President Barack Obama has sent our proposed Constitution to
the US Congress. The President’s letter included a review by the Departments of
Justice and Interior with many suggestions.
We know this list – The President says the proposed Constitution needs a
provision acknowledging the sovereignty of the US Constitution, it needs provisions
for special election on status, the President objects to requirement that the governor
be a native virgin islander and he objects to the special tax breaks for
ancestral virgin islanders. The letter says there is imprecise language in the
bill of rights and there are problems with the size of our territorial waters.
It may be necessary to repeal some federal laws if the constitution is
approved. The US Congress has 60 days to
review the document and amend it. Delegate
Christensen says there will probably NOT be congressional hearings here but the
hearings in Washington will be made available.
The Government needs more money. We have a projected deficit
of 170 million dollars with no relief in sight.
Acting Governor Gregory Francis sent three bills to the legislature. First is a bill to issue real property tax
bills using the 1998 valuation. The second authorizes the government to borrow
an 150 million dollars and allows the government to sell the real property tax
revenues to a bank and pay the bank back as the taxes are collected. And the third bill would reprogram funds to
allow some government agencies to continue to function under dire financial
conditions.
Public Services Commission took action on geothermal energy
approving Wintdots as a qualifying facility and open negotiations between WAPA
and Wintdots for the purchase price of power.
Wintdots plans to build a geothermal energy producing facility Next
Wintdots has to do geological studies to show the potential for geothermal
energy at Flagberry Hill.
The Public Services Commission approved a hearing examiner
to consider Choice Communication as an eligible carrier. They appointed Rosalie Simmonds-Ballentine to
look into the rules governing the windmills at Tutu Park Mall and they heard Varlack
ventures say they were moving ahead with their new ticketing machines and
getting ready to issue bulk tickets to students and commuters.
Senate Committee on Housing, Sports and Veterans Affairs approved
plans to put 200 slot machines at the Randall "Doc" James racetrack on
St. Croix and 200 Video Lottery Terminal at the Clinton Phipps Race Track in St.
Thomas. Huge debate over whether we need more gaming in the Virgin Islands. There
is no sign that tourism is up because of casino gaming on St. Croix according
to Senator Nellie Rivera-O’Reilly And Senate President Louis P. Hill says gaming
is destroying our community. Vote was 3
to 2 – and the debate continues today at the Rules Committee.
St. John is having a Social Security representative on Wednesday March 3 from 9:00
AM to 12:45 PM. at the Dept. of Human Services near the VI Fire Service
Fisher men are reminded that there is a closure of the
season on catching Mutton Snapper. The
Mutton Snapper or Virgin Snapper is spawning off the south coast of St. Croix and
fishing with pots, traps bottom longlines and nets is prohibited from now
through June 30th.
Remember retro – some people can’t forget. The Retroactive Wage Commission is going to
listen to you in public forums for the people due to receive retro. The forums is
today at Charlotte Amalie High School Ruth E. Thomas Auditorium, and Thursday
in the St. Croix campus of UVI's Great Hall. All forums will be held from 6 to
9 p.m.
The road beside GERS will be closed from today through March
10th as the road is excavated to install new infrastructure
lines. Residents and business will be
able to get access but there will be no through traffic on Route 23 behind the
new GERS building.
GERS Scholarship applications are available from GERS
offices and the application and support documentation must be returned by April 16.
Three scholarships up to $3,500 are available.
Beacon schools continue registration from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM
today for the Spring semester at Addelita Cancryn Junior High School, E.
Benjamin Oliver School, Ivanna Eudora Kean School and on St. Croix Claude O.
Markoe School, Elena Christian Jr. High School and Juanita Gardine (Gar-dean)
Elementary School and at Julius Sprauve School, St. John. A list of classes is available on line at
beaconschools.vi
Scholarships from Wal-Marts. Delegate Dr. Donna Christensen
announces the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation received a generous gift
from Wal-Mart to support scholarships.
Applications are available from the delegate’s office. and must be complete by April 1.
Friday was the date set
for the Senate Committee of the Whole to consider a zoning request to put four commercial
buildings in Estate Bakkero. But the developers have pulled that request and
the hearings will not cover the plans for Estate Bakkero. Other rezoning
requests are still on the agenda.
The Governor issued a proclamation – this is Virgin Islands History
Month and it is Women’s History Month in the Virgin Islands – time to acknowledgement
the contributions of Virgin Islands women like Queen Mary, Queen Coziah, Anna
Heegaard, Edith Williams, Enid Baa, Ann deChabert, Elaine Sprauve, Ruby Rouss,
Elena Christian, Gertrude Lockhart-Melchoir, Lucinda Millin, Eldra Shulterbrandt,
Gwendolyn Kean, Bianca Maduro-Andre, Clarice Thomas Geraldine heath Irene
Bayne, Muriel Newton aand Alicia Ortiz among many others.