May 29, 2003 – The announcement came at "the 12th hour," to quote Gov. Charles W. Turnbull from another recent statement, but it came as no surprise: The governor will not be submitting his proposed Fiscal Year 2004 budget for the administrative branch to the Legislature by May 30 as required by law.
A Government House release issued Thursday afternoon said the budget would not be submitted by Friday and that it will be submitted only after the Legislature approves a plan to resolve the Fiscal Year 2003 "situation."
On April 24, the governor announced that the government was facing a deficit of $100 million for the current fiscal year, a figure revised soon thereafter to $115 million. Last week, members of his financial team testified before the Senate that the shortfall could reach $144 million as a result of a May 12 federal court order imposing a moratorium on the collection of property taxes.
Late on the night of May 13, the governor's package of six multi-part bills to address the financial crisis was delivered to the Legislature for consideration at a special session called for May 15. The bills call for borrowing another $235 million, spending much of it on projects that include $80 million for a new hotel that the government would build and own on St. Croix, and increasing existing taxes and adding new ones, most of them aimed at the business sector.
The revenue proposals include raising the gross receipts tax to 4.75 percent from the current 4 percent, adding a 2 percent surcharge to the 8 percent hotel room tax, and instituting an "environmental excise tax" based on the weight of items imported into the territory and a per-barrel tax on crude oil that one business executive calculated would cost Hovensa more than $32 million a year.
Nowhere in the bills were there any proposals to reduce government expenditures, save for changing the pay periods to twice monthly rather than every other week, which would mean two less instances of processing payments but would not affect the salaries government employees receive.
A top administration official told the senators that $5 million could be saved through natural attrition in the government work force of 2 percent a year for five years; enforcement of a hiring freeze; limitations on overtime, travel and the use of cellular phones; and restrictions on unauthorized use of government vehicles. Police officers got their marching orders on Monday to apprehend the drivers of any such vehicles found to be in use outside of authorized hours.
After 11 hours of deliberations on May 15, the Legislature voted unanimously to refer all of the bills to the Finance Committee for consideration on June 5. The hearing does not shape up to be a rubber-stamp affair; Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg, the committee chair, said on the Senate floor on May 15 that the administration officials were "stone crazy" if they thought he was going to sign off on the bills as proposed.
Reaction to the proposals was predictably negative from the business community. Joe Aubain, long-time executive director of the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce, said: "I'm assuming this is one part of the package, and the cuts haven't come down yet."
Noel Loftus, president of the St. Croix Alive business organization and a former St. Croix Chamber of Commerce president, said: "There is no recovery plan. It is not balanced, not thought out, not responsible, and it won't work. If this passes, you will see more businesses close."
Delegate Donna M. Christensen was largely in agreement, expressing concern about "the Turnbull administration's tax-laden response" to the territory's fiscal crisis. "I am still waiting to hear the other side — how spending will be reduced," she said. "I know that the federal government, who I am sure will be called on for help, will be waiting also." In his letter to Senate President David Jones on Thursday concerning the FY 2004 budget, Turnbull wrote: "The executive branch departments and agencies have worked very hard to develop budgets within the confines of the limited resources available."
However, he added, "The budgets of all departments and agencies will be directly affected by the measures that are ultimately utilized" to resolve the projected massive funding shortfall by the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept. 30.
Turnbull said his administration is continuing its efforts to prepare "a realistic and meaningful budget."
The Senate Finance Committee not only is key to the immediate fate of the governor's proposals to address the burgeoning FY 2003 deficit but also has first say in the Legislature's manipulation of the administration's proposed FY 2004 budget.
On Sunday, the governor again called the Senate into special session, this time to act Tuesday on a bill ratifying the leasing of submerged lands in Long Bay and the granting of a Coastal Zone Management permit for development of those lands. In his transmittal letter to Jones on Sunday, he wrote: "If I understand the situation, if this development is to move forward and this investment is to be made for the people of the Virgin Islands, the time to act is now. This is the 12th hour and the cock is crowing."
On Tuesday, the Legislature approved both the lease and the permit.
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B.V.I. FRIENDSHIP DAY EVENTS SET ON ST. THOMAS
May 29, 2003 – Saturday will mark the 31st anniversary observance of U.S./British Virgin Islands Friendship Day, and this year it's the territory's turn to serve as host.
According to a Government House release, a delegation of government and civic leaders from the British Virgins will arrive at St. Thomas on Saturday morning for a breakfast reception on the ground of the Legislature Building.
A ceremony in Emancipation Garden will follow, and the day's official activities will conclude with a luncheon at Government House.
Citing the family, business and cultural ties that link the two territories, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull said: "It is fitting and proper that this close relationship be observed by setting aside a day on which to focus attention on and renew the bonds of true friendship existing between the people of the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands."
He also noted that many U.S. Virgin Islanders can trace their roots to their neighboring British islands.
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According to a Government House release, a delegation of government and civic leaders from the British Virgins will arrive at St. Thomas on Saturday morning for a breakfast reception on the ground of the Legislature Building.
A ceremony in Emancipation Garden will follow, and the day's official activities will conclude with a luncheon at Government House.
Citing the family, business and cultural ties that link the two territories, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull said: "It is fitting and proper that this close relationship be observed by setting aside a day on which to focus attention on and renew the bonds of true friendship existing between the people of the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands."
He also noted that many U.S. Virgin Islanders can trace their roots to their neighboring British islands.
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INPUT SOUGHT ON PLACEMENT OF FISHING MOORINGS
May 29, 2003 – Enforcement officers of the Virgin Islands National Park and the Planning and Natural Resources Department met this week to discuss how to allow continued fishing within the waters of the recently established Coral Reef Monument off St. John's south shore and east end.
Most fishing is prohibited in the now federally protected area, but one species, blue runner, also called hardnose, can still legally be caught.
Steve Clark, the park's chief of enforcement, said the input of local fishermen is wanted to help park officials decide where to set up six moorings where people will be allowed to tie up their vessels — up to 60 feet in length — and use handlines. They will be able to fish for free but will have to obtain a permit from the park, he said.
It was decided to install the six moorings "in the interest of sound management and to assist the fishermen that are after the blue runner," Clark said. The moorings "will be placed throughout the monument at the direction of particular fishermen," he said, between Cabrittehorn Point and Ram Head, and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. They are expected to be in place by July.
Fishermen who have fish traps in the monument waters will have to remove them, he said.
The park is getting help from Planning and Natural Resources in enforcing the new rules. On Wednesday, Clark met with DPNR enforcement chief Lucia Francis to discuss the mooring plan.
The park's resource management team is working on a separate mooring plan for Hurricane Hole. Rafe Boulon, park chief of resource management, said 11 moorings should be in place sometime this summer. Two will be reserved for commercial and charter boats, he said, the rest will be available to private vessels visiting the area for the day or overnight.
Park officials are also working on an emergency mooring system to be used in case of a hurricane or tropical storm. Boulon said the system will not be ready for the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season, which begins in June, but a plan is in the works to accommodate vessels seeking shelter in the event of an approaching storm.
"After the first bona fide storm threat … people can move in there and anchor their vessels," he said. "We're only requiring that people not tie to mangroves, because that damages the mangroves."
Boulon defined a "bona fide storm" as a significant storm on track to pass through the territory within 96 hours or less. "This season, after the first threat passes," he said, boaters "can leave their gear in place, with a buoy marked with their name and vessel registration number."
Boaters wishing to do also will have to write to the National Park Service stating what kind of gear they are leaving, where it is, and how it is marked.
With notification govern to the park, emergency anchor systems that are properly marked will be allowed to remain in place for the duration of the hurricane season.
Fishermen are asked to provide input on the optimum positioning for the six moorings by calling Boulon at 693-8950, ext. 224, or Clark at 776-6201, ext. 254; by mailing suggestions in writing to Virgin Islands National Park, 1300 Cruz Bay Creek, St. John VI 00830; or by faxing them to 693-9500. Probably the easiest way, though, is to go by the National Park Visitor Center in Cruz Bay and ask for Clark, who will provide a map for indicating the suggested locations.
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Most fishing is prohibited in the now federally protected area, but one species, blue runner, also called hardnose, can still legally be caught.
Steve Clark, the park's chief of enforcement, said the input of local fishermen is wanted to help park officials decide where to set up six moorings where people will be allowed to tie up their vessels — up to 60 feet in length — and use handlines. They will be able to fish for free but will have to obtain a permit from the park, he said.
It was decided to install the six moorings "in the interest of sound management and to assist the fishermen that are after the blue runner," Clark said. The moorings "will be placed throughout the monument at the direction of particular fishermen," he said, between Cabrittehorn Point and Ram Head, and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. They are expected to be in place by July.
Fishermen who have fish traps in the monument waters will have to remove them, he said.
The park is getting help from Planning and Natural Resources in enforcing the new rules. On Wednesday, Clark met with DPNR enforcement chief Lucia Francis to discuss the mooring plan.
The park's resource management team is working on a separate mooring plan for Hurricane Hole. Rafe Boulon, park chief of resource management, said 11 moorings should be in place sometime this summer. Two will be reserved for commercial and charter boats, he said, the rest will be available to private vessels visiting the area for the day or overnight.
Park officials are also working on an emergency mooring system to be used in case of a hurricane or tropical storm. Boulon said the system will not be ready for the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season, which begins in June, but a plan is in the works to accommodate vessels seeking shelter in the event of an approaching storm.
"After the first bona fide storm threat … people can move in there and anchor their vessels," he said. "We're only requiring that people not tie to mangroves, because that damages the mangroves."
Boulon defined a "bona fide storm" as a significant storm on track to pass through the territory within 96 hours or less. "This season, after the first threat passes," he said, boaters "can leave their gear in place, with a buoy marked with their name and vessel registration number."
Boaters wishing to do also will have to write to the National Park Service stating what kind of gear they are leaving, where it is, and how it is marked.
With notification govern to the park, emergency anchor systems that are properly marked will be allowed to remain in place for the duration of the hurricane season.
Fishermen are asked to provide input on the optimum positioning for the six moorings by calling Boulon at 693-8950, ext. 224, or Clark at 776-6201, ext. 254; by mailing suggestions in writing to Virgin Islands National Park, 1300 Cruz Bay Creek, St. John VI 00830; or by faxing them to 693-9500. Probably the easiest way, though, is to go by the National Park Visitor Center in Cruz Bay and ask for Clark, who will provide a map for indicating the suggested locations.
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.
ST. CROIX CAN BE MARKETED, AND HERE'S HOW
It's simple economics, and we choose to ignore it: Airlines, like every other business, are in business to make money. Their income is made up of passengers and cargo. The number of passengers and pounds of cargo multiplied by their applicable fares or tariffs represent their income. Their expenses are made up by their indirect overhead and direct costs such as fuel and airport fees. The difference is their profit or loss, and it's simple economics.
Edwards & Kelcey, an air service consulting firm from Morristown, New Jersey, was recently contracted by the University of the Virgin Islands to perform an Air Service Marketing and Development Strategy study for the territory. This was not the first time this type of study has been done. This was not the first time that many of the recommendations were made.
According to the E&K study, airfares to the Virgin Islands are in line with similar-length trips within the states. The study didn't compare fares to other Caribbean destinations. That is unfortunate, as Caribbean countries with their own national air carrier (Air Jamaica, Bahamasair, Air Aruba, etc.) can effect lower fares through government-subsidized competition.
I did a similar but smaller-scale study 15 years ago as an airline representative on the St. Croix Hotel & Tourism Association board. When the airfare per mile was figured, St. Croix was just about even with other Caribbean destinations. Sure, the airfare to the Bahamas from Miami is going to be lower; it's a 30-minute flight versus two and a half hours.
So if the fares aren't part of this mix, the number of passengers is the only variable left in the income equation (ignoring cargo). There may be a perception of a lack of hotel rooms on St. Croix, but with an average occupancy this past season of around 50 percent, there were plenty of available hotel rooms — just no one who wanted to stay in them.
Why there's no demand as a destination
The average Caribbean hotel occupancy was 75 percent for the same period. How can a United States Virgin Island not do as well as other non-U.S. Caribbean destinations during a season in which the United States was at war? There's no demand for St. Croix as a destination, either by air or by cruise ship, and that is due only to the lack of actively and correctly marketing St. Croix.
On the expense side, the airlines have the same indirect expenses (reservations, administration, etc.) no matter where they're flying. Fuel, maintenance, crew costs and airport fees are their direct expenses. Fuel, being cheaper on St. Croix, should be a huge selling factor for us. Maybe the government could consider waiving any taxes on aviation fuel purchased by a major airline on any current or future scheduled or charter flights to St. Croix.
It's not as if the government would be losing any taxes (other than on the AA Miami flight — assuming it keeps flying here), as the flights would not be operating here if it weren't for the tax break. Crew costs are handled by union negotiations and through cost-cutting moves such as American was forced to take in the Virgin Islands.
The last of the expense variables, airport fees, although representing only 4 percent of costs to the airlines according to the E&K study, are one of their best bets for attempting to cut costs and stem losses. Many destinations facing a reduction or loss of air service have chosen to reduce the fees the airlines must pay.
A 25 percent increase in fees (some are more, once you do the math) could be swallowed on St. Thomas (and in fact was with only a slight reduction in service) as the demand is much higher. However, St. Croix , already struggling under a lack of identity, demand, viable advertising campaign, etc., couldn't possibly hope to get away with raising those fees.
USAirways has already made its position known by canceling the daily shared flight from Philadelphia. By the time this is published, I'm sure we'll have heard that the once-a-week flight from Charlotte is gone. Sooner or later, no matter how high the fees, you're still multiplying by zero flights, so the answer will always be zero. (The same thing can be said about tax increases).
I would have liked the Edwards & Kelcey study to compare the costs of airlines to operate here versus other destinations in the Caribbean. We have to understand that some other Caribbean airports have the advantage of being able to charge a "departure" tax of up to $20 to cover airport operating fees. Unfortunately that's something prohibited by the Federal Aviation Administration for U.S. airports.
The Port Authority is proposing to waive fees for new service to the islands. I think if I were one of the airlines already serving the territory (at a below break-even load factor, according to the study), I wouldn't be overly happy about having competition being wooed in and given a competitive pricing advantage.
Who's the common denominator here
According to the staff at Edwards & Kelcey, many of the airline officials interviewed were dismayed at the way the fee increases were handled, citing little or no lead time on the hikes. The chair of the Port Authority board, Pamela Richards (also commissioner of Tourism), blames the airlines for not "passing the word up the chain."
She said the Port Authority notified the station managers at each of the airports about the increases. With all due respect to airline station managers (and I'm good friends with several current and past ones here), if the only liaison the U.S. Virgin Islands has with the airlines is through their local station managers, it's a wonder we have any air service at all.
We should concentrate on keeping the service already provided by the current major airlines for St. Thomas and giving them the incentives to increase service to St. Croix. We can affect two of the variables: increasing demand for St. Croix as a destination (that's the job of the Tourism Department) and reducing the airlines' expenses for operating here (that's the job of the Port Authority). There is a common denominator here: the commissioner of Tourism who is also the chair of the Port Authority board.
At a time when some airlines, such as US Airways, are expanding in the Caribbean, it is beyond belief that St. Croix, a U.S. territory, can't even keep its current level of service. We've got to market St. Croix; something that a private sector-based Tourism Authority would be more adept at doing. We have to have a full-time liaison with the airlines. We have to give the airlines incentives to fly to St. Croix, such as cheap tax-free fuel and reduced airport fees.
It may be too late to get a USAir flight back to St. Croix by this winter, but it's not too late to keep the American flight here.
Edwards & Kelcey, an air service consulting firm from Morristown, New Jersey, was recently contracted by the University of the Virgin Islands to perform an Air Service Marketing and Development Strategy study for the territory. This was not the first time this type of study has been done. This was not the first time that many of the recommendations were made.
According to the E&K study, airfares to the Virgin Islands are in line with similar-length trips within the states. The study didn't compare fares to other Caribbean destinations. That is unfortunate, as Caribbean countries with their own national air carrier (Air Jamaica, Bahamasair, Air Aruba, etc.) can effect lower fares through government-subsidized competition.
I did a similar but smaller-scale study 15 years ago as an airline representative on the St. Croix Hotel & Tourism Association board. When the airfare per mile was figured, St. Croix was just about even with other Caribbean destinations. Sure, the airfare to the Bahamas from Miami is going to be lower; it's a 30-minute flight versus two and a half hours.
So if the fares aren't part of this mix, the number of passengers is the only variable left in the income equation (ignoring cargo). There may be a perception of a lack of hotel rooms on St. Croix, but with an average occupancy this past season of around 50 percent, there were plenty of available hotel rooms — just no one who wanted to stay in them.
Why there's no demand as a destination
The average Caribbean hotel occupancy was 75 percent for the same period. How can a United States Virgin Island not do as well as other non-U.S. Caribbean destinations during a season in which the United States was at war? There's no demand for St. Croix as a destination, either by air or by cruise ship, and that is due only to the lack of actively and correctly marketing St. Croix.
On the expense side, the airlines have the same indirect expenses (reservations, administration, etc.) no matter where they're flying. Fuel, maintenance, crew costs and airport fees are their direct expenses. Fuel, being cheaper on St. Croix, should be a huge selling factor for us. Maybe the government could consider waiving any taxes on aviation fuel purchased by a major airline on any current or future scheduled or charter flights to St. Croix.
It's not as if the government would be losing any taxes (other than on the AA Miami flight — assuming it keeps flying here), as the flights would not be operating here if it weren't for the tax break. Crew costs are handled by union negotiations and through cost-cutting moves such as American was forced to take in the Virgin Islands.
The last of the expense variables, airport fees, although representing only 4 percent of costs to the airlines according to the E&K study, are one of their best bets for attempting to cut costs and stem losses. Many destinations facing a reduction or loss of air service have chosen to reduce the fees the airlines must pay.
A 25 percent increase in fees (some are more, once you do the math) could be swallowed on St. Thomas (and in fact was with only a slight reduction in service) as the demand is much higher. However, St. Croix , already struggling under a lack of identity, demand, viable advertising campaign, etc., couldn't possibly hope to get away with raising those fees.
USAirways has already made its position known by canceling the daily shared flight from Philadelphia. By the time this is published, I'm sure we'll have heard that the once-a-week flight from Charlotte is gone. Sooner or later, no matter how high the fees, you're still multiplying by zero flights, so the answer will always be zero. (The same thing can be said about tax increases).
I would have liked the Edwards & Kelcey study to compare the costs of airlines to operate here versus other destinations in the Caribbean. We have to understand that some other Caribbean airports have the advantage of being able to charge a "departure" tax of up to $20 to cover airport operating fees. Unfortunately that's something prohibited by the Federal Aviation Administration for U.S. airports.
The Port Authority is proposing to waive fees for new service to the islands. I think if I were one of the airlines already serving the territory (at a below break-even load factor, according to the study), I wouldn't be overly happy about having competition being wooed in and given a competitive pricing advantage.
Who's the common denominator here
According to the staff at Edwards & Kelcey, many of the airline officials interviewed were dismayed at the way the fee increases were handled, citing little or no lead time on the hikes. The chair of the Port Authority board, Pamela Richards (also commissioner of Tourism), blames the airlines for not "passing the word up the chain."
She said the Port Authority notified the station managers at each of the airports about the increases. With all due respect to airline station managers (and I'm good friends with several current and past ones here), if the only liaison the U.S. Virgin Islands has with the airlines is through their local station managers, it's a wonder we have any air service at all.
We should concentrate on keeping the service already provided by the current major airlines for St. Thomas and giving them the incentives to increase service to St. Croix. We can affect two of the variables: increasing demand for St. Croix as a destination (that's the job of the Tourism Department) and reducing the airlines' expenses for operating here (that's the job of the Port Authority). There is a common denominator here: the commissioner of Tourism who is also the chair of the Port Authority board.
At a time when some airlines, such as US Airways, are expanding in the Caribbean, it is beyond belief that St. Croix, a U.S. territory, can't even keep its current level of service. We've got to market St. Croix; something that a private sector-based Tourism Authority would be more adept at doing. We have to have a full-time liaison with the airlines. We have to give the airlines incentives to fly to St. Croix, such as cheap tax-free fuel and reduced airport fees.
It may be too late to get a USAir flight back to St. Croix by this winter, but it's not too late to keep the American flight here.
Editor's note: Ed Buckley the owner of St. Croix Ultimate Bluewater Adventures, vice president/marketing of the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce, vice president of the Christiansted Restaurant and Retail Association, vice president of the Virgin Islands SCUBA Retailers Association and former vice president/marketing of Aviation Associates (d.b.a. Eastern Express and Sunaire Express). He is an executive committee member of the committee that reviewed, interviewed and chose the consultant for the current air arrivals study.
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.
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ST. CROIX CAN BE MARKETED, AND HERE'S HOW
It's simple economics, and we choose to ignore it: Airlines, like every other business, are in business to make money. Their income is made up of passengers and cargo. The number of passengers and pounds of cargo multiplied by their applicable fares or tariffs represent their income. Their expenses are made up by their indirect overhead and direct costs such as fuel and airport fees. The difference is their profit or loss, and it's simple economics.
Edwards & Kelcey, an air service consulting firm from Morristown, New Jersey, was recently contracted by the University of the Virgin Islands to perform an Air Service Marketing and Development Strategy study for the territory. This was not the first time this type of study has been done. This was not the first time that many of the recommendations were made.
According to the E&K study, airfares to the Virgin Islands are in line with similar-length trips within the states. The study didn't compare fares to other Caribbean destinations. That is unfortunate, as Caribbean countries with their own national air carrier (Air Jamaica, Bahamasair, Air Aruba, etc.) can effect lower fares through government-subsidized competition.
I did a similar but smaller-scale study 15 years ago as an airline representative on the St. Croix Hotel & Tourism Association board. When the airfare per mile was figured, St. Croix was just about even with other Caribbean destinations. Sure, the airfare to the Bahamas from Miami is going to be lower; it's a 30-minute flight versus two and a half hours.
So if the fares aren't part of this mix, the number of passengers is the only variable left in the income equation (ignoring cargo). There may be a perception of a lack of hotel rooms on St. Croix, but with an average occupancy this past season of around 50 percent, there were plenty of available hotel rooms — just no one who wanted to stay in them.
Why there's no demand as a destination
The average Caribbean hotel occupancy was 75 percent for the same period. How can a United States Virgin Island not do as well as other non-U.S. Caribbean destinations during a season in which the United States was at war? There's no demand for St. Croix as a destination, either by air or by cruise ship, and that is due only to the lack of actively and correctly marketing St. Croix.
On the expense side, the airlines have the same indirect expenses (reservations, administration, etc.) no matter where they're flying. Fuel, maintenance, crew costs and airport fees are their direct expenses. Fuel, being cheaper on St. Croix, should be a huge selling factor for us. Maybe the government could consider waiving any taxes on aviation fuel purchased by a major airline on any current or future scheduled or charter flights to St. Croix.
It's not as if the government would be losing any taxes (other than on the AA Miami flight — assuming it keeps flying here), as the flights would not be operating here if it weren't for the tax break. Crew costs are handled by union negotiations and through cost-cutting moves such as American was forced to take in the Virgin Islands.
The last of the expense variables, airport fees, although representing only 4 percent of costs to the airlines according to the E&K study, are one of their best bets for attempting to cut costs and stem losses. Many destinations facing a reduction or loss of air service have chosen to reduce the fees the airlines must pay.
A 25 percent increase in fees (some are more, once you do the math) could be swallowed on St. Thomas (and in fact was with only a slight reduction in service) as the demand is much higher. However, St. Croix , already struggling under a lack of identity, demand, viable advertising campaign, etc., couldn't possibly hope to get away with raising those fees.
USAirways has already made its position known by canceling the daily shared flight from Philadelphia. By the time this is published, I'm sure we'll have heard that the once-a-week flight from Charlotte is gone. Sooner or later, no matter how high the fees, you're still multiplying by zero flights, so the answer will always be zero. (The same thing can be said about tax increases).
I would have liked the Edwards & Kelcey study to compare the costs of airlines to operate here versus other destinations in the Caribbean. We have to understand that some other Caribbean airports have the advantage of being able to charge a "departure" tax of up to $20 to cover airport operating fees. Unfortunately that's something prohibited by the Federal Aviation Administration for U.S. airports.
The Port Authority is proposing to waive fees for new service to the islands. I think if I were one of the airlines already serving the territory (at a below break-even load factor, according to the study), I wouldn't be overly happy about having competition being wooed in and given a competitive pricing advantage.
Who's the common denominator here
According to the staff at Edwards & Kelcey, many of the airline officials interviewed were dismayed at the way the fee increases were handled, citing little or no lead time on the hikes. The chair of the Port Authority board, Pamela Richards (also commissioner of Tourism), blames the airlines for not "passing the word up the chain."
She said the Port Authority notified the station managers at each of the airports about the increases. With all due respect to airline station managers (and I'm good friends with several current and past ones here), if the only liaison the U.S. Virgin Islands has with the airlines is through their local station managers, it's a wonder we have any air service at all.
We should concentrate on keeping the service already provided by the current major airlines for St. Thomas and giving them the incentives to increase service to St. Croix. We can affect two of the variables: increasing demand for St. Croix as a destination (that's the job of the Tourism Department) and reducing the airlines' expenses for operating here (that's the job of the Port Authority). There is a common denominator here: the commissioner of Tourism who is also the chair of the Port Authority board.
At a time when some airlines, such as US Airways, are expanding in the Caribbean, it is beyond belief that St. Croix, a U.S. territory, can't even keep its current level of service. We've got to market St. Croix; something that a private sector-based Tourism Authority would be more adept at doing. We have to have a full-time liaison with the airlines. We have to give the airlines incentives to fly to St. Croix, such as cheap tax-free fuel and reduced airport fees.
It may be too late to get a USAir flight back to St. Croix by this winter, but it's not too late to keep the American flight here.
Edwards & Kelcey, an air service consulting firm from Morristown, New Jersey, was recently contracted by the University of the Virgin Islands to perform an Air Service Marketing and Development Strategy study for the territory. This was not the first time this type of study has been done. This was not the first time that many of the recommendations were made.
According to the E&K study, airfares to the Virgin Islands are in line with similar-length trips within the states. The study didn't compare fares to other Caribbean destinations. That is unfortunate, as Caribbean countries with their own national air carrier (Air Jamaica, Bahamasair, Air Aruba, etc.) can effect lower fares through government-subsidized competition.
I did a similar but smaller-scale study 15 years ago as an airline representative on the St. Croix Hotel & Tourism Association board. When the airfare per mile was figured, St. Croix was just about even with other Caribbean destinations. Sure, the airfare to the Bahamas from Miami is going to be lower; it's a 30-minute flight versus two and a half hours.
So if the fares aren't part of this mix, the number of passengers is the only variable left in the income equation (ignoring cargo). There may be a perception of a lack of hotel rooms on St. Croix, but with an average occupancy this past season of around 50 percent, there were plenty of available hotel rooms — just no one who wanted to stay in them.
Why there's no demand as a destination
The average Caribbean hotel occupancy was 75 percent for the same period. How can a United States Virgin Island not do as well as other non-U.S. Caribbean destinations during a season in which the United States was at war? There's no demand for St. Croix as a destination, either by air or by cruise ship, and that is due only to the lack of actively and correctly marketing St. Croix.
On the expense side, the airlines have the same indirect expenses (reservations, administration, etc.) no matter where they're flying. Fuel, maintenance, crew costs and airport fees are their direct expenses. Fuel, being cheaper on St. Croix, should be a huge selling factor for us. Maybe the government could consider waiving any taxes on aviation fuel purchased by a major airline on any current or future scheduled or charter flights to St. Croix.
It's not as if the government would be losing any taxes (other than on the AA Miami flight — assuming it keeps flying here), as the flights would not be operating here if it weren't for the tax break. Crew costs are handled by union negotiations and through cost-cutting moves such as American was forced to take in the Virgin Islands.
The last of the expense variables, airport fees, although representing only 4 percent of costs to the airlines according to the E&K study, are one of their best bets for attempting to cut costs and stem losses. Many destinations facing a reduction or loss of air service have chosen to reduce the fees the airlines must pay.
A 25 percent increase in fees (some are more, once you do the math) could be swallowed on St. Thomas (and in fact was with only a slight reduction in service) as the demand is much higher. However, St. Croix , already struggling under a lack of identity, demand, viable advertising campaign, etc., couldn't possibly hope to get away with raising those fees.
USAirways has already made its position known by canceling the daily shared flight from Philadelphia. By the time this is published, I'm sure we'll have heard that the once-a-week flight from Charlotte is gone. Sooner or later, no matter how high the fees, you're still multiplying by zero flights, so the answer will always be zero. (The same thing can be said about tax increases).
I would have liked the Edwards & Kelcey study to compare the costs of airlines to operate here versus other destinations in the Caribbean. We have to understand that some other Caribbean airports have the advantage of being able to charge a "departure" tax of up to $20 to cover airport operating fees. Unfortunately that's something prohibited by the Federal Aviation Administration for U.S. airports.
The Port Authority is proposing to waive fees for new service to the islands. I think if I were one of the airlines already serving the territory (at a below break-even load factor, according to the study), I wouldn't be overly happy about having competition being wooed in and given a competitive pricing advantage.
Who's the common denominator here
According to the staff at Edwards & Kelcey, many of the airline officials interviewed were dismayed at the way the fee increases were handled, citing little or no lead time on the hikes. The chair of the Port Authority board, Pamela Richards (also commissioner of Tourism), blames the airlines for not "passing the word up the chain."
She said the Port Authority notified the station managers at each of the airports about the increases. With all due respect to airline station managers (and I'm good friends with several current and past ones here), if the only liaison the U.S. Virgin Islands has with the airlines is through their local station managers, it's a wonder we have any air service at all.
We should concentrate on keeping the service already provided by the current major airlines for St. Thomas and giving them the incentives to increase service to St. Croix. We can affect two of the variables: increasing demand for St. Croix as a destination (that's the job of the Tourism Department) and reducing the airlines' expenses for operating here (that's the job of the Port Authority). There is a common denominator here: the commissioner of Tourism who is also the chair of the Port Authority board.
At a time when some airlines, such as US Airways, are expanding in the Caribbean, it is beyond belief that St. Croix, a U.S. territory, can't even keep its current level of service. We've got to market St. Croix; something that a private sector-based Tourism Authority would be more adept at doing. We have to have a full-time liaison with the airlines. We have to give the airlines incentives to fly to St. Croix, such as cheap tax-free fuel and reduced airport fees.
It may be too late to get a USAir flight back to St. Croix by this winter, but it's not too late to keep the American flight here.
Editor's note: Ed Buckley the owner of St. Croix Ultimate Bluewater Adventures, vice president/marketing of the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce, vice president of the Christiansted Restaurant and Retail Association, vice president of the Virgin Islands SCUBA Retailers Association and former vice president/marketing of Aviation Associates (d.b.a. Eastern Express and Sunaire Express). He is an executive committee member of the committee that reviewed, interviewed and chose the consultant for the current air arrivals study.
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.
ST. CROIX CAN BE MARKETED, AND HERE'S HOW
It's simple economics, and we choose to ignore it: Airlines, like every other business, are in business to make money. Their income is made up of passengers and cargo. The number of passengers and pounds of cargo multiplied by their applicable fares or tariffs represent their income. Their expenses are made up by their indirect overhead and direct costs such as fuel and airport fees. The difference is their profit or loss, and it's simple economics.
Edwards & Kelcey, an air service consulting firm from Morristown, New Jersey, was recently contracted by the University of the Virgin Islands to perform an Air Service Marketing and Development Strategy study for the territory. This was not the first time this type of study has been done. This was not the first time that many of the recommendations were made.
According to the E&K study, airfares to the Virgin Islands are in line with similar-length trips within the states. The study didn't compare fares to other Caribbean destinations. That is unfortunate, as Caribbean countries with their own national air carrier (Air Jamaica, Bahamasair, Air Aruba, etc.) can effect lower fares through government-subsidized competition.
I did a similar but smaller-scale study 15 years ago as an airline representative on the St. Croix Hotel & Tourism Association board. When the airfare per mile was figured, St. Croix was just about even with other Caribbean destinations. Sure, the airfare to the Bahamas from Miami is going to be lower; it's a 30-minute flight versus two and a half hours.
So if the fares aren't part of this mix, the number of passengers is the only variable left in the income equation (ignoring cargo). There may be a perception of a lack of hotel rooms on St. Croix, but with an average occupancy this past season of around 50 percent, there were plenty of available hotel rooms — just no one who wanted to stay in them.
Why there's no demand as a destination
The average Caribbean hotel occupancy was 75 percent for the same period. How can a United States Virgin Island not do as well as other non-U.S. Caribbean destinations during a season in which the United States was at war? There's no demand for St. Croix as a destination, either by air or by cruise ship, and that is due only to the lack of actively and correctly marketing St. Croix.
On the expense side, the airlines have the same indirect expenses (reservations, administration, etc.) no matter where they're flying. Fuel, maintenance, crew costs and airport fees are their direct expenses. Fuel, being cheaper on St. Croix, should be a huge selling factor for us. Maybe the government could consider waiving any taxes on aviation fuel purchased by a major airline on any current or future scheduled or charter flights to St. Croix.
It's not as if the government would be losing any taxes (other than on the AA Miami flight — assuming it keeps flying here), as the flights would not be operating here if it weren't for the tax break. Crew costs are handled by union negotiations and through cost-cutting moves such as American was forced to take in the Virgin Islands.
The last of the expense variables, airport fees, although representing only 4 percent of costs to the airlines according to the E&K study, are one of their best bets for attempting to cut costs and stem losses. Many destinations facing a reduction or loss of air service have chosen to reduce the fees the airlines must pay.
A 25 percent increase in fees (some are more, once you do the math) could be swallowed on St. Thomas (and in fact was with only a slight reduction in service) as the demand is much higher. However, St. Croix , already struggling under a lack of identity, demand, viable advertising campaign, etc., couldn't possibly hope to get away with raising those fees.
USAirways has already made its position known by canceling the daily shared flight from Philadelphia. By the time this is published, I'm sure we'll have heard that the once-a-week flight from Charlotte is gone. Sooner or later, no matter how high the fees, you're still multiplying by zero flights, so the answer will always be zero. (The same thing can be said about tax increases).
I would have liked the Edwards & Kelcey study to compare the costs of airlines to operate here versus other destinations in the Caribbean. We have to understand that some other Caribbean airports have the advantage of being able to charge a "departure" tax of up to $20 to cover airport operating fees. Unfortunately that's something prohibited by the Federal Aviation Administration for U.S. airports.
The Port Authority is proposing to waive fees for new service to the islands. I think if I were one of the airlines already serving the territory (at a below break-even load factor, according to the study), I wouldn't be overly happy about having competition being wooed in and given a competitive pricing advantage.
Who's the common denominator here
According to the staff at Edwards & Kelcey, many of the airline officials interviewed were dismayed at the way the fee increases were handled, citing little or no lead time on the hikes. The chair of the Port Authority board, Pamela Richards (also commissioner of Tourism), blames the airlines for not "passing the word up the chain."
She said the Port Authority notified the station managers at each of the airports about the increases. With all due respect to airline station managers (and I'm good friends with several current and past ones here), if the only liaison the U.S. Virgin Islands has with the airlines is through their local station managers, it's a wonder we have any air service at all.
We should concentrate on keeping the service already provided by the current major airlines for St. Thomas and giving them the incentives to increase service to St. Croix. We can affect two of the variables: increasing demand for St. Croix as a destination (that's the job of the Tourism Department) and reducing the airlines' expenses for operating here (that's the job of the Port Authority). There is a common denominator here: the commissioner of Tourism who is also the chair of the Port Authority board.
At a time when some airlines, such as US Airways, are expanding in the Caribbean, it is beyond belief that St. Croix, a U.S. territory, can't even keep its current level of service. We've got to market St. Croix; something that a private sector-based Tourism Authority would be more adept at doing. We have to have a full-time liaison with the airlines. We have to give the airlines incentives to fly to St. Croix, such as cheap tax-free fuel and reduced airport fees.
It may be too late to get a USAir flight back to St. Croix by this winter, but it's not too late to keep the American flight here.
Edwards & Kelcey, an air service consulting firm from Morristown, New Jersey, was recently contracted by the University of the Virgin Islands to perform an Air Service Marketing and Development Strategy study for the territory. This was not the first time this type of study has been done. This was not the first time that many of the recommendations were made.
According to the E&K study, airfares to the Virgin Islands are in line with similar-length trips within the states. The study didn't compare fares to other Caribbean destinations. That is unfortunate, as Caribbean countries with their own national air carrier (Air Jamaica, Bahamasair, Air Aruba, etc.) can effect lower fares through government-subsidized competition.
I did a similar but smaller-scale study 15 years ago as an airline representative on the St. Croix Hotel & Tourism Association board. When the airfare per mile was figured, St. Croix was just about even with other Caribbean destinations. Sure, the airfare to the Bahamas from Miami is going to be lower; it's a 30-minute flight versus two and a half hours.
So if the fares aren't part of this mix, the number of passengers is the only variable left in the income equation (ignoring cargo). There may be a perception of a lack of hotel rooms on St. Croix, but with an average occupancy this past season of around 50 percent, there were plenty of available hotel rooms — just no one who wanted to stay in them.
Why there's no demand as a destination
The average Caribbean hotel occupancy was 75 percent for the same period. How can a United States Virgin Island not do as well as other non-U.S. Caribbean destinations during a season in which the United States was at war? There's no demand for St. Croix as a destination, either by air or by cruise ship, and that is due only to the lack of actively and correctly marketing St. Croix.
On the expense side, the airlines have the same indirect expenses (reservations, administration, etc.) no matter where they're flying. Fuel, maintenance, crew costs and airport fees are their direct expenses. Fuel, being cheaper on St. Croix, should be a huge selling factor for us. Maybe the government could consider waiving any taxes on aviation fuel purchased by a major airline on any current or future scheduled or charter flights to St. Croix.
It's not as if the government would be losing any taxes (other than on the AA Miami flight — assuming it keeps flying here), as the flights would not be operating here if it weren't for the tax break. Crew costs are handled by union negotiations and through cost-cutting moves such as American was forced to take in the Virgin Islands.
The last of the expense variables, airport fees, although representing only 4 percent of costs to the airlines according to the E&K study, are one of their best bets for attempting to cut costs and stem losses. Many destinations facing a reduction or loss of air service have chosen to reduce the fees the airlines must pay.
A 25 percent increase in fees (some are more, once you do the math) could be swallowed on St. Thomas (and in fact was with only a slight reduction in service) as the demand is much higher. However, St. Croix , already struggling under a lack of identity, demand, viable advertising campaign, etc., couldn't possibly hope to get away with raising those fees.
USAirways has already made its position known by canceling the daily shared flight from Philadelphia. By the time this is published, I'm sure we'll have heard that the once-a-week flight from Charlotte is gone. Sooner or later, no matter how high the fees, you're still multiplying by zero flights, so the answer will always be zero. (The same thing can be said about tax increases).
I would have liked the Edwards & Kelcey study to compare the costs of airlines to operate here versus other destinations in the Caribbean. We have to understand that some other Caribbean airports have the advantage of being able to charge a "departure" tax of up to $20 to cover airport operating fees. Unfortunately that's something prohibited by the Federal Aviation Administration for U.S. airports.
The Port Authority is proposing to waive fees for new service to the islands. I think if I were one of the airlines already serving the territory (at a below break-even load factor, according to the study), I wouldn't be overly happy about having competition being wooed in and given a competitive pricing advantage.
Who's the common denominator here
According to the staff at Edwards & Kelcey, many of the airline officials interviewed were dismayed at the way the fee increases were handled, citing little or no lead time on the hikes. The chair of the Port Authority board, Pamela Richards (also commissioner of Tourism), blames the airlines for not "passing the word up the chain."
She said the Port Authority notified the station managers at each of the airports about the increases. With all due respect to airline station managers (and I'm good friends with several current and past ones here), if the only liaison the U.S. Virgin Islands has with the airlines is through their local station managers, it's a wonder we have any air service at all.
We should concentrate on keeping the service already provided by the current major airlines for St. Thomas and giving them the incentives to increase service to St. Croix. We can affect two of the variables: increasing demand for St. Croix as a destination (that's the job of the Tourism Department) and reducing the airlines' expenses for operating here (that's the job of the Port Authority). There is a common denominator here: the commissioner of Tourism who is also the chair of the Port Authority board.
At a time when some airlines, such as US Airways, are expanding in the Caribbean, it is beyond belief that St. Croix, a U.S. territory, can't even keep its current level of service. We've got to market St. Croix; something that a private sector-based Tourism Authority would be more adept at doing. We have to have a full-time liaison with the airlines. We have to give the airlines incentives to fly to St. Croix, such as cheap tax-free fuel and reduced airport fees.
It may be too late to get a USAir flight back to St. Croix by this winter, but it's not too late to keep the American flight here.
Editor's note: Ed Buckley the owner of St. Croix Ultimate Bluewater Adventures, vice president/marketing of the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce, vice president of the Christiansted Restaurant and Retail Association, vice president of the Virgin Islands SCUBA Retailers Association and former vice president/marketing of Aviation Associates (d.b.a. Eastern Express and Sunaire Express). He is an executive committee member of the committee that reviewed, interviewed and chose the consultant for the current air arrivals study.
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. 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.
SERVICES ARE JUNE 4 FOR JEANELL HARRIGAN
May 29, 2003 – Jeanell Harrigan, 29, died on May 25 at North Shore Hospital in Queens, New York. Services will be held on June 4 at Frederiksted Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Viewing will be at 9 a.m., to be followed by the funeral at 10 a.m. and interment in Western Cemetery No. 2.
Harrigan is survived by her parents, Delight and Justin Harrigan Sr.; sisters Monica Harrigan and Jeanette Harrigan-Braxton; brother Justin Harrigan Jr.; grandfathers David Donovan Sr. and Amos Harrigan; aunts Gale Cogdell, Maude Colbourne, Wilma Fredericks, Leanore Wells and Carmen Wheatley; uncles Antonio Christopher; David Donovan Jr., Donne Donovan, Austin Harrigan, Basil Harrigan, Byron Harrigan, Lawrence Hodge, Liston Lewis and Arthur Stapleton; and other family members, godparents and friends.
Davis Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Viewing will be at 9 a.m., to be followed by the funeral at 10 a.m. and interment in Western Cemetery No. 2.
Harrigan is survived by her parents, Delight and Justin Harrigan Sr.; sisters Monica Harrigan and Jeanette Harrigan-Braxton; brother Justin Harrigan Jr.; grandfathers David Donovan Sr. and Amos Harrigan; aunts Gale Cogdell, Maude Colbourne, Wilma Fredericks, Leanore Wells and Carmen Wheatley; uncles Antonio Christopher; David Donovan Jr., Donne Donovan, Austin Harrigan, Basil Harrigan, Byron Harrigan, Lawrence Hodge, Liston Lewis and Arthur Stapleton; and other family members, godparents and friends.
Davis Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
FRENCHTOWN FISHING TOURNAMENT
The Committee for the Betterment of Carenage will hold its annual Father's Day Fishing
Tournament from 6 a.m. to noon on Sunday, June 8.
The tournament is an inshore fishing competition with qualifying fish to include: dolphin, kingfish, horse-eye, barracuda, amberjack, bonito, tuna, and mackerel.
Registration will be conducted on June 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Joseph Aubain Ball Park.
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.
Tournament from 6 a.m. to noon on Sunday, June 8.
The tournament is an inshore fishing competition with qualifying fish to include: dolphin, kingfish, horse-eye, barracuda, amberjack, bonito, tuna, and mackerel.
Registration will be conducted on June 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Joseph Aubain Ball Park.
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.
LT. GOVERNOR TO HOST BUSINESS EXCHANGE FORUMS
May 28, 2003 – Lieutenant Governor Vargrave A. Richards will host a series of Business Exchange Forums designed to address the questions and concerns of individuals transacting business with any of the divisions within the Lieutenant Governor's Office.
The St. Croix forum will be held at 11 a.m. on June 9 at Government House. The St. Thomas forum will be at 11 a.m. on June 10 at the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.
The forum's primary purpose is to create an opportunity for discussion among attorneys, real estate and insurance agents, bankers and other agents doing business with the Lieutenant Governor's Office to "share concerns, make recommendations for improving efficiencies, as well as gather pertinent information," according to a release.
Individuals and representatives of entities engaged in business with the Divisions of Corporations and Trademarks, Tax Assessor, Banking and Insurance, Recorder of Deeds, Passport, Notary/Apostille, Medicare or Cadastral are invited to attend the forums.
The deadline to R.S.V.P. for either forum is June 6. Contact Ms. Lynelle Emanuel at 773-6449 on St. Croix, or Ms. Brunet at 774-2991 on St. Thomas.
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 St. Croix forum will be held at 11 a.m. on June 9 at Government House. The St. Thomas forum will be at 11 a.m. on June 10 at the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.
The forum's primary purpose is to create an opportunity for discussion among attorneys, real estate and insurance agents, bankers and other agents doing business with the Lieutenant Governor's Office to "share concerns, make recommendations for improving efficiencies, as well as gather pertinent information," according to a release.
Individuals and representatives of entities engaged in business with the Divisions of Corporations and Trademarks, Tax Assessor, Banking and Insurance, Recorder of Deeds, Passport, Notary/Apostille, Medicare or Cadastral are invited to attend the forums.
The deadline to R.S.V.P. for either forum is June 6. Contact Ms. Lynelle Emanuel at 773-6449 on St. Croix, or Ms. Brunet at 774-2991 on St. Thomas.
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.
LT. GOVERNOR TO HOST BUSINESS EXCHANGE FORUMS
May 28, 2003 – Lieutenant Governor Vargrave A. Richards will host a series of Business Exchange Forums designed to address the questions and concerns of individuals transacting business with any of the divisions within the Lieutenant Governor's Office.
The St. Croix forum will be held at 11 a.m. on June 9 at Government House. The St. Thomas forum will be at 11 a.m. on June 10 at the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.
The forum's primary purpose is to create an opportunity for discussion among attorneys, real estate and insurance agents, bankers and other agents doing business with the Lieutenant Governor's Office to "share concerns, make recommendations for improving efficiencies, as well as gather pertinent information," according to a release.
Individuals and representatives of entities engaged in business with the Divisions of Corporations and Trademarks, Tax Assessor, Banking and Insurance, Recorder of Deeds, Passport, Notary/Apostille, Medicare or Cadastral are invited to attend the forums.
The deadline to R.S.V.P. for either forum is June 6. Contact Ms. Lynelle Emanuel at 773-6449 on St. Croix, or Ms. Brunet at 774-2991 on St. Thomas.
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 St. Croix forum will be held at 11 a.m. on June 9 at Government House. The St. Thomas forum will be at 11 a.m. on June 10 at the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.
The forum's primary purpose is to create an opportunity for discussion among attorneys, real estate and insurance agents, bankers and other agents doing business with the Lieutenant Governor's Office to "share concerns, make recommendations for improving efficiencies, as well as gather pertinent information," according to a release.
Individuals and representatives of entities engaged in business with the Divisions of Corporations and Trademarks, Tax Assessor, Banking and Insurance, Recorder of Deeds, Passport, Notary/Apostille, Medicare or Cadastral are invited to attend the forums.
The deadline to R.S.V.P. for either forum is June 6. Contact Ms. Lynelle Emanuel at 773-6449 on St. Croix, or Ms. Brunet at 774-2991 on St. Thomas.
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.
