An open letter to the people of the Virgin Islands:
Greetings!
I am not a resident, but I am a visitor who has been coming yearly for the past 18 years. And so, I watch, listen and read with interest of the struggles with which you find yourselves embroiled.
The "Beal Deal" is very interesting. I was deeply saddened to hear that Mrs. Wiesner would approve of a land swap as kind of means to bring jobs and/or aid to stimulate the economy.
It looks to me like a real estate scam, particularly after seeing the drawings of the "proposed" Beal plant in the newspaper. Hasn't anyone else noticed that it looks shockingly like a very fine hotel?
How easy it would be for the plant to fail and then, voila, be converted into a hotel and casino with some condos on the side or time-shares.
Then what becomes of all that lovely beach front to be "held in perpetuity" for the people of the Virgin Islands as well as all visitors to its shores? That latter is me, after all.
What a terrible shame it would be to have that area spoiled with yet another monstrous hotel!
So the government hasn't kept it up. Wouldn't it be better, even at this late date, to set up an authority, as was done with Magens Bay, to take care of it by charging a nominal admission fee for up-keep, grounds maintenance and litter control?
So times are tough. Is this a reason to convert that land from a public beach, park and recreational area to a private commercial venture? Was this a fair weather gift?
However, if this is what the people of St. Croix want, than so be it. But, it would be nice if at least one area remained more or less pristine.
Sincerely,
A Concerned Visitor,
M. E. Curtin
Kerrville, Texas
