March 29, 2001 — Gov. Charles W. Turnbull has released four government employees for two months and another 12 for two weeks to work for the Carnival Committee, while they receive their regular salaries. He approved three days annual leave for five more employees, two days for one employee and one day for three employees.
The government traditionally grants annual leave to a number of employees who work on Carnival events.
"That is discretionary" annual leave, rather than being tied to any sort of overtime compensation, said James O'Bryan, special assistant to the governor.
O'Bryan said Government House has not attempted to figure the cost to the government in lost work hours but said that it is considered part of its in-kind contributions to Carnival. The government also provides such services as lighting and clean-up.
Without knowing the salary for each individual involved, it is impossible to figure the cost to the government. However, the total number of staff hours is 2,560. A conservative estimate, based on an average salary of $25,000, puts the total cost at approximately $30,720.
On administrative leave from March 12 to May 11 are: Kenneth Blake, Carnival Committee chairman, from the Police Department; Cheryl Cooper, vice-chairman, from Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School; Derrick A. Gumbs, treasurer, from Boschulte; and Lorraine Morton, public relations, from the Government Employees Retirement System.
Those who are approved for up to 80 hours of annual leave on an "as-needed" basis are: Anita Arnold, Curriculum Center; Glenn Davis, Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, Lueben Davis, Boschulte school; Lesmore Howard, Charlotte Amalie High School; Zeathea Milliner, Lockhart Elementary School; J. Ingerborg Marrero, Jane E. Tuitt Elementary School; Edris Robles, M.J. Kirwan Elementary School; Agnes George, Justice; Margaret Moore, Office of Management and Budget; Clifford Charleswell, Internal Revenue Bureau; Ernest Richardson, Health; and Michelle Turnbull, Justice.
Up for 24 hours (or three days worth) of annual leave in April are Neville Laborde, Law Enforcement Planning Commission; Lois Jensen, OMB; Charmaine Mayers, OMB; Joshet Richards, Health; Cheryl Charleswell, Lt. Governor's Office.
Four employees are members of the Food Fair Committee. Windy Fahie, Property and Procurement, is to be released a total of 16 hours, and Jeraine Fleming of the Lt. Governor's Office, Melissa Hodge, Ulla Muller Elementary School and Charlene Adams, Jane E. Tuitt Elementary School, are each approved for eight hours.
