Virgin Islands legislature killed plans for Alpine Energy’s
waste to electricity plans. In a vote of
11 to 4, the senators did not approve a lease for land in Bovoni where Alpine
was supposed to create their factory to turn solid waste into pelletized fuel. This puts a halt to all work with Alpine and
presages a total reevaluation of the Alpine plans. The Senators expressed
concern with the use of Petroleum Coke as fuel.
While this particular lease did not concern PetCoke, this was the place
where the Senators could voice their opposition.
In other action, the Senators approved the plan to commemorate
the Fireburn of 1878. From now on, October 1 will celebrate the Fireburn revolt.
This is NOT an official government holiday. The bill mandates the Department of
Education to provide educational information to students about the Fireburn.
The Senators worked on seven overrides of the Governor’s
vetoes. They approved a plan to give a road
tax break to people who buy hybrid vehicles that get more than 30 miles per
gallon, they voted to require all subdivisions to offer WAPA potable water in
future construction, they overrode vetoes to adopt the Uniform Power of
Attorney Law, to reduce the number of people on the retroactive wages Commission
from 9 to 7, the approved $350,000 for staff development at the Eldra
Shulterbrandt Mental Health Facility and they approved $5,000 for a summer
program at Williams Delight. And the Senators approved a resolution honoring
Allison Pauline Tanicia Peter for her outstanding achievement in track and
field.
They approved a bill to name the Labor and Delivery unit of
Schneider Hospital for Cynthia Browne Stapleton, They approved a bill to stop
child pornography, They approved a resolution regarding Dr Roy Schneider –urging
the hospital to honor the man and give him parking privileges at the hospital, They
approved the interstate compact on juveniles. The Senators approved Luz Suarez de
Highfield and Carol Nicholson Flup to the UVI Board of Trustees, Matthias
Eckstein, Gerville Larsen, Rupert Pelle and Rebecca Mervin to the Historic
Preservation Commission.
Public Finance Authority approved a resolution authorizing
20 million in new bonds to help finance a comprehensive broadband internet
backbone throughout the territory. The bonds have to be approved by the legislature
The project will create a fiber-optic
ring through the territory, Puerto Rico and Miami and the benefits are tremendous, creating
opportunities for expansion of the network to libraries, hospitals and
government agencies, along with local organizations, which will get money for
training and new computers through the grant. For the home user, that means an
extra 10 megabits per second -- or in layman's terms, being able to download a
book in the blink of an eye. Not yet.
Department of Health is warning about pink eye – also known
technically as Conjunctivitis. Pink eye is an inflammation of white of the eye – it is characterized by redness and an
itchy feeling in the eyes. It is not particularly dangerous but it is highly
contagious and requires treatment to stop the infection. Parents are urged to keep children with pink
eye at home and away from school and day care center until the symptoms have
been cleared. Avoid touching eyes and never touch someone else’s eyes without
protection. Wash hands and disinfect doorknobs and water faucets.
The Board of Elections reminds all candidates and committees
that the official election event calendar is available from the Supervisor of
Elections – Sunny Isles Shopping Center
or #22 Crystal Gade or go to the web
site www.vivote.gov.
Virgin Islands Housing Authority is having a homeownership
opportunity workshop for Calabash Boom on St. John on Tuesday at The Battery at
5:30 PM. Come find out about grants, mortgage programs and tax credits for
first time buyers.
Superior Court reminds all jurors in Group A of the need to
report as soon as possible to Court Room one for jury selection.
The Cultural Heritage Institute and the Council on the Arts
will host the Territory's Fourth Annual March Music Series, titled
"Tradition Meets 21st Century".
There is also a concert today at Emancipation
Garden at 10:30 with 21st band on stage at 11:30 AM. the 21st Century Band will perform their final
concert today in Roosevelt Veterans Park at 6:00 PM. If it rains tonight – the
concert moves to Ruth E. Thomas Auditorium.
The Forum has an event Tuesday March
9 at Prior-Jolleck Hall at Antilles School. The Pacifica Quartet is performing at the
Casals festival in Puerto Rico and they are coming to St. Thomas for a one
night concert. The Pacifica Quartet "the 2009 Ensemble
of the Year" and they won the 2009
Grammy for Best Chamber Music Performance. Tickets are available through Reichhold
(693-1559) and at these outlets: Dockside Bookshop, Interiors at Fort Mylner
and Home Again in Red Hook. Call 690-4350.