Chief District Court Judge Thomas Moore has ruled that evidence didn't prove Dr. Eddie Donoghue was fired due to his attendance at a Democratic Party meeting.
Donoghue, former Education Department public relations director, went to court after Gov. Roy L. Schneider fired him. Donoghue contended he was fired for political reasons. The governor had cited budgetary constraints.
Moore also ruled that since Donoghue was appointed by the governor as a government spokesperson, he could be legally terminated due to party affiliation. Donoghue held an exempt, or unclassified, position.
Donastorg said he will not appeal Moore's ruling but was satisfied that he got his day in court. Democracy, he said, was the winner in this case.
DONOGHUE LOSES CASE; WON'T APPEAL
Y2K PROPOSED BUDGET
Project Purchase
Agency Description Price
Bureau Internal Revenue Intelligent Forms Tax System $1,900,000.00
Assessment Required Income Tax and other local tax integration for Y2K Implementation $2,500,000.00
IRB Totals $4,400,000.00
Department of Finance RS/6000 Computer System $350,000.00
Upgrade and System Integration for FMS $200,000.00
Finance Totals $550,000.00
Government Wide Replace Aging PC's & Servers.. Approx. PC's/Servers/Data Wiring/Lisc. Software,etc. $3,500,000.00
Hospitals and Health Hospitals and Health Systems with Government wide Health Information Network. $6,000,000.00
Y2K Impact Assessment and Certification with date and time sensitive computerized components. $750,000.00
Estimate Upgrade and Replacement of Medical equipment. This estimate is based on research of Hospitals of comparable size. $8,100,000.00
Hospital and Health $14,850,000.00
Department of Justice AS/400 Computer System $300,000.00
Upgrade and System Integration (JALEN) $100,000.00
Department of Justice $400,000.00
Division Of Personnel Geac Smartstream Human Resources Management System to support all personnel functions including the NOPA process. $525,000.00
Integration and Installation $100,000.00
Division Of Personnel $625,000.00
Board of Education Loan Management Software $50,000.00
Government Development Bank Loan Management Software $50,000.00
Economic Research Data Warehouse System $100,000.00
Department of Public Safety Assessment & Technology Replacement For 911 $250,000.00
Assessment & Technology Replacement For DMV $200,000.00
Assessment Needed for Other Areas of Police Investigative areas and other applicable systems $300,000.00
Equipment Replacement $575,000.00
Department of Public Safety $1,325,000.00
Department of Public Works Assessment & Technology Replacement $350,000.00
Licensing & Consumer Affairs Y2K Impact Assessment and Certification with date and time sensitive computerized components. $25,000.00
Technology Replacement $100,000.00
Licensing & Consumer Affairs $125,000.00
Fire Service Y2K Impact Assessment and Certification with date and time sensitive computerized components. $60,000.00
Technology Replacement $500,000.00
Fire Service $560,000.00
Property & Procurement TransportationY2K Impact Assessment and Certification with date and time sensitive computerized components. $25,000.00
Transportation Technology Replacement $300,000.00
Central Stores Y2K Impact Assessment and Certification with date and time sensitive computerized components. $25,000.00
Central Stores Technology Replacement $100,000.00
Property & Procurement $450,000.00
VITEMA Y2K Impact Assessment and Certification with date and time sensitive computerized components. $225,000.00
Technology Replacement $1,200,000.00
VITEMA $1,425,000.00
Y2K Project Monitor (Firm)Independent Consultant A Management firm vital for the success of the Y2K Implementation Project $2,300,000.00
Grand Totals: $31,060,000.00
Y2K PROPOSED BUDGET
Project Purchase
Agency Description Price
Bureau Internal Revenue Intelligent Forms Tax System $1,900,000.00
Assessment Required Income Tax and other local tax integration for Y2K Implementation $2,500,000.00
IRB Totals $4,400,000.00
Department of Finance RS/6000 Computer System $350,000.00
Upgrade and System Integration for FMS $200,000.00
Finance Totals $550,000.00
Government Wide Replace Aging PC's & Servers.. Approx. PC's/Servers/Data Wiring/Lisc. Software,etc. $3,500,000.00
Hospitals and Health Hospitals and Health Systems with Government wide Health Information Network. $6,000,000.00
Y2K Impact Assessment and Certification with date and time sensitive computerized components. $750,000.00
Estimate Upgrade and Replacement of Medical equipment. This estimate is based on research of Hospitals of comparable size. $8,100,000.00
Hospital and Health $14,850,000.00
Department of Justice AS/400 Computer System $300,000.00
Upgrade and System Integration (JALEN) $100,000.00
Department of Justice $400,000.00
Division Of Personnel Geac Smartstream Human Resources Management System to support all personnel functions including the NOPA process. $525,000.00
Integration and Installation $100,000.00
Division Of Personnel $625,000.00
Board of Education Loan Management Software $50,000.00
Government Development Bank Loan Management Software $50,000.00
Economic Research Data Warehouse System $100,000.00
Department of Public Safety Assessment & Technology Replacement For 911 $250,000.00
Assessment & Technology Replacement For DMV $200,000.00
Assessment Needed for Other Areas of Police Investigative areas and other applicable systems $300,000.00
Equipment Replacement $575,000.00
Department of Public Safety $1,325,000.00
Department of Public Works Assessment & Technology Replacement $350,000.00
Licensing & Consumer Affairs Y2K Impact Assessment and Certification with date and time sensitive computerized components. $25,000.00
Technology Replacement $100,000.00
Licensing & Consumer Affairs $125,000.00
Fire Service Y2K Impact Assessment and Certification with date and time sensitive computerized components. $60,000.00
Technology Replacement $500,000.00
Fire Service $560,000.00
Property & Procurement TransportationY2K Impact Assessment and Certification with date and time sensitive computerized components. $25,000.00
Transportation Technology Replacement $300,000.00
Central Stores Y2K Impact Assessment and Certification with date and time sensitive computerized components. $25,000.00
Central Stores Technology Replacement $100,000.00
Property & Procurement $450,000.00
VITEMA Y2K Impact Assessment and Certification with date and time sensitive computerized components. $225,000.00
Technology Replacement $1,200,000.00
VITEMA $1,425,000.00
Y2K Project Monitor (Firm)Independent Consultant A Management firm vital for the success of the Y2K Implementation Project $2,300,000.00
Grand Totals: $31,060,000.00
IRB OFFICIAL CHARGED WITH EMBEZZLEMENT
Stephen Monsanto, a high-ranking Internal Revenue Bureau official, was charged Tuesday with embezzling $195,883 from the IRB.
Monsanto, 40, is also charged with forgery, obtaining money by false pretense and conspiracy, according to the Daily News. Monsanto, who is special assistant to IRB Director Joseph Aubain, is charged with stealing money in two ways: intercepting and cashing checks that were intended for vendors, and creating false invoices and later cashing the checks issued to pay those invoices, according to Assistant Attorney General Douglas Sprotte.
Monsanto was hired by the IRB in January 1995. His annual salary is $53,000, the Daily News reported. No one at the IRB has commented. WVWI reported that Aubain is off-island at a conference.
Monsanto has been released on $40,000 bail.
THARPES TURNS DOWN ELECTIONS BOARD SEAT
Yvonne Tharpes of St. John, who was seated on the Board of Elections with only six votes in the general election, has opted not to accept the position.
"It's in the interest of justice and fair dealing," Tharpes told the Daily News.
Tharpes was certified for the board after the Attorney General's Office said the V.I. Code requires that two members of the Elections Board must be from St. John.
Tharpes' decision could allow Democrat Gaylord Sprauve, with 5,526 votes in the election, to be seated on the board.
Tharpes said the situation points to the need for election reform.
$32M FOR Y2K: TOO MUCH OR NOT ENOUGH?
Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg, who introduced Y2K legislation last July, has questioned the need to spend $32 million on a compliance package.
"While I believe that Year 2000 readiness must be a priority, I would need much more information before I could approve expending more than $30 million," Donastorg said.
Donastorg says his research shows that other states have spent far less.
"New Mexico is spending $12 million, Idaho $16 million, Mississippi is spending $19 million, North Dakota just over $2 million," he said.
Gov. Roy L. Schneider has sent the Senate a $32.4 million loan package that he said is urgently needed to prepare the territory's computers for the Year 2000.
Several senators have questioned the cost and terms, and have said Gov.-elect Charles Turnbull should help determine how to resolve the Y2K problem.
Some members of Turnbull's transition team are saying privately that the Y2K problem is even larger than Schneider is painting it and that the $32.4 million may not be sufficient to ready all the government's computers before Jan. 1, 2000.
SPONSORS KEY TO INTERNATIONAL MATCH RACE
by Arlene Martel
Note: Arlene Martel is regatta director for the match race.
When the second annual Marriott Frenchman’s Reef International Match Race begins Dec. 10 in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, the focus will be on the extremely high caliber of the eight competing teams.
Regarded as one of the most prestigious and hotly contested events on the international professional match racing circuit, this Grade One regatta would not have been possible without the dedicated support of the St. Thomas Yacht Club as the Organizing Authority and the many sponsors who have contributed time, money, and effort.
Joining the Marriott Frenchman’s Reef sponsor lineup as sole Gold Sponsorship is Heineken, distributed in the USVI by Bellows International, Ltd., a subsidiary of Topa Equities, and an important supporter of community activities, including Team Caribbean.
American Airlines is the Official Airlines of the event and a key to making the regatta a reality. Support from American Airlines, the United States’ largest domestic airline, and its regional associate, America Eagle, contributes to the travel of the world-class competitors, international umpires and the media.
Silver Sponsor NEMWIL Insurance Limited/Red Hook Agencies, Inc. is also a returning sponsor. NEMWIL is one of the Caribbean’s leading general insurance companies and also one of its oldest, underwriting all classes of business, from conventional motor and fire, to marine cargoes.
A traditional favorite in the sailing world since the eighteenth century when it was first distilled in Barbados, Mount Gay Rum is on board this year in St. Thomas. Legend has it that sailors arrived home with Mount Gay to prove that they had survived the most difficult weather in the Caribbean, that of Barbados with its prevailing winds and strong currents. Mount Gay Rum is the hallmark of superior sailors everywhere.
In the same Bronze level sponsorship category as Mount Gay is The Moorings, without whom there would be no boat for the International Match Race competition. The world leader in bareboat chartering provides four J/120’s to the event from its base in Tortola. The J/120 was selected the 1995 Overall Boat of the Year by Cruising World magazine. The Mooring is the pioneer in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean in providing vacationers the world over with first class sailing experiences.
Another Bronze sponsor is the Puerto Rico-based Island Finance, Inc., which has been serving the Virgin Islands for more than thirty years from three convenient locations in St. Thomas. Island Finance products include Personal and Home Equity loans.
One of the most popular features of the Marriott Frenchman’s Reef International Match Race is the Youth Regatta which Citibank returns to sponsor this year. Young sailors from several Caribbean islands –including St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John, Tortola and Puerto Rico—will travel to Charlotte Amalie Harbor to compete in the regatta, and Citibank’s investment in these juniors is an important contribution to the sport. Citibank has a global presence in 98 countries and territories and a total of more than 3,400 offices offering diverse banking products and superior customer service.
Crown Bay Marina is the Official Host Marina for the Marriott Frenchman’s Reef International Match Race. Across Charlotte Amalie Harbor from the Marriott Frenchman’s Reef, the marina is also home port for Team Caribbean’s Cup training vessel, USA-ll. Crown Bay prides itself on its guests services, providing 96 state-of-the-art berths for visiting vessels in an outstanding St. Thomas setting. Returning as Official Host of the Citibank Youth Regatta, the Virgin Islands Marine Industries Association is a non-profit professional organization with members ranging from charter companies to marine parts suppliers.
St. Thomas resorts that will provide complimentary accommodations for the sailors, umpires and the media include: Best Western Emerald Beach Resort, Elysian Beach Resort, Renaissance Grand Beach Resort and The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas. In addition to the sponsors noted above, a whopping 75 merchants, restaurants and service providers are Official Supporting Sponsors and Suppliers for the Marriott Frenchman’s Reef International Match Race. To learn more about these generous members of the St. Thomas and greater USVI community, visit the Marriott Frenchman’s Reef International Match Race Web site at www.MatchRace.vi, hosted by COBEX.
For more information, contact Arlene Martel, regatta director, at
340-776-0921,
GOVERNMENT OUT OF GAS
Government vehicles, including emergency vehicles, were running on empty or not running at all over the weekend after gasoline wholesalers refused to supply any more gas.
The problem, according to the Independent and Daily News: the government's failure to pay long-overdue bills.
Payments have been late before, according to Carl Boisson, vice president and manager of Esso Virgin Islands, but his company's cash situation has deteriorated to the point where service had to be cut off.
Samuel Baptiste, acting Property and Procurement commissioner, said the government owes nearly $100,000 to Esso Virgin Islands and Hovensa for gas and fuel, according to the Daily News. Baptiste said the Finance Department will release a check today and fuel will be available.
Police Benevolent Association President Elroy Raymo expressed regret at having to expose the situation to criminals but said the non-payment is becoming epidemic.
"We cannot fight the war on crime with our hands tied behind our back," Raymo said, urging government officials to devise a backup plan for similar emergencies in the future.
VETERANS OFFICE LACKS BARE ESSENTIALS
Employees at the St. Thomas-St. John district Veteran's Affairs Office continue to function despite lack of budget, supplies and equipment.
The VAO, which is charged with preparing applications for compensation and pension claims, burial benefits, education benefits, home loans and headstone markers for more than 6,000 veterans, is limping along without computers, desks or even stamps, according to the Daily News.
The lack of equipment and supplies has created a huge backlog, with veterans waiting six months or more for a response on reimbursements.
"I saw them (officials) praising them on Veterans Day at Emancipation Gardens, and we don't even have the basic supplies to help them," said Jodeen Dawson, an employee of the local VA office.
Dawson and her co-workers have decided that instead of exchanging Christmas gifts this year, they'll buy items for the office.
SENATORS QUESTION Y2K FLIP-FLOP
Two senators have criticized Gov. Roy L. Schneider for vetoing legislation in July to create a Year 2000-complaince task force, then seeking a $32.4 million loan last week to ensure Y2K compliance.
On Monday the governor warned senators that the territory's computer system would "shut down" without immediate action on his loan request. But last summer when he vetoed Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg's legislation, he said everything was under control, according to Sen. Lorraine Berry.
Schneider said in July that the administration already had a Y2K compliance task force working on an action plan, according to the Daily News. His veto did not address any urgency in developing or funding the plan.
According to Nicole Bollentini, Donastorg's public affairs director, when Donastorg said in July that "failure to make necessary changes would result in chaos," his immediate concern was establishment of an oversight committee. Research indicated this had helped other states solve their Y2K problems, Bollentini said.
She said Donastorg would not support Schneider's request for a special Senate session on the Y2K loan.
