March 11, 2003 – When the Senate Planning and Environmental Protection Committee meets at 10 a.m. on March 24 on St. Thomas, the No. 1 item on its agenda will be a Water and Power Authority minor Coastal Zone Management permit application.
It's for an undersea cable to deliver electricity to the isle of Little St. James.
Oh, make that Little St. Jeff, or so owner Jeffrey Epstein would prefer. Epstein, a New York financier with his fingers in many pies, owns the 70-acre hideaway located off St. Thomas's East End.
Epstein, 50, is the subject of a March article in the glossy magazine Vanity Fair. Writer Vicky Ward explores his business and personal dealings, some of which appear to be on the shady side of the law. Ward claims that Epstein, who makes his money at what can best be described as deal making, has only billionaires as clients.
She writes that "the usual coterie of friends and beautiful women were whisked off to Little St. James (which he tells people has been renamed Little St. Jeff) for a long weekend."
Ward describes him as a "good-looking man, resembling Ralph Lauren, with thick gray-white hair and a weathered face." She says he's charming, "but he doesn't let the charm slip into his eyes. They are steely and calculating, giving some hint at the steady whir of machinery running behind them."
According to Ward, Epstein's Upper East Side Manhattan home covers 51,000 square feet on nine floors. Its entrance hall is decorated with "row upon row of individually framed eyeballs … made for injured soldiers."
Epstein also has a 7,500-acre ranch in New Mexico and a $6.8 million house in Palm Beach, Florida.
He's also the subject of an online profile, if you want to know more. Visit New York metro.com's "Jeffrey Epstein: International Moneyman of Mystery" to access an article by Landon Thomas Jr. that appeared in New York Magazine last October.
WAPA lists the applicant for the minor permit as LSJ LLC. "LLC" in corporate parlance stands for limited liability company. "LSJ" easily translates to Little St. James — or Little St. Jeff, as the case may be.
Authority spokeswoman Patricia Blake Simmonds said LSJ will bear the cost of the submarine cable connection. She said the dollar amount won't be known until the project is well under way. She did not know the length of the submarine cable involved.
Simmonds said it's WAPA's policy to charge customers for installation if their property lies more than 150 feet away from the utility's electrical distribution system.
Colette Monroe, chief researcher for Sen. Louis P. Hill, said the cable will run from Red Hook to the windward side of Little St. James.
Blake Simmonds said WAPA now supplies electricity to St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John, Water Island and Hassel Island.
St. Croix, St. John meetings also scheduled
The March 24 meeting will be the second of three in a series by the Planning and Environmental Protection Committee, chaired by Hill. The first is scheduled for 10 a.m. March 17 at the Legislature Building in Frederiksted on St. Croix.
Seaborne Airlines' request for a CZM permit to construct a floating platform of 25 by 40 feet at the Ann Abramson Marine Facility in Frederiksted tops the agenda for that meeting. The company plans to occupy 1,000 square feet of submerged land, according to the application.
Seaborne's chief marketing officer, Omer ErSelcuk, said the company plans to serve Frederiksted eventually but will not discontinue service to and from Christiansted.
Also at the March 17 hearing, Sonya Nelthropp of the Public Works Department will update the committee on wastewater treatment facilities on St. Croix.
For the March 24 meeting on St. Thomas, the committee's agenda also includes a request from Per Dohm to renew a major CZM permit for his Red Hook Marina Inc. Dohm has for decades operated Dohm's Water Taxi.
The permit covers a 216-foot dock as well as 10,000 square feet of mooring area, a one-story building of 410 square feet, a shed of 128 square feet, and occupancy of 0.9 acre at Estate Nazareth. Dohm also wants approval to replace 22 pilings on the dock.
"They're deteriorated from storms and age," his wife, Lynn Dohm, said on Tuesday.
Nelthropp also is to testify at the St. Thomas meeting, providing information about the administration's proposed V.I. Waste Management Authority.
The committee's third meeting in the series is set for 10 a.m. March 28 at the Legislature Building on St. John.
An application by J. Donald Sussman for a minor CZM permit to build a 35-foot dock in Great Cruz Bay is the first item on the agenda. Sussman hopes to occupy 900 square feet of submerged land.
Also on the St. John agenda: The Westin Resort has applied for a permit to install a water intake pipe in Great Cruz Bay for its desalinization plant and to occupy 666 square feet of submerged land. Monroe said the Westin wants to replace an existing line 6 inches in diameter with one 8 inches wide, "to improve the quality of the water."
And Daisy and Ron Klecan want to renew their CZM permit for a 70-foot dock at Lovango Cay. The dock occupies 890 square feet of submerged land.

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March 11, 2003 – When the Senate Planning and Environmental Protection Committee meets at 10 a.m. on March 24 on St. Thomas, the No. 1 item on its agenda will be a Water and Power Authority minor Coastal Zone Management permit application.
It's for an undersea cable to deliver electricity to the isle of Little St. James.
Oh, make that Little St. Jeff, or so owner Jeffrey Epstein would prefer. Epstein, a New York financier with his fingers in many pies, owns the 70-acre hideaway located off St. Thomas's East End.
Epstein, 50, is the subject of a March article in the glossy magazine Vanity Fair. Writer Vicky Ward explores his business and personal dealings, some of which appear to be on the shady side of the law. Ward claims that Epstein, who makes his money at what can best be described as deal making, has only billionaires as clients.
She writes that "the usual coterie of friends and beautiful women were whisked off to Little St. James (which he tells people has been renamed Little St. Jeff) for a long weekend."
Ward describes him as a "good-looking man, resembling Ralph Lauren, with thick gray-white hair and a weathered face." She says he's charming, "but he doesn't let the charm slip into his eyes. They are steely and calculating, giving some hint at the steady whir of machinery running behind them."
According to Ward, Epstein's Upper East Side Manhattan home covers 51,000 square feet on nine floors. Its entrance hall is decorated with "row upon row of individually framed eyeballs … made for injured soldiers."
Epstein also has a 7,500-acre ranch in New Mexico and a $6.8 million house in Palm Beach, Florida.
He's also the subject of an online profile, if you want to know more. Visit New York metro.com's "Jeffrey Epstein: International Moneyman of Mystery" to access an article by Landon Thomas Jr. that appeared in New York Magazine last October.
WAPA lists the applicant for the minor permit as LSJ LLC. "LLC" in corporate parlance stands for limited liability company. "LSJ" easily translates to Little St. James — or Little St. Jeff, as the case may be.
Authority spokeswoman Patricia Blake Simmonds said LSJ will bear the cost of the submarine cable connection. She said the dollar amount won't be known until the project is well under way. She did not know the length of the submarine cable involved.
Simmonds said it's WAPA's policy to charge customers for installation if their property lies more than 150 feet away from the utility's electrical distribution system.
Colette Monroe, chief researcher for Sen. Louis P. Hill, said the cable will run from Red Hook to the windward side of Little St. James.
Blake Simmonds said WAPA now supplies electricity to St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John, Water Island and Hassel Island.
St. Croix, St. John meetings also scheduled
The March 24 meeting will be the second of three in a series by the Planning and Environmental Protection Committee, chaired by Hill. The first is scheduled for 10 a.m. March 17 at the Legislature Building in Frederiksted on St. Croix.
Seaborne Airlines' request for a CZM permit to construct a floating platform of 25 by 40 feet at the Ann Abramson Marine Facility in Frederiksted tops the agenda for that meeting. The company plans to occupy 1,000 square feet of submerged land, according to the application.
Seaborne's chief marketing officer, Omer ErSelcuk, said the company plans to serve Frederiksted eventually but will not discontinue service to and from Christiansted.
Also at the March 17 hearing, Sonya Nelthropp of the Public Works Department will update the committee on wastewater treatment facilities on St. Croix.
For the March 24 meeting on St. Thomas, the committee's agenda also includes a request from Per Dohm to renew a major CZM permit for his Red Hook Marina Inc. Dohm has for decades operated Dohm's Water Taxi.
The permit covers a 216-foot dock as well as 10,000 square feet of mooring area, a one-story building of 410 square feet, a shed of 128 square feet, and occupancy of 0.9 acre at Estate Nazareth. Dohm also wants approval to replace 22 pilings on the dock.
"They're deteriorated from storms and age," his wife, Lynn Dohm, said on Tuesday.
Nelthropp also is to testify at the St. Thomas meeting, providing information about the administration's proposed V.I. Waste Management Authority.
The committee's third meeting in the series is set for 10 a.m. March 28 at the Legislature Building on St. John.
An application by J. Donald Sussman for a minor CZM permit to build a 35-foot dock in Great Cruz Bay is the first item on the agenda. Sussman hopes to occupy 900 square feet of submerged land.
Also on the St. John agenda: The Westin Resort has applied for a permit to install a water intake pipe in Great Cruz Bay for its desalinization plant and to occupy 666 square feet of submerged land. Monroe said the Westin wants to replace an existing line 6 inches in diameter with one 8 inches wide, "to improve the quality of the water."
And Daisy and Ron Klecan want to renew their CZM permit for a 70-foot dock at Lovango Cay. The dock occupies 890 square feet of submerged land.

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March 11, 2003 – American Airlines, the territory's major carrier, could follow in the wake of US Airways and United Airlines and file for federal bankruptcy protection, The New York Times reported on Tuesday.
If that is the case, however, it will not necessarily be bad news for the territory in terms of airlift, Bob Siefert, general manager of the Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort on St. Croix, said. It is unlikely the airline would stop flying to the territory if it seeks federal protection from creditors while it reorganizes, he said.
"US Airways is in bankruptcy, and we're getting another flight, "Siefert noted, citing USAir's recent announcement that it will add a Saturday direct flight from Charlotte, North Carolina, to St. Croix starting March 15.
Siefert, president of the St. Thomas-St. John Hotel Association in the early 1990s and most recently president of the St. Croix Hotel and Tourism Association, said he thinks United will continue to fly despite its bankruptcy status, as well.
Delta Air Lines and Continental Airlines are the other major airlines serving the territory.
Myrna George at the St. John travel agency At Your Service said bankruptcy proceedings could force American to raise its fares, however. And, she predicted, "Any increase in price, and people will find another destination."
George and Siefert both said that the United States' looming war with Iraq poses a bigger threat to the territory as a tourism destination than American Airlines' potential bankruptcy.
"People are afraid of flying," George said.
Siefert said that while President Bush is focusing his efforts on a possible war with Iraq, the nation's economy is continuing to slump.
According to The New York Times, American Airlines is looking for up to $2 billion in financing to continue operating, should it decide to seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
In January, AMR Corp., American's parent company, listed a loss of $529 million for the fourth quarter of last year. The company is continuing to seek wage and benefit concessions from its unionized workers in an effort to avoid bankruptcy filing. American needs to cut $4 billion a year in operating costs to remain solvent, according to reports.
In the midst of such economic uncertainty, the V.I. Port Authority, to shore up its own flagging finances, increased airport landing and passenger fees by 25 percent as of Feb. 1. As a carrot with the stick, VIPA exempted flights introduced after March 1 exempt from the higher rates for one year.
American subsequently announced that it would terminate seasonal flights out of Boston and New York in April. The service had previously been scheduled to continue until June.
Efforts to learn how many passengers fly American to the territory every year were unsuccessful.
The Port Authority's Web site lists a total of 816,144 passengers inbound and 825,078 outbound on all airlines for 2001, the most recent year for which figures are available. St. Thomas's Cyril E. King Airport saw the majority of them, with 586,961 flying in and 595,594 flying out. On St. Croix, 229,185 passengers arrived at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport in 2001 and 229,484 departed.
American has since the 1980s had the most flights and most seats serving the territory of any airline.

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March 11, 2003 – American Airlines, the territory's major carrier, could follow in the wake of US Airways and United Airlines and file for federal bankruptcy protection, The New York Times reported on Tuesday.
If that is the case, however, it will not necessarily be bad news for the territory in terms of airlift, Bob Siefert, general manager of the Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort on St. Croix, said. It is unlikely the airline would stop flying to the territory if it seeks federal protection from creditors while it reorganizes, he said.
"US Airways is in bankruptcy, and we're getting another flight, "Siefert noted, citing USAir's recent announcement that it will add a Saturday direct flight from Charlotte, North Carolina, to St. Croix starting March 15.
Siefert, president of the St. Thomas-St. John Hotel Association in the early 1990s and most recently president of the St. Croix Hotel and Tourism Association, said he thinks United will continue to fly despite its bankruptcy status, as well.
Delta Air Lines and Continental Airlines are the other major airlines serving the territory.
Myrna George at the St. John travel agency At Your Service said bankruptcy proceedings could force American to raise its fares, however. And, she predicted, "Any increase in price, and people will find another destination."
George and Siefert both said that the United States' looming war with Iraq poses a bigger threat to the territory as a tourism destination than American Airlines' potential bankruptcy.
"People are afraid of flying," George said.
Siefert said that while President Bush is focusing his efforts on a possible war with Iraq, the nation's economy is continuing to slump.
According to The New York Times, American Airlines is looking for up to $2 billion in financing to continue operating, should it decide to seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
In January, AMR Corp., American's parent company, listed a loss of $529 million for the fourth quarter of last year. The company is continuing to seek wage and benefit concessions from its unionized workers in an effort to avoid bankruptcy filing. American needs to cut $4 billion a year in operating costs to remain solvent, according to reports.
In the midst of such economic uncertainty, the V.I. Port Authority, to shore up its own flagging finances, increased airport landing and passenger fees by 25 percent as of Feb. 1. As a carrot with the stick, VIPA exempted flights introduced after March 1 exempt from the higher rates for one year.
American subsequently announced that it would terminate seasonal flights out of Boston and New York in April. The service had previously been scheduled to continue until June.
Efforts to learn how many passengers fly American to the territory every year were unsuccessful.
The Port Authority's Web site lists a total of 816,144 passengers inbound and 825,078 outbound on all airlines for 2001, the most recent year for which figures are available. St. Thomas's Cyril E. King Airport saw the majority of them, with 586,961 flying in and 595,594 flying out. On St. Croix, 229,185 passengers arrived at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport in 2001 and 229,484 departed.
American has since the 1980s had the most flights and most seats serving the territory of any airline.

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March 11, 2003 – American Airlines, the territory's major carrier, could follow in the wake of US Airways and United Airlines and file for federal bankruptcy protection, The New York Times reported on Tuesday.
If that is the case, however, it will not necessarily be bad news for the territory in terms of airlift, Bob Siefert, general manager of the Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort on St. Croix, said. It is unlikely the airline would stop flying to the territory if it seeks federal protection from creditors while it reorganizes, he said.
"US Airways is in bankruptcy, and we're getting another flight, "Siefert noted, citing USAir's recent announcement that it will add a Saturday direct flight from Charlotte, North Carolina, to St. Croix starting March 15.
Siefert, president of the St. Thomas-St. John Hotel Association in the early 1990s and most recently president of the St. Croix Hotel and Tourism Association, said he thinks United will continue to fly despite its bankruptcy status, as well.
Delta Air Lines and Continental Airlines are the other major airlines serving the territory.
Myrna George at the St. John travel agency At Your Service said bankruptcy proceedings could force American to raise its fares, however. And, she predicted, "Any increase in price, and people will find another destination."
George and Siefert both said that the United States' looming war with Iraq poses a bigger threat to the territory as a tourism destination than American Airlines' potential bankruptcy.
"People are afraid of flying," George said.
Siefert said that while President Bush is focusing his efforts on a possible war with Iraq, the nation's economy is continuing to slump.
According to The New York Times, American Airlines is looking for up to $2 billion in financing to continue operating, should it decide to seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
In January, AMR Corp., American's parent company, listed a loss of $529 million for the fourth quarter of last year. The company is continuing to seek wage and benefit concessions from its unionized workers in an effort to avoid bankruptcy filing. American needs to cut $4 billion a year in operating costs to remain solvent, according to reports.
In the midst of such economic uncertainty, the V.I. Port Authority, to shore up its own flagging finances, increased airport landing and passenger fees by 25 percent as of Feb. 1. As a carrot with the stick, VIPA exempted flights introduced after March 1 exempt from the higher rates for one year.
American subsequently announced that it would terminate seasonal flights out of Boston and New York in April. The service had previously been scheduled to continue until June.
Efforts to learn how many passengers fly American to the territory every year were unsuccessful.
The Port Authority's Web site lists a total of 816,144 passengers inbound and 825,078 outbound on all airlines for 2001, the most recent year for which figures are available. St. Thomas's Cyril E. King Airport saw the majority of them, with 586,961 flying in and 595,594 flying out. On St. Croix, 229,185 passengers arrived at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport in 2001 and 229,484 departed.
American has since the 1980s had the most flights and most seats serving the territory of any airline.

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March 11, 2003 — The Caribbean Hotel Foundation has made a last call to Caribbean hospitality employees, professors, and students to apply for its 2003 Scholarship Program, provided to applicants who demonstrate a strong commitment to the hotel and tourism industry and the potential for future success.
The application deadline is March 31, 2003. Application forms are available on the Caribbean Hotel Association Web site.
The Foundation, one of the largest scholarship programs in the hospitality industry, has awarded more than $500,000 in scholarships and grants in the past five years alone, said a release. Scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 are offered for full- and part-time students.
In addition to the academic scholarships, the Caribbean Hotel Foundation offers:
— scholarships to hotel employees for professional development;
— trainer grants to individuals seeking the Certified Caribbean Hospitality Trainer (CCHT) designation;
— co-funded summer scholarships for hospitality management at L'Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland;
— "Further Education" or "Industry Work Experience" grants to hotel and tourism educators seeking to improve their academic qualifications or complement their classroom time with hands-on work experience.
Individuals can apply for one type of award per year. They must meet the criteria set forth by the Caribbean Hotel Foundation and be approved by their respective hotel associations.
Funds for these scholarships and grants are generated by the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) Golf Tournament, the Caribbean Culinary Federation fundraising dinners and the auction held annually during the Caribbean Hotel Industry Conference, and through the generous support of American Express and CHA hoteliers.
U.S. Virgin Islands residents and workers are eligible to apply for these grants.
For more information, contact CHA's Product Development Department, 1000 Ponce de León Ave., 5th Floor, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00907; telephone (787) 725-9139; fax (787) 725-9108; or e-mail.

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March 11, 2003 — The Caribbean Hotel Foundation has made a last call to Caribbean hospitality employees, professors, and students to apply for its 2003 Scholarship Program, provided to applicants who demonstrate a strong commitment to the hotel and tourism industry and the potential for future success.
The application deadline is March 31, 2003. Application forms are available on the Caribbean Hotel Association Web site.
The Foundation, one of the largest scholarship programs in the hospitality industry, has awarded more than $500,000 in scholarships and grants in the past five years alone, said a release. Scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 are offered for full- and part-time students.
In addition to the academic scholarships, the Caribbean Hotel Foundation offers:
— scholarships to hotel employees for professional development;
— trainer grants to individuals seeking the Certified Caribbean Hospitality Trainer (CCHT) designation;
— co-funded summer scholarships for hospitality management at L'Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland;
— "Further Education" or "Industry Work Experience" grants to hotel and tourism educators seeking to improve their academic qualifications or complement their classroom time with hands-on work experience.
Individuals can apply for one type of award per year. They must meet the criteria set forth by the Caribbean Hotel Foundation and be approved by their respective hotel associations.
Funds for these scholarships and grants are generated by the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) Golf Tournament, the Caribbean Culinary Federation fundraising dinners and the auction held annually during the Caribbean Hotel Industry Conference, and through the generous support of American Express and CHA hoteliers.
U.S. Virgin Islands residents and workers are eligible to apply for these grants.
For more information, contact CHA's Product Development Department, 1000 Ponce de León Ave., 5th Floor, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00907; telephone (787) 725-9139; fax (787) 725-9108; or e-mail.

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.

March 11, 2003 — The Caribbean Hotel Foundation has made a last call to Caribbean hospitality employees, professors, and students to apply for its 2003 Scholarship Program, provided to applicants who demonstrate a strong commitment to the hotel and tourism industry and the potential for future success.
The application deadline is March 31, 2003. Application forms are available on the Caribbean Hotel Association Web site.
The Foundation, one of the largest scholarship programs in the hospitality industry, has awarded more than $500,000 in scholarships and grants in the past five years alone, said a release. Scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 are offered for full- and part-time students.
In addition to the academic scholarships, the Caribbean Hotel Foundation offers:
— scholarships to hotel employees for professional development;
— trainer grants to individuals seeking the Certified Caribbean Hospitality Trainer (CCHT) designation;
— co-funded summer scholarships for hospitality management at L'Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland;
— "Further Education" or "Industry Work Experience" grants to hotel and tourism educators seeking to improve their academic qualifications or complement their classroom time with hands-on work experience.
Individuals can apply for one type of award per year. They must meet the criteria set forth by the Caribbean Hotel Foundation and be approved by their respective hotel associations.
Funds for these scholarships and grants are generated by the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) Golf Tournament, the Caribbean Culinary Federation fundraising dinners and the auction held annually during the Caribbean Hotel Industry Conference, and through the generous support of American Express and CHA hoteliers.
U.S. Virgin Islands residents and workers are eligible to apply for these grants.
For more information, contact CHA's Product Development Department, 1000 Ponce de León Ave., 5th Floor, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00907; telephone (787) 725-9139; fax (787) 725-9108; or e-mail.

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Dear Source,
Sen. Ronald Russell's commentary on the democracy of debate on video lottery terminals, Non-emotional response to VLT issue is needed, is indubitably valid and well thought out.
I have no problem in saying that I am against VLT's, simply because I don't believe that gambling in this form is a catch-all save-all for the territory's dismal financial crisis, which has been and continues to be perpetuated by sheer bad management practices, bribery and corruption.
Southland initially avowed that these machines would only be placed in "tourist" venues, or whatever phraseology they conveniently used.
Just a few weeks ago I was approached by a salesman who thought I would "like to have one of these machines" in my restaurant (which caters primarily to locals). I was so taken aback that I simply said, "Absolutely not!" and hustled him out. I stupidly didn't ask for his business card or more information. However, it was quite clear from the pictures which he showed me of the machines that these were indeed the Southland machines.
That information was made available to the media but, immediately thereafter, Southland's local attorney categorically denied on behalf of his client that neither my business or any other had been approached, pending the outcome of ongoing litigation. Surprise surprise! Or maybe at 2 o'clock in the afternoon I was just debilitated from the heat and it was all a mirage, a figment of my imagination!
The governor's latest veto of the machines was overridden in a lame-duck late-night session and there has never been any public input or discussion on the placing of these machines in the territory.
Casino gambling is very well regulated; VLT's are historically almost impossible to properly regulate. I have no doubt that their positioning at bars, restaurants and hotels on St. Thomas and St. John will certainly benefit certain senators and other government employees most handsomely but will be to the detriment of the local population.
Leave the gambling to the well-regulated casinos on St. Croix, where it would appear that gambling iss doing well. Hey, I know several St. Thomas residents who go over to St. Croix for a weekend to enjoy it, which must help that economy somewhat, no? It's my understanding that the initial agreement was that St. Croix would be the "casino" island and that St. Thomas and St. John wouldn't "compete" in that arena. The VLT's just slipped through quietly, as do so many deals which end up benefiting the few to the detriment of the mass.
Ask yourself why the casino commissioner [Eileen Petersen] herself has been so outspoken about VLT's. Ask yourself why the Robin Bay developers are about to bow out of their proposed casino development on St. Croix. Remember that these are the Virgin Islands! St. Croix might seem a long ways away to some, but that island is an integral part of the Virgin Islands and contributes to the economy just as much as does St. Thomas.
Check out the visitor forum sites on the Virgin Islands at Fodors or usvi-on-line. Read what people have to say about these islands. Much can be learned and — one point, strictly by its omission — is that people don't come to these islands because of access to gambling. They come from their cold homes to enjoy the sun, our pristine beaches, hospitality, daysails, good food and — most importantly — total relaxation combined of all the above!
A public meeting on VLT's will be held at the Legislature on St. Thomas at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 14. I urge everyone who has any interest in the issue to attend the meeting. We have so many ongoing problems here which have to be addressed, and I don't think we need VLT's as an add-on.
If you would like to be heard, it's my understanding that you can contact Sen. Adlah Donastorg Jr. on St. Thomas to be scheduled. I believe a similar meeting is scheduled for St. Croix on March 13th and that Raymond "Usie" Richards at 773-2424 is the man to reach for that hearing.
Unfortunately I can't personally attend the St. Thomas meeting because my business relies solely upon me to be open. However, I will certainly make my views known to Sen. Donastorg before the meeting takes place.
Thanks for listening and thanks for this wonderful forum in which one can vent one's spleen!
Anna Clarke
St. Thomas

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.

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Dear Source,
Sen. Ronald Russell's commentary on the democracy of debate on video lottery terminals, Non-emotional response to VLT issue is needed, is indubitably valid and well thought out.
I have no problem in saying that I am against VLT's, simply because I don't believe that gambling in this form is a catch-all save-all for the territory's dismal financial crisis, which has been and continues to be perpetuated by sheer bad management practices, bribery and corruption.
Southland initially avowed that these machines would only be placed in "tourist" venues, or whatever phraseology they conveniently used.
Just a few weeks ago I was approached by a salesman who thought I would "like to have one of these machines" in my restaurant (which caters primarily to locals). I was so taken aback that I simply said, "Absolutely not!" and hustled him out. I stupidly didn't ask for his business card or more information. However, it was quite clear from the pictures which he showed me of the machines that these were indeed the Southland machines.
That information was made available to the media but, immediately thereafter, Southland's local attorney categorically denied on behalf of his client that neither my business or any other had been approached, pending the outcome of ongoing litigation. Surprise surprise! Or maybe at 2 o'clock in the afternoon I was just debilitated from the heat and it was all a mirage, a figment of my imagination!
The governor's latest veto of the machines was overridden in a lame-duck late-night session and there has never been any public input or discussion on the placing of these machines in the territory.
Casino gambling is very well regulated; VLT's are historically almost impossible to properly regulate. I have no doubt that their positioning at bars, restaurants and hotels on St. Thomas and St. John will certainly benefit certain senators and other government employees most handsomely but will be to the detriment of the local population.
Leave the gambling to the well-regulated casinos on St. Croix, where it would appear that gambling iss doing well. Hey, I know several St. Thomas residents who go over to St. Croix for a weekend to enjoy it, which must help that economy somewhat, no? It's my understanding that the initial agreement was that St. Croix would be the "casino" island and that St. Thomas and St. John wouldn't "compete" in that arena. The VLT's just slipped through quietly, as do so many deals which end up benefiting the few to the detriment of the mass.
Ask yourself why the casino commissioner [Eileen Petersen] herself has been so outspoken about VLT's. Ask yourself why the Robin Bay developers are about to bow out of their proposed casino development on St. Croix. Remember that these are the Virgin Islands! St. Croix might seem a long ways away to some, but that island is an integral part of the Virgin Islands and contributes to the economy just as much as does St. Thomas.
Check out the visitor forum sites on the Virgin Islands at Fodors or usvi-on-line. Read what people have to say about these islands. Much can be learned and — one point, strictly by its omission — is that people don't come to these islands because of access to gambling. They come from their cold homes to enjoy the sun, our pristine beaches, hospitality, daysails, good food and — most importantly — total relaxation combined of all the above!
A public meeting on VLT's will be held at the Legislature on St. Thomas at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 14. I urge everyone who has any interest in the issue to attend the meeting. We have so many ongoing problems here which have to be addressed, and I don't think we need VLT's as an add-on.
If you would like to be heard, it's my understanding that you can contact Sen. Adlah Donastorg Jr. on St. Thomas to be scheduled. I believe a similar meeting is scheduled for St. Croix on March 13th and that Raymond "Usie" Richards at 773-2424 is the man to reach for that hearing.
Unfortunately I can't personally attend the St. Thomas meeting because my business relies solely upon me to be open. However, I will certainly make my views known to Sen. Donastorg before the meeting takes place.
Thanks for listening and thanks for this wonderful forum in which one can vent one's spleen!
Anna Clarke
St. Thomas

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