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September 17, 2007
deJongh names four to St. Thomas-St. John Horse Racing Commission As part of his administration’s commitment to ensuring that horseracing activities are taken to a level beneficial to the fans and horse owners alike, Gov. John deJongh Jr. Monday named four persons to serve on the St. Thomas – St. John Horse Racing Commission. deJongh named attorney Leonard B. Francis Jr. to replace Leon Battiste who has resigned; Le’Vette Hedrington was named to replace Lionel V. Roberts Jr. whose term has expired; Joel Fleming to replace Elton Chongasing whose term has expired and Eltino Pickering to replace Angel M. Corneiro whose term has also expired. "I am hopeful that these new members, once confirmed, will be able to ensure that my administration’s goals and objectives for horse racing in the Virgin Islands are achieved. We are embarking on a new journey in this area, with the advent of improved facilities and after straightening out the relationship between a third-party promoter, the Department of Housing, Parks and Recreation and the horse owners," deJongh said Monday. Francis is a well known St. Thomas attorney who has operated his private law office since 1979; Hedrington is presently employed at Schneider Regional Medical Center as an Accountant III; Fleming has served as a race track volunteer since 1980 and is a physical education teacher at Ivanna Eudora Kean High School; Pickering is an instructor and arranger for the Superior Court Rising Stars Steel Youth Orchestra and has held positions of owner/trainer; trainer and groom at Bovoni Stables. Pickering previously served as Secretary / Member of the Horse Owners Association. The governor’s submission on Monday came just a few weeks after the Chief Executive signed off on a near $300 thousand dollar contract with Boschulte Design Studio for the new Clinton Phipps Race Track at Bovoni. The contract will provide for the architectural and engineering services for a completely revamped race track facility. In signing that contract, deJongh said, "There is a definitive need for us to bring about significant improvement to the overall facilities at Phipps race track. The sport of kings attracts large numbers of Virgin Islanders on race days as well as visitors from both the British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico and the present appearance of the track is not what it should be." deJongh said the required actions will call for some forceful commissioners and he believes these individuals are up to the task in accepting this responsibility. The four nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the 27th Legislature. |
