The Executive Committee of the Crucian X-Mas Festival will be meeting on Thursday May 25 at 6 p.m. at Gertrude’s Restuarant to adopt the calendar of events for 2000-2001.
All members of the executive committee are encouraged to attend this important meeting. Committee assignments will be finalized also.
MEET THE CRUCIAN CONNECTION TO TEXAS LAW
They may call him "C.G." up in Texas and he may wear a white, 10-gallon Stetson on his head and cowboy boots on his feet, but Celvin G. Walwyn’s heart will always be on St. Croix.
In the meantime, though, the Crucian-kid-turned-Texas-lawman has his focus set on one thing: becoming sheriff of Wharton County, Texas, population 45,000. And like most things Texan, Wharton County is big. St. Croix’s 85 square miles (albeit with about with a slightly larger population) could be dropped into Wharton 10 times with a bit of room to spare.
With an accent somewhere between Crucian kallaloo and Texas chili and punctuated by hearty guffaws, Walwyn says that in the 20 years since he left St. Croix for Texas, he’s taken to the Lone Star State and its people –- and vice versa. So much so that he married a Wharton native, Antoinette Dickerson-Walwyn.
He says the idea of a West Indian "outsider" running for sheriff in a predominantly Caucasian county 45 miles southwest of Houston doesn’t matter.
"They don’t see me as an outsider," the 42-year-old Walwyn says. "I crossed that barrier a long time ago. I have white supporters, Mexican and black. It’s not about race, it’s about qualifications."
The stereotypical Texas, he says, "is changing, slowly changing."
Walwyn’s rise, however, has been anything but slow. Born to Kittitian parents, young C.G. grew up on St. Croix. He credits several people on the Big Island –- Pastor Spencer Walwyn, Vivian Bennerson, Claudette Petersen and Joe Perez, to name a few –- and the V.I. Police Department Citizens' Police Academy and pre-cadet program for laying a strong foundation on which he has built his law-enforcement career.
In need of a "change" in 1980, Walwyn, then 22, says he took what he learned on St. Croix and headed to "the Big H" — Houston — where "one thing has led to another." He started out working as a claims investigator for an international insurance company, then moved on to become a police officer. His first cop job was in Kendleton, a tiny village about 40 miles (and that's a drop in the bucket in Texas) southwest of Houston. He also served a stint there as the interim police chief.
Walwyn then headed to Florida, where he worked as a sheriff’s deputy around Orlando. Since 1991, he has been a deputy sheriff in Harris County, which consists mainly of Houston and its suburbs.
In Houston, with its 10,000-strong West Indian population, Walwyn has honed his policing skills, Texas-Caribbean style. He’s been a member of Houston's Caribbean Gang Task Force and had done some security work at the only reggae club in the city. It’s at the club that his Texan veneer gives way to his island core.
"When the kids start talking crap, I start talking Crucian," he says. "It has its effect. I’m still a Crucian at heart. I can speak like that when I have to."
Still, it can come as a surprise, especially when Walwyn’s got his $125, standard-issue Stetson perched on his head like a West Indian John Wayne.
"As a matter of fact," he says with a laugh, "the hat is a legitimate part of my uniform. Two of them — straw in the summer and felt in the winter."
Naturally, they are good-guy white hats.
At the moment, Walwyn is looking at the coming November election with his heart still plugged into the past but an eye on the future.
"I’m a Crucian because I grew up on St. Croix," he says. "I represent the Virgin Islands everywhere I go."
In the meantime, though, the Crucian-kid-turned-Texas-lawman has his focus set on one thing: becoming sheriff of Wharton County, Texas, population 45,000. And like most things Texan, Wharton County is big. St. Croix’s 85 square miles (albeit with about with a slightly larger population) could be dropped into Wharton 10 times with a bit of room to spare.
With an accent somewhere between Crucian kallaloo and Texas chili and punctuated by hearty guffaws, Walwyn says that in the 20 years since he left St. Croix for Texas, he’s taken to the Lone Star State and its people –- and vice versa. So much so that he married a Wharton native, Antoinette Dickerson-Walwyn.
He says the idea of a West Indian "outsider" running for sheriff in a predominantly Caucasian county 45 miles southwest of Houston doesn’t matter.
"They don’t see me as an outsider," the 42-year-old Walwyn says. "I crossed that barrier a long time ago. I have white supporters, Mexican and black. It’s not about race, it’s about qualifications."
The stereotypical Texas, he says, "is changing, slowly changing."
Walwyn’s rise, however, has been anything but slow. Born to Kittitian parents, young C.G. grew up on St. Croix. He credits several people on the Big Island –- Pastor Spencer Walwyn, Vivian Bennerson, Claudette Petersen and Joe Perez, to name a few –- and the V.I. Police Department Citizens' Police Academy and pre-cadet program for laying a strong foundation on which he has built his law-enforcement career.
In need of a "change" in 1980, Walwyn, then 22, says he took what he learned on St. Croix and headed to "the Big H" — Houston — where "one thing has led to another." He started out working as a claims investigator for an international insurance company, then moved on to become a police officer. His first cop job was in Kendleton, a tiny village about 40 miles (and that's a drop in the bucket in Texas) southwest of Houston. He also served a stint there as the interim police chief.
Walwyn then headed to Florida, where he worked as a sheriff’s deputy around Orlando. Since 1991, he has been a deputy sheriff in Harris County, which consists mainly of Houston and its suburbs.
In Houston, with its 10,000-strong West Indian population, Walwyn has honed his policing skills, Texas-Caribbean style. He’s been a member of Houston's Caribbean Gang Task Force and had done some security work at the only reggae club in the city. It’s at the club that his Texan veneer gives way to his island core.
"When the kids start talking crap, I start talking Crucian," he says. "It has its effect. I’m still a Crucian at heart. I can speak like that when I have to."
Still, it can come as a surprise, especially when Walwyn’s got his $125, standard-issue Stetson perched on his head like a West Indian John Wayne.
"As a matter of fact," he says with a laugh, "the hat is a legitimate part of my uniform. Two of them — straw in the summer and felt in the winter."
Naturally, they are good-guy white hats.
At the moment, Walwyn is looking at the coming November election with his heart still plugged into the past but an eye on the future.
"I’m a Crucian because I grew up on St. Croix," he says. "I represent the Virgin Islands everywhere I go."
MEET THE CRUCIAN CONNECTION TO TEXAS LAW
They may call him "C.G." up in Texas and he may wear a white, 10-gallon Stetson on his head and cowboy boots on his feet, but Celvin G. Walwyn’s heart will always be on St. Croix.
In the meantime, though, the Crucian-kid-turned-Texas-lawman has his focus set on one thing: becoming sheriff of Wharton County, Texas, population 45,000. And like most things Texan, Wharton County is big. St. Croix’s 85 square miles (albeit with about with a slightly larger population) could be dropped into Wharton 10 times with a bit of room to spare.
With an accent somewhere between Crucian kallaloo and Texas chili and punctuated by hearty guffaws, Walwyn says that in the 20 years since he left St. Croix for Texas, he’s taken to the Lone Star State and its people –- and vice versa. So much so that he married a Wharton native, Antoinette Dickerson-Walwyn.
He says the idea of a West Indian "outsider" running for sheriff in a predominantly Caucasian county 45 miles southwest of Houston doesn’t matter.
"They don’t see me as an outsider," the 42-year-old Walwyn says. "I crossed that barrier a long time ago. I have white supporters, Mexican and black. It’s not about race, it’s about qualifications."
The stereotypical Texas, he says, "is changing, slowly changing."
Walwyn’s rise, however, has been anything but slow. Born to Kittitian parents, young C.G. grew up on St. Croix. He credits several people on the Big Island –- Pastor Spencer Walwyn, Vivian Bennerson, Claudette Petersen and Joe Perez, to name a few –- and the V.I. Police Department Citizens' Police Academy and pre-cadet program for laying a strong foundation on which he has built his law-enforcement career.
In need of a "change" in 1980, Walwyn, then 22, says he took what he learned on St. Croix and headed to "the Big H" — Houston — where "one thing has led to another." He started out working as a claims investigator for an international insurance company, then moved on to become a police officer. His first cop job was in Kendleton, a tiny village about 40 miles (and that's a drop in the bucket in Texas) southwest of Houston. He also served a stint there as the interim police chief.
Walwyn then headed to Florida, where he worked as a sheriff’s deputy around Orlando. Since 1991, he has been a deputy sheriff in Harris County, which consists mainly of Houston and its suburbs.
In Houston, with its 10,000-strong West Indian population, Walwyn has honed his policing skills, Texas-Caribbean style. He’s been a member of Houston's Caribbean Gang Task Force and had done some security work at the only reggae club in the city. It’s at the club that his Texan veneer gives way to his island core.
"When the kids start talking crap, I start talking Crucian," he says. "It has its effect. I’m still a Crucian at heart. I can speak like that when I have to."
Still, it can come as a surprise, especially when Walwyn’s got his $125, standard-issue Stetson perched on his head like a West Indian John Wayne.
"As a matter of fact," he says with a laugh, "the hat is a legitimate part of my uniform. Two of them — straw in the summer and felt in the winter."
Naturally, they are good-guy white hats.
At the moment, Walwyn is looking at the coming November election with his heart still plugged into the past but an eye on the future.
"I’m a Crucian because I grew up on St. Croix," he says. "I represent the Virgin Islands everywhere I go."
In the meantime, though, the Crucian-kid-turned-Texas-lawman has his focus set on one thing: becoming sheriff of Wharton County, Texas, population 45,000. And like most things Texan, Wharton County is big. St. Croix’s 85 square miles (albeit with about with a slightly larger population) could be dropped into Wharton 10 times with a bit of room to spare.
With an accent somewhere between Crucian kallaloo and Texas chili and punctuated by hearty guffaws, Walwyn says that in the 20 years since he left St. Croix for Texas, he’s taken to the Lone Star State and its people –- and vice versa. So much so that he married a Wharton native, Antoinette Dickerson-Walwyn.
He says the idea of a West Indian "outsider" running for sheriff in a predominantly Caucasian county 45 miles southwest of Houston doesn’t matter.
"They don’t see me as an outsider," the 42-year-old Walwyn says. "I crossed that barrier a long time ago. I have white supporters, Mexican and black. It’s not about race, it’s about qualifications."
The stereotypical Texas, he says, "is changing, slowly changing."
Walwyn’s rise, however, has been anything but slow. Born to Kittitian parents, young C.G. grew up on St. Croix. He credits several people on the Big Island –- Pastor Spencer Walwyn, Vivian Bennerson, Claudette Petersen and Joe Perez, to name a few –- and the V.I. Police Department Citizens' Police Academy and pre-cadet program for laying a strong foundation on which he has built his law-enforcement career.
In need of a "change" in 1980, Walwyn, then 22, says he took what he learned on St. Croix and headed to "the Big H" — Houston — where "one thing has led to another." He started out working as a claims investigator for an international insurance company, then moved on to become a police officer. His first cop job was in Kendleton, a tiny village about 40 miles (and that's a drop in the bucket in Texas) southwest of Houston. He also served a stint there as the interim police chief.
Walwyn then headed to Florida, where he worked as a sheriff’s deputy around Orlando. Since 1991, he has been a deputy sheriff in Harris County, which consists mainly of Houston and its suburbs.
In Houston, with its 10,000-strong West Indian population, Walwyn has honed his policing skills, Texas-Caribbean style. He’s been a member of Houston's Caribbean Gang Task Force and had done some security work at the only reggae club in the city. It’s at the club that his Texan veneer gives way to his island core.
"When the kids start talking crap, I start talking Crucian," he says. "It has its effect. I’m still a Crucian at heart. I can speak like that when I have to."
Still, it can come as a surprise, especially when Walwyn’s got his $125, standard-issue Stetson perched on his head like a West Indian John Wayne.
"As a matter of fact," he says with a laugh, "the hat is a legitimate part of my uniform. Two of them — straw in the summer and felt in the winter."
Naturally, they are good-guy white hats.
At the moment, Walwyn is looking at the coming November election with his heart still plugged into the past but an eye on the future.
"I’m a Crucian because I grew up on St. Croix," he says. "I represent the Virgin Islands everywhere I go."
MEET THE CRUCIAN CONNECTION TO TEXAS LAW
They may call him "C.G." up in Texas and he may wear a white, 10-gallon Stetson on his head and cowboy boots on his feet, but Celvin G. Walwyn’s heart will always be on St. Croix.
In the meantime, though, the Crucian-kid-turned-Texas-lawman has his focus set on one thing: becoming sheriff of Wharton County, Texas, population 45,000. And like most things Texan, Wharton County is big. St. Croix’s 85 square miles (albeit with about with a slightly larger population) could be dropped into Wharton 10 times with a bit of room to spare.
With an accent somewhere between Crucian kallaloo and Texas chili and punctuated by hearty guffaws, Walwyn says that in the 20 years since he left St. Croix for Texas, he’s taken to the Lone Star State and its people –- and vice versa. So much so that he married a Wharton native, Antoinette Dickerson-Walwyn.
He says the idea of a West Indian "outsider" running for sheriff in a predominantly Caucasian county 45 miles southwest of Houston doesn’t matter.
"They don’t see me as an outsider," the 42-year-old Walwyn says. "I crossed that barrier a long time ago. I have white supporters, Mexican and black. It’s not about race, it’s about qualifications."
The stereotypical Texas, he says, "is changing, slowly changing."
Walwyn’s rise, however, has been anything but slow. Born to Kittitian parents, young C.G. grew up on St. Croix. He credits several people on the Big Island –- Pastor Spencer Walwyn, Vivian Bennerson, Claudette Petersen and Joe Perez, to name a few –- and the V.I. Police Department Citizens' Police Academy and pre-cadet program for laying a strong foundation on which he has built his law-enforcement career.
In need of a "change" in 1980, Walwyn, then 22, says he took what he learned on St. Croix and headed to "the Big H" — Houston — where "one thing has led to another." He started out working as a claims investigator for an international insurance company, then moved on to become a police officer. His first cop job was in Kendleton, a tiny village about 40 miles (and that's a drop in the bucket in Texas) southwest of Houston. He also served a stint there as the interim police chief.
Walwyn then headed to Florida, where he worked as a sheriff’s deputy around Orlando. Since 1991, he has been a deputy sheriff in Harris County, which consists mainly of Houston and its suburbs.
In Houston, with its 10,000-strong West Indian population, Walwyn has honed his policing skills, Texas-Caribbean style. He’s been a member of Houston's Caribbean Gang Task Force and had done some security work at the only reggae club in the city. It’s at the club that his Texan veneer gives way to his island core.
"When the kids start talking crap, I start talking Crucian," he says. "It has its effect. I’m still a Crucian at heart. I can speak like that when I have to."
Still, it can come as a surprise, especially when Walwyn’s got his $125, standard-issue Stetson perched on his head like a West Indian John Wayne.
"As a matter of fact," he says with a laugh, "the hat is a legitimate part of my uniform. Two of them — straw in the summer and felt in the winter."
Naturally, they are good-guy white hats.
At the moment, Walwyn is looking at the coming November election with his heart still plugged into the past but an eye on the future.
"I’m a Crucian because I grew up on St. Croix," he says. "I represent the Virgin Islands everywhere I go."
In the meantime, though, the Crucian-kid-turned-Texas-lawman has his focus set on one thing: becoming sheriff of Wharton County, Texas, population 45,000. And like most things Texan, Wharton County is big. St. Croix’s 85 square miles (albeit with about with a slightly larger population) could be dropped into Wharton 10 times with a bit of room to spare.
With an accent somewhere between Crucian kallaloo and Texas chili and punctuated by hearty guffaws, Walwyn says that in the 20 years since he left St. Croix for Texas, he’s taken to the Lone Star State and its people –- and vice versa. So much so that he married a Wharton native, Antoinette Dickerson-Walwyn.
He says the idea of a West Indian "outsider" running for sheriff in a predominantly Caucasian county 45 miles southwest of Houston doesn’t matter.
"They don’t see me as an outsider," the 42-year-old Walwyn says. "I crossed that barrier a long time ago. I have white supporters, Mexican and black. It’s not about race, it’s about qualifications."
The stereotypical Texas, he says, "is changing, slowly changing."
Walwyn’s rise, however, has been anything but slow. Born to Kittitian parents, young C.G. grew up on St. Croix. He credits several people on the Big Island –- Pastor Spencer Walwyn, Vivian Bennerson, Claudette Petersen and Joe Perez, to name a few –- and the V.I. Police Department Citizens' Police Academy and pre-cadet program for laying a strong foundation on which he has built his law-enforcement career.
In need of a "change" in 1980, Walwyn, then 22, says he took what he learned on St. Croix and headed to "the Big H" — Houston — where "one thing has led to another." He started out working as a claims investigator for an international insurance company, then moved on to become a police officer. His first cop job was in Kendleton, a tiny village about 40 miles (and that's a drop in the bucket in Texas) southwest of Houston. He also served a stint there as the interim police chief.
Walwyn then headed to Florida, where he worked as a sheriff’s deputy around Orlando. Since 1991, he has been a deputy sheriff in Harris County, which consists mainly of Houston and its suburbs.
In Houston, with its 10,000-strong West Indian population, Walwyn has honed his policing skills, Texas-Caribbean style. He’s been a member of Houston's Caribbean Gang Task Force and had done some security work at the only reggae club in the city. It’s at the club that his Texan veneer gives way to his island core.
"When the kids start talking crap, I start talking Crucian," he says. "It has its effect. I’m still a Crucian at heart. I can speak like that when I have to."
Still, it can come as a surprise, especially when Walwyn’s got his $125, standard-issue Stetson perched on his head like a West Indian John Wayne.
"As a matter of fact," he says with a laugh, "the hat is a legitimate part of my uniform. Two of them — straw in the summer and felt in the winter."
Naturally, they are good-guy white hats.
At the moment, Walwyn is looking at the coming November election with his heart still plugged into the past but an eye on the future.
"I’m a Crucian because I grew up on St. Croix," he says. "I represent the Virgin Islands everywhere I go."
RESORT STAFFERS CLEAN UP FOR A GOOD CAUSE
More than a hundred cars left the Tutu Park Mall parking lot Saturday looking a lot spiffier than when they arrived, as associates of the Renaissance Grand Beach Resort held their first car wash, for a good cause.
The day-long event was part of the resort's Associates Appreciation Week activities, which traditionally include a community service project, according to Nancy Schneider, events management director.
Schneider excitedly reported the outcome, an unofficial figure of about $1,300 that will go to purchase supplies for the Nana-Baby Children's Home and the Roy L. Schneider Hospital children's ward. "We really don't have it totaled yet," Schneider said. But at with $7 a wash or $10 for a wash and a vacuum, she figured that's about $8.50 per car on average, although some folks just donated dollars without a wash.
The associates — or employees — were out early Saturday wearing blue and white Renaissance T-shirts, directing cars from the main road into the washing station they had set up, supplied with cleaning materials from Western Auto, water from Dadlie's Trucking & Water Delivery, and drinks from Bellows International.
The cleaning crew included everyone from a Renaissance associate's schoolchild up to and including the resort's brand-new general manager, David Yamada, who appeared to be having a fine time and confirmed that this was a "hands-on" approach to his new position.
Joyce Smith, Renaissance executive secretary, was hard at work in shorts, T-shirt and a perky straw hat. Helping her wipe down cars and encourage customers was Monique Walters, the hotel's wedding director. With the colorful T-shirts, sparkling shines and a bright sunny day despite predictions the day before of heavy rains, the whole operation had the air of a well-run business. Schneider said it could well become an annual event.
The day-long event was part of the resort's Associates Appreciation Week activities, which traditionally include a community service project, according to Nancy Schneider, events management director.
Schneider excitedly reported the outcome, an unofficial figure of about $1,300 that will go to purchase supplies for the Nana-Baby Children's Home and the Roy L. Schneider Hospital children's ward. "We really don't have it totaled yet," Schneider said. But at with $7 a wash or $10 for a wash and a vacuum, she figured that's about $8.50 per car on average, although some folks just donated dollars without a wash.
The associates — or employees — were out early Saturday wearing blue and white Renaissance T-shirts, directing cars from the main road into the washing station they had set up, supplied with cleaning materials from Western Auto, water from Dadlie's Trucking & Water Delivery, and drinks from Bellows International.
The cleaning crew included everyone from a Renaissance associate's schoolchild up to and including the resort's brand-new general manager, David Yamada, who appeared to be having a fine time and confirmed that this was a "hands-on" approach to his new position.
Joyce Smith, Renaissance executive secretary, was hard at work in shorts, T-shirt and a perky straw hat. Helping her wipe down cars and encourage customers was Monique Walters, the hotel's wedding director. With the colorful T-shirts, sparkling shines and a bright sunny day despite predictions the day before of heavy rains, the whole operation had the air of a well-run business. Schneider said it could well become an annual event.
TURNBULL OKS $600K APPROPRIATION FOR VITRAN
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull on Friday approved Bill 23-0165 appropriating $600,000 for Vitran operations and $350,000 for the purchase of land for a V.I. veterans' cemetery and reprograming $182,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant funds to the Family Resource Center but also vetoing various sections of the wide-ranging measure.
Information concerning the actions was circulated by Government House via a series of press releases distributed after 5 p.m. Saturday.
The Legislature appropriated the $600,000 for Vitran from the Indirect Cost Fund prior to the layoff of half the Vitran work force as of May 11. The administration said the cuts were made "for lack of funds to continue operations after amassing a $12 million deficit."
The $350,000, also from the Indirect Cost Fund, will go to the Office of Veterans Affairs to provide survey and infrastructure development for land.
Family Resource Center will use $150,000 of the CDBG funds to purchase a property on lower Garden Street and the other $32,000 to renovate it for use as a permanent administrative and counseling center.
The provisions of the bill that the governor vetoed and the reasons given for his action:
– A section requiring that the Public Finance Authority lend $100,000 to the Police Department for use as reward money for information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons involved in drive-by shootings and providing for the police commissioner to repay the loan with federal funds. The governor said the department already has a reward fund established by statute and that the proposal was "an infringement on the authority's autonomy" and "a violation of the doctrine of separation of powers."
– A section granting certain organizations the right to conduct bingo games for six years without being subject to review or regulation. Saying the measure "erodes the purpose of legalized gambling," Turnbull added: "Because bingo is a gaming operation, it should be regulated and controlled as much as any other form of gambling. Accordingly, I urge the Legislature to enact a comprehensive regulatory scheme for bingo."
– A section providing for the chief judge of the District Court judge to administer and promulgate the rules for a Judicial Council Imprest Account. Turnbull said the account "will consist largely of local funds" and that giving a federal judge that authority would go against federal principles. He asked the Legislature to reconsider a proposal in the Territorial Court fiscal year 2000 budget or to create "a fund which will be administered by the presiding judge of the Territorial Court and/or the Judicial Council."
– A section establishing a Public Transportation Enabling Fund with the same funding sources as the existing Public Transportation Fund — making it, Turnbull said, "duplicitous."
– A section proposing to rezone a low-density residential area of about 0.6 acre on St. John to a medium-density residential area. The rezoning for Parcel No. 10-11 in Estate Carolina, No. 1 Coral Bay Quarter, "is for the purpose of establishing a commercial activity in a residential area, which may have ecological and environment issues," Turnbull said, noting that the Planning and Natural Resources Department "is in the process of reviewing this application and has indicated that public hearing will be held in the near future."
– Part of a section providing for a three-member quorum for a seven-member board and requiring that at least four members have camped at Cramers Park for five years. The governor said "a quorum should require at least a majority of the board members" and the camping provision "is too restrictive."
– A section regarding the appropriation of funds for the Public Services Commission for an assistant executive director. The governor cited errors in the bill for which the administration "will be submitting corrective legislation."
The governor also approved four bills passed by the Legislature on May 1. They are:
– Bill 0186 to amend the V.I. Code to depoliticize hiring practices by eliminating the option of government employees in exempt and unclassified positions as designated by the governor and legislature to become classified after two years on the job. Turnbull stated that the measure's aim is consistent with his administration's efforts to contain the growth of the government payroll.
– Bill 23-0198 making it unlawful to cause any pollution of Virgin Islands waters, bringing the territory into compliance with federal guidelines.
– Bill 23-0201 to prevent water, soil and sub-soil contamination from the failure of underground storage tank systems, again bringing the territory into compliance with federal guidelines.
– Bill 23-0042 to create staggered terms for members of the Health Consumer Complaint Review Committee.
Turnbull also acknowledged Senate resolutions asking the federal government to turn a parcel of land in Estate Wintberg over to the V.I. government and to authorize the governor to negotiate a land exchange with the National Park Service to acquire property "suitable for the construction of an educational complex on St. John," and honoring the V.I. National Guard 666thArmy Band.
Information concerning the actions was circulated by Government House via a series of press releases distributed after 5 p.m. Saturday.
The Legislature appropriated the $600,000 for Vitran from the Indirect Cost Fund prior to the layoff of half the Vitran work force as of May 11. The administration said the cuts were made "for lack of funds to continue operations after amassing a $12 million deficit."
The $350,000, also from the Indirect Cost Fund, will go to the Office of Veterans Affairs to provide survey and infrastructure development for land.
Family Resource Center will use $150,000 of the CDBG funds to purchase a property on lower Garden Street and the other $32,000 to renovate it for use as a permanent administrative and counseling center.
The provisions of the bill that the governor vetoed and the reasons given for his action:
– A section requiring that the Public Finance Authority lend $100,000 to the Police Department for use as reward money for information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons involved in drive-by shootings and providing for the police commissioner to repay the loan with federal funds. The governor said the department already has a reward fund established by statute and that the proposal was "an infringement on the authority's autonomy" and "a violation of the doctrine of separation of powers."
– A section granting certain organizations the right to conduct bingo games for six years without being subject to review or regulation. Saying the measure "erodes the purpose of legalized gambling," Turnbull added: "Because bingo is a gaming operation, it should be regulated and controlled as much as any other form of gambling. Accordingly, I urge the Legislature to enact a comprehensive regulatory scheme for bingo."
– A section providing for the chief judge of the District Court judge to administer and promulgate the rules for a Judicial Council Imprest Account. Turnbull said the account "will consist largely of local funds" and that giving a federal judge that authority would go against federal principles. He asked the Legislature to reconsider a proposal in the Territorial Court fiscal year 2000 budget or to create "a fund which will be administered by the presiding judge of the Territorial Court and/or the Judicial Council."
– A section establishing a Public Transportation Enabling Fund with the same funding sources as the existing Public Transportation Fund — making it, Turnbull said, "duplicitous."
– A section proposing to rezone a low-density residential area of about 0.6 acre on St. John to a medium-density residential area. The rezoning for Parcel No. 10-11 in Estate Carolina, No. 1 Coral Bay Quarter, "is for the purpose of establishing a commercial activity in a residential area, which may have ecological and environment issues," Turnbull said, noting that the Planning and Natural Resources Department "is in the process of reviewing this application and has indicated that public hearing will be held in the near future."
– Part of a section providing for a three-member quorum for a seven-member board and requiring that at least four members have camped at Cramers Park for five years. The governor said "a quorum should require at least a majority of the board members" and the camping provision "is too restrictive."
– A section regarding the appropriation of funds for the Public Services Commission for an assistant executive director. The governor cited errors in the bill for which the administration "will be submitting corrective legislation."
The governor also approved four bills passed by the Legislature on May 1. They are:
– Bill 0186 to amend the V.I. Code to depoliticize hiring practices by eliminating the option of government employees in exempt and unclassified positions as designated by the governor and legislature to become classified after two years on the job. Turnbull stated that the measure's aim is consistent with his administration's efforts to contain the growth of the government payroll.
– Bill 23-0198 making it unlawful to cause any pollution of Virgin Islands waters, bringing the territory into compliance with federal guidelines.
– Bill 23-0201 to prevent water, soil and sub-soil contamination from the failure of underground storage tank systems, again bringing the territory into compliance with federal guidelines.
– Bill 23-0042 to create staggered terms for members of the Health Consumer Complaint Review Committee.
Turnbull also acknowledged Senate resolutions asking the federal government to turn a parcel of land in Estate Wintberg over to the V.I. government and to authorize the governor to negotiate a land exchange with the National Park Service to acquire property "suitable for the construction of an educational complex on St. John," and honoring the V.I. National Guard 666thArmy Band.
TURNBULL OKS $600K APPROPRIATION FOR VITRAN
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull on Friday approved Bill 23-0165 appropriating $600,000 for Vitran operations and $350,000 for the purchase of land for a V.I. veterans' cemetery and reprograming $182,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant funds to the Family Resource Center but also vetoing various sections of the wide-ranging measure.
Information concerning the actions was circulated by Government House via a series of press releases distributed after 5 p.m. Saturday.
The Legislature appropriated the $600,000 for Vitran from the Indirect Cost Fund prior to the layoff of half the Vitran work force as of May 11. The administration said the cuts were made "for lack of funds to continue operations after amassing a $12 million deficit."
The $350,000, also from the Indirect Cost Fund, will go to the Office of Veterans Affairs to provide survey and infrastructure development for land.
Family Resource Center will use $150,000 of the CDBG funds to purchase a property on lower Garden Street and the other $32,000 to renovate it for use as a permanent administrative and counseling center.
The provisions of the bill that the governor vetoed and the reasons given for his action:
– A section requiring that the Public Finance Authority lend $100,000 to the Police Department for use as reward money for information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons involved in drive-by shootings and providing for the police commissioner to repay the loan with federal funds. The governor said the department already has a reward fund established by statute and that the proposal was "an infringement on the authority's autonomy" and "a violation of the doctrine of separation of powers."
– A section granting certain organizations the right to conduct bingo games for six years without being subject to review or regulation. Saying the measure "erodes the purpose of legalized gambling," Turnbull added: "Because bingo is a gaming operation, it should be regulated and controlled as much as any other form of gambling. Accordingly, I urge the Legislature to enact a comprehensive regulatory scheme for bingo."
– A section providing for the chief judge of the District Court judge to administer and promulgate the rules for a Judicial Council Imprest Account. Turnbull said the account "will consist largely of local funds" and that giving a federal judge that authority would go against federal principles. He asked the Legislature to reconsider a proposal in the Territorial Court fiscal year 2000 budget or to create "a fund which will be administered by the presiding judge of the Territorial Court and/or the Judicial Council."
– A section establishing a Public Transportation Enabling Fund with the same funding sources as the existing Public Transportation Fund — making it, Turnbull said, "duplicitous."
– A section proposing to rezone a low-density residential area of about 0.6 acre on St. John to a medium-density residential area. The rezoning for Parcel No. 10-11 in Estate Carolina, No. 1 Coral Bay Quarter, "is for the purpose of establishing a commercial activity in a residential area, which may have ecological and environment issues," Turnbull said, noting that the Planning and Natural Resources Department "is in the process of reviewing this application and has indicated that public hearing will be held in the near future."
– Part of a section providing for a three-member quorum for a seven-member board and requiring that at least four members have camped at Cramers Park for five years. The governor said "a quorum should require at least a majority of the board members" and the camping provision "is too restrictive."
– A section regarding the appropriation of funds for the Public Services Commission for an assistant executive director. The governor cited errors in the bill for which the administration "will be submitting corrective legislation."
The governor also approved four bills passed by the Legislature on May 1. They are:
– Bill 0186 to amend the V.I. Code to depoliticize hiring practices by eliminating the option of government employees in exempt and unclassified positions as designated by the governor and legislature to become classified after two years on the job. Turnbull stated that the measure's aim is consistent with his administration's efforts to contain the growth of the government payroll.
– Bill 23-0198 making it unlawful to cause any pollution of Virgin Islands waters, bringing the territory into compliance with federal guidelines.
– Bill 23-0201 to prevent water, soil and sub-soil contamination from the failure of underground storage tank systems, again bringing the territory into compliance with federal guidelines.
– Bill 23-0042 to create staggered terms for members of the Health Consumer Complaint Review Committee.
Turnbull also acknowledged Senate resolutions asking the federal government to turn a parcel of land in Estate Wintberg over to the V.I. government and to authorize the governor to negotiate a land exchange with the National Park Service to acquire property "suitable for the construction of an educational complex on St. John," and honoring the V.I. National Guard 666thArmy Band.
Information concerning the actions was circulated by Government House via a series of press releases distributed after 5 p.m. Saturday.
The Legislature appropriated the $600,000 for Vitran from the Indirect Cost Fund prior to the layoff of half the Vitran work force as of May 11. The administration said the cuts were made "for lack of funds to continue operations after amassing a $12 million deficit."
The $350,000, also from the Indirect Cost Fund, will go to the Office of Veterans Affairs to provide survey and infrastructure development for land.
Family Resource Center will use $150,000 of the CDBG funds to purchase a property on lower Garden Street and the other $32,000 to renovate it for use as a permanent administrative and counseling center.
The provisions of the bill that the governor vetoed and the reasons given for his action:
– A section requiring that the Public Finance Authority lend $100,000 to the Police Department for use as reward money for information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons involved in drive-by shootings and providing for the police commissioner to repay the loan with federal funds. The governor said the department already has a reward fund established by statute and that the proposal was "an infringement on the authority's autonomy" and "a violation of the doctrine of separation of powers."
– A section granting certain organizations the right to conduct bingo games for six years without being subject to review or regulation. Saying the measure "erodes the purpose of legalized gambling," Turnbull added: "Because bingo is a gaming operation, it should be regulated and controlled as much as any other form of gambling. Accordingly, I urge the Legislature to enact a comprehensive regulatory scheme for bingo."
– A section providing for the chief judge of the District Court judge to administer and promulgate the rules for a Judicial Council Imprest Account. Turnbull said the account "will consist largely of local funds" and that giving a federal judge that authority would go against federal principles. He asked the Legislature to reconsider a proposal in the Territorial Court fiscal year 2000 budget or to create "a fund which will be administered by the presiding judge of the Territorial Court and/or the Judicial Council."
– A section establishing a Public Transportation Enabling Fund with the same funding sources as the existing Public Transportation Fund — making it, Turnbull said, "duplicitous."
– A section proposing to rezone a low-density residential area of about 0.6 acre on St. John to a medium-density residential area. The rezoning for Parcel No. 10-11 in Estate Carolina, No. 1 Coral Bay Quarter, "is for the purpose of establishing a commercial activity in a residential area, which may have ecological and environment issues," Turnbull said, noting that the Planning and Natural Resources Department "is in the process of reviewing this application and has indicated that public hearing will be held in the near future."
– Part of a section providing for a three-member quorum for a seven-member board and requiring that at least four members have camped at Cramers Park for five years. The governor said "a quorum should require at least a majority of the board members" and the camping provision "is too restrictive."
– A section regarding the appropriation of funds for the Public Services Commission for an assistant executive director. The governor cited errors in the bill for which the administration "will be submitting corrective legislation."
The governor also approved four bills passed by the Legislature on May 1. They are:
– Bill 0186 to amend the V.I. Code to depoliticize hiring practices by eliminating the option of government employees in exempt and unclassified positions as designated by the governor and legislature to become classified after two years on the job. Turnbull stated that the measure's aim is consistent with his administration's efforts to contain the growth of the government payroll.
– Bill 23-0198 making it unlawful to cause any pollution of Virgin Islands waters, bringing the territory into compliance with federal guidelines.
– Bill 23-0201 to prevent water, soil and sub-soil contamination from the failure of underground storage tank systems, again bringing the territory into compliance with federal guidelines.
– Bill 23-0042 to create staggered terms for members of the Health Consumer Complaint Review Committee.
Turnbull also acknowledged Senate resolutions asking the federal government to turn a parcel of land in Estate Wintberg over to the V.I. government and to authorize the governor to negotiate a land exchange with the National Park Service to acquire property "suitable for the construction of an educational complex on St. John," and honoring the V.I. National Guard 666thArmy Band.
REGIONAL TRADE MISSION ON ST. THOMAS JUNE 7-10
A Caribbean trade mission will be at Marriott's Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort June 7-10 to provide information to the Virgin Islands community on business investment initiatives and regional trade harmonization and networking opportunities, according to Sen. George Goodwin, who is co-sponsoring the visit along with the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.
In an effort "to open the doors of trade among the island nations," Goodwin said, the trade mission will be an opportunity for vendors to display and market goods and services to the public and pursue joint ventures within the region.
"This will be three days filled with insightful and revealing business potential," Goodwin said. "I encourage business persons in the Virgin Islands to take full advantage of this opportunity to network and establish integral roles that the United States Virgin Islands can play in facilitating trade in the Caribbean region."
For more information about the trade fair, contact Goodwin's office at 693-3565.
In an effort "to open the doors of trade among the island nations," Goodwin said, the trade mission will be an opportunity for vendors to display and market goods and services to the public and pursue joint ventures within the region.
"This will be three days filled with insightful and revealing business potential," Goodwin said. "I encourage business persons in the Virgin Islands to take full advantage of this opportunity to network and establish integral roles that the United States Virgin Islands can play in facilitating trade in the Caribbean region."
For more information about the trade fair, contact Goodwin's office at 693-3565.
SENATORS TO TAKE TESTIMONY ON TOURISM
The work week at the 23rd Legislature gets off to what could be a marathon start Monday evening when the Economic Development, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Committee holds a public hearing on St. Thomas on a topic not in its title but in its portfolio: tourism.
Until the last administration, Tourism was a division within the Economic Development and Agriculture Department. Then, Agriculture was spun off on its own and what was left was rechristened the Tourism Department. Meantime, the Senate has retained the old name for its committee addressing those areas.
The purpose of the 6 p.m. hearing, according to a release from the office Sen. David Jones, who chairs the committee, is for the public "to hear first hand what is in store for the tourism industry in the Virgin Islands as we head into the new millennium."
Eight tourism topics are on the agenda: the offshore Tourism offices; the marketing of carnival events; advertising (print, broadcast, Internet and other); geographic target areas; and marketing of the territory in 2000. The hearing is scheduled to include a "review of advertising samples."
Invited to testify from the Tourism Department are Commissioner-designate Rafael Jackson, assistant commissioner Pamela Richards and marketing director Beverly Petrus.
Also on the list of those expected to provide input are St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce president John deJongh Jr., St. Thomas-St. John Hotel and Tourism Association president Richard Doumeng and executive director Beverly Nicholson, V.I. Tourism Awareness and Advancement Link executive director Mabel Maduro-Pemberton, and V.I. Carnival Committee chair Kenneth Blake and executive director Caswill Callender.
The hearing was originally scheduled for late last December, shortly after another covering the same topics was held on St. Croix. In the weekend between the St. Croix and the St. Thomas sessions, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull announced his choice of Rafael Jackson as his third nominee for Tourism commissioner. Jones then chose to put the St. Thomas hearing off until such time as Jackson had been confirmed and/or had had an opportunity to put together at least a vision if not a full-scale plan for sustainable tourism development.
The Senate Rules Committee approved Jackson's nomination week; it remains to be approved by the full Senate.
Until the last administration, Tourism was a division within the Economic Development and Agriculture Department. Then, Agriculture was spun off on its own and what was left was rechristened the Tourism Department. Meantime, the Senate has retained the old name for its committee addressing those areas.
The purpose of the 6 p.m. hearing, according to a release from the office Sen. David Jones, who chairs the committee, is for the public "to hear first hand what is in store for the tourism industry in the Virgin Islands as we head into the new millennium."
Eight tourism topics are on the agenda: the offshore Tourism offices; the marketing of carnival events; advertising (print, broadcast, Internet and other); geographic target areas; and marketing of the territory in 2000. The hearing is scheduled to include a "review of advertising samples."
Invited to testify from the Tourism Department are Commissioner-designate Rafael Jackson, assistant commissioner Pamela Richards and marketing director Beverly Petrus.
Also on the list of those expected to provide input are St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce president John deJongh Jr., St. Thomas-St. John Hotel and Tourism Association president Richard Doumeng and executive director Beverly Nicholson, V.I. Tourism Awareness and Advancement Link executive director Mabel Maduro-Pemberton, and V.I. Carnival Committee chair Kenneth Blake and executive director Caswill Callender.
The hearing was originally scheduled for late last December, shortly after another covering the same topics was held on St. Croix. In the weekend between the St. Croix and the St. Thomas sessions, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull announced his choice of Rafael Jackson as his third nominee for Tourism commissioner. Jones then chose to put the St. Thomas hearing off until such time as Jackson had been confirmed and/or had had an opportunity to put together at least a vision if not a full-scale plan for sustainable tourism development.
The Senate Rules Committee approved Jackson's nomination week; it remains to be approved by the full Senate.
TRADE MISSION TO VISIT ST. THOMAS JUNE 7-10
A Caribbean trade mission will be at Marriott's Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort on St. Thomas June 7-10 to provide information to the Virgin Islands community on business investment initiatives and regional trade harmonization and networking opportunities, according to Sen. George Goodwin, who is co-sponsoring the visit along with the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.
In an effort "to open the doors of trade among the island nations," Goodwin said, the trade mission will be an opportunity for vendors to display and market goods and services to the public and pursue joint ventures within the region.
"This will be three days filled with insightful and revealing business potential," Goodwin said. "I encourage business persons in the Virgin Islands to take full advantage of this opportunity to network and establish integral roles that the United States Virgin Islands can play in facilitating trade in the Caribbean region."
For more information about the trade fair, contact Goodwin's office at 693-3565.
In an effort "to open the doors of trade among the island nations," Goodwin said, the trade mission will be an opportunity for vendors to display and market goods and services to the public and pursue joint ventures within the region.
"This will be three days filled with insightful and revealing business potential," Goodwin said. "I encourage business persons in the Virgin Islands to take full advantage of this opportunity to network and establish integral roles that the United States Virgin Islands can play in facilitating trade in the Caribbean region."
For more information about the trade fair, contact Goodwin's office at 693-3565.
