Senior Citizens Benefit Significantly from Funds Paid Out

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Senior Citizens Benefit Significantly from Funds Paid Out
Virgin Islands Lottery
The Virgin Islands Lottery is pleased to announce that it has paid out over $1.4 million in transfers for the second quarter FY 2024 to the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands, fulfilling its mandates set by law under Title 32 of the V.I. Code. The Department of Human Services’ Pharmaceutical Assistance Program and the Educational Initiative Fund, which benefits the Virgin Islands Department of Education, received over $550 thousand each, and the Government Employees’ Retirement System (GERS) was paid approximately $367 thousand for retirees’ cost-of-living bonuses. As the community celebrates Older Americans Month in May, it is important to note that two of the three payments directly benefit our senior citizen population. Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. recognizes the importance of supporting our seniors in this time of economic hardship. “As we celebrate Older Americans Month, we are reminded of our responsibility and commitment to support our seniors, especially during challenging economic times. The recent disbursement of $1.4 million by the VI Lottery underscores our dedication to enhancing the lives of our elderly, ensuring they receive the benefits they deserve. These funds do not only acknowledge their lifelong contributions but also reinforce our commitment to improving their quality of life. We remain focused on sustaining these vital programs that offer real help to those living on fixed incomes.” V.I. Lottery Executive Director Raymond J. Williams expresses his satisfaction and gratitude in accomplishing the goal. “This is what we mean when we say, ‘when you play the VI Lottery, everybody wins!’ We thank our loyal contractors — Southland Gaming and the Caribbean Lottery — for their commitment to ensuring that our community receives the legally required payments.”

St. Croix Man Shot by Father Dies from Injuries, Police Report

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St. Croix Man Shot by Father Dies from Injuries, Police Report

A St. Croix man who was shot by his father on Thursday after attempting to attack him with a machete and then a reciprocating saw has died from his injuries, the V.I. Police Department reported Friday morning. The father has not been charged.

Police were called to the Sion Hill residence at 12:29 p.m. Thursday by a man who said his friend had shot his son, according to the report.

“Contact was made with all involved, and detectives were informed that the elderly male was attacked by his adult son, who was armed with a machete,” the report stated. “The witness stopped the initial attack, and the son exited the residence; but then returned armed with a battery-power reciprocating saw and advanced toward his father, who drew his firearm and fired three shots at his son,” it said.

The son, identified as James A. Knowles, 44, underwent emergency surgery at Juan F. Luis Hospital but later died from his injuries, police said.

The VIPD is treating the incident as a matter of self-defense and the father is not facing any charges, according to spokesman Glen Dratte.

According to publicly available court records, Knowles had several past brushes with the law, including a 2021 arrest for assault, an illegal gun and ammunition, and shooting a firearm; an arrest in December 2020 for possession of an illegal gun; and a 2021 charge of driving under the influence and negligent driving. The Superior Court public docket is currently unavailable due to technical issues, and the Source could not determine the disposition of the cases.

Lieutenant Governor Postpones Real Property Tax Auctions

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Lieutenant Governor Postpones Real Property Tax Auctions
Lieutenant Governor of the United States Virgin Islands includes the Office of the Tax Collector. 
  Lt. Gov. Tregenza A. Roach Esq. informs the public that real property tax auction sales are scheduled for June 3 and June 4 in the District of St. Thomas–St. John, and June 11 and June 12 in the District of St. Croix, have been postponed indefinitely due to logistical and staffing issues necessary to meet administrative requirements of the auction.  A new date for the property tax auction sales will be announced in the future. The Office of the Lieutenant Governor apologizes for any inconveniences that may result from this matter.  It is in the process of initiating a refund to those persons who registered for the auction. For additional information on property tax payments, contact the Office of the Tax Collector on St. Thomas–St. John at 774-2991 and on St. Croix at 773-6449.

Legislature Corner: Plaskett Accompanies Biden on Air Force One

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Legislature Corner: Plaskett Accompanies Biden on Air Force One
President Joe Biden and Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett leaving Air Force One. (Submitted photo)
Wednesday, Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett accompanied President Joe Biden, and they met Vice President Kamala Harris on Air Force One to attend a rally at Girard College and a later meeting with Black businesses in Philadelphia, Penn. President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris launched a nationwide effort to mobilize Black voters. In his address at Girad College, Biden focused on promises he made and kept, reiterated working hard for all Americans, and recognized his accomplishments for Black Americans, including record funding for historically Black colleges and universities, forgiveness of federal student loan debt and pardons for simple possession of marijuana, new homeowner tax credits, reducing the cost of insulin, protecting the Affordable Health Care law and protecting the rule of law by appointing more black judges (and more black women judges) then all other presidents combined. Plaskett said, “It is an honor to stand with President Biden and represent the people of the Virgin Islands who, like all Americans, are not asking for more than a fair shot and a level playing field to provide for their families, live in a safe environment with affordable education and healthcare, along with wealth creation opportunities for themselves and the next generation. “Meeting people where they are is an essential component to a thriving democracy. We have to continue to increase engagement and encourage communities, especially marginalized communities, to use their voices, and get out and vote.”

Eastern Caribbean Center Leverages New Technology for a V.I. Community Survey

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Eastern Caribbean Center Leverages New Technology for a V.I. Community Survey
University of the Virgin Islands
The Eastern Caribbean Center of the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) has completed the mapping of the U.S. Virgin Islands and will begin the 2024 Virgin Islands Community Survey (VICS) interviews this month. This scientific survey of a sample of households is a follow-up to the one conducted in 2018.  The information collected is like that gathered in the Population and Housing Census of 2020. The Eastern Caribbean Center has begun the integration of new technology in the data collection process using Geographical Information System (GIS) devices that will provide layered data relevant to population and housing. Population questions cover items such as age, sex, education, ethnic origin, employment, health insurance, veteran status and disability. Housing questions cover items about the housing unit in which respondents live, such as: water source, internet access, number of rooms, utilities, ownership and rent. “The Virgin Islands Community Survey 2024 is essential to close critical gaps in USVI data used by local agencies whose jobs are to organize and plan for the social, educational, wellness and economic needs of the territory,” said Dr. Marissa Johnson Rogers, assistant director of the Eastern Caribbean Center. The University of the Virgin Islands is asking for the cooperation of the public when interviewers carrying UVI photo IDs and data collection devices visit households on all three islands. Unlike the census that collects information on every household, the Virgin Islands Community Survey 2024 will use a scientific random sample; so not every household will be interviewed. The public is assured of complete confidentiality of their information, as the data is published in summary form only, and individuals cannot be identified. “Please lend your voice to our efforts to tell the authentic story of the strength of the USVI community. This research and data are critical to quantify our needs to local and federal agencies as we continue recovery from the 2017 Hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Johnson Rogers. For more information, call the Eastern Caribbean Center at UVI at 693-1020.

Elections Board Votes to Eliminate Territorial Party Candidates from 2024 Ballots

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Elections Board Votes to Eliminate Territorial Party Candidates from 2024 Ballots
Spectators on St. Thomas watch the conclusion of Thursday’s Board of Elections meeting. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)

At an emergency meeting on Thursday, the Board of Elections voted to eliminate the names of candidates running for territorial offices from the 2024 ballots. The vote came after a closed-door executive session in which Elections officials discussed the matter with lawyers from the Justice Department.

Officials said the change would take effect immediately; candidates whose names appear on ballots in the 2024 voting cycle would be contestants for public office.

The decision to eliminate the names of candidates running for party offices came after a Jan. 10 ruling in District Court when Chief District Judge Robert Molloy upheld a challenge by the V.I. Republican Party, declaring local laws establishing Territorial Committees unconstitutional. A detailed explanation of that and other sections of the Virgin Islands Code, Title 18, struck down by the court, was found in handouts prepared for the board by Elections Supervisor Caroline Fawkes.

Thursday’s meeting was held as a hybrid session — in person and by way of teleconference between St. Thomas and St. Croix. A number of political aspirants or their representatives took seats in the conference room at the Lockhart Gardens Elections Office along with board members Lydia Hendricks and Harriet Mercer. A number of them sought clarification for the board vote taken just before the meeting adjourned.

During the public portion of the meeting held before the executive session, members approved a request by the V.I. Democratic Party. Party members asked to borrow materials to help them conduct votes during an upcoming party caucus.

DHS Releases Emergency Shelter Information Ahead of Hurricane Season

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DHS Releases Emergency Shelter Information Ahead of Hurricane Season
 
A chart listing emergency shelters across the U.S. Virgin Islands ahead of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season. (Photo courtesy VIDHS)
The V.I. Human Services Department (DHS) has shared information regarding the locations of emergency storm shelters across the USVI ahead of the potentially very busy 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which begins on Saturday, June 1. DHS Communications Director Ryan Nugent and Community Affairs Coordinator Yvette Henry provided the Source with shelter information for residents, including accommodations that offer medical services, care for individuals with special needs, and locations that permit pets. “For [the 2024 Atlantic] Hurricane Season, DHS is strategically prepared to accommodate residents during emergencies, ensuring safety and organization in times of crisis,” Nugent said. Short-Term and Long-Term Shelters Emergency accommodations are provided to USVI residents on a short-term and long-term basis to offer lodging before and after a storm (pre-storm/pre-landfall and post-storm/post-landfall shelters). Nugent explained that the maximum number of individuals that each shelter can accommodate changes before a storm arrives and after a storm departs. The amount of space allotted per housed person increases for longer-term stays, meaning that post-storm shelters have a lower maximum capacity. “Pre-storm shelters [also called Evacuation Shelters] provide a safe place to stay for those who have been ordered to evacuate their homes before a storm,” Nugent explained. “They typically are only meant to house residents for 12 to 72 hours until the storm moves through,” Nugent added. “Residents are encouraged by DHS to bring their sleeping supplies such as cots and blankets, because it may not be possible or practical to move in supplies for such a short term,” he noted.
A graphic depicting emergency shelter locations across St. Croix. (Photo courtesy VIDHS/FEMA/Capstone)
Post-storm shelters provide longer-term availability for residents who have been displaced due to a disaster. “Post-storm shelters [also called Congregate Shelters] are available for residents who have been evacuated and are unable to reach their homes or whose homes are damaged or destroyed,” Nugent stated. “Post-storm shelters usually open within 72 hours after landfall and may provide sleeping support items such as cots, blankets and pillows, meals, shower facilities, and health and mental services.” Henry added the following details about items individuals can bring to shelters. “We highly recommend that individuals who go to the shelters take a backpack or a small overnight travel bag [containing] their items,” Henry said. “These [items] can [include] a change of clothing, blankets, small pillows, phone and chargers, flashlights, small radio, medication(s), personal care items, and important documents. [For individuals who] have small children, they should [bring] reading materials and games,” Henry advised.
A graphic showing emergency shelter locations across St. Thomas and St. John. (Photo courtesy VIDHS/FEMA/Capstone)
There are several items that are not allowed at the facilities, and Nugent and Henry explained that all rules and regulations must be followed. “No weapons, alcohol, or illegal drugs are allowed in the shelters,” Nugent declared. “Smoking is also prohibited, including the use of e-cigarettes,” he noted. “Residents are required to complete registration before entering the shelter, [and] there is a ‘lights out’ quiet time that is enforced. [Additionally,] no pets [are allowed] in the general population area, and children must be attended to at all times. Parents are not allowed to leave the premises without [their children].” “These rules or policies are ‘first strike and you are out’,” Henry added. “[There are no exceptions, [and] these policies are explained to everyone when the intake process is completed [during an individual’s] first general meeting,” she said. Accommodations Providing Medical Services The V.I. Health Department (DOH) operates unique shelters for individuals who need medical care and persons with special needs. Residents needing special medical services must register with DHS or contact the DOH before arriving at an interim housing facility. Nugent explained that DOH typically opens Medical Special Needs shelters at the Schneider Regional Medical Center on St. Thomas and the Career and Technical Education Center on St. Croix. However, residents are encouraged to contact the department for confirmation of the locations. (A response from DOH to a request by the Source for more information was not immediately returned by the time of this publication.) “For those requiring a Medical Special Needs shelter, individuals must have previously registered with DHS or coordinated with the V.I. Health Department before going to the shelter,” Nugent explained. “Those already registered [to go to a Medical Special Needs shelter] can coordinate transportation to the shelter by calling the Virgin Islands Public Transit System on St. Croix or St. Thomas,” he added. Nugent said that caretakers are required to go with individuals needing a Medical Special Needs shelter. “In every case or scenario, caretakers must accompany everyone admitted to a Medical Special Needs shelter,” Nugent said. “These shelters are not open for public use and usually reserved for patients under our care at one of our nursing homes.” Emergency Housing Locations and Information DHS provided the following information regarding shelters across the territory. A more detailed breakdown of the shelter locations on each island is included.
  • St. Thomas offers a total pre-landfall [shelter] capacity of 1,030 spaces. This includes Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, with 782 spaces, and Lockhart Elementary School/Cancryn Junior High, with 248 spaces. Post-landfall, the [shelter] capacities reduce to 390 and 123, respectively. Lockhart Elementary School also offers pet-friendly sheltering.
  • St. Croix has the highest total pre-landfall [shelter] capacity at 1,885 spaces. This includes 1,724 spaces at the St. Croix Educational Complex and 161 spaces at D.C. Canegata Recreation Center. Post-landfall, the capacities reduce to 631 and 80, respectively. The St. Croix Educational Complex also offers pet-friendly sheltering.
  • St. John provides an essential shelter with a total pre-landfall capacity of 195 spaces. This includes 180 spaces at Gifft Hill School and 15 spaces at Adrian Senior Center. Post-landfall, these capacities reduce to 90 and 8, respectively.
  • Water Island offers shelter at the Water Island Fire House with a post-landfall capacity of 53 spaces. Pre-landfall [shelter] is not available.
  • Additional Pet Sheltering support on St. John is provided by Canine, Cats, & Critters.
Shelter Locations and Capacity by Island St. John 
  • Adrian Senior Center
    • Pre-landfall Capacity: 15 (20 sq. feet/person)
    • Post-landfall Capacity: 8 (40 sq. feet/person)
    • Offers Pet Sheltering: No
  • Gifft Hill School
    • Pre-landfall Capacity: 180 (20 sq. feet/person)
    • Post-landfall Capacity: 90 (40 sq. feet/person)
    • Offers Pet Sheltering: No
  • Total Capacity 
    • Pre-landfall: 195
    • Post-landfall: 98
St. Thomas 
  • Ivanna Eudora Kean High School (IEKHS)
    • Pre-landfall Capacity: 782 (20 sq. feet/person)
    • Post-landfall Capacity: 390 (40 sq. feet/person)
    • Offers Pet Sheltering: No
  • Lockhart Elementary School/Cancryn Junior High
    • Pre-landfall Capacity: 248 (20 sq. feet/person)
    • Post-landfall Capacity: 123 (40 sq. feet/person)
    • Offers Pet Sheltering: Yes
  • Total Capacity (STT)
    • Pre-landfall: 1,030
    • Post-landfall: 513
St. Croix 
  • D.C. Canegata Recreation Center
    • Pre-landfall Capacity: 161 (20 sq. feet/person)
    • Post-landfall Capacity: 80 (40 sq. feet/person)
    • Offers Pet Sheltering: No
  • St. Croix Educational Complex 
    • Pre-landfall Capacity: 1,724 (20 sq. feet/person)
    • Post-landfall Capacity: 631 (40 sq. feet/person)
    • Offers Pet Sheltering: Yes
  • Total Capacity 
    • Pre-landfall: 1,885
    • Post-landfall: 711
Water Island 
  • Water Island Fire House
    • Pre-landfall Capacity: Not available
    • Post-landfall Capacity: 53 (40 sq. feet/person)
    • Offers Pet Sheltering: No
  • Total Capacity 
    • Pre-landfall: N/A
    • Post-landfall: 27
Additional Information
  • Canines, Cats, & Critters will provide limited pet sheltering support on St. John.
USVI Weather Updates Weather information is available from the National Weather Service and Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency. Additionally, a daily weather forecast is published on the Source Weather Page, where readers can view weather forecast videos and disaster preparedness video segments.        

GERS Personal Loan Program is Back in Swing

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GERS Personal Loan Program is Back in Swing
St. Thomas’ GERS board members discuss the personal loan program during their board meeting. (Screenshot from meeting live stream)

On Thursday, members of the Government Employees’ Retirement System board convened to give updates on their personal loan program. The program, which was dissolved in 2015, was reinstated earlier this year and appears to be moving as planned.

GERS Administrator Angel Dawson Jr. opened by giving updates on the status of personal loans already underway at GERS.

“This report is as of the end of April, at which point we had 755 active loans — 427 on St. Thomas-St. John and 328 on St. Croix. And mortgages, we had 71 all together, with 52 on St. Thomas-St. John and 19 on St. Croix,” said Dawson.

The overall loan portfolio as of the end of April for GERS in St. Thomas-St. John was $4.6 million and $2.93 million in St. Croix. Of the loan portfolio, personal loans constituted $2.9 million ($1.6 million in St. Thomas-St. John and $1.3 million in St. Croix), according to Dawson.

The administrator added that on April 8, GERS allowed for an “expressions of interest” period from April 9 to April 19 regarding the reinstatement of the personal loan program. The agency received 1,563 expressions of interest; however, 197 were removed due to issues such as duplicate names, age limits, and contribution ineligibilities. Two applications were even removed due to applicants not being members.

“As of May 29, we have processed completely 628 of the 1,366 eligible individuals that have expressed interest. That was a total of $6,187,190. That would represent some 31 percent of the $20 million dollars that has been allocated by this board for the loan program,” said Dawson.

He also added that, on average, applicants have been qualifying for the maximum $10,000 loan amount.

Thus far, of the 688 approved applicants, 240 are for the St. Thomas-St. John district, totaling $2,308,470, while 388 are for the St. Croix district, totaling $3,878,720.

“I would point out just from an economic standpoint in terms of the value of this loan program, the $6.2 million that we’ve dispersed thus far, if you considered that there’s generally an economic multiplier of three, that would represent some almost $19 million in economic activity for the territory, assuming that most of the monies remain within the V.I. economy,” said Dawson. He added that, “Should we continue at a rate of $10,000 per loan, we believe that we would have $6.5 million remaining and in July the program can be reopened to utilize the remaining funds.”

Artist Doreen Walsh Officially Recognized for Her Art at Schneider Hospital

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Artist Doreen Walsh Officially Recognized for Her Art at Schneider Hospital
Doreen Walsh (left) and Senior Vice President Jordan Wathen (right) place the plaque next to “Parade.”
(Source photo by Joshua Crawford Barry)
Batik artist Doreen Walsh presented her venerable piece “Parade” to friends and art enthusiasts on Thursday at the Schneider Regional Medical Center. The lively and festive atmosphere witnessed Walsh place her name plaque on the wall beside the art after years of it sitting without an artist’s claim. “Dynamite comes in a small package,” said Teri Pearsall, an attendee at the presentation, referring to her friend’s talent as a woman of small stature, insinuating that creating such a large piece is no easy feat. The towering 8-foot by 7-foot piece has been in the front lobby of the medical center for about 17 years now, having been donated in 2007, but it is only now being accredited to Walsh. It sits on the far right wall, framed by other historical works by well-known artists such as Bill Thompson.
Friends and fellow artists gather for Doreen Walsh’s “Parade.” (Source photo by Joshua Crawford Barry)
The pieces in the hospital hold great significance and add a more warm and welcoming touch, as mentioned by the hospital’s Senior Vice President, Jordan Wathen. The artwork has persevered over many years, lasting through both hurricanes in 2017 and the harsh weather the storms brought to the island. The journey of “Parade” began in ’95 when the Royal Caribbean cruise line was searching for art to put in its lounge downtown. Discovered through Corinne Van Rensselaer’s art gallery, Walsh was tasked with creating a piece that would capture local culture and spirit. The work’s original name was “Main Street Jumbie,” and it does exactly that. To support the creation of this piece, she was given an apartment downtown above one of the local restaurants to work in. The piece took roughly two months to complete, an impressive accomplishment for such a large and spirited creation. Before creating “Parade,” Walsh admits she had never attempted a piece this expansive, yet still decided to accept the challenge, which was completed masterfully. Once the lounge downtown closed, the artwork inside was redistributed and bought, which is when the manager who facilitated the distribution graciously donated “Parade” to the hospital where it now proudly sits. Walsh was unaware of the updated resting location for her piece, not thinking much of it until she saw her art hanging on the walls during a visit to the medical center. She would mention her work unpretentiously to the security guards, yet the proper credit would not come until later. Realizing that her name was not next to the display, Walsh’s friend and advocate, Betsy Sheahan, decided to take action to help the artist get the recognition she deserved. After talking with the directors at the hospital, Walsh’s friends were able to bring light to the piece and reopen the discussion of attribution as a birthday gift to their beloved friend. They succeeded in their attempts, giving Walsh the ultimate gift of presenting her process for this piece on Thursday and her origins as a Batik artist. Having attended the University of Pennsylvania and graduating in 1977 as an art education major, Walsh had yet to be exposed to the beautiful craft of Batik artistry. It was when a guest speaker was brought into her fiber class that she found her spark. The fast-paced procedure involved in creating a piece of art with melted wax did not exactly come easy to Walsh. She describes her first pieces as being “covered with dots,” as she would spill bits of wax where they didn’t belong. Through years of learning and much practice, she lost the dotty appearance and made a name for herself in the Virgin Islands, where more of her pieces lay scattered throughout. A piece of Walsh’s still hangs in the St. Thomas Reformed Church downtown that beautifully depicts a light-filled interpretation of Christ’s rebirth. Her presence in the St. Thomas community has been a great addition to the art and culture, and she continues to reaffirm her voice as she is recognized for her impressive works.

GERS Dissolves Havensight Management Committee, Shares Updates on Retirement Applications

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GERS Dissolves Havensight Management Committee, Shares Updates on Retirement Applications
Board members voted favorably to dissolve the Havensight Management Oversight Committee at Thursday’s meeting. (Source file photo)

Board members for the Government Employees’ Retirement System board met on Thursday and voted on dissolving their Havensight Management Committee, discussed financial standings for the company, and retirement applications.

GERS Board chairman Dwane Callwood said that he wanted to streamline operations to dissolve the Havensight Management Oversight Committee and place it under the Investment Committee.

“All the members of the board of Trustees are members of the investment committee, so I’m proposing that we move the Havensight Mall, which has been a very good performing investment for GERS. I’m proposing that we reboot that under the Investment Committee and dissolve the Havensight Management Oversight Committee,” said Callwood.

Board member Andre Dorsey inquired about the frequency of meetings for the Investment Committee after sharing sentiments that updates will have to be given on the status of activities at Havensight. He alluded to construction of the hotel at the Havensight Mall.

“When I look at the reports from the CEO, seems to be a lot of activity still going on as it was before. The only difference, we’re not in on it, but now I’m told that we’re not going to hear anything, maybe once a year, at the retreat,” said Dorsey.

Callwood responded that the committee meets quarterly but can meet more frequently and stressed that the construction of the hotel was not just a Havensight Management Oversight Committee decision but a decision made by the entire investment board at the time. Dorsey responded by saying the entire board was not present, rather the former chief counsel was the lead on the decision.

The dissolution of the Havensight Management Oversight Committee was voted favorably by members Nellon Bowry, Andre Dorsey, Vincent Liger, Leona Smith, and Dwane Callwood.

Pertaining to retirement applications, according to GERS administrator Angel Dawson Jr., GERS has received 88 retirement applications for 2024 to which 11 have been completed.

“That’s a thirteen percent completion rate. We expect that that will be picking up,” said Dawson.

Last fiscal year, 291 retirement applications were received with 265 completed. Currently, there are 9,399 disbursements per pay day for retiree payments with 1,732 payments going outside of the territory.

Relating to refunds, contributions processing, and death benefits, millions of dollars have been processed thus far for the fiscal year. For refunds, 68 cases totaling $5.1 million have been processed. Relating to death benefits, 31 cases have been completed with 55 cases pending completion. Additionally, approximately $168 million in annuity payments have been dispersed.

“Annuity payments per pay period has arrived at the figure of $11.3 million dollars,” said Dawson.

Additionally, for the current fiscal year, investments are on the upswing for GERS.

“We are up by $97 million dollars in this fiscal year with regards to our portfolio holdings,” said Dawson. “We are not completely out of the waters, and we have to remind stakeholders and decision-makers of that as well.”

Dawson also mentioned that the only arrearage for GERS is from the public sector, the Justice Department, and the Division of Personnel. The latter two being for the month of April.

Pertaining to the construction of the Hilton hotel, Dawson shared that headway is being made accordingly.

“At the Havensight Mall, exciting work continues at the mall with the progress on the hotel which is now approaching the third out of five floors,” said Dawson.

He added that the developer is on target to complete the hotel in the first quarter of 2025.

Board members Dwane Callwood, Nellon Bowry, Andre Dorsey, Vincent Liger, Ronald Russell, and Leona Smith were present. Fluorine Hassell was present in place of ex-officio member Cindy Richardson.

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