Gov. Roy L. Schneider is asking the Legislature to approve a $32.4 million loan for a Y2K Compliance Project. Scheneider said his timing is dictated by the urgent need to upgrade the government's computer system to avoid potential disaster, according to media reports. Among the agencies that would shut down without the massive computer upgrade: hospitals, the Internal Revenue Bureau and the Finance Department.
Senate President Lorraine L. Berry said she received the request and assigned it a bill number. Berry expressed some concerns, including how the money would be spent and why only one company is slated to get the contract. The Daily News quoted Schneider as saying Banco Popular de Puerto Rico and IBM Corp. Jointly submitted loan proposals with terms of seven years for IBM and 10 for Banco Popular.
"I personally don't see it being acted upon in this Legislature," Berry said. She also said the Turnbull administration should have some say before action is taken.
VARLACK PLEADS GUILTY TO POLLUTING OCEAN
Varlack Ventures of St. John has pleaded guilty to negligently discharging oil into Red Hook Harbor, St. Thomas, in March 1995 and failing to notify federal authorities.
Varlack will pay a fine of $50,000 and be on probation for five years, according to a press release from U.S. Attorney James A. Hurd Jr.
As a condition of its probation, Varlack must spend $300,000 above and beyond normal maintenance costs to upgrade and maintain its boats.
Varlack also must institute an environmental training program for its officers and employees, modernize its oil handling and waste-oil disposal systems, and publish a full-page apology to the community in local papers, Hurd's release said.
The violations happened March 26, 1995, during the M/V Venture Pride's regular ferry run.
Hurd's release did not say when Varlack entered its guilty plea before District Court Judge Thomas K. Moore.
Agencies that investigated and prosecuted the Varlack case included the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Justice Department's Environmental Progection Agency Criminal Investigation Division, and the V.I. Planning and Natural Resources marine pollution enforcement operation.
"This guilty plea should be a message to those who pollute the marine environment of the Virgin Islands that their conduct will not be tolerated," Hurd said.
Hubert Fredericks, the ferry boat captain on the Venture Pride the day the violations occurred, was found guilty Oct. 16 by a District Court jury of failing to notify the National Response Center about the oil discharge. His sentencing date has not been set.
Varlack will pay a fine of $50,000 and be on probation for five years, according to a press release from U.S. Attorney James A. Hurd Jr.
As a condition of its probation, Varlack must spend $300,000 above and beyond normal maintenance costs to upgrade and maintain its boats.
Varlack also must institute an environmental training program for its officers and employees, modernize its oil handling and waste-oil disposal systems, and publish a full-page apology to the community in local papers, Hurd's release said.
The violations happened March 26, 1995, during the M/V Venture Pride's regular ferry run.
Hurd's release did not say when Varlack entered its guilty plea before District Court Judge Thomas K. Moore.
Agencies that investigated and prosecuted the Varlack case included the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Justice Department's Environmental Progection Agency Criminal Investigation Division, and the V.I. Planning and Natural Resources marine pollution enforcement operation.
"This guilty plea should be a message to those who pollute the marine environment of the Virgin Islands that their conduct will not be tolerated," Hurd said.
Hubert Fredericks, the ferry boat captain on the Venture Pride the day the violations occurred, was found guilty Oct. 16 by a District Court jury of failing to notify the National Response Center about the oil discharge. His sentencing date has not been set.
