June 1, 2003 – With such continuous strain placed on the territory's natural and economic resources, many residents consider it essential to practice conservation in their use of water, electricity and funds. But according University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service experts, there is a desperate need to conserve yet another element: soil.
Most of the soil in the Virgin Islands "is shallow and placed overtop a lot of rock," Julie Wright, CES National Resource Program supervisor, said at a community-outreach workshop this week. This poses problems in the construction of new homes and threatens the environment, she explained, as pollutants can pass easily into guts and coastal waters.
In a Pre-Construction Planning Workshop for Property Owners held on Thursday at UVI's Sports and Fitness Center on St. Thomas, Wright collaborated with fellow CES agent Dale Morton in covering, literally, a lot of ground. They discussed appropriate practices prior to the construction of a new home — including the steps needed to improve the site's physical and ecological stability — and the environmental effects of such practices.
The workshop had been presented two days earlier on St. John and will be repeated Tuesday on St. Croix, from 7 to 9 p.m. in Room 133 of the UVI Research and Extension Center.
The first step in the planning process, Wright said on Thursday, is to assess site conditions. She emphasized the importance of doing this before construction begins, in order to:
– Conserve valuable topsoil (which is vital for landscaping after construction).
– Prevent costly landslide and flooding problems.
– Conserve natural areas and native species of plants.
– Minimize paved areas.
– Prevent property damage.
– Minimize stormwater runoff and downstream pollution.
Wright covered the significance of hydrology, or how water flows across a piece of property, in the "assessing" process. She said it is important to build an adequate distance from guts, wetlands and shorelines. "When we're talking about guts found in the V.I., the largest trees, and frequently many endangered species, are found there," she said, "so they also end up functioning as habitats."
She noted that by law construction cannot take place within specified distances from these surface waters — at least 25 feet from the edge of a gut and at least 150 feet from the edge of shorelines and wetlands.
Erosion and sediment control practices are critical, Wright and Morton said, describing the use of revegetation, retaining walls, terracing and the silt fences placed property around properties.
"Sediment control practices are not as effective as erosion control practices," Wright said. "However, V.I. soils are predominantly clay-ey. These types of soil particles are extremely difficult to remove from runoff, and when clay particles pass through silt fencing, they take a very long time to settle out of runoff in holding ponds."
The presence of construction sediment in surface runoff poses a substantial threat to the territory's coastlines and coral reefs, she said. "It's these levels of abrasive sediment that scour the corals and weaken them so that they lose their ability to fight diseases," she said.
It can take "three to five years for these corals to return," she added, but if the runoff is continuous, "it becomes harder for them to be able to return."
Wright stressed the importance of utilizing local resources such as soil surveys and topographic, sediment reduction and water resource maps in making a site assessment or developing a pre-construction plan.
Here are some resource for further Information on construction site assessment and planning:
– U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service, St. Croix — Rudy O'Reilly or Faye Williams, 692-9632, ext. 101.
– UVI Cooperative Extension Service, St. Thomas — Julie Wright and Dale Morton, 693-1080.
– UVI Conservation Data Center, St. Thomas — Dayle Barry, 693-1030.
– The U.S. Department of Agriculture's V.I. soil survey Web site document.
– UVI digitized maps, 693-1030.

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May 31, 2003 — Two awards programs will honor outstanding students at Joseph Gomez Elementary School.
The primary awards program will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, June 5, and the intermediate program at 9 a.m. Friday, June 6. Principal Freida Farrow invites parents and friends of students to attend, said a release from the V.I. Education Department.

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May 31, 2003 — If you've locked the doors and windows of your small business, do you think your business is "secure?"
The University of the Virgin Islands Small Business Development Center will conduct a seminar entitled "Security for a Small Business Is More Than a Lock and Key" from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, June 5, at the SBDC training facility on the second floor, East Wing of Nisky Center, St. Thomas.
The presenter is Ronald F. Roberts, president of Roberts' Resources. Topics to be discussed include credit card fraud, identity theft, and customer/consumer privacy.
Admission to the seminar is $20. There is a $5 discount for those who pre-register and pay by Wednesday, June 4. Admission for UVI faculty, staff and students is free, although they must pre-register.
For additional information and to pre-register, call 776-3206 or fax 775-3756.

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May 31, 2003 – Although it was his moment to shine, former Delegate to Congress Ron de Lugo used Friday's dedication of the St. Thomas federal courthouse in his honor to cast the spotlight on his fellow V.I. leaders, asking them not to let their zeal turn rivals into enemies.
He also praised today's crop of senators, government executives and judges, saying their brisk interactions over the controversies of the day represent self-government at its best.
"Don't let personalities get in the way of your political battles," de Lugo said. "Your opponent could very well be right, and you might very well end up being friends – with great admiration for the very person that you have battled so hard."
De Lugo made his remarks at a ceremony naming the federal courthouse the Ron de Lugo Federal Building, where close to 150 people, many of them government leaders from current and past administrations, gathered under ceremonial tents on the lawn of the waterfront courthouse to witness the unveiling of a dedication plaque bearing the former delegate's name and the dates of his service in Congress.
The ceremony was carried out under tight security by U.S. marshals and enforcement officers from the U.S. General Services Administration and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources.
Built in 1977, while de Lugo was serving in Washington, the federal building was never given a name. The current delegate, Donna M. Christensen, said many federal buildings and post offices come into existence nameless, only to be named later.
De Lugo said at the time it was built, his only concern was that local contractors be given a chance to share in the economic benefits of the new construction project. "It was the beginning of a change in a federal attitude. Before that many decisions were made off-island with very little local input," he said after the Friday ceremony.
During the ceremony he spoke with pride about his work in Congress and how with the help of the Virgin Islands Democratic Party and his congressional staff, the territory gained a stronger voice in its destiny. "I only wish all of you could have been right at my elbow to have witnessed it, to have known about it, to have been there and to have helped me as we won respect for these territories, for the people of the Virgin Islands," he said.
Although de Lugo retired to Virginia after leaving public office in 1995, he came back to the home he had known since his toddling years to celebrate V.I. Carnival in April. Instead of going back to Virginia, he said he stayed in the territory and took in some current affairs.
And while some may see developments over property taxes, sewer contracts, fiscal deficits and coastal zone construction as signs of turbulent times, de Lugo told his audience he found it all refreshing. "The executive and the Legislature, they're not supposed to be hugging up and kissing up each other. They balance each other, and the same goes for the judiciary. And that's what we have going on right now," he said.
"And this challenge that we have is helping to produce a better Legislature, a better executive and a better judiciary than we have seen in a long, long time."
De Lugo praised Gov. Charles W. Turnbull for demonstrating leadership by calling the recent special session over proposed redevelopment at Yacht Haven. The former delegate also praised the 25th Legislature and District Judge Thomas K. Moore for enforcing checks and balances over the V.I. government.
But despite his lengthy remarks, most of the two-hour ceremony was given over to those who offered words of praise for de Lugo and the building being named in his honor.
Christensen recalled her long association with her predecessor, from her childhood on St. Croix. "It's not simply for the length of his tenure and service," she said, "but more significantly it is because Ron deserves this honor we are bestowing on him, for the quality and the excellence of that service."
Christensen was joined by Turnbull, Sen. Lorraine Berry and congressional counsel Brian Modeste, who has served under both de Lugo and Christensen. Steve Ruggiero, deputy regional administrator for the General Services Administration, brought greetings on behalf of President Bush.
Turnbull called de Lugo "a political institution of his own."
"Your distinguished career in public service is being memorialized in this noteworthy and substantial way," he said. "Speakers before me have traced your many accomplishments in some detail. Historians and biographers of the future will write about you. You will never be forgotten in Virgin Islands history," Turnbull said.
Ruggiero explained the role of the GSA as the property manager for the U.S. government and told the audience that in spite of its diverse portfolio of public buildings, the St. Thomas federal courthouse holds a place of great esteem.
"This building has a very unique place in our inventory and in our institutional culture," he said. "When I became commissioner a couple of years ago, I was puzzled by why the Northeast region of GSA encompassed the Caribbean. Standing here today, looking out at the beautiful harbor, I finally understand."

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May 31, 2003 – Although it was his moment to shine, former Delegate to Congress Ron de Lugo used Friday's dedication of the St. Thomas federal courthouse in his honor to cast the spotlight on his fellow V.I. leaders, asking them not to let their zeal turn rivals into enemies.
He also praised today's crop of senators, government executives and judges, saying their brisk interactions over the controversies of the day represent self-government at its best.
"Don't let personalities get in the way of your political battles," de Lugo said. "Your opponent could very well be right, and you might very well end up being friends – with great admiration for the very person that you have battled so hard."
De Lugo made his remarks at a ceremony naming the federal courthouse the Ron de Lugo Federal Building, where close to 150 people, many of them government leaders from current and past administrations, gathered under ceremonial tents on the lawn of the waterfront courthouse to witness the unveiling of a dedication plaque bearing the former delegate's name and the dates of his service in Congress.
The ceremony was carried out under tight security by U.S. marshals and enforcement officers from the U.S. General Services Administration and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources.
Built in 1977, while de Lugo was serving in Washington, the federal building was never given a name. The current delegate, Donna M. Christensen, said many federal buildings and post offices come into existence nameless, only to be named later.
De Lugo said at the time it was built, his only concern was that local contractors be given a chance to share in the economic benefits of the new construction project. "It was the beginning of a change in a federal attitude. Before that many decisions were made off-island with very little local input," he said after the Friday ceremony.
During the ceremony he spoke with pride about his work in Congress and how with the help of the Virgin Islands Democratic Party and his congressional staff, the territory gained a stronger voice in its destiny. "I only wish all of you could have been right at my elbow to have witnessed it, to have known about it, to have been there and to have helped me as we won respect for these territories, for the people of the Virgin Islands," he said.
Although de Lugo retired to Virginia after leaving public office in 1995, he came back to the home he had known since his toddling years to celebrate V.I. Carnival in April. Instead of going back to Virginia, he said he stayed in the territory and took in some current affairs.
And while some may see developments over property taxes, sewer contracts, fiscal deficits and coastal zone construction as signs of turbulent times, de Lugo told his audience he found it all refreshing. "The executive and the Legislature, they're not supposed to be hugging up and kissing up each other. They balance each other, and the same goes for the judiciary. And that's what we have going on right now," he said.
"And this challenge that we have is helping to produce a better Legislature, a better executive and a better judiciary than we have seen in a long, long time."
De Lugo praised Gov. Charles W. Turnbull for demonstrating leadership by calling the recent special session over proposed redevelopment at Yacht Haven. The former delegate also praised the 25th Legislature and District Judge Thomas K. Moore for enforcing checks and balances over the V.I. government.
But despite his lengthy remarks, most of the two-hour ceremony was given over to those who offered words of praise for de Lugo and the building being named in his honor.
Christensen recalled her long association with her predecessor, from her childhood on St. Croix. "It's not simply for the length of his tenure and service," she said, "but more significantly it is because Ron deserves this honor we are bestowing on him, for the quality and the excellence of that service."
Christensen was joined by Turnbull, Sen. Lorraine Berry and congressional counsel Brian Modeste, who has served under both de Lugo and Christensen. Steve Ruggiero, deputy regional administrator for the General Services Administration, brought greetings on behalf of President Bush.
Turnbull called de Lugo "a political institution of his own."
"Your distinguished career in public service is being memorialized in this noteworthy and substantial way," he said. "Speakers before me have traced your many accomplishments in some detail. Historians and biographers of the future will write about you. You will never be forgotten in Virgin Islands history," Turnbull said.
Ruggiero explained the role of the GSA as the property manager for the U.S. government and told the audience that in spite of its diverse portfolio of public buildings, the St. Thomas federal courthouse holds a place of great esteem.
"This building has a very unique place in our inventory and in our institutional culture," he said. "When I became commissioner a couple of years ago, I was puzzled by why the Northeast region of GSA encompassed the Caribbean. Standing here today, looking out at the beautiful harbor, I finally understand."

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May 31, 2003 – Cousins Audrey Brown and Rena Francis organized the Bits-N-Pieces Flea Market to help people come together and sell their products. "A lot of people have strong ideas for a new business venture but lack the initial skills required to fully realize those ideas into something which can be brought to the marketplace," Brown said.
Francis added, "What we want to do is help these entrepreneurs get started, get them into the market where they can begin to establish themselves."
The outdoor flea market, launched May 10, is located across the street from the Island Center for the Performing Arts and is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. With space available for more than 100 vendors, Brown and Francis feel there is room for anybody with an idea.
Homemade pastries and gooseberry preserves, jewelry made by local craftsmen, vitamin supplements, clothing, fabric and even that ubiquitous orange cleaning product seen advertised on television are just a few of the items that have been available so far.
"Last weekend there was a craftsperson doing macrame while you watched, and even a booth where brides-to-be could register for their wedding crystal," Francis said.
The two hope not only to stimulate the local economy with this venture, but have solid hopes for developing the flea market into more of a community event. "We may be starting an aerobics class, and we are interested also in making this a venue where public speakers can come and talk about issues relevant to the community," Brown said.
Francis said she hopes to have on-site childcare available soon so that, "Mom and Dad are free to shop while the little ones play."
In keeping with their wish to grow the local economy and community, as well as to make the flea market a success, Brown and Francis have made themselves available as consultants to those needing a little extra help getting started. Whether you require assistance drafting a business plan or need someone to guide you through the ins and outs of obtaining a business license, these two can help.
For more information, call 773-0730 or 772-3636.

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May 29, 2003 – This year's Father's Day festivities in Frenchtown, scheduled from June 13 to 15, will kick off a week ahead of time with the Committee for the Betterment of Carnage's annual Father's Day Fishing Tournament on Sunday, June 8.
Fishing will take place from 6 a.m. to noon with anglers competing for an assortment of prizes, including a $2,000 cash purse for the biggest fish. The Gustave Quetel Fishing Center, where the weigh-in will take place, is going to "come to life," according to tournament chairwoman Gail Joseph.
Live music, food and drink – provided by the tournament's co-sponsors Coor's Light, Offshore Marine Services and Hawaiian Tropic – will be part of the revelry near the Frenchtown bayside as the competitors arrive with their catches.
The winners of this tournament, as well as the earlier held Mother's Day tournament, will be announced on Father's Day night.
"It's all a part of the big Father's day celebration," Joseph said.
Registration will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 7, at the Joseph Aubain Ball Park.

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Dear Source:

It's just becoming summer in Wisconsin after an uneventful but rather cold winter. Summer-time is why we choose to live in Wisconsin, but I can't wait for winter to roll around again.
Why? Because of my planned trip to the Caribbean this coming November.
Just thinking about the long walks on the beautiful beaches my wife and I can take without being harassed. Renting a car and driving around to take in the wonderful sites, not having to worry about seeing a pile of junk cars, or an overflowing dumpster in any of the photographs we take home. I really enjoy the way we are made to feel at all of the hotels, restaurants and shops we will go to. The folks we will meet in these places will surely let us know how much they appreciate us coming back year after year. After all, they realize that it is not cheap to take a vacation in the Caribbean, and they would like to put their best foot forward so that we are inspired to come back again, or perhaps more importantly, let our friends know that this is a great place for a vacation. The folks we deal with on our trips know that sun and sand are just not enough to lure tourists to a warm weather destination any longer. They seem to realize that there is just too much competition, even right in their own backyard.
Yes, I can't wait for our vacation this coming November. Tortola is so nice that time of year.

Eric K. Roeske
Watertown, Wisconsin

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.

May 31, 2003 – Although it was his moment to shine, former Delegate to Congress Ron de Lugo used Friday's dedication of the St. Thomas federal courthouse in his honor to cast the spotlight on his fellow V.I. leaders, asking them not to let their zeal turn rivals into enemies.
He also praised today's crop of senators, government executives and judges, saying their brisk interactions over the controversies of the day represent self-government at its best.
"Don't let personalities get in the way of your political battles," de Lugo said. "Your opponent could very well be right, and you might very well end up being friends – with great admiration for the very person that you have battled so hard."
De Lugo made his remarks at a ceremony naming the federal courthouse the Ron de Lugo Federal Building, where close to 150 people, many of them government leaders from current and past administrations, gathered under ceremonial tents on the lawn of the waterfront courthouse to witness the unveiling of a dedication plaque bearing the former delegate's name and the dates of his service in Congress.
The ceremony was carried out under tight security by U.S. marshals and enforcement officers from the U.S. General Services Administration and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources.
Built in 1977, while de Lugo was serving in Washington, the federal building was never given a name. The current delegate, Donna M. Christensen, said many federal buildings and post offices come into existence nameless, only to be named later.
De Lugo said at the time it was built, his only concern was that local contractors be given a chance to share in the economic benefits of the new construction project. "It was the beginning of a change in a federal attitude. Before that many decisions were made off-island with very little local input," he said after the Friday ceremony.
During the ceremony he spoke with pride about his work in Congress and how with the help of the Virgin Islands Democratic Party and his congressional staff, the territory gained a stronger voice in its destiny. "I only wish all of you could have been right at my elbow to have witnessed it, to have known about it, to have been there and to have helped me as we won respect for these territories, for the people of the Virgin Islands," he said.
Although de Lugo retired to Virginia after leaving public office in 1995, he came back to the home he had known since his toddling years to celebrate V.I. Carnival in April. Instead of going back to Virginia, he said he stayed in the territory and took in some current affairs.
And while some may see developments over property taxes, sewer contracts, fiscal deficits and coastal zone construction as signs of turbulent times, de Lugo told his audience he found it all refreshing. "The executive and the Legislature, they're not supposed to be hugging up and kissing up each other. They balance each other, and the same goes for the judiciary. And that's what we have going on right now," he said.
"And this challenge that we have is helping to produce a better Legislature, a better executive and a better judiciary than we have seen in a long, long time."
De Lugo praised Gov. Charles W. Turnbull for demonstrating leadership by calling the recent special session over proposed redevelopment at Yacht Haven. The former delegate also praised the 25th Legislature and District Judge Thomas K. Moore for enforcing checks and balances over the V.I. government.
But despite his lengthy remarks, most of the two-hour ceremony was given over to those who offered words of praise for de Lugo and the building being named in his honor.
Christensen recalled her long association with her predecessor, from her childhood on St. Croix. "It's not simply for the length of his tenure and service," she said. "but more significantly it is because Ron deserves this honor we are bestowing on him, for the quality and the excellence of that service."
Christensen was joined by Turnbull, Sen. Lorraine Berry and congressional counsel Brian Modeste, who has served under both de Lugo and Christensen. Steve Ruggiero, deputy regional administrator for the General Services Administration, brought greetings on behalf of President Bush.
Turnbull called de Lugo "a political institution of his own."
"Your distinguished career in public service is being memorialized in this noteworthy and substantial way," he said. "Speakers before me have traced your many accomplishments in some detail. Historians and biographers of the future will write about you. You will never be forgotten in Virgin Islands history," Turnbull said.
Ruggiero explained the role of the GSA as the property manager for the U.S. government and told the audience that in spite of its diverse portfolio of public buildings, the St. Thomas federal courthouse holds a place of great esteem.
"This building has a very unique place in our inventory and in our institutional culture," he said." When I became commissioner a couple of years ago I was puzzled by why the Northeast region of GSA encompassed the Caribbean. Standing here today, looking out at the beautiful harbor, I finally understand."

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May 31, 2003 – The annual meeting of the Advertising Club of the Virgin Islands is scheduled for Friday evening at Kristia's Bar and Grill at Bluebeard's Villas and Beach Club.
Along with the "Island Style" meeting there also will be a member appreciation party featuring complimentary "fritters, kabobs and corn on the cob," along with live entertainment, door prizes and a cash bar.
Members will have an opportunity to converse with the 2003 Advi Awards judges and the nominees to the Ad Club's 2004 board of directors.
The slate presented by the nominating committee is: Maura Curley, Virgin Voice, president; Mike Gazi, The Media Group/Daily News, first vice president; Ruth Butler, Coral World, second vice president; Dottie Sparks, COBEX, treasurer; Lori Abbotts, Little Switzerland and Looking Glass Design, secretary; Linda Bruton, Mongoose Marketing, St. Croix liaison; Lisa Lawlor, Infinity + 1 Design, past president; and four other directors — Paul Deaton, The Deaton Studio; Mary Gleason, Hospitality Consulting Services; Richard Le Burkien, Reichhold Center for the Arts; and Sheldon Turnbull, Knight Quality Stations.
The meeting will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Reservations are requested and may be made by calling 776-7828.

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