Thursday, May 22, 1997

US Virgin Islands

[singlepic id=4817 w=180 h=40 mode=web20 float=left]Good morning! This is Alex Randall with Good News Headlines


 

St. Croix as a Home Port – It Could Happen

Holland American Cruise Line is considering using St. Croix as a home port, but they need to have the Ann Abramson pier lengthened and improved. The price tag is around $3 million and the Port Authority says they can’t do it alone. Holland America joins other cruise lines in considering St. Croix as a base of operations.

Current Conditions in Paradise:

Temperature: 80 Degrees Water Temp: 71 Degrees Skies: Crystal Clear, Occasional Cloud Beach: Perfect Swimming: Perfect Diving: Perfect Sailing: Perfect Drinks: Ready

Senate Continues Session Today

The senate is meeting today at 11 AM to consider the nominees to the St. Croix Horse Racing Commission. They have the bill to create a select committee on Government accountability, and the lease for the South Carolina University marine lab. They also have a bill that will require legislative approval of all tax breaks from the Industrial Development Commission. This, on the heels of the decision to give Vitelco a special tax deal.

VITELCO Defended their tax break

Vitelco President David Sharp says the phone company needs the tax break to recover from their 100 million dollar losses due to the recent hurricanes. He also said that the tax breaks will protect 400 jobs at Vitelco and let the company do some overhaul of its equipment and maintain stable phone rates. Public comments are running heavily against the decision.

Lt. Governor Mapp is going back to School

Lieutenant Governor Mapp will go to Harvard University later this year to take a special class on government operations. Mapp will go on sabbatical for a month to attend the class at Harvard which is specifically designed for senior government officials to give them skills in managing government.

Lieutenant Governor Mapp will go to Harvard University later this year to take a special class on government operations. Mapp will go on sabbatical for a month to attend the class at Harvard which is specifically designed for senior government officials to give them skills in managing government.

The Water Authority ended water rationing on St. Croix on Sunday and plans to continue rationing St. Thomas water for 10 days to 2 weeks or until they have a 10 day supply of water reserves. Everyone is urged to conserve water under these drought conditions. WAPA explains that they are bring on-line a new waste heat boiler that will help produce more water.

Delegate Dr Donna Christian-Green says Puerto Rico Bill passed

The House Resources Committee passed a bill to the US Congress to authorize a plebiscite on Puerto Rico to determine if that commonwealth will become a state. The House committee adjourned before considering a bill regarding Guam’s election process. Delegate Christian-Green also announced that the Virgin Islands Schools have received a $410,188 Technology Literacy Challenge Grant to help incorporate new technology into the schools.

Coming Up:

If your organization is offering a summer program, tomorrow is the deadline to have your organizations summer program included in the Summer Directory. Call 773-1545.

5:30 PM – Environmental Association of St. Thomas-St. John and the Paul M Pearson Gardens Tenants Council will host a neighborhood environmental meeting at 5:30 PM – Speakers include Keith Richards, Jerome Ringo and Carlos Robles

Calendar Today

10:00 AM – – Urban Forestry Grant workshop at Department of Tourism offices in St. Thomas. If you want to get an urban forestry grant, you must attend a workshop. 11:00 AM – Medical meeting at Juan Luis Hospital for members of Medicare Triple S Inc. and other doctors interested in Medicare. 5:00 PM – American Association of Retired People Chapter 3138 at Nazareth Lutheran Parish Hall St. John 5:30 PM – Environmental Association of St. Thomas-St. John * and the Paul M Pearson Gardens Tenants Council will host a neighborhood environmental meeting at 5:30 PM – Speakers include Keith Richards, Jerome Ringo and Carlos Robles 5:30 PM – Kirwin School PTA will meet at 5:30 PM – at the school Cafeteria. 5:30 PM – Charlotte Amalie Lions Club is meeting at Victor’s New Hideout 5:30 PM – Hug a Bunch is meeting at Bellows International at 5:30 PM 5:30 PM – Edith William’s PTA meeting at the school. 6:00 PM – Committee on Education has hearings on the status of St. Croix Schools. Legislative Conference Room St. Croix 7:00 PM – Lions Club is meeting at 7:00 PM – at Palm Count of the Harbor View Hotel.

Good News Makers

Pearle Christie is going to medical school, so are Dorette and Marisela Noorhansen who will graduate on Saturday from UVI in the early Medical school selection program. All three will attend Boston University. All three praised UVI’s program as an ideal way to get into medical school.

This is Emergency Medical Services Week

You can make a difference. Make sure your house has a sign on the outside that identifies your building. If you have an emergency, turn on the outside lights so EMS staff can find you. When you call with an emergency, tell what happened, where it happened and your phone number. Stay on the line until the emergency dispatcher tell as you its OK to hang up.

Water Island Report

Nothing Happened. Yawn. Roll over and tan the other side.