The St. Thomas/St. John Chapter of the University of the Virgin Islands Alumni Association presents an evening of "Remembrance, Renewal and Revelry" at its annual dinner. The buffet-style dinner will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 16. at Caneel Bay Resort on St. John.
Feb. 21,2002 – This year the Alumni Association celebrates UVI's 40th Anniversary. Everyone is invited. Entertainment will be provided and a cash bar available.
The Caneel Bay ferry leaves the National Park Dock in Red Hook at 5:30 and 6 p.m. Buy your tickets now as seats are limited.
Proceeds from the dinner will go to the St. Thomas/St. John Alumni Scholarship Fund. Tickets are $40 and available at the UVI Bookstore and the Alumni Affairs Office.
for more information call 693-1046.

the St. Thomas/St. John Chapter of the University of the Virgin Islands Alumni Association presents an evening of "Remembrance, Renewal and Revelry" at its annual alumni buffet-style dinner at Caneel Bay Resort on St. John.
This year the Alumni Association celebrates UVI's 40th Anniverary. Everyone is invited to come. Entertainment will be provided and a cash bar available.
The Caneel Bay ferry leaves the National Park Dock in Red Hook at 5:30 and 6 p.m. Buy your tickets now as seats are limited.
Procees from the dinner will go to the St. Thomas/St. John Alumni Scholarship Fund. Tickets are $40 and available at the UVI Bookstore and the Alumni Affairs Office.
For more information call 693-1046.

The St. Thomas/St. John Chapter of the University of the Virgin Islands Alumni Association presents an evening of "Remembrance, Renewal and Revelry" at a buffet-style dinner to be held at the Caneel Bay Resort on St. John.
This year the Alumni Association celebrates UVI's 40th Anniversary. Everyone is invited to come out and celebrate. Entertainment and a cash bar will be available.
The Caneel Bay ferry leaves the National Park Dock in Red Hook at 5:30 and 6 p.m. Buy your tickets early as seats are limited. Proceeds will go to the St. Thomas/St. John Alumni Scholarship Fund. Tickets are $40 and available at the UVI Bookstore and the Alumni Affairs Office.
For more information call 693-1046.

Feb. 21, 2001 – After declaring in January that the Public Services Commission rate investigation of Innovative Telephone, formerly Vitelco, was "on track and moving at the speed we expect it to," Fred Watts, PSC legal counsel, reported Wednesday that the investigation has "slipped backward."
Watts, who is the hearing examiner for the rate investigation, reported at the PSC's regular monthly meeting that delays in obtaining additional documents and the Christmas holidays have slowed the process, leaving it "30 days behind."
Samuel Ebbesen, Innovative Telephone president, told the commission, "ICC is a small organization," referring to the telephone company's parent company, Innovative Communication Corp., "but we intend not to preclude the investigation taking place." He said ICC is providing Watts with all the documents that he needs.
The PSC chair, Desmond Maynard, asked Watts for a definite timetable for the investigation. Watts said he would not be available until March 4, which Maynard set for a deadline on the schedule. Sen. Emmett Hansen II, a non-voting commission member, was perplexed. "Why do the parameters keep changing?" he asked. "Do we need specific deadlines for specific tasks?"
The investigation stems from a long battle waged by Sen Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg to look into Vitelco's rates and hiring practices. The Senate finally mandated the investigation last year via a law calling for a PSC investigation of all public utilities every two years. Gov. Charles W. Turnbull signed that bill into law after having vetoed an earlier one calling for an investigation of ICC only.
AUS Consultants, a mainland firm contracted last year by the PSC to do rate investigations of Innovative Telephone and the Water and Power Authority, and its subconsultants, including Ernst and Young, and other technical consultants assist the hearing examiner in carrying out the phone company rate investigation.
No action on local competition reconsideration
In other business in its daylong deliberations Wednesday, the commission heard heated testimony on Wireless World's request to enter the local phone market and end the monopoly held by Innovative. Gregory Vogt, ICC 's Washington-based legal counsel, challenged the request by Wireless World attorney Darryl Dodson, of the local firm Moore, Dodson and Russell, for reconsideration of the application, which the PSC rejected last September.
Four of the seven voting members of the PSC have changed since that vote was taken. Only one of the four who voted to deny the Wireless World request remains on the commission.
"Why are we here again today? Reconsideration was denied," Vogt argued. He called Dodson's request "burdensome and egregious."
Dodson maintained he had not been notified of Wednesday's hearing in the prescribed period of time, which he said was the same thing that had occurred last year, not allowing him adequate time to bring expert witnesses to testify.
The federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 opened up local telecommunications markets to competition. The act requires existing carriers, upon reasonable request, to interconnect directly with the facilities and equipment of other carriers.
Wireless World sought to enter the V.I. market last summer; in order to do so, it needed an interconnection agreement with Innovative. Because the two firms couldn't work out an agreement, the PSC appointed Watts to oversee arbitration.
Dodson said Wireless World is appealing in Territorial Court the substantive result of the PSC's refusal to lift Vitelco's "rural exemption." If the exemption were rescinded, that would allow Wireless World interconnection rights. Wireless World also has brought a case in Territorial Court challenging the PSC's assessment of $100,000 to the company for costs of the investigation. "There is no basis for assessing that cost," Dodson said. No date has been set for either case, he said.
Sen. Donald "Ducks" Cole, the other non-voting commission member, asked what Dodson's motive was in taking the matter to court. "To preserve my client's legal rights," Dodson said. "The 11th amendment [of the U.S. Constitution] says you can sue a state or territorial regulatory board."
The commission voted to defer action on the matter Wednesday and await until the court renders decisions. Voting for the deferral were Jerris Browne, Verne David, Valencio Jackson and Alric Simmonds. Maynard abstained, and Luther Renee and Alecia Wells were absent.
The commission also looked into ICC's Lifeline Link-up telephone service, which Innovative subsidizes for low-income consumers. Ebbesen said the service has 415 users now, adding that ICC needs to advertise the service. Maynard suggested that the Human Services Department should have a listing of low-income families who would want to avail themselves of the service. Commission members also asked Ebbesen for an update on the service's funding created by an 1998 federal settlement agreement which Ebbesen said he would "move on" immediately.
Digital plans for both cable TV companies
ICC was still in the limelight as Innovative Cable TV service in both districts came under fire. Adrian LaBennett has been general manager and chief executive of St. Croix Cable TV and has just replaced Andrea Martin in the same position at St. Thomas-St. John Cable TV as well. Under strenuous questioning by Jackson, a St. Croix resident, LaBennett failed to provide a satisfactory answer as to why St. Croix Cable users pay the same rates as St. Thomas but get only "half the service." Maynard directed Watts to do a tariff study of both companies.
LaBennett meanwhile told the commission that both cable companies will be switching to a digital system planned for a summer launch. He said this will mean between 40 and 50 new channels for customers at no increased cost, other than for an increase in the converter box rental.
The commission deferred action on a status report of a ferry rate investigation because hearing examiner Willis Styllis asked to have Campbell Malone, a certified public accountant, removed from the process. Malone was not able to attend Wednesday's meeting.
The commission also heard several matters relating to the Water and Power Authority.

On Sunday, Feb. 24, the Antilles School PTA will hold "The Great St. Thomas Road Rally,"
starting at 12 noon at the Fort Christian parking lot.
The entry fee is $50. per vehicle, which includes registration, one originally designed t-shirt,and lunch for three team members.
Register by Feb. 22 and save $5.
Call Jackie Nelthropp at 776-1600 for more information or for early registration.

Feb. 21, 2002 – On Sunday, the Antilles School PTA will hold "The Great St. Thomas Road Rally." The challenge to participants will be to navigate the island's winding, narrow roads through a maze of clues and checkpoints. The first vehicle to the finish line will take home a trophy and maybe even some cash.
The event starts at noon in the Fort Christian parking lot. The entry fee of $50 per vehicle includes registration, a T-shirt and barbecue lunch for three team members. Additional lunch tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Following the rally, participants will meet at Shed No. 1 at Magens Bay for the lunch.
The rally is open to the entire community, PTA member Sue Cilliers said. Proceeds will support the PTA's school activities. Those who register by Friday will save $5. To do so or to learn more, call Jackie Nelthropp at 776-1600.

Feb. 21, 2002 – A team of auditors from PricewaterhouseCoopers delivered good fiscal news Wednesday to the Port Authority in spite of a significant slump in cash flow.
"By looking at your financial statements, you're doing pretty well," auditor Roberto Santa Maria, a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers in San Juan, told board members. It was an upbeat summary of Fiscal Year 2001, when the authority's net income was $47,000 and debts aged three months and over rose from $1.1 million to $1.7 million. Cash reserves were reported at $22 million, down from $27 million over the previous report.
The report was delivered in a public session of the Port Authority Governing Board's finance committee. Finance meetings are usually held behind closed doors, but chairman Iver Stridiron invited members of the press and interested citizens to sit in while the audit was read aloud.
PricewaterhouseCoopers has been reviewing VIPA's books for several years. The auditors attributed the drop in revenues to changing practices at the Port Authority's airports. Revenues derived from the territory's marine ports and harbors were reported to have remained steady. Gordon Finch, authority executive director, said passenger traffic through the airports also remained steady in Fiscal 2001, but he blamed the drop in revenues on user fees charged to air carriers.
The fiscal year ended Sept. 30, less than three weeks after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 decimated air travel nationwide and also cut into cruise ship traffic.
"Volume remained pretty constant in 2001, so it was not a matter of reducing volume," Finch said. "It was the amount of fees charged."
Vendors and concessionaires renting space at the airports also contribute to revenues, but Santa Maria said rent payments have fallen behind, accounting for the rise in outstanding debt. The auditors and finance committee members agreed that the slowdown in air travel after Sept. 11 meant less business for their vendors, making it harder for them to meet their monthly obligations.
"After 9/11, all of the tenants were in to us, asking for an extension," committee member Kent Bernier said.
Auditors said the situation was exacerbated by scheduled increases in tenant leases that were not applied on time because Port Authority accountants were not always aware of them. Santa Maria recommended that the agency review all leases and reasons tenants are giving for slower payments.
Stridiron expressed concern about how well the agency was managing uncollectible debts, some from tenant leases and others from landing fees charged carriers. Finch said some of that debt would have to be written off in order to present a more accurate picture of Port Authority finances.
And auditors cautioned against making revenue projections based on anticipated federal grants, such as the $5.4 million that came in during Fiscal 2001 through a combination of local and federal programs.
Finch also discussed the prospect of future revenues with an eye toward new federal security requirements for all U.S. airports. Some federal funds will be available through the new federal security program, Finch said, but those funds will most likely be channeled to Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas rather than to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix.

Feb. 20, 2002- The proposed Child Protection Act of 2001 is now law in the Virgin Islands, and so is a new Uniform Commercial Code that conforms to those of the 50 states.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull signed the bills on Wednesday, ending lengthy legislative journeys for both.
But in his letter so informing Senate President Almando "Rocky" Liburd, he stated with reference to the Child Protection Act that while he is in favor of increased penalties for sexual crimes against minors, laws alone are not enough to address the problem.
He then called on "the members of our community to continue their efforts to reduce the increase in these types of crimes and to suggest alternative ways in which we can further stem the flow of crimes against our children."
It took the bill's prime sponsor, Sen. Lorraine Berry, three years to win Senate approval of the controversial measure. She called its passage on Jan. 30 a victory "for the children of the Virgin Islands." The legislation raises the age of consent for sexual relations to 17 from 16, as amended by Berry from her initial intent of raising it to 18, an idea that was opposed by a number of senators and others in the community. And it expands the definition of statutory rape to include sexual activity between a person 16 of 17 years old and someone at least five years older, if the two are not married to each other.
The bill also dramatically increases penalties for rape, providing for prison terms of 15 years to life for first-degree rape and up to 10 years for second-degree rape. Also, it eliminates the three-year statute of limitation for reporting aggravated rape.
The Women's Coalition of St. Croix, Family Resource Center, Safety Zone, Kidscope and Attorney General Iver Stridiron endorsed the measure when it was before the Senate.
On the same day that the 24th Legislature approved the rape bill, it also passed the Uniform Commercial Code bill, in a version reworked after the governor returned it with a line-item veto. The bill will bring the Virgin Islands into compliance with the national code.
A year ago, Turnbull approved two sections of the complex document as passed by the Legislature but vetoed the third section, saying it contained "provisions for non-judicial enforcement of mortgages" that could lead to foreclosures without due judicial process. The chair of the V.I. Uniform Law Commission, Tom Bolt, said that was not the case, and Cassan Pancham, president of the V.I. Bankers Association, said language Turnbull had inserted into the bill "effectively eliminates repossession as an alternative." Nonetheless, the measure that passed on Jan. 30 is an amended version that incorporates the language the governor had submitted.
In testimony before a Senate committee in October advocating passage of the new code, Pancham said that "every state in the country, as well as the District of Columbia, has already adopted this body of law." Without the standard, uniform, updated provisions of the code in place locally, he said, "our people are being asked to run a race with their shoelaces tied together." He termed the legislation "of critical importance to the territory's economic status and ability to do business using the same commercial language as the rest of the American business world."
Bolt told the committee said that failure to pass the bill would "limit the amount of credit available to the V.I."
Sen. Roosevelt David, a former banker, concurred, saying, "The commercial codes in the V.I. are 50 years behind."
The governor's transmittal letter Wednesday raised his objection to one section of the child protection bill, saying its definition of the term "position of authority" on one section "needs further clarification, as it contains ambiguities."
In a release announcing his approval of the two bills, Turnbull also acknowledged four Senate resolutions, which do not require the governor's approval:
– Granting Amadeo I.D. Francis the V.I. Medal of Honor. In December, Turnbull fired Francis from his position as director administration and finance of the Public Finance Authority. The Senate voted on Jan. 30 to award Francis the medal.
– Honoring Edward Emmanuel Griffin and Helen Angelica Sutton.
– Petitioning Congress and the Bush administration to pass legislation making future aid to Afghanistan and other nations conditional upon the countries ending discrimination against women.

Feb. 20, 2002- The proposed Child Protection Act of 2001 is now law in the Virgin Islands, and so is a new Uniform Commercial Code that conforms to those of the 50 states.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull signed the bills on Wednesday, ending lengthy legislative journeys for both.
But in his letter so informing Senate President Almando "Rocky" Liburd, he stated with reference to the Child Protection Act that while he is in favor of increased penalties for sexual crimes against minors, laws alone are not enough to address the problem.
He then called on "the members of our community to continue their efforts to reduce the increase in these types of crimes and to suggest alternative ways in which we can further stem the flow of crimes against our children."
It took the bill's prime sponsor, Sen. Lorraine Berry, three years to win Senate approval of the controversial measure. She called its passage on Jan. 30 a victory "for the children of the Virgin Islands." The legislation raises the age of consent for sexual relations to 17 from 16, as amended by Berry from her initial intent of raising it to 18, an idea that was opposed by a number of senators and others in the community. And it expands the definition of statutory rape to include sexual activity between a person 16 or 17 years old and someone at least five years older, if the two are not married to each other.
The bill also dramatically increases penalties for rape, providing for prison terms of 15 years to life for first-degree rape and up to 10 years for second-degree rape. Also, it eliminates the three-year statute of limitation for reporting aggravated rape.
The Women's Coalition of St. Croix, Family Resource Center, Safety Zone, Kidscope and Attorney General Iver Stridiron endorsed the measure when it was before the Senate.
On the same day that the 24th Legislature approved the rape bill, it also passed the Uniform Commercial Code bill, in a version reworked after the governor returned it with a line-item veto. The bill will bring the Virgin Islands into compliance with the national code.
A year ago, Turnbull approved two sections of the complex document as passed by the Legislature but vetoed the third section, saying it contained "provisions for non-judicial enforcement of mortgages" that could lead to foreclosures without due judicial process. The chair of the V.I. Uniform Law Commission, Tom Bolt, said that was not the case, and Cassan Pancham, president of the V.I. Bankers Association, said language Turnbull had inserted into the bill "effectively eliminates repossession as an alternative." Nonetheless, the measure that passed on Jan. 30 is an amended version that incorporates the language the governor had submitted.
In testimony before a Senate committee in October advocating passage of the new code, Pancham said that "every state in the country, as well as the District of Columbia, has already adopted this body of law." Without the standard, uniform, updated provisions of the code in place locally, he said, "our people are being asked to run a race with their shoelaces tied together." He termed the legislation "of critical importance to the territory's economic status and ability to do business using the same commercial language as the rest of the American business world."
Bolt told the committee said that failure to pass the bill would "limit the amount of credit available to the V.I."
Sen. Roosevelt David, a former banker, concurred, saying, "The commercial codes in the V.I. are 50 years behind."
The governor's transmittal letter Wednesday raised his objection to one section of the child protection bill, saying its definition of the term "position of authority" on one section "needs further clarification, as it contains ambiguities."
In a release announcing his approval of the two bills, Turnbull also acknowledged four Senate resolutions, which do not require the governor's approval:
– Granting Amadeo I.D. Francis the V.I. Medal of Honor. In December, Turnbull fired Francis from his position as director administration and finance of the Public Finance Authority. The Senate voted on Jan. 30 to award Francis the medal.
– Honoring Edward Emmanuel Griffin and Helen Angelica Sutton.
– Petitioning Congress and the Bush administration to pass legislation making future aid to Afghanistan and other nations conditional upon the countries ending discrimination against women.

Funeral services are pending for Doris E. Samuel, who died on Feb. 18.
She is survived by her sons Alberto, Avelino, Curtiss, and Ricardo Samuel; daughters Carmen Hodge, Karen Coreen Samuel, Brenda Samuel-Morris, Christine and Cicerly Samuel, brothers Mablon Pickering, Elroy Henley, Pastor Richard Callwood, Jenaro, Michael and Charles Callwood; sisters Daisy Callwood, Patria Thomas, Mable Richardson, Kuz Hodge and Carmen Parillon; and other friends and relatives too numerous to mention.
Arrangements entrusted to Creque Funeral Home.