Virgin Islands Law Blog : Virgin Islands Lawyer & Attorney : Tom Bolt & Associates Law Firm : St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix, Water Island, US Virgin Islands

Even in the sweltering Sunday morning heat, a cool breeze blew through the eight open windows of the living room at No. 4 Adele Gade, rustling the trees in the garden and fanning the sweaty brows of the small group of residents gathered outside.

"You should be here in the evening -- the wind just sweeps right through," said Celecia Hernandez, the new owner of the house, which was donated to Habitat for Humanity V.I. a few years ago by Cecile deJongh as a tribute to her grandmother Adele Louise Galiber. The house was always filled with joyful memories, with love and music, and the time had finally come to turn the keys over to a new family that could bring the same kind of happiness back to its grounds, deJongh said at the official dedication ceremony Sunday.

"This day couldn't come soon enough," she added. It was hoped that the house would be given to a single mother, "just like my grandmother was," deJongh said.

 

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"The Road to Family Economic Success" was the call to action at Governor John P. de Jongh's Summit on Poverty and Economic Opportunity which was convened at the Carambola Resort on St. Croix on Friday, May 8th.  The Summit was presented in collaboration with the National Governor's Association and Governor de Jongh's Children and Families Council.

Tom Bolt, Managing Attorney of Tom Bolt & Associates, P.C., the leading business law firm in the United States Virgin Islands, was a panelist in the Summit's discussion on housing.  Bolt currently serves as President for Habitat for Humanity of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Chair of the Territory's Salvation Army Advisory Board, and Counsel to the Virgin Islands Territorial Association of Realtors.

 

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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on Thursday awarded the Territory $570,662 in grants to help the homeless, marking the first time in recent years that the Virgin Islands has secured all available funding under HUD's Continuum of Care grant program.

"What we have done is broken the glass ceiling - come into our own - as far as federal assistance to help in the plight of the homeless," said Tom Bolt, Chairman of the Virgin Isalnds Continuum of Care on the Homeless, a coalition of local agencies, public and private, that work with people who are homeless.

"Now, we have gotten the maximum amount of money the feds would allocate to us under the formula," he said.

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A celebration of diversity took place the Friday night before Martin Luther King, Jr. Day  at the St. Thomas Synagogue as the 37th sabbath service honoring the life of the Dr.King was held in conjunction with an awards ceremony recognizing the contributions of seven area high school students to their community. Elliott Davis, Jr., an intern at Tom Bolt & Associates, P.C. and a student at The Antilles School was one of the students honored with the Martin Luther King Jr. Awards, which included a certificate and a $500 savings bond. The students were chosen for their high academic standing, extracurricular activities and their exemplification of the values of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

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Last night a child cried himself to sleep in Tutu as he had no supper.  A mother in William’s Delight agonizes over having to choose between paying her WAPA bill or putting food on her family’s table.  A senior couple faced with an every shrinking fixed income and escalating costs has to forego their lunch every day to pay prescription costs.   These are the tales of hunger in America’s Paradise, the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

This week, November 16-22, 2008, Governor John P. deJongh has declared as Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week in the Territory.  In a land of plenty, there is no good reason for people to be hungry. 

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The Salvation Army launched its Annual Appeal on Saturday, September 27th at Emancipation Gardens on St. Thomas with a concert of The Salvation Army Southwest Division Youth Band.  Tom Bolt, Managing Attorney of Tom Bolt & Associates, P.C. and Chairman of The Salvation Army Advisory Board outlined the events of the weekend launch.

The performance highlighted the kickoff for The Salvation Army’s Annual Appeal which includes a drive for the expansion and renovation of its St. Thomas Corps headquarters on lower Main Street. The events started with a Friday night concert at Holiday Inn Windward Passage Hotel, followed by Saturday's concert and parade, a concert Saturday evening at Church of God of Prophecy, a 9 a.m. service at the St. Thomas Reformed Church, and finally wound up with a Magens Bay picnic at 1 p.m. Sunday.

 

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HUD Secretary Steven C. Preston addressed the annual conference of the National Alliance to End Homelessness on Tuesday in Washington, DC.  commending Virgin Islands homeless advocates, Tom Bolt, Chairman of the Virgin Islands Continuum of Care on Homelessness and Michael Akin, Director of Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands  and the others attending for their "tremendous work for thos who need the help desperately."

Immediately after his address Secretary Preston released  HUD's Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress which details a 30% drop from 2005 to 2007 in chronically homeless people living on the nations streets and in shelters. "We can all be encouraged that we are making progress in the reducing chronic street homelessness," the housing secretary said.  "But we must also recognize that we have a long way to go to find a more lasting solution for those struggling with homelessness every day." 

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Tom Bolt, Managing Attorney of the St. Thomas law firm, Tom Bolt & Associates, P.C., was among the 250 attorneys, judges, law professors, legislators and other state and territorial officials -  all lawyers - participating in the 2008 Annual Meeting of the Uniform Law Commission (ULC), concluded today in Big Sky, Montana.  Bolt was honored at the meeting by being elected as a Life Member of the ULC, having served as U.S. Virgin Islands Commissioner since 1988.  Bolt is currently a member of the Legislative Council of the national organization. Continue Reading...

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NetScout Systems, Inc., a leading provider of integrated network and application performance management solutions for organizations worldwide held their annual corporate awards recognition program in St. Thomas this weekend.  Michael Szabados, Chief Operating Officer, hosted over 200 NetScout employees and their families at the Marriott Frenchman’s Reef Hotel recognizing outstanding contributions and accomplishments over the past year.  But unlike many other corporations, NetScout set out to make a difference in the community they were visiting.

 

Working with Judi Nagelberg of Island Meetings and Incentives, a St. Thomas destination management company, Szabados and his NetScout team were determined to contribute to the community they were visiting.  Friday evening at NetScout’s Annual Awards Banquet at the St. Peter Greathouse, Szabados presented Habitat for Humanity of the Virgin Islands President Tom Bolt and Board member Alan Fleming, Chair of Habitat’s Construction Committee, with a  check for $10,000 to promote Habitat’s mission of eliminating poverty housing in the U.S. territory. 

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The Virgin Islands Interagency Council on Homelessness chaired by Virgin Islands Commissioner of Human Services Chris Finch in conjunction with the Virgin Islands Continuum of Care on Homelessness chaired by St. Thomas attorney Tom Bolt took further steps earlier this week to end chronic homelessness in the Territory by conducting a technical assistance training session with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).



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Attorney Jack Barnes, Chair of the Board of Directors of the South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center will address members of the Virgin Islands Bar Association and the public interested in the work of the Appleseed Foundation (www.appleseeds.net) on Monday, March 3, 2008 at 5:30PM at the law offices of Tom Bolt & Associates, PC in Royal Dane Mall on St. Thomas.  Appleseed is a non-profit network of 16 public interest justice centers throughout the United States and Mexico and is dedicated to building a society where opportunities are genuine, access to the law is universal and equal, and government advances the public interest.

 

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Tom Bolt, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Virgin Islands Corps of the Salvation Army, was elected Chairman of the Virgin Islands Continuum of Care on Homelessness at its Annual Meeting.  The Continuum of Care consists of all the public and private agencies that provide services to the homeless throughout the Virgin Islands.  Bolt, a St. Thomas attorney, and Managing Attorney for Tom Bolt & Associates, PC, a St. Thomas business law firm, has been active in advocating on behalf of the homeless for many years. 

Also elected were Edith Moore of St. Croix as Vice President and Norma Hasell as Secretary.  Both represenatives are from St. Croix.  Ms. Moore is a representative of Ten Thousand Helpers of St. Croix and Ms. Hassell a representative of VI Care.

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St. Thomas attorney, Tom Bolt, Managing Attorney of Tom Bolt & Associates, PC and a Delegate at Large to the American Bar Association House of Delegates, addressed the House at its Midyear Meeting on February 11th in Los Angeles, California on "issues of concern to America's territories." 

In the midst of pitched primary battles and the looming 2008 election,  the American Bar Association House of Delegates challenged the traditional way states and territories handle congressional and legislative redistricting, calling for a new process further removed from the politically charged atmosphere of local legislatures. In a vote by its policy-making body, the ABA urged each state and territory to assign the process to an independent commission, leaving it to each jurisdiction to configure the commissions and set suitable redistricting criteria.

 

 

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The Salvation Army commemorated an “International Day of Prayer for Victims of Sexual Trade Trafficking” this past Sunday at the call of General Shaw Clifton, its international leader.  “I called the Army to prayer once again for those exploited and irreparably damaged as victims of this dreadfully evil trade. The matter is a core issue for the Salvation Army today, just as much as it was in our early days.” Clifton said.

 

St. Thomas Salvation Army Advisory Board Chairman, local attorney Tom Bolt, noted to those gathering at the local corps headquarters on Sunday, “The United States government has declared one of the greatest threats to human dignity is human trafficking: the commodification of human beings.  Human trafficking is a term used to describe all forms of modern-day slavery. No longer is this a term from the past, but a horrific reality in our present and, unfortunately, our future.  The forms of trafficking are many and varied, but commonly involve victims entrapped in commercial sexual exploitation such as prostitution, or labor exploitation in sweatshops, domestic servitude, construction and agriculture.” Bolt said.

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Tom Bolt, Managing Attorney of Tom Bolt & Associates, PC and Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Virgin Islands Corps of the Salvation Army, met Friday in Chiciaco with Carol Garrity Komon, Vice President of Field Services, and Stephanie N. Dragatsis, Director of Field Services, for America's Second Harvest - "The Nation's Food Bank Network".

Currenty the St. Thomas Corps of the Salvation Army provides a feeding program for the homeless on St. Thomas.  "In addition to the Salvation Army, currently there are over 1000 meals served daily on St. Thomas and St. John." Bolt said.  "There is a tremendous amount of waste in the food service industry.  One large hotel on St. Thomas takes over a truck load of good food to the Bovoni Landfill every day.  What couldn't we do if we could rescue this food, repackage it and get it to those in need.  Just think of all of the food that is disposed of daily by the hotels, restaurants, and grocery stores, not to mention the cruiseships." Bolt said.  "With all this food, there is no reason for anyone to go hungry in St. Thomas."

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Tom Bolt, Managing Attorney of Tom Bolt & Associates, P.C., in St. Thomas, was among the 250 attorneys, judges, law professors, legislators and other state officials – all lawyers – participating in the 2007 Annual Meeting of the Uniform Law Commission (ULC), recently concluded in Pasadena, California. Mr. Bolt was first appointed a U.S. Virgin Islands Uniform Law Commissioner in 1988 and serves as Chair of the Virgin Islands Bar Association's Committee on Legislation and Law Reform. He is currently Co-Chair of the ULC Committee on Liaison with the American Bar Association, and a member of the ULC Legislative Committee. He was also Chair of the drafting committee on the Uniform Money Services Act.

Now in its 116^th year, the Uniform Law Commission is comprised of more than 300 commissioners appointed by every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to draft and promote enactment of uniform laws that are designed to solve problems common to all the states and territories of the United States. Commissioners donate their time as a pro bono public service.  Bolt has served as Division Chair for the Conference for the past two years and is a member of the Conference's Legislative Council.

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William Neukom, President Elect of the American Bar Association, announced Monday the appointment of Virgin Islands attorney Tom Bolt to the American Bar Association's Standing Committee on Legal Education.  Bolt has served the legal profession in the area of continuing legal education in the past,  having served for more than 12 years as a member of the ALI-ABA Committee on Continuing Legal Education.

Bolt has been at the forefront of legal education in the United States Virgin Islands, having sponsored several CLE events in the Territory and having drafting the original MCLE rule for the Territory's legal profession.  "I look foward to working with the other members of the ABA Standing Committee," Bolt said.  "It is my sincere hope that we can bring continuing legal education to attorneys in the more remote and rural areas throughout the country."

 

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Tom Bolt, Chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board for the St. Thomas Corps announced on Friday, that the Commissioner Lawrence Moretz, Eastern Territory Commander for the Salvation Army, has appointed a six member National Assessment Team to review Virgin Islands operations.  "Commissioner Moretz upon meeting with Virgin Islands Governor John P. deJongh during the St. Thomas Corps' recent 90th Anniversary Celebration committed to building and reinforcing existing relations with the Government of the Virgin Islands." Bolt said.

"I believe the National Assessment Team is the first step in the Salvation Army returning to the forefront in providing social services in the Virgin Islands.  With Governor deJongh promoting private public partnerships the time is right for the Salvation Army to review the needs of our island community and determine where we may serve best." Bolt concluded.

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The Salvation Army is celebrating its 90^th anniversary in St. Thomas with several events this weekend, including an Annual Civic Gala “honoring persons and institutions who have invested their talents and resources helping others in the community”, said Captain Ricardo Fernandez, Divisional Commander for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

 

“We are truly honored to have this significant celebration here in St. Thomas.  We came 90 years ago and we will continue working within the Virgin Islands, providing hope to those in need, helping our children, families, elders and homeless. Our Territorial Commaders, Lawrence and Nancy Moretz, are joining us in St. Thomas as well as our official band, The Pendel Brass Band from Pennsylvania, and over 50 officers are here, as part of our commitment to the Virgin Islands community”, said Fernandez.

 

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Attorney Tom Bolt, Chair of The Salvation Army Advisory Board addressed the Rotary Club of St. Thomas at their meeting on Thursday at Bluebeard’s Castle Hotel.  Bolt announced plans to celebrate The Salvation Army’s 90th Anniversary in May with a series of events culminating in a Gala at Marriott Frenchman’s Reef.  Bolt stated that “The Salvation Army has been ‘Doing the Most Good’ on St. Thomas for nearly a century,”   He pointed out, “feeding those in need and providing support for the less fortunate in our commitment to our community.  When all else fails, we have the Salvation Army.”

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Soap. Shampoo. Toothpaste. A washrag and a toothbrush. Bare necessities that most people don't think about much - unless they don't have them.   Tom Bolt, Chair of the The Salvation Army Advisory Board announced Friday that the organization has launched a Care Bag Program and is requesting donations of personal toiletries to help with the outreach project.

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American Counsel Association President Tom Bolt in a statement released Saturday characterized recent remarks by Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Detainee Affairs Charles “Cully” Stimson as “reprehensible and irresponsible”. 

Stimson said in a radio interview last week that companies might want to consider boycotting law firms that represent detainees at the United States military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba by taking their business to other firms that do not represent suspected terrorists.

The Pentagon on Saturday disavowed Stimson’s remarks. A Pentagon spokesman, Lt. Col. Brian Maka, said Stimson was not speaking for the Bush Administration. Stimson's comments “do not represent the views of the Department of Defense or the thinking of its leadership,” Maka told The Associated Press on Saturday.

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A partial happy ending may be salvaged for a 24-year-old Haitian immigrant whose 18-month-old daughter drowned on her secret journey to St. Thomas in January, 2006.  Nadine Charles left the territory to travel to Florida, where her quest for asylum will continue. Charles' case was transferred to the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Rights group, attorney Ravinder S. Nagi, Chair of the International Practice Group of Tom Bolt & Associates, P.C. said Tuesday.

Charles had her first plane ride last weekend after a one-day delay caused by the mass of travel documents that Customs agents at King Airport had to go through - causing her to miss her original travel date, Nagi said.  "Our efforts were to get her the appropriate representation in Florida, where she has family," Nagi said.

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Thomas Joseph Dunn, III, age 57, of Estate Elizabeth, St. Thomas passed away Monday evening at his home after a prolonged battle with cancer. Dunn, born in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, was a long time resident of St. Thomas where he resided since 1980. He was known to one and all as “Tom” and upon his death was on leave from Innovative Telephone Company, where he served as Director of Public Relations. 

"I had the fortune to work with Tom early in his St. Thomas career when he had the restaurant, The Green Parrot." said St. Thomas attorney Tom Bolt.  "Later we worked at the Legislature together on a number of pieces of economic development legislation.  Tom was also a member of the Rotary Club of St. Thomas II.  You could say that Tom 'pushed the envelope'.  He always challenged us to do our very best." Bolt said. 

 

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The United Way of St. Thomas-St. John held its Day of Caring and Campaign Kickoff on Saturday at Ebeneezer Gardens in Hospital Ground on St. Thomas.  Ebeneezer Gardens is a senior residential care facility operated by Luther Social Services.  Tom Bolt, Managing Attorney of Tom Bolt & Associates and President of Habitat for Humanity, led a group of Habitat volunteers that assisted in painting a mural at the senior facility.

Habitat for Humanity of the Virgin Islands has been designated as the newest United Way agency and has been allocated $50,000 by the United Way.  In making the allocation, United Way designated the funds to retain an Executive Director for Habitat.  At the Day of Caring, Bolt introduced Dianne Wells as Habitat's new CEO.  She was previously the National Director for Habitat for Humanity of Trinidad and Tobago.  She will began work with Habitat in the Virgin Islands November 1st.

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