Governor and Lt. Governor of the United States Virgin Islands

12/28/07 - Government House on Friday confirmed the resignation of Prisons Director Elwood S. York who took the position at the Corrections Bureau in June, same position he held about 10 years ago.

"I was told that Mr. York wanted to pursue some other opportunities outside the territory," Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. said. "At this point, we will find another director to carry out the reform work needed at the territory’s prison systems." deJongh said he does not view the resignation, which took effect on December 12, as a setback in adhering to the American Civil Liberties Union case or to conditions of a consent decree that applies to the Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility.

Governor expresses dismay at New York Times articles which criticized federal legislation to restore basic rights of American Citizenship top V.I. residents

12/22/07 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. Friday wrote to the Editor of the New York Times newspaper to express his great dismay at an article published on December 21 which claimed that legislation sponsored by Representative Charles Rangel would undermine efforts by the Internal Revenue Service to pursue participants in the V.I. Economic Development Program who may have committed fraud or otherwise evaded tax. "The legislation clearly and specifically states that the statute of limitations would not apply in the case of fraud or any other form of tax abuse. deJongh said in his letter that the legislation "only restores the basic rights of American citizenship that Virgin Islanders enjoyed until they were regulated away by the I.R.S."

deJongh gains Senator Rockerfeller's endorsement of St. John School Bill

12/22/07 - In what is being viewed by Government House as a major step forward in addressing the need for a high school on St. John, Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. has received an endorsement from U.S. Senator John D. Rockefeller IV for the St. John School bill, now under consideration in the Senate.

Bills recently approved by the Senate subjected to line-item veto by Governor

12/22/07 - Sections of various bills passed recently by the 27th Legislature suffered line-item vetoes by Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. Saturday. The governor took action on the bills on the date they were due back at the Senate.

deJongh nixes three bills in their entirety

12/22/07 - In taking action on 16 bills passed by the 27th Legislature Saturday, Gov. John P. deJongh Jr. vetoed three of the measures in their entirety. The bills rejected by deJongh and returned to the Senate included: Bill No. 27-0064, which the governor reluctantly vetoed. The measure, if passed, would have directed the Department of Property and Procurement to issue requests for proposals for a turnkey contract for the construction of two government office complexes on St. Croix. The measure also would have authorized the Governor to purchase or build a government complex on St. Croix and it would have also appropriated $800,000 to the Housing Finance Authority for the purchase of real property in Estates White Bay and White Lady on St. Croix.

Governor approves nine bills as passed by the 27th Legislature

12/22/07 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. took action Saturday on 16 bills passed by the 27th Legislature in its most recent session and which arrived at Government House on December 11. The governor’s action consisted of bill approval, vetoes and line item vetoes. He also acknowledged resolutions passed by the Senate.

Budget Director: $25 million not available to provide subsidy to WAPA; $2.9 million dollar payment made by government to public utility

12/20/07 - Director of the Office of Management and Budget Debra Gottlieb Thursday issued a statement to dispel the misunderstanding that there is an available $25 million in cash reserves that can be utilized as a subsidy to the V.I. Water and Power Authority.

Gov. deJongh nominates Dr. Laverne Terry to be Commissioner of the USVI Department of Education

12/20/07 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr., today, nominated Dr. Laverne Terry, a longtime education and current Deputy Superintendent of the Hartford, Conn. Public Schools, to be the next Commissioner of the USVI Department of Education.

Congress passes Omnibus Budget Bill; $4.7 million in special funding for Virgin Islands projects

12/19/07 - Congress completed action Wednesday and has sent to the President a massive $555 billion spending bill which contains $4.7 million in special earmarked appropriations for the Virgin Islands. The Congressional action came after House and Senate negotiators reached final agreement over the weekend on domestic spending levels for the current fiscal year and funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Governor issues proclamation providing administrative leave to government workers during Christmas Festival Season

12/17/07 - Prior to departing the territory for Florida Monday, Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. signed a proclamation which provides administrative leave for the Christmas Festival Season 2007-2008.

The proclamation "authorizes Commissioners and Agency Heads to grant Administrative Leave to non-essential employees of the government to enjoy the festival season, to encourage greater participation in the Food Fair on St. Croix and enhance the celebration of the annual Crucian Christmas Festival by all residents and visitors."

deJongh/Nicolson-Doty to meet with Spirit Airlines in Florida; Effort continues to encourage increased airlift to St. Croix

12/17/07 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. departed the territory Monday afternoon for a meeting Tuesday with principals of Spirit Airlines in Miami, Florida.

Joined by Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty, de Jongh with discuss the feasibility of Spirit Airlines expanding service to St. Croix. Presently, Spirit provides non-stop jet service between St. Thomas and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In the coming weeks, both deJongh and Nicholson-Doty will be meeting with officials of American Airlines to discuss additional jet service to St. Croix.

Roadways to the immediate north and south of Emancipation Garden closed to vehicular traffic Monday and Tuesday

12/16/07 - Two roadways around Emancipation Garden on St. Thomas will be closed to vehicular traffic from 6 a.m. – 3 p.m. on both Monday and Tuesday, December 17 and 18.

The closure is necessary to provide for the safety of children participating in the annual Children’s Christmas Parties on those days. "Buses will be bringing the school-aged children to the parties at Emancipation Garden and the closure was deemed necessary to provide for the safety of everyone," Government House Communications Director Jean Greaux, Jr. said Sunday.

St. John Administrator takes steps to tackle concrete spillage

12/12/07 - In a round of meetings held recently, St. John Administrator Leona Smith sat down with Mr. Ira Wade, Deputy Commissioner of Public Works, and two concrete companies, Majestic and Centerline Concrete. The meetings were scheduled as part of an effort to address complaints that have been received at the Office of the St. John Administrator regarding excessive spillage of concrete at work sites on the island.

Governor and Lt. Governor to host open houses at Government House in both districts and at the Battery on St. John this month

12/11/07 - The public is reminded that Governor John P. deJongh, First Lady Cecile deJongh and Lt. Governor and Mrs. Gregory R. Francis will host open house events at Government House on St. Thomas and St. Croix and at the Battery on St. John this month.

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Cable access channels to air local programs this week

12/11/07 - Government House Tuesday announced the schedule of local programming which will air this week on the two Government Access Channels.

Office of the Governor concludes "Hassel Island Clean Sweep"

12/10/07 - On Saturday, December 8, 2007, the Office of the Governor concluded the final stages of the Hassel Island clean-up effort. Launched as part of an ongoing initiative to beautify the Virgin Islands, and following the success of the clean-up campaigns on St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas, "Hassel Island Clean Sweep" successfully engaged the community in a public/private partnership to beautify and raise awareness on the historical significance of the island and on the hazards associated with littering the natural environment.

Public Reminder: Savan clean up begins on Monday

12/9/07 - Residents of the Savan community are reminded of a major clean up scheduled to take place on Monday, December 10, 2007 by the Governor’s Abandoned Vehicle and Beautification Task Force.

The clean-up will begin promptly at 9 a.m. focusing on the areas of Vester Gade; Gamle Gade and Hill Street. The task force will target junked and derelict vehicles which are littering the roadsides over the course of the two or three day operation.

Governor extends Hanukkah greetings to V.I. residents

12/7/07 - "On behalf of the people and Government of the United States Virgin Islands, I am pleased to share in this Hanukkah holiday season with all residents of the Territory. Also known as The Festival of Lights, the Jewish festival of rededication starts on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, and may occur from late November to late December. During this Festival of Lights, we observe the traditional lighting of the Menorah and celebrate the proud traditions and history of this special season of observance with family and friends."

Governor meets with leadership of Cruise Association

12/7/07 - While in Miami this week, Gov. John deJongh, Jr. met with the leadership of the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) and representatives of major cruise lines whose ships regularly call on the Virgin Islands.

The meeting, held at Royal Caribbean International’s headquarters, allowed a free-flow discussion on some of the challenges facing the cruise industry. The delegation was led by FCCA president Michelle Paige.

deJongh pleased at results of "Operation Love City" on St. John

12/5/07 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. Wednesday hailed the success of a recent law enforcement operation on St. John which netted the seizure of drugs and undocumented immigrants.

"The success of such law enforcement initiatives is based on careful planning and coordination between agencies of both the territorial and federal governments and is reflective of my Administration’s commitment to stem the tide of illegal drug and crime activity in the Virgin Islands," deJongh said from Miami, Florida.

Governor and First Lady to host children's Christmas parties

12/5/07 - As the community readies for the upcoming Christmas holiday season, Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. and First Lady Cecile deJongh have announced plans to host the annual Children’s’ Christmas Parties on all three islands.

"During this holiday season, I am delighted to join my wife, Cecile, in hosting these special Christmas tributes for children of the territory. At this cherished time of year, it is important to spend time with children and to remind them of the shared love of this community and the wondrous traditions of Christmas," Governor deJongh said.

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Office of the Governor initiates Hassel Island clean-up; VI Beautification Campaign broadens

12/5/07 - Following the success of the clean-up campaigns on St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas, and in an effort to engage the community in clean-up efforts Territory-wide, the Office of the Governor launched another component of its island beautification initiative, this time for Hassel Island. The clean-up effort began on November 15, 2007 and will conclude on December 8, 2007. Also known as "Hassel Island Clean Sweep," the initiative comprises public and private partners who are dedicated to cleaning up and beautifying the island.

Governor delivers keynote address at Caribbean Conference

12/4/07 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. today delivered the luncheon keynote address at the 31st Annual Miami Conference on the Caribbean Basin. The conference, which runs through this week, is being held at the Intercontinental Hotel in downtown Miami.

Abandoned Vehicle Task Force targets three neighborhoods in Savan beginning on Monday, December 10th

12/4/07 - The Governor’s Abandoned Vehicle and Beautification Task Force will sink its teeth into three areas in the Savan neighborhood during an operation that will begin on Monday, December 10, 2007 at 9 a.m. and last for a few days.

deJongh: Disney adds St. Croix as port of call

Beginning in January 2008; An important first step in returning regularly scheduled cruise visits to St. Croix

12/4/07 - Gov. John P. deJongh Jr. Tuesday welcomed the announcement by Disney Cruise Lines that it has added St. Croix as a regular port of call to two new additional itineraries announced today by the Florida-based company.

Governor in Miami to deliver keynote at Caribbean Conference

12/4/07 - Gov. John P. deJongh departed the territory late Monday afternoon to attend the 31st Miami Conference on the Caribbean Basin in Miami, Florida.

deJongh will deliver the keynote address at the conference’s Tuesday luncheon at Miami’s Intercontinental Hotel. The conference will focus on the continued high cost of energy in the Caribbean and Central America, notably with regard to the possibilities that bio-fuels and other alternatives allow; and how security, or lack of a comprehensive approach to these issues may serve to hurt these fragile economies. Also on the agenda, with major new investment into the region coming from Europe, does this indicate a cooling by U.S. investors and market to the region; and how effectively has the region been able to position its own interests? Finally, the conference will pilot a matchmaking event, linking U.S. small and mid-sized businesses to Caribbean and Central American opportunities and partners.

Governor welcomes visit by naval ship on Thursday; Administration effort continues for regular visits by U.S. Navy

12/3/07 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. on Monday said he was elated at the decision by the U.S. Navy to return to the Virgin Islands for rest and relaxation port calls.

"The arrival of the USS Stephen W Groves, to the port of Charlotte Amalie on Thursday, December 6, will culminate significant efforts by my Administration in urging the U.S. Navy to return to the Virgin Islands," deJongh said Monday.