A fraudulent scheme has been occurring in which scammers impersonate bank representatives, hereinafter โimpersonators,โ to fraudulently obtain bank cards (with โchipsโ) from bank customers. The safety concern is the impersonators are hiring accomplices to come to the customerโs home, the Federal Bureau of Investigation warned the public Friday.
How the Scheme Works
Bank customers are contacted by phone from a number that caller ID indicates is from their bank. The impersonator then asks about recent transactions to lead the customer to believe there is fraudulent activity involving their account. Bank customers are then advised to cut up their bank card but are instructed to leave the chip intact for return to the bank, according to the press release.
Next, the impersonator arranges for an accomplice, also allegedly โfrom the bank,โ to pick up the bank card (with chip intact) from the customerโs residence. If the impersonators do not currently have the customerโs PIN, the accomplice or impersonator will use social engineering techniques to obtain this from the customer.ย It has been reported that if the customer has not already done so, the accomplice may โassistโ the customer by cutting the card and leaving the chip intact before departing with the remnants.ย With the chip and PIN, the impersonators can steal funds from the bank customerโs account, the press release stated.
It is unknown how the impersonators are obtaining personal information (name, address, and bank account information). At this time, it is not believed specific demographics are being targeted, the release stated.
Victim Reporting
The FBI requests these fraudulent or suspicious activities be reported to the FBI IC3 at www.ic3.govย as quickly as possible. Be sure to include:
How the complainant was contacted, including phone numbers.
Any aliases utilized.
Please include the keywords #BankChipHack.
Those affected should also contact their financial institution account providers immediately to regain control of their accounts, change passwords, and place alerts on their accounts for suspicious login attempts and/or transactions, the release stated.
Welcomed by the Japan Sakura Foundation at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport with traditional green tea and local Japanese delicacies, Evangelista began an enriching, nearly three-week journey filled with significant meetings and engagements, according to the press release.
In 1909, at the behest of Tokyoโs Mayor Yukio Ozaki, Japan gifted 3,000 cherry blossom trees to the United States in a symbolic effort to strengthen ties between the two countries. Today, Japan remains one of the most important US allies and together, maintain a strong economic and cultural relationship. This relationship is celebrated between the Japan Sakura Foundation and the U.S. National Conference of State Societies Cherry Blossom Princess program, the press release stated.
The U.S. Cherry Blossom Princess program is not a beauty pageant but rather a program under NCSS chartered in 1952 under Public Law 82-293 by Congress to promote peace, friendship, and cultural awareness between the two countries. The accomplished young women are selected from each of the 50 states and territories based on their academic achievement, interpersonal communication skills, public service, leadership ability and interest in social, civic, community and world affairs. They spend a week in Washington, DC
participating in educational, leadership, and cultural activities as they serve their respective state or territory in a โWashington classroomโ by introducing the participants to many government officials, cultural, military, and business leaders, as well as female role models who work in the nationโs capital, the release stated.
In Tokyo, Alessandra met with several high-profile dignitaries, including Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, to whom she delivered a letter from U.S. President Joseph Biden. She was hosted at the American Embassy in Japan by United States Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emmanuel. Speaker of the House of Representatives Fukushiro Nukaga, the honorary chair of the Sakura Foundation of Japan, hosted a welcome reception at the Speaker of
the House official residence with other Members of the House, it said.
โLet us continue to strive to be global citizens, aware and engaged with the world around us, promoting peace, understanding, and cooperation across borders,โ the U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen shared.
She also had the opportunity to meet with the governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike, the first female governor elected in 2016. She was re-elected in 2020, and on July 7, she was re-elected by a 60 percent margin; her win signifies a shift in Japanโs typical male-dominated political landscape, according to the release.
Evangelista also had the pleasure of being received by Her Imperial Highness Princess Kako of Akishino, second daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito of Akishino and niece of Emperor Naruhito, at the Akasaka Estate where she lives.
โI found her to be affable and personable as we chatted in both English and Japanese about the NCSS Princess program. She also expressed interest in visiting Washington, DC, during cherry blossom season,” Evangelista stated.
Following her engagements in Tokyo, Evangelista traveled to Ise City in Mie Prefecture at the invitation of the Gakudo Kofu Organization. Gakudo Kofu, headed by President Takako Doi-San, is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting educational and exchange programs to foster international cooperation and friendship. Ise holds historical significance due to its deep connections to the first gift of cherry blossom trees to the United States and its association with Mayor of Tokyo Yukio Ozaki, who hailed from Ise City, a key figure in Japan’s transition from feudalism to democracy. In Ise, Evangelista planted a commemorative cherry blossom tree in Asamayama Park. In honor of the 30th anniversary of Gakudo Kofu, a special cherry blossom tree named โYokowazakuraโ was chosen. It has petals that are 2 to 3 times the size of Yoshino cherry trees. The color is a deep pink and each flower has a large number of petals, the release stated.
Evangelista was also formally invited to visit Mikimoto Pearl Island founded by Kokichi Mikimoto. He was an ardent supporter of Mayor Ozaki and credited with creating the first cultured pearl. Noboru Shibahara-San, director of Mikimoto Pearl Island Co., Ltd for 30 years, welcomed the delegation to the island with a tour of the museum and lunch. “Afterward, I was privileged to witness the pearl harvesting demonstration of all-female diver known as Ama.ย Shibahara-San then presented the freshly harvested pearls to the Cherry Blossom Queen and her NCSS Director and chaperone, Angela Osborne.”
Earlier in the day, Alessandra had the opportunity to meet with students at the local Kogakkan Junior High School. Greeted by a welcome banner and many students waving Japanese and American flags. โI was so touched that they played the Star Spangled Banner at the beginning of the program and then proceeded to play the U.S. Virgin Islands March โAll Hail the Virgin Islands,โ the territory where I was born and represented in the U.S. Cherry Blossom program. I enjoyed watching a leido presentation and koto performance and was even taught to play โSakura Sakuraโ on the koto; Sakura means โcherry blossomsโ in Japanese.
In a Q+A session, Evangelista was able to share her impressions of Ise and how the topography, nature, infrastructure, and the warmth of the people reminded her of home, the U.S. Virgin Islands. โOne of my favorite memories of my time in Japan was visiting with the students and interacting with them.โ
The governor of Mie Prefecture, Katsuyuki Ichimi-San, received the 2024 U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen at the Mie Prefecture office in Tsu. During their meeting, he shared the importance of the cherry blossom trees to their history and to the relationship between both nations, the release stated.
Evangelista was invited to meet with the Mayor of Ise City, Kenichi Suzuki-San, at city hall, where, after a warm welcome, they exchanged gifts. She also presented Mayor Suzuki with a letter on behalf of Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, DC. Evangelista gifted a USVI Mocko Jumbie lapel pin to Mayor Su Zuki and explained the meaning behind it. Traditionally, moko jumbies bestow blessings upon those in their presence and ward off evil spirits, to which, as a politician, he replied, โI definitely need it!โย He then proceeded to quickly pin it on his lapel, it said.
A highlight of her visit was participating in a special worship ceremony at the Ise Jingu Grand Shrine, Japan’s most important shrine, an honor reserved only for dignitaries and members of the Imperial Family. The Ise Grand Shrine is a symbol of Japanโs value for the divine and its commitment to preserving ancient Shinto traditions and considered the nationโs spiritual home, the release stated.
The visit was an opportunity to get in touch with the heart and soul of the Japanese people. It is dedicated to Amaterasu ลmikami, the sun goddess and traditional progenitor of the Japanese imperial family and attracts millions of visitors and pilgrims each year. โI was able to to experience a temizuya at the entrance to the shrineโs innermost grounds and used to purify the body before entering. You wash your hands, mouth and mind with cool, flowing water in an act of ritual purification.โ
The final destination of Evangelistaโs tour was Shizuoka City in Shizuoka Prefecture. Here, she visited the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, where she learned about the meticulous care taken to ensure the health of the cherry blossom trees gifted to the United States. It is the research laboratory where the Tidal Basinโs original cherry blossom trees were developed, the release stated.
She also explored Shizuokaโs Sengen Shrine and participated in an ancient Shinto offering to Kami. Additionally, Evangelista experienced the art of green tea during a traditional tea ceremony and paid respects at a historical site by watering a dogwood tree planted with an American bourbon bottle, the only surviving object from a WWII B-29 bomber crash that claimed the lives of both civilians and American soldiers, it said.
She also met with the Mayor of Shizuoka City, Takashi Namba-San, and the recently elected governor of Shizuoka Prefecture, Yasutomo Suzuki-San, who came into office on May 26, it said.
As the 2024 U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen, Evangelista paid courtesy calls to the ANA Airways corporate office to thank them for their sponsorship and Ralph Lauren, according to the release.
Evangelista’s tour of Japan as the 2024 Cherry Blossom Queen has not only strengthened
the bonds between Japan and the United States but also celebrated the rich cultural heritage shared by both nations. These important meetings highlighted the enduring commitment to peace between Japan and the United States to friendship as well as areas of mutual collaboration between the two nations, it said.
At each of her engagements, she also shared her U.S. Virgin Islands culture with those she encountered by teaching them the iconic Virgin Islands hand sign and gifting lapel pins from the USVI Tourism Department with the iconic moko jumble symbol.
“I appreciated the cultural exchange and want to impart the beauty of Japanese culture I was privileged to witness and share in. The foods, cultural presentations, and sights. Their deep respect for community and appreciation for traditions that date back thousands of years,” Evangelista said.
The USVI U15 Girls National Team has departed for Trinidad & Tobago to participate in the 2024 Concacaf U15 Girls Championship, which will take place from Aug. 5 to 11, the U.S. Virgin Islands Soccer Federation announced.
The team will compete in League B, placed in Group D with St. Kitts & Nevis, Guatemala, and Trinidad High Performance. Under the guidance of USVISF Director of Football Vin Blaine, who will serve as Head Coach, the team has been in Trinidad ahead of the tournament for a training camp and friendly matches, according to the press release.
Their preparation has been promising, with impressive victories including a 5-1 win
against Pioneer Football Club and a 1-0 triumph over MIC Matura Reunited FC. USVISF
Director of Football Vin Blaine commented, “Our girls have demonstrated exceptional
dedication and skill during their preparation. Their recent friendly match victories highlight
their readiness for the challenges ahead. We are confident they will make us proud as they
compete in the Concacaf U15 Girls Championship.”
The USVI U15 Girls National Team roster includes Hana Bronstein (#13), JโLeah Connor
(#5), Olivia Crikelair (#8), Kyla Groetzinger (#4), Celine Kalpee (#3), Yahsenah Leo (#11),
Chloe Nunez (#15), Kyliz Osorio (#1), Jimmilia Plante (#18), Jahzara Roach (#12), Chaney
Smith (#16), Ashleigh Speakman (#14), Areesa St. Croix (#17), Norma Tyson (#9), Vigga
Tyson (#7), Makayla Walcott (#10), and Neah Williams (#2). The staff includes Head Coach Vin Blaine, Assistant Coach Stephan De Four, Goalkeeper Coach Hugh Nicholas, Fitness Coach Harry Nelson, Team Manager Andrea Crikelair, Equipment Manager Shanicia Dyer, Team Physician Alile Browne, and Team Doctor Jay Williams, the press release stated.
The tournament begins on Aug. 5, with the USVI team facing Trinidad High Performance at 1:00 p.m. local time at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain. The team will continue group play against Guatemala on August 6th and St. Kitts & Nevis on Aug. 8.
The U.S. Virgin Islands will host a series of soccer matches in the 2024 Concacaf Nations League (CNL). This exciting development will showcase the talents of the U.S. Virgin Islands Senior Men’s National Team as they compete in League C, Group C, alongside the Bahamas and Barbados Senior National Teams, the U.S. Virgin Islands Soccer Federation announced.
The matches will be held at the Bethlehem Soccer Complex on St. Croix, with the first window of group play for CNL League C, Group C, set to kick off from Sept. 4 – 10, according to the press release.
The match schedule is as follows:
Sept. 4: U.S. Virgin Islands vs. Bahamas
Sept. 7: Bahamas vs. Barbados
Sept. 10: U.S. Virgin Islands vs. Barbados
The second window of group play will be held in Barbados from Oct. 9 – 15, the press release stated.
Fans can look forward to an exhilarating display of regional soccer talent and are encouraged to show their support for our team as they take on formidable opponents on home soil. Ticket sales will open on Monday, Aug. 12 and will be available through the USVISF website.
National Child Support Awareness Month will be recognized throughout the month of August, the V.I. Justice Department Paternity and Child Support Division announced.
Director Kathryn B. Jensen-DeLugo says throughout the month, the office will be sharing informative videos and insights on social media into what child support is and the vital services the office provides, according to the press release.
Child Support Awareness Month annually raises awareness about this critical income
support program that helps millions of children and families. The PCSD program focuses
on several services:
parent location,
paternity establishment,
establishment of child support orders,
review and modification of child support orders,
collection of child support payments,
distribution of child support payments, and
establishment and enforcement of medical child support.
In fiscal year 2023, child support programs nationwide collected $29.6 billion and served one in five children in the United States. This kind of support helps families thrive and sets children up to succeed. Any father or mother who is the custodial parent or other adult who has custody of a minor and needs help with any of the services we offer, such as establishing and enforcing child support, establishing medical support and/or health insurance coverage, and establishing paternity, can utilize our services. In the Virgin Islands, a non-custodial father may also apply for services if he is not contesting paternity, the press release stated.
The agency provides financial support to children through the establishment of paternity and the establishment and enforcement of child support obligations. PCSD focuses on building financial bridges between non-custodial parents and their children and supporting and enhancing the emotional and financial relationships necessary for successful dual parenting, the release stated.
โWe encourage all residents who have questions or need assistance to contact our offices
on St. Thomas and St. Croix. Our dedicated team is here to support you and ensure you
take full advantage of the services we offerโ, said Jensen-DeLugo. “Stay
informed and updated by following The DOJโs Facebook page for valuable information:
USVI Dept. of Justice, Office of the Attorney Generalโ
For more information, please call our St. Thomas office at 340-775-3070 or our St. Croix
office at 340-778-5958. Alternatively, you can email the PCSD team at childsupport@vi.gov. Offices are located at 8000 Nisky Shopping Center on St. Thomas and #3018 Orange Grove, Suite 4 on St. Croix.
The United States Virgin Islands (ISV) junior boys and girls teams both made it to the semi-finals of the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Associationโs U19 Volleyball Championships scheduled for Friday, held in Spanish Town, Jamaica.
The boys’ game is first with first serve scheduled to take place at 1:00 p.m. AST at the GC Foster College Authorium. ISV boys finished second in their pool and had to get past a young and talented Cayman Islands team in a quarterfinal match. Trinidad & Tobago (TTO) won their pool and has not played a match since Monday.ย Michael Burkett is the youngest player on TTOโs team, however you would not think so by his play. Burkett is an explosive hitter with a powerful jump serve. Logan Rogers and Jared Brown have been carrying much of the offensive load for ISV. However, with all this offensive talent that will be on display in this semi-final match-up, the U.S. Virgin Islands Head Coach Isaac Raphael ended a team meeting with this reminder, โGood offense wins games, but good defense wins championships.โ
Flyer of the Trinidad & Tobago vs U.S. Virgin Islands Boys Semi-Final Match in the CAZOVA U19 Volleyball Championships. (Submitted flyer)
ISV girls won their two pool play matches convincingly, earning them a long layoff like Trinidad and Tobago boys. The U.S. Virgin Islands girls will be taking on the home team, Jamaica, in what should be a very exciting and entertaining game. Jamaicaโs captain, Kaila Baker, is a very good setter. Her two main targets are middle blocker Ava Grace Troyer and outside hitter Mary Massias. ISV has a very experienced and talented roster. Seven of the 12 individuals on this team also represented ISV in the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederationโs (NORCECA) U21 Volleyball Championships. That tournament featured countries like the USA, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, to name a few. Krystal Eddy won top blocker at that event. Jayden Gorman and Vernecia Caines have been providing the offensive power for this ISV. Thirteen-year-old opposite hitter Mackaylah Mattis has also been hitting well this tournament for the team from the Virgin Islands. This showdown with Jamaica is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. AST at the GC Foster College Authorium.
Flyer of the U.S., Virgin Islands vs Jamaica Girls Semi-Final Match in the CAZOVA U9 Volleyball Championships. (Submitted flyer)
At 3:00 p.m. AST, Barbados will take on Trinidad & Tobago in the other female semi-final match. The final semi-final match of the evening will be Jamaica doing battle with Barbados at 7:00 p.m. AST.
It is with great sadness that the family of Leonard W. Bonelli Jr., affectionately known as โBeegs,โ announces his passing on Friday, July 26, 2024.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Olympia Bonelli, and father, Leonard โBro Bโ Bonelli Sr. He died peacefully, surrounded by family. Heโs survived by his wife, Kim Richards Bonelli. 10 Children: Lemian Bonelli, Leroi Bonelli, Leonard Bonelli III, Kimo Bonelli, Kwame Bonelli, Shanique Bonelli-Moore, Francisco Bonelli, Sherene Bonelli
A map distributed by Virgin Islands National Park shows how to access Caneel Beach on St. John. (Image courtesy VINP)
Caneel Beach on St. John is open to the public for the first time since the V.I. District Court ruled in April that the property belongs to the federal government, not the company that managed a resort there since 2004.
The Virgin Islands National Park announced the new public access on Thursday as part of its phased reopening of the property as outlined by the Finding of No Significant Impacts (FONSI) the National Park Service has been carrying out since the court affirmed the federal governmentโs ownership of Caneel Bay Resort lands and improvements in April.
The ruling ended a long-running lawsuit brought by EHI Acquisitions, which had operated the resort under a Retained Use Estate agreement that expired on Sept. 30. EHI has since filed a notice of appeal with the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
While that case plays out, the Virgin Islands National Park is proceeding with a phased reopening of the property that has been closed since the hurricanes of September 2017, which heavily damaged the iconic resort that occupies 150 acres of prime St. John beachfront real estate. Aside from two businesses that have been allowed to operate under the previous lease-holderโs agreement, the resort has remained off-limits to the public.
โWe are very pleased to continue taking positive steps to open areas of Caneel back up to the public and continue providing safe, and memorable experiences in Virgin Islands National Park,โ Superintendent Penny Del Bene said in a statement. On the job only since April, she provided an update on the status of the resort property at a public meeting in June, and promised then that portions would reopen soon.
The public is advised to use designated public areas only, and not enter areas that are still closed due to remaining safety risks.
Operating hours for Caneel Beach will be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, according to the release. There will be three public parking lots for visitors, trash cans and Port-o-Johns, and signs to direct visitors to and from the public parking areas and Caneel Beach.
Visitors heading to the main beach at Caneel Bay pass by the impressive ruins of the sugar mill. (Source file photo)
The public will also have access to a designated viewing area for the historic ruins of Caneelโs Durloo Sugar Plantation; a key point of interest during the significant events of the 1733 African Revolution on St. John.
โVisitors and boaters should be aware that the adjacent Caneel Beach dock will not be open for use. There will be no access to Caneel Beach via trails or foot traffic from Honeymoon Beach at this time. Honeymoon Beach will continue to be open to the public and accessible by the Lind Point Trail, shuttles from the Caneel Bay entrance, or by boat,โ according to the release.
โWe would like to thank the communities of St. John and St. Thomas for their continued support and engagement with the Virgin Islands National Parkโs efforts in carrying out the phased reopening as outlined in the FONSI. The National Park Service strives to provide public access and opportunities for recreation and enjoyment of these natural and historical spaces for local communities and the visiting public that we serve,โ it said.
Visitors can now get access to the main beach at Caneel Bay through the entrance on the Northshore Road. The dock is not open to the public. (Source photo by Amy H. Roberts)
Proposed rate hike seen posted to a St. Thomas dollar ride taxi on Thursday. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)
The executive director of the V.I. Taxi Commission says open air safari taxis servicing the public transit route on St. Thomas deserve a fare increase. But not yet, said Executive Director Vernice Gumbs in a statement issued Thursday.
The cost of a ride on the dollar ride taxi has been the subject of controversy and lively talk radio chats since June 1 when Public Works raised the fare for Virgin Islands Transit System surface transit from $1 to $2.
Gumbsโ Thursday statement was issued to clarify the matter.
“Although an increase is warranted, there are specific requirements that have been shared with Mr. Bernard ‘BJ’ James, head of the ‘Dollar Ride’ drivers, that must be met before any increase becomes effective,” the executive director said.
Until then, she said, the dollar ride rate remains as it were, since set in the early 2000s: one dollar in the west from Highway 30- Bournefield Road to Wheatley Center, and in the east from Red Hook to Ft. Mylner. Passengers crossing Raphune Hill while traveling in either direction pay $2.
Dollar ride taxis on St. Thomas and taxi vans traversing St. Croix from Christiansted to Frederiksted provide supplementary service to public transit. VITRAN buses serve multiple routes on St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John and run the routes less frequently than the safaris.
VITRAN buses also do not provide service on weekends or holidays.
In her Thursday statement the taxi commission executive director acknowledged the valuable service dollar ride drivers provide.
“VITCC would like to thank all taxi drivers who provide ‘Dollar Ride’ services and all persons who continue to use this alternate transit service which not only helps to reduce traffic congestion, but also provides a means for locals and visitors to access essential services such as going to and from work, shopping, appointments, etc.,” Gumbs said.
With intense attention to financial accountability and efficient resource use, lawmakers scrutinized the spending strategies of the Agriculture Department and the Local Food and Farm Council, raising pointed questions over unspent funds and staffing inefficiencies at the Committee on Budget Appropriations and Finance hearing Thursday.
Louis E. Petersen Jr., commissioner of the Department of Agriculture, presented a proposed budget in the amount of $6,327,890 for fiscal year 2025. He pointed out that this represented a marked decrease of 24.42 percent below the previous fiscal year’s budget.
Some key elements of the budget included $4,334,669 for personnel and fringe benefits, $262,260 for supplies, $160,000 for utilities, and $570,930 for other services. It also included projected revenue of $1,000,000 from Tourism Funds, $270,805 from Agriculture Revolving Fund, and various Federal grants in the sum of $2,054,777.
These allocations, however, were made despite concerns about the effect of the reduced budget on the department’s ability to sustain and advance its initiatives. Sen. Dwayne M. DeGraff commented, “Our agriculture sector is key to our food security and economic sustainability; at a time when we’re looking for growth and improvement, reducing the budget is, quite literally, counterproductive. What we need to do is have our department equipped financially to meet its goals.”
Petersen informed the Committee about the challenges of working within the agreed-upon budget cuts but assured them that they would make the most of the available resources.
“We are indeed facing a significant budget cut, but we are determined to optimize our operations and prioritize critical areas to ensure that our agricultural sector continues to grow and thrive,” he said
Another major concern was the lack of adequate staffing. Maintaining full operational efficiency with six vacancies is difficult. Sen. Frett-Gregory pointed out, ” We have to fill those positions as quickly as possible to ensure that we have the expertise that will help our farmers and move our agricultural initiatives forward.”
Petersen outlined plans for improving the department’s recruitment efforts, including a collaboration with the University of the Virgin Islands to establish training programs in agricultural sciences for local students. “We are working closely with the University of the Virgin Islands and other educational institutions to develop training programs that will equip local students with the requisite skills and knowledge for these critical work roles. Our goal is to create a sustainable pipeline of talent to support our agricultural sector,” said Petersen.
David Hall, co-chair of the Local Food and Farm Council, put forward a proposed budget of $4,157,500 for fiscal year 2025. Among the things the budget addressed were ways to continue implementing objectives outlined in the Virgin Islands Agriculture Plan, which will help provide greater food security and sustainability.
In the proposed budget, there were allocations made for critical roles such as the Local Food and Farm coordinator, civil engineers and soil scientists, as well as initiatives like the Public Private Partnership Investment Fund. He said what was important was adding more money to most of the allocations, especially increasing the investment fund’s budget from $500,000 to $3,000,000.
However, there was criticism about the financial management and expenditure strategies. Frett-Gregory questioned the large amount of money remaining from last year while requesting new monies. Hall explained that some of the unused money had been set aside to pay for long-term projects, like setting up an agriculture business center and introducing new agricultural technologies. These things take several years to fund and plan.
Frett-Gregory concluded, “We want to ensure that every dollar is working efficiently toward improving the outcomes of our community. We must be transparent and have accountability for those dollars moving forward so we understand exactly the path we need to take to achieve our goals and meet the needs of our residents.”
Senators present at Thursday’s committee hearing included Frett-Gregory, Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Samuel Carriฯn, Diane T. Capehart, DeGraff, Marise C. James, and Javan E. James, Sr.
