Thanks to the generosity of the Partners for Health organization, the Roy L. Schneider Hospital has about $70,000 worth of new operating room equipment for orthopedic surgery use.
Actually, it's thanks to more than Partners for Health, and it's equipment worth a lot more than $70,000, staff orthopedic surgeon Jonathan Main said at a Partners luncheon aboard the Grandeur of the Seas cruise ship on Wednesday. And therein lies a story of good things happening at the hospital.
The money was donated to the hospital last year by the Partners group, which over the years has raised literally millions of dollars for numerous gifts of equipment to the hospital. Main used the occasion of the Partners pre-Mother's Day luncheon — yet another fund-raiser — to let the membership know how their money was being put to work.
He first defined orthopedics for his audience as the treatment of bone, muscle and tendon injuries "from the neck to the toes."
Main, whose field of specialization within orthopedics is sports medicine, said he hadn't had a lot of opportunity to put that expertise to use since he's come aboard as a staff surgeon at RLS Hospital. He's been mostly dealing with "falls, gunshots and motor vehicle accidents," he said.
But whatever their cause, many orthopedic injuries can be treated today in ways that are less invasive and less traumatic to the patient than was previously the case. And it was with that idea in mind that he and hospital operating room supervisor Karen Woods went shopping with the Partners money.
With slides and actual hardware to display, he described the purchases:
– An arthroscopy tower system consisting of a micro-camera, computer, monitor and printer that allows medical personnel to "look inside joints via making small incisions and inserting a very small camera to explore." The system cost nearly $20,000, Main said.
– An external fixator, a flexible metal device that is made rigid in the desired shape with screws and is utilized to "treat real complex injuries that may have required amputation until now."
– Three metal drills, each for a different purpose, each worth about $4,000, that are "state of the art, the best on the market."
– A set of hollow screws, costing more than $4,000, that are used "to fix complex fractures, or breaks, without having to have major surgery."
– A femeral distractor, which holds the knee immobile during surgery.
– Sets of wires to be placed inside bones for support strength, much as steel rebar is imbedded in concrete.
– A state-of-the-art heat probe, which is used to heat tissue, thereby enabling physicians "to do big surgeries without having to do big incisions and have lots of rehabilitation."
Main said he and Woods were able to purchase all of the equipment, valued at about $100,000, with Partners contributions of about $70,000. The reason, he said, is that "now that the hospital is semi-autonomous and is paying its bills and is paying for this equipment," vendors are newly interested in doing business with the institution. And so some were willing to do some deals to "get a foot in the door."
In the case of the most expensive item, the arthroscopy tower, he said, Woods was able to get two suppliers into a bidding contest, and in the end the hospital was able to buy the system for about half the market value of $40,000. All told, he said, the hospital saved 30 percent to 50 percent on the costs of the various items of equipment.
All purchases were made through local vendors or those from Puerto Rico, he added, and only from sellers willing to come to St. Thomas to provide service when needed.
About 200 guests, most of them mothers and many of them accompanied by adult children, parents or spouses, attended the function. Following Main's presentation in the South Pacific Lounge, they were served a five-course luncheon in the Great Gatsby dining room. Afterward, Royal Caribbean International personnel took those able to stay on a guided tour of the cruise ship.
VITRAN AXES LATE NIGHT, MOST SUNDAY SERVICE
With half of the Vitran work force laid off territorywide, public bus service has been reduced effective Thursday, May 11, until further notice. Meantime, government officials are talking with union representatives about worker concessions and analyzing a $600,000 public transit appropriation from the Legislature.
Public Works Commissioner Harold Thompson's advice to the public relying on bus service was to "properly plan daily trips well in advance in order to minimize problems resulting from the cutbacks."
According to a Government House press release announcing the reduced service, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull has directed his chief labor negotiator, Karen Andrews, "to continue discussions with labor representatives on the counter-proposal offered by the unions" on Monday "to avoid layoffs of Vitran employees."
Employees have offered to forgo sick-leave, holiday and overtime pay and to cut back to a four-day work week in order to save jobs.
At a daylong meeting at Government House on Wednesday, the release said, the decision was reached "to curtail Vitran operations while budget analysts reviewed the impact and availability of $600,000 appropriated from the Indirect Cost Fund intended to sustain bus service through Sept. 30."
The legislative appropriation is in a bill that reached Government House on Tuesday afternoon, according to the release.
"A preliminary review indicates that the funds appropriated are short of the requirement to continue Vitran operations until Sept. 30, 2000, at present levels," the release stated. It cited "a 50 percent reduction in ridership and increasing fuel and operating costs" as problems.
Elaborating on the drop in ridership, James O'Bryan, public relations assistant to the governor, told the Source there has been "a steady decline" over the last two years in Vitran ridership territorywide. What had been "seven or eight thousand a day is now down to three to five thousand," he said.
He attributed the drop to Vitran's own "lack of equipment" as well as "increased competition from taxi drivers and safari buses."
On St. Croix, four buses are now providing service with start times of approximately one hour apart. Service is still from 5:30 a.m. but ends at 8:30 p.m. instead of 9:30 p.m. There is no longer any Sunday service.
On St. Thomas, service has been reduced to five buses serving eight routes with a minimum wait of one hour or one-half hour, depending on route and time of day. The City-UVI and City-Subbase routes have been combined, and the Bordeaux route has been cut back to three runs daily instead of five. Service on the other five routes has also been curtailed.
Bus service still begins at 5:30 a.m. but now ends at 8:30 p.m. instead of 9:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. There is no longer any Sunday service.
On St. John, two buses are now providing service, from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. "Limited service" will be provided on Sunday.
Thompson said all federally mandated Americans with Disabilities Act transit service is continuing on all three islands.
The release also said Turnbull has asked the agencies involved to "expedite their analysis" of the unions' proposal and to see that the laid-off Vitran workers promptly receive any annual leave payments to which they are entitled.
Public Works Commissioner Harold Thompson's advice to the public relying on bus service was to "properly plan daily trips well in advance in order to minimize problems resulting from the cutbacks."
According to a Government House press release announcing the reduced service, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull has directed his chief labor negotiator, Karen Andrews, "to continue discussions with labor representatives on the counter-proposal offered by the unions" on Monday "to avoid layoffs of Vitran employees."
Employees have offered to forgo sick-leave, holiday and overtime pay and to cut back to a four-day work week in order to save jobs.
At a daylong meeting at Government House on Wednesday, the release said, the decision was reached "to curtail Vitran operations while budget analysts reviewed the impact and availability of $600,000 appropriated from the Indirect Cost Fund intended to sustain bus service through Sept. 30."
The legislative appropriation is in a bill that reached Government House on Tuesday afternoon, according to the release.
"A preliminary review indicates that the funds appropriated are short of the requirement to continue Vitran operations until Sept. 30, 2000, at present levels," the release stated. It cited "a 50 percent reduction in ridership and increasing fuel and operating costs" as problems.
Elaborating on the drop in ridership, James O'Bryan, public relations assistant to the governor, told the Source there has been "a steady decline" over the last two years in Vitran ridership territorywide. What had been "seven or eight thousand a day is now down to three to five thousand," he said.
He attributed the drop to Vitran's own "lack of equipment" as well as "increased competition from taxi drivers and safari buses."
On St. Croix, four buses are now providing service with start times of approximately one hour apart. Service is still from 5:30 a.m. but ends at 8:30 p.m. instead of 9:30 p.m. There is no longer any Sunday service.
On St. Thomas, service has been reduced to five buses serving eight routes with a minimum wait of one hour or one-half hour, depending on route and time of day. The City-UVI and City-Subbase routes have been combined, and the Bordeaux route has been cut back to three runs daily instead of five. Service on the other five routes has also been curtailed.
Bus service still begins at 5:30 a.m. but now ends at 8:30 p.m. instead of 9:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. There is no longer any Sunday service.
On St. John, two buses are now providing service, from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. "Limited service" will be provided on Sunday.
Thompson said all federally mandated Americans with Disabilities Act transit service is continuing on all three islands.
The release also said Turnbull has asked the agencies involved to "expedite their analysis" of the unions' proposal and to see that the laid-off Vitran workers promptly receive any annual leave payments to which they are entitled.
RETIREMENT BILL HEADED BACK TO COMMITTEE
A wide-ranging retirement bill that contains a controversial provision giving senators full benefits after 12 years of service is headed back to committee for debate.
Last week the Senate was to take testimony from the Government Employees Retirement System on the bill, which would amend the current retirement law. But the session was adjourned after the retirement provision for senators stirred heated debate.
President Vargrave Richards said Wednesday that the bill will now be reassigned to the Committee on Government Operations for "public hearing and full debate." He did not say when hearings would take place.
The 100-plus-page retirement bill, drafted by GERS, seeks to shrink the system’s $300 million unfunded liability through a myriad of changes and to give administrators more flexibility in bringing in higher investment earnings.
But the section regarding senators’ retirement benefits has caused an uproar throughout the territory. The bill would give senators their full $65,000 a year salary after serving six two-year terms, regardless of age. Currently, senators can draw their retirement pay when they are 50 years old.
Additionally, senators who have served five terms would receive 90 percent of their pay after 10 years; 80 percent after eight years; and 60 percent after six years.
Currently, senators receive 2.5 percent of their yearly pay for each year of their first six years in the Legislature; 3 percent for years seven through 12; and 4 percent for each subsequent year.
Richards likened the controversy around the Senate retirement provision to "fireburn." The entire bill shouldn’t be discarded because of the one section, he said, noting that the bill could be amended in committee hearings. Some senators are "inclined to get rid of" the provision, he added.
"We don’t think it’s wise to gut the entire bill because of this one section," Richards said. "There are other portions of this bill that have been lost in the discord."
Some of them include allowing GERS members to sue the government if it doesn’t make its contributions to an employee’s pension, authorizing GERS to invest in securities with a BBB-bond rating or better rather than the current A rating, raising the mortgage ceiling from $75,000 to $200,000 and from $30,000 to $50,000 on land loans, allowing GERS to set cost-of-living-increases, and allowing the GERS board of directors to invest in real estate and borrow money without Senate approval.
Richards noted that the entire bill, including retirement provisions for senators, has been discussed over the "last several months," including seven meetings with GERS.
"This has been no secret," he said.
Nine majority-bloc senators, including Richards, signed on as co-sponsors of the entire bill. In committee Wednesday, Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg, also a co-sponsor, ripped into his colleagues for "trying to pass the buck" on the issue. He said he was in favor of eliminating entirely retirement benefits for senators.
"I can’t wait for this issue to get on the floor," he said. "All hell will break loose."
Last week the Senate was to take testimony from the Government Employees Retirement System on the bill, which would amend the current retirement law. But the session was adjourned after the retirement provision for senators stirred heated debate.
President Vargrave Richards said Wednesday that the bill will now be reassigned to the Committee on Government Operations for "public hearing and full debate." He did not say when hearings would take place.
The 100-plus-page retirement bill, drafted by GERS, seeks to shrink the system’s $300 million unfunded liability through a myriad of changes and to give administrators more flexibility in bringing in higher investment earnings.
But the section regarding senators’ retirement benefits has caused an uproar throughout the territory. The bill would give senators their full $65,000 a year salary after serving six two-year terms, regardless of age. Currently, senators can draw their retirement pay when they are 50 years old.
Additionally, senators who have served five terms would receive 90 percent of their pay after 10 years; 80 percent after eight years; and 60 percent after six years.
Currently, senators receive 2.5 percent of their yearly pay for each year of their first six years in the Legislature; 3 percent for years seven through 12; and 4 percent for each subsequent year.
Richards likened the controversy around the Senate retirement provision to "fireburn." The entire bill shouldn’t be discarded because of the one section, he said, noting that the bill could be amended in committee hearings. Some senators are "inclined to get rid of" the provision, he added.
"We don’t think it’s wise to gut the entire bill because of this one section," Richards said. "There are other portions of this bill that have been lost in the discord."
Some of them include allowing GERS members to sue the government if it doesn’t make its contributions to an employee’s pension, authorizing GERS to invest in securities with a BBB-bond rating or better rather than the current A rating, raising the mortgage ceiling from $75,000 to $200,000 and from $30,000 to $50,000 on land loans, allowing GERS to set cost-of-living-increases, and allowing the GERS board of directors to invest in real estate and borrow money without Senate approval.
Richards noted that the entire bill, including retirement provisions for senators, has been discussed over the "last several months," including seven meetings with GERS.
"This has been no secret," he said.
Nine majority-bloc senators, including Richards, signed on as co-sponsors of the entire bill. In committee Wednesday, Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg, also a co-sponsor, ripped into his colleagues for "trying to pass the buck" on the issue. He said he was in favor of eliminating entirely retirement benefits for senators.
"I can’t wait for this issue to get on the floor," he said. "All hell will break loose."
RETIREMENT BILL HEADED BACK TO COMMITTEE
A wide-ranging retirement bill that contains a controversial provision giving senators full benefits after 12 years of service is headed back to committee for debate.
Last week the Senate was to take testimony from the Government Employees Retirement System on the bill, which would amend the current retirement law. But the session was adjourned after the retirement provision for senators stirred heated debate.
President Vargrave Richards said Wednesday that the bill will now be reassigned to the Committee on Government Operations for "public hearing and full debate." He did not say when hearings would take place.
The 100-plus-page retirement bill, drafted by GERS, seeks to shrink the system’s $300 million unfunded liability through a myriad of changes and to give administrators more flexibility in bringing in higher investment earnings.
But the section regarding senators’ retirement benefits has caused an uproar throughout the territory. The bill would give senators their full $65,000 a year salary after serving six two-year terms, regardless of age. Currently, senators can draw their retirement pay when they are 50 years old.
Additionally, senators who have served five terms would receive 90 percent of their pay after 10 years; 80 percent after eight years; and 60 percent after six years.
Currently, senators receive 2.5 percent of their yearly pay for each year of their first six years in the Legislature; 3 percent for years seven through 12; and 4 percent for each subsequent year.
Richards likened the controversy around the Senate retirement provision to "fireburn." The entire bill shouldn’t be discarded because of the one section, he said, noting that the bill could be amended in committee hearings. Some senators are "inclined to get rid of" the provision, he added.
"We don’t think it’s wise to gut the entire bill because of this one section," Richards said. "There are other portions of this bill that have been lost in the discord."
Some of them include allowing GERS members to sue the government if it doesn’t make its contributions to an employee’s pension, authorizing GERS to invest in securities with a BBB-bond rating or better rather than the current A rating, raising the mortgage ceiling from $75,000 to $200,000 and from $30,000 to $50,000 on land loans, allowing GERS to set cost-of-living-increases, and allowing the GERS board of directors to invest in real estate and borrow money without Senate approval.
Richards noted that the entire bill, including retirement provisions for senators, has been discussed over the "last several months," including seven meetings with GERS.
"This has been no secret," he said.
Nine majority-bloc senators, including Richards, signed on as co-sponsors of the entire bill. In committee Wednesday, Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg, also a co-sponsor, ripped into his colleagues for "trying to pass the buck" on the issue. He said he was in favor of eliminating entirely retirement benefits for senators.
"I can’t wait for this issue to get on the floor," he said. "All hell will break loose."
Last week the Senate was to take testimony from the Government Employees Retirement System on the bill, which would amend the current retirement law. But the session was adjourned after the retirement provision for senators stirred heated debate.
President Vargrave Richards said Wednesday that the bill will now be reassigned to the Committee on Government Operations for "public hearing and full debate." He did not say when hearings would take place.
The 100-plus-page retirement bill, drafted by GERS, seeks to shrink the system’s $300 million unfunded liability through a myriad of changes and to give administrators more flexibility in bringing in higher investment earnings.
But the section regarding senators’ retirement benefits has caused an uproar throughout the territory. The bill would give senators their full $65,000 a year salary after serving six two-year terms, regardless of age. Currently, senators can draw their retirement pay when they are 50 years old.
Additionally, senators who have served five terms would receive 90 percent of their pay after 10 years; 80 percent after eight years; and 60 percent after six years.
Currently, senators receive 2.5 percent of their yearly pay for each year of their first six years in the Legislature; 3 percent for years seven through 12; and 4 percent for each subsequent year.
Richards likened the controversy around the Senate retirement provision to "fireburn." The entire bill shouldn’t be discarded because of the one section, he said, noting that the bill could be amended in committee hearings. Some senators are "inclined to get rid of" the provision, he added.
"We don’t think it’s wise to gut the entire bill because of this one section," Richards said. "There are other portions of this bill that have been lost in the discord."
Some of them include allowing GERS members to sue the government if it doesn’t make its contributions to an employee’s pension, authorizing GERS to invest in securities with a BBB-bond rating or better rather than the current A rating, raising the mortgage ceiling from $75,000 to $200,000 and from $30,000 to $50,000 on land loans, allowing GERS to set cost-of-living-increases, and allowing the GERS board of directors to invest in real estate and borrow money without Senate approval.
Richards noted that the entire bill, including retirement provisions for senators, has been discussed over the "last several months," including seven meetings with GERS.
"This has been no secret," he said.
Nine majority-bloc senators, including Richards, signed on as co-sponsors of the entire bill. In committee Wednesday, Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg, also a co-sponsor, ripped into his colleagues for "trying to pass the buck" on the issue. He said he was in favor of eliminating entirely retirement benefits for senators.
"I can’t wait for this issue to get on the floor," he said. "All hell will break loose."
'HOOPS BROTHERS' COULD HELP V.I. YOUTH
The head of the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice, Guy Mitchell, is planning a mentoring program for troubled adolescents. The program, "Hoops Brothers," will be patterned after a similar initiative based in New York City.
Mitchell told Rotarians on Wednesday that the program, aimed at steering young people away from violence and crime to a more responsible and stable lifestyle, was created after the Million Man March in Washington, D.C.
"The march highlighted several of the problems facing young black males," Mitchell said.
The program was started in Harlem, he said, and "now it is spreading to other sections of New York City." Hoops Brothers meets once a week at a local high school. They play basketball and "attempt to exemplify the principles of good behavior," said Mitchell.
"When I came here to head up the criminal division at Justice," he said, "I quickly noticed the same concerns affecting the youths in New York were affecting those here in paradise." He estimated that 90 percent of violent crimes committed in the V.I. involve young black males.
Guidance counselors and other mentors have noted similar trends of untoward behavior in teen-aged girls, he said, and are starting a similar program, called "Sister Net."
"The girls now get together over a volleyball match and exemplify their own non-violent principles," Mitchell said.
Guy Mitchell can be reached at the Justice Department at 774-5666 for additional information on the mentoring programs, "Hoops Brothers" and "Sister Net."
Mitchell told Rotarians on Wednesday that the program, aimed at steering young people away from violence and crime to a more responsible and stable lifestyle, was created after the Million Man March in Washington, D.C.
"The march highlighted several of the problems facing young black males," Mitchell said.
The program was started in Harlem, he said, and "now it is spreading to other sections of New York City." Hoops Brothers meets once a week at a local high school. They play basketball and "attempt to exemplify the principles of good behavior," said Mitchell.
"When I came here to head up the criminal division at Justice," he said, "I quickly noticed the same concerns affecting the youths in New York were affecting those here in paradise." He estimated that 90 percent of violent crimes committed in the V.I. involve young black males.
Guidance counselors and other mentors have noted similar trends of untoward behavior in teen-aged girls, he said, and are starting a similar program, called "Sister Net."
"The girls now get together over a volleyball match and exemplify their own non-violent principles," Mitchell said.
Guy Mitchell can be reached at the Justice Department at 774-5666 for additional information on the mentoring programs, "Hoops Brothers" and "Sister Net."
VITRAN AXES LATE NIGHT, MOST SUNDAY SERVICE
With half of the Vitran work force laid off territorywide, public bus service has been reduced effective Thursday, May 11, until further notice. Meantime, government officials are talking with union representatives about worker concessions and analyzing a $600,000 public transit appropriation from the Legislature.
Public Works Commissioner Harold Thompson's advice to the public relying on bus service was to "properly plan daily trips well in advance in order to minimize problems resulting from the cutbacks."
According to a Government House press release announcing the reduced service, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull has directed his chief labor negotiator, Karen Andrews, "to continue discussions with labor representatives on the counter-proposal offered by the unions" on Monday "to avoid layoffs of Vitran employees."
Employees have offered to forgo sick-leave, holiday and overtime pay and to cut back to a four-day work week in order to save jobs.
At a daylong meeting at Government House on Wednesday, the release said, the decision was reached "to curtail Vitran operations while budget analysts reviewed the impact and availability of $600,000 appropriated from the Indirect Cost Fund intended to sustain bus service through Sept. 30."
The legislative appropriation is in a bill that reached Government House on Tuesday afternoon, according to the release.
"A preliminary review indicates that the funds appropriated are short of the requirement to continue Vitran operations until Sept. 30, 2000, at present levels," the release stated. It cited "a 50 percent reduction in ridership and increasing fuel and operating costs" as problems.
Elaborating on the drop in ridership, James O'Bryan, public relations assistant to the governor, told the Source there has been "a steady decline" over the last two years in Vitran ridership territorywide. What had been "seven or eight thousand a day is now down to three to five thousand," he said.
He attributed the drop to Vitran's own "lack of equipment" as well as "increased competition from taxi drivers and safari buses."
On St. Croix, four buses are now providing service with start times of approximately one hour apart. Service is still from 5:30 a.m. but ends at 8:30 p.m. instead of 9:30 p.m. There is no longer any Sunday service.
On St. Thomas, service has been reduced to five buses serving eight routes with a minimum wait of one hour or one-half hour, depending on route and time of day. The City-UVI and City-Subbase routes have been combined, and the Bordeaux route has been cut back to three runs daily instead of five. Service on the other five routes has also been curtailed.
Bus service still begins at 5:30 a.m. but now ends at 8:30 p.m. instead of 9:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. There is no longer any Sunday service.
On St. John, two buses are now providing service, from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. "Limited service" will be provided on Sunday.
Thompson said all federally mandated Americans with Disabilities Act transit service is continuing on all three islands.
The release also said Turnbull has asked the agencies involved to "expedite their analysis" of the unions' proposal and to see that the laid-off Vitran workers promptly receive any annual leave payments to which they are entitled.
Public Works Commissioner Harold Thompson's advice to the public relying on bus service was to "properly plan daily trips well in advance in order to minimize problems resulting from the cutbacks."
According to a Government House press release announcing the reduced service, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull has directed his chief labor negotiator, Karen Andrews, "to continue discussions with labor representatives on the counter-proposal offered by the unions" on Monday "to avoid layoffs of Vitran employees."
Employees have offered to forgo sick-leave, holiday and overtime pay and to cut back to a four-day work week in order to save jobs.
At a daylong meeting at Government House on Wednesday, the release said, the decision was reached "to curtail Vitran operations while budget analysts reviewed the impact and availability of $600,000 appropriated from the Indirect Cost Fund intended to sustain bus service through Sept. 30."
The legislative appropriation is in a bill that reached Government House on Tuesday afternoon, according to the release.
"A preliminary review indicates that the funds appropriated are short of the requirement to continue Vitran operations until Sept. 30, 2000, at present levels," the release stated. It cited "a 50 percent reduction in ridership and increasing fuel and operating costs" as problems.
Elaborating on the drop in ridership, James O'Bryan, public relations assistant to the governor, told the Source there has been "a steady decline" over the last two years in Vitran ridership territorywide. What had been "seven or eight thousand a day is now down to three to five thousand," he said.
He attributed the drop to Vitran's own "lack of equipment" as well as "increased competition from taxi drivers and safari buses."
On St. Croix, four buses are now providing service with start times of approximately one hour apart. Service is still from 5:30 a.m. but ends at 8:30 p.m. instead of 9:30 p.m. There is no longer any Sunday service.
On St. Thomas, service has been reduced to five buses serving eight routes with a minimum wait of one hour or one-half hour, depending on route and time of day. The City-UVI and City-Subbase routes have been combined, and the Bordeaux route has been cut back to three runs daily instead of five. Service on the other five routes has also been curtailed.
Bus service still begins at 5:30 a.m. but now ends at 8:30 p.m. instead of 9:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. There is no longer any Sunday service.
On St. John, two buses are now providing service, from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. "Limited service" will be provided on Sunday.
Thompson said all federally mandated Americans with Disabilities Act transit service is continuing on all three islands.
The release also said Turnbull has asked the agencies involved to "expedite their analysis" of the unions' proposal and to see that the laid-off Vitran workers promptly receive any annual leave payments to which they are entitled.
PORT AUTHORITY, McD'S AND EDUCATION TRIUMPH
Virgin Islands Port Authority beat Radio One, 11-7. McDonald's came back to defeat Cruise Ship Excursions, 7-6, in extra innings. And Education held off WAPA, 8-7, in the final game Tuesday night in the Government and Industrial Coed Slowpitch Softball League.
Lenora Ritter held her own on the mound in leading VIPA over Dexter Freeman and Radio One/AT&T. VIPA's Ackie Matthews led the charge, hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning. He and teammates Butch Thomas, Louis Flynn and James Boschulte each went two for three at the plate.
For Radio One/AT&T, Kenneth Pratt Jr. and Julien Baa went perfect at the plate in three and two at bats, respectively. Kenneth Vanterpool added a two-for-three performance of his own in the losing effort.
In game two, McDonald's scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie the score and send the game into extra innings.
In the extra frame, McDonald's pitcher/manager Steve Hart kept all the balls in the infield and held Cruise Ship Excursions scoreless. His nephew, Travis Hart, led off the bottom of the inning with a double in the right center field gap that was booted by the center-fielder and allowed Travis Hart to score the game-ending run. Steve Hart also led his team in hitting going two for three at the plate.
Dave Whitter went three for four and Clement Maduro went two for three at the plate for Cruise Ship Excursions. Mike Dunston got the loss.
In the nightcap, WAPA used homerun power for offense but was unable to surpass Education. Other than the home runs, Education pitcher Stanley Smith kept WAPA from crossing the plate. Education's Michael Bute went perfect at the plate in three appearances. Frankie Brathwaite and Harvey Warner each added a two for three performance.
Winston Smith, Anson Larcheveaux Jr. and Colville White each two were for three at the plate to lead WAPA's offense. White and player Cartier each had a home run.
Lenora Ritter held her own on the mound in leading VIPA over Dexter Freeman and Radio One/AT&T. VIPA's Ackie Matthews led the charge, hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning. He and teammates Butch Thomas, Louis Flynn and James Boschulte each went two for three at the plate.
For Radio One/AT&T, Kenneth Pratt Jr. and Julien Baa went perfect at the plate in three and two at bats, respectively. Kenneth Vanterpool added a two-for-three performance of his own in the losing effort.
In game two, McDonald's scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie the score and send the game into extra innings.
In the extra frame, McDonald's pitcher/manager Steve Hart kept all the balls in the infield and held Cruise Ship Excursions scoreless. His nephew, Travis Hart, led off the bottom of the inning with a double in the right center field gap that was booted by the center-fielder and allowed Travis Hart to score the game-ending run. Steve Hart also led his team in hitting going two for three at the plate.
Dave Whitter went three for four and Clement Maduro went two for three at the plate for Cruise Ship Excursions. Mike Dunston got the loss.
In the nightcap, WAPA used homerun power for offense but was unable to surpass Education. Other than the home runs, Education pitcher Stanley Smith kept WAPA from crossing the plate. Education's Michael Bute went perfect at the plate in three appearances. Frankie Brathwaite and Harvey Warner each added a two for three performance.
Winston Smith, Anson Larcheveaux Jr. and Colville White each two were for three at the plate to lead WAPA's offense. White and player Cartier each had a home run.
VARSITY DEVIL RAYS STING CHICKENHAWKS, 6-5
The Ivanna Eudora Kean Devil Rays stung the Charlotte Amalie Chickenhawks, 6-5, in varsity baseball action at the Michael J. Kirwan ball park. Eudora Kean's Levron Sarauw Jr. allowed CAHS only two hits while striking out seven and walking three.
The Chickenhawks did not score an earned run as five Devil Ray miscues allowed them five runs. The Devil Rays scored only one earned run themselves as they capitalized on the Chickenhawks' miscues, too.
CAHS starting pitcher Jahsan Page did not have control of his pitches. He allowed the Devil Rays four runs, three of them unearned, walking four and striking out one and giving up one hit in one and two-thirds innings. Page threw three wild pitches and was relieved by Kwame O'Neal, who had better command of his pitches in striking out six Devil Rays.
Eudora Kean mustered only four scattered hits in the game. Neither team hit the ball well. "We didn't play. We didn't hit," Chickenhawks manager Kenny Todman noted.
"We have to work on our defense to stop our team's dependence on Sarauw," Devil Rays manager Alvin "Bello" Richards said, adding that his catcher Keith LaMotta "played good in controlling Sarauw."
The Chickenhawks did not score an earned run as five Devil Ray miscues allowed them five runs. The Devil Rays scored only one earned run themselves as they capitalized on the Chickenhawks' miscues, too.
CAHS starting pitcher Jahsan Page did not have control of his pitches. He allowed the Devil Rays four runs, three of them unearned, walking four and striking out one and giving up one hit in one and two-thirds innings. Page threw three wild pitches and was relieved by Kwame O'Neal, who had better command of his pitches in striking out six Devil Rays.
Eudora Kean mustered only four scattered hits in the game. Neither team hit the ball well. "We didn't play. We didn't hit," Chickenhawks manager Kenny Todman noted.
"We have to work on our defense to stop our team's dependence on Sarauw," Devil Rays manager Alvin "Bello" Richards said, adding that his catcher Keith LaMotta "played good in controlling Sarauw."
UNBEATEN CAHS TOPS BCB IN JV BASEBALL
The Charlotte Amalie Chickenhawks remained undefeated as they held off the Bertha C. Boschulte Blazers, 12-9, in junior varsity baseball action at the Michael J. Kirwan ball park.
The Chickenhawks scored five runs in the top of the third inning to take an 8-5 lead. The Blazers answered with one in the bottom half of the inning but subsequently give up another four runs in the top of the fourth. The Blazers tried to mount a comeback but scored only three runs in the bottom of the fourth and the game was called due to the two-hour time limit for junior varsity baseball.
Charlotte Amalie totaled eight hits in the contest. BCB got nine hits but ran themselves out of scoring opportunities with base-running miscues.
The Chickenhawks improved to 2-0 as the Blazers dropped their first game of the season. Sean David was the winning pitcher and Kyle LaMotta absorbed the loss.
The Chickenhawks scored five runs in the top of the third inning to take an 8-5 lead. The Blazers answered with one in the bottom half of the inning but subsequently give up another four runs in the top of the fourth. The Blazers tried to mount a comeback but scored only three runs in the bottom of the fourth and the game was called due to the two-hour time limit for junior varsity baseball.
Charlotte Amalie totaled eight hits in the contest. BCB got nine hits but ran themselves out of scoring opportunities with base-running miscues.
The Chickenhawks improved to 2-0 as the Blazers dropped their first game of the season. Sean David was the winning pitcher and Kyle LaMotta absorbed the loss.
LACK OF FUNDS CITED FOR LANDFILL VIOLATIONS
The Public Works Department does not have the resources to bring the Bovoni landfill into compliance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines, department representative Roan Creque told the Senate Planning and Environmental Protection Committee Wednesday.
"There is nothing we can do to come into compliance without a check," Creque said.
EPA Virgin Islands coordinator Jim Casey, Planning and Natural Resources Commissioner Dean Plaskett and Creque spoke at a hearing called to review a consent agreement the territorial government entered into with the EPA to bring the Bovoni landfill into compliance with federal guidelines.
Casey also updated the committee on the EPA's recent announcement that it would move to disapprove the government's landfill program at both Bovoni and Anguilla on St. Croix, thereby giving the federal agency the authority to take over their regulation. Currently, Planning and Natural Resources regulates the landfill program that the Public Works Department operates.
The EPA announced Monday that the V.I. government had not adopted necessary solid waste regulations or allocated sufficient staff and resources for the program. The federal agency will hold public hearings on June 27 and 28 as the next step before possibly taking over regulation of the landfill program.
"Compliance is as bad as it was three years ago," Casey said. Countering Creque's request that the federal agency provide funds for the landfill program, he said, "Funds are not given to any other place for the upkeep of landfills."
The government lacks regulations regarding the venting of methane gas, which has provoked underground fires in the landfills, and the prohibition of hazardous waste, the EPA has said.
Plaskett said earlier this week that his office has prepared a set of regulations that is awaiting approval by the Legislature and Government House.
In a release from committee chair Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg's office later Wednesday, Donastorg said, "Everyone knows I welcome this long-overdue federal intervention. I'm going to ask that the federal government hold specific individuals personally responsible for seeing landfill cleanup efforts through. The buck has been passed again and again. We are talking about a major threat to public health and the environment – this must be made a priority."
In other action, by a 4-0 vote, the committee approved a minor Coastal Zone Management permit for Alex Randall to construct a 375-square-foot, concrete private dock on Water Island, where he resides. Sens. Donald "Ducks" Cole, Norman Jn Baptiste, George Goodwin and Donastorg voted for the permit. Sen. Almando "Rocky" Liburd was absent from the vote.
The committee will reconvene at 10 a.m. Thursday on St. Croix in the Legislature Complex in Frederiksted. The Anguilla landfill will be a focus of the deliberations, with EPA, Public Works and Planning and Natural Resources officials again asked to be present. The committee will also take testimony on the recent oil leak at the St. Croix Alumina plant, which according to the release may have contaminated the Kingshill aquifer.
"There is nothing we can do to come into compliance without a check," Creque said.
EPA Virgin Islands coordinator Jim Casey, Planning and Natural Resources Commissioner Dean Plaskett and Creque spoke at a hearing called to review a consent agreement the territorial government entered into with the EPA to bring the Bovoni landfill into compliance with federal guidelines.
Casey also updated the committee on the EPA's recent announcement that it would move to disapprove the government's landfill program at both Bovoni and Anguilla on St. Croix, thereby giving the federal agency the authority to take over their regulation. Currently, Planning and Natural Resources regulates the landfill program that the Public Works Department operates.
The EPA announced Monday that the V.I. government had not adopted necessary solid waste regulations or allocated sufficient staff and resources for the program. The federal agency will hold public hearings on June 27 and 28 as the next step before possibly taking over regulation of the landfill program.
"Compliance is as bad as it was three years ago," Casey said. Countering Creque's request that the federal agency provide funds for the landfill program, he said, "Funds are not given to any other place for the upkeep of landfills."
The government lacks regulations regarding the venting of methane gas, which has provoked underground fires in the landfills, and the prohibition of hazardous waste, the EPA has said.
Plaskett said earlier this week that his office has prepared a set of regulations that is awaiting approval by the Legislature and Government House.
In a release from committee chair Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg's office later Wednesday, Donastorg said, "Everyone knows I welcome this long-overdue federal intervention. I'm going to ask that the federal government hold specific individuals personally responsible for seeing landfill cleanup efforts through. The buck has been passed again and again. We are talking about a major threat to public health and the environment – this must be made a priority."
In other action, by a 4-0 vote, the committee approved a minor Coastal Zone Management permit for Alex Randall to construct a 375-square-foot, concrete private dock on Water Island, where he resides. Sens. Donald "Ducks" Cole, Norman Jn Baptiste, George Goodwin and Donastorg voted for the permit. Sen. Almando "Rocky" Liburd was absent from the vote.
The committee will reconvene at 10 a.m. Thursday on St. Croix in the Legislature Complex in Frederiksted. The Anguilla landfill will be a focus of the deliberations, with EPA, Public Works and Planning and Natural Resources officials again asked to be present. The committee will also take testimony on the recent oil leak at the St. Croix Alumina plant, which according to the release may have contaminated the Kingshill aquifer.
