The two members of the V.I. Casino Control Commission may soon be able to make decisions again, now that Gov. Charles Turnbull has nominated Lloyd McAlpin to the commission.
Since July 16, when Commissioner Dennis Brow’s term ended, the CCC has been one member shy of a quorum. Until a third member is approved — McAlpin must be investigated and his nomination ratified by the Legislature — the CCC is prohibited from granting licenses to casino applicants or companies wishing to do business with casinos, or approving individuals to teach in gaming schools.
The commission granted a two-year license to the Department of Tourism-run casino gaming school before Brow departed, but the V.I. Casino and Resort Control Act stipulates that the commission must also license the school's faculty. Monique Sibilly Hodge, acting tourism commissioner, has said the school will open on August 2. Mississippi-based Treasure Bay Casino is set to open in the Divi Carina Bay Resort in December.
As called for in the Casino Act, the governor has requested V.I. Attorney General Iver Stridiron to conduct a background check on McAlpin’s financial stability, responsibility and integrity. Based on the attorney general's findings, Turnbull will decide whether to forward McAlpin’s nomination to the Senate for approval.
McAlpin is currently the assistant executive director of the Legislature on St. Croix. He is a former assistant labor commissioner.
The only two current CCC members are Eileen Petersen, chairwoman, and Imelda Dizon. Commission positions are full-time for two to four years, and pay $80,000 a year.