Senators passed a motion Thursday demanding a meeting with Gov. Charles W. Turnbull to discuss all the crises facing the territory, not just fiscal alone. They asked Senate President Vargrave Richards to set up the meeting, no later than next week.
The motion, introduced by Sen. Almando "Rocky" Liburd, was provoked by recent reported criticism of the Senate by the administration, and by a letter from the governor saying that the senators had "inadvertently" omitted positions in the Personnel Division in the fiscal year 2000 budget. That was in the later part of a full day.
In the long session, lasting until 8:30 p.m., that had one senator speaking Spanish and another singing, the Senate finally completed an ambitious agenda that had started out on Wednesday looking not quite that complicated.
They conferred the Virgin Islands Medal of Honor on Julian "The Hawk" Jackson, posthumously honored Andrew "Funkyman" Shacove, and honored and commended two island educators, Dr. George Newton and Mario Alfredo Thomas. That was before 5 p.m.
Earlier in the day the lawmakers passed one bill, defeated another, and sent one back to committee.
A bill enacting a ban on incineration as a method of disposal of solid waste was defeated, an amendment to the V.I. Code as it pertains to the practice of podiatry was passed, and, after much debate, a bill introduced by Sen. Gregory E. Bennerson, which would make it a felony to furnish false information to peace officers during the investigation of a felony, was sent back to committee.
Jackson, a born Virgin Islander who always maintained a V.I. residence, became a four-time boxing champion, and held several World Boxing Association titles. At one point in his career, Jackson achieved a 93.1 knockout percentage, the highest of any active champion at the time. He is now employed by the Department of Housing, Parks and Recreation.
All the senators hailed Jackson as an ambassador for the territory."He should be given a pension," commented Sen. Adelbert "Bert" Bryan. He cited the way Sammy Sosa is treated in the Dominican Republic, and the stadium erected for Roberto Clemente in Puerto Rico. "He should be given land and a villa, and tax breaks like they give to Hovensa," Bryan said.
Andrew Kevin "Funkyman" Shacove, a legendary radio personality, master of ceremonies and fireman was posthumously honored and commended. Shacove, who died in January, was well known as "Funkyman" on radio station WSTA.
Educator Dr. George Newton was honored on his retirement after 26 years serving the children of the community, where he started as a Spanish teacher at Lockhart Elementary School, and retired as principal of Joseph Gomez Elementary School. Newton was active in tennis, and represented the V.I. in many tournaments.
Mario Alfredo Thomas was honored for 33 years of outstanding service in physical education at the Charlotte Amalie High School and naming of the track and field at CAHS the "Mario Thomas Track and Field Complex" was approved.
A proposal by the governor to appropriate $92,742 for two positions in the Personnel Division had a number of amendments added to it. Sen. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen proposed a $4 million appropriation from the Indirect Cost Fund to repair St. Croix's sewage systems and $1 million to repair the Fredericksted pier, which would be given to the Port Authority for the repairs.
Sen. Adlah "Fonsie" Donastorg submitted an amendment for a binding referendum in the November general election to reduce the Senate size from 15 to 11, which was approved. The U.S. Congress would have to amend the Organic Act if the measure passes.
Donastorg once again attempted, with Hansen's support, a measure to require the Public Service Commission to investigate Vitelco's rates and, once again, the measure was rejected.
At one point, Bryan inquired as to why he couldn't get long distance on his phone. He said he just got a recording in Spanish. Other senators said they had the same problem, and said they thought they were dialing wrong.
Wrong. The bill to Telefonica Larga Distancia de Puerto Rico had not been paid, it was revealed. However, Richards said, almost at the close of the session, that Friday the bill would be paid, and service resumed.
Sen. Violet Anne Golden introduced a bill, which was approved with much comment, addressing the governor's appointment powers to the Industrial Development Commission. The amendment would repeal a former bill, which is constructed in such a way as to allow a quorum of only two members. The new bill would return to a prior law requiring seven members, including five appointive members, and a quorum of four, with not more than three members from the same district. Also, it allows an appointive member, when his term expires, to serve until his successor is appointed and confirmed.
The busy session also approved a lease on St. Croix for Junie's BBQ Chicken, a measure that had no trouble passing, especially with the Crucian senators.
An appropriation of $2.3 million was approved for the construction of a long-term mental health facility to be constructed next to the Eldra Schulterbrandt facility on the eastern end of St.Thomas.
Several rezonings were also approved:
– For the V.I. Housing Authority to develop home sites for low and moderate income housing
– For Willis Todman to allow wholesale trade warehouse uses in Estates Bovoni and Frenchman's Bay.
– To permit development of a beauty supplies shop and barber shop on Kronprindsens Gade near Percy's Bus Stop.
– To relocate the Taste of Margarita's restaurant, owned by Emile Heywood, in Fredericksted.
– To permit the George family to develop six single-family lots in Frenchman's Bay.
– To allow Paul Horseford to subdivide his one-acre parcel in Estate Constitution Hill, St. Croix.
– To allow construction of a supermarket in Estate Fredenhoj by the Daas Corporation.
– To allow Tommie and Paula Broadnax to expand an inn in Estates Golden Grove and Orange Grove, St. Croix.
Zoning variances were approved for:
– The Baptist General Conference to build a school, conference center and bookstore in Estate Caldwell, St. Croix.
– Leo Sibilly to allow retail trade, personal, professional, business and government services in Estate Elizabeth near Sib's Bar and Restaurant.
– Estate Richmond to legalize a non-conforming use as a commercial warehouse in St. Croix.
– To permit Marciano and Vilma Danois to operate a beauty shop in their home in La Grande Princesse, St. Croix.
And, finally, Sen Lorraine Berry introduced a resolution to honor and commend Faye Dorothy Moon for her 30 years in the choir of St. Peter and Paul's Cathedral, and for her community service and dedication, which inspired a vocal contribution from Hansen when addressing the matter, which was approved by all except Bryan.
