SENATOR -AT -LARGE REPORTS From the office of the Senator-At-Large, Craig W. Barshinger “In service to all the people of the Virgin Islands” August 2006

Senator Craig W. Barshinger 26th Legislature A Message From Your Senator of the Virgin Islands Dear Readers, nize my staff and (Legislative Assistant), shower them with my Marilyn Chandler Volume 1, Issue 2 Thank you for giving heartfelt appreciation. me the opportunity to (Receptionist), Khalila Date — August 2006 Although you elect me Frett (intern), Mervin serve as your Senator as your Senator At Inside this issue: At Large during the McDougal (intern), Large, it is essential to • St. John Festival 26th Legislature. Melba Moore (intern), have an entire team (Continued on page 2) These first two years working to get the job • Senator’s Legislation have been full of excit- done—the job of a sena- • Reduction in Marine ing challenges, and full tor is very broad. of progress. Fees I am proud of my tal- • Senate Health This newsletter reports ented, dedicated, hard- Committee some of the many areas working staff: Omar in which my staff and I B.U. Henry (Chief of • Hurricane Tracking Map have labored on your Staff), Michelle Domi- behalf. We have accom- nique (Research Ana- • Health and Beauty Fair plished many things, lyst), Merlisa George both big and small. We • Fill A Pack Program (Legislative Assistant), Supporting local Businesses have many good works Barbara Dalmida means building our economy. • Summer Interns in progress, as well. (Legislative Assistant), Sen. Barshinger attending a business opening on the is- • Upcoming Events I would like to recog- Elizabeth Vazquez land of St. Thomas.

Senator Participates In, Enjoys St. John Festival

As the St. John Festival wrapped with a juggling act and assisted in up with its annual 4th of July various games on other nights in celebrations, the spirit of our the Village. community came alive. This year’s Food Fair in honor of Residents and visitors alike Ms. Gwenda Dagou was a delecta- showed up in full force to enjoy ble event. “The tantalizing mix of the “Mas, Music and a Cultural smells, tastes and sights puts St. Mix for Festival 2006.” John’s Food Fair on par with its siblings of St. Thomas and St. The St. John signature event, Senator Barshinger distributing water to pa- Croix,” Barshinger said. “I love it.” rade participants during St. John’s 4th of July The Children’s Carnival Village, Festival. The Senator-at-Large also sur- was a resounding success again prised the crowd by distributing this year. Sen. Craig Barshinger the Children’s Carnival on the 100 copies of his cookbook filled organized a Senate Night on Fri- Senate Floor. However, the Senate with tasty island recipes. Bar- day, June 30, 2006 and got sev- Night had to be canceled due to shinger received many compli- eral of his colleagues and their the rain. Barshinger also volun- ments on his cookbook and other staff to volunteer their time for teered to entertain the youngsters contributions to the Festival. 2

(Cont’d from page1) A Message From Your Senator At Large “My technique is to listen to your problem and evaluate it. Then I help you write a letter to the appropriate person in the Executive branch. ”

ture. The old days of patriarchal, Cruelty Legislation that has lan- top-down leadership are slowly guished for five years, being giving way to participative de- kicked back and forth between the mocracy. Legislature and the Chief Execu- What am I most proud of in the tive. I was able to bring Senators 26th legislature? Many things! and the Governor together to work out a compromise that passed into We passed progressive legislation law. that defines and prohibits sexual Please look at my website, Senator Barshinger giving a harassment in the workplace. www.barshinger.net , to see speech at the Majority Press Before I introduced bill 26-0061 Conference. the words "sexual harassment" many more bills that we are spon- did not even appear in the Virgin soring. As always, we are working and Shakwana Albert (intern). Islands law, yet it was happen- for you, and value your input. Whether it is a problem you are In my first term, I sponsored ing, creating a hostile work envi- experiencing with government many town meetings. I believe ronment. The new law protects services, or an idea for legislation, in participative democracy workers from a hostile work envi- we look forward to hearing from where the individual's voice is ronment, and provides for educa- you and working with you! heard. tion on how to avoid harassing and being harassed. -Craig W. Barshinger We are in a new era, where Vir- Senator at Large gin Islanders are participating I am very proud of having bro- 26th Legislature of the Virgin Islands in the shaping of our own fu- kered the passage of the Animal

Legislation Proposed by Senator Craig Barshinger

Senator Barshinger has intro- nants Act . This law protects occur because of a project. It duced several bills to improve the human health and the envi- ensures that property owners quality of life for all Virgin Island- ronment from potential haz- must have an environmental ers. Of these many bills, three remediation plan in place with have been passed and signed into detailed requirements for law. These new laws include: keeping contamination to a • A Sexual Harassment Law , minimum. This law was en- which is a law to adopt a stan- acted on July 19, 2006 dard, territory-wide definition of and prohibition of sexual • A law to adopt the Uniform harassment. This law is based Conservation Easements on the best contemporary stan- Act , which would allow prop- dards that acknowledge that erty owners to maintain own- legitimate human sexual inter- ership of their land while al- actions are based only on mu- ardous substances by placing lowing it to be used for conser- vation or recreational uses. tual consent. It was enacted on controls on the use of land that This law was enacted on July April 7, 2006. contains contamination, or 19, 2006. • The Environmental Cove- where contamination could

3

Senator Prodding on Behalf of Constituents Lead to Lower Marine Fees Residents of St. John breathed a its highest for the island’s resi- and Board Chairman Robert sigh of relief in June when the dents, the fee increases came as O’Connor to attend a town meet- Virgin Islands Port Authority an added blow to St. Johnians, ing with residents to allow them to (VIPA) decided to reduce its port many of whom traverse daily on air their concerns to VIPA as well fees for vehicles going over to St. the barge to go to work on St. as to get an explanation of the in- John on the barges. Thomas and to take care of other crease in the fees. This reduction did not come easy, business. The town meeting took place on however; but resulted partly be- Thursday, May 11, 2006 at 6 p.m. cause of the many complaints of at the Westin Resort Conference residents and many requests Room. VIPA officials attended the from Senator Craig Barshinger – meeting half-an-hour late, and did both written and verbal – to the not fully address the residents Port Authority to rescind or re- concerns. duce the fee increase. Senator Barshinger then wrote to On May 8, 2006, VIPA increased his colleague, Senator Roosevelt its marine fees for vehicles going David, chairman of the Govern- over on the barge from Red Hook ment Operations & Consumer Pro- to St. John. Cars and small sport- tection Committee to host a meet- utility vehicles were charged $4 ing of the committee to address round trip; pickup trucks and “There was no proper public no- the matter. tice of the fee implementation,” vans, $6; heavy trucks and equip- Due to the concerns of the St. John ment $20 and freight containers, Senator Barshinger said, when he found out about the fees. “This residents and the urging of Sena- $20 to $30 depending on weight. tor Barshinger and other legisla- Previously all vehicles were being is unjust to the people of St. John.” tors, the Port Authority reduced charged $2, with heavy trucks its fees to $1.50 for cars and small and equipment being charged $2 Senator Barshinger wrote to the to medium sport utility vehicles a ton. Port Authority and invited the and $2 for trucks and vans. Executive Director Darlan Brin At a time when cost of living is at

Senator Barshinger now serving as chairman of Health Committee

With the change from the old mi- other senators, including Senator nority to the new Senate Majority, Barshinger. The bill seeks to pro- Senator Craig Barshinger was af- vide health insurance for all em- forded the opportunity to serve as ployed persons in the Virgin Is- Chairman of the Senate Health, lands. Several committee meetings Hospitals and Human Services and town meetings were held on Committee. the Health Insurance bill to take Senator Barshinger was ready and comments, suggestions and ideas willing to accept this new respon- from the community in making Senator Barshinger serving as chairman this legislation work. sibility and has been working to over Health Committee Hearing on shepherd the various bills in the February 13, 2006. committee on to other committees. Health Insurance Bill, sponsored One such bill in particular is the by Senator Roosevelt David and 4

How Ready Are You for the 2006 2006 HURRICANE SEASON Hurricane Season? The Professor wants to know —– TRACKING MAP

Did you trim all tree branches?

Yes, Professor Disaster Prevention.

Did you remove garbage form your yard?

Yes, Professor Disaster Prevention.

Did you repair your roof?

Yes, Professor Disaster Prevention.

Then Professor Disaster Prevention assesses that you are about 25% ready.

Do you have a battery operated radio, flash- light, and extra batteries?

Yes, Professor Disaster Prevention.

Do you have a cellular phone?

Do you have an extra supply of water and can goods?

Yes, Professor Disaster Prevention.

Then Professor Disaster Prevention assesses that you are just about 50% ready.

Do you have toothpaste, soap, deodorant, and other toiletries?

Yes, Professor Disaster Prevention.

Do you have an extra pair of glasses?

Do you have mosquito repellant?

Do you have extra medicine ?

Do you have a full tank of gas?

Do you have extra cash?

Do you have your passport and other impor- tant documents?

Do you have insurance?

Yes, Professor Disaster Prevention.

Then Professor Disaster Prevention assesses that you are just about 75% ready. Now the government must do its part in notifying and preparing the public for hurricane season 2006 and together we will be 100% pre- pared, with GOD’s blessing.

5 2006 HURRICANE SEASON TRACKING MAP

Senator Craig W. 2006 Hurricane Barshinger 26th Legislature Names of the Virgin I s l a n d s • Hurricane Alberto • Hurricane Beryl • Hurricane Chris • • Hurricane Ernesto • Hurricane Florence • • Hurricane Helene • • Hurricane Joyce • Hurricane Kirk • Hurricane Leslie • • • Hurricane Oscar

COORDINATES FOR THE VI

St. Croix—17.7° N, 64.8° W St John—18.2° N, 64.5° W St. Thomas—18.3° N, 64.4° W 6

“Mind, Body, Soul, and Spirit Expo”

On June 24, 2006 Senator Craig received blood pressure and glu- W. Barshinger hosted a health cose screening, beauty make- and beauty fair in the Center overs, massage therapy, and CPR Court of Sunshine Mall on St. training. Amongst participants in this event were the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Soci- ety, and the University of the Vir- Senator Barshinger and fellow mem- gin Islands Medical Services. bers of the Majority Caucus, Sena- “As chairman of the Committee tor David, Senator Berry, and Sena- on Health, Hospital and Human tor Figueroa-Serville at the Major- ity Press Conference. Services, I was especially pleased to invite the community to this wonderful event that my staff organized for your health bene- In Service to Croix. This free event was open to fit,” Barshinger said. all residents of St. Croix. During All the People this health and beauty fair, resi- This fair not only gave residents dents received information on great knowledge about improving of the Virgin herbal and medicinal remedies, health and beauty needs, but it preparing for hurricanes, tai chi, gave them an opportunity to meet Islands holistic living, and nutrition and with the senator and share their fitness education. Residents also opinions and concerns with him.

Territory’s Students Benefit from “Fill A Pack”

Senator Craig W. Barshinger islands received school supplies. agement VI., Kenzie Financial takes his role as the At-Large Senator Barshinger hopes to pro- Management, Marmarus Man- Senator very seriously. He gets vide school supplies to even more agement Company, Paula Corry, involved with various community children in the future. projects on all three islands. One In efforts to do so, Senator Bar- of the senator’s major projects is shinger and his staff have been called the “Fill A Pack” program. working with various organiza- With this program students, who tions to identify needy children. are less fortunate, are provided Local K-mart stores have ac- with school supplies that they cepted the responsibility to collect may not be and manage contributions to- able to receive wards this effort. In addition, otherwise. many businesses and individuals These students make significant contributions to are given back assist in this worthy cause of St. Thomas Dairies, The March packs, loose- helping underprivileged students. Group, Trans-Caribbean Dairy leaf paper, and Corp., and Trust Asset Manage- pens and pen- Special thanks to American Yacht ment for their donations towards cils. Harbor, Belair Quartz Inc., Ca- this effort. neel Bay Inc., Divi Carina Bay, This annual program was first Emax Financial Group, Horizon Thank you too all this year’s do- established in 2005. With the suc- Fuel & Financial Management, nors as well for making the pro- cess of “Fill A Pack 2005” about John & Patricia Thompson, K- gram a continued success. 155 needy children on all three Mart Sunshine Mall, Kazi Man- 7 Summer Interns Attend National Competition in Nashville, Tennessee In the summer of 2006, Senator attended many professional work- Craig Barshinger gave two UVI stu- shops and conferences while in dents an opportunity to experience Nashville. the world of politics by hiring them "I am proud of all our young men as summer interns in his St. Tho- and ladies, our future business mas office. These two interns, leaders, who took part in this year's Khalila Frett, a 2006 graduate of Future Business Leaders of Amer- the University, and Mervin McDou- ica-Phi Beta Lambda National Con- gall, a junior business major, are ference in Nashville, Tennessee. active members of UVI’s Future They have represented the Virgin Business Leaders of America-Phi Islands well, and I am happy to Summer Interns Khalila Frett (third Beta Lambda organization. As have been able to contribute to- members of this organization the from the right) and Mervin McDou- gall (center) joined by fellow members wards their trip. I am especially two took part in FBLA-PBL Na- proud of Mr. Mervin McDougall and tional Conference and Competitions of UVI’s FBLA-PBL chapter during National Competitions in Nashville Ms. Khalila Frett, two brilliant in Nashville, TN this past June. young people who are interning in In efforts to get to Nashville, mem- my office this summer. Congratula- bers of this organization took part McDougall and Frett, attended the tions, Mervin for placing 9th in Vis- in many fundraising activities, in- organization’s National Conference ual Basic.net Programming Compe- cluding reaching out to members of and Competitions to represent the tition. You have made us proud" the community for help. It is University. Frett competed in the Barshinger said. Computer Concepts Competition through these fundraising efforts Upon their return from Nashville, that Senator Barshinger learned and prepared the chapter’s Annual Business Report to present during this chapter has received many about these students. Impressed praises for representing UVI very with these students’ presentations, the Conference. McDougall com- peted in C++ Programming Compe- well. The chapter is currently pre- Barshinger hired them as summer paring for the new school year and interns. tition and the Visual Basic Pro- gramming Competition in which he plans to represent UVI in the 2007 UVI’s FBLA-PBL chapter, including placed ninth. Both students also National Conference in Chicago, IL.

Events August 11, 2006 - Deadline for contributing to Fill-A-Pack 2006. If you are interested in donating to this worthwhile effort call our office at 693-3546. It costs $35 to supply one needy student with a backpack and school supplies for a school year. August 18 , 2006 – Fill-A-Pack 2006. Senator Barshinger and his staff will be delivering backpacks and school supplies to needy students on all three islands. August 19, 2006 – A Prayer Breakfast in honor of Senator Craig W. Barshinger to take place from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Victor’s New Hideout, Sub Base, St. Thomas. Tickets cost $25 and are available from Connections on St. John, Home Again in Red Hook, St. Thomas or by calling 643-4684. September 2, 2006 -- Tri-Island Soup Cook-off. The office of the Senator At Large is hosting its sec- ond part of the Tri-Island Soup Cook-off on St. Croix. There will be soups of all kinds and prizes to be given away. If you are interested in participating in this event visit www.barshinger.net for a deadlines and registration forms.

September 9, 2006 – PRIMARY ELECTION DAY. Come on out and take advantage of your rights. Your vote will make a difference.

8 Meet My Staff- St. Croix St. John St. Thomas Mr. Omar B. U. Henry Barbara D. Thompson Michelle Dominique Chief of Staff Legislative Assistant Research Analyst

Merlisa R. George Shakwana Albert Marilyn Chandler Legislative Assistant Summer Intern Receptionist

Elizabeth Vazquez Khalila Frett Legislative Assistant Summer Intern

Hector Saldana Mervin McDougall Community Liaison Summer Intern

Juan Santiago Community Liaison

Melba Moore Senator Barshinger joined by staff members Elizabeth Summer Intern Vazquez, Marilyn Chandler, Mervin McDougall, Omar Henry,

Barbara Thompson, Michelle Dominique, and Khalila Frett

Senator Craig W. We Salute You! Barshinger 26th Legislature Rodger Dewey and the St. Croix Foundation–for leading the effort of the Virgin Islands to revitalize ‘Market Square’ and, eventually, downtown C’sted. Camille “King Derby” Macedon — for over 30 years of enriching the St. Croix—#1 Lagoon Street lives of our youth through cultural music. Complex St. John—#1302 Cruz Bay Commissioner Dean C. Plaskett Esq., Robert McAuliffe St. Thomas—Capitol Building (deceased), George Flores, and Toby Tobias – for determination and fortitude in the reconstruction of the “Fishermen’s Pier.” (340) 712-2315, St. Croix (340) 693-8061, St. John ChenziRa Kahina and Carl Neb Ka Ra Christopher— STJ Unity rally (340) 693-3546, St. Thomas against hate crimes. Or E-mail me, your Senator At Large at Visit my website, [email protected] www.barshinger.net

Senator Craig W. Barshinger Capitol Building P.O. Box 1690 St. Thomas, VI 00804