Governor and Lt. Governor of the United States Virgin Islands

3/29/08 - Governor John P. deJongh Jr. has nominated three Certified Public Accountants to serve on the Virgin Islands Board of Public Accountancy. DeJongh nominated Janice V. Hodge, Francisco E. Depusoir and Leslie A. Smith to fill vacancies on the board.

In a transmittal letter to Senate President Usie Richards on, deJongh explained that Hodge will replace Roy D. Jackson whose term has expired; Depusoir will replace Pablo O’Neill whose term has also expired and Smith fills a vacancy on the board. Members to the Public Accountancy Board serve a three-year term and continue to serve until their successors are named and confirmed by the Legislature.

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR TO HOST TRANSFER DAY GRAND GOSPEL CONCERT SUNDAY, MARCH 30 AT EMANCIPATION GARDEN, ROAD CLOSURE ADVISORY IN EFFECT

3/28/08 - In celebration of this year’s Transfer Day, Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. and Lieutenant Governor Gregory R. Francis are inviting the general public to a “Grand Gospel Gala” on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at Emancipation Garden. The program begins at 3:00 p.m. and there will be a musical steel pan prelude from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. performed by Golden Miracles of the St. Andrews Episcopal Church.

TRANSFER DAY CEREMONIES SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, MARCH 31ST

3/25/08 - On Monday, March 31st, the Virgin Islands will mark the 91st anniversary of the transfer of the Territory from Danish to American rule. The public is invited to be a part of this observance which will be marked by ceremonies, beginning at 3 p.m., on the grounds of the V.I. Legislature and a gospel concert on Sunday, March 30.

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, ST. CROIX, HOSTS COUNTRY DAY STUDENT AS PART OF “MINI-GUSTO” INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

3/23/08 - Government House was pleased to welcome Country Day eleventh grade student, Jemille Vialet, as an intern last week. Vialet was selected by the school as part of its ongoing “Mini Gusto” program to assist Government House staff on St. Croix. This year, the week of March 10 - March 14, 2008 was designated as Mini Gusto Week, during which Upper and Middle School Students at Country Day, grades 7-12, were given the opportunity to intern in the public and private sectors. Jemille Vialet was selected to work in the public sector at Government House on St. Croix because of his career goals, leadership qualities, willingness to learn, as well as his sense of purpose and focus.

DEJONGH NAMES INGRID A. BOUGH AS TERRITORIAL DIRECTOR OF LIBRARIES, ARCHIVES AND MUSEUMS

3/23/08 - Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. has appointed St. Croix native Ingrid A. Bough, J.D. as Territorial Director of Libraries, Archives and Museums. The appointment took effect on March 12 and Bough is based on St. Croix.

Bough returns home to the Virgin Islands after serving for 20 years at the Library of Congress in the Performing Arts Division of the U.S. Copyright Office. She holds a Juris Doctorate with a concentration in Intellectual Property Law.

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR DISTRIBUTES CLEAN-UP BAGS TO ST. CROIX EASTER CAMPERS

3/23/08 - In recognition of the Easter Holiday Season, the Office of the Governor is assisting St. Croix campers island-wide with the care and clean-up of garbage from picnicking, barbequing, and camping. Teams under the umbrella of the "St. Croix Be Clean" campaign, lead by St. Croix Administrator Pedro "Pete" Encarnacion, are distributing personal trash bags in the Christiansted and Frederiksted beach areas, as well as to other camp sites throughout the island.

BLUE RIBBON AIRLINE COMMITTEE TO FOCUS ON AIRLIFT TO ST. CROIX

3/19/08 - Consistent with the Administration’s major focus on increasing airlift to St. Croix, Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. Wednesday named members to the St. Croix Blue Ribbon Airline Committee.

"To be successful in our goal of increasing air traffic to St. Croix, we must begin the process of strengthening our relationships with existing air carriers and develop innovative strategies to attract additional carriers," deJongh said. As he did earlier today when he created the Cruise Ship Working Group, deJongh said that such objectives can best be achieved through a partnership of private and public members.

DEJONGH CREATES "CRUISE SHIP WORKING GROUP"

3/19/08 - In keeping with his commitment to strengthening relations with the cruise lines by maintaining continuous dialogue and interaction on issues of mutual concern, Governor John P. deJongh Jr. Wednesday announced the creation of the Cruise Ship Working Group. DeJongh believes that achieving the goal of remaining competitive as a cruise ship destination, requires the development and execution of a strategy through a partnership of private and public sector members.

GOVERNOR’S 2008 EASTER MESSAGE

3/19/08 - For those of us for whom this is Holy Week, it is a time of reflection, a time of contemplation. For me, this is something of a luxury as the job of Governor of the Virgin Islands is one of un-ending problem-solving. But I think we all need – from time to time – to stop and reflect. And this week, for me, is a time when I think about the central themes of my faith among which is the obligation of service, especially service to those less fortunate, to those in need and to those who need a helping hand.

SYMPOSIUM PAYS TRIBUTE TO FORMER GOVERNOR RALPH PAIEWONSKY

3/17/08 - Chairman of the University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees, Auguste Rimpel, Trustee Dr. Bernard Paiewonsky, University President Dr. Laverne Ragster and Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. at the March 16th symposium which paid tribute to founder of the University, former Governor Ralph M. Paiewonsky. Paiewonsky would have been 100 years old this year.

GOVERNOR TAKES PART IN DAISY ROBELTA BOUGH DEDICATION

3/15/08 - Gov. John de Jongh took part in a dedication ceremony on March 15 which named a west end roadway on St. Thomas for Daisy Robelta Bough, a well known community activist.

GOVERNOR DISCUSSES SOLUTIONS TO RISING ELECTRICITY COSTS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF WAPA, HOVENSA AND ST. CROIX RENAISSANCE GROUP

3/14/08 - Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. Friday convened a meeting of government officials, representatives of the V.I. Water and Power Authority, HOVENSA and St. Croix Renaissance Group for a candid discussion about options available to bring relief to rate payers in the Virgin Islands.

GOVERNOR AND LICENSING COMMISSIONER MEETS WITH OFFICIALS OF ESSO VIRGIN ISLANDS TO DISCUSS SALE OF V.I. SERVICE STATIONS

3/14/08 - Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Kenrick Robertson said this week he does not expect any changes in the day to day operations of Esso Virgin Islands service stations as the result of the stations recent acquisition by Total. Total, an oil and gas company, headquartered in France announced its acquisition of the six Esso Virgin Islands stations earlier this week.

GOVERNOR DEJONGH PROCLAIMS AGRICULTURE WEEK IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

3/14/08 - Governor John P. deJongh Jr. has proclaimed the week of March 16-22, 2008 as "Agriculture Week", and March 20, 2008 as "Agriculture Day" in the United States Virgin Islands to increase consumer education and awareness of the importance of agriculture.

GOVERNOR SUBMITS THREE PROPOSALS TO ESTABLISH TAX INCREMENT FINANCING, SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICTS AND FINANCING IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

3/14/08 - Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. on Thursday submitted legislation that will establish tax increment financing and will expand economic opportunities for all Virgin Islanders. In a letter to the Senate accompanying the three proposed bills, deJongh wrote that it is his firmly held belief that "economic opportunities are best achieved through public-private partnerships which "harness the energy and ingenuity of the private sector with the vast resources of the government."

FIRST LADY TO SPEAK AT CARIBBEAN MUSEUM CENTER GRAND OPENING FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2008

3/13/08 - First Lady Cecile deJongh is pleased to announce that she will be attending the upcoming Grand Opening of the Caribbean Museum Center on Friday, March 14, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. at 10 Strand Street & 62 King Street on the waterfront in Frederiksted. After almost five years of construction, the Caribbean Museum Center is holding its Official Grand Opening and will be conducting a tour of the facilities, as well as featuring presentations by members of the community, including First Lady Cecile deJongh.

DEDICATION CEREMONIES SET FOR SATURDAY FOR DAISY ROBELTA BOUGH MEMORIAL DRIVE

3/13/08 - Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. will host a dedication ceremony for the Daisy Robelta Bough Memorial Drive on Saturday, March 15, 2008 on the grounds of the public safety multi-purpose center in Estate Bordeaux.

RADIO SERIES TO PROFILE OUTSTANDING VIRGIN ISLANDS WOMEN BEGINS ON MONDAY, MARCH 17

3/13/08 - In celebration of Women’s History Month, the deJongh-Francis Administration will salute Virgin Islands Women of distinction with a series of biographical profiles which will air on local radio stations, March 17-31.

"First lady Cecile deJongh came up with the concept of profiling outstanding women of the Virgin Islands for the remainder of this month as a means of highlighting their contributions to our community," said Government House Communications Director Jean P. Greaux Jr.

Beginning on Monday, female members of the Governor’s Cabinet will profile the lives and contributions of the outstanding Virgin Islands women in the one-minute vignettes that will air on WSTA (1340 AM) at 7:35 am and 5:10 pm and on WSTX (970 AM) and WVIQ (99.5 FM) during the local newscast, "Newslink V.I"

GOVERNOR PROCLAIMS GIRL SCOUTS WEEK IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

3/11/08 - Governor John P. deJongh Jr. proclaimed the week of March 9-15, 2008 as “Girl Scouts Week” in the United States Virgin Islands.

Juliette Gordon Low founded Girl Scout of the USA on March 12, 1912, in Savannah, Georgia. Throughout its distinguished history, Girl Scouting has inspired millions of girls and women with the highest ideals of courage, confidence, and character. Through the Girl Scout leadership experience, girls develop the skills and lessons that will serve them a lifetime so that they may contribute to their communities.

DEJONGH TAKES ACTION ON PROPERTY TAX LEGISLATION; VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE BILL LINE ITEM-VETOED

3/10/08 - Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. signed legislation into law today which makes significant changes to the real property tax system in the Virgin Islands. The governor, however, did line-item veto various provisions of the bill as passed by the Legislature which either failed to meet sound tax administration policy or which excessively reduced the amount of tax that would be collected. In exercising his veto power, the governor noted that it was the past "application of unsound tax policy, which caused the Territory to lose control over its real property tax system several years ago." As we are on the brink of retaking control over our real property tax system, to again implement such unsound policies would defeat all of the hard work undertaken by the Government to correct the earlier deficiencies in our tax administration."

LOTTERY DIRECTOR RESIGNS; FLEMMING PLACED ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE

3/10/08 - The Executive Director of the Virgin Islands Lottery Paul Flemming has tendered his resignation effective March 25. Flemming’s letter of resignation was received at Government House on February 28.

GOVERNOR DE JONGH CONGRATULATES V.I. SUPREME COURT JUSTICES MARIA CABRET AND IVE A. SWAN

3/10/08 - Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. has extended congratulations to V.I. Supreme Court Justices Maria Cabret and Ive Arlington Swan on the occasion of their being honored by Howard University with the "Distinguished Alumni Award" in the field of law. The two justices were honored at a gala reception Saturday night in Washington, D.C. during the university’s Charter Day celebration.

FIRST LADY HOSTS "CHILDREN’S EASTER EVENTS"

3/8/08 - As the community readies for the upcoming Easter holiday season, First Lady Cecile deJongh has announced plans to host the annual Children’s Easter celebrations on all three islands.

"I am excited about hosting this year’s events," said Mrs. deJongh. "Not only will our children get to enjoy traditional Easter festivities with the customary Easter basket and Easter eggs, but they will also have the opportunity to celebrate our culture in a theatrical setting. Instead of having an Easter egg hunt, the children will be treated to culturally relevant Easter entertainment."

GOVERNOR SUBMITS PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO ABOLISH DRUG ENFORCEMENT BUREAU...THE FORMER NARCOTICS STRIKE FORCE

3/5/08 - As part of his Administration's unrelenting efforts to increase efficiency and effectiveness in law enforcement, Governor John P. deJongh Jr. has submitted legislation to the 27th Legislature to abolish the Drug Enforcement Bureau, formerly known as the Narcotics Strike Force. "Our people must be safe and our police must be a unified and effective weapon to make this so. Our people demand this and so do I," deJongh said in announcing the measure. "I am confident that this is a goal shared by all Senators.” The latest legislation makes good on a pledge deJongh made in his January 22 State of the Territory Address where the Governor outlined his Administration’s goals for the year ahead in terms of increasing the overall effectiveness of law enforcement.

GOVERNOR AND FIRST LADY ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT SATURDAY’S SPECIAL OLYMPICS ON ST. CROIX

3/5/08 - Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. and First Lady Cecile have invited the membership of clubs and organizations on St. Croix to assist in the effort to bring greater awareness to those children and adults with special needs by participating in this upcoming weekend’s Special Olympics. The Special Olympics on St. Croix are scheduled for March 8 on the grounds of Renaissance Park.

HOSPITAL BOARD CHAIRMAN AND C.E.O. THANK GOVERNOR DEJONGH

In a jointly-issued statement which they believe marks the beginning of a time of cooperation and reconciliation, Juan F. Luis Hospital Acting Board Chairman Carmelo Rivera and the Hospital's Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Gregory Calliste, wish to thank Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. for his personal efforts to mediate the differences that have of late troubled the hospital, its governance and operations.

DeJongh met with Chairman Rivera and Dr. Calliste on Saturday afternoon. As a result of the Governor's efforts and this meeting, the hospital officials agreed to a number of steps to resolve their differences and to work cooperatively to advance the goals for the hospital that they share with the Governor and the community-at-large.

GOVERNOR DEJONGH PROCLAIMS YOUTH ART MONTH IN THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS

3/3/08 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. has proclaimed the month of March as “Youth Art Month” in the United States Virgin Islands. The arts enhance the lives of all. Art education provides educational benefits for our students and helps to develop creative problem-solving and critical thinking abilities. It also teaches sensitivity to beauty, order, and other expressive and beneficial human qualities.

SCHOOL BREAKFAST WEEK PROCLAIMED IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

3/3/08 - Governor John P. deJongh Jr. proclaimed the week of March 2-8, 2008, as "School Breakfast Week" in the United States Virgin Islands.

Since its establishment in 1975, the School Breakfast Program has served our nation and territory admirably, as it is dedicated to the health and well-being of our nation’s and territory’s children. Throughout the years, many other excellent child nutrition programs have joined the School Breakfast Program in expressing the continued need for nutrition education and awareness of the value of school nutrition programs.

GOVERNOR PROCLAIMS WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH IN THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS

3/3/08 - Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. has proclaimed the month of March 2008 as "Women’s History Month" in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The territory has a rich history of noteworthy women whose achievements helped to shape and improve the quality of life for the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands socially, economically, culturally and politically.

GOVERNOR PROCLAIMS HIS SUPPORT OF THE "HELPING VIRGIN ISLANDERS BREATHE EASIER" CAMPAIGN

3/3/08 - Gov. deJongh proclaimed his support of the "Helping Virgin Islanders Breathe Easier" campaign, which commences on March 4, 2008.

The office of the Lieutenant Governor will make the "Helping Virgin Islanders Breathe Easier" campaign, a multi-agency, public-private partnership, which includes educational, and awareness materials and ideas available to as many Virgin Islanders as possible.

Governor tours Washington, Dc's Office of Unified Communications

While in Washington, D.C. last week, Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. toured the Office of Unified Communications in the nation’s capitol. The center’s mission is to provide a fast, professional, and cost-effective response to emergency and non-emergency calls in the District.

The OUC was created 2005 and consolidates the emergency 911, non-emergency and 311 call activities from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPDC), Fire and Emergency Medical Services (FEMS), and customer service operations.