Toronto, Canada — March 2023 (Acclaim PR/Dubz R Us) — Proclaimed Reggae soulman Ginjah lives up to his moniker on the new single “Play Me a Song .” Produced by Dubz R Us, “Play Me a Song” is another delightful offering from the Canadian-based production house.“Play Me a Song” boasts all the elements of a Reggae gem from Dubz R Us. The first song to drop from their “Wake Up Call” riddim, “Play Me A Song” is a solid lover’s rock selection. More song releases from the “Wake Up Call” riddim compilation are set to drop later this year. With distinguished vocals, which soar, Ginjah owns “Play Me a Song.” It’s the ideal lead release from the project. According to Randy Barnes of Dubz R Us (and Rootsman sound), “The new ‘Play Me a Song’ is a stand out release because of its meaningful message partnered with Ginjah’s powerful, commanding vocals. Putting that onto our newest “Wake up Call” riddim was a seamless musical and business decision.” |
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Ginjah is quite the accomplished singer, blessing fans with his authentic brand of Reggae music for over 25 years. The crooner brings riddims to life with his signature soulful sound. The spiritual artist sees “Play Me a Song” mirroring the success of some of his hit songs including “Never Lost My Way,” “Music Alone,” and “One Chance.” Focused on uplifting audiences, “Play Me a Song” will match the direction of encouraging pandemic releases. Already garnering an impressive buzz in music spaces and places, Dubz R Us envisions greatness for “Play Me a Song.” “I hope the message reaches Reggae lovers worldwide. It’s a captivating message, one just has to have a God-fearing heart to comprehend,” says Barnes. |
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Notably, the “Wake Up Call” riddim is set to nicely follow in the footsteps of Dubz R Us debut “White Wing” riddim. Working with Ginjah on this project was a great experience for Barnes. The producer says, “Ginjah is an artist with a real passion for his work. He believes in and knows what the overall objective is when creating new music.” |
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Thrilled with the outcome of “Play Me a Song” and the heights which he believes the song can reach, Barnes says, “Ginjah trusted my vision for this production. Further, the dynamic singer is very involved in the promotional aspect of the record and is ready to provide any necessary content to help strengthen the production.” Play Me A Song – Promotional Copy: Play Me A Song – Stream/Download: end Media Contact: Business Contact; For interviews, other media inquiries and promotional music copies |
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. issued the following statement on the passing of Senior District Judge Raymond Finch:
“It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of one of the Virgin Islands most noted jurists, District Judge Raymond Finch, who served the people of the Territory fairly and prudently for decades, first in the Territorial Court and then for more than 15 years as a federal judge in the U.S. District Court after being nominated to consecutive terms by President George W. Bush and President Bill Clinton.
“A native Crucian, Judge Finch served for six years as the Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court and set an eminent example as an honorable and impartial arbiter of the law. His service for the betterment of our community and its people will not be forgotten.
“On behalf of First Lady Yolanda Bryan, my family, and the people of the Virgin Islands, I express my sincere condolences to his family, friends and loved ones during their time of bereavement.”
(U.S. Virgin Islands)- Acting Attorney General Carol Thomas-Jacobs announces that Rodney E. Miller, Sr., was advised of his rights and arraigned on February 17, 2023.
Miller appeared in V.I. Superior Court before Honorable Magistrate Judge Paula Norkaitis. Judge Norkaitis found probable cause for prosecutors to charge Miller with one count of violation of the Criminally Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (CICO), 5 counts of Embezzlement or Falsification of Public Accounts, 5 Counts of Conversion of Government Property, and 5 Counts of Embezzlement by Public and Private Officers. In the information, prosecutors alleged that while Miller was the Chief Executive Officer of the Roy Lester Schneider Hospital and Medical Center (RLSH) he fraudulently obtained and appropriated over $1.6 million of the Hospital’s funds to himself. His bail was set at $5,000.
Miller and two other RLSH executives were initially charged in October 2008 with multiple offenses arising out of their tenure at the RLSH. The initial trial ended in a mistrial in June 2011. After years of appeals and other proceedings, they were retried in a six-week jury trial which resulted in the jury convicting all of the defendants on all charges totaling 44 counts between them. All three RLSH executives appealed their convictions to the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands. As it relates to Miller, he challenged in his appeal the sufficiency of the evidence of his convictions. In a February 22, 2022, Opinion, the Supreme Court ordered the Superior Court to enter a judgment of acquittal on some counts and for several other counts charging violation of CICO, Obtaining money by false pretenses, and embezzlement of public accounts, the Supreme Court found that “the People introduced sufficient evidence to sustain Miller’s convictions” however, it remanded the case for a new trial on those counts due to the “failure of the Superior Court to take appropriate action to ensure that the jury rendered a unanimous verdict or to ascertain the value of the property stolen, embezzled or falsely obtained as required by title 5, section 3636 of the Virgin Islands Code.” Currently, the People allege that more than $1.6 million that rightfully belongs to RLSH and were fraudulently appropriated by Miller remains in his accounts.
Washington, D.C. – This week, Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett reintroduced her legislative priorities to improve economic conditions in the territory for the 118th Congress:
“The introduction of these new bills is part of our legislative strategy toward improving the economy of the U.S. Virgin Islands. These bills, along with others to come, will improve the Virgin Islands’ economic development authorities under the Internal Revenue Code. Aside from improving economic development in the Virgin Islands by attracting more businesses and visitors, this legislative package addresses transportation and infrastructure needs, as well as the need for greater access to education and healthcare for Virgin Islands residents,” Plaskett said.
“Creating a special visa waiver program for the Virgin Islands will open up more opportunities for us to host more participants in regional sporting activities like the ‘Rolex Regatta,’ and the St. Croix International Triathlon, as well as opportunities to open our medical facilities to patients in the Caribbean region. All of these bills, if passed, will protect jobs and the livelihood of our small business owners and increase the amount of revenue generated in the Virgin Islands,” Plaskett added.
“For the 118th Congress, I was appointed by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries as the Ranking Member of the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government and as a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. This is the first time a Member from a U.S. territory has been appointed to these posts. I look forward to leveraging my national profile to advocate for the equity of all Virgin Islanders. The U.S. territories and their residents are equally American.
The legislation reintroduced by Congresswoman Plaskett for the 118th Congress includes:
“Full Rum Cover Over – This bill repeals the limit on the amount of distilled spirits excise taxes rebated to the treasuries of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
“Territorial Economic Recovery Act – This bill would restore favorable tax treatment of investment in U.S. territories, including the Virgin Islands. It would treat such investment as domestic rather than foreign investment and require investors to have an active trade or business in a U.S. territory with a certain percentage of income derived from such territory.
“Territorial Tax Parity Act – This bill modifies the income source rules that apply with respect to the taxation of resident businesses in U.S. territories. This would make the Virgin Islands more attractive to businesses and investment and would create more jobs in the territory.
“Territorial Tax Equity and Economic Growth Act – This bill modifies the residence and income source rules involving U.S. territories to provide for economic recovery in the territories.
“Territorial Tax Parity and Fairness Act – This bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code to apply the exemption that currently exists for U.S. territory residents from the law’s definition of a United States shareholder to include bona fide residents of the Virgin Islands, like the existing treatment for bona fide residents of Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories. This will bring tax parity to investments in the Virgin Islands.
“Territorial Tax Parity and Clarification Act – The bill would specifically create parity between the way capital gains income in the Virgin Islands is treated and the way that it is treated in Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories.
“Fuel Tax Cover Over Bill – This bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code to cover over (pay) to the Virgin Islands revenue from U.S. excise taxes on fuel produced in the Virgin Islands and transported to the United States mainland from the Virgin Islands, like the existing cover over program that exists for distilled spirits and other articles of manufacture.
“Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Act – This bill authorizes a nonimmigrant visitor visa waiver program for nationals of certain countries to enter the U.S. Virgin Islands for up to 45 days (as currently provided to other U.S. territories). Under this visitor tourism program, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may provide a waiver admitting a nonimmigrant visitor from a DHS-approved country into the Virgin Islands for up to 45 days.
“Insular Areas College Access Act – This bill would establish a college access grant program for students in the small U.S. territories. The program would be administered by the Department of Education to cover the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition for students who attend a public institution of higher education elsewhere in the United States.
“Resiliency Enhancement Act – This bill extends the special provision of disaster assistance enacted under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 for infrastructure providing critical services to also include solid waste management, stormwater management, public housing, transportation infrastructure, and medical care infrastructure. Such assistance would be extended to capture any major disaster declared in Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands after Hurricane Irma or Hurricane Maria and before September 30, 2022.
“Territories Health Equity Act – This bill provides equitable federal funding and treatment under Medicaid, Medicare, and other federal health programs for Americans living in U.S. territories.
“Extend Basic Allowance for Housing to servicemembers in the Virgin Islands – This bill authorizes the basic allowance for housing for members of the uniformed services in the Virgin Islands (instead of the overseas housing allowance).
“Dictionary Act amendment to define Territories as a State in Federal programs – This bill creates a rule of construction in the U.S. Code to include U.S. territories in the definition of the term “State” for purposes of federal programs (except where special treatment has been explicitly provided).
“Trade Adjustment Assistance Parity – This bill extends the trade adjustment assistance for workers program to the U.S. territories of Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
“I look forward to continue working with my Democratic colleagues to put people over politics, work to lower costs, create better paying jobs, and make our communities safer by working with whomever to support and advocate for everyday Americans.”
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