The parents of the 24-year-old U.S. tourist, who died tragically during a February 23 accident, have expressed compassion for the driver of the tour bus.

The driver, Roland Allen, 32, of Baugher’s Bay has been charged with death by reckless driving and reckless driving following the accident on Windy Hill Road that left Aaron Rumphrey of Honeoye, New York dead and 19 others injured. Allen was released on bail on March 3 a day before Rumphrey’s body was shipped back to the US.  He was laid to rest on Saturday.

The 2010 budget of two hundred and seventy one million, six hundred and sixty six thousand dollars ($271,666,000) could realize a number of job cuts in the public sector of the Virgin Islands. Premier and Minister of Finance, Ralph T. O’ Neal, in his budget speech in the House of Assembly last Friday, noted that there are many expenses that can be reduced in order to realize a less costly and more efficient institution. One of those expenses includes the reduction of a number of public servants.

While most Members of the House of Assembly are satisfied with this year’s budget the opposition is not quite happy.  Opposition Leader, Dr. Orlando Smith stressed that Minister of Finance and Premier, Ralph T. O’Neal, did not go into details about projects to improve the economy.

Despite waging a public battle against Government’s decision to sign a water deal with Biwater last month, Ocean Conversion BVI Ltd. (OC) sat and signed a deal with Government to provide water to eastern Tortola from their desalination plant at Bar Bay. The OC contract was signed last Thursday behind closed doors in the Premier’s Conference Room. Premier and Minister of Finance, Ralph T. O’Neal, signed the contract on behalf of the Government while Minister for Communications and Works, Julian Fraser, signed as his witness.

Government is expected to cement a deal shortly with Caribbean Basin Enterprises (BVI) Engineering Associates Ltd (CBE), to carry out sewerage works in Road Town and East End/Long Look. Premier Ralph T. O’Neal made the disclosure during the presentation of the 2010 Budget in the House of Assembly last Friday.