Senate continued their session yesterday. They approved the pile of bills before them –
They approved changes to our territorial probate laws making it simpler and faster
to probate a person’s last will and testament.
They approved including various voluntary organizations like Search and
Rescue in the government worker’s compensation group. They approved a bill that would give
temporary government workers who serve for more than 6 months the same rights
to prevent wrongful discharge and they approved changes to the law that will
bring our debt management and credit card laws into compliance with federal
standards. The senators approved setting
a minimum wage for people who work in the Government’s semi-autonomous
agencies. and they approved a highway tax exemption for fuel efficient
vehicles. and they approved the creation of a new domain
of business in the Virgin Islands by approving the Alternative Markets Acts.
The Senators also approved a end of year Omnibus act that
contains all sorts of items. Typically a
bill like this is called a Christmas tree act with dozens of special interest
spending provisions. In past years these bills have been a burden on the
government funding outside the budget.
This year the Senators restrained themselves and limited the additional
spending - - $50,000 for the Civil Rights Commission, $20,000 to each National
Guard unit. They created a new “Dean of Students for each of the territory’s High
School and $60,000 each. They gave the commissioner
of Public Works instructions on how to paint traffic arrows, makes local harbor
pilots class-III employees, and sets up a V.I. Building Contractors Incentive
Program – extending Economic Development Commission benefits to local
contractors who work on building hotel rooms on St. Croix.
More in the Omnibus act - a half million dollars to develop
pre-kindergarten programs. revamping playgrounds in housing communities;
renovations to the Aldershville Senior Center; developing plans and specs for
the emergency rooms at the hospitals; And they appropriated money to buy land
to build a government complex for the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Economic
Development Authority, DPNR and some of the Lieutenant Governor's Office under
one roof.
There is money to hire grant writers and money for Lew Henley’s
services at Carnival and a quarter million for the Virgin Islands Taxi Cab
Commission to hire enforcement officers
and money and money for Edward Jarvis for plumbing work and money for staff at
Eldra Schulterbrandt facility... Starts to sound like a Christmas tree bill...
State Director of Special Nutrition is asking all child care
centers and adult care centers to Sign up for the Child and Adult Care Food
Program. A number of centers are already signed up and they want all remaining
centers to take advantage of the food supplies and nutritional support offered
by the program. If your child care center or adult care center has not joined
the food program – call 774-9373.
Government Development Bank is offering a special program to
consolidate all your GDBx loans. If your
business meets certain guidelines, you may be able to reduce your total
interest and hassel of managing many loans.
Call Carolyn Henry, Senior loan officer on St. Thomas At 714-1700 and on
St. Croix call Monique Samuel at 773-6499.
Lost and Found Richard Clindenen’s identification was found
in PMPG – you can pick it up in the housing office. A purse belonging to Hillary Nobles was found
in St. John – Hillary Bowen Nobles - call Uncle Joe’s BBQ in St. John at 693-5866.
St. Croix Dept. of Agriculture is closed today and tomorrow and
the St. Croix abattoir reminds farmers they can pick up their meat today after 1:00
PM. Pick up only. Regular hours will resume on Monday December 28.
WAPA reminds St. Croix they are installing a new water line
to accommodate Diageo’s new rum plant.
There are no planned water interruptions but there is a lot of digging
along Melvin Evans Highway to accommodate the new water line.
Police Department is asking us all to be vigilant for crime
during the holidays.
VIPD Commissioner Novelle
Francis says the holidays can bring out criminals who are looking to prey on
revelers.
Here are the The Twelve
Rules of Christmas Safety
– Don’t drink and drive.
– Always lock up the
house when going out. Make sure doors and windows are secure.
– Leave exterior lights
on so thieves don’t have dark places to hide.
– Leave a few interior
lights on, and change them every night. Use a timer to have lights and
electronics going on and off at night, giving the impression that someone is
home.
– Don’t throw boxes and
packaging from Christmas gifts, especially expensive gifts, out front with the
trash. That’s like leaving a menu for potential burglars.
“Be a nosy neighbor - -
keep an eye on the neighborhood and pay attention to strange cars and
individuals, taking note of descriptions and license plates.
– Communicate with your
neighbors. Let them know if you’re going out or off island, and who should and
shouldn’t be around your house in your absence. Do the same for them.
– When going out for
holiday events, always try to park in well-lit places.
– Make sure your cars
doors and windows are locked, and there’s nothing out in plain sight that would
attract thieves.
– When attending
functions, walk in groups.
– When out, be aware of
your surroundings and where potential trouble might come from.
– If something doesn’t
feel right, either at home or out on the town, don’t be afraid to call 911 and
ask for assistance.
Hearty Congratulations to Lt. Col. Michael McDonald who was
promoted to Colonel. McDonald yesterday in St. Croix's Government House. He is
the V.I. National Guard's new U.S. Property and Fiscal Officer, replaces
retired Col. Marion Peterson in that position. He was raised on St. Thomas and attended
Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School until 1970 and then Miami Military Academy.
He enlisted in the V.I. Army National Guard in 1983, and joined the 662nd
Military Police Company on St. Thomas.
Colonel McDoanld – you’re making good news.
Price Smart made good news yesterday as they gave out
special gifts to Dept. of Human Services children sponsored by shoppers.
PriceSmart has a Big Thank You to all the staff and customers who helped make
this a joyful occasion.