Dear Source:
In the midst of the usual political issues I read daily, your story about Coral Bay citizens Phyllis Benton and Dr. Jan Perkins and their compassion in helping a turtle who sadly starved to death because of ingesting plastic, really touched me!
Once again it proves to me the profound goodness of people here and the many ways that they reach out to others to help-whether animals or human beings in need.
Thanks to you both–(and Doug too!) for being who you are–and bringing real value to St. John's nickname of "Love City".
It is time we banned the use of plastic bags.
If our grocery stores started charging 25cents a bag–we would be motivated to bring in the many green bags that have been made available on St. John and elsewhere.
Maybe our next Legislature should take a look at the small ways to help protect our greatest resources in the VI's oceans…and legislate ways to get us all on-board in better respecting them.
I, for one, have been guilty, of not making the habit of using mine and like many, end up coming home with loads more of plastic bags…ultimately ending up in our dumpsters and worse–still fly around after getting air-borne and end up in the sea,resulting in this very sad story.
After reading this story, I will make an effort to retrieve any plastic bag I see floating around and will retrain myself to start using my green bag.
I hope other do as well.
Sometimes, it only takes a picture…like this one of this starving turtle to make us see how our lack of awareness and unconscious "thoughtlessness" can create so much suffering to others beings; and hopefully motivate us to shift our thinking and habits to be kinder and more consdierate.
Bonny Corbeil
St. John
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