The Antilles Hurricanes Female Junior Varsity Softball team remained undefeated as they beat Cancryn for the second time Monday by a score of 18 to 8.
The winning pitcher was Sophie Newbold. The loosing pitcher was Jahmeeka Petersen.
Antilles' Andi Bailey was 3 for 3 with 5 RBIs. Rachael Gargano was 3 for 4
with 2 HRs and 5 RBIs. Aysha Gregory was 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs. Scaha Gumbs
of Cancryn hit an amazing "over the fence" home run in the first inning.
VIRUS COPYCATS ARE ABOUT; DELETE IF IN DOUBT
Virgin Islands Internet users were finding a warning posted on the home pages of their servers Monday about the "love bug" computer virus.
Technicians working for three of the major Internet service providers in the territory were unwilling to say that they had heard of any problems from their subscribers as a result of the mysterious e-mail that shows up in in-boxes as "ILOVEYOU." However, one local resident described his encounter.
Broadcaster Alex Randall, the "Good News Guy" of WSTA, said he was checking his e- mail at the radio station on Thursday morning and found a message from abroad. "I consider myself a relatively computer-savvy person, with close to 20 years experience," Randall said. "I got an e-mail from an old friend that I thought was sending me a love letter."
Within 20 minutes after he opened the LOVELETTER attachment, Randall said, his hard drive began working at a furious pace. A few minutes later, he said, he found his photo files had been wiped out.
Meantime, local Internet technicians say, some local copycat activity is in evidence. Love bug-like viruses are showing up in the guise of the popular pass-around jokes labeled "Funny" or "Funny Joke." Bernard Ottley Jr., a VI PowerNet support technician, said one of the latest copycat viruses comes through the e-mail labeled "Happy Mother's Day."
Brandon Hatcher at VIAccess advised Internet users not to open any suspicious electronic mail. "Just delete it," he said. If such messages continue showing up in your mailbox, he said, you should identify the source and order an electronic block against any subsequent mail from that sender.
Hotmail, for example, has a category you can click that says "do not accept any more mail from this source." Call your server for instructions if you do not have the information on your home page.
Cyber-researchers said last week that the love bug had infected some 600,000 computers worldwide, even as anti-virus software manufacturers were rushing out inoculations. A California research company, Computer Economics Inc., said 45 million people received the infected e-mail on Thursday.
The ultimate advice for the wary: If you think something you've gotten in the e-mail is a safe message from a friend but aren't sure, download it onto a floppy disk, not onto your hard drive.
Technicians working for three of the major Internet service providers in the territory were unwilling to say that they had heard of any problems from their subscribers as a result of the mysterious e-mail that shows up in in-boxes as "ILOVEYOU." However, one local resident described his encounter.
Broadcaster Alex Randall, the "Good News Guy" of WSTA, said he was checking his e- mail at the radio station on Thursday morning and found a message from abroad. "I consider myself a relatively computer-savvy person, with close to 20 years experience," Randall said. "I got an e-mail from an old friend that I thought was sending me a love letter."
Within 20 minutes after he opened the LOVELETTER attachment, Randall said, his hard drive began working at a furious pace. A few minutes later, he said, he found his photo files had been wiped out.
Meantime, local Internet technicians say, some local copycat activity is in evidence. Love bug-like viruses are showing up in the guise of the popular pass-around jokes labeled "Funny" or "Funny Joke." Bernard Ottley Jr., a VI PowerNet support technician, said one of the latest copycat viruses comes through the e-mail labeled "Happy Mother's Day."
Brandon Hatcher at VIAccess advised Internet users not to open any suspicious electronic mail. "Just delete it," he said. If such messages continue showing up in your mailbox, he said, you should identify the source and order an electronic block against any subsequent mail from that sender.
Hotmail, for example, has a category you can click that says "do not accept any more mail from this source." Call your server for instructions if you do not have the information on your home page.
Cyber-researchers said last week that the love bug had infected some 600,000 computers worldwide, even as anti-virus software manufacturers were rushing out inoculations. A California research company, Computer Economics Inc., said 45 million people received the infected e-mail on Thursday.
The ultimate advice for the wary: If you think something you've gotten in the e-mail is a safe message from a friend but aren't sure, download it onto a floppy disk, not onto your hard drive.
VIRUS COPYCATS ARE ABOUT; DELETE IF IN DOUBT
Judi Shimel
Virgin Islands Internet users were finding a warning posted on the home pages of their servers Monday about the "love bug" computer virus.
Technicians working for three of the major Internet service providers in the territory were unwilling to say that they had heard of any problems from their subscribers as a result of the mysterious e-mail that shows up in in-boxes as "ILOVEYOU." However, one local resident described his encounter.
Broadcaster Alex Randall, the "Good News Guy" of WSTA, said he was checking his e- mail at the radio station on Thursday morning and found a message from abroad. "I consider myself a relatively computer-savvy person, with close to 20 years experience," Randall said. "I got an e-mail from an old friend that I thought was sending me a love letter."
Within 20 minutes after he opened the LOVELETTER attachment, Randall said, his hard drive began working at a furious pace. A few minutes later, he said, he found his photo files had been wiped out.
Meantime, local Internet technicians say, some local copycat activity is in evidence. Love bug-like viruses are showing up in the guise of the popular pass-around jokes labeled "Funny" or "Funny Joke." Bernard Ottley Jr., a VI PowerNet support technician, said one of the latest copycat viruses comes through the e-mail labeled "Happy Mother's Day."
Brandon Hatcher at VIAccess advised Internet users not to open any suspicious electronic mail. "Just delete it," he said. If such messages continue showing up in your mailbox, he said, you should identify the source and order an electronic block against any subsequent mail from that sender.
Hotmail, for example, has a category you can click that says "do not accept any more mail from this source." Call your server for instructions if you do not have the information on your home page.
Cyber-researchers said last week that the love bug had infected some 600,000 computers worldwide, even as anti-virus software manufacturers were rushing out inoculations. A California research company, Computer Economics Inc., said 45 million people received the infected e-mail on Thursday.
The ultimate advice for the wary: If you think something you've gotten in the e-mail is a safe message from a friend but aren't sure, download it onto a floppy disk, not onto your hard drive.
Virgin Islands Internet users were finding a warning posted on the home pages of their servers Monday about the "love bug" computer virus.
Technicians working for three of the major Internet service providers in the territory were unwilling to say that they had heard of any problems from their subscribers as a result of the mysterious e-mail that shows up in in-boxes as "ILOVEYOU." However, one local resident described his encounter.
Broadcaster Alex Randall, the "Good News Guy" of WSTA, said he was checking his e- mail at the radio station on Thursday morning and found a message from abroad. "I consider myself a relatively computer-savvy person, with close to 20 years experience," Randall said. "I got an e-mail from an old friend that I thought was sending me a love letter."
Within 20 minutes after he opened the LOVELETTER attachment, Randall said, his hard drive began working at a furious pace. A few minutes later, he said, he found his photo files had been wiped out.
Meantime, local Internet technicians say, some local copycat activity is in evidence. Love bug-like viruses are showing up in the guise of the popular pass-around jokes labeled "Funny" or "Funny Joke." Bernard Ottley Jr., a VI PowerNet support technician, said one of the latest copycat viruses comes through the e-mail labeled "Happy Mother's Day."
Brandon Hatcher at VIAccess advised Internet users not to open any suspicious electronic mail. "Just delete it," he said. If such messages continue showing up in your mailbox, he said, you should identify the source and order an electronic block against any subsequent mail from that sender.
Hotmail, for example, has a category you can click that says "do not accept any more mail from this source." Call your server for instructions if you do not have the information on your home page.
Cyber-researchers said last week that the love bug had infected some 600,000 computers worldwide, even as anti-virus software manufacturers were rushing out inoculations. A California research company, Computer Economics Inc., said 45 million people received the infected e-mail on Thursday.
The ultimate advice for the wary: If you think something you've gotten in the e-mail is a safe message from a friend but aren't sure, download it onto a floppy disk, not onto your hard drive.
VIRUS COPYCATS ARE ABOUT; DELETE IF IN DOUBT
Virgin Islands Internet users were finding a warning posted on the home pages of their servers Monday about the "love bug" computer virus.
Technicians working for three of the major Internet service providers in the territory were unwilling to say that they had heard of any problems from their subscribers as a result of the mysterious e-mail that shows up in in-boxes as "ILOVEYOU." However, one local resident described his encounter.
Broadcaster Alex Randall, the "Good News Guy" of WSTA, said he was checking his e- mail at the radio station on Thursday morning and found a message from abroad. "I consider myself a relatively computer-savvy person, with close to 20 years experience," Randall said. "I got an e-mail from an old friend that I thought was sending me a love letter."
Within 20 minutes after he opened the LOVELETTER attachment, Randall said, his hard drive began working at a furious pace. A few minutes later, he said, he found his photo files had been wiped out.
Meantime, local Internet technicians say, some local copycat activity is in evidence. Love bug-like viruses are showing up in the guise of the popular pass-around jokes labeled "Funny" or "Funny Joke." Bernard Ottley Jr., a VI PowerNet support technician, said one of the latest copycat viruses comes through the e-mail labeled "Happy Mother's Day."
Brandon Hatcher at VIAccess advised Internet users not to open any suspicious electronic mail. "Just delete it," he said. If such messages continue showing up in your mailbox, he said, you should identify the source and order an electronic block against any subsequent mail from that sender.
Hotmail, for example, has a category you can click that says "do not accept any more mail from this source." Call your server for instructions if you do not have the information on your home page.
Cyber-researchers said last week that the love bug had infected some 600,000 computers worldwide, even as anti-virus software manufacturers were rushing out inoculations. A California research company, Computer Economics Inc., said 45 million people received the infected e-mail on Thursday.
The ultimate advice for the wary: If you think something you've gotten in the e-mail is a safe message from a friend but aren't sure, download it onto a floppy disk, not onto your hard drive.
Technicians working for three of the major Internet service providers in the territory were unwilling to say that they had heard of any problems from their subscribers as a result of the mysterious e-mail that shows up in in-boxes as "ILOVEYOU." However, one local resident described his encounter.
Broadcaster Alex Randall, the "Good News Guy" of WSTA, said he was checking his e- mail at the radio station on Thursday morning and found a message from abroad. "I consider myself a relatively computer-savvy person, with close to 20 years experience," Randall said. "I got an e-mail from an old friend that I thought was sending me a love letter."
Within 20 minutes after he opened the LOVELETTER attachment, Randall said, his hard drive began working at a furious pace. A few minutes later, he said, he found his photo files had been wiped out.
Meantime, local Internet technicians say, some local copycat activity is in evidence. Love bug-like viruses are showing up in the guise of the popular pass-around jokes labeled "Funny" or "Funny Joke." Bernard Ottley Jr., a VI PowerNet support technician, said one of the latest copycat viruses comes through the e-mail labeled "Happy Mother's Day."
Brandon Hatcher at VIAccess advised Internet users not to open any suspicious electronic mail. "Just delete it," he said. If such messages continue showing up in your mailbox, he said, you should identify the source and order an electronic block against any subsequent mail from that sender.
Hotmail, for example, has a category you can click that says "do not accept any more mail from this source." Call your server for instructions if you do not have the information on your home page.
Cyber-researchers said last week that the love bug had infected some 600,000 computers worldwide, even as anti-virus software manufacturers were rushing out inoculations. A California research company, Computer Economics Inc., said 45 million people received the infected e-mail on Thursday.
The ultimate advice for the wary: If you think something you've gotten in the e-mail is a safe message from a friend but aren't sure, download it onto a floppy disk, not onto your hard drive.
TASK FORCE ADVICE IN ONE WORD: PRIVATIZE
Under a five-year economic recovery plan presented to the Senate Finance Committee Monday on St. Thomas, the government would get out of the business of operating buses, running the V.I. Lottery and managing its fleet of vehicles and the territory's solid waste.
And the decision could be made to reduce the work week for some government employees and lay off others.
Through privatization and contracting out for services, the government would both cut its expenditures and increase its revenues, according to the report from the administration's Economic Recovery Task Force.
John de Jongh Jr. chaired the task force, created last year by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull, which drafted the plan. In testimony Monday, he warned the committee that the government faces such dire consequences as federal government intervention, cessation of investment, capital flight and default on payroll if it continues business as usual.
"Privatization is the buzzword in this plan," Sen. Violet Anne Golden, a member of the task force, said.
The plan "makes a compelling case that the fiscal crisis of the U.S. Virgin Islands cannot be ignored," Finance Committee chair Lorraine Berry said in a release issued by her office following the hearing.
The Five-Year Strategic and Financial Operating Plan set forth in the 300-page task force report recommends a three-pronged strategy:
– Reduce and control government spending,
– Increase revenue collections to control the deficit short term, and
– Implement private-sector initiatives to increase government revenues in the medium to long term.
In addition to moving Vitran, the lottery, solid waste management and management of the government fleet into the public sector, the plan also contains initiatives for other government agencies and for the reorganization of central services.
It recommends the creation of an Economic Development Authority. Turnbull has proposed to create such an entity, merging existing agencies such as the Industrial Development Commission, the Government Development Bank and the Small Business Development Agency.
According to deJongh, the government's accumulated deficit stood at $305 million at the end of fiscal year 1999. He said it will grow to at least $335 million and perhaps to more than $800 million, depending on the degree of implementation of the recommended measures. In the best-case scenario, the task force projects a budget surplus of $11.4 million for fiscal year 2004, he said.
Rudolph Krigger Sr., assistant to the governor for fiscal and economic policy, and two officials of Core International, the administration consulting firm that produced the plan, also testified. Krigger said the plan entails difficult decisions that will have to be made in order to improve the territory's economic outlook over the next five years. Among them are measures to reduce the government work week, reduce the size of the public payroll and lay off government workers, he said. Privatization in specified areas must occur, he added.
Further, Krigger said, "Attitudes within the territory must be amended in order to entice businesses to come to the community."
Core president Vinod Shrivastava stressed in his testimony that endorsement of privatization wherever possible is necessary to foster the growth of the private sector, according to Berry's release.
The task force recommended implementation of the measures over the next two years.
Berry noted that the administration's fiscal year 2001 budget is due to be submitted to the Legislature this month. The release from her office stated that, given "the historic problem of enforcement and implementation of recommendations," she asked Krigger whether the task force recommendations would "be visible" in the FY 2001 budget." The response, according to the release, was that "recommendations are continuously being implemented and will be seen" in the forthcoming budget.
The plan was originally to have been presented to the Finance Committee on April 18 but was delayed to April 27 at Government House request. Then Shrivastava asked that it be delayed a second time, saying he needed more time to prepare his presentation. It was then rescheduled for Monday.
Committee members present in addition to Berry and Golden were Senators Gregory Bennerson, Roosevent David, George Goodwin and David Jones. Sen. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen asked to be excused. Non-committee members present included Senators Donald "Ducks" Cole, Norman Jn Baptiste, Almando "Rocky" Liburd and Vargrave Richards.
And the decision could be made to reduce the work week for some government employees and lay off others.
Through privatization and contracting out for services, the government would both cut its expenditures and increase its revenues, according to the report from the administration's Economic Recovery Task Force.
John de Jongh Jr. chaired the task force, created last year by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull, which drafted the plan. In testimony Monday, he warned the committee that the government faces such dire consequences as federal government intervention, cessation of investment, capital flight and default on payroll if it continues business as usual.
"Privatization is the buzzword in this plan," Sen. Violet Anne Golden, a member of the task force, said.
The plan "makes a compelling case that the fiscal crisis of the U.S. Virgin Islands cannot be ignored," Finance Committee chair Lorraine Berry said in a release issued by her office following the hearing.
The Five-Year Strategic and Financial Operating Plan set forth in the 300-page task force report recommends a three-pronged strategy:
– Reduce and control government spending,
– Increase revenue collections to control the deficit short term, and
– Implement private-sector initiatives to increase government revenues in the medium to long term.
In addition to moving Vitran, the lottery, solid waste management and management of the government fleet into the public sector, the plan also contains initiatives for other government agencies and for the reorganization of central services.
It recommends the creation of an Economic Development Authority. Turnbull has proposed to create such an entity, merging existing agencies such as the Industrial Development Commission, the Government Development Bank and the Small Business Development Agency.
According to deJongh, the government's accumulated deficit stood at $305 million at the end of fiscal year 1999. He said it will grow to at least $335 million and perhaps to more than $800 million, depending on the degree of implementation of the recommended measures. In the best-case scenario, the task force projects a budget surplus of $11.4 million for fiscal year 2004, he said.
Rudolph Krigger Sr., assistant to the governor for fiscal and economic policy, and two officials of Core International, the administration consulting firm that produced the plan, also testified. Krigger said the plan entails difficult decisions that will have to be made in order to improve the territory's economic outlook over the next five years. Among them are measures to reduce the government work week, reduce the size of the public payroll and lay off government workers, he said. Privatization in specified areas must occur, he added.
Further, Krigger said, "Attitudes within the territory must be amended in order to entice businesses to come to the community."
Core president Vinod Shrivastava stressed in his testimony that endorsement of privatization wherever possible is necessary to foster the growth of the private sector, according to Berry's release.
The task force recommended implementation of the measures over the next two years.
Berry noted that the administration's fiscal year 2001 budget is due to be submitted to the Legislature this month. The release from her office stated that, given "the historic problem of enforcement and implementation of recommendations," she asked Krigger whether the task force recommendations would "be visible" in the FY 2001 budget." The response, according to the release, was that "recommendations are continuously being implemented and will be seen" in the forthcoming budget.
The plan was originally to have been presented to the Finance Committee on April 18 but was delayed to April 27 at Government House request. Then Shrivastava asked that it be delayed a second time, saying he needed more time to prepare his presentation. It was then rescheduled for Monday.
Committee members present in addition to Berry and Golden were Senators Gregory Bennerson, Roosevent David, George Goodwin and David Jones. Sen. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen asked to be excused. Non-committee members present included Senators Donald "Ducks" Cole, Norman Jn Baptiste, Almando "Rocky" Liburd and Vargrave Richards.
TASK FORCE ADVICE IN ONE WORD: PRIVATIZE
Jon Hayes
Under a five-year economic recovery plan presented to the Senate Finance Committee Monday, the government would get out of the business of operating buses, running the V.I. Lottery and managing its fleet of vehicles and the territory's solid waste.
And the decision could be made to reduce the work week for some government employees and lay off others.
Through privatization and contracting out for services, the government would both cut its expenditures and increase its revenues, according to the report from the administration's Economic Recovery Task Force.
John de Jongh Jr. chaired the task force, created last year by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull, which drafted the plan. In testimony Monday, he warned the committee that the government faces such dire consequences as federal government intervention, cessation of investment, capital flight and default on payroll if it continues business as usual.
"Privatization is the buzzword in this plan," Sen. Violet Anne Golden, a member of the task force, said.
The plan "makes a compelling case that the fiscal crisis of the U.S. Virgin Islands cannot be ignored," Finance Committee chair Lorraine Berry said in a release issued by her office following the hearing.
The Five-Year Strategic and Financial Operating Plan set forth in the 300-page task force report recommends a three-pronged strategy:
– Reduce and control government spending,
– Increase revenue collections to control the deficit short term, and
– Implement private-sector initiatives to increase government revenues in the medium to long term.
In addition to moving Vitran, the lottery, solid waste management and management of the government fleet into the public sector, the plan also contains initiatives for other government agencies and for the reorganization of central services.
It recommends the creation of an Economic Development Authority. Turnbull has proposed to create such an entity, merging existing agencies such as the Industrial Development Commission, the Government Development Bank and the Small Business Development Agency.
According to deJongh, the government's accumulated deficit stood at $305 million at the end of fiscal year 1999. He said it will grow to at least $335 million and perhaps to more than $800 million, depending on the degree of implementation of the recommended measures. In the best-case scenario, the task force projects a budget surplus of $11.4 million for fiscal year 2004, he said.
Rudolph Krigger Sr., assistant to the governor for fiscal and economic policy, and two officials of Core International, the administration consulting firm that produced the plan, also testified. Krigger said the plan entails difficult decisions that will have to be made in order to improve the territory's economic outlook over the next five years. Among them are measures to reduce the government work week, reduce the size of the public payroll and lay off government workers, he said. Privatization in specified areas must occur, he added.
Further, Krigger said, "Attitudes within the territory must be amended in order to entice businesses to come to the community."
Core president Vinod Shrivastava stressed in his testimony that endorsement of privatization wherever possible is necessary to foster the growth of the private sector, according to Berry's release.
The task force recommended implementation of the measures over the next two years.
Berry noted that the administration's fiscal year 2001 budget is due to be submitted to the Legislature this month. The release from her office stated that, given "the historic problem of enforcement and implementation of recommendations," she asked Krigger whether the task force recommendations would "be visible" in the FY 2001 budget." The response, according to the release, was that "recommendations are continuously being implemented and will be seen" in the forthcoming budget.
The plan was originally to have been presented to the Finance Committee on April 18 but was delayed to April 27 at Government House request. Then Shrivastava asked that it be delayed a second time, saying he needed more time to prepare his presentation. It was then rescheduled for Monday.
Committee members present in addition to Berry and Golden were Senators Gregory Bennerson, Roosevent David, George Goodwin and David Jones. Sen. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen asked to be excused. Non-committee members present included Senators Donald "Ducks" Cole, Norman Jn Baptiste, Almando "Rocky" Liburd and Vargrave Richards.
Under a five-year economic recovery plan presented to the Senate Finance Committee Monday, the government would get out of the business of operating buses, running the V.I. Lottery and managing its fleet of vehicles and the territory's solid waste.
And the decision could be made to reduce the work week for some government employees and lay off others.
Through privatization and contracting out for services, the government would both cut its expenditures and increase its revenues, according to the report from the administration's Economic Recovery Task Force.
John de Jongh Jr. chaired the task force, created last year by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull, which drafted the plan. In testimony Monday, he warned the committee that the government faces such dire consequences as federal government intervention, cessation of investment, capital flight and default on payroll if it continues business as usual.
"Privatization is the buzzword in this plan," Sen. Violet Anne Golden, a member of the task force, said.
The plan "makes a compelling case that the fiscal crisis of the U.S. Virgin Islands cannot be ignored," Finance Committee chair Lorraine Berry said in a release issued by her office following the hearing.
The Five-Year Strategic and Financial Operating Plan set forth in the 300-page task force report recommends a three-pronged strategy:
– Reduce and control government spending,
– Increase revenue collections to control the deficit short term, and
– Implement private-sector initiatives to increase government revenues in the medium to long term.
In addition to moving Vitran, the lottery, solid waste management and management of the government fleet into the public sector, the plan also contains initiatives for other government agencies and for the reorganization of central services.
It recommends the creation of an Economic Development Authority. Turnbull has proposed to create such an entity, merging existing agencies such as the Industrial Development Commission, the Government Development Bank and the Small Business Development Agency.
According to deJongh, the government's accumulated deficit stood at $305 million at the end of fiscal year 1999. He said it will grow to at least $335 million and perhaps to more than $800 million, depending on the degree of implementation of the recommended measures. In the best-case scenario, the task force projects a budget surplus of $11.4 million for fiscal year 2004, he said.
Rudolph Krigger Sr., assistant to the governor for fiscal and economic policy, and two officials of Core International, the administration consulting firm that produced the plan, also testified. Krigger said the plan entails difficult decisions that will have to be made in order to improve the territory's economic outlook over the next five years. Among them are measures to reduce the government work week, reduce the size of the public payroll and lay off government workers, he said. Privatization in specified areas must occur, he added.
Further, Krigger said, "Attitudes within the territory must be amended in order to entice businesses to come to the community."
Core president Vinod Shrivastava stressed in his testimony that endorsement of privatization wherever possible is necessary to foster the growth of the private sector, according to Berry's release.
The task force recommended implementation of the measures over the next two years.
Berry noted that the administration's fiscal year 2001 budget is due to be submitted to the Legislature this month. The release from her office stated that, given "the historic problem of enforcement and implementation of recommendations," she asked Krigger whether the task force recommendations would "be visible" in the FY 2001 budget." The response, according to the release, was that "recommendations are continuously being implemented and will be seen" in the forthcoming budget.
The plan was originally to have been presented to the Finance Committee on April 18 but was delayed to April 27 at Government House request. Then Shrivastava asked that it be delayed a second time, saying he needed more time to prepare his presentation. It was then rescheduled for Monday.
Committee members present in addition to Berry and Golden were Senators Gregory Bennerson, Roosevent David, George Goodwin and David Jones. Sen. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen asked to be excused. Non-committee members present included Senators Donald "Ducks" Cole, Norman Jn Baptiste, Almando "Rocky" Liburd and Vargrave Richards.
TASK FORCE ADVICE IN ONE WORD: PRIVATIZE
Under a five-year economic recovery plan presented to the Senate Finance Committee Monday, the government would get out of the business of operating buses, running the V.I. Lottery and managing its fleet of vehicles and the territory's solid waste.
And the decision could be made to reduce the work week for some government employees and lay off others.
Through privatization and contracting out for services, the government would both cut its expenditures and increase its revenues, according to the report from the administration's Economic Recovery Task Force.
John de Jongh Jr. chaired the task force, created last year by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull, which drafted the plan. In testimony Monday, he warned the committee that the government faces such dire consequences as federal government intervention, cessation of investment, capital flight and default on payroll if it continues business as usual.
"Privatization is the buzzword in this plan," Sen. Violet Anne Golden, a member of the task force, said.
The plan "makes a compelling case that the fiscal crisis of the U.S. Virgin Islands cannot be ignored," Finance Committee chair Lorraine Berry said in a release issued by her office following the hearing.
The Five-Year Strategic and Financial Operating Plan set forth in the 300-page task force report recommends a three-pronged strategy:
– Reduce and control government spending,
– Increase revenue collections to control the deficit short term, and
– Implement private-sector initiatives to increase government revenues in the medium to long term.
In addition to moving Vitran, the lottery, solid waste management and management of the government fleet into the public sector, the plan also contains initiatives for other government agencies and for the reorganization of central services.
It recommends the creation of an Economic Development Authority. Turnbull has proposed to create such an entity, merging existing agencies such as the Industrial Development Commission, the Government Development Bank and the Small Business Development Agency.
According to deJongh, the government's accumulated deficit stood at $305 million at the end of fiscal year 1999. He said it will grow to at least $335 million and perhaps to more than $800 million, depending on the degree of implementation of the recommended measures. In the best-case scenario, the task force projects a budget surplus of $11.4 million for fiscal year 2004, he said.
Rudolph Krigger Sr., assistant to the governor for fiscal and economic policy, and two officials of Core International, the administration consulting firm that produced the plan, also testified. Krigger said the plan entails difficult decisions that will have to be made in order to improve the territory's economic outlook over the next five years. Among them are measures to reduce the government work week, reduce the size of the public payroll and lay off government workers, he said. Privatization in specified areas must occur, he added.
Further, Krigger said, "Attitudes within the territory must be amended in order to entice businesses to come to the community."
Core president Vinod Shrivastava stressed in his testimony that endorsement of privatization wherever possible is necessary to foster the growth of the private sector, according to Berry's release.
The task force recommended implementation of the measures over the next two years.
Berry noted that the administration's fiscal year 2001 budget is due to be submitted to the Legislature this month. The release from her office stated that, given "the historic problem of enforcement and implementation of recommendations," she asked Krigger whether the task force recommendations would "be visible" in the FY 2001 budget." The response, according to the release, was that "recommendations are continuously being implemented and will be seen" in the forthcoming budget.
The plan was originally to have been presented to the Finance Committee on April 18 but was delayed to April 27 at Government House request. Then Shrivastava asked that it be delayed a second time, saying he needed more time to prepare his presentation. It was then rescheduled for Monday.
Committee members present in addition to Berry and Golden were Senators Gregory Bennerson, Roosevent David, George Goodwin and David Jones. Sen. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen asked to be excused. Non-committee members present included Senators Donald "Ducks" Cole, Norman Jn Baptiste, Almando "Rocky" Liburd and Vargrave Richards.
And the decision could be made to reduce the work week for some government employees and lay off others.
Through privatization and contracting out for services, the government would both cut its expenditures and increase its revenues, according to the report from the administration's Economic Recovery Task Force.
John de Jongh Jr. chaired the task force, created last year by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull, which drafted the plan. In testimony Monday, he warned the committee that the government faces such dire consequences as federal government intervention, cessation of investment, capital flight and default on payroll if it continues business as usual.
"Privatization is the buzzword in this plan," Sen. Violet Anne Golden, a member of the task force, said.
The plan "makes a compelling case that the fiscal crisis of the U.S. Virgin Islands cannot be ignored," Finance Committee chair Lorraine Berry said in a release issued by her office following the hearing.
The Five-Year Strategic and Financial Operating Plan set forth in the 300-page task force report recommends a three-pronged strategy:
– Reduce and control government spending,
– Increase revenue collections to control the deficit short term, and
– Implement private-sector initiatives to increase government revenues in the medium to long term.
In addition to moving Vitran, the lottery, solid waste management and management of the government fleet into the public sector, the plan also contains initiatives for other government agencies and for the reorganization of central services.
It recommends the creation of an Economic Development Authority. Turnbull has proposed to create such an entity, merging existing agencies such as the Industrial Development Commission, the Government Development Bank and the Small Business Development Agency.
According to deJongh, the government's accumulated deficit stood at $305 million at the end of fiscal year 1999. He said it will grow to at least $335 million and perhaps to more than $800 million, depending on the degree of implementation of the recommended measures. In the best-case scenario, the task force projects a budget surplus of $11.4 million for fiscal year 2004, he said.
Rudolph Krigger Sr., assistant to the governor for fiscal and economic policy, and two officials of Core International, the administration consulting firm that produced the plan, also testified. Krigger said the plan entails difficult decisions that will have to be made in order to improve the territory's economic outlook over the next five years. Among them are measures to reduce the government work week, reduce the size of the public payroll and lay off government workers, he said. Privatization in specified areas must occur, he added.
Further, Krigger said, "Attitudes within the territory must be amended in order to entice businesses to come to the community."
Core president Vinod Shrivastava stressed in his testimony that endorsement of privatization wherever possible is necessary to foster the growth of the private sector, according to Berry's release.
The task force recommended implementation of the measures over the next two years.
Berry noted that the administration's fiscal year 2001 budget is due to be submitted to the Legislature this month. The release from her office stated that, given "the historic problem of enforcement and implementation of recommendations," she asked Krigger whether the task force recommendations would "be visible" in the FY 2001 budget." The response, according to the release, was that "recommendations are continuously being implemented and will be seen" in the forthcoming budget.
The plan was originally to have been presented to the Finance Committee on April 18 but was delayed to April 27 at Government House request. Then Shrivastava asked that it be delayed a second time, saying he needed more time to prepare his presentation. It was then rescheduled for Monday.
Committee members present in addition to Berry and Golden were Senators Gregory Bennerson, Roosevent David, George Goodwin and David Jones. Sen. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen asked to be excused. Non-committee members present included Senators Donald "Ducks" Cole, Norman Jn Baptiste, Almando "Rocky" Liburd and Vargrave Richards.
TWO ARRESTED IN SEPARATE RAPE INCIDENTS
Two men have been arrested and charged with rape in separate incidents, according to a release from Jose Garcia, territorial chief of police.
Alvin A. Gomez Jr., 37, known as "Miko," of Altona 178-221, was arrested Monday and charged with rape and kidnaping. Gomez is accused of grabbing his victim at 10 p.m. Sunday near the Snap Shop on Norre Gade and dragging her across the street to the rear of the Lutheran Church, where the alleged rape occurred.
Bail for Gomez was set at $100,000.
A second arrest was made Monday in connection with a series of alleged rapes taking place in December 1997. The accused man, Ted Fahie, 42, has been charged with second-degree rape.
The victim, who was 15 years old at the time, was staying at Fahie's home when he allegedly had sexual intercourse with her three times, according to Garcia.
Deputy Chief of Police Theodore Carty said the victim reported the incident only a week ago. Carty could not say why there was a two-year delay in reporting it.
Fahie is also being held on $100,000 bail.
Alvin A. Gomez Jr., 37, known as "Miko," of Altona 178-221, was arrested Monday and charged with rape and kidnaping. Gomez is accused of grabbing his victim at 10 p.m. Sunday near the Snap Shop on Norre Gade and dragging her across the street to the rear of the Lutheran Church, where the alleged rape occurred.
Bail for Gomez was set at $100,000.
A second arrest was made Monday in connection with a series of alleged rapes taking place in December 1997. The accused man, Ted Fahie, 42, has been charged with second-degree rape.
The victim, who was 15 years old at the time, was staying at Fahie's home when he allegedly had sexual intercourse with her three times, according to Garcia.
Deputy Chief of Police Theodore Carty said the victim reported the incident only a week ago. Carty could not say why there was a two-year delay in reporting it.
Fahie is also being held on $100,000 bail.
BACCHANAL 2000 FULL OF MEMORIES
The geography might have changed, but the spirit was ready and willing as more than 350 ex-St. Thomians celebrated Bacchanal 2000 in Sarasota, Fla., Friday through Sunday.
Bringing memories, stories, some old dance steps, some children and one leashed cat wearing a pink visor, the expats ate, drank and renewed friendships at the fifth annual jump-up.
What started out five years ago as a relative handful of folks gathering together has become a full-blown reunion. Choreographed by Ron Morrisette and Pat Rice with an assist by Ann Johnson, the affair began with a Friday-night welcome at the Radisson resort on Lido Beach with old familiar faces pouring onto the beach and into open arms, backed up by steelpans and lots of food and drink to set the tone for the weekend.
The celebrants weren't only from Florida. Jenny Rice came from Costa Rica, where she has a small hotel; Ami Hartley traveled from San Francisco, Mary T Cook from Cincinnati, Carol Galvin from New York, Terry "Little Bit" Solomon from Arizona and Pete and Carol Whims from Michigan.
Among a handful of current St. Thomians were Delores and John Jowers, Dick Spenceley, Gloria McGowan, Linda and Charles Sheviski and, most notably, 100-year-old Blanch Sasso with daughter Leah McAllister and a 6-week old great-grandaughter. Ron and Diane Walker were there from St. John.
Sarasota artist Nancy Goodheart Matthew, daughter of Harry Goodheart, was among the welcoming faces, along with David Maas, David Puritz, Bo Campbell and Paula Mydzenski, WAPA Bob and Betty, Jackie and Henry Wazny, Leonarda Crowley, Jo and Len Stein and Kathy and Jim Lavalley.
Jumping up Saturday on Siesta Key at the all-day beach party was an almost complete ticket counter from late '60s Pan Am — Nancy Carlin, Susan Wynne, Brenda Slosky and Barbara Knight. Island music sounded all day with a Dominican group, the Brothers Intent. And doing a few guest shots was Nicky Russell, the "Mighty Whitey."
Calling the expats now "re-patriated" Americans, Morrisette appeared pleased with his labors to engineer an atmosphere of earlier, more carefree days in the Virgin Islands. "It's been a lot of work," he said, "a labor of love." He called putting the whole thing together a "leap of faith."
"We try to get people to send in their money early," he said. For outreach and response, the postage alone came to $500, although they did a lot of it by e-mail. Setting up the music and the catering was no piece of cake. Morrisette said the band he had lined up backed out barely before the 11th hour. However, he was delighted with the Dominican brothers who performed Saturday, as were all the dancers jumping up to the island music.
Some of the commemorative T-shirts, which were included in the $40 registration fee, are still available. St. Thomas artist Edie Paljavcsik Johnson did this year's design, which carries a mocko jumbie theme. To order one, e-mail Ann Johnson:SNBOX@aol.com The cost per shirt is $11 including postage. Shirts come in S,M,L and XL.
Morrisette said the affair went somewhat over budget — costing about $14,000 — and that further T-shirt sales would be welcome. He said he would post the budget details on his e-mail at ramseed2@aol.com soon for the benefit of next year's Bacchanal organizers. Bacchanal 2001 will be held on Florida's Atlantic coast, in Delray Beach.
Appearing exhausted but happy, Morrisette said he was going home to walk his Rottweiler, Brogan, along the beach at sunset while remembering past sunsets seen from Cruz Bay.
Bringing memories, stories, some old dance steps, some children and one leashed cat wearing a pink visor, the expats ate, drank and renewed friendships at the fifth annual jump-up.
What started out five years ago as a relative handful of folks gathering together has become a full-blown reunion. Choreographed by Ron Morrisette and Pat Rice with an assist by Ann Johnson, the affair began with a Friday-night welcome at the Radisson resort on Lido Beach with old familiar faces pouring onto the beach and into open arms, backed up by steelpans and lots of food and drink to set the tone for the weekend.
The celebrants weren't only from Florida. Jenny Rice came from Costa Rica, where she has a small hotel; Ami Hartley traveled from San Francisco, Mary T Cook from Cincinnati, Carol Galvin from New York, Terry "Little Bit" Solomon from Arizona and Pete and Carol Whims from Michigan.
Among a handful of current St. Thomians were Delores and John Jowers, Dick Spenceley, Gloria McGowan, Linda and Charles Sheviski and, most notably, 100-year-old Blanch Sasso with daughter Leah McAllister and a 6-week old great-grandaughter. Ron and Diane Walker were there from St. John.
Sarasota artist Nancy Goodheart Matthew, daughter of Harry Goodheart, was among the welcoming faces, along with David Maas, David Puritz, Bo Campbell and Paula Mydzenski, WAPA Bob and Betty, Jackie and Henry Wazny, Leonarda Crowley, Jo and Len Stein and Kathy and Jim Lavalley.
Jumping up Saturday on Siesta Key at the all-day beach party was an almost complete ticket counter from late '60s Pan Am — Nancy Carlin, Susan Wynne, Brenda Slosky and Barbara Knight. Island music sounded all day with a Dominican group, the Brothers Intent. And doing a few guest shots was Nicky Russell, the "Mighty Whitey."
Calling the expats now "re-patriated" Americans, Morrisette appeared pleased with his labors to engineer an atmosphere of earlier, more carefree days in the Virgin Islands. "It's been a lot of work," he said, "a labor of love." He called putting the whole thing together a "leap of faith."
"We try to get people to send in their money early," he said. For outreach and response, the postage alone came to $500, although they did a lot of it by e-mail. Setting up the music and the catering was no piece of cake. Morrisette said the band he had lined up backed out barely before the 11th hour. However, he was delighted with the Dominican brothers who performed Saturday, as were all the dancers jumping up to the island music.
Some of the commemorative T-shirts, which were included in the $40 registration fee, are still available. St. Thomas artist Edie Paljavcsik Johnson did this year's design, which carries a mocko jumbie theme. To order one, e-mail Ann Johnson:SNBOX@aol.com The cost per shirt is $11 including postage. Shirts come in S,M,L and XL.
Morrisette said the affair went somewhat over budget — costing about $14,000 — and that further T-shirt sales would be welcome. He said he would post the budget details on his e-mail at ramseed2@aol.com soon for the benefit of next year's Bacchanal organizers. Bacchanal 2001 will be held on Florida's Atlantic coast, in Delray Beach.
Appearing exhausted but happy, Morrisette said he was going home to walk his Rottweiler, Brogan, along the beach at sunset while remembering past sunsets seen from Cruz Bay.
VICTIM ADVOCATES TO MEET
The Victim Advocate Program will hold its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 9 at the second floor conference room of the Roy L. Schneider Hospital. All previous and current advocates are requested to attend. Contact Lynn Falkenthal at 775-6103 or Judy Grybowski at 775-6349 for information.
