June 11, 2003 – The Senate Finance Committee got an open love note on Wednesday from the St. Thomas-St. John Hotel and Tourism Association.
The association president, David Yamada, applauded the committee for its rejection last Thursday of a 25 percent increase in the hotel room tax, a $5-a-day surcharge on car rentals and an increase of nearly 19 percent in the gross receipts tax rate. All were proposed by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull as part of the administration's plan to deal with an anticipated deficit of as much as $144 million by the end of this fiscal year.
"It was a great show of leadership to reject these additional taxes knowing that our islands are struggling to address airline seat demand, availability and high-ticket costs, [exacerbated] by the landing fee increases earlier this year," Yamada said in a release.
The Port Authority raised airport landing and passenger fees by 25 percent last Feb. 1. Since then several airlines have announced service cutbacks and American Eagle has discontinued its commuter service between St. Thomas and St. Croix.
Yamada further told the committee: "This type of positive leadership is enhanced when the public and private sectors engage in meaningful dialogue."
Although V.I. hotels enjoyed increased occupancy while the U.S. war against Iraq was going on, Yamada said, "most hoteliers are reporting that booking paces for June, July and August have flattened and, in some cases, fallen behind last year. You also have to keep in mind last year was not a good year."
Yamada said the local hospitality industry and the Tourism Department are trying to attract vacationers via discounts and promotions. Incentives are needed, he said, because "today's cost-conscious travelers have too many alternatives of attractively priced destinations." He added: "This is certainly not the time to increase the cost of a Virgin Islands vacation."
The administration proposals were scheduled to have been taken up by the full Senate on Monday. However, the session was delayed for a closed-door meeting of the governor, his financial team and 12 senators; a second such meeting took place Wednesday, and the Senate session has been postponed to June 17.
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.
HOTELIERS LAUD FINANCE FOR NIXING TAX HIKES
June 11, 2003 – The Senate Finance Committee got an open love note on Wednesday from the St. Thomas-St. John Hotel and Tourism Association.
The association president, David Yamada, applauded the committee for its rejection last Thursday of a 25 percent increase in the hotel room tax, a $5-a-day surcharge on car rentals and an increase of nearly 19 percent in the gross receipts tax rate. All were proposed by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull as part of the administration's plan to deal with an anticipated deficit of as much as $144 million by the end of this fiscal year.
"It was a great show of leadership to reject these additional taxes knowing that our islands are struggling to address airline seat demand, availability and high-ticket costs, [exacerbated] by the landing fee increases earlier this year," Yamada said in a release.
The Port Authority raised airport landing and passenger fees by 25 percent last Feb. 1. Since then several airlines have announced service cutbacks and American Eagle has discontinued its commuter service between St. Thomas and St. Croix.
Yamada further told the committee: "This type of positive leadership is enhanced when the public and private sectors engage in meaningful dialogue."
Although V.I. hotels enjoyed increased occupancy while the U.S. war against Iraq was going on, Yamada said, "most hoteliers are reporting that booking paces for June, July and August have flattened and, in some cases, fallen behind last year. You also have to keep in mind last year was not a good year."
Yamada said the local hospitality industry and the Tourism Department are trying to attract vacationers via discounts and promotions. Incentives are needed, he said, because "today's cost-conscious travelers have too many alternatives of attractively priced destinations." He added: "This is certainly not the time to increase the cost of a Virgin Islands vacation."
The administration proposals were scheduled to have been taken up by the full Senate on Monday. However, the session was delayed for a closed-door meeting of the governor, his financial team and 12 senators; a second such meeting took place Wednesday, and the Senate session has been postponed to June 17.
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 association president, David Yamada, applauded the committee for its rejection last Thursday of a 25 percent increase in the hotel room tax, a $5-a-day surcharge on car rentals and an increase of nearly 19 percent in the gross receipts tax rate. All were proposed by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull as part of the administration's plan to deal with an anticipated deficit of as much as $144 million by the end of this fiscal year.
"It was a great show of leadership to reject these additional taxes knowing that our islands are struggling to address airline seat demand, availability and high-ticket costs, [exacerbated] by the landing fee increases earlier this year," Yamada said in a release.
The Port Authority raised airport landing and passenger fees by 25 percent last Feb. 1. Since then several airlines have announced service cutbacks and American Eagle has discontinued its commuter service between St. Thomas and St. Croix.
Yamada further told the committee: "This type of positive leadership is enhanced when the public and private sectors engage in meaningful dialogue."
Although V.I. hotels enjoyed increased occupancy while the U.S. war against Iraq was going on, Yamada said, "most hoteliers are reporting that booking paces for June, July and August have flattened and, in some cases, fallen behind last year. You also have to keep in mind last year was not a good year."
Yamada said the local hospitality industry and the Tourism Department are trying to attract vacationers via discounts and promotions. Incentives are needed, he said, because "today's cost-conscious travelers have too many alternatives of attractively priced destinations." He added: "This is certainly not the time to increase the cost of a Virgin Islands vacation."
The administration proposals were scheduled to have been taken up by the full Senate on Monday. However, the session was delayed for a closed-door meeting of the governor, his financial team and 12 senators; a second such meeting took place Wednesday, and the Senate session has been postponed to June 17.
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.
'BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM' SCORING SURPRISING POINTS
June 11, 2003 – It's becoming known in film circles as "the little foreign film that could." With reason. "Bend It Like Beckham" has all sorts of elements that would not seem to appeal to a large audience. But, they do.
It's a film about an East Indian girl, Jesminder (Parminder K. Nagra), living in London who wants nothing more than to play football ("soccer" to Americans, unlike the rest of the world). The problem is, this goes against the wishes of her parents, who want her to stay home and learn to make the perfect chapatti (a sort of Indian paté) for a perfect Indian husband.
Jess's older sister, Pinky (Archie Panjabi), is preparing for a traditional Indian wedding at the same time that Jess is sneaking away for football practice. Seen in the park one day by Juliette (Keira Knightley), who plays for the Hounslow Harriers women's team, Jess is recruited to join them. Their coach is a young Irishman named Joe (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers), and it is love at second or third sight — complicated because Joe cannot date his players, and Juliette has a crush on him, too.
Sound familiar? Roger Ebert says while the elements may be routine, "what makes it special is the bubbling energy of the cast." Other reviewers agree. Some have inevitably compared it with "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" — because of the ethnic elements and because it is "just so much fun."
Not all fun, though. It explores the conflict of breaking away from a traditional, tight-knit family and playing a sport, a traditional man's sport at that, and getting away with it. The film first made its way around the art houses but then began popping up in commercial theaters. It's first run in New York right now.
Director Gurinder Chada wondered how it would make the transition to a wider audience. She tells a story in The Los Angeles Times: As she was walking out of a theater in Houston after a screening of her film, an older man wearing a cowboy hat sauntered over to her. "Mighty fine movie, young lady," he said in his Texas drawl.
Chada, who had never visited Texas before, asked him what he had like about a romantic comedy set in a suburban Indian neighborhood of West London. "It was intimate," he said.
According to the L.A. Times review, the movie's fans range from Girl Scouts and tweenie soccer players to a California state legislator who wants to screen it for her colleagues in honor of the 31st anniversary of Title IX, the 1972 federal law which catapulted girls' and women's participation in sports by denying federal funding to schools that discriminated in programs on a gender basis.
And, although he would hardly be a benchmark, there's that aging Texan.
Oh, by the way, the title: David Beckham is England's Michael Jordan of soccer. He is currently touring the United States promoting his sport. "Bending" is term that describes Beckham's reputed ability to put a spin on a soccer ball so that it will curve right around the opposing goalie.
The 112-minute movie is rated PG-13 for language and sexual content. It is playing at Market Square East.
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.
It's a film about an East Indian girl, Jesminder (Parminder K. Nagra), living in London who wants nothing more than to play football ("soccer" to Americans, unlike the rest of the world). The problem is, this goes against the wishes of her parents, who want her to stay home and learn to make the perfect chapatti (a sort of Indian paté) for a perfect Indian husband.
Jess's older sister, Pinky (Archie Panjabi), is preparing for a traditional Indian wedding at the same time that Jess is sneaking away for football practice. Seen in the park one day by Juliette (Keira Knightley), who plays for the Hounslow Harriers women's team, Jess is recruited to join them. Their coach is a young Irishman named Joe (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers), and it is love at second or third sight — complicated because Joe cannot date his players, and Juliette has a crush on him, too.
Sound familiar? Roger Ebert says while the elements may be routine, "what makes it special is the bubbling energy of the cast." Other reviewers agree. Some have inevitably compared it with "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" — because of the ethnic elements and because it is "just so much fun."
Not all fun, though. It explores the conflict of breaking away from a traditional, tight-knit family and playing a sport, a traditional man's sport at that, and getting away with it. The film first made its way around the art houses but then began popping up in commercial theaters. It's first run in New York right now.
Director Gurinder Chada wondered how it would make the transition to a wider audience. She tells a story in The Los Angeles Times: As she was walking out of a theater in Houston after a screening of her film, an older man wearing a cowboy hat sauntered over to her. "Mighty fine movie, young lady," he said in his Texas drawl.
Chada, who had never visited Texas before, asked him what he had like about a romantic comedy set in a suburban Indian neighborhood of West London. "It was intimate," he said.
According to the L.A. Times review, the movie's fans range from Girl Scouts and tweenie soccer players to a California state legislator who wants to screen it for her colleagues in honor of the 31st anniversary of Title IX, the 1972 federal law which catapulted girls' and women's participation in sports by denying federal funding to schools that discriminated in programs on a gender basis.
And, although he would hardly be a benchmark, there's that aging Texan.
Oh, by the way, the title: David Beckham is England's Michael Jordan of soccer. He is currently touring the United States promoting his sport. "Bending" is term that describes Beckham's reputed ability to put a spin on a soccer ball so that it will curve right around the opposing goalie.
The 112-minute movie is rated PG-13 for language and sexual content. It is playing at Market Square East.
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.
'BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM' SCORING SURPRISING POINTS
June 11, 2003 – It's becoming known in film circles as "the little foreign film that could." With reason. "Bend It Like Beckham" has all sorts of elements that would not seem to appeal to a large audience. But, they do.
It's a film about an East Indian girl, Jesminder (Parminder K. Nagra), living in London who wants nothing more than to play football ("soccer" to Americans, unlike the rest of the world). The problem is, this goes against the wishes of her parents, who want her to stay home and learn to make the perfect chapatti (a sort of Indian paté) for a perfect Indian husband.
Jess's older sister, Pinky (Archie Panjabi), is preparing for a traditional Indian wedding at the same time that Jess is sneaking away for football practice. Seen in the park one day by Juliette (Keira Knightley), who plays for the Hounslow Harriers women's team, Jess is recruited to join them. Their coach is a young Irishman named Joe (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers), and it is love at second or third sight — complicated because Joe cannot date his players, and Juliette has a crush on him, too.
Sound familiar? Roger Ebert says while the elements may be routine, "what makes it special is the bubbling energy of the cast." Other reviewers agree. Some have inevitably compared it with "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" — because of the ethnic elements and because it is "just so much fun."
Not all fun, though. It explores the conflict of breaking away from a traditional, tight-knit family and playing a sport, a traditional man's sport at that, and getting away with it. The film first made its way around the art houses but then began popping up in commercial theaters. It's first run in New York right now.
Director Gurinder Chada wondered how it would make the transition to a wider audience. She tells a story in The Los Angeles Times: As she was walking out of a theater in Houston after a screening of her film, an older man wearing a cowboy hat sauntered over to her. "Mighty fine movie, young lady," he said in his Texas drawl.
Chada, who had never visited Texas before, asked him what he had like about a romantic comedy set in a suburban Indian neighborhood of West London. "It was intimate," he said.
According to the L.A. Times review, the movie's fans range from Girl Scouts and tweenie soccer players to a California state legislator who wants to screen it for her colleagues in honor of the 31st anniversary of Title IX, the 1972 federal law which catapulted girls' and women's participation in sports by denying federal funding to schools that discriminated in programs on a gender basis.
And, although he would hardly be a benchmark, there's that aging Texan.
Oh, by the way, the title: David Beckham is England's Michael Jordan of soccer. He is currently touring the United States promoting his sport. "Bending" is term that describes Beckham's reputed ability to put a spin on a soccer ball so that it will curve right around the opposing goalie.
The 112-minute movie is rated PG-13 for language and sexual content. It is playing at Market Square East on St. Thomas.
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.
It's a film about an East Indian girl, Jesminder (Parminder K. Nagra), living in London who wants nothing more than to play football ("soccer" to Americans, unlike the rest of the world). The problem is, this goes against the wishes of her parents, who want her to stay home and learn to make the perfect chapatti (a sort of Indian paté) for a perfect Indian husband.
Jess's older sister, Pinky (Archie Panjabi), is preparing for a traditional Indian wedding at the same time that Jess is sneaking away for football practice. Seen in the park one day by Juliette (Keira Knightley), who plays for the Hounslow Harriers women's team, Jess is recruited to join them. Their coach is a young Irishman named Joe (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers), and it is love at second or third sight — complicated because Joe cannot date his players, and Juliette has a crush on him, too.
Sound familiar? Roger Ebert says while the elements may be routine, "what makes it special is the bubbling energy of the cast." Other reviewers agree. Some have inevitably compared it with "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" — because of the ethnic elements and because it is "just so much fun."
Not all fun, though. It explores the conflict of breaking away from a traditional, tight-knit family and playing a sport, a traditional man's sport at that, and getting away with it. The film first made its way around the art houses but then began popping up in commercial theaters. It's first run in New York right now.
Director Gurinder Chada wondered how it would make the transition to a wider audience. She tells a story in The Los Angeles Times: As she was walking out of a theater in Houston after a screening of her film, an older man wearing a cowboy hat sauntered over to her. "Mighty fine movie, young lady," he said in his Texas drawl.
Chada, who had never visited Texas before, asked him what he had like about a romantic comedy set in a suburban Indian neighborhood of West London. "It was intimate," he said.
According to the L.A. Times review, the movie's fans range from Girl Scouts and tweenie soccer players to a California state legislator who wants to screen it for her colleagues in honor of the 31st anniversary of Title IX, the 1972 federal law which catapulted girls' and women's participation in sports by denying federal funding to schools that discriminated in programs on a gender basis.
And, although he would hardly be a benchmark, there's that aging Texan.
Oh, by the way, the title: David Beckham is England's Michael Jordan of soccer. He is currently touring the United States promoting his sport. "Bending" is term that describes Beckham's reputed ability to put a spin on a soccer ball so that it will curve right around the opposing goalie.
The 112-minute movie is rated PG-13 for language and sexual content. It is playing at Market Square East on St. Thomas.
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.
ECONOMIST TO DISCUSS TAX ISSUES AT ROTARY
June 11, 2003 – V.I. economist/consultant Richard Moore will be the speaker at the Rotary Club of St. Croix meeting at Gertrude's Restaurant on June 19.
He will discuss issues relating to the U.S. Treasury Department's interpretation of legislation in the federal Tax Reform Act of 1986 and in V.I. Act 5224, signed into law by Gov. Juan Luis in 1986. Both have to do with tax policy to support local economic development.
Moore said his presentation will focus on the Treasury's failure to write rules and regulations for the federal act, its failure to maintain an implementation agreement for Act 5224, and the immediate need of companies in the investment program for guidance on day-to-day activities.
A former chief economist for the V.I. government and director of its Bureau of Economic Research, Moore wrote recently of a changing relationship between the Treasury and the territory for the Source. (See "Analysis: the territory's taxing relationships".)
Moore noted that he "was among a small number of staff to Gov. Luis who participated in the negotiations with Congress and the Reagan administration prior to the Tax Reform Act of 1986 and in the development of the local financial services program that now supports the viability of our economy."
The meeting is set for noon. For reservation and ticket information, call Gertrude's at 778-8362.
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.
He will discuss issues relating to the U.S. Treasury Department's interpretation of legislation in the federal Tax Reform Act of 1986 and in V.I. Act 5224, signed into law by Gov. Juan Luis in 1986. Both have to do with tax policy to support local economic development.
Moore said his presentation will focus on the Treasury's failure to write rules and regulations for the federal act, its failure to maintain an implementation agreement for Act 5224, and the immediate need of companies in the investment program for guidance on day-to-day activities.
A former chief economist for the V.I. government and director of its Bureau of Economic Research, Moore wrote recently of a changing relationship between the Treasury and the territory for the Source. (See "Analysis: the territory's taxing relationships".)
Moore noted that he "was among a small number of staff to Gov. Luis who participated in the negotiations with Congress and the Reagan administration prior to the Tax Reform Act of 1986 and in the development of the local financial services program that now supports the viability of our economy."
The meeting is set for noon. For reservation and ticket information, call Gertrude's at 778-8362.
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.
SENATE PANEL, SENATOR TO SPEND TIME ON ST. JOHN
June 11, 2003 – St. John residents will be seeing more than the usual complement of senators on island next week.
– The Legislature's Planning and Environmental Protection Committee, which had been scheduled to meet Wednesday on St. John, will instead convene at 10 a.m. on June 20 in the Legislative Conference Room in Cruz Bay.
– Sen. Shawn-Michael Malone will be available to meet with constituents from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 19 at the Legislature Building.
The committee, chaired by Sen. Louis Hill, is scheduled to hear testimony on two Coastal Zone Management permits. One is for the Gallows Point Condominium Association on St. John to build a pedestrian walkway and continue using a wooden swim platform. The other is for Red Hook Marina Inc. on St. Thomas's East End to continue using its dock, moorings and buildings and to replace dock pilings.
The meeting was rescheduled because senators traveled to St. Croix on Wednesday for an afternoon meeting with Gov. Charles W. Turnbull and his financial team to discuss options for addressing the territory's financial crisis.
Malone said he has decided to hold office hours on St. John from time to time because residents may be discouraged from taking concerns to their elected representatives by the "burden of two-fared transportation costs."
He said several St. John constituents have telephoned his office, "and I believe the number of calls warrants making myself available on the island to listen, discuss and ascertain the concerns of my St. Johnian constituency."
While the island has a de facto representative in the senator-at-large, who must be a St. John resident, all seven senators elected from the St. Thomas-St. John district also represent the island's residents.
Malone asked that anyone wishing to schedule an appointment to meet with him on St. John call his office at 639-3529. Or, he said, folks may just stop by the Legislative Building between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
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.
– The Legislature's Planning and Environmental Protection Committee, which had been scheduled to meet Wednesday on St. John, will instead convene at 10 a.m. on June 20 in the Legislative Conference Room in Cruz Bay.
– Sen. Shawn-Michael Malone will be available to meet with constituents from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 19 at the Legislature Building.
The committee, chaired by Sen. Louis Hill, is scheduled to hear testimony on two Coastal Zone Management permits. One is for the Gallows Point Condominium Association on St. John to build a pedestrian walkway and continue using a wooden swim platform. The other is for Red Hook Marina Inc. on St. Thomas's East End to continue using its dock, moorings and buildings and to replace dock pilings.
The meeting was rescheduled because senators traveled to St. Croix on Wednesday for an afternoon meeting with Gov. Charles W. Turnbull and his financial team to discuss options for addressing the territory's financial crisis.
Malone said he has decided to hold office hours on St. John from time to time because residents may be discouraged from taking concerns to their elected representatives by the "burden of two-fared transportation costs."
He said several St. John constituents have telephoned his office, "and I believe the number of calls warrants making myself available on the island to listen, discuss and ascertain the concerns of my St. Johnian constituency."
While the island has a de facto representative in the senator-at-large, who must be a St. John resident, all seven senators elected from the St. Thomas-St. John district also represent the island's residents.
Malone asked that anyone wishing to schedule an appointment to meet with him on St. John call his office at 639-3529. Or, he said, folks may just stop by the Legislative Building between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
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.
SEASON'S FIRST TROPICAL DEPRESSION IS OUT THERE
June 11, 2003 – It's started. The first of the 2003 hurricane season storms formed Wednesday midway between the Caribbean chain and the Azores. It's been designated Tropical Depression 2.
However, it is not the first storm of the year. A rare pre-season storm, Tropical Storm Ana, formed off the coast of Bermuda in April. Hurricane season officially started on June 1.
The current storm is not well organized and forecasters expect it to dissipate.
Scott Stripling, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in San Juan, anticipates it will pass south of the Virgin Islands on Sunday as a tropical wave. The territory should get brisk winds of 20 to 25 mph and some scattered to intermittent showers, he said.
Tropical Depression 2 was centered at 9.8 degrees north latitude and 46.7 degrees west longitude on Wednesday afternoon. Sustained winds were 35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. The system was moving west at 19 mph but was expected to swing a bit to the northwest.
"If it gets stronger, it could get closer" to the territory, Stripling said. He noted that this is the start of what experts think will be a severe hurricane season.
Forecaster William Gray at Colorado State University predicted on May 30 that 14 named storms will develop. He expects eight to become hurricanes and three to become intense hurricanes with winds of 111 mph or more. The long-term average is 9.6 tropical storms, 5.9 hurricanes and 2.3 intense hurricanes. Last year saw 12 named storms but only four hurricanes. Two of them were considered intense. None hit the Virgin Islands.
Stripling urged residents to make hurricane season preparations if they haven't already done so.
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.
However, it is not the first storm of the year. A rare pre-season storm, Tropical Storm Ana, formed off the coast of Bermuda in April. Hurricane season officially started on June 1.
The current storm is not well organized and forecasters expect it to dissipate.
Scott Stripling, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in San Juan, anticipates it will pass south of the Virgin Islands on Sunday as a tropical wave. The territory should get brisk winds of 20 to 25 mph and some scattered to intermittent showers, he said.
Tropical Depression 2 was centered at 9.8 degrees north latitude and 46.7 degrees west longitude on Wednesday afternoon. Sustained winds were 35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. The system was moving west at 19 mph but was expected to swing a bit to the northwest.
"If it gets stronger, it could get closer" to the territory, Stripling said. He noted that this is the start of what experts think will be a severe hurricane season.
Forecaster William Gray at Colorado State University predicted on May 30 that 14 named storms will develop. He expects eight to become hurricanes and three to become intense hurricanes with winds of 111 mph or more. The long-term average is 9.6 tropical storms, 5.9 hurricanes and 2.3 intense hurricanes. Last year saw 12 named storms but only four hurricanes. Two of them were considered intense. None hit the Virgin Islands.
Stripling urged residents to make hurricane season preparations if they haven't already done so.
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HIKING ASSOCIATION TO TAKE SCENIC ROUTE
June 11, 2003 – The St. Croix Hiking Association is conducting a hike along the Western Scenic Drive beginning at 6 a.m. on Saturday, June 21.
Hikers of this moderately difficult route are to meet at Mt. Victory and will hike on to the quarry at the entrance to Caledonia Valley.
For more information call 778-2076, 773-8409 or 778-7910.
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Hikers of this moderately difficult route are to meet at Mt. Victory and will hike on to the quarry at the entrance to Caledonia Valley.
For more information call 778-2076, 773-8409 or 778-7910.
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.
HIKING ASSOCIATION TO HIKE
The St. Croix Hiking Association is conducting a hike along the Western Scenic Drive beginning at 6 a.m. on Saturday, June 21.
Hikers of this moderately difficult route are to meet at Mt. Victory and will hike on to the quarry at the entrance to Caledonia Valley.
For more information call 778-2076, 773-8409 or 778-7910.
Hikers of this moderately difficult route are to meet at Mt. Victory and will hike on to the quarry at the entrance to Caledonia Valley.
For more information call 778-2076, 773-8409 or 778-7910.
SIGNS OF FISCAL FIASCO WERE THERE, BUT IGNORED
Dear Source,
For years the real leaders in our communities have been speaking about the fiscal problems of this government. Our elected leaders disclaimed such talk as untrue and took little or no action in reeling in the reckless spending. Well, who is kidding whom? This current administration finds itself in the same position as others, robbing Peter to pay Paul.
It was shortsighted and unwise to spend the "windfall" from two years ago instead of putting it away for a rainy day or using it to pay off debt.
Maybe, just maybe, we have reached a turning point. If some of our elected officials do not receive their pay on time, they will finally get the message. I am sorry to say I have no sympathy for them, as the writing was on the wall — and it was written with their own pens. I only feel for the everyday worker struggling to make ends meet.
With government being the biggest employer, and government employees being the consumers who contribute to the cash registers for many local businesses, cutting the employee work week will have a ripple effect on the economy. The proposals to raise revenues by increasing a variety of taxes will not solve our fiscal problem.
Our government has never been able to live within its means. No matter how much money the government has, is always manages to spend more. There are too many holes in the piggy bank, and until we address this problem we will find ourselves forever coming up short.
The fiscal problems have been cooking for some time. The legislative and executive branches, past and present, have not exercised their fiduciary responsibility with the money of the taxpayers of this community. They have fed themselves and their friends around them well.
Some critical decisions should have been made some time back as to how this government functions. The short-sightedness and reckless actions of our "leaders" have put us in this plight, and if you are wondering who is to blame, just look in the mirror.
Like it or not, we are beyond curtailing travel or phone service to keep this government above water. The decisions that have to be made to correct our course will be a bitter pill to digest. Captain! The ship is not sinking; it's already 6 feet under!
Vinnie Mohanani
St. Thomas
For years the real leaders in our communities have been speaking about the fiscal problems of this government. Our elected leaders disclaimed such talk as untrue and took little or no action in reeling in the reckless spending. Well, who is kidding whom? This current administration finds itself in the same position as others, robbing Peter to pay Paul.
It was shortsighted and unwise to spend the "windfall" from two years ago instead of putting it away for a rainy day or using it to pay off debt.
Maybe, just maybe, we have reached a turning point. If some of our elected officials do not receive their pay on time, they will finally get the message. I am sorry to say I have no sympathy for them, as the writing was on the wall — and it was written with their own pens. I only feel for the everyday worker struggling to make ends meet.
With government being the biggest employer, and government employees being the consumers who contribute to the cash registers for many local businesses, cutting the employee work week will have a ripple effect on the economy. The proposals to raise revenues by increasing a variety of taxes will not solve our fiscal problem.
Our government has never been able to live within its means. No matter how much money the government has, is always manages to spend more. There are too many holes in the piggy bank, and until we address this problem we will find ourselves forever coming up short.
The fiscal problems have been cooking for some time. The legislative and executive branches, past and present, have not exercised their fiduciary responsibility with the money of the taxpayers of this community. They have fed themselves and their friends around them well.
Some critical decisions should have been made some time back as to how this government functions. The short-sightedness and reckless actions of our "leaders" have put us in this plight, and if you are wondering who is to blame, just look in the mirror.
Like it or not, we are beyond curtailing travel or phone service to keep this government above water. The decisions that have to be made to correct our course will be a bitter pill to digest. Captain! The ship is not sinking; it's already 6 feet under!
Vinnie Mohanani
St. Thomas
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