Freshman Sen. Donald "Ducks" Cole has pledged not to use his government vehicle for his own personal use, and will encourage his colleagues in the Senate to do the same.
"I told the people I would make every attempt to cut back expenses for the government, and I intend to do so," Cole said. He will not use his official car after working hours or on weekends, he said. At 5 p.m., he promised, it will be "parked up."
Such measures will save wear and tear on the vehicle and will save on gas as well, the Senator noted.
"If we tell the people we are broke, we have to act like we're broke," he said.
"We need to run this government like a business. If we have a revenue shortfall, we need to find a way to cover that shortfall."
Cole said he has no car of his own at this time. He is driving his uncle's car.
"I could have chosen to use the government vehicle until I get one of my own, but I'm not going to do that," he said. "We have to cut out the fat — or even the lean."
LOCAL RESIDENT "DELIGHTED" TO DISCOVER THE SOURCE
I am delighted to discover The St. Thomas Source. I have bookmarked it along with The Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, New York Times and The Drudge Report! At last, on-line news from the islands…now available instantly to a huge and demanding cyber-audience of expatriates, travelers and travel agents (and not to exclude those who control the flow of funds from Washington, DC).
I hope your presence on-line will jolt the provincial attitudes of our other local news media into joining the new millenium. As will many others, I intend to forward your URL to all remotely interested people in my database.
Thank you, Shaun, Penny and Frank, for your efforts.
Finest kind.
Dale Hamilton
I hope your presence on-line will jolt the provincial attitudes of our other local news media into joining the new millenium. As will many others, I intend to forward your URL to all remotely interested people in my database.
Thank you, Shaun, Penny and Frank, for your efforts.
Finest kind.
Dale Hamilton
SORORITY LOOKING FOR LITTLE MISS DELTA 1999
The St. Thomas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is looking for girls between the ages of 8 and 12 to compete for the title of Little Miss Delta 1999.
Applications can be picked up at Orchid Boutique at Tutu Park Mall or from any member of the Sorority.
For more information call Marjorie Gerard, days, at 775-2916 or Linda Carillo, evenings at 777-8337.
Applications can be picked up at Orchid Boutique at Tutu Park Mall or from any member of the Sorority.
For more information call Marjorie Gerard, days, at 775-2916 or Linda Carillo, evenings at 777-8337.
WHY THE 37 GRABBED THEIR MONEY AND RAN
When former Gov. Roy L. Schneider and 36 of his administration stalwarts helped themselves to $383,000 in lump sum payments three weeks ago, they used an irregular procedure to dip into the territory's meager funds.
In his State of the Territory address Jan. 11, new Gov. Charles W. Turnbull charged the departing government employees with circumventing income tax and Social Security payments by using government Miscellaneous Disbursement Vouchers to hand themselves the lump-sum payments, which were for unused annual leave.
But a closer look at the circumstances points to another reason for utilizing the vouchers.
An employee leaving government service has the right to exchange unused leave for cash. Sources familiar with the procedures say this normally is carried out by cutting extra payroll checks for the claimants.
Income tax withholding and Social Security contributions are deducted from those checks and appear on the W-2 form used to report salary income to the Internal Revenue Bureau.
By using the Miscellaneous Disbursement Vouchers, Schneider and his colleagues might well end up owing the IRB more money than if they had gone the route of the familiar W-2 form, these sources maintained.
Miscellaneous income — with no deductions — is reported to the lRB on another record, Form 1099. People receiving 1099 forms are expected to pay not only the income tax on that money but also both parts of the Social Security tax—their employer's contribution as well as their own contribution.
Schneider and company must have known they were risking having to pay additional Social Security; their numbers included such experts as Management and Budget Director Nellon Bowry and Internal Revenue Director Joseph Aubain.
Why did they accept the risk?
The best answer seems to be that they knew that going the regular route — the payroll route — would mean a delay well into January for cutting those additional payroll checks. That would have put them at the mercy of a Turnbull Finance Department, which could well have decided that they should wait in line behind all those people owed all that money in income tax refunds.
Why wait in line, they must have reasoned? Why not use the Miscellaneous Disbursement Vouchers and jump the line? Grab the money and run. Worry about the IRB later.
Editor's note: Frank J. Jordan is a radio commentator, former UVI journalism professor and former NBC news executive.
In his State of the Territory address Jan. 11, new Gov. Charles W. Turnbull charged the departing government employees with circumventing income tax and Social Security payments by using government Miscellaneous Disbursement Vouchers to hand themselves the lump-sum payments, which were for unused annual leave.
But a closer look at the circumstances points to another reason for utilizing the vouchers.
An employee leaving government service has the right to exchange unused leave for cash. Sources familiar with the procedures say this normally is carried out by cutting extra payroll checks for the claimants.
Income tax withholding and Social Security contributions are deducted from those checks and appear on the W-2 form used to report salary income to the Internal Revenue Bureau.
By using the Miscellaneous Disbursement Vouchers, Schneider and his colleagues might well end up owing the IRB more money than if they had gone the route of the familiar W-2 form, these sources maintained.
Miscellaneous income — with no deductions — is reported to the lRB on another record, Form 1099. People receiving 1099 forms are expected to pay not only the income tax on that money but also both parts of the Social Security tax—their employer's contribution as well as their own contribution.
Schneider and company must have known they were risking having to pay additional Social Security; their numbers included such experts as Management and Budget Director Nellon Bowry and Internal Revenue Director Joseph Aubain.
Why did they accept the risk?
The best answer seems to be that they knew that going the regular route — the payroll route — would mean a delay well into January for cutting those additional payroll checks. That would have put them at the mercy of a Turnbull Finance Department, which could well have decided that they should wait in line behind all those people owed all that money in income tax refunds.
Why wait in line, they must have reasoned? Why not use the Miscellaneous Disbursement Vouchers and jump the line? Grab the money and run. Worry about the IRB later.
Editor's note: Frank J. Jordan is a radio commentator, former UVI journalism professor and former NBC news executive.
THANKS BE TO SEA
Some people in this community seem to be so desperate for development — any kind of development as long as it promises jobs and big bucks — that they want approval of any terms without regard to the consequences.
This development-at-all-costs camp (exemplified by the Daily News editorials of Jan. 5 and 11) delights in bashing environmentalists who, they claim, are insensitive to the financial plight of the Virgin Islands and do not care whether people have jobs or not.
That is a ridiculous oversimplification of the issue of environment versus jobs. Growing the economy of theVirgin Islands while protecting its natural resources does not have to be at odds. Like most local environmentalists, I believe that placing a large portion of our hopes for improving the economy into luring big industry to the island is a dangerous approach, unless it is accompanied by a careful analysis of the consequences.
Questions such as what will be the impacts on infrastructure: roads, sewage, solid waste, schools, power and water generation, urban sprawl, and yes — will there be further degradation of coastal assets? Will it help to make us more self-sufficient and enhance the V.I. as a tourist attraction?
In short, will it improve the quality of life of the residents, or will it make us more stressed, more materialistic and more dependent on federal bailouts?
I am cautiously hopeful about the outcome of the economic summit proposed by Sens. Lorriane Berry, Roosevelt David and David Jones. The sooner the better. But let a good part of the agenda be the resolution of this question of the environment versus economic development, and when we speak of the "environment," let all aspects of it be considered. Until we have an economic development plan, a land use plan and a fully implemented territorial park system to protect those ecologically sensitive areas that need to be kept entirely development-free (Great Pond is just such a place), the environmental groups of the Virgin Islands must be the early warning system watchdogs.
Consider the following weaknesses in the existing permit approval process: Should a developer want to use government property, a lease must be obtained; or, if the desired site is privately owned, a title must be secured (or at least assured once building permits are approved). Rezoning may be sought as well.
Under the existing V.I. law, leases, titles and rezoning must be obtained prior to earth change and building permits. None of those preliminary approvals require detailed plans or descriptions of potential environmental impacts.
The permitting body — Planning and Natural Resources' permit division, if the site is in Tier II, or the appropriate Coastal Zone Management Committee, if in Tier I — is then in a very uncomfortable position.
When faced with a lease and/or a rezoning already approved, their ability to deny or substantially modify a proposal is compromised — their consent to the developer's demands is almost a "done deal." How to remedy this situation?
In the first place, there should be just one tier, so that all major permit applications go through the CZM and public hearing process.
Secondly, land leases and rezoning approvals should be given only with the assent of the planning and environmental divisions of DPNR and, where a major permit is required, CZM ought to be involved.
One would get a lease and/or rezoning plus the building permits all in one step. This would save time and money to both developers and deliberators.
Alternatively, the granting of a lease and/or rezoning approval could be conditional, predicated on the subsequent approval of the developer's Environmental Assessment Report, after a CZM hearing.
Until we have those reforms, however, groups concerned with the environmental impacts of proposed development projects must continue to question siting preferences.
They must obtain as much information as possible, as early as possible, and notify the public of their findings. The larger the project, the more important it is to analyze potential impacts on infrastructure, neighborhood integrity and ecosystems early in the process. To wait until the CZM hearing is irresponsible.
The Virgin Islands cmmunity should thank the St. Croix Environmental Association for its early groundwork on the Beal Aerospace proposal. As the Daily New" editorial of Dec. 10, 1998, ("Open communication") recommended, SEA communicated with Beal.
SEA then rightly determined that the Great Pond site is an inappropriate place for a rocket-building plant; mainly because the dredging required to accommodate the barges that must transport the assembled rockets to Sombrero Island will irrevocably damage the marine assets of Robin Bay, to say nothing of the complete destruction of Sombrero Island (a whole 'nother story……).
Instead of villifying SEA, as former Sen. Holland Redfield and the Daily News editorial staff are trying to do, let's hear more support.
Shake off the "I don't want to get invoved" inertia. If you are not already a member, join SEA and help its members prepare for the Beal rezoning hearings.
This development-at-all-costs camp (exemplified by the Daily News editorials of Jan. 5 and 11) delights in bashing environmentalists who, they claim, are insensitive to the financial plight of the Virgin Islands and do not care whether people have jobs or not.
That is a ridiculous oversimplification of the issue of environment versus jobs. Growing the economy of theVirgin Islands while protecting its natural resources does not have to be at odds. Like most local environmentalists, I believe that placing a large portion of our hopes for improving the economy into luring big industry to the island is a dangerous approach, unless it is accompanied by a careful analysis of the consequences.
Questions such as what will be the impacts on infrastructure: roads, sewage, solid waste, schools, power and water generation, urban sprawl, and yes — will there be further degradation of coastal assets? Will it help to make us more self-sufficient and enhance the V.I. as a tourist attraction?
In short, will it improve the quality of life of the residents, or will it make us more stressed, more materialistic and more dependent on federal bailouts?
I am cautiously hopeful about the outcome of the economic summit proposed by Sens. Lorriane Berry, Roosevelt David and David Jones. The sooner the better. But let a good part of the agenda be the resolution of this question of the environment versus economic development, and when we speak of the "environment," let all aspects of it be considered. Until we have an economic development plan, a land use plan and a fully implemented territorial park system to protect those ecologically sensitive areas that need to be kept entirely development-free (Great Pond is just such a place), the environmental groups of the Virgin Islands must be the early warning system watchdogs.
Consider the following weaknesses in the existing permit approval process: Should a developer want to use government property, a lease must be obtained; or, if the desired site is privately owned, a title must be secured (or at least assured once building permits are approved). Rezoning may be sought as well.
Under the existing V.I. law, leases, titles and rezoning must be obtained prior to earth change and building permits. None of those preliminary approvals require detailed plans or descriptions of potential environmental impacts.
The permitting body — Planning and Natural Resources' permit division, if the site is in Tier II, or the appropriate Coastal Zone Management Committee, if in Tier I — is then in a very uncomfortable position.
When faced with a lease and/or a rezoning already approved, their ability to deny or substantially modify a proposal is compromised — their consent to the developer's demands is almost a "done deal." How to remedy this situation?
In the first place, there should be just one tier, so that all major permit applications go through the CZM and public hearing process.
Secondly, land leases and rezoning approvals should be given only with the assent of the planning and environmental divisions of DPNR and, where a major permit is required, CZM ought to be involved.
One would get a lease and/or rezoning plus the building permits all in one step. This would save time and money to both developers and deliberators.
Alternatively, the granting of a lease and/or rezoning approval could be conditional, predicated on the subsequent approval of the developer's Environmental Assessment Report, after a CZM hearing.
Until we have those reforms, however, groups concerned with the environmental impacts of proposed development projects must continue to question siting preferences.
They must obtain as much information as possible, as early as possible, and notify the public of their findings. The larger the project, the more important it is to analyze potential impacts on infrastructure, neighborhood integrity and ecosystems early in the process. To wait until the CZM hearing is irresponsible.
The Virgin Islands cmmunity should thank the St. Croix Environmental Association for its early groundwork on the Beal Aerospace proposal. As the Daily New" editorial of Dec. 10, 1998, ("Open communication") recommended, SEA communicated with Beal.
SEA then rightly determined that the Great Pond site is an inappropriate place for a rocket-building plant; mainly because the dredging required to accommodate the barges that must transport the assembled rockets to Sombrero Island will irrevocably damage the marine assets of Robin Bay, to say nothing of the complete destruction of Sombrero Island (a whole 'nother story……).
Instead of villifying SEA, as former Sen. Holland Redfield and the Daily News editorial staff are trying to do, let's hear more support.
Shake off the "I don't want to get invoved" inertia. If you are not already a member, join SEA and help its members prepare for the Beal rezoning hearings.
TURNBULL, RICHARDS CAN CHANGE PSC, IDC
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull and Senate President Vargrave A. Richards can influence the direction of two often-criticized boards — the Public Services Commission and the Industrial Development Commission — if and when they appoint new members to fill vacancies and expired terms.
The IDC could be changed almost overnight.
The IDC's seven-member board, which determines tax breaks for qualifying companies, has one vacancy, and two members' terms — those of Elizabeth Rios of St. Croix and John P. Woods of St. Thomas — have expired.
Additionally, two government members who serve by virtue of their offices — the Tourism commissioner and Internal Revenue Bureau director — have changed already because of Turnbull's acting appointments to those posts. That leaves only two of the seven IDC members — Marcia Hollins and Eling S. Joseph, both of St. Croix — whose terms haven't expired.
The IDC has been the target of sharp criticism in recent years for giving tax breaks to such companies as the V.I. Telephone Corp. and Frenchman's Reef Hotel.
Unlike the IDC, the PSC will continue to be dominated by Gov. Roy L. Schneider's appointees.
The PSC consists of seven voting members plus two senators who serve ex-officio, without votes. The PSC regulates public utilities, including the V.I. Telephone Corp., the Water and Power Authority and ferry rates.
The two senators who served on the PSC in the 22nd Legislature — Holland Redfield II of St. Croix and Stephen "Smokey" Frett of St. Thomas-St. John — are not in the 23rd Legislature and thus must be replaced.
Additionally, attorney Desmond Maynard's term expired in July and one seat remains vacant. Turnbull has the power to make appointments for those two seats.
Thus, four new members could be named almost immediately to the PSC board. While that would not constitute a majority, one of the remaining five — educator Luther Felix Renee of St. Croix — voted last year for the rejected investigation into telephone rates and might do so again if that controversial matter comes up, as it may.
Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg, the most vocal and persistent critic of the PSC, called this week for the Senate to hold a Committee of the Whole meeting on the PSC and its rejection in October of the telephone-rate investigation. That meeting was supposed to have been held in the fall but was postponed because of the election.
Neither Turnbull nor Richards has given any indication when they will make appointments to the PSC or, in Turnbull's case, to any boards or commissions.
Editor's note: For a complete list of the PSC and IDC board members, see "Boards and Commissions" on the Data page in the Community section.
The IDC could be changed almost overnight.
The IDC's seven-member board, which determines tax breaks for qualifying companies, has one vacancy, and two members' terms — those of Elizabeth Rios of St. Croix and John P. Woods of St. Thomas — have expired.
Additionally, two government members who serve by virtue of their offices — the Tourism commissioner and Internal Revenue Bureau director — have changed already because of Turnbull's acting appointments to those posts. That leaves only two of the seven IDC members — Marcia Hollins and Eling S. Joseph, both of St. Croix — whose terms haven't expired.
The IDC has been the target of sharp criticism in recent years for giving tax breaks to such companies as the V.I. Telephone Corp. and Frenchman's Reef Hotel.
Unlike the IDC, the PSC will continue to be dominated by Gov. Roy L. Schneider's appointees.
The PSC consists of seven voting members plus two senators who serve ex-officio, without votes. The PSC regulates public utilities, including the V.I. Telephone Corp., the Water and Power Authority and ferry rates.
The two senators who served on the PSC in the 22nd Legislature — Holland Redfield II of St. Croix and Stephen "Smokey" Frett of St. Thomas-St. John — are not in the 23rd Legislature and thus must be replaced.
Additionally, attorney Desmond Maynard's term expired in July and one seat remains vacant. Turnbull has the power to make appointments for those two seats.
Thus, four new members could be named almost immediately to the PSC board. While that would not constitute a majority, one of the remaining five — educator Luther Felix Renee of St. Croix — voted last year for the rejected investigation into telephone rates and might do so again if that controversial matter comes up, as it may.
Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg, the most vocal and persistent critic of the PSC, called this week for the Senate to hold a Committee of the Whole meeting on the PSC and its rejection in October of the telephone-rate investigation. That meeting was supposed to have been held in the fall but was postponed because of the election.
Neither Turnbull nor Richards has given any indication when they will make appointments to the PSC or, in Turnbull's case, to any boards or commissions.
Editor's note: For a complete list of the PSC and IDC board members, see "Boards and Commissions" on the Data page in the Community section.
FILM OFFICE DOING MORE WITH LESS
V.I. taxpayers' investment of $100,000 a year for the territory's Film Promotion Office brings a return of about $20 million, the head of the office told the Ad Club on Tuesday.
The revenues come from hiring local talent and production crews, hotels for off-island crew and talent, and equipment rentals, according to the Daily News.
Centeno, the film office's only staff member, said he hopes to make the Virgin Islands a major production center by offering one-stop shopping.
He said most of the commercials shot here use local production companies that provide location scouting, customs, clearance, catering arrangements, video assistance, camera equipment and lighting equipment.
The local companies providing these services include Grip Flicks, Mountain Video, Todd Hecht Productions, Flicks and Sunbow Location Services.
Centeno said this local talent is what has made it easy for films, videos and commercials to be shot here.
Centeno told the Independent he believes the Turnbull administration "knows this is an industry that has to be grown and (is) taking steps to make that happen.
The Film Promotion Office is part of the Tourism Department.
The revenues come from hiring local talent and production crews, hotels for off-island crew and talent, and equipment rentals, according to the Daily News.
Centeno, the film office's only staff member, said he hopes to make the Virgin Islands a major production center by offering one-stop shopping.
He said most of the commercials shot here use local production companies that provide location scouting, customs, clearance, catering arrangements, video assistance, camera equipment and lighting equipment.
The local companies providing these services include Grip Flicks, Mountain Video, Todd Hecht Productions, Flicks and Sunbow Location Services.
Centeno said this local talent is what has made it easy for films, videos and commercials to be shot here.
Centeno told the Independent he believes the Turnbull administration "knows this is an industry that has to be grown and (is) taking steps to make that happen.
The Film Promotion Office is part of the Tourism Department.
PRAXIS EXAM TO BE GIVEN
On Saturdays March 13 and June 12, the University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas campus, will administer the Praxis exam.
Registration forms must be submitted to the Educational Testing Service by Feb.9 for the March testing and by May 11 for the June testing.
New teachers hired for the school system in 1996-97 and those returning after being out of the system for more than two years need to take this exam.
Contact the ETS at 1-800-772-9475 or 1-609-771-7395 for registration information.
Carolyn Cook, UVI admissions officer, may be contacted at 693-1224 or Henrita Barber at 774-0100, ex.3051.
Registration forms must be submitted to the Educational Testing Service by Feb.9 for the March testing and by May 11 for the June testing.
New teachers hired for the school system in 1996-97 and those returning after being out of the system for more than two years need to take this exam.
Contact the ETS at 1-800-772-9475 or 1-609-771-7395 for registration information.
Carolyn Cook, UVI admissions officer, may be contacted at 693-1224 or Henrita Barber at 774-0100, ex.3051.
GOMEZ ELEMENTARY PTA
Jospeh Gomez Elementary School will hold its first PTA meeting of the new year Thursday, Jan.21 at 5:45 p.m. in the cafetorium.
All parents and guardians are urged to attend.
All parents and guardians are urged to attend.
HOLMBERG AND VIM III IMPROVE IN SECOND DAY
Sailing in light 8 to 11 knot breezes, Peter Holmberg and VIM III won a short first race and finished second in a longer, hard fought, second race. The Italian crew on BRAVA retains the class lead after three races, VIM second, and Ken Read aboard HEATWAVE is presently in third.
This is very close racing with 10 boats finishing within a 6 minutes of each other after racing for 90 minutes The pre-race favorites have already surged to the top of the IMS Class 2, but none of the class is out of the running. There will many opportunities to gain or lose in this week of racing.
The combined Tortola-St.Thomas team sailing on BUZZARD in the Melges 24's again had an excellent finish of fourth in their only race of the day. Continued results in the top five will certainly raise BUZZARD's present standing of tenth in class. Although early reports had 60 boats registered in the Melges class, there are a still respectable 50 boats on the start line.
This is very close racing with 10 boats finishing within a 6 minutes of each other after racing for 90 minutes The pre-race favorites have already surged to the top of the IMS Class 2, but none of the class is out of the running. There will many opportunities to gain or lose in this week of racing.
The combined Tortola-St.Thomas team sailing on BUZZARD in the Melges 24's again had an excellent finish of fourth in their only race of the day. Continued results in the top five will certainly raise BUZZARD's present standing of tenth in class. Although early reports had 60 boats registered in the Melges class, there are a still respectable 50 boats on the start line.
