The cease-and-desist order filed last week against AT&T by an employee of Emerging Communications, a company owned by Jeffrey Prosser who also owns the V.I. Telephone Corp., was dismissed Wednesday and work has begun again on the AT&T St. Thomas cross-island fiber-optic cable project.
The appeal, filed by Elizabeth M. Goggins, director of environmental affairs for Emerging Communications, was submitted after the 45-day deadline for submitting an appeal to the Board of Land Use Appeals after a Coastal Zone Management permit is issued.
The shutdown cost AT&T conservatively about $4,000 a day, according to Shelly de Chabert, AT&T spokesperson.
At the time the stoppage was ordered, de Chabert expressed concern over the condition of the work site. "I am afraid some of our manholes are not secure." But Thursday she said, "Fortunately there were no reports of any mishaps" as a result of the work stoppage.
De Chabert said the project is close to completion, with "maybe another week left to go."
The V.I. Independent reported Thursday that Goggins was considering challenging the dismissal. Goggins could not be reached for further comment.
Editor's note: See earlier story on Goggins' appeal to the Board of Land Use Appeals.
