Roy L. Martin has been named head of the Tax Assessor's Office.
He is a 30-year employee of the office, Lt. Gov. Gerard Luz James II said in announcing the appointment.
Martin has served as assistant appraiser, land appraiser, deputy tax assessor and assistant tax assessor. He is a graduate of the University of the Virgin Islands and a member of the International Association of Assessing Officers.

The Citicorp Foundation has established a $40,000 “Citibank Community Fund” at the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands.
The fund is designed to provide assistance and support to residents of St. Thomas's public housing communities.
With monies from the Citibank fund, the V.I. Housing Authority will launch a training program Feb. 15 in computer literacy and job readiness skills for youth and adult residents of public housing.
The classes will be held at the Evelyn Webster Learning Center in Paul M. Pearson Gardens Housing Community. The center has been outfitted with seven state-of-the-art computers purchased through the Citibank fund.
Future initiatives of the Citibank Community Fund will address the needs of business development, career readiness and preparation for homeownership.
For more information about the Citibank Community Fund or CFVI, call Dee Baecher-Brown, CFVI executive director, 774-6031.

For more than 20 years, the United Way has been very instrumental in providing assistance to our community.
In fact, since 1978, the United Way has raised more than $6.6 million dollars that has been distributed to the St.Thomas/ St. John community through its many member agencies.
The numerous member agencies that receive much needed funds from the United Way are listed below. You will find in parenthesis the focus of each agency:
— V.I. Council Boy Scouts (youth development).
— Girl Scout Council of the V.I. (youth development).
— Fair Havens Camp (summer program).
— Civil Air Patrol (youth development).
— Downstreet People's youth in action (youth
development).
— Friends of Volunteers in Public Schools (youth development).
— Lutheran Reformation Summer Program (summer program).
— St. Thomas Reformed Church summer program (summer program).
— Catholic Charities (services for the homeless, the elderly, and the youth).
— Ebenezer Gardens (senior citizens home).
— Shaky Acres (for the homeless, recovering alcoholics, and substance abusers).
— American Red Cross (disaster & emergency services).
— V.I. Advocate program (to assist victims of violent crime).
— Dial A Ride St. Thomas and St. John (provides transportation for the elderly and disabled).
— Legal Services of the V.I. (provides free legal representation for the less fortunate).
Yes, all of these very important and much needed agencies are continuously providing services to the people of the Virgin Islands. The United Way provides assistance to all of these agencies in the form of financial asistance through fund raising, as well as financial management asistance.
The United Way is the single largest supporter of these agencies in our
community. It's important to recognize that these funds are raised through the generous gift offerings from our business community, as well as individuals like yourselves.
Many people have found that they are able to
give to the United Way each pay period through payroll deductions. This allows individuals to have a predetermined amount of money deducted from their earnings each pay period.
The people who use this process of payroll
deduction have realized that they never even miss the few dollars per pay period that they set aside to support these worthwhile causes in our community. Keep in mind that all funds that are collected stay right here
in our community to provide assistance in our community.
There is also a group of people called Pacesetters who give $500 or more to the United Way. All business owners, managers, executives, professionals and anyone else are encouraged to join the Pacesetters.
I'm sure that each of us understands the fact that "to whom much is given, much is
required." Pacesetters live by this premise.
This year, due to many unforeseen circumstances, the United Way needs
everyone's participation more than ever.
Many people have heard of the United Way, and most know that the United Way is an organization that has had a positive effect in the community. But many people may not have been aware of the far-reaching, positive effect that the United Way and its
member agencies has on our community.
Now that you are better informed, we need you to spread the word and help to inform others. If you spread the good news about the United Way, you will have begun the process of helping to make our community a better place.
Secondly, your financial assistance is necessary if the United Way is going to be able to provide the necessary funding to the member agencies.
If you have not yet signed up for payroll reduction at your place of employment, do it today. If there is no payroll deduction at your place of employment, call the United
Way office of St. Thomas/St. John at 774-3185, so that you can give your cash donation.
Also, if you would like to learn more about being a Pacesetter, please call us, and a member of our board of directors will
give you more information.
Time is critical, so don't delay. To help
someone is the greatest feeling in the world. Call today, because you can make a difference.
Scott Barber
St. Thomas

Gov. Charles W. Turnbull has proclaimed February as Black History Month in the Virgin Islands.
"This year honors the 34th anniversary of the founding of the 1965 observance of Black History Month," Turnbull said.
The observance, he added, "provides an opportunity for students and the public to study how Americans of African descent can help to eradicate poverty, further educate the community and become involved in economic advancement. This will lead to the establishment of more black-American organizations whose purposes will be to develop businesses, training schools, labor unions, arts and cultural programs."

Revised 1040INFO forms are now available at the V.I. Internal Revenue Bureau.
The form must be used by every individual who is a bona fide resident of the Virgin Islands at the end of the taxable year to report any income from non-V.I. sources, said Claudette Farrington, acting IRB director.
The form, available at the IRB offices, must be completed and attached to either form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ, whichever applies, Farrington said.
For more information call the IRB's chief counsel at 714-9312 or 774-5865, ext. 2249.

The Valentine's Ball, sponsored for many years by the Humane Society, is staging an encore this year.
Known as the "doggy ball," the dinner-dance will be held Saturday, Feb. 13, at the Marriott Frenchman's Reef Hotel.
As usual, this will be a black tie event. Music is by the Starlites, and a silent auction and raffle are included with a donation of $99 per person.
Tickets are available at the Animal Shelter and at the four veterinarians' offices on St. Thomas.
For more information call 777-9988.

The winter exhibit of artwork created by students of the School of Visual Arts and Careers will hang through February in the Fort Christian Museum.
The paintings, drawings, silkscreen prints and collages are in the Temporary Gallery space in the fort. SVAC classes are held in a room adjacent to the display areas.
Most of the young artists are high school students on St. Thomas. They attend SVAC classes after school three days a week during the academic year and at a more accelerated schedule during the summer.
Many of the works are available for purchase, as are greeting cards, decorative ceramic tiles and T-shirts bearing images created by the young artists.
The show will hang through February. Museum hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays except holidays.
For more information, call 776-4566.

The V.I. Carnival Committee announces an important meeting for all calypso tent organizers on Saturday, Jan. 30, at 1:30 p.m. at the Carnival Committee headquarters.

United Way will hold its annual flea market Saturday, Jan. 30, in Emancipation Garden from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
This is a painless way to help United Way reach its goal of $490,000 for the 1998-99 campaign.
At this point United Way is far short. To date only $378,691 — or 80 percent of the goal — has been raised.
Saturday's flea market is one way to help. Consider donating items or stop and purchase something.
Live music, food, a large selection of household goods, books, clothing, jewelry and lots more will be offered.
United Way helps support 16 human service agencies in St. Thomas and St. John, including the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Civil Air Patrol, American Red Cross, Shaky Acres and Victim Advocates.
For information, contact Thyra Hammond at 774-3185.

Former Antilles Airboats employees are invited to attend the seaplane's 35th anniversary celebration Wednesday, Feb. 3, at the Comanche Hotel in Christiansted, St. Croix.
The event starts at 5 p.m. and goes until 8. Planners say it should be a fun occasion, with a chance to share good times past.
The last reunion was celebrated at the same location five years ago.
For information contact Liz Wilson in St. Croix at 773-8692 or Molly Morris in St. Thomas at 774-0894.
Information on Comanche room rates will be available.