Governor and Lt. Governor of the United States Virgin Islands

4/30/07 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. Monday congratulated the Virgin Islands Carnival Committee and everyone who contributed to making the 55th anniversary of V.I. Carnival a huge success. Saturday’s Adult Parade, which last well over eight hours, and the fireworks display were the grand finale of the month-long celebration.

Governor meets with Emergency Management Council (EMC) members

4/25/07 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. Tuesday convened a meeting of the government’s Emergency Management Council which is comprised of the Department and Agency Heads. The meeting was the first in an ambitious series of meetings that will take place through the end of the year to ensure the territory’s maximum state of preparedness. It was also geared at ensuring that lines of authority are clear in the event of a catastrophic emergency. The two-hour meeting was the opportunity for members of the cabinet to familiarize themselves with the process to expeditiously access federal assistance and ultimately to ensure the protection of lives, property and the critical infrastructure of the territory in the aftermath of a man-made or natural disaster.

"Nick" Friday Roadway to be dedicated Thursday

4/25/07 - The public is invited to dedication ceremonies on Thursday April 26 for the Trevor Nicholas “Nick” Friday Memorial Drive. The ceremony, which begins at 12 noon, names an east-end St. Thomas roadway in his honor. Friday, the famed leader of the ever-popular Jam Band, was honored by the 26th Legislature for his contributions to Calypso music, St. Thomas Carnival and Virgin Islands music history.

Gov. John deJongh said Thursday’s dedication ceremony is a fitting tribute to a giant in the music industry who did so much to shape the calypso art form through his work with bands that included: TNT Brass, Eddie and the Movements and Jam Band.

St. Thomas - St. John Schools closed due to weather; Government will operate as usual

4/24/07 - At 6:35 a.m., St. Thomas St. John Superintendent of Schools Lisa Hassel-Forde announced the closing of public schools in the St. Thomas - St. John district. "After an assessment of school campuses which began in the pre-dawn hours of today, it was determined that as a result of flooding on various campuses, it is prudent to cancel classes for the day today," Hassel-Forde said. Forde consulted with both Acting Education Commissioner Dr. Lauren Larsen and Governor John deJongh to update them about conditions particularly at the Ulla Muller Elementary School and Addelita Cancryn Junior High School where significant flooding was noted on portions of the campus.

Road condition update

4/23/07 - As a result of the heavy rains of the last two days, the Public Works Department has responded to the areas prone to localized flooding in an aggressive manner. PWD Commissioner Designate Darryl Smalls Monday identified those areas on St. Thomas including: Raphune Hill, Mandela Circle, Donoe Gut, Magens Bay Road, St. Peter Mountain Road, Four Corner’s intersection, Estate Hope, Fortuna Road, Tabor and Harmony, Hidden Valley, Smith Bay Road, Fort Mylner, Frenctown Gas Station Gut, Denmark Hill, Coki Point Road and the roadway in Nadir.

VIPD issues traffic and parking regulations for carnival

4/23/07 - The Virgin Islands Police Department informs the motoring public that until midnight on Saturday, May 6th, parking will be prohibited in the Fort Christian Parking Lot to allow for the construction and dismantling of the Carnival Village. No parking will be allowed in the Carnival Village at any time, except when loading or unloading supplies. Vehicles found parked in the Fort Christian Parking Lot or around the village that obstructs the normal flow of pedestrian and vehicular traffic will be towed and ticketed at the owner’s expense. There will be a seventy-five dollar ($75.00) charge for towing and a traffic citation fee.

VITRAN extends bus service for Carnival

4/23/07 - VITRAN – the public bus transportation system will extend service on St. Thomas for persons wanting to enjoy the late night Carnival activities. Persons using the VITRAN Plus system can also make reservations for transportation during the carnival extended hours. Extended service will begin on Monday, April 23rd and end on Saturday, April 28th.

One of the young ladies missing from girl’s group home now in custody at the YRC

4/23/07 - The commissioners of Police and Human Services James Mc Call and Chris Finch reported today that one of the four youths who had failed to return to the residence at the St. Croix Crisis Center was returned under the guardianship of Human Services.

Police Department issues Carnival safety measures

4/23/07 - The Virgin Islands Police Department, along with District Chief of Police Milton Petersen, Sr., wishes the community a happy Carnival Season and issues the following Precautionary Advisory.

The general public is advised to make sure their dwellings (doors and windows) are properly secured prior to going out or to bed at night; particularly individuals living alone, especially females. The public is also advised to make sure their dwellings have adequate exterior lighting and are not heavily surrounded with overgrown grass.

V.I. Fire Services seeking firefighters who have previously sat entrance examination to fill vacancies

4/23/07 - St. John Fire Chief Glenn “Milo” Francis has issued a call for persons interested in becoming firefighters. The V.I. Fire Service is seeking to fill vacancies that exist in its manpower strength.

Francis said the call is aimed directly at those who have sat and successfully completed the entrance examination in 2005 but have not followed through with the Fire Service. "If you have taken the test, been notified by the Personnel Division and still have an interest in becoming a firefighter, you must contact the Administrative Office of the Fire Service immediately."

Two youth fail to return to their residence at the St. Croix Crisis Center

4/22/07 - The Departments of Human Services and Police this weekend reported that two youth ran away from the Crisis Center on St. Croix. The two are identified as Leroy Simon, 12, and Shawn Benjamin, 13, who had ran away last week and was returned on Friday April 20.

deJongh postpones property tax due date

4/20/07 - In an executive order, Gov. John deJongh, Jr. postponed the property tax due date. Property taxes are now due on or before May 30th. Payments will be considered delinquent if they are not paid on or before June 30th. The last day for filing an appeal for 2005 Real Property Tax bills has been set for July 15th.

House passes $25 Million amendment for Virgin Islands wastewater improvements

4/20/07 - The U. S. House of Representatives this morning passed a landmark environmental infrastructure bill which includes a five-year $25 million authorization for the wastewater system on St. Thomas and St. Croix, according to Gov. John deJongh, Jr. The Virgin Islands provision was included as part of a $1.5 billion House Manager’s amendment introduced by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar (D-Minnesota).

Waterfront Road repairs set for Friday

4/19/07 - Public Works road crews will perform road repairs on the waterfront Veterans Drive on Friday, April 20 beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Road repairs will be conducted during the evening to minimize traffic interruption, according to PWD Commissioner Designate Darryl Smalls. Motorists are urged to use caution and follow directions given by the on-site traffic control personnel.

Governor departs Territory for meetings in Washington

4/18/07 - Gov. John deJongh departed the territory Wednesday afternoon to attend meetings in Washington D.C. on Thursday. While in the nation’s capital, deJongh is expected to meet with Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty and officials of the National Guard Bureau (NGB).

Governor directs V.I. Flags to half-staff to honor those killed at Virginia Tech University

4/18/07 - Gov. John deJongh Wednesday directed Virgin Islands flags on all public buildings in the territory be flown at half-staff out of respect for the many persons who lost their lives during a tragedy on the campus of Virginia Tech University on Monday. DeJongh’s actions are consistent a presidential proclamation of Tuesday in which President George W. Bush ordered the American flag flown at half-staff on all public buildings until sunset, Sunday April 22, 2007.

deJongh grants Carnival leave

4/17/07 - Gov. John deJongh, Jr. has granted administrative leave to non-essential government employees to encourage greater participation of the 55th Carnival Anniversary.

deJongh takes action on bill 27-0039; Now Act 6917

4/16/07 - Gov. John deJongh Monday signed into law legislation amending the Virgin Islands Code relating to the Uniform Law Commission. The legislation also provides for changes to the Office of Code Revisor, the Virgin Islands Heritage Commission and addresses some retirement issues. There were two portions of the bill vetoed by the Governor.

deJongh meets with Congressional Delegation on homeland security issues

4/16/07 - Nine members of the House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security visited the territory recently to meet with representatives from the federal, local and private sector involved with port protection and other homeland security issues in the territory.

Gov. John deJongh, Jr. said, "We have seen an exponential growth in the number of illegal immigrants coming into the territory." DeJongh also told members of the delegation that he is counting on the partnership between local and federal authorities to address issues affecting the territory including money laundering, drug and human trafficking and illegal immigrants. Police Commissioner James McCall told the delegation that about 50 illegal immigrants arrive in the territory each week, with the majority landing on St. John.

deJongh makes appointments to various boards and commissions

4/16/07 - Gov. John deJongh, Jr. Monday announced the appointment of five individuals to the board of various organizations. Mulchand “Mulo” Alwani has been appointed to the St. Thomas–St. John Board of Directors of the V.I. Hospitals and Health Facilities Corporation, Brenda Benjamin to the Water and Power Authority Governing Board, Glenn Dratte to the Board of Directors of the V.I. Public Television System, Jennifer Nugent-Hill to the University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees and Cassan Pancham to the Port Authority Board of Governors.

Julito Francis appointed as PFA Director of Administration and Finance

4/16/07 - Gov. John deJongh, Jr. announced the appointment of Julito Francis as the Director of Administration and Finance for the Public Finance Authority. Francis is a trained engineer, receiving his Bachelors degree of Electronic Engineering in 1985, but he later chose to further his education and received his Masters of Business Administration in 1990. Since then, he has worked in the finance industry while living in Atlanta, Georgia and here in the Virgin Islands.

Update on investigation of recovered body

4/12/07 - Attorney General Vincent Frazer and Police Commissioner James Mc Call this afternoon confirmed that a preliminary examination of the body of a young child recovered Wednesday night is that of 12-year-old Laquina Hennis who had been reported missing since Friday April 6.

deJongh nominates Carroll and Dunston to Superior Court bench; Re-nominates Donohue as presiding judge

4/12/07 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. Thursday announced his first nominations to the Virgin Islands Superior Court bench. And the chief executive re-nominated Presiding Judge Daryl Donhoue to another term.

deJongh said today that he selected Assistant U.S. Attorney James Carroll, and longtime St. Thomas attorney Michael Dunston to the fill two vacancies on the Superior Court bench. The vacancies were caused by the transfer of Judges Ive Arlington Swan and Rhys Hodge from the V.I. Superior Court to the V.I. Supreme Court.

Darryl A. Smalls selected to lead Department of Public Works, Canegata-Thomas named as Director of Internal Revenue

4/11/07 - Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. Wednesday announced the appointment of Darryl A. Smalls as Public Works Commissioner and his selection of Gizette Canegata-Thomas as Director of the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

deJongh expresses condolences to Woods family

4/11/07 - Gov. John deJongh, Jr. said Wednesday he was saddened upon learning of the death of Fred Woods. Woods, 48, died of apparent natural causes at his home in Estate Staabi.

Governor orders flags to half staff Tuesday

4/10/07 - Gov. John deJongh, Jr. has directed that flags on all public buildings in the Virgin Islands be flown at half-staff Tuesday in honor of former St. Croix Administrator Lawrence Bastian.

"Lawrence Bastian gave so much of himself in service to the people of St. Croix as an advocate for veterans, a tireless community activist and a former St. Croix Administrator that it is fitting that the flags in the territory be flown at half mast on the day of his funeral," deJongh said Tuesday.

New commerce rules bode well for St. Croix watch industry

4/10/07 - The U.S. Department of Commerce has issued new rules to boost the competitiveness of the Virgin Islands watch industry based on St. Croix.

The new rules, which are scheduled to go into effect in May, substantially increases the value of watches and watch movements manufactured in the territory which are entitled to duty-free entry into the U.S. market. Under current regulations, duty-free benefits are limited to watches valued under $800 and to watch movements costing no more than $35. The new rules increase the value limits for V.I. watches to $3,000 and for watch movements to $300.

Governor deJongh, First Lady host Easter Egg Hunts

4/4/07 - In celebration of the Easter Season, Governor John P. dejongh, Jr. and First Lady Cecile deJongh, cooperation with the Department of Education, organized Easter Egg Hunts on St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John yesterday and today. Activities occurred on St. Thomas at the Cathrineburg Esate, on St. Croix at the Agriculture Fairgrounds, and on St. John at The Battery. Two hunts occurred at each site on both days, for a total of six Easter Egg hunts territory-wide. Children searched for thousands of eggs on each of the three islands and First, Second and Third prizes were awarded to those who found the most eggs.