Welcome to the WTJX Newsfeed in today's top stories. Upon his declaration for a state of emergency, Governor Albert Bryan Jr issued the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs to implement a price freeze on water for the island of Saint Croix, the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority governing Board of Directors voted to increase CEO Andrew Smith Financial Delegation of Authority Members of the 35th Legislature voted on Bill number 35-0099
That aims to establish a time limit after which certain mortgages and other security interests would expire. These stories and more on today's WTJX news feed from the Virgin Islands Public Broadcasting System Studios on Saint Thomas. This is the WTJX News Feed with Marcellina Ventura-Douglas welcome to the WTJX News Feed, bringing you the latest news and updates throughout our community.
Under this state of emergency that I'm declaring today, the Commissioner of Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs is hereby granted and authorized and directed to issue a price freeze and restricted sale order to protect the consumers, including drinking water, water truck haulers and water filtration products on the island of Saint Croix. At yesterday's press briefing, Governor Albert Bryan Jr.
declared a state of emergency and issued the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs to implement a price freeze on water on the island of Saint Croix. Merchants are mandated to maintain their standard delivery methods, terms, discounts, concessions and payment methods. During this emergency period, merchants are strictly prohibited from declining VI government vouchers. Governor Bryan stated that his administration is working to provide filters for residents affected WAPA and DPR.
Will also expand the testing of our entire water distribution system to now include testing for lead and copper, not just on the 66 sites that we're sample, but everywhere. We will also be launching a public education campaign to ensure that the community is aware of what actions they can also take to protect their family's drinking water supply. We are also identifying vendors to provide lead filter and filtration options to homeowners so people keep calling us about providing water to the homes.
We want to do something that's coordinated and that makes sense. We've been blessed with a lot of rain. So those people who have the ability to switch over to this system and water can do so now, which will guarantee that they're not drinking any contaminated water from the WAPA, from the WAPA line that's coming into their house, or they can continue to make other operations to make water available, such as installing filters about buying pitcher filters that filter for copper and load.
We are going to be looking into buying some of this material and distributing them to those households so we can make sure that these people have options in terms of how they need to service their family with clean and fresh drinking water. I have also ordered the Department of Health to expand the health survey of all children 0 to 6 years of age by performing blood tests for lead and copper.
Following the governor's comments, the Department of Health announced their initiative for pediatric led testing on Saint Croix. The new project, titled Safe Haven, a lead free Family Initiative, is aimed at increasing awareness about lead exposure and conducting pediatric blood testing for lead levels. The department set a goal to test 1000 children starting this week. The Virgin Islands Department of Health's epidemiology division is collaborating with the Virgin Islands Department of Education with a pilot program at the Alfredo Andrews Elementary School for students in pre-K to first grade.
The epidemiology team will also conduct tests from 8 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Community Health van, located adjacent to the department's modular in Estate Richmond. In related news, the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority's governing board of directors met yesterday in an emergency board meeting and voted to increase CEO Andrew Smith's financial delegation of authority to address the ongoing water quality emergency on Saint Croix.
We spoke with Kyle Fleming, governing Board Chairman on the decision for the increase from the from the board's standpoint. We understand that there's particularly a lot of logistics involved in moving approvals through through our system for procurement and strategic engagements. And those are just as they're often tied to, you know, the cost of any engagement that the authority has to proceed with that it's that that is over $750,000, as we've quickly understood the scope of the issue that we're trying to address on an emergency that we're addressing in Saint Croix relative to the water to the water system.
We did not want to create any additional hindrances to rapid action that needs to be taken, especially given the context of a public safety concern. And so we're going to that problem solving process. We understand that there may be a lot of evolutions in terms of the scope of needs. So we looked at a $5 billion delegation of authority, at least at this stage, to cover the early portion of the all early phases of the immediate response activities that the authority may have to engage in.
And again, making sure that the board did the administrative the role of the board in terms of supporting and studying further hinder any of that immediate progress, Mr. Fleming continued. So the choice of authority essentially is not necessarily creating new funding or reallocating funding. It's just allowing for if there is a strategic engagement that is identified. Like I said, we're looking at a massive or an expanded testing, a water testing regime that I feel the authority would have up to $5 million that he would be able to execute an engagement with without having to come to the board for approval.
The increase from $750,000 to 5 million will automatically expire on March 31st, 2024. A weekly expenditure report from Mr. Smith to the board is a requirement in the change. Representatives from the VII Water and Power Authority, the Department of Health, Department of Planning and Natural Resources, VI Tema, the EPA, the Virgin Islands Housing Authority and various neighborhood and community organizations have been invited to give testimony at a committee of the hall scheduled for Friday, November 3rd.
Providing remarks on the upcoming hearing, we spoke with Senate President Novelle Francis on Friday. We will be having a committee of the whole hearing in regards to the water situation under the District of Croix, where we intend to hear from all of the stakeholders, as well as the communities which was most impacted by our current crisis with our water situation.
At that meeting, we are hoping to hear, you know, some of the steps forward. We know that there have been a number of measures taken by the administration in respect to our current water crisis, and we're hoping for the community to be able to get a full be friends and a path forward in respect to hold the administration intend to address this and hold the legislature as well.
You know, could certainly contribute to improving the water conditions under the district of inquiry. Senator Francis further spoke on what senators hope to gather from the hearing. Outside of the information that has already been shared. What I'm hoping to hear is that the community could be reassured, you know, not just from what was put in a press release, but that there's probative questions will be asked by my colleagues and I in respect to addressing some of the concerns.
Well, there have been press releases that don't, you know, will receive a number of calls from our community and our constituency in respect to what's happening with the situation. You know, I believe that the crisis has far reaching implications. And we are we're hoping that we could be able to all and collectively be able to address steps that we need to take moving forward.
And we know that the Department of Health is conducting a lot in copper testing and young children. And we also want to know exactly, you know, the process by which these tests will be analyzed and will be a step forward in addressing the widespread situation impacting us with the water situation. Well, there have been just, you know, four or five areas have been designated as hotspots at this time that have tested positive.
We know that this water system goes all the way through the entire island. And we want to really determine, you know, was what's happening in those other areas as well. Members of the Senate Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance met yesterday and approved a bill number 35. That's 0099 that aims to establish a time limit of five years after which certain mortgages and other security interests would expire.
We spoke with the bill's sponsor, Senator Maurice James, on the key takeaways of the bill. I am for this legislation because as a real estate attorney, there are so many times that homeowners don't realize that they didn't get a release of mortgage. And when they're ready to sell their property or refinance their property, they suddenly discover there is a mortgage there that they paid off or the previous owner paid off.
And it's difficult to find the private lenders or bands that have gone out of business. So I sponsored it to enable all transactions to proceed smoothly and quickly. You know, in terms of homeownership, for people not to have to spend money and time trying to get releases done. Walt Frazier of the Virgin Islands Territorial Association of Realtors testified in support of the measure, saying that he believes the legislation could create more inventory for potential buyers, particularly first time homebuyers.
Homeownership is key to a thriving community. Economic stability, safer neighborhoods and better health outcomes can all be traced to increased rates of home ownership. We believe this legislation will create more inventory for potential buyers, especially first time homebuyers and our workforce who deserve more pathways to homeownership. Recorder of Deeds for St Croix C. Portia Pierre requested that clarifying language be added to the draft legislation.
Accordingly, we propose that another section 531 capital a small e or be added to state that the lienholder or owner of this security interest shall be required to file a written notice in the record of Deeds office, where the instrument is reported that a lien, mortgage, deed of trust, or any other instrument that creates a security interest has expired, failing which the property owner may provide Notice.
Committee Chair Senator Donna Frett-Gregory posed to testifiers whether the time frame for the expiration should be adjusted to align with the National Fair Credit Reporting Act from five years to seven years. Mr. Fraser as well as the Lieutenant Governor's office and is tied to the Fair Credit reporting. This bill says five years and of course the Fair Credit Reporting Act gives seven years.
So what are your thoughts about aligning this measure with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and I'm going to start with Mr. Fraser. Actually, thank you for pointing that out. Yeah, I think that would make it smoother. Continuity, no discrepancy. It aligns with that. So I'm in support of that. Yes, I would agree. Lieutenant Governor's office, Nadia Harrigan, Office of the lieutenant governor, Legal Counsel.
We would not oppose a change in the timeline. Our critical concern is just that the Office of the Recorder of Deeds is notified when the lien expires. While Senator James recognized the request from the Recorder of Deeds, she disagreed with the verbiage proposed. The language that they propose really goes against the intent of the legislation. But I know that wasn't their intent.
They didn't it. So sometimes what we draft language in only we have a particular intent in mind, but the language doesn't reflect that. So I'm going to work with the recorded deeds to get the language that they want to satisfy their concern and in celebration of National Book Month. Senator Marise James closed out the month by donating books to schools across the island of Saint Croix.
Senator James, who serves as the chairperson for the Committee on Education and Workforce Development, said it was her office's effort to promote a love of learning, enhance reading scores for Virgin Islands students and foster literacy among the youngest members of the community. I am a bookworm and I buy books all the time. And when I came into this position and I visited a number of the public schools, a few of the teachers said, Well, you know, we could use books for our classrooms.
One teacher in particular at Juanita Gardin said she would like a book shelves and checked her books, which prior to that I had given out books that were more geared towards kindergarten, first grade, and that she this was a this is a second grade teacher. And so she said she was interested in Chapter books. And then my chief of staff, Lori V. Christian Krieger, said, Well, where are we going to put the books?
And she said, Oh, I can use a bookshelf. And so that came about that we would start an initiative where we would bring books. And we started also saying, Well, if we can get bookshelves, we will put a bookshelf in the corner and call it the classroom corner library. And Ms.. Christian Krieger’s husband, he actually made the bookshelf.
So I have to give him credit for that. And over the last ten months, I've been buying books personally, and I collected enough books over the last ten months to be able to give the public schools in St. Croix 10 to 15 books each. And I came across books in particular that Bob Marley's daughter published or illustrated and published using his lyrics and the books are one love.
Everything's going to be all right and get up, stand up. And I felt that they resonated with me because I feel strongly about being positive. You know, the one with one love. I also believe that we should be optimistic, especially with children, and have hope for the future. So I love the one that was Everything's going to be all right.
And then I also believe that children should learn, that they should speak up and stand up for their rights. So I got all three of those were part of every donation. The Office of Management and Budget, in collaboration with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, is inviting the public to participate in their Internet for all U.S. Virgin Islands.
Local Coordination Workshop being held November 9th. The session will be held in person at the University of the Virgin Islands, Saint Thomas Campus Research and Strategy Innovation Center, the Old West Bay Supermarket. It will be live stream from the Great Hall on the Saint Croix campus. The workshop starts at 8:30 a.m. and will have territorial, federal and industry stakeholders discussing the impact broadband can have on residents and vital programs to promote digital equity within the community.
Space is limited to participate Register by visiting omb.vi.gov for the link. Tomorrow the Territory will celebrate Liberty Day honoring the legacy of St. Croix native David Hamilton Jackson, the father of the Free Press in the Territory and Labor leader. In keeping with year's long tradition, a ceremony will be held in Estate Grove. Raymond Williams, coordinator of the Grove Place event, has the details.
We'll be celebrating Liberty Day, also known as D. Hamilton Jackson Day in Estate Grove Place, where we have hosted this event for a long, long, long, long, long time. Tomorrow our the Lt. Governor Tregenza Roach our is going to be our keynote speaker I’ve asked him to , you know, from a different perspective since his background is history and self education and stuff like that. The delegate to Congress will definitely be here. And she's going to speak as well. We’ll also be having the carnival contestants
are going to be present to be presented as part of our platform as they do every year. So the events are somewhat toned down this year as an election year, but we have no fear we will be there after the platform. Presentations will be celebrating the bull and bread and the totty. So I’m inviting people to come out and participate, just come out and listen to be a part of enjoying the festivities tomorrow in Grove Place and will start at 1:00 in the afternoon.
VITran fix route services will be suspended territory wide on Wednesday, November 1st in observation of David Hamilton, Jackson Day, ADA Paratransit Services will be available during the following hours on St Croix from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saint John from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saint Thomas from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.. The Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs, Office of Boards and Commissions is notifying the public of the upcoming November 2nd Board meeting open to the public for the Board of Social Workers.
The meetings will be conducted virtually on Zoom. Registration is required in advance. Visit DLC.VI.GOV to register. For more information, contact the departments at 3407133522 on Saint Croix or 3407143522 on Saint Thomas. The Distance Learning Center's STEM Prep project is seeking high achieving, junior, high underrepresented minority students for their 5 to 6 week summer science internships.
Students will live and take classes at the University of Washington, Seattle, or at the University of Pennsylvania. The deadline is January 30th, 2024. For more information, go to the DistanceLearningCenter.org. Or contact Charlene Joseph at 3405134883. As we move through the news feed, we turn now to our regional report. The eighth Caribbean Sustainable Energy Forum will be held in Jamaica next month and will focus on sustainable Energy's pivotal role in powering transportation in the Caribbean region, powering transport.
The theme of the forum is hosted by CARICOM Secretariat and the Caribbean Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency. Several energy ministries from across the Caribbean region are expected to convene in Jamaica for the discussions. Other high level speakers at the forum will include Professor Arthurs Zervas, president of the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st century. Forum attendees will also have the opportunity to see the renewable energy systems at work in Jamaica, with site visits planned for the Wigton Wind Farm and the JPC Operations Center.
On the final day of the Forum. The upcoming Energy Forum is the first to be held in five years and is set to come at a crucial time for the Caribbean region as islands push for energy independence, its clean and resilient power grids and sustainable energy use in the transport sector. In our final update on the News Feed, we turn now to the Territory weather forecast.
Here's the latest look at your short term forecast for the Virgin Islands. Our meteorologists Eric Weglarz at Saint Croix. Mostly sunny skies will continue this afternoon. There's the chance for a few scattered showers, mainly at sunset. Temperatures will hold in the upper eighties to near 90. Once in the south east at 10 to 15 miles per hour. Heat index values into the upper nineties as we go towards sunset at Saint Thomas and Saint John will also find a lot of sunshine, a few scattered showers as well.
In the afternoon towards sunset, temperatures will reach the upper eighties to near 90. Winds a bit stronger from the southeast at 15 to 20 miles per hour, with gusts as high as 20 to 25. Scattered showers become more numerous overnight into Wednesday across Saint Croix. Temperatures will fall back into the upper seventies as Saint Thomas and Saint John.
The plans also for a few scattered showers under mostly cloudy skies. Lows also in the upper seventies to near 80. On Wednesday, we'll find sunshine giving way to increasing clouds at saint croix. Scattered showers are expected in the afternoon. Temperatures are a few degrees cooler in the middle to upper eighties. Winds from the east at 10 to 15 miles per hour.
And at saint Thomas and saint John sunshine will also give way to clouds building in the afternoon with a few scattered showers towards sunset. Temperatures are fairly steady in the upper eighties to near 90 with a stronger southeast wind at 10 to 15 miles per hour. That's your latest look at the forecast. Meteorologist Eric Weglarz. We are at the end of today's WTJX news feed.
I'm Marcellina Ventura-Douglas. Join me every weekday at 5 p.m.. Be sure to download the WTJX app and if you missed a part of our news, listen to it on demand wherever you get your podcasts. We now return to All Things Considered.
