Citing the territory's fiscal crisis, Gov.-elect Charles Turnbull will trim spending for his inaugural events by 10 percent from 1994 costs, The Daily News reported Tuesday.
The 1994 ceremonies cost $124,000. Turnbull plans to spend no more than $112,000.
Celebrations begin Jan.2 on St. John with a pre-inauguration gala and ecumenical service. Those celebrations will be financed mostly through donations, according to Andrew Rutnik, St. John deputy inauguration chair.
The formal inauguration will take place Jan. 4 in St. Thomas with a parade, swearing-in ceremony, luncheon and public reception. A post-inauguration ceremony is scheduled Jan. 5 on St. Croix.
BEACON SCHOOLS TO TARGET TEEN PROBLEMS
Beacon Schools is launching a program to educate teens about pregnancy prevention, anti-violence practices, developing a positive self-image and basic life skills.
As a result of a grant from the U.S. Justice Department's Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Program, Beacon Schools in January will initiate the national program known as TOP (V.I. Teen Outreach Program).
Dr. Valerie George, executive director of Beacon Schools, said the program is open to any junior high student, not just problem teens.
Thirteen V.I. education and social science professionals will be trained as facilitators over the Christmas break. Students' orientation will be held Jan.12.
As a result of a grant from the U.S. Justice Department's Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Program, Beacon Schools in January will initiate the national program known as TOP (V.I. Teen Outreach Program).
Dr. Valerie George, executive director of Beacon Schools, said the program is open to any junior high student, not just problem teens.
Thirteen V.I. education and social science professionals will be trained as facilitators over the Christmas break. Students' orientation will be held Jan.12.
TURNBULL: CANCELLED PARTIES WILL GO ON
Gov. Roy L. Schneider has cancelled children's Christmas parties on all three islands, but Gov.-elect Charles Turnbull says they will go on.
Turnbull said even during the Great Depression children had Christmas.
Turnbull called upon his supporters, businesses and the community to donate money and toys to assure the children's parties will be held.
Turnbull said even during the Great Depression children had Christmas.
Turnbull called upon his supporters, businesses and the community to donate money and toys to assure the children's parties will be held.
EDUCATION REPORT RECOMMENDS MAJOR CHANGES
A report completed in October by the 18-member Commission on Education recommends "sweeping hierarchical change," according to the Independent.
Citing problems ranging from insufficient operating and capital improvement budgets to low morale and chronic absenteeism, the report recommends critical changes, including:
— Transferring governing power from the Education Department to the elected Board of Education.
— Granting more internal financial control, including procurement of goods and services.
— Reforming hiring practices to let Education officials hire most personnel and do it more quickly than the current system allows.
— Requiring 180 days of instruction, exclusing staff development.
The commission report says low student standardized test scores, poor teacher and administrator morale, chronic shortages of supplies, materials and textbooks and critical Middle States accreditation reports have created a "near-crisis atmosphere," according to the Independent.
The commission's report has been delivered to outgoing Gov. Roy L. Schneider.
Citing problems ranging from insufficient operating and capital improvement budgets to low morale and chronic absenteeism, the report recommends critical changes, including:
— Transferring governing power from the Education Department to the elected Board of Education.
— Granting more internal financial control, including procurement of goods and services.
— Reforming hiring practices to let Education officials hire most personnel and do it more quickly than the current system allows.
— Requiring 180 days of instruction, exclusing staff development.
The commission report says low student standardized test scores, poor teacher and administrator morale, chronic shortages of supplies, materials and textbooks and critical Middle States accreditation reports have created a "near-crisis atmosphere," according to the Independent.
The commission's report has been delivered to outgoing Gov. Roy L. Schneider.
BERTRAND PACÉ SAILS TO WIN IN MATCH RACE
After three days of closely fought battles Bertrand Pacé won three straight races over a problem-plagued Peter Gilmour to become champion of the Frenchman's Reef International Match Race. Virgin Islands skipper Peter Holmberg finished fourth.
Several delays built tension, but the French team, assisted by Carlos Skov of St. Croix, sailed flawlessly from start to finish.
The second race of the finals may have demoralized Gilmour's Nippon Challenge. Nippon's poor spinnaker set gave Pacé the lead. Dropping the sail in the water gave the race away. The only positive note was that the team retrieved the delicate sail in one piece.
In a rematch of last year’s final, Chris Law took two of three races from Holmberg to finish third.
Penalties against the Virgin Islands team cost dearly in the “petit final.” In match racing a penalty requires a time-consuming 270-degree turn. Two penalties in race two gave the closely sailed race to the British.
In the last race, a penalty at the start haunted the Virgin Islands team. Holmberg, the skipper of the Virgin Islands America’s Cup Challenge, and his crew tried to build a big enough lead to overcome the mishap, lead but fell short without enough space to execute the penalty turn. Law passed across the finish a few feet ahead.
Several delays built tension, but the French team, assisted by Carlos Skov of St. Croix, sailed flawlessly from start to finish.
The second race of the finals may have demoralized Gilmour's Nippon Challenge. Nippon's poor spinnaker set gave Pacé the lead. Dropping the sail in the water gave the race away. The only positive note was that the team retrieved the delicate sail in one piece.
In a rematch of last year’s final, Chris Law took two of three races from Holmberg to finish third.
Penalties against the Virgin Islands team cost dearly in the “petit final.” In match racing a penalty requires a time-consuming 270-degree turn. Two penalties in race two gave the closely sailed race to the British.
In the last race, a penalty at the start haunted the Virgin Islands team. Holmberg, the skipper of the Virgin Islands America’s Cup Challenge, and his crew tried to build a big enough lead to overcome the mishap, lead but fell short without enough space to execute the penalty turn. Law passed across the finish a few feet ahead.
DPNR TO SURVEY RECREATIONAL FISHING
Fish and wildlife officials are asking local fishermen to help in a survey of recreational fishing activities.
The survey, which began Dec. 14 and continues through Sept. 31, 1999, is being conducted by the Planning and Natural Resources Department's fish and wildlife division through a grant from the U.S. Interior Department.
Surveyors will take information from fishermen by telephone between 6 and 9 p.m. and by personal interviews.
For information call Sheri Castau at 775-6762.
The survey, which began Dec. 14 and continues through Sept. 31, 1999, is being conducted by the Planning and Natural Resources Department's fish and wildlife division through a grant from the U.S. Interior Department.
Surveyors will take information from fishermen by telephone between 6 and 9 p.m. and by personal interviews.
For information call Sheri Castau at 775-6762.
TRANSITION TEAM WORKING HARD
The gubernatorial transition team has been separated into clusters and is visiting government departments and agencies to talk with commissioners and employees.
The team has made progress in evaluating government departments, team leader Juel Molloy said in the Daily News.
Transition team members should wrap up their investigations by Dec, 14 and submit a preliminary report to Gov-elect Charles Turnbull on Dec. 16.
The final report should be completed by Dec. 20 and be available to the public by Dec. 28, the Daily News reported.
Molloy said the team is trying to get an accurate picture of finances so the new governor. and Lt. Governor Gerard Luz James II can take office with a clear idea of the government’s financial standing.
Some members of the transition team have indicated the financial situation is as bad or worse than expected.
The team has made progress in evaluating government departments, team leader Juel Molloy said in the Daily News.
Transition team members should wrap up their investigations by Dec, 14 and submit a preliminary report to Gov-elect Charles Turnbull on Dec. 16.
The final report should be completed by Dec. 20 and be available to the public by Dec. 28, the Daily News reported.
Molloy said the team is trying to get an accurate picture of finances so the new governor. and Lt. Governor Gerard Luz James II can take office with a clear idea of the government’s financial standing.
Some members of the transition team have indicated the financial situation is as bad or worse than expected.
TILLETT TO FEATURE CLASSICAL GUITARIST
Spanish guitarist Virginia Luque will be the featured artist in the Classics in the Gardens concert at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, at Tillett Gardens.
Luque is a native of Cadiz, Spain, and has been playing the classical guitar since age 7. She was a private student of the world-famous Andres Segovia.
This concert will mark the first time a classical guitarist has been featured at Classics in the Gardens.
Her romantic style combined with her beautiful sound and musicianship should make for an outstanding concert.
Luque is a native of Cadiz, Spain, and has been playing the classical guitar since age 7. She was a private student of the world-famous Andres Segovia.
This concert will mark the first time a classical guitarist has been featured at Classics in the Gardens.
Her romantic style combined with her beautiful sound and musicianship should make for an outstanding concert.
EPA WARNS IT WILL ENFORCE TANK LAW
Underground storage tank owners who do not comply with updated federal laws governing underground storage tanks by Dec. 22 will be fined up to $11,000 a day by the Environmental Protection Administration.
Storage tank owners have had 10 years to comply with federal law, according to an EPA official, and those who do not comply will be fined.
That includes the government, according to Carl Axel Soderberg, the EPA's director of Caribbean environmental protection, according to the V.I. Independent.
There are 400 registered underground storage tanks in the Virgin Islands, said Jim Casey, the local EPA representative. Of the 400 tanks, fewer than 50 percent are in compliance with federal standards, Casey said.
Before the Dec. 22 deadline, tanks must be emptied and remain unused. Thereafter, owners of non-complying tanks have one year to move the tank, sample the area for leaks and complete any cleanup required.
Underground storage tanks are the leading cause of contaminated groundwater, Soderberg said. Contamination takes about 30 years to remedy and costs a lot of money.
"On such a small island with limited water resources, we cannot compromise the little we have," said Grethelyn Piper, executive director of the St. Thomas-St. John Environmental Association.
The contamination of the Tutu Wells aquifer should serve as an example of what can happen and encourage safety practices and compliance techniques, she said.
Storage tank owners have had 10 years to comply with federal law, according to an EPA official, and those who do not comply will be fined.
That includes the government, according to Carl Axel Soderberg, the EPA's director of Caribbean environmental protection, according to the V.I. Independent.
There are 400 registered underground storage tanks in the Virgin Islands, said Jim Casey, the local EPA representative. Of the 400 tanks, fewer than 50 percent are in compliance with federal standards, Casey said.
Before the Dec. 22 deadline, tanks must be emptied and remain unused. Thereafter, owners of non-complying tanks have one year to move the tank, sample the area for leaks and complete any cleanup required.
Underground storage tanks are the leading cause of contaminated groundwater, Soderberg said. Contamination takes about 30 years to remedy and costs a lot of money.
"On such a small island with limited water resources, we cannot compromise the little we have," said Grethelyn Piper, executive director of the St. Thomas-St. John Environmental Association.
The contamination of the Tutu Wells aquifer should serve as an example of what can happen and encourage safety practices and compliance techniques, she said.
ABRAMSON AND THOMAS INDICTED
A former commissioner in the Schneider administration and a St. Croix contractor have been indicted on 10 charges that they conspired to misuse federal funds after Hurricane Marilyn in 1995.
Former Department of Public Works Commissioner Ann Abramson and St. Croix contractor Berthill Thomas were charged by a federal grand jury with crimes including conspiracy, bribery, and making false claims to the United States and federal agents, U.S. attorney James A. Hurd said Thursday in a press release.
The indictment charges that Thomas paid Abramson, then Public Works commissioner, September to October 1995 to give him a contract to repair the Department of Finance’s hurricane-damaged roof.
The defendants are charges in 2 separate counts with giving and receiving
of a bribe in the amount of $6,500., according to Hurd.
Thomas was charged previously with 3 counts of making false statements to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He was charged with submitted inflated invoices for work he performed on the Finance Department roof.
Abramson has been charged with submitting Thomas’ false invoices. They are both charged
with three counts of making false claims in connection with the submission of those invoices.
If convicted, Abramson and Thomas face up to 10 years in prison for each count of bribery, five years in prison for each count of conspiracy and false claims and false statements, and a $250,000 fine for each count.
The indictments follow a probe by FEMA and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Former Department of Public Works Commissioner Ann Abramson and St. Croix contractor Berthill Thomas were charged by a federal grand jury with crimes including conspiracy, bribery, and making false claims to the United States and federal agents, U.S. attorney James A. Hurd said Thursday in a press release.
The indictment charges that Thomas paid Abramson, then Public Works commissioner, September to October 1995 to give him a contract to repair the Department of Finance’s hurricane-damaged roof.
The defendants are charges in 2 separate counts with giving and receiving
of a bribe in the amount of $6,500., according to Hurd.
Thomas was charged previously with 3 counts of making false statements to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He was charged with submitted inflated invoices for work he performed on the Finance Department roof.
Abramson has been charged with submitting Thomas’ false invoices. They are both charged
with three counts of making false claims in connection with the submission of those invoices.
If convicted, Abramson and Thomas face up to 10 years in prison for each count of bribery, five years in prison for each count of conspiracy and false claims and false statements, and a $250,000 fine for each count.
The indictments follow a probe by FEMA and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
