Governor and Lt. Governor of the United States Virgin Islands

6/29/07 - Legislation which repeals a 1936 federal law limiting the authority of the Virgin Islands Government to administer its own property tax system was signed into law today by President George W. Bush.

"This bill will now provide the V.I. Government with the authority required to protect home ownership in the Virgin Islands and it also grants the flexibility to fairly administer our tax laws," Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. said Friday evening, having learned of the presidential action. The bill was sent to the President on June 20th after its passage in the U.S. Senate.

Donna Frett-Gregory named as Acting Commissioner of Education

6/29/07 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. Friday named Donna Frett-Gregory as Acting Education Commissioner while the administration’s search for a permanent commissioner continues.

"A broader search is underway presently for the Education Commissioner and in the interim I have asked Donna Frett-Gregory to manage the day-to-day operations of the agency," deJongh said, noting that much of the department’s work is financial in focus during this interim period. This work includes: summer maintenance, purchasing of supplies for the upcoming school year and work with the Third Party Fiduciary and the U.S. Department of Education. "Donna has been involved in these and many of the challenges of the Education Department as its Chief Financial Officer and I expect that she will continue to guide these projects along from her position as Acting Commissioner."

Williams tapped to lead Housing, Parks and Recreation

6/29/07 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. has nominated former St. Croix Senator St. Claire N. Williams to serve as Commissioner of Housing, Parks and Recreation. Williams has served for the past seven years as Assistant Commissioner of DHPR and prior to that for a number of years with the V.I. Housing Authority. Williams has been Acting Commissioner of Housing, Parks and Recreation since January 1st.

Governor deJongh's Latest Radio Talk released

6/29/07 - Governor John P. deJongh, Jr., today, released another of his regular Radio Talks.

Listen to the Governor's latest radio talk [MP3]

deJongh names Roberto Cintron as Assistant PWD Commissioner

6/28/07 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. has appointed St. Croix native son Roberto Cintron as Assistant Public Works Commissioner effective July 1st. Cintron will be based on St. Croix.

Governor and cabinet participate in exercise to gauge disaster response

6/28/07 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. and members of his Cabinet met at VITEMA headquarters on St. Thomas Wednesday morning to define the role and responsibilities that government departments and agencies will assume in the event of a natural or man-made disaster in the territory. The Executive level table-top exercise required Cabinet members to think quickly in the face of a terrorist attack at the Crown Bay commercial container port, in close proximity to a school and the electrical power generating plant.

Governor deJongh proclaims Freedom Week in the Virgin Islands

6/28/07 - Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. has proclaimed July 1-7, as “Freedom Week,” in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

July 3rd of each year has been designated as “Emancipation Day,” in the territory pursuant to Title 1, Section 171 of the Virgin Islands code. This July 3rd, 2007 is noted because it marks the 159th anniversary of the emancipation of slaves in the former Danish West Indies. Enslaved Africans in the former Danish West Indies were declared free, and slavery abolished through the proclamation issued by then Governor-General Peter Von Scholten.

Gov. deJongh taps Vivian Ebbesen-Fludd for top post at Health Department

6/28/07 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. Thursday announced the nomination of Vivian Ebbesen-Fludd, as Commissioner of Health.

Ebbesen-Fludd comes to the position with significant experience in health administration and management. "Vivian brings tremendous experience to the position with the required focus on the patient. Her management of the Frederiksted Health Center and its transformation from a division in the Department of Health to a self-sustaining, non-profit corporation, responding to community needs is indicative of her abilities," deJongh said Thursday. The Department of Health is critical to the community’s provision of a health care system that is accessible and affordable. It is paramount that the leadership under its dual role as a regulator and health-care provider. "For me, the critical concerns of affordable health care, operating hours of our clinics, Medicaid funding and health care staffing are but a few of the areas that must be the beneficiary of decisive decision-making and bold leadership," deJongh added.

Department of Agriculture Identifies Farmland for St. Johnians

6/27/07 - The VI Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the Office of the Governor, and the Department of Property and Procurement announce the availability of land for farming purposes on the island of St. John. Commissioner of Agriculture, Louis E. Petersen, Jr. Ph.D. notes that four acres of land which are adjacent to the office of the Department of Agriculture in Coral Bay will be subdivided and rented to interested and qualified parties for crop production purposes. A meeting will be held during the month of July for individuals and groups that are interested in participating in this initiative. This goal of this project is to enhance the production of fresh, nutritious food as well as stimulate economic activity on the island of St. John. For additional information please call the VIDOA at 776-6274 or 774-5182.

Governor meets with agency heads to streamline business license application process

6/24/07 - In a move to streamline the business license renewal process in government, Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. recently convened a meeting of all agencies currently involved in the process for establishments doing business in the Virgin Islands.

Multi-Agency Task Force clears area behind Al Cohen’s Mall in Havensight

6/21/07 - The government’s Abandoned Car and Beautification Task Force under the direction of St. Thomas – Water Island Administrator Barbara Petersen Thursday cleared through an area in the general vicinity of the Al Cohen’s Mall in Havensight after increasing complaints by business owners of robberies, vehicle vandalism and other criminal acts in and around the mall. The targeted area sits to the rear of the mall. Over time, the heavily-brushed area had been converted into living space for squatters.

deJongh names David Edgecombe as Assistant for External Affairs

6/20/07 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. Wednesday announced the appointment of David Edgecombe as Special Assistant to the Governor for External Affairs. Edgecombe has about thirty years experience in the communications/media field, with working experience in print, radio, television and stage.

Lt. Governor encourages residents to review homeowner’s insurance policies this hurricane season

6/19/07 - Lt. Gov. Gregory R. Francis is encouraging the territory’s residents to review their homeowner’s insurance policies to make sure they are protected in the event of a hurricane this season. Citing research by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), Francis said that a large percentage of homeowners mistakenly believe standard homeowners insurance protects them from a wide array of perils. In reality, many standard policies do not cover flood damage, water line breaks, mold and other perils that may result from a hurricane.

deJongh names Rivera as Asst. CEO at Economic Development Authority

6/19/07 - Benjamin Rivera, Jr. has been appointed as the Assistant Chief Executive Officer of the Economic Development Authority. The appointment by Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. took effect on Tuesday June 19. Rivera, a product of V.I. public and private education, obtained his Bachelor’s degree from Penn State University. He is also certified as a professional legal assistant.

Drafting errors and concerns leads to veto of Bill 27-0051

6/17/07 - Gov. John P. deJongh Saturday vetoed Bill 27-0051 which contained several measures related to the V.I. Election Code as the result of “drafting errors and substantive concerns” he has with the legislation. In a transmittal letter to Senate President Usie Richards, deJongh said he wholeheartedly agreed that the Elections Code must be brought into alignment with the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) as well as other federal legislation governing or affecting elections, and the practices of the Joint Boards of Elections.

Governor approves bills to grant measure of autonomy to Inspector General and additional funding to law enforcement

6/17/07 - deJongh signed into law Bill 27-0006 which provides the Office of Inspector General some measure of autonomy in its hiring and salary practices. "My support for this measure is based on the administration’s goal of reducing both malfeasance and malfeasance in government spending,” deJongh wrote in a transmittal letter to Senate President Usie R. Richards. The governor also pointed out that this bill will allow the Inspector General to more efficiently carry out investigations which will result in more timely audits and when appropriate, more timely recommendations for civil or criminal proceedings to the Attorney General.

Governor congratulates Tim Duncan and San Antonio Spurs on fourth NBA Championship Title

6/15/07 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. Friday joined the entire Virgin Islands community and fans of the San Antonio Spurs in congratulating St. Croix native and NBA sensation Tim Duncan on his team’s fourth NBA championship. The championship title came Thursday night as the Spurs edged the Cleveland Cavaliers to mark a four-game sweep in the NBA finals.

Governor deJongh's releases first "Radio Talk"

6/15/07 - Governor John P. deJongh, Jr., today, released the first in what will become a regular series of addresses called Governor's Radio Talks.

Listen to the Governor's latest radio talk [MP3]

Governor congratulates Convention delegates

6/13/07 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. Wednesday congratulated the delegates who were elected to the Fifth Constitutional Convention. The thirty delegates, elected during Tuesday’s Special Election, will be charged with crafting the fifth draft of a Virgin Islands Constitution.

U.S. Senate passes V.I. Property Tax Bill; bill sent to President

6/12/07 - Government House announced this evening that the U.S. Senate overcame a months-old parliamentary hurdle and passed, on unanimous consent, a bill sponsored by V.I. Delegate Donna Christensen which repeals a 1936 federal law limiting the authority of the Virgin Islands Government to administer its own property tax system. The bill, which passed the House of Representatives last January, now goes to the President for his signature.

Parole Hearings are scheduled by the V.I. Justice Department

6/7/07 - Attorney General, Vincent F. Frazer Thursday announced two upcoming meetings of the V.I. Parole Board. The Parole Board will meet on Thursday, June 14, 2007, and Friday, June 15, 2007, at 9:30 a.m., at the Golden Grove Correctional Facility to consider the applications for parole of the following inmates...

deJongh declares June 12th a Legal Holiday to facilitate Special Election for Constitutional Convention delegates

6/7/07 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. today proclaimed Tuesday, June 12, 2007 a legal holiday in the Virgin Islands in order to facilitate the Special Election scheduled for that day to elect delegates to the Fifth Constitutional Convention.

Governor names Recruiter and Training Director for the V.I.P.D.; Director of Prisons for Corrections Bureau

6/7/07 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. Thursday announced the selection of a Training Director and Recruiter for the V. I. Police Department in the persons of Charles Douglas Jones and Emmett Hansen II. deJongh also named Elwood York as Director of Prisons at the Bureau of Corrections. The appointments are consistent with the administration's pledge to restructure the leadership of the territory's top law enforcement agencies.

Police Substation will be provided in Red Hook, St. Thomas when East End Plaza opens

6/6/07 - Police services on the East End of St. Thomas will get a major boost later this year when a new substation opens at East End Plaza, now under construction opposite the Red Hook ferry terminal. Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. said Wednesday that Managing Member of East End Plaza, Ricardo Charaf, has provided space in the plaza for the development of a police substation. "We are very happy to be able to provide this facility for the police department and for the benefit of the Red Hook community," Charaf said in recent correspondence to Police Commissioner James Mc Call. The police substation will be ready for use in December 2007, the targeted completion date of the East End Plaza project.

Attorney General confirms Sunday escape of detainee from Golden Grove Detention Center

6/4/07 - Attorney General Vincent Frazer has confirmed the escape of a detainee from the Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility’s Detention Center. The detainee, 22-year-old Luis R. Torres, was discovered missing at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday June 3rd.

Governor proclaims "Hunger Awareness Day"

6/3/07 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. has proclaimed Tuesday June 5 as “Hunger Awareness Day” in the Virgin Islands. This day is set aside to recognize the low-income working families, individuals, seniors and children who are struggling to meet their basic food and nutritional needs.

deJongh proclaims "Hurricane Awareness Month"

6/1/07 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. has proclaimed the month of June 2007 as "Hurricane Awareness Month". The U.S. Virgin Islands are situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea and are extremely vulnerable to the effects of hurricanes formed in these bodies of water. Hurricanes are natural disasters which have the potential to wreak significant loss of life and limb, while causing substantial property and economic damage wherever they strike.

V.I.'s Julisa Marcel finishes in Top 20 at National Spelling Bee Competition

6/1/07 - Twelve-year-old Julisa Marcel finished in the top 20 as she represented the Virgin Islands in the 2007 Scripps National Spelling Bee Competition. Marcel made Virgin Islands history when she made it to the sixth round of play. No other Virgin Islander has ever reached as far in the competition.

In a congratulatory letter to Ms. Marcel today, Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. described Julisa Marcel as "an outstanding representative for the territory."

deJongh congratulates Tim Duncan on Spurs victory in NBA Western Conference Final

6/1/07 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. has extended congratulations to St. Croix native and San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan on his efforts in powering his team to the NBA finals. The Spurs victory on Wednesday night over the Utah Jazz sets up the team’s fourth appearance in the finals in nine years.

June 1, 2007

Public Works Department takes steps to expand available burial space at Kingshill Cemetery

6/1/07 - Beginning the week of Monday June 4, the Public Works Department will begin expanding the space available for burial at Kingshill Cemetery on St. Croix. Commissioner Darryl A. Smalls said this week that a $15,000 appropriation from the agency’s 2007 operating budget will cover costs associated with erecting a chain link fence around some 200 square feet of cleared land on the north-eastern corner of the existing cemetery.

Fiscal Year 2008 Budget available on the web

6/1/07 - The Fiscal Year 2008 Executive Budget, which was submitted to the Legislature on May 30, 2007, can be found on the website www.vi.gov.

Debra E. Gottlieb, Director Designee of the Office of Management and Budget wishes to publicly thank the staff and management of the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Property and Procurement, and the Division of Printing for their hard work and dedication in producing the Fiscal Year 2008 Executive Budget.

Long Bay Road Project goes up for bid

6/1/07 - The Long Bay Road Project is now open for bids once again. Because of the size of the project, it has been divided into four separate contracts. Contract 1 Pre-solicitation Notice (Number DTFH71-07-B-00032) is now available online at the Federal Business Opportunities website: http://www.fbo.gov/spg/DOT/FHWA/71/postdatePrevDays_1.html

Bid packages can be downloaded electronically from the website or picked up at the Department of Public Works at 8244 Subbase in St. Thomas.