US Virgin Islands
[singlepic id=4817 w=180 h=40 mode=web20 float=left]Good morning! This is Alex Randall with Good News Headlines
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27 Medals in the US Youth Games
We fielded a team at the last minute and sent them to New York City on a wing and a prayer and they won 27 medals. 6 Gold, 13 silver and 8 bronze medals at the US Youth Games. The track and Field team is coming in today at 11:56 at Cyril King Airport where half the team will disembark, the rest go on to St. Croix planning to arrive at 1:15. Our track and Field team won 27 medals. That’s fabulous.
Current Conditions in Paradise:
Temperature: 84 Degrees Water Temp: 72 Degrees Skies: Crystal Clear, Occasional Cloud Chance of Rain: 20%: Beach and Swimming : Perfect Sailing and Diving : Perfect Drinks: Ready
The Economy is Growing, It’s growing Not
The Budget hearings turned into a debate over the growth of the economy with Carmello Riviera, the Commissioner of Labor saying there is lots of evidence of growth in our economy. We lost 450 businesses after Hurricane Marilyn but 480 have grown up since the storm. There are 1500 more jobs in the territory than in 1996. The Senators said the statistics are wrong, Labor isn’t even counting all the people who have given up looking for work in its unemployment calculations.
Bovoni Fire to Be Put Out.
The Bovoni fire is a step closer to being put out. A joint venture has been formed to extinguish the fire. John McArdle of Great Britain, and S&S Services of St. Thomas and Island Roads will perform the work. Dept. of Property and Procurement, Fire Service and PWD has been negotiating with the group. No date yet, when they will begin or when the fire will be out.
Governor Says Daily News got it Wrong.
Government House put out a press release saying the Daily News got the figures wrong in their news story about payroll in the Executive Branch, The payroll is about 3.4 million, not 7.2 million the newspaper says. The difference is the cost of all the capital outlays, repairs on the government buildings, training, utilities, even compensation to the widow of Governor King. He says the salaries listed are incorrect and there are no proposed increases. And the one pay cut the newspaper discussed was wrong.
Cattle Feed for our Animals?
The Government barge navy is in operation. And they are in the cattle feed business. The Territory owns two working barges The Governor and one of their first tasks was to move a load of Drought relief Feed. They went to St. Croix with heavy machinery and rather than return empty, they loaded up with cattle feed and brought it back to St. Thomas.
Interfaith Coalition Helps restoration
On August 9th the Interfaith Coalition made a donation of $2000 to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church to help in the restoration of the statue of the Virgin Mary that was desecrated last November. Judith Bourne of the Coalition said they wanted to give people of all faiths a way to show their respect for the sacred.
GERS Retirement Loans
The government employees retirement system announces the end of the moratorium on processing loans to retirees. That means that beginning next Monday, August 18. GERS loan applications will be available Monday through Wednesdays 8 to 3:00 PM at the GERS buildings on St. Thomas or St. Croix
Good news for United Way
The United Way of St. Croix has a new car and the price is right. Antilles Automotive donated the vehicle to United Way and St. Croix Insurance donated full insurance coverage too. United Way is 75% of the way to their $3 million dollar goal and the vehicle will help the staff go to meet with their sponsors. You can help United Way too.
Coming Up:
Red Cross is offering a series of mini workshops. On disaster training, mental health, managing a disaster organization and liaison work, The workshops start on Monday through Friday. Call 774-0375 for more information.
It is recess in Washington and Delegate Christian-Green is back in the Virgin Islands for a series of town meetings. She will be at the St. John meeting on August 18thy to review the plans for the visitor center. She on St. Croix for a town meeting on August 21st at 6:30 at the Department of Education Teleconference room. On St. Thomas her town meeting is Monday August 25th at the Legislative Chambers. When the Department of Education put out the calendar for the year, they omitted the nurses. Well now we know, nursing staff returns to work on August 22nd. Enjoy your summer 11 days more of it.
Luis Gomez Makes Good News
Luis A. Gomex of Hess Oil Virgin Islands is making good news. He recently received his professional engineer’s license from the Board of Architects, Engineers and Surveyors. The grueling 16 hour exam is no party. Few pass the professional engineer exam. Gomez got an A. That’s Luis A. Gomez making good news.
Water Island Report
Art Class was canceled last night. Art, The Artist in residence is not in residence. SO there is no Art.