July 1, 2003 – The Water and Power Authority is making progress on its streetlight program on St. Croix, its executive director, Alberto Bruno-Vega, said in a release on Monday.
He said he was responding to an appeal from Lt. Gov. Vargrave Richards for WAPA to fix the streetlights because residents are worried about their safety at night.
Bruno Vega said most of St. Croix's streetlights needed repair.
WAPA presented its lighting repair plan to the Public Services Commission at its June 24 meeting, PSC executive director Keithley Joseph said.
St. Croix has 2,811 streetlights. Carl Greene, WAPA St. Croix line superintendent, said that 89 percent of them have been repaired. And, he said, lights at 59 major intersections have been upgraded to 400 watts from 200 to improve night visibility.
The island has had another 1,500 streetlights out of commission because of damage from various hurricanes, Joseph said, and those lights are now being repaired.
Bruno-Vega said that in the housing communities of William's Delight, Campo Rico and Castle Burke, lighting is 100 percent. And he said that WAPA placed 27 streetlights along the road leading to the Divi Carina Bay Resort and Casino.
He said the utility upgraded streetlighting on St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island after previous hurricanes and storms. Eight years ago, that district had 3,681 streetlights; today there are 4,997.
WAPA plans to install lighting in developing areas, the release stated, and is in the midst of installing energy-efficient high-pressure sodium streetlights, which use less power and create less glare.
The authority was made responsible for most of the territory's streetlights as of Dec. 31, 2001. Customers pay a surcharge of $1.50 a month to help cover the costs of lighting maintenance.
However, Public Works continues responsibility for streetlights along Melvin Evans Highway on St. Croix and Veterans Drive on St. Thomas because they are federal roadways. Public Works hired Best Electric to do the job, with WAPA paying the bills.
The release asked that anyone seeing a streetlight in need of repair call 774-3552 for St. Thomas, St. John or Water Island, or 773-2250 for St. Croix.
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LONG BAY PLAN SEEN AS ABUSE OF TRUST LAND
July 1, 2003 — The Save Long Bay Coalition has a problem. Like everyone on St. Thomas, the coalition wants to see the derelict Yacht Haven Hotel torn down and the proposed new hotel and marina built as quickly as possible, according to a release from Judith Bourne.
But coalition members also see the "rest of the development plan" — the part that Insignia Nautica doesn't talk much about — as a time bomb that is both unlawful and economically and environmentally bad for the community.
"The hotel is to be built on land owned by Insignia Nautica-USVI, and the marina is on submerged land owned by the government," Lucien Moolenaar, a coalition member, said in the release. "We believe that there are some legal problems with the permit and lease, and that the six-story height of some of the buildings should not have been permitted, but now that it has been approved, we recognize that we must accept them."
The commercial development on the filled land, however, is another matter. Bourne, a lawyer, was one of the attorneys on the lawsuit brought by the Coalition to stop the dredging and filling of the harbor by the Danish-owned West Indian Co. Ltd. (WICO) in 1987.
"We fought for this land for many years," she said. "The Danish former owners acknowledged that it was the campaign of the Save Long Bay Coalition that convinced them to sell the company to the Virgin Islands government and not try to get a top-dollar price. We fought because we believed that this land, 'held in trust for the people of the Virgin Islands,' is more than just words, that it has real meaning. And that meaning is trashed by leasing it to a commercial company to build stores and offices along our harbor."
For years the coalition has proposed a waterfront park appropriate for both tourists and locals on the landfill along the bayside. Ironically, coastal cities in the United States are tearing down buildings and highways along their waterfronts to revitalize the areas by creating parks.
According to Helen Gjessing, the coalition's president, the permit submitted by IN-USVI is improper because it includes both the privately owned, solid land-based development and the publicly owned, filled land which is trust land. She believes that the legal requirements for the two are different and that IN-USVI is deliberately trying to hide that by publicizing the hotel and marina without saying much about the stores and offices.
"Have you seen the amount of commercial space they plan to build?" Gjessing asked, again in the release. "That kind of shopping and office development there could kill downtown and seriously hurt the taxi industry."
"We know that IN-USVI will slam us if we appeal their permit – the one that they have not sent to the Legislature and that hardly anyone knows about," Bourne said. "The company says that the only approval that they need is from the Coastal Zone Management Commission. We believe they are wrong. We know they will say that a challenge to any part of their project must stop the whole thing. We don't believe that either. We have to look at the long-range effects, not just a quick fix for our immediate problem.
"As the late Gov. Alexander Farrelly used to say: 'Hungry dog eat raw meat.' And he was one of our members before he became governor," Bourne pointed out.
Harbor's history is a changing landscape
Seafaring Indians settled around the harbor, long before Europeans came across the sea with settlement in mind. Denmark established a permanent colony at St. Thomas in 1672, and Charlotte Amalie was officially established in 1691 and declared a free port in 1764.
Substantial change to the harbor landscape came in 1781 and 1782 when the lagoon east of Fort Christian was drained and filled to accommodate residential and commercial growth.
Some 80 years later, in 1861, the narrow channel between Hassel Island and the mainland was cut, and in 1864 and 1865, Haulover Channel was widened and the inner harbor was dredged to remove reefs and shoals.
Only 50 years passed before the next dredging of the inner harbor, as the Danish West Indian Co. between 1910 and 1914 constructed a major marine facility at Havensight, using dredged material to create 50 acres of waterfront land.
Under the Americans, a navigational channel was dredged in the inner harbor in 1935, and spoil was used to fill in the Long Bay/Sugar Estate swamp; Haulover Cut was widened and deepened, and spoil was used to fill in the Frenchtown "ballpart" area and the shoreline around Villa Olga.
From 1940 to 1943, Crown Bay was filled with material dredged from Gregerie Channel to construct a submarine base.
From 1950 to 1953, a harbor highway was constructed along the old waterfront, using dredge spoil from the inner harbor.
In 1962-63, large areas of the inner harbor were dredged and the spoil used to reclaim land at Crown Bay and Long Bay.
The harbor so centrist to St. Thomas' long history has shifted over the centuries as if on a bed of sand. And dredging and changes were obviously made to accommodate the needs of the moment.
In 1984 and 1985, the current and proposed harbor development projects included:
— Port Authority dredging West Gregerie Channel in order to provide 22 fill acres for a port facility at Crown Bay.
— West Indian Co. proposal to dredge inner harbor to fill in Long Bay for marine and commercial use.
— A proposal to construct a marina at Villa Olga.
— A proposal to build condominiums at Estate Bellevue.
— A proposal to fill in the shoreline between Guttets Gade and Long Bay to create a new waterfront highway.
— A proposal for a new hotel, condominium and marina development at Water Island.
Efforts to prevent or control harbor changes
Into this beleaguered harbor setting of the 1980s came members of the St. Thomas Historical Trust and the V.I. Conservation Society, believing that "the time has come to limit and tightly control future harbor development through a long-term management plan."
A fact sheet produced by the coalition group said, "Our magnificent harbor is St. Thomas' foremost asset. For 3,500 years it has sustained the economic, social and cultural life of our community." The above chronology was taken from that fact sheet.
The Save Long Bay Coalition swung into action as the West Indian Co. sought to renew its claim to fill 42 acres in the harbor instead of the 7.5 acres permitted at the time of the Legislature's July 1986 repeal of the dredge-and-fill permits.
A paper by Dennis Nixon, published in 1990, recounts the legal and political history of "The filling of Long Bay: The Legacy of a Colonial Past."
During the decade when the government gave attention to the idea of "Areas of Particular Concern," the No. 1 St. Thomas APC was the "Charlotte Amalie Harbor and Waterfront," encompassing eight sub-areas, from "West Indian Co. and Vicinity" to "Krum Bay," and including "Hassel Island" and "Water Island." It seemed no stone would be unturned to preserve the historic harbor.
The Save Long Bay Coalition was born to face a problem, and it has surfaced at times when new threats arise. Now it says the landscape is threatened and its members will protest what they see as desecration of the land "held in trust for the people of the Virgin Islands."
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
But coalition members also see the "rest of the development plan" — the part that Insignia Nautica doesn't talk much about — as a time bomb that is both unlawful and economically and environmentally bad for the community.
"The hotel is to be built on land owned by Insignia Nautica-USVI, and the marina is on submerged land owned by the government," Lucien Moolenaar, a coalition member, said in the release. "We believe that there are some legal problems with the permit and lease, and that the six-story height of some of the buildings should not have been permitted, but now that it has been approved, we recognize that we must accept them."
The commercial development on the filled land, however, is another matter. Bourne, a lawyer, was one of the attorneys on the lawsuit brought by the Coalition to stop the dredging and filling of the harbor by the Danish-owned West Indian Co. Ltd. (WICO) in 1987.
"We fought for this land for many years," she said. "The Danish former owners acknowledged that it was the campaign of the Save Long Bay Coalition that convinced them to sell the company to the Virgin Islands government and not try to get a top-dollar price. We fought because we believed that this land, 'held in trust for the people of the Virgin Islands,' is more than just words, that it has real meaning. And that meaning is trashed by leasing it to a commercial company to build stores and offices along our harbor."
For years the coalition has proposed a waterfront park appropriate for both tourists and locals on the landfill along the bayside. Ironically, coastal cities in the United States are tearing down buildings and highways along their waterfronts to revitalize the areas by creating parks.
According to Helen Gjessing, the coalition's president, the permit submitted by IN-USVI is improper because it includes both the privately owned, solid land-based development and the publicly owned, filled land which is trust land. She believes that the legal requirements for the two are different and that IN-USVI is deliberately trying to hide that by publicizing the hotel and marina without saying much about the stores and offices.
"Have you seen the amount of commercial space they plan to build?" Gjessing asked, again in the release. "That kind of shopping and office development there could kill downtown and seriously hurt the taxi industry."
"We know that IN-USVI will slam us if we appeal their permit – the one that they have not sent to the Legislature and that hardly anyone knows about," Bourne said. "The company says that the only approval that they need is from the Coastal Zone Management Commission. We believe they are wrong. We know they will say that a challenge to any part of their project must stop the whole thing. We don't believe that either. We have to look at the long-range effects, not just a quick fix for our immediate problem.
"As the late Gov. Alexander Farrelly used to say: 'Hungry dog eat raw meat.' And he was one of our members before he became governor," Bourne pointed out.
Harbor's history is a changing landscape
Seafaring Indians settled around the harbor, long before Europeans came across the sea with settlement in mind. Denmark established a permanent colony at St. Thomas in 1672, and Charlotte Amalie was officially established in 1691 and declared a free port in 1764.
Substantial change to the harbor landscape came in 1781 and 1782 when the lagoon east of Fort Christian was drained and filled to accommodate residential and commercial growth.
Some 80 years later, in 1861, the narrow channel between Hassel Island and the mainland was cut, and in 1864 and 1865, Haulover Channel was widened and the inner harbor was dredged to remove reefs and shoals.
Only 50 years passed before the next dredging of the inner harbor, as the Danish West Indian Co. between 1910 and 1914 constructed a major marine facility at Havensight, using dredged material to create 50 acres of waterfront land.
Under the Americans, a navigational channel was dredged in the inner harbor in 1935, and spoil was used to fill in the Long Bay/Sugar Estate swamp; Haulover Cut was widened and deepened, and spoil was used to fill in the Frenchtown "ballpart" area and the shoreline around Villa Olga.
From 1940 to 1943, Crown Bay was filled with material dredged from Gregerie Channel to construct a submarine base.
From 1950 to 1953, a harbor highway was constructed along the old waterfront, using dredge spoil from the inner harbor.
In 1962-63, large areas of the inner harbor were dredged and the spoil used to reclaim land at Crown Bay and Long Bay.
The harbor so centrist to St. Thomas' long history has shifted over the centuries as if on a bed of sand. And dredging and changes were obviously made to accommodate the needs of the moment.
In 1984 and 1985, the current and proposed harbor development projects included:
— Port Authority dredging West Gregerie Channel in order to provide 22 fill acres for a port facility at Crown Bay.
— West Indian Co. proposal to dredge inner harbor to fill in Long Bay for marine and commercial use.
— A proposal to construct a marina at Villa Olga.
— A proposal to build condominiums at Estate Bellevue.
— A proposal to fill in the shoreline between Guttets Gade and Long Bay to create a new waterfront highway.
— A proposal for a new hotel, condominium and marina development at Water Island.
Efforts to prevent or control harbor changes
Into this beleaguered harbor setting of the 1980s came members of the St. Thomas Historical Trust and the V.I. Conservation Society, believing that "the time has come to limit and tightly control future harbor development through a long-term management plan."
A fact sheet produced by the coalition group said, "Our magnificent harbor is St. Thomas' foremost asset. For 3,500 years it has sustained the economic, social and cultural life of our community." The above chronology was taken from that fact sheet.
The Save Long Bay Coalition swung into action as the West Indian Co. sought to renew its claim to fill 42 acres in the harbor instead of the 7.5 acres permitted at the time of the Legislature's July 1986 repeal of the dredge-and-fill permits.
A paper by Dennis Nixon, published in 1990, recounts the legal and political history of "The filling of Long Bay: The Legacy of a Colonial Past."
During the decade when the government gave attention to the idea of "Areas of Particular Concern," the No. 1 St. Thomas APC was the "Charlotte Amalie Harbor and Waterfront," encompassing eight sub-areas, from "West Indian Co. and Vicinity" to "Krum Bay," and including "Hassel Island" and "Water Island." It seemed no stone would be unturned to preserve the historic harbor.
The Save Long Bay Coalition was born to face a problem, and it has surfaced at times when new threats arise. Now it says the landscape is threatened and its members will protest what they see as desecration of the land "held in trust for the people of the Virgin Islands."
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
ANTI-CRIME PROGRAM RELIES ON LOCAL SOLUTIONS
July 1, 2003 – At the second open planning meeting for local implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods, President Bush's initiative to reduce gun violence nationwide, the focus was on the concepts advanced by the Community Policing Consortium.
PSN presenter William Matthews, speaking Tuesday morning at Marriot Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort, explained that the consortium is a national collaboration of five organizations that play vital roles in policing, research, training and technical assistance. Matthews said his goal was for the group before him to come up with an action plan to reduce gun violence in the local community.
"We believe the solution is local," Matthews said.
About 18 persons, mostly housing community representatives and law-enforcement officials, attended the meeting.
As community members discussed gun-related problems they have observed, they were encouraged to find solutions to them.
Daryl George brought up the importance of rehabilitation for convicted criminals before they are released from prison. Especially "younger guys being locked up," he said, "go straight back to the life," returning to the very habits that landed them in jail.
Drew Diamond, another PSN presenter, encouraged participants to try to focus. The first need, he said, is to "deal with this fear" of reducing violence, "and then we can start talking about some of the other things." Referring to the convicts mentioned by George, he added: "What you want them to do is come back to a community that has changed."
To begin to bring these changes into focus, Matthews said, the community policing consortium must deal with what Matthews described as "the real enemy" — violence.
"We want to save as many people as we can, including the drug dealers," Matthews said, but "you got to do a variety of things." Among them: prevention, rehabilitation and imprisonment.
In the "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" television show, Mr. Rogers always asked who the people in the neighborhood are. One meeting participant said there are people in the neighborhood who see and know about crimes, but they are scared of saying anything.
Each community will play an active role in its recovery from gun violence, according to Diamond. "It's all about the people in the neighborhood," he said. "These things are built from the neighborhood up."
The tentative plan is for 10 police officers and 30 community leaders to get together to discuss strategic ways of dealing with gun violence, Diamond said.
Police Commissioner Elton Lewis said he thinks the Community Policing Consortium program "will be a tremendous help to the Police Department." He added: "The more community involvement, the more we will be able to build. It will rid the streets of crime."
According to Matthews, developing partnerships is key to success.
Lewis, named Police commissioner in March and confirmed by the Legislature in April, said he is looking forward to "establishing a good working relationship with the community."
Participants at the meetings to come will be encouraged to solve problems and not just talk about them, Diamond emphasized. "Our role is to keep the focus out front," he said, noting that Project Safe Neighborhoods is designed for a very short time frame.
"I like your concept of 60 days," George said.
It has not yet been decided which communities or which islands will be the first to implement PSN plans to reduce gun violence, Matthews said. "We have to do all the islands, but we have to start somewhere," he said.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
PSN presenter William Matthews, speaking Tuesday morning at Marriot Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort, explained that the consortium is a national collaboration of five organizations that play vital roles in policing, research, training and technical assistance. Matthews said his goal was for the group before him to come up with an action plan to reduce gun violence in the local community.
"We believe the solution is local," Matthews said.
About 18 persons, mostly housing community representatives and law-enforcement officials, attended the meeting.
As community members discussed gun-related problems they have observed, they were encouraged to find solutions to them.
Daryl George brought up the importance of rehabilitation for convicted criminals before they are released from prison. Especially "younger guys being locked up," he said, "go straight back to the life," returning to the very habits that landed them in jail.
Drew Diamond, another PSN presenter, encouraged participants to try to focus. The first need, he said, is to "deal with this fear" of reducing violence, "and then we can start talking about some of the other things." Referring to the convicts mentioned by George, he added: "What you want them to do is come back to a community that has changed."
To begin to bring these changes into focus, Matthews said, the community policing consortium must deal with what Matthews described as "the real enemy" — violence.
"We want to save as many people as we can, including the drug dealers," Matthews said, but "you got to do a variety of things." Among them: prevention, rehabilitation and imprisonment.
In the "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" television show, Mr. Rogers always asked who the people in the neighborhood are. One meeting participant said there are people in the neighborhood who see and know about crimes, but they are scared of saying anything.
Each community will play an active role in its recovery from gun violence, according to Diamond. "It's all about the people in the neighborhood," he said. "These things are built from the neighborhood up."
The tentative plan is for 10 police officers and 30 community leaders to get together to discuss strategic ways of dealing with gun violence, Diamond said.
Police Commissioner Elton Lewis said he thinks the Community Policing Consortium program "will be a tremendous help to the Police Department." He added: "The more community involvement, the more we will be able to build. It will rid the streets of crime."
According to Matthews, developing partnerships is key to success.
Lewis, named Police commissioner in March and confirmed by the Legislature in April, said he is looking forward to "establishing a good working relationship with the community."
Participants at the meetings to come will be encouraged to solve problems and not just talk about them, Diamond emphasized. "Our role is to keep the focus out front," he said, noting that Project Safe Neighborhoods is designed for a very short time frame.
"I like your concept of 60 days," George said.
It has not yet been decided which communities or which islands will be the first to implement PSN plans to reduce gun violence, Matthews said. "We have to do all the islands, but we have to start somewhere," he said.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
ANTI-CRIME PROGRAM RELIES ON LOCAL SOLUTIONS
July 1, 2003 – At the second open planning meeting for local implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods, President Bush's initiative to reduce gun violence nationwide, the focus was on the concepts advanced by the Community Policing Consortium.
PSN presenter William Matthews, speaking Tuesday morning at Marriot Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort, explained that the consortium is a national collaboration of five organizations that play vital roles in policing, research, training and technical assistance. Matthews said his goal was for the group before him to come up with an action plan to reduce gun violence in the local community.
"We believe the solution is local," Matthews said.
About 18 persons, mostly housing community representatives and law-enforcement officials, attended the meeting.
As community members discussed gun-related problems they have observed, they were encouraged to find solutions to them.
Daryl George brought up the importance of rehabilitation for convicted criminals before they are released from prison. Especially "younger guys being locked up," he said, "go straight back to the life," returning to the very habits that landed them in jail.
Drew Diamond, another PSN presenter, encouraged participants to try to focus. The first need, he said, is to "deal with this fear" of reducing violence, "and then we can start talking about some of the other things." Referring to the convicts mentioned by George, he added: "What you want them to do is come back to a community that has changed."
To begin to bring these changes into focus, Matthews said, the community policing consortium must deal with what Matthews described as "the real enemy" — violence.
"We want to save as many people as we can, including the drug dealers," Matthews said, but "you got to do a variety of things." Among them: prevention, rehabilitation and imprisonment.
In the "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" television show, Mr. Rogers always asked who the people in the neighborhood are. One meeting participant said there are people in the neighborhood who see and know about crimes, but they are scared of saying anything.
Each community will play an active role in its recovery from gun violence, according to Diamond. "It's all about the people in the neighborhood," he said. "These things are built from the neighborhood up."
The tentative plan is for 10 police officers and 30 community leaders to get together to discuss strategic ways of dealing with gun violence, Diamond said.
Police Commissioner Elton Lewis said he thinks the Community Policing Consortium program "will be a tremendous help to the Police Department." He added: "The more community involvement, the more we will be able to build. It will rid the streets of crime."
According to Matthews, developing partnerships is key to success.
Lewis, named Police commissioner in March and confirmed by the Legislature in April, said he is looking forward to "establishing a good working relationship with the community."
Participants at the meetings to come will be encouraged to solve problems and not just talk about them, Diamond emphasized. "Our role is to keep the focus out front," he said, noting that Project Safe Neighborhoods is designed for a very short time frame.
"I like your concept of 60 days," George said.
It has not yet been decided which communities or which islands will be the first to implement PSN plans to reduce gun violence, Matthews said. "We have to do all the islands, but we have to start somewhere," he said.
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
PSN presenter William Matthews, speaking Tuesday morning at Marriot Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort, explained that the consortium is a national collaboration of five organizations that play vital roles in policing, research, training and technical assistance. Matthews said his goal was for the group before him to come up with an action plan to reduce gun violence in the local community.
"We believe the solution is local," Matthews said.
About 18 persons, mostly housing community representatives and law-enforcement officials, attended the meeting.
As community members discussed gun-related problems they have observed, they were encouraged to find solutions to them.
Daryl George brought up the importance of rehabilitation for convicted criminals before they are released from prison. Especially "younger guys being locked up," he said, "go straight back to the life," returning to the very habits that landed them in jail.
Drew Diamond, another PSN presenter, encouraged participants to try to focus. The first need, he said, is to "deal with this fear" of reducing violence, "and then we can start talking about some of the other things." Referring to the convicts mentioned by George, he added: "What you want them to do is come back to a community that has changed."
To begin to bring these changes into focus, Matthews said, the community policing consortium must deal with what Matthews described as "the real enemy" — violence.
"We want to save as many people as we can, including the drug dealers," Matthews said, but "you got to do a variety of things." Among them: prevention, rehabilitation and imprisonment.
In the "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" television show, Mr. Rogers always asked who the people in the neighborhood are. One meeting participant said there are people in the neighborhood who see and know about crimes, but they are scared of saying anything.
Each community will play an active role in its recovery from gun violence, according to Diamond. "It's all about the people in the neighborhood," he said. "These things are built from the neighborhood up."
The tentative plan is for 10 police officers and 30 community leaders to get together to discuss strategic ways of dealing with gun violence, Diamond said.
Police Commissioner Elton Lewis said he thinks the Community Policing Consortium program "will be a tremendous help to the Police Department." He added: "The more community involvement, the more we will be able to build. It will rid the streets of crime."
According to Matthews, developing partnerships is key to success.
Lewis, named Police commissioner in March and confirmed by the Legislature in April, said he is looking forward to "establishing a good working relationship with the community."
Participants at the meetings to come will be encouraged to solve problems and not just talk about them, Diamond emphasized. "Our role is to keep the focus out front," he said, noting that Project Safe Neighborhoods is designed for a very short time frame.
"I like your concept of 60 days," George said.
It has not yet been decided which communities or which islands will be the first to implement PSN plans to reduce gun violence, Matthews said. "We have to do all the islands, but we have to start somewhere," he said.
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
ANTI-CRIME PROGRAM RELIES ON LOCAL SOLUTIONS
July 1, 2003 – At the second open planning meeting for local implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods, President Bush's initiative to reduce gun violence nationwide, the focus was on the concepts advanced by the Community Policing Consortium.
PSN presenter William Matthews, speaking Tuesday morning at Marriot Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort, explained that the consortium is a national collaboration of five organizations that play vital roles in policing, research, training and technical assistance. Matthews said his goal was for the group before him to come up with an action plan to reduce gun violence in the local community.
"We believe the solution is local," Matthews said.
About 18 persons, mostly housing community representatives and law-enforcement officials, attended the meeting.
As community members discussed gun-related problems they have observed, they were encouraged to find solutions to them.
Daryl George brought up the importance of rehabilitation for convicted criminals before they are released from prison. Especially "younger guys being locked up," he said, "go straight back to the life," returning to the very habits that landed them in jail.
Drew Diamond, another PSN presenter, encouraged participants to try to focus. The first need, he said, is to "deal with this fear" of reducing violence, "and then we can start talking about some of the other things." Referring to the convicts mentioned by George, he added: "What you want them to do is come back to a community that has changed."
To begin to bring these changes into focus, Matthews said, the community policing consortium must deal with what Matthews described as "the real enemy" — violence.
"We want to save as many people as we can, including the drug dealers," Matthews said, but "you got to do a variety of things." Among them: prevention, rehabilitation and imprisonment.
In the "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" television show, Mr. Rogers always asked who the people in the neighborhood are. One meeting participant said there are people in the neighborhood who see and know about crimes, but they are scared of saying anything.
Each community will play an active role in its recovery from gun violence, according to Diamond. "It's all about the people in the neighborhood," he said. "These things are built from the neighborhood up."
The tentative plan is for 10 police officers and 30 community leaders to get together to discuss strategic ways of dealing with gun violence, Diamond said.
Police Commissioner Elton Lewis said he thinks the Community Policing Consortium program "will be a tremendous help to the Police Department." He added: "The more community involvement, the more we will be able to build. It will rid the streets of crime."
According to Matthews, developing partnerships is key to success.
Lewis, named Police commissioner in March and confirmed by the Legislature in April, said he is looking forward to "establishing a good working relationship with the community."
Participants at the meetings to come will be encouraged to solve problems and not just talk about them, Diamond emphasized. "Our role is to keep the focus out front," he said, noting that Project Safe Neighborhoods is designed for a very short time frame.
"I like your concept of 60 days," George said.
It has not yet been decided which communities or which islands will be the first to implement PSN plans to reduce gun violence, Matthews said. "We have to do all the islands, but we have to start somewhere," he said.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
PSN presenter William Matthews, speaking Tuesday morning at Marriot Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort, explained that the consortium is a national collaboration of five organizations that play vital roles in policing, research, training and technical assistance. Matthews said his goal was for the group before him to come up with an action plan to reduce gun violence in the local community.
"We believe the solution is local," Matthews said.
About 18 persons, mostly housing community representatives and law-enforcement officials, attended the meeting.
As community members discussed gun-related problems they have observed, they were encouraged to find solutions to them.
Daryl George brought up the importance of rehabilitation for convicted criminals before they are released from prison. Especially "younger guys being locked up," he said, "go straight back to the life," returning to the very habits that landed them in jail.
Drew Diamond, another PSN presenter, encouraged participants to try to focus. The first need, he said, is to "deal with this fear" of reducing violence, "and then we can start talking about some of the other things." Referring to the convicts mentioned by George, he added: "What you want them to do is come back to a community that has changed."
To begin to bring these changes into focus, Matthews said, the community policing consortium must deal with what Matthews described as "the real enemy" — violence.
"We want to save as many people as we can, including the drug dealers," Matthews said, but "you got to do a variety of things." Among them: prevention, rehabilitation and imprisonment.
In the "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" television show, Mr. Rogers always asked who the people in the neighborhood are. One meeting participant said there are people in the neighborhood who see and know about crimes, but they are scared of saying anything.
Each community will play an active role in its recovery from gun violence, according to Diamond. "It's all about the people in the neighborhood," he said. "These things are built from the neighborhood up."
The tentative plan is for 10 police officers and 30 community leaders to get together to discuss strategic ways of dealing with gun violence, Diamond said.
Police Commissioner Elton Lewis said he thinks the Community Policing Consortium program "will be a tremendous help to the Police Department." He added: "The more community involvement, the more we will be able to build. It will rid the streets of crime."
According to Matthews, developing partnerships is key to success.
Lewis, named Police commissioner in March and confirmed by the Legislature in April, said he is looking forward to "establishing a good working relationship with the community."
Participants at the meetings to come will be encouraged to solve problems and not just talk about them, Diamond emphasized. "Our role is to keep the focus out front," he said, noting that Project Safe Neighborhoods is designed for a very short time frame.
"I like your concept of 60 days," George said.
It has not yet been decided which communities or which islands will be the first to implement PSN plans to reduce gun violence, Matthews said. "We have to do all the islands, but we have to start somewhere," he said.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
ROTARY WILL NOT MEET DUE TO HOLIDAY
The Rotary Club of St. Croix will not hold its usual Thursday meeting due to the holiday.
PISTARCKLE PRESENTS 'MR. TOAD': THE MUSICAL
July 1, 2003 – Back in the days before Kermit the Frog, there was Mr. Toad, the hero of sorts in "The Wind in the Willows," Kenneth Grahame's classic children's story.
Nowadays Toad, too, has taken on a show-biz persona, in a musical called "The Mad Adventures of Mr. Toad" that will be presented July 10-13 on St. Thomas as Pistarckle Theater's children's summer camp production.
The musical, written by Vera Morris with music and lyrics by Scott DeTurk, features songs with such enticing titles as "Come to the Wood," "Down with the Toad," "Quiet Drive in the Country," "Don't Do the Crime" and "Sucker for a Pretty Face," all of which can be sampled online at the Mad Mr. Toad Web site. Others, not on the sampler, are called "A Danger to Society" and "The Good Life."
Holli Hornlien, a regular Pistarckle guest director, is in charge of the production.
Grahame, a Scotsman whose marriage was miserable and whose day job was as a secretary at the stodgy Bank of England, dabbled in writing — light non-fiction as well as children's stories — for years on the side. "The Wind in the Willows," which had its beginnings as a letter to his young son, Alistair, first appeared in book form in 1908.
According to one Web analysis, the book reflected the author's unhappiness in the real world. A kind of cross between the irrepressible Kermit and The Great Gatsby, the protagonist is the master of Toad Hall. The major theme of the story is the struggle between the noisy, common way of life of the Wild Wooders and the quiet and genteel lifestyle of the River-Bankers.
Toad's friends Badger, Mole and Rat are in the latter category, and Toad is an endearing eccentric who does not fit well into either camp.
In the musical, promoted online as an "upbeat" version of Grahame's book, the compulsive-obsessive Toad is addicted to motorcars — keep in mind, this is 1908, when motorcars were about as avant garde as you could get — and ends up crashing them with great regularity. Despite the best efforts of his friends, a "hysterical" court hearing lands Toad in jail for his reckless driving.
With Toad behind bars, his Wild Wooder enemies the weasels plot to take over Toad Hall. The jailer's daughter Polly helps Toad escape dressed as a washerwoman. When Toad finally meets up with his friends again, they devise a scheme to recapture Toad Hall. There — now you know the plot, and that should in no way detract from your enjoyment of the show.
Show times for "The Mad Adventures of Mr. Toad" are 1 and 8 p.m. on July 10 (the latter performance is the usual Pistarckle Pay-as-You-Can Night), 8 p.m. on July 11 ("opening night"), and 2 p.m. on July 12 and 13.
Single tickets are $8 for children and $12 for adults. In groups of 10 or more, children pay $5. Ticket outlets are Draughting Shaft, Havensight Pharmacy, Bumpa's on the Waterfront, Tillett Gallery, Marina Market and the American Yacht Harbor office. Reservations may be made by calling 775-7877.
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
Nowadays Toad, too, has taken on a show-biz persona, in a musical called "The Mad Adventures of Mr. Toad" that will be presented July 10-13 on St. Thomas as Pistarckle Theater's children's summer camp production.
The musical, written by Vera Morris with music and lyrics by Scott DeTurk, features songs with such enticing titles as "Come to the Wood," "Down with the Toad," "Quiet Drive in the Country," "Don't Do the Crime" and "Sucker for a Pretty Face," all of which can be sampled online at the Mad Mr. Toad Web site. Others, not on the sampler, are called "A Danger to Society" and "The Good Life."
Holli Hornlien, a regular Pistarckle guest director, is in charge of the production.
Grahame, a Scotsman whose marriage was miserable and whose day job was as a secretary at the stodgy Bank of England, dabbled in writing — light non-fiction as well as children's stories — for years on the side. "The Wind in the Willows," which had its beginnings as a letter to his young son, Alistair, first appeared in book form in 1908.
According to one Web analysis, the book reflected the author's unhappiness in the real world. A kind of cross between the irrepressible Kermit and The Great Gatsby, the protagonist is the master of Toad Hall. The major theme of the story is the struggle between the noisy, common way of life of the Wild Wooders and the quiet and genteel lifestyle of the River-Bankers.
Toad's friends Badger, Mole and Rat are in the latter category, and Toad is an endearing eccentric who does not fit well into either camp.
In the musical, promoted online as an "upbeat" version of Grahame's book, the compulsive-obsessive Toad is addicted to motorcars — keep in mind, this is 1908, when motorcars were about as avant garde as you could get — and ends up crashing them with great regularity. Despite the best efforts of his friends, a "hysterical" court hearing lands Toad in jail for his reckless driving.
With Toad behind bars, his Wild Wooder enemies the weasels plot to take over Toad Hall. The jailer's daughter Polly helps Toad escape dressed as a washerwoman. When Toad finally meets up with his friends again, they devise a scheme to recapture Toad Hall. There — now you know the plot, and that should in no way detract from your enjoyment of the show.
Show times for "The Mad Adventures of Mr. Toad" are 1 and 8 p.m. on July 10 (the latter performance is the usual Pistarckle Pay-as-You-Can Night), 8 p.m. on July 11 ("opening night"), and 2 p.m. on July 12 and 13.
Single tickets are $8 for children and $12 for adults. In groups of 10 or more, children pay $5. Ticket outlets are Draughting Shaft, Havensight Pharmacy, Bumpa's on the Waterfront, Tillett Gallery, Marina Market and the American Yacht Harbor office. Reservations may be made by calling 775-7877.
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
PISTARCKLE PRESENTS 'MR. TOAD': THE MUSICAL
July 1, 2003 – Back in the days before Kermit the Frog, there was Mr. Toad, the hero of sorts in "The Wind in the Willows," Kenneth Grahame's classic children's story.
Nowadays Toad, too, has taken on a show-biz persona, in a musical called "The Mad Adventures of Mr. Toad" that will be presented July 10-13 as Pistarckle Theater's children's summer camp production.
The musical, written by Vera Morris with music and lyrics by Scott DeTurk, features songs with such enticing titles as "Come to the Wood," "Down with the Toad," "Quiet Drive in the Country," "Don't Do the Crime" and "Sucker for a Pretty Face," all of which can be sampled online at the Mad Mr. Toad Web site. Others, not on the sampler, are called "A Danger to Society" and "The Good Life."
Holli Hornlien, a regular Pistarckle guest director, is in charge of the production.
Grahame, a Scotsman whose marriage was miserable and whose day job was as a secretary at the stodgy Bank of England, dabbled in writing — light non-fiction as well as children's stories — for years on the side. "The Wind in the Willows," which had its beginnings as a letter to his young son, Alistair, first appeared in book form in 1908.
According to one Web analysis, the book reflected the author's unhappiness in the real world. A kind of cross between the irrepressible Kermit and The Great Gatsby, the protagonist is the master of Toad Hall. The major theme of the story is the struggle between the noisy, common way of life of the Wild Wooders and the quiet and genteel lifestyle of the River-Bankers.
Toad's friends Badger, Mole and Rat are in the latter category, and Toad is an endearing eccentric who does not fit well into either camp.
In the musical, promoted online as an "upbeat" version of Grahame's book, the compulsive-obsessive Toad is addicted to motorcars — keep in mind, this is 1908, when motorcars were about as avant garde as you could get — and ends up crashing them with great regularity. Despite the best efforts of his friends, a "hysterical" court hearing lands Toad in jail for his reckless driving.
With Toad behind bars, his Wild Wooder enemies the weasels plot to take over Toad Hall. The jailer's daughter Polly helps Toad escape dressed as a washerwoman. When Toad finally meets up with his friends again, they devise a scheme to recapture Toad Hall. There — now you know the plot, and that should in no way detract from your enjoyment of the show.
Show times for "The Mad Adventures of Mr. Toad" are 1 and 8 p.m. on July 10 (the latter performance is the usual Pistarckle Pay-as-You-Can Night), 8 p.m. on July 11 ("opening night"), and 2 p.m. on July 12 and 13.
Single tickets are $8 for children and $12 for adults. In groups of 10 or more, children pay $5. Ticket outlets are Draughting Shaft, Havensight Pharmacy, Bumpa's on the Waterfront, Tillett Gallery, Marina Market and the American Yacht Harbor office. Reservations may be made by calling 775-7877.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
Nowadays Toad, too, has taken on a show-biz persona, in a musical called "The Mad Adventures of Mr. Toad" that will be presented July 10-13 as Pistarckle Theater's children's summer camp production.
The musical, written by Vera Morris with music and lyrics by Scott DeTurk, features songs with such enticing titles as "Come to the Wood," "Down with the Toad," "Quiet Drive in the Country," "Don't Do the Crime" and "Sucker for a Pretty Face," all of which can be sampled online at the Mad Mr. Toad Web site. Others, not on the sampler, are called "A Danger to Society" and "The Good Life."
Holli Hornlien, a regular Pistarckle guest director, is in charge of the production.
Grahame, a Scotsman whose marriage was miserable and whose day job was as a secretary at the stodgy Bank of England, dabbled in writing — light non-fiction as well as children's stories — for years on the side. "The Wind in the Willows," which had its beginnings as a letter to his young son, Alistair, first appeared in book form in 1908.
According to one Web analysis, the book reflected the author's unhappiness in the real world. A kind of cross between the irrepressible Kermit and The Great Gatsby, the protagonist is the master of Toad Hall. The major theme of the story is the struggle between the noisy, common way of life of the Wild Wooders and the quiet and genteel lifestyle of the River-Bankers.
Toad's friends Badger, Mole and Rat are in the latter category, and Toad is an endearing eccentric who does not fit well into either camp.
In the musical, promoted online as an "upbeat" version of Grahame's book, the compulsive-obsessive Toad is addicted to motorcars — keep in mind, this is 1908, when motorcars were about as avant garde as you could get — and ends up crashing them with great regularity. Despite the best efforts of his friends, a "hysterical" court hearing lands Toad in jail for his reckless driving.
With Toad behind bars, his Wild Wooder enemies the weasels plot to take over Toad Hall. The jailer's daughter Polly helps Toad escape dressed as a washerwoman. When Toad finally meets up with his friends again, they devise a scheme to recapture Toad Hall. There — now you know the plot, and that should in no way detract from your enjoyment of the show.
Show times for "The Mad Adventures of Mr. Toad" are 1 and 8 p.m. on July 10 (the latter performance is the usual Pistarckle Pay-as-You-Can Night), 8 p.m. on July 11 ("opening night"), and 2 p.m. on July 12 and 13.
Single tickets are $8 for children and $12 for adults. In groups of 10 or more, children pay $5. Ticket outlets are Draughting Shaft, Havensight Pharmacy, Bumpa's on the Waterfront, Tillett Gallery, Marina Market and the American Yacht Harbor office. Reservations may be made by calling 775-7877.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
THE REAL ANSWER TO THOSE WHAT-IF QUESTIONS
Dear Source,
I am writing in response to the article "New hires are justified, Richards says" which appeared in the June 28 issue the Daily News. I thought I had heard every idiotic quote possible from a politician, but the lieutenant governor's comments have got to rank among the highest.
For those who didn't see the article, the lieutenant governor was quoted as saying: "From the time I'm a little boy, age 3, 4 or 5 I've known the lieutenant governor to be given a car. This wasn't created by me. I became lieutenant governor in January, and these position were available, and basically, we filled them. It's like the president of the United States, he's got bodyguards and he's got chauffeurs and I don't think President Bush is responsible for that."
First of all Mr. Lieutenant Governor, you are not the president of the United States, and you are certainly no George Bush. For you to try to equate your elected office and its "perks" with that of the president is nothing short of a travesty.
Furthermore, the lieutenant governor pointed out that when Gov. Charles W. Turnbull began his first term, there was a $100 million operating deficit and, despite that, no chauffeurs or other positions in the Lieutenant Governor's Office were cut. Does this mean our lieutenant governor believes since previously elected officials operated one way, today's officials must operate in the same fashion?
And speaking of that $100 million deficit, it seems to me we're talking about a $152 million deficit now. Where is all that economic improvement Governor Turnbull told us about in his State of the Territory speeches? Doing things the way things have always been done is the reason we are in the financial crisis we have now.
When I was a little boy, if I told my parents I did something wrong because so-and-so did it, I always heard the same thing: "If so-and-so jumped off a bridge, would you do it?" Mr. Lieutenant Governor, let me ask you: If previously elected officials were corrupt, after self-interests, didn't care for the general welfare of the population of the Virgin Islands, hired relatives and friends at outlandish salaries, didn't pay the government's obligations, misappropriated government funds (I could go on, but I think you get the picture), does that make it correct for this administration to do the same thing?
Indeed, if this administration truly wanted to initiate change, it would realize that it was the "way we always did things" that got us into the mess we are in today. If this administration truly wanted to make a difference, it would be making the necessary — and yes. unpopular — decisions to start to turn things around. Unfortunately, it seems the administration does not have the backbone to do what needs to be done. It appears the "business as usual" mindset is deeply entrenched.
This means we are in for more taxes, fees, borrowing and, most of all, unchecked spending while our elected officials continue collecting their "perks" as the population heads toward the unemployment line or off island because people can't make ends meet.
Eventually the people of the territory will wake up. They will see those who seek public office for exactly what they are: self-indulgent crooks who are only out to improve their personal agenda. This may already be happening with the grass-roots movement on St. Croix to secede from the Virgin Islands and become a separate territory under the Untied States. These people understand that "doing things the way we've always done them" does not work.
The miserable economy highlighted by a 12.4 percent unemployment rate on the island is evidence the administration does not have the best interests of all the Virgin Islanders on its agenda. There are those who say this movement is a pipe dream and will never happen. To these people I say, ask the 4,800 people out of jobs in and around Roosevelt Roads Naval Station and those out of work on the island of Vieques. They didn't think the Navy would pull out either, but it did.
L.E. Stiles
St. Croix
I am writing in response to the article "New hires are justified, Richards says" which appeared in the June 28 issue the Daily News. I thought I had heard every idiotic quote possible from a politician, but the lieutenant governor's comments have got to rank among the highest.
For those who didn't see the article, the lieutenant governor was quoted as saying: "From the time I'm a little boy, age 3, 4 or 5 I've known the lieutenant governor to be given a car. This wasn't created by me. I became lieutenant governor in January, and these position were available, and basically, we filled them. It's like the president of the United States, he's got bodyguards and he's got chauffeurs and I don't think President Bush is responsible for that."
First of all Mr. Lieutenant Governor, you are not the president of the United States, and you are certainly no George Bush. For you to try to equate your elected office and its "perks" with that of the president is nothing short of a travesty.
Furthermore, the lieutenant governor pointed out that when Gov. Charles W. Turnbull began his first term, there was a $100 million operating deficit and, despite that, no chauffeurs or other positions in the Lieutenant Governor's Office were cut. Does this mean our lieutenant governor believes since previously elected officials operated one way, today's officials must operate in the same fashion?
And speaking of that $100 million deficit, it seems to me we're talking about a $152 million deficit now. Where is all that economic improvement Governor Turnbull told us about in his State of the Territory speeches? Doing things the way things have always been done is the reason we are in the financial crisis we have now.
When I was a little boy, if I told my parents I did something wrong because so-and-so did it, I always heard the same thing: "If so-and-so jumped off a bridge, would you do it?" Mr. Lieutenant Governor, let me ask you: If previously elected officials were corrupt, after self-interests, didn't care for the general welfare of the population of the Virgin Islands, hired relatives and friends at outlandish salaries, didn't pay the government's obligations, misappropriated government funds (I could go on, but I think you get the picture), does that make it correct for this administration to do the same thing?
Indeed, if this administration truly wanted to initiate change, it would realize that it was the "way we always did things" that got us into the mess we are in today. If this administration truly wanted to make a difference, it would be making the necessary — and yes. unpopular — decisions to start to turn things around. Unfortunately, it seems the administration does not have the backbone to do what needs to be done. It appears the "business as usual" mindset is deeply entrenched.
This means we are in for more taxes, fees, borrowing and, most of all, unchecked spending while our elected officials continue collecting their "perks" as the population heads toward the unemployment line or off island because people can't make ends meet.
Eventually the people of the territory will wake up. They will see those who seek public office for exactly what they are: self-indulgent crooks who are only out to improve their personal agenda. This may already be happening with the grass-roots movement on St. Croix to secede from the Virgin Islands and become a separate territory under the Untied States. These people understand that "doing things the way we've always done them" does not work.
The miserable economy highlighted by a 12.4 percent unemployment rate on the island is evidence the administration does not have the best interests of all the Virgin Islanders on its agenda. There are those who say this movement is a pipe dream and will never happen. To these people I say, ask the 4,800 people out of jobs in and around Roosevelt Roads Naval Station and those out of work on the island of Vieques. They didn't think the Navy would pull out either, but it did.
L.E. Stiles
St. Croix
Editor's note: We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to source@viaccess.net.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
THE REAL ANSWER TO THOSE WHAT-IF QUESTIONS
Dear Source,
I am writing in response to the article "New hires are justified, Richards says" which appeared in the June 28 issue the Daily News. I thought I had heard every idiotic quote possible from a politician, but the lieutenant governor's comments have got to rank among the highest.
For those who didn't see the article, the lieutenant governor was quoted as saying: "From the time I'm a little boy, age 3, 4 or 5 I've known the lieutenant governor to be given a car. This wasn't created by me. I became lieutenant governor in January, and these position were available, and basically, we filled them. It's like the president of the United States, he's got bodyguards and he's got chauffeurs and I don't think President Bush is responsible for that."
First of all Mr. Lieutenant Governor, you are not the president of the United States, and you are certainly no George Bush. For you to try to equate your elected office and its "perks" with that of the president is nothing short of a travesty.
Furthermore, the lieutenant governor pointed out that when Gov. Charles W. Turnbull began his first term, there was a $100 million operating deficit and, despite that, no chauffeurs or other positions in the Lieutenant Governor's Office were cut. Does this mean our lieutenant governor believes since previously elected officials operated one way, today's officials must operate in the same fashion?
And speaking of that $100 million deficit, it seems to me we're talking about a $152 million deficit now. Where is all that economic improvement Governor Turnbull told us about in his State of the Territory speeches? Doing things the way things have always been done is the reason we are in the financial crisis we have now.
When I was a little boy, if I told my parents I did something wrong because so-and-so did it, I always heard the same thing: "If so-and-so jumped off a bridge, would you do it?" Mr. Lieutenant Governor, let me ask you: If previously elected officials were corrupt, after self-interests, didn't care for the general welfare of the population of the Virgin Islands, hired relatives and friends at outlandish salaries, didn't pay the government's obligations, misappropriated government funds (I could go on, but I think you get the picture), does that make it correct for this administration to do the same thing?
Indeed, if this administration truly wanted to initiate change, it would realize that it was the "way we always did things" that got us into the mess we are in today. If this administration truly wanted to make a difference, it would be making the necessary — and yes. unpopular — decisions to start to turn things around. Unfortunately, it seems the administration does not have the backbone to do what needs to be done. It appears the "business as usual" mindset is deeply entrenched.
This means we are in for more taxes, fees, borrowing and, most of all, unchecked spending while our elected officials continue collecting their "perks" as the population heads toward the unemployment line or off island because people can't make ends meet.
Eventually the people of the territory will wake up. They will see those who seek public office for exactly what they are: self-indulgent crooks who are only out to improve their personal agenda. This may already be happening with the grass-roots movement on St. Croix to secede from the Virgin Islands and become a separate territory under the Untied States. These people understand that "doing things the way we've always done them" does not work.
The miserable economy highlighted by a 12.4 percent unemployment rate on the island is evidence the administration does not have the best interests of all the Virgin Islanders on its agenda. There are those who say this movement is a pipe dream and will never happen. To these people I say, ask the 4,800 people out of jobs in and around Roosevelt Roads Naval Station and those out of work on the island of Vieques. They didn't think the Navy would pull out either, but it did.
L.E. Stiles
St. Croix
I am writing in response to the article "New hires are justified, Richards says" which appeared in the June 28 issue the Daily News. I thought I had heard every idiotic quote possible from a politician, but the lieutenant governor's comments have got to rank among the highest.
For those who didn't see the article, the lieutenant governor was quoted as saying: "From the time I'm a little boy, age 3, 4 or 5 I've known the lieutenant governor to be given a car. This wasn't created by me. I became lieutenant governor in January, and these position were available, and basically, we filled them. It's like the president of the United States, he's got bodyguards and he's got chauffeurs and I don't think President Bush is responsible for that."
First of all Mr. Lieutenant Governor, you are not the president of the United States, and you are certainly no George Bush. For you to try to equate your elected office and its "perks" with that of the president is nothing short of a travesty.
Furthermore, the lieutenant governor pointed out that when Gov. Charles W. Turnbull began his first term, there was a $100 million operating deficit and, despite that, no chauffeurs or other positions in the Lieutenant Governor's Office were cut. Does this mean our lieutenant governor believes since previously elected officials operated one way, today's officials must operate in the same fashion?
And speaking of that $100 million deficit, it seems to me we're talking about a $152 million deficit now. Where is all that economic improvement Governor Turnbull told us about in his State of the Territory speeches? Doing things the way things have always been done is the reason we are in the financial crisis we have now.
When I was a little boy, if I told my parents I did something wrong because so-and-so did it, I always heard the same thing: "If so-and-so jumped off a bridge, would you do it?" Mr. Lieutenant Governor, let me ask you: If previously elected officials were corrupt, after self-interests, didn't care for the general welfare of the population of the Virgin Islands, hired relatives and friends at outlandish salaries, didn't pay the government's obligations, misappropriated government funds (I could go on, but I think you get the picture), does that make it correct for this administration to do the same thing?
Indeed, if this administration truly wanted to initiate change, it would realize that it was the "way we always did things" that got us into the mess we are in today. If this administration truly wanted to make a difference, it would be making the necessary — and yes. unpopular — decisions to start to turn things around. Unfortunately, it seems the administration does not have the backbone to do what needs to be done. It appears the "business as usual" mindset is deeply entrenched.
This means we are in for more taxes, fees, borrowing and, most of all, unchecked spending while our elected officials continue collecting their "perks" as the population heads toward the unemployment line or off island because people can't make ends meet.
Eventually the people of the territory will wake up. They will see those who seek public office for exactly what they are: self-indulgent crooks who are only out to improve their personal agenda. This may already be happening with the grass-roots movement on St. Croix to secede from the Virgin Islands and become a separate territory under the Untied States. These people understand that "doing things the way we've always done them" does not work.
The miserable economy highlighted by a 12.4 percent unemployment rate on the island is evidence the administration does not have the best interests of all the Virgin Islanders on its agenda. There are those who say this movement is a pipe dream and will never happen. To these people I say, ask the 4,800 people out of jobs in and around Roosevelt Roads Naval Station and those out of work on the island of Vieques. They didn't think the Navy would pull out either, but it did.
L.E. Stiles
St. Croix
Editor's note: We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to source@viaccess.net.
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
