US Virgin Islands
[singlepic id=4817 w=180 h=40 mode=web20 float=left]Good morning! This is Alex Randall with Good News Headlines
Governor Supports Development Bank
The Governor signed into law changes for the Government Development Bank. He had asked for these changes get the bank going. One of the changes will protect board members and the bank from liability for default. The Senate agreed with the changes and added several amendments. Governor Schneider turned down one that would extend tax amnesty. The Governor says we need the money and can’t extend tax amnesty forever. Tax bills from 1995 and 1996 will be due in 1997. The Governor also turned down an amendment that would re-zone a portion of Bovoni and Nadir.
In other transactions with the senate, the Governor asked for a change in the tax laws He’s calling for a commuter incentive tax on automobile purchases to replace the gross receipts tax.
Dry Out from record Rain
We’re drying our from 7.5 inches of rain yesterday. While we have a 60% chance of rain today, it is not expected to be anything like yesterday. Tropical Storm Marko is giving us a heavy surf advisory for the south and west facing shores of the Virgin Islands.
Airplane Seats, Please
Hey we need more airline seats? The Hotel Association says we didn’t have enough airline seats to keep our hotels full during October and November. The Association wants service from New York City restored and more flights from other cities. American Airlines is only flying from NYC five days a week. The Association says even if all the airplanes were full, it would still take an additional 10,000 seats per week to fill our hotels.
Vacation Planner
The Dept. of Tourism has produced the first annual Territorial Vacation Planner. This is a 24 page booklet to help travel consumers decide to vacation here. There is also a 48 page version for travel agents.
Food For Thought
At the World Food Conference in Rome, one official reported that there are nine countries where the people spend more on dog and cat food that the United Nations spends on the food organization. The Food Organizations budget is less than 5% of what American’s spend on weight loss products they need due to overeating.
12 Step Help
There are two new 12 step recovery programs forming up in St. Thomas St. John. There is a new group for Adult Children of Alcoholics and there is going to be a Overeater’s Anonymous. Call 513-2156 for more information
Trail of Amina to Air
WTJX is going to air a special program today at 10 PM called The Trail of Amina which is about the St. John Slave Revolt among many interesting stories about the Virgin Islands History.
Player of the Year!!!
Finally this: Calvin Pickering has been named the Baseball minor league Player of the Year. Pickering plays for the minor league team attached to the Baltimore Orioles. He’s going to be in the Baltimore New Year’s parade and he is the Player Of The Year. That’s Calvin Pickering’s good news.