of the offshore Tourism offices.
I worked with [Commissioner-designate Rafael] Jackson for a year in New York under then-Commerce Commissioner Amadeo Frances setting up the Industrial Development Commission mainland office, and I need to tell you that now the Virgin Islands has one very, very fine tourism expert in Commissioner Jackson. He is the very best. The saddest thing about the mainland and foreign offices is they were never set up properly or funded at all, other than salaries.
The immediate need to save money at this point would, I think, call for closing the five offices overseas. These I do believe are totally useless, unless someone could prove otherwise, and filling one airplane to the islands is not enough. Close them now.
The Puerto Rico office needs funding badly and should be given a boost. For many years, the Puerto Rican market has saved the merchants during the summer months. If hotels, etc., were to offer packages and incentives to that market, it would do wonders. It has been all but forgotten. You would think that we would learn from the past.
The airfare is a problem. Between Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands it's a big ripoff. How about subsidizing day-trippers coming over from San Juan — say a rate of $20 a ticket. You would get thousands of Puerto Ricans in the summer and many tourists in the winter. The merchants and hotels would need to cooperate in the effort. It seems to me that since I left Main Street years ago, the merchants there now want everything handed to them on a silver platter.
As to stateside, I would close all but the Los Angeles, New York and maybe Florida offices — and move the New York one to the suburbs to save on rent. No one goes to the 6th floor of Rockefeller Plaza to get a brochure or set up a V.I. trip anymore.
The Coral Gables office is in the wrong place. The city is 95 percent Hispanic, including rich former dictators and politicians from South America. These folks travel, but mostly to Spain and other Hispanic locales. Move that office over to Miami Beach, where millions of tourists and local people traffic all over, or close it.
I also feel the need to comment on the trips and money wasted by former governors and commissioners on trips to Hong Kong, Tawain, Japan and wherever else their expensive joyrides took them. We are still waiting to see the investment and tourism business that was to result.
As to your headline question: Are the mainland Tourism offices productive or pork barrels? Today, they are mostly pork barrels..
David A. Puritz
Florida
BRUNCH FETES SENIOR QUEEN, WOULD-BE SUCCESSORS
The 2000 Ms. V.I. Senior America will be crowned in a pageant starting at 4 p.m. Sunday, July 2, at the Reichhold Center for the Arts.
Reigning queen Ida White will hand her headdress to one of the five competitors: Toya Andrew, Ida Blyden, Margaret Hodge and Rita King of St. Thomas, and Jane Johannes of St. John. The winner will represent the territory in October at the national Senior America pageant in Reno, Nev.
The Renaissance Grand Beach Resort treated White and her would-be successors to a pre- pageant brunch on June 4 at Smugglers restaurant. "We wanted to honor our seniors and give Ida an opportunity to pass on little tidbits to help the ladies," sales manager Nancy Schneider said. She said the get-together helped build excitement about the pageant for the Ms. V.I. Senior America Cameo Club, which conducts the event.
The Reichhold pageant will feature music by Milo's Kings. Tickets are $25 general admission and $15 for students. They are available at the Reichhold box office; call 693-1559 for other outlets.
Reigning queen Ida White will hand her headdress to one of the five competitors: Toya Andrew, Ida Blyden, Margaret Hodge and Rita King of St. Thomas, and Jane Johannes of St. John. The winner will represent the territory in October at the national Senior America pageant in Reno, Nev.
The Renaissance Grand Beach Resort treated White and her would-be successors to a pre- pageant brunch on June 4 at Smugglers restaurant. "We wanted to honor our seniors and give Ida an opportunity to pass on little tidbits to help the ladies," sales manager Nancy Schneider said. She said the get-together helped build excitement about the pageant for the Ms. V.I. Senior America Cameo Club, which conducts the event.
The Reichhold pageant will feature music by Milo's Kings. Tickets are $25 general admission and $15 for students. They are available at the Reichhold box office; call 693-1559 for other outlets.
FOUR GOOD NOT-TOO-OLD GUYS TO VIE FOR CROWN
The Ms. Senior America ladies will be giving a bow to the gents in the first Mr. Senior Virgin Islands Personality Pageant, set for Sunday at the Renaissance Grand Beach Resort ballroom.
The idea of a men's competition was the brainstorm of Ida White, who is about to complete her reign as Ms. V.I. Senior queen. Forced to come up with some money-making notions for this year's pageant on July 2 to select her successor, White hit upon the idea of gathering some of the territory's talented mature males and putting them to the test.
While the minimum age for the women's pageant is 60, she said, she lowered it to 52 for the men because "they tend to be shyer, and the younger ones are more assertive."
However, assertion knows no season, it seems. The oldest competitor clocks in at 72.
Four men will vie for the crown: Lawrence Benjamin Sr. and Sonny Davis of St. Thomas, Andrew Rutnik of St. John, and Patrick Williams of St. Croix.
Larry Benjamin in a long musical, military and government career has worn way too many hats to list them all. For many years he conducted the Virgin Islands' 666th Army National Guard Band. At various times, he has been the managing director of the Reichhold Center for the Arts, hosted the locally produced "AMVI" and "PMVI" shows on the old Channel 10, directed the Caribbean Chorale and captained ferry boats.
Sonny Davis is a familiar face to many as a singer/entertainer and as the Tourism Department's semi-official ambassador as he boards ships liners to greet tourists and captains alike. He has performed with several mainland groups, including the Drifters, who sometimes introduced him as the "Black Sinatra."
Andrew Rutnik, the current Licensing and Consumer Affairs commissioner, owns Guavaberry Farms, a landscape business on St. John. He previously served on the Public Services Commission. Other than modeling in fashion shows to raise funds for worthy causes, he is yet to make his mark in show biz, but the word is he's eyeing a career as a calypsonian. His St. Croix secretary, Mildred Nieves, calls him a "super cool guy."
Patrick Williams, although a Crucian, is well known on St. Thomas, where he has served in the Legislature and held several high-ranking government positions. Williams also is listed in the "International Who's Who of Intellectuals," which should be of help in at least some of the tests White has in store for the contestants.
She said she is planning to put the foursome through their paces in four different areas: They will be asked to give some fatherly advice, since the pageant is taking place on Father's Day. They will get to tell what they would say to tourists, if they were the territory's Tourism commissioner. They will have an opportunity to make their moves in a fashion strut. And then, there's the really creative segment – a Liars' Corner competition, where humor and creativity will win out.
Alas, White said, there are no larger-than-life prizes for the winner and runners-up. But maybe something smaller and more meaningful will materialize. She said she is still scurrying around putting the last-minute details together.
Judging the contest will be Dr. Audria Thomas, an allergist on the Roy L. Schneider Hospital staff; Kevin Rodriquez, assistant director of the government's Personnel Department; and David Yamada, the new general manager of the Renaissance Grand Beach Resort.
The men's and women's pageants are both being produced by the Ms. Senior V.I. America Cameo Club, part of a network of such clubs nationally.
The Mr. Personality show, which begins at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, will feature music by P'your Passion. Tickets are $15 general admission and $5 for students with I.D. They're being sold on St. Thomas at Daniel's Variety Store (Main Street), If the Shoe Fits (Lockhart Mall) and VI Bridal (Tutu Park Mall), and on St. John at the St. John Drugstore.
The idea of a men's competition was the brainstorm of Ida White, who is about to complete her reign as Ms. V.I. Senior queen. Forced to come up with some money-making notions for this year's pageant on July 2 to select her successor, White hit upon the idea of gathering some of the territory's talented mature males and putting them to the test.
While the minimum age for the women's pageant is 60, she said, she lowered it to 52 for the men because "they tend to be shyer, and the younger ones are more assertive."
However, assertion knows no season, it seems. The oldest competitor clocks in at 72.
Four men will vie for the crown: Lawrence Benjamin Sr. and Sonny Davis of St. Thomas, Andrew Rutnik of St. John, and Patrick Williams of St. Croix.
Larry Benjamin in a long musical, military and government career has worn way too many hats to list them all. For many years he conducted the Virgin Islands' 666th Army National Guard Band. At various times, he has been the managing director of the Reichhold Center for the Arts, hosted the locally produced "AMVI" and "PMVI" shows on the old Channel 10, directed the Caribbean Chorale and captained ferry boats.
Sonny Davis is a familiar face to many as a singer/entertainer and as the Tourism Department's semi-official ambassador as he boards ships liners to greet tourists and captains alike. He has performed with several mainland groups, including the Drifters, who sometimes introduced him as the "Black Sinatra."
Andrew Rutnik, the current Licensing and Consumer Affairs commissioner, owns Guavaberry Farms, a landscape business on St. John. He previously served on the Public Services Commission. Other than modeling in fashion shows to raise funds for worthy causes, he is yet to make his mark in show biz, but the word is he's eyeing a career as a calypsonian. His St. Croix secretary, Mildred Nieves, calls him a "super cool guy."
Patrick Williams, although a Crucian, is well known on St. Thomas, where he has served in the Legislature and held several high-ranking government positions. Williams also is listed in the "International Who's Who of Intellectuals," which should be of help in at least some of the tests White has in store for the contestants.
She said she is planning to put the foursome through their paces in four different areas: They will be asked to give some fatherly advice, since the pageant is taking place on Father's Day. They will get to tell what they would say to tourists, if they were the territory's Tourism commissioner. They will have an opportunity to make their moves in a fashion strut. And then, there's the really creative segment – a Liars' Corner competition, where humor and creativity will win out.
Alas, White said, there are no larger-than-life prizes for the winner and runners-up. But maybe something smaller and more meaningful will materialize. She said she is still scurrying around putting the last-minute details together.
Judging the contest will be Dr. Audria Thomas, an allergist on the Roy L. Schneider Hospital staff; Kevin Rodriquez, assistant director of the government's Personnel Department; and David Yamada, the new general manager of the Renaissance Grand Beach Resort.
The men's and women's pageants are both being produced by the Ms. Senior V.I. America Cameo Club, part of a network of such clubs nationally.
The Mr. Personality show, which begins at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, will feature music by P'your Passion. Tickets are $15 general admission and $5 for students with I.D. They're being sold on St. Thomas at Daniel's Variety Store (Main Street), If the Shoe Fits (Lockhart Mall) and VI Bridal (Tutu Park Mall), and on St. John at the St. John Drugstore.
FOUR GOOD NOT-TOO-OLD GUYS TO VIE FOR CROWN
The Ms. Senior America ladies will be giving a bow to the gents in the first Mr. Senior Virgin Islands Personality Pageant, set for Sunday at the Renaissance Grand Beach Resort ballroom.
The idea of a men's competition was the brainstorm of Ida White, who is about to complete her reign as Ms. V.I. Senior queen. Forced to come up with some money-making notions for this year's pageant on July 2 to select her successor, White hit upon the idea of gathering some of the territory's talented mature males and putting them to the test.
While the minimum age for the women's pageant is 60, she said, she lowered it to 52 for the men because "they tend to be shyer, and the younger ones are more assertive."
However, assertion knows no season, it seems. The oldest competitor clocks in at 72.
Four men will vie for the crown: Lawrence Benjamin Sr. and Sonny Davis of St. Thomas, Andrew Rutnik of St. John, and Patrick Williams of St. Croix.
Larry Benjamin in a long musical, military and government career has worn way too many hats to list them all. For many years he conducted the Virgin Islands' 666th Army National Guard Band. At various times, he has been the managing director of the Reichhold Center for the Arts, hosted the locally produced "AMVI" and "PMVI" shows on the old Channel 10, directed the Caribbean Chorale and captained ferry boats.
Sonny Davis is a familiar face to many as a singer/entertainer and as the Tourism Department's semi-official ambassador as he boards ships liners to greet tourists and captains alike. He has performed with several mainland groups, including the Drifters, who sometimes introduced him as the "Black Sinatra."
Andrew Rutnik, the current Licensing and Consumer Affairs commissioner, owns Guavaberry Farms, a landscape business on St. John. He previously served on the Public Services Commission. Other than modeling in fashion shows to raise funds for worthy causes, he is yet to make his mark in show biz, but the word is he's eyeing a career as a calypsonian. His St. Croix secretary, Mildred Nieves, calls him a "super cool guy."
Patrick Williams, although a Crucian, is well known on St. Thomas, where he has served in the Legislature and held several high-ranking government positions. Williams also is listed in the "International Who's Who of Intellectuals," which should be of help in at least some of the tests White has in store for the contestants.
She said she is planning to put the foursome through their paces in four different areas: They will be asked to give some fatherly advice, since the pageant is taking place on Father's Day. They will get to tell what they would say to tourists, if they were the territory's Tourism commissioner. They will have an opportunity to make their moves in a fashion strut. And then, there's the really creative segment – a Liars' Corner competition, where humor and creativity will win out.
Alas, White said, there are no larger-than-life prizes for the winner and runners-up. But maybe something smaller and more meaningful will materialize. She said she is still scurrying around putting the last-minute details together.
Judging the contest will be Dr. Audria Thomas, an allergist on the Roy L. Schneider Hospital staff; Kevin Rodriquez, assistant director of the government's Personnel Department; and David Yamada, the new general manager of the Renaissance Grand Beach Resort.
The men's and women's pageants are both being produced by the Ms. Senior V.I. America Cameo Club, part of a network of such clubs nationally.
The Mr. Personality show, which begins at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, will feature music by P'your Passion. Tickets are $15 general admission and $5 for students with I.D. They're being sold on St. Thomas at Daniel's Variety Store (Main Street), If the Shoe Fits (Lockhart Mall) and VI Bridal (Tutu Park Mall), and on St. John at the St. John Drugstore.
The idea of a men's competition was the brainstorm of Ida White, who is about to complete her reign as Ms. V.I. Senior queen. Forced to come up with some money-making notions for this year's pageant on July 2 to select her successor, White hit upon the idea of gathering some of the territory's talented mature males and putting them to the test.
While the minimum age for the women's pageant is 60, she said, she lowered it to 52 for the men because "they tend to be shyer, and the younger ones are more assertive."
However, assertion knows no season, it seems. The oldest competitor clocks in at 72.
Four men will vie for the crown: Lawrence Benjamin Sr. and Sonny Davis of St. Thomas, Andrew Rutnik of St. John, and Patrick Williams of St. Croix.
Larry Benjamin in a long musical, military and government career has worn way too many hats to list them all. For many years he conducted the Virgin Islands' 666th Army National Guard Band. At various times, he has been the managing director of the Reichhold Center for the Arts, hosted the locally produced "AMVI" and "PMVI" shows on the old Channel 10, directed the Caribbean Chorale and captained ferry boats.
Sonny Davis is a familiar face to many as a singer/entertainer and as the Tourism Department's semi-official ambassador as he boards ships liners to greet tourists and captains alike. He has performed with several mainland groups, including the Drifters, who sometimes introduced him as the "Black Sinatra."
Andrew Rutnik, the current Licensing and Consumer Affairs commissioner, owns Guavaberry Farms, a landscape business on St. John. He previously served on the Public Services Commission. Other than modeling in fashion shows to raise funds for worthy causes, he is yet to make his mark in show biz, but the word is he's eyeing a career as a calypsonian. His St. Croix secretary, Mildred Nieves, calls him a "super cool guy."
Patrick Williams, although a Crucian, is well known on St. Thomas, where he has served in the Legislature and held several high-ranking government positions. Williams also is listed in the "International Who's Who of Intellectuals," which should be of help in at least some of the tests White has in store for the contestants.
She said she is planning to put the foursome through their paces in four different areas: They will be asked to give some fatherly advice, since the pageant is taking place on Father's Day. They will get to tell what they would say to tourists, if they were the territory's Tourism commissioner. They will have an opportunity to make their moves in a fashion strut. And then, there's the really creative segment – a Liars' Corner competition, where humor and creativity will win out.
Alas, White said, there are no larger-than-life prizes for the winner and runners-up. But maybe something smaller and more meaningful will materialize. She said she is still scurrying around putting the last-minute details together.
Judging the contest will be Dr. Audria Thomas, an allergist on the Roy L. Schneider Hospital staff; Kevin Rodriquez, assistant director of the government's Personnel Department; and David Yamada, the new general manager of the Renaissance Grand Beach Resort.
The men's and women's pageants are both being produced by the Ms. Senior V.I. America Cameo Club, part of a network of such clubs nationally.
The Mr. Personality show, which begins at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, will feature music by P'your Passion. Tickets are $15 general admission and $5 for students with I.D. They're being sold on St. Thomas at Daniel's Variety Store (Main Street), If the Shoe Fits (Lockhart Mall) and VI Bridal (Tutu Park Mall), and on St. John at the St. John Drugstore.
4 GOOD NOT-TOO-OLD GUYS TO VIE FOR CROWN
The Ms. Senior America ladies will be giving a bow to the gents in the first Mr. Senior Virgin Islands Personality Pageant, set for Sunday at the Renaissance Grand Beach Resort ballroom.
The idea of a men's competition was the brainstorm of Ida White, who is about to complete her reign as Ms. V.I. Senior queen. Forced to come up with some money-making notions for this year's pageant on July 2 to select her successor, White hit upon the idea of gathering some of the territory's talented mature males and putting them to the test.
While the minimum age for the women's pageant is 60, she said, she lowered it to 52 for the men because "they tend to be shyer, and the younger ones are more assertive."
However, assertion knows no season, it seems. The oldest competitor clocks in at 72.
Four men will vie for the crown: Lawrence Benjamin Sr. and Sonny Davis of St. Thomas, Andrew Rutnik of St. John, and Patrick Williams of St. Croix.
Larry Benjamin in a long musical, military and government career has worn way too many hats to list them all. For many years he conducted the Virgin Islands' 666th Army National Guard Band. At various times, he has been the managing director of the Reichhold Center for the Arts, hosted the locally produced "AMVI" and "PMVI" shows on the old Channel 10, directed the Caribbean Chorale and captained ferry boats.
Sonny Davis is a familiar face to many as a singer/entertainer and as the Tourism Department's semi-official ambassador as he boards ships liners to greet tourists and captains alike. He has performed with several mainland groups, including the Drifters, who sometimes introduced him as the "Black Sinatra."
Andrew Rutnik, the current Licensing and Consumer Affairs commissioner, owns Guavaberry Farms, a landscape business on St. John. He previously served on the Public Services Commission. Other than modeling in fashion shows to raise funds for worthy causes, he is yet to make his mark in show biz, but the word is he's eyeing a career as a calypsonian. His St. Croix secretary, Mildred Nieves, calls him a "super cool guy."
Patrick Williams, although a Crucian, is well known on St. Thomas, where he has served in the Legislature and held several high-ranking government positions. Williams also is listed in the "International Who's Who of Intellectuals," which should be of help in at least some of the tests White has in store for the contestants.
She said she is planning to put the foursome through their paces in four different areas: They will be asked to give some fatherly advice, since the pageant is taking place on Father's Day. They will get to tell what they would say to tourists, if they were the territory's Tourism commissioner. They will have an opportunity to make their moves in a fashion strut. And then, there's the really creative segment – a Liars' Corner competition, where humor and creativity will win out.
Alas, White said, there are no larger-than-life prizes for the winner and runners-up. But maybe something smaller and more meaningful will materialize. She said she is still scurrying around putting the last-minute details together.
Judging the contest will be Dr. Audria Thomas, an allergist on the Roy L. Schneider Hospital staff; Kevin Rodriquez, assistant director of the government's Personnel Department; and David Yamada, the new general manager of the Renaissance Grand Beach Resort.
The men's and women's pageants are both being produced by the Ms. Senior V.I. America Cameo Club, part of a network of such clubs nationally.
The Mr. Personality show, which begins at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, will feature music by P'your Passion. Tickets are $15 general admission and $5 for students with I.D. They're being sold on St. Thomas at Daniel's Variety Store (Main Street), If the Shoe Fits (Lockhart Mall) and VI Bridal (Tutu Park Mall), and on St. John at the St. John Drugstore.
The idea of a men's competition was the brainstorm of Ida White, who is about to complete her reign as Ms. V.I. Senior queen. Forced to come up with some money-making notions for this year's pageant on July 2 to select her successor, White hit upon the idea of gathering some of the territory's talented mature males and putting them to the test.
While the minimum age for the women's pageant is 60, she said, she lowered it to 52 for the men because "they tend to be shyer, and the younger ones are more assertive."
However, assertion knows no season, it seems. The oldest competitor clocks in at 72.
Four men will vie for the crown: Lawrence Benjamin Sr. and Sonny Davis of St. Thomas, Andrew Rutnik of St. John, and Patrick Williams of St. Croix.
Larry Benjamin in a long musical, military and government career has worn way too many hats to list them all. For many years he conducted the Virgin Islands' 666th Army National Guard Band. At various times, he has been the managing director of the Reichhold Center for the Arts, hosted the locally produced "AMVI" and "PMVI" shows on the old Channel 10, directed the Caribbean Chorale and captained ferry boats.
Sonny Davis is a familiar face to many as a singer/entertainer and as the Tourism Department's semi-official ambassador as he boards ships liners to greet tourists and captains alike. He has performed with several mainland groups, including the Drifters, who sometimes introduced him as the "Black Sinatra."
Andrew Rutnik, the current Licensing and Consumer Affairs commissioner, owns Guavaberry Farms, a landscape business on St. John. He previously served on the Public Services Commission. Other than modeling in fashion shows to raise funds for worthy causes, he is yet to make his mark in show biz, but the word is he's eyeing a career as a calypsonian. His St. Croix secretary, Mildred Nieves, calls him a "super cool guy."
Patrick Williams, although a Crucian, is well known on St. Thomas, where he has served in the Legislature and held several high-ranking government positions. Williams also is listed in the "International Who's Who of Intellectuals," which should be of help in at least some of the tests White has in store for the contestants.
She said she is planning to put the foursome through their paces in four different areas: They will be asked to give some fatherly advice, since the pageant is taking place on Father's Day. They will get to tell what they would say to tourists, if they were the territory's Tourism commissioner. They will have an opportunity to make their moves in a fashion strut. And then, there's the really creative segment – a Liars' Corner competition, where humor and creativity will win out.
Alas, White said, there are no larger-than-life prizes for the winner and runners-up. But maybe something smaller and more meaningful will materialize. She said she is still scurrying around putting the last-minute details together.
Judging the contest will be Dr. Audria Thomas, an allergist on the Roy L. Schneider Hospital staff; Kevin Rodriquez, assistant director of the government's Personnel Department; and David Yamada, the new general manager of the Renaissance Grand Beach Resort.
The men's and women's pageants are both being produced by the Ms. Senior V.I. America Cameo Club, part of a network of such clubs nationally.
The Mr. Personality show, which begins at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, will feature music by P'your Passion. Tickets are $15 general admission and $5 for students with I.D. They're being sold on St. Thomas at Daniel's Variety Store (Main Street), If the Shoe Fits (Lockhart Mall) and VI Bridal (Tutu Park Mall), and on St. John at the St. John Drugstore.
JUBILATION! HOSTING FUND-RAISER TELETHON
This Friday evening and all day Saturday and Sunday, the Jubilation! Christian Channel on St. Thomas-St. John Cable TV will be carrying a live "Faith in Action 2000" telethon.
The special programing — featuring local gospel music, pastors and special guests and presentations — is aimed at raising $125,000 for Jubilation!/Channel 56, which is locally owned and operated by Gloria and James Gumbs. According to a release, the money is needed to upgrade the production facilities, control room and editing equipment; to renovate the Jubilation! studio and to defray the costs of cable channel lease fees and of producing local programs.
Channel 56, operating out of a studio in Contant, is on the air 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It carries Christian programing for all ages, including talk shows, health and fitness programs, worship, drama, movies, documentaries, news, concerts, sports, youth programs, adult singles and marriage-oriented programs, and educational features on such subjects as evolution, homosexuality and abortion.
Michal Rhymer and Henry Pascal will host the telethon, which kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday. The Gumbses will be behind the scenes producing the event.
Rhymer has a master's degree in counseling from Oral Roberts University and serves as executive director of Family Resource Center. She is a vocalist and evangelist with Zion Assembly Church. Pascal has been an announcer, talk-show host and news anchor for WGOD Radio for four years and previously spent 19 years with Voice of Life Radio in Dominica. He is the founder of the Dominica Evangelistic Association and a minister at Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church.
Telethon special guests will include Harrella Goodwin, Alfred Gumbs, Neomie Toussaint-Williams, Ulric Ferrari, Laverne Woodley and Rashid Walker.
Goodwin, a household name in gospel music, received the Caribbean Lifetime Award, the highest award given to gospel artists in the region, last year for more than 20 years of service in singing. Her latest CD is "It's Not Over."
Alfred Gumbs, a producer, artist, writer and publisher with over 35 years of experience in the music industry, owns the AWG Music recording studio — and the AWG Music record label that specializes in reggae and distributes music around the world. He recently released his own fourth CD, "Praise Him."
Toussaint-Williams is a music teacher, conductor, songwriter, composer and recording artist. She has served for over ten years as the minister of music at St. Thomas Assembly of God Church. Her most recent CD is "The Key."
Ferrari, a veteran songwriter and radio personality with WGOD, also has charmed many in the community with his basketball maneuvers which minister to young people.
Woodley, a University of the Virgin Islands nursing student, appeared in the Redeemed Brothers concert in May.
Walker, a talented 20-year-old, is a worship singer at St. Thomas Assembly of God Church and provided one of the opening ministries for Renaissance Productions' recent local performance of the drama "Heaven." He is pursing a career in youth ministry, evangelism and music.
Further information about the telethon may be obtained by calling 776-7635, faxing to 776-4515 or e-mailing to jcctv@viaccess.net.
The special programing — featuring local gospel music, pastors and special guests and presentations — is aimed at raising $125,000 for Jubilation!/Channel 56, which is locally owned and operated by Gloria and James Gumbs. According to a release, the money is needed to upgrade the production facilities, control room and editing equipment; to renovate the Jubilation! studio and to defray the costs of cable channel lease fees and of producing local programs.
Channel 56, operating out of a studio in Contant, is on the air 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It carries Christian programing for all ages, including talk shows, health and fitness programs, worship, drama, movies, documentaries, news, concerts, sports, youth programs, adult singles and marriage-oriented programs, and educational features on such subjects as evolution, homosexuality and abortion.
Michal Rhymer and Henry Pascal will host the telethon, which kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday. The Gumbses will be behind the scenes producing the event.
Rhymer has a master's degree in counseling from Oral Roberts University and serves as executive director of Family Resource Center. She is a vocalist and evangelist with Zion Assembly Church. Pascal has been an announcer, talk-show host and news anchor for WGOD Radio for four years and previously spent 19 years with Voice of Life Radio in Dominica. He is the founder of the Dominica Evangelistic Association and a minister at Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church.
Telethon special guests will include Harrella Goodwin, Alfred Gumbs, Neomie Toussaint-Williams, Ulric Ferrari, Laverne Woodley and Rashid Walker.
Goodwin, a household name in gospel music, received the Caribbean Lifetime Award, the highest award given to gospel artists in the region, last year for more than 20 years of service in singing. Her latest CD is "It's Not Over."
Alfred Gumbs, a producer, artist, writer and publisher with over 35 years of experience in the music industry, owns the AWG Music recording studio — and the AWG Music record label that specializes in reggae and distributes music around the world. He recently released his own fourth CD, "Praise Him."
Toussaint-Williams is a music teacher, conductor, songwriter, composer and recording artist. She has served for over ten years as the minister of music at St. Thomas Assembly of God Church. Her most recent CD is "The Key."
Ferrari, a veteran songwriter and radio personality with WGOD, also has charmed many in the community with his basketball maneuvers which minister to young people.
Woodley, a University of the Virgin Islands nursing student, appeared in the Redeemed Brothers concert in May.
Walker, a talented 20-year-old, is a worship singer at St. Thomas Assembly of God Church and provided one of the opening ministries for Renaissance Productions' recent local performance of the drama "Heaven." He is pursing a career in youth ministry, evangelism and music.
Further information about the telethon may be obtained by calling 776-7635, faxing to 776-4515 or e-mailing to jcctv@viaccess.net.
LABOR AND VETERANS AFFAIRS MEETING POSTPONED
The Labor and Veterans’ Affairs Committee meeting scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at the Senate Chambers on St. Thomas has been postponed.
According to a release from the office of Sen. Roosevelt David, chair of the committee, the meeting was delayed at the request of Sen. Norman Jn Baptiste. Jn Baptiste is the sponsor of a bill to establish a United States Virgin Islands Military Museum and Veteran's Memorial Complex. Jn Baptiste's postponement request was to give him more time to review additional input he has received on the bill from the National Guard and the Veteran's Administration. It was the only bill on Thursday's agenda.
However, discussion and testimony to consider the privatization of the V.I. Division of Workers' Compensation was also on the agenda.
According to Winston Nugent, spokesman for Jn Baptiste, "The senator is asking for the delay to enhance the bill." Since the legislation has been proposed in support of veterans Jn Baptiste wanted time to consider all of the suggestions he has received from the groups, Nugent said.
The release did not explain why the remainder of the agenda on the privatization of the Workers' Comp program was also postponed. No one could be reached at David's office Wednesday morning.
The meeting will be rescheduled, according to a release from Sen. Roosevelt David, chair of the Labor and Veterans' Affairs committee.
According to a release from the office of Sen. Roosevelt David, chair of the committee, the meeting was delayed at the request of Sen. Norman Jn Baptiste. Jn Baptiste is the sponsor of a bill to establish a United States Virgin Islands Military Museum and Veteran's Memorial Complex. Jn Baptiste's postponement request was to give him more time to review additional input he has received on the bill from the National Guard and the Veteran's Administration. It was the only bill on Thursday's agenda.
However, discussion and testimony to consider the privatization of the V.I. Division of Workers' Compensation was also on the agenda.
According to Winston Nugent, spokesman for Jn Baptiste, "The senator is asking for the delay to enhance the bill." Since the legislation has been proposed in support of veterans Jn Baptiste wanted time to consider all of the suggestions he has received from the groups, Nugent said.
The release did not explain why the remainder of the agenda on the privatization of the Workers' Comp program was also postponed. No one could be reached at David's office Wednesday morning.
The meeting will be rescheduled, according to a release from Sen. Roosevelt David, chair of the Labor and Veterans' Affairs committee.
LABOR AND VETERANS AFFAIRS MEETING POSTPONED
According to a release from the office of Sen. Roosevelt David, chair of the committee, the meeting was delayed at the request of Sen. Norman Jn Baptiste. Jn Baptiste is the sponsor of a bill to establish a United States Virgin Islands Military Museum and Veteran's Memorial Complex. Jn Baptiste's postponement request was to give him more time to review additional input he has received on the bill from the National Guard and the Veteran's Administration. It was the only bill on Thursday's agenda.
However, discussion and testimony to consider the privatization of the V.I. Division of Workers' Compensation was also on the agenda.
According to Winston Nugent, spokesman for Jn Baptiste, "The senator is asking for the delay to enhance the bill." Since the legislation has been proposed in support of veterans Jn Baptiste wanted time to consider all of the suggestions he has received from the groups, Nugent said.
The release did not explain why the remainder of the agenda on the privatization of the Workers' Comp program was also postponed. No one could be reached at David's office Wednesday morning.
The meeting will be rescheduled, according to a release from Sen. Roosevelt David, chair of the Labor and Veterans' Affairs committee.
However, discussion and testimony to consider the privatization of the V.I. Division of Workers' Compensation was also on the agenda.
According to Winston Nugent, spokesman for Jn Baptiste, "The senator is asking for the delay to enhance the bill." Since the legislation has been proposed in support of veterans Jn Baptiste wanted time to consider all of the suggestions he has received from the groups, Nugent said.
The release did not explain why the remainder of the agenda on the privatization of the Workers' Comp program was also postponed. No one could be reached at David's office Wednesday morning.
The meeting will be rescheduled, according to a release from Sen. Roosevelt David, chair of the Labor and Veterans' Affairs committee.
LABOR AND VETERANS AFFAIRS MEETING POSTPONED
The Labor and Veterans’ Affairs Committee meeting scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at the Senate Chambers on St. Thomas has been postponed.
According to a release from the office of Sen. Roosevelt David, chair of the committee, the meeting was delayed at the request of Sen. Norman Jn Baptiste. Jn Baptiste is the sponsor of a bill to establish a United States Virgin Islands Military Museum and Veteran's Memorial Complex. Jn Baptiste's postponement request was to give him more time to review additional input he has received on the bill from the National Guard and the Veteran's Administration. It was the only bill on Thursday's agenda.
However, discussion and testimony to consider the privatization of the V.I. Division of Workers' Compensation was also on the agenda.
According to Winston Nugent, spokesman for Jn Baptiste, "The senator is asking for the delay to enhance the bill." Since the legislation has been proposed in support of veterans Jn Baptiste wanted time to consider all of the suggestions he has received from the groups, Nugent said.
The release did not explain why the remainder of the agenda on the privatization of the Workers' Comp program was also postponed. No one could be reached at David's office Wednesday morning.
The meeting will be rescheduled, according to a release from Sen. Roosevelt David, chair of the Labor and Veterans' Affairs committee.
According to a release from the office of Sen. Roosevelt David, chair of the committee, the meeting was delayed at the request of Sen. Norman Jn Baptiste. Jn Baptiste is the sponsor of a bill to establish a United States Virgin Islands Military Museum and Veteran's Memorial Complex. Jn Baptiste's postponement request was to give him more time to review additional input he has received on the bill from the National Guard and the Veteran's Administration. It was the only bill on Thursday's agenda.
However, discussion and testimony to consider the privatization of the V.I. Division of Workers' Compensation was also on the agenda.
According to Winston Nugent, spokesman for Jn Baptiste, "The senator is asking for the delay to enhance the bill." Since the legislation has been proposed in support of veterans Jn Baptiste wanted time to consider all of the suggestions he has received from the groups, Nugent said.
The release did not explain why the remainder of the agenda on the privatization of the Workers' Comp program was also postponed. No one could be reached at David's office Wednesday morning.
The meeting will be rescheduled, according to a release from Sen. Roosevelt David, chair of the Labor and Veterans' Affairs committee.
