Ginny Dargan

Each year, residents of the Virgin Islands come together on the island of St. Croix to present one of the largest displays of agricultural products, livestock, arts, crafts and good food to the Caribbean. As the year’s largest event, the Agricultural and Food Fair (Ag Fair), draws thousands of fairgoers from all four US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the US, and many other island nations down the Caribbean island chain.

Monday, January 27 th Governor John P. deJongh delivered his final State of the Territory Address to the 30 th Legislature and the people of the Virgin Islands. He provided his listeners with a snapshot of his administration’s accomplishments and shortfalls and described the many challenges facing Virgin Islanders in the very near future.

For over 10 years AARP Virgin Islands, under the leadership of State Director Denyce Singleton, has been advocating that Government Employee Retirement System ( GERS) members, both retirees and current workers, familiarize themselves with the challenges GERS is facing and urge decision makers to take immediate action.

The Government Employees Retirement System of the Virgin Islands (GERS) is in a very precarious position. The System’s Board of Trustees, its administrator, its staff and even its consultants and actuary have all warned the public that the System is nearing collapse. Earlier this year the actuary estimated the System’s life to be no more than 8 years if drastic actions were not taken immediately to enable the pension fund to become self-sustaining.

Ever feel you woke up on a totally different planet where everything works contrary to what you know to be right?

Executive Council Member, Dave Barber went before the Virgin Islands Legislature on Wednesday, September 18,2013 to represent AARP Virgin Islands. He provided testimony on Bill Number 30-0112, sponsored by Senator Craig Barshinger, which is an Act related to the period of time a retiree can receive a service retirement annuity when they re-enter government service.

Rikki Nelthropp joins the AARP VI Executive Council

As the Affordable Care Act (ACA) rolls out across the US, the Virgin Islands will also be making significant changes to its health care delivery system as a result of the legislation.

The U.S. territories aren’t usually the topic of conversation or a hearing in Congress, but thanks to two companion bills, Congress may soon be addressing new benefits to the outlying territorial jurisdictions.

It appears that the Virgin Islands are well on the way to achieving Governor John P. deJongh’s January 2011 th goal of making the VI 60% less dependent upon fossil fuel by 2025 in addition to reducing our skyrocketing cost of energy.