May 28, 2002 – Gov. Charles W. Turnbull's chauffeur now makes $58,000 a year, $7,000 less than most commissioners and senators. And so does Turnbull's 27-year-old confidential assistant.
Chauffeur Haran Penn was making $28,000 before the increase granted by his boss, so he's gotten a 107 percent raise. Confidential assistant Tyrone Brooks was making $45,000 until his got his raise of about 29 percent.
Penn has been on the government payroll since 1982; Brooks was hired in 1999 when Turnbull came into office.
Starting salaries for teachers in the Virgin Islands with a bachelors degree are $25,789 with a bachelor's degree and $27,825 with a master's, according to figures released by the Education Department on Tuesday. After five years, those salaries increase to $31,435 for teachers with an undergraduate degree and $34,205 those with a master's.
The Notices of Personnel Action — NOPA's — for Penn and Brooks are both dated Oct. 26, 2001, which is shortly after most government employees were awarded long-awaited step salary increases. At that time, the governor had said he was in the process of implementing raises for people below the commissioner level.
No details were available Tuesday morning on how much overtime Penn was making previously. Nor was any information available on Brooks's background.
Rina Jacobs McBrowne, the governor's public information officer, said the Turnbull also has a confidential secretary, but "she stays at her desk," whereas Brooks accompanies the governor when "he goes to different functions." She said Brooks is "on call 24 hours a day." His functions "differ" from those of the governor's regular secretary, she said.
Government House spokesman James O'Bryan said Tuesday morning that he would return a call asking for comment on the raises. However, McBrowne said later that the governor would be issuing a public statement about 3 p.m. which should answer questions.

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