March 5, 2003 – Public Works Department crews with the assistance of Health Department Environmental Health Division personnel will repair a ruptured sewer line at 69 Kronprindsens Gade, the lot directly across the street from Sts. Peter and Paul School, beginning Thursday.
Lower Main Street will be closed to motorists and pedestrians from the Chicken Fry shop to the traffic light at the "75 Corner" intersection until the repairs are completed, according to a release.
Sts. Peter and Paul School has been told by Public Works that the street will not be closed until after 9 a.m., the school vice principal, Barbara Kenny, said, so there will be no problem dropping children off Thursday morning. If the road is still blocked at dismissal time, Kenny said, parents should plan to meet their children at 75 Corner, or parents may walk in to the school grounds through the garage entrance at the rear or the basketball court at the side.
While repairs are under way, there will be louder than usual noise in the vicinity, the release said. The work is to stop the discharge of raw sewage onto the road in the area, it stated.
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NO CLASSES FRIDAY AT PEACE CORPS SCHOOL
March 5, 2003 – Parents and guardians of students attending the Peace Corps Elementary School are advised that there will be no classes on Friday, March 7.
Classes will resume on Monday, March 10 at the regularly scheduled time.
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Classes will resume on Monday, March 10 at the regularly scheduled time.
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FRIENDS OF FRENCH WEEKLY HAPPY HOUR
Friends of the French Culture will meet for the weekly Happy hour at 5:45 p.m. at The Pointe-Villa Olga in Frenchtown.
KENNEDY MEMORIAL SERVICE SET FOR MARCH 16
March 5, 2003 – Funeral arrangements for Norma Shaw Kennedy, who died Saturday on St. Thomas, have been announced. (See "Community shocked, saddened by Kennedy death")
A viewing will be held at 10 a.m. with a service to follow at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 8 at Toppitzer Funeral Home/Arlington Cemetery Chapel at 2900 State Road, Drexel Hill, Pa. 19026.
Burial will be at the Arlington Cemetery in Drexel Hill.
Local arrangements are by John Thomas Funeral Home.
A memorial service will be held locally from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 16 at Marriott Frenchman's Reef Hotel. Parking will be available at Havensight Mall with shuttle service to the hotel. For more information, call Jessica Wagner at 715-6115, ext. 6303.
A viewing will be held at 10 a.m. with a service to follow at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 8 at Toppitzer Funeral Home/Arlington Cemetery Chapel at 2900 State Road, Drexel Hill, Pa. 19026.
Burial will be at the Arlington Cemetery in Drexel Hill.
Local arrangements are by John Thomas Funeral Home.
A memorial service will be held locally from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 16 at Marriott Frenchman's Reef Hotel. Parking will be available at Havensight Mall with shuttle service to the hotel. For more information, call Jessica Wagner at 715-6115, ext. 6303.
STRIDIRON: GOVERNOR NOT AGAINST LOTTERY AUDIT
March 4, 2003 – Attorney General Iver Stridiron said on Tuesday that the Turnbull administration does not object to Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg's desire to access V.I. Lottery financial records for an audit of the agency.
Stridiron said he told Lottery personnel not to comply with the Senate Finance Committee chair's probe last week because Donastorg had not issued proper notification.
On Feb. 24, Donastorg and the Legislature's assistant post auditor were turned away at the door of the Lottery's St. Thomas offices when they arrived seeking documents related to the agency's operation and revenues and details about contracts with Caribbean Lottery Services and the Powerball game provers. (See "Senate Lottery audit hits administration wall".)
Stridiron said he had been unaware of the Finance Committee audit until that days, when the V.I. Lottery executive director, Austin Andrews, received a telephone call from an aide during a cabinet meeting where Stridiron also was present. The call concerned Donastorg and the post audit staff member's arrival seeking the financial documents.
"I advised Andrews he should tell the auditors to leave" and ask them to petition the governor first, Stridiron said.
It has been more than 20 years since the Senate post auditor last conducted an audit of any government agency, but Donastorg said he felt it was an appropriate function. He noted that the last time an independent auditor reviewed the financial records of various government agencies, those of the V.I. Lottery were not included.
In a letter to Andrews dated Feb. 5, Donastorg cited V.I. Code authority for the post auditor to audit the V.I. Lottery books.
According to Nicole Bollentini, spokeswoman for Donastorg, plans also are under way for the Finance Committee to audit VITRAN, the Y2K computer compliance program, the payroll deduction program and various Housing Parks and Recreation Department programs..
Stridiron cited the separation of powers in the executive, legislative and judicial branches as the reason that notification of the audit would have to be transmitted to Andrews from his boss, the governor. The attorney general said he had not seen Donastorg's letter to Andrews but does not question the right of the Finance chair to take the action. However, he said he did have questions about the ability of the post auditor to do the work.
"We would like to be sure the audit would be done accurately," he said. "If you try to cram too much down the throat of an already overburdened post auditor, well, it raises the old adage 'Garbage in, garbage out,'" the attorney general said.
After being turned away from the Lottery office last week, Donastorg said he would wait a few days before taking further action, to see if the administration would offer an explanation for why the audit was stopped. Bolletini said letters from the senator are now on their way to the governor and the attorney general
Donastorg said he may call a committee hearing and subpoena information on Caribbean Lottery Services and Powerball operations from the V.I. Lottery Office. In his letter to Andrews, Donastorg asked for copies of the CLS and Powerball contracts, all related addendums, a copy of the agreement showing how much money from the Caribbean Lottery and Powerball games is payable to the V.I. government, and V.I. Lottery financial statements from December 2001.
He also is requesting Caribbean Lottery Services and Powerball expenditure reports, reports on the revenues generated by the government through Powerball, a list of all individuals paid through distribution of net profits, reports listing V.I. Lottery receipts and revenues, supporting documents relative to expenditures and a report highlighting the total paid to the government from the time Caribbean Lottery Services was contracted began its business relationship with the V.I. Lottery.
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Stridiron said he told Lottery personnel not to comply with the Senate Finance Committee chair's probe last week because Donastorg had not issued proper notification.
On Feb. 24, Donastorg and the Legislature's assistant post auditor were turned away at the door of the Lottery's St. Thomas offices when they arrived seeking documents related to the agency's operation and revenues and details about contracts with Caribbean Lottery Services and the Powerball game provers. (See "Senate Lottery audit hits administration wall".)
Stridiron said he had been unaware of the Finance Committee audit until that days, when the V.I. Lottery executive director, Austin Andrews, received a telephone call from an aide during a cabinet meeting where Stridiron also was present. The call concerned Donastorg and the post audit staff member's arrival seeking the financial documents.
"I advised Andrews he should tell the auditors to leave" and ask them to petition the governor first, Stridiron said.
It has been more than 20 years since the Senate post auditor last conducted an audit of any government agency, but Donastorg said he felt it was an appropriate function. He noted that the last time an independent auditor reviewed the financial records of various government agencies, those of the V.I. Lottery were not included.
In a letter to Andrews dated Feb. 5, Donastorg cited V.I. Code authority for the post auditor to audit the V.I. Lottery books.
According to Nicole Bollentini, spokeswoman for Donastorg, plans also are under way for the Finance Committee to audit VITRAN, the Y2K computer compliance program, the payroll deduction program and various Housing Parks and Recreation Department programs..
Stridiron cited the separation of powers in the executive, legislative and judicial branches as the reason that notification of the audit would have to be transmitted to Andrews from his boss, the governor. The attorney general said he had not seen Donastorg's letter to Andrews but does not question the right of the Finance chair to take the action. However, he said he did have questions about the ability of the post auditor to do the work.
"We would like to be sure the audit would be done accurately," he said. "If you try to cram too much down the throat of an already overburdened post auditor, well, it raises the old adage 'Garbage in, garbage out,'" the attorney general said.
After being turned away from the Lottery office last week, Donastorg said he would wait a few days before taking further action, to see if the administration would offer an explanation for why the audit was stopped. Bolletini said letters from the senator are now on their way to the governor and the attorney general
Donastorg said he may call a committee hearing and subpoena information on Caribbean Lottery Services and Powerball operations from the V.I. Lottery Office. In his letter to Andrews, Donastorg asked for copies of the CLS and Powerball contracts, all related addendums, a copy of the agreement showing how much money from the Caribbean Lottery and Powerball games is payable to the V.I. government, and V.I. Lottery financial statements from December 2001.
He also is requesting Caribbean Lottery Services and Powerball expenditure reports, reports on the revenues generated by the government through Powerball, a list of all individuals paid through distribution of net profits, reports listing V.I. Lottery receipts and revenues, supporting documents relative to expenditures and a report highlighting the total paid to the government from the time Caribbean Lottery Services was contracted began its business relationship with the V.I. Lottery.
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STRIDIRON: GOVERNOR NOT AGAINST LOTTERY AUDIT
March 4, 2003 – Attorney General Iver Stridiron said on Tuesday that the Turnbull administration does not object to Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg's desire to access V.I. Lottery financial records for an audit of the agency.
Stridiron said he told Lottery personnel not to comply with the Senate Finance Committee chair's probe last week because Donastorg had not issued proper notification.
On Feb. 24, Donastorg and the Legislature's assistant post auditor were turned away at the door of the Lottery's St. Thomas offices when they arrived seeking documents related to the agency's operation and revenues and details about contracts with Caribbean Lottery Services and the Powerball game provers. (See "Senate Lottery audit hits administration wall".)
Stridiron said he had been unaware of the Finance Committee audit until that days, when the V.I. Lottery executive director, Austin Andrews, received a telephone call from an aide during a cabinet meeting where Stridiron also was present. The call concerned Donastorg and the post audit staff member's arrival seeking the financial documents.
"I advised Andrews he should tell the auditors to leave" and ask them to petition the governor first, Stridiron said.
It has been more than 20 years since the Senate post auditor last conducted an audit of any government agency, but Donastorg said he felt it was an appropriate function. He noted that the last time an independent auditor reviewed the financial records of various government agencies, those of the V.I. Lottery were not included.
In a letter to Andrews dated Feb. 5, Donastorg cited V.I. Code authority for the post auditor to audit the V.I. Lottery books.
According to Nicole Bollentini, spokeswoman for Donastorg, plans also are under way for the Finance Committee to audit VITRAN, the Y2K computer compliance program, the payroll deduction program and various Housing Parks and Recreation Department programs..
Stridiron cited the separation of powers in the executive, legislative and judicial branches as the reason that notification of the audit would have to be transmitted to Andrews from his boss, the governor. The attorney general said he had not seen Donastorg's letter to Andrews but does not question the right of the Finance chair to take the action. However, he said he did have questions about the ability of the post auditor to do the work.
"We would like to be sure the audit would be done accurately," he said. "If you try to cram too much down the throat of an already overburdened post auditor, well, it raises the old adage 'Garbage in, garbage out,'" the attorney general said.
After being turned away from the Lottery office last week, Donastorg said he would wait a few days before taking further action, to see if the administration would offer an explanation for why the audit was stopped. Bolletini said letters from the senator are now on their way to the governor and the attorney general
Donastorg said he may call a committee hearing and subpoena information on Caribbean Lottery Services and Powerball operations from the V.I. Lottery Office. In his letter to Andrews, Donastorg asked for copies of the CLS and Powerball contracts, all related addendums, a copy of the agreement showing how much money from the Caribbean Lottery and Powerball games is payable to the V.I. government, and V.I. Lottery financial statements from December 2001.
He also is requesting Caribbean Lottery Services and Powerball expenditure reports, reports on the revenues generated by the government through Powerball, a list of all individuals paid through distribution of net profits, reports listing V.I. Lottery receipts and revenues, supporting documents relative to expenditures and a report highlighting the total paid to the government from the time Caribbean Lottery Services was contracted began its business relationship with the V.I. Lottery.
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Stridiron said he told Lottery personnel not to comply with the Senate Finance Committee chair's probe last week because Donastorg had not issued proper notification.
On Feb. 24, Donastorg and the Legislature's assistant post auditor were turned away at the door of the Lottery's St. Thomas offices when they arrived seeking documents related to the agency's operation and revenues and details about contracts with Caribbean Lottery Services and the Powerball game provers. (See "Senate Lottery audit hits administration wall".)
Stridiron said he had been unaware of the Finance Committee audit until that days, when the V.I. Lottery executive director, Austin Andrews, received a telephone call from an aide during a cabinet meeting where Stridiron also was present. The call concerned Donastorg and the post audit staff member's arrival seeking the financial documents.
"I advised Andrews he should tell the auditors to leave" and ask them to petition the governor first, Stridiron said.
It has been more than 20 years since the Senate post auditor last conducted an audit of any government agency, but Donastorg said he felt it was an appropriate function. He noted that the last time an independent auditor reviewed the financial records of various government agencies, those of the V.I. Lottery were not included.
In a letter to Andrews dated Feb. 5, Donastorg cited V.I. Code authority for the post auditor to audit the V.I. Lottery books.
According to Nicole Bollentini, spokeswoman for Donastorg, plans also are under way for the Finance Committee to audit VITRAN, the Y2K computer compliance program, the payroll deduction program and various Housing Parks and Recreation Department programs..
Stridiron cited the separation of powers in the executive, legislative and judicial branches as the reason that notification of the audit would have to be transmitted to Andrews from his boss, the governor. The attorney general said he had not seen Donastorg's letter to Andrews but does not question the right of the Finance chair to take the action. However, he said he did have questions about the ability of the post auditor to do the work.
"We would like to be sure the audit would be done accurately," he said. "If you try to cram too much down the throat of an already overburdened post auditor, well, it raises the old adage 'Garbage in, garbage out,'" the attorney general said.
After being turned away from the Lottery office last week, Donastorg said he would wait a few days before taking further action, to see if the administration would offer an explanation for why the audit was stopped. Bolletini said letters from the senator are now on their way to the governor and the attorney general
Donastorg said he may call a committee hearing and subpoena information on Caribbean Lottery Services and Powerball operations from the V.I. Lottery Office. In his letter to Andrews, Donastorg asked for copies of the CLS and Powerball contracts, all related addendums, a copy of the agreement showing how much money from the Caribbean Lottery and Powerball games is payable to the V.I. government, and V.I. Lottery financial statements from December 2001.
He also is requesting Caribbean Lottery Services and Powerball expenditure reports, reports on the revenues generated by the government through Powerball, a list of all individuals paid through distribution of net profits, reports listing V.I. Lottery receipts and revenues, supporting documents relative to expenditures and a report highlighting the total paid to the government from the time Caribbean Lottery Services was contracted began its business relationship with the V.I. Lottery.
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STRIDIRON: GOVERNOR NOT AGAINST LOTTERY AUDIT
March 4, 2003 – Attorney General Iver Stridiron said on Tuesday that the Turnbull administration does not object to Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg's desire to access V.I. Lottery financial records for an audit of the agency.
Stridiron said he told Lottery personnel not to comply with the Senate Finance Committee chair's probe last week because Donastorg had not issued proper notification.
On Feb. 24, Donastorg and the Legislature's assistant post auditor were turned away at the door of the Lottery's St. Thomas offices when they arrived seeking documents related to the agency's operation and revenues and details about contracts with Caribbean Lottery Services and the Powerball game provers. (See "Senate Lottery audit hits administration wall".)
Stridiron said he had been unaware of the Finance Committee audit until that days, when the V.I. Lottery executive director, Austin Andrews, received a telephone call from an aide during a cabinet meeting where Stridiron also was present. The call concerned Donastorg and the post audit staff member's arrival seeking the financial documents.
"I advised Andrews he should tell the auditors to leave" and ask them to petition the governor first, Stridiron said.
It has been more than 20 years since the Senate post auditor last conducted an audit of any government agency, but Donastorg said he felt it was an appropriate function. He noted that the last time an independent auditor reviewed the financial records of various government agencies, those of the V.I. Lottery were not included.
In a letter to Andrews dated Feb. 5, Donastorg cited V.I. Code authority for the post auditor to audit the V.I. Lottery books.
According to Nicole Bollentini, spokeswoman for Donastorg, plans also are under way for the Finance Committee to audit VITRAN, the Y2K computer compliance program, the payroll deduction program and various Housing Parks and Recreation Department programs..
Stridiron cited the separation of powers in the executive, legislative and judicial branches as the reason that notification of the audit would have to be transmitted to Andrews from his boss, the governor. The attorney general said he had not seen Donastorg's letter to Andrews but does not question the right of the Finance chair to take the action. However, he said he did have questions about the ability of the post auditor to do the work.
"We would like to be sure the audit would be done accurately," he said. "If you try to cram too much down the throat of an already overburdened post auditor, well, it raises the old adage 'Garbage in, garbage out,'" the attorney general said.
After being turned away from the Lottery office last week, Donastorg said he would wait a few days before taking further action, to see if the administration would offer an explanation for why the audit was stopped. Bolletini said letters from the senator are now on their way to the governor and the attorney general
Donastorg said he may call a committee hearing and subpoena information on Caribbean Lottery Services and Powerball operations from the V.I. Lottery Office. In his letter to Andrews, Donastorg asked for copies of the CLS and Powerball contracts, all related addendums, a copy of the agreement showing how much money from the Caribbean Lottery and Powerball games is payable to the V.I. government, and V.I. Lottery financial statements from December 2001.
He also is requesting Caribbean Lottery Services and Powerball expenditure reports, reports on the revenues generated by the government through Powerball, a list of all individuals paid through distribution of net profits, reports listing V.I. Lottery receipts and revenues, supporting documents relative to expenditures and a report highlighting the total paid to the government from the time Caribbean Lottery Services was contracted began its business relationship with the V.I. Lottery.
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Stridiron said he told Lottery personnel not to comply with the Senate Finance Committee chair's probe last week because Donastorg had not issued proper notification.
On Feb. 24, Donastorg and the Legislature's assistant post auditor were turned away at the door of the Lottery's St. Thomas offices when they arrived seeking documents related to the agency's operation and revenues and details about contracts with Caribbean Lottery Services and the Powerball game provers. (See "Senate Lottery audit hits administration wall".)
Stridiron said he had been unaware of the Finance Committee audit until that days, when the V.I. Lottery executive director, Austin Andrews, received a telephone call from an aide during a cabinet meeting where Stridiron also was present. The call concerned Donastorg and the post audit staff member's arrival seeking the financial documents.
"I advised Andrews he should tell the auditors to leave" and ask them to petition the governor first, Stridiron said.
It has been more than 20 years since the Senate post auditor last conducted an audit of any government agency, but Donastorg said he felt it was an appropriate function. He noted that the last time an independent auditor reviewed the financial records of various government agencies, those of the V.I. Lottery were not included.
In a letter to Andrews dated Feb. 5, Donastorg cited V.I. Code authority for the post auditor to audit the V.I. Lottery books.
According to Nicole Bollentini, spokeswoman for Donastorg, plans also are under way for the Finance Committee to audit VITRAN, the Y2K computer compliance program, the payroll deduction program and various Housing Parks and Recreation Department programs..
Stridiron cited the separation of powers in the executive, legislative and judicial branches as the reason that notification of the audit would have to be transmitted to Andrews from his boss, the governor. The attorney general said he had not seen Donastorg's letter to Andrews but does not question the right of the Finance chair to take the action. However, he said he did have questions about the ability of the post auditor to do the work.
"We would like to be sure the audit would be done accurately," he said. "If you try to cram too much down the throat of an already overburdened post auditor, well, it raises the old adage 'Garbage in, garbage out,'" the attorney general said.
After being turned away from the Lottery office last week, Donastorg said he would wait a few days before taking further action, to see if the administration would offer an explanation for why the audit was stopped. Bolletini said letters from the senator are now on their way to the governor and the attorney general
Donastorg said he may call a committee hearing and subpoena information on Caribbean Lottery Services and Powerball operations from the V.I. Lottery Office. In his letter to Andrews, Donastorg asked for copies of the CLS and Powerball contracts, all related addendums, a copy of the agreement showing how much money from the Caribbean Lottery and Powerball games is payable to the V.I. government, and V.I. Lottery financial statements from December 2001.
He also is requesting Caribbean Lottery Services and Powerball expenditure reports, reports on the revenues generated by the government through Powerball, a list of all individuals paid through distribution of net profits, reports listing V.I. Lottery receipts and revenues, supporting documents relative to expenditures and a report highlighting the total paid to the government from the time Caribbean Lottery Services was contracted began its business relationship with the V.I. Lottery.
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VIHA FIRES EMPLOYEE WHO CASHED MOTHER'S CHECKS
March 4, 2003 – A Housing Authority worker found to have cashed 10 agency checks made out to her deceased mother was fired on Tuesday, and two other housing workers were suspended for 30 days for having allowed the 10 utility allowance checks to be issued after the woman's death.
"All VIHA employees are to adhere to the highest ethical and moral standards," Ray Fonseca, the agency's executive director, said in a release announcing the punitive actions. He said he would tolerate neither "any actual nor perceived impropriety by employees, residents or those with whom we do business."
The checks, totaling $173, were endorsed by the VIHA employee after her mother, a tenant in a housing community, died. The employee has already made restitution for the money, Fonseca said several weeks ago. He said on Tuesday that he waited for an investigation into the matter by the V.I. Justice Department to be completed before taking further action.
If the two suspended workers had followed procedures and changed the rent records after the death was reported, he said, the utility checks would have been discontinued. The investigation determined that the utility checks stopped after a few weeks but then resumed, he said.
Utility allowance checks are authorized by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development and are issued to residents with little or no income to assist with the payment of their utility bills.
Fonseca said he would take final action in dealing with the case after taking the matter before the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.
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"All VIHA employees are to adhere to the highest ethical and moral standards," Ray Fonseca, the agency's executive director, said in a release announcing the punitive actions. He said he would tolerate neither "any actual nor perceived impropriety by employees, residents or those with whom we do business."
The checks, totaling $173, were endorsed by the VIHA employee after her mother, a tenant in a housing community, died. The employee has already made restitution for the money, Fonseca said several weeks ago. He said on Tuesday that he waited for an investigation into the matter by the V.I. Justice Department to be completed before taking further action.
If the two suspended workers had followed procedures and changed the rent records after the death was reported, he said, the utility checks would have been discontinued. The investigation determined that the utility checks stopped after a few weeks but then resumed, he said.
Utility allowance checks are authorized by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development and are issued to residents with little or no income to assist with the payment of their utility bills.
Fonseca said he would take final action in dealing with the case after taking the matter before the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.
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YACHT HAVEN ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT WINS PRAISE
March 4, 2002 – Plans for a new hotel/office complex, marina and public park at the site of the old Yacht Haven Hotel and on adjacent property received praise from unusual quarters Monday night at a St. Thomas Coastal Zone Management Committee public hearing.
Although she had other reservations, Erva Denham, president of the League of Women Voters, expressed strong approval of the environmental assessment report submitted by the developer for the project.
In a telephone interview on Tuesday, Denham said she was "very pleased to say how well prepared and organized it is. It is very well done. Even though it is four volumes, it was actually a pleasure to go through it."
The league is known for being a stickler in reviewing such reports.
Denham said the league's concerns about the planned redevelopment are "how it will affect the downtown historic district and downtown shopping." She noted that the project "would be basically a continuation of the West Indian Co. dock and Havensight properties."
Insignia Nautica is the third company to purchase the Yacht Haven Hotel and Marina since Hurricane Marilyn struck in 1995, devastating the hotel. Since then, the property has stood as a blight, the decaying remains of the buildings greeting cruise ship passengers passing by on their way to and from shopping in downtown Charlotte Amalie. It has earned itself the sobriquet "Rat Haven " from residents expressing their embarrassment over the derelict structures.
The new owners of the property are ready to raze the structure and proceed with rebuilding as soon as they get the necessary permits. Monday night's hearing was the first in a series of procedures to gain government approval for the project. The CZM permits must be approved by the committee, the Legislature and the governor.
Insignia Nautica acquired major interest in the four-acre Yacht Haven property last July. It submitted an 800-page application for the permits to the St. Thomas CZM Committee on Jan. 9. (See "Latest Yacht Haven owners file for CZM permits".)
The committee is scheduled to decide on the three permits needed — one for the hotel and retail space, one for the marina and one for a public park — at its next meeting, set for 5 p.m. March 13. The meeting will take place in the conference room in the Planning and Natural Resources Department offices on the second floor of the Cyril E. King Airport terminal.
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Although she had other reservations, Erva Denham, president of the League of Women Voters, expressed strong approval of the environmental assessment report submitted by the developer for the project.
In a telephone interview on Tuesday, Denham said she was "very pleased to say how well prepared and organized it is. It is very well done. Even though it is four volumes, it was actually a pleasure to go through it."
The league is known for being a stickler in reviewing such reports.
Denham said the league's concerns about the planned redevelopment are "how it will affect the downtown historic district and downtown shopping." She noted that the project "would be basically a continuation of the West Indian Co. dock and Havensight properties."
Insignia Nautica is the third company to purchase the Yacht Haven Hotel and Marina since Hurricane Marilyn struck in 1995, devastating the hotel. Since then, the property has stood as a blight, the decaying remains of the buildings greeting cruise ship passengers passing by on their way to and from shopping in downtown Charlotte Amalie. It has earned itself the sobriquet "Rat Haven " from residents expressing their embarrassment over the derelict structures.
The new owners of the property are ready to raze the structure and proceed with rebuilding as soon as they get the necessary permits. Monday night's hearing was the first in a series of procedures to gain government approval for the project. The CZM permits must be approved by the committee, the Legislature and the governor.
Insignia Nautica acquired major interest in the four-acre Yacht Haven property last July. It submitted an 800-page application for the permits to the St. Thomas CZM Committee on Jan. 9. (See "Latest Yacht Haven owners file for CZM permits".)
The committee is scheduled to decide on the three permits needed — one for the hotel and retail space, one for the marina and one for a public park — at its next meeting, set for 5 p.m. March 13. The meeting will take place in the conference room in the Planning and Natural Resources Department offices on the second floor of the Cyril E. King Airport terminal.
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'ISLAND IRISH' GEARING UP FOR 34TH PADDY'S PARADE
March 4, 2003 – Everybody's Irish on St. Patrick's Day, or at least on St. Croix they are, according to one of the coordinators and founders of the annual Christiansted parade and street party now in its 34th year.
What is now one of St. Croix's most revered holidays began on a "lazy afternoon" over drinks at the old Office Bar (now Paradise Café) on the corner of Company and Queen Cross Streets, according to Kathleen Sullivan Gross.
Gross recalls that she, her husband, Daryl, and several customers were sitting around discussing the fervor about holidays in the Virgin Islands. "We couldn't figure out why we shouldn't introduce another one," Gross says. With no template for beginning a new holiday celebration but a passion for St. Paddy's Day, she says, the group organized a time for everyone to gather and wear as much green as possible.
"One of the members had a flatbed truck, and we put the piano on top of the truck — which ruined it, by the way — and I sang songs and played," Gross says, as the group paraded throughout Christiansted town. They decorated the truck with green, orange and white streamers, and any number of people in town stopped what they were doing to join in the fun.
"It was very congenial, or, you could put it that way. People actually followed the truck and came back to the Office Bar," Gross says. The next year, they had a block party after the parade and gave away hotdogs and sodas.
However, that first impromptu parade spawned a tradition. The celebration has now grown to be a much-anticipated event with a mission — brotherhood among people of all cultures and creeds, Gross says.
The St. Patrick's Day celebration also has raised funds for local charities through the sale of commemorative T-shirts. Over the years, Gross says, thousands of dollars has been given to the Queen Louise Home for Children, St. Croix Animal Shelter and many other groups.
She says this year's beneficiary has not yet been decided upon.
So far, about 30 entries have signed on to vie for awards in several categories in this year's parade. The theme is "Irish heart; Crucian soul," and winners will be chosen in both children's and adult divisions. Criteria for the judging include how much green is worn, music, costumes, creativity and originality.
For those unfamiliar with St. Paddy's parades, Crucian style, Gross points out that they are not quite on a par with this year's 50th anniversary Crucian Festival processions. An island Irish parade "only lasts about 45 to 50 minutes," she explains.
Although St. Patrick's Day is March 17, the 2003 parade will be held on the preceding Saturday, March 15. It's to start promptly at 11 a.m. The floats are to line up near Fort Christiansvaern. They will proceed up Company Street to Market Square then down King Street to the judges' panel that will be seated above FirstBank, formerly Chase Manhattan Bank.
The grand marshal of this year's parade is St. Thomas resident Thomas "Eddie" Donoghue, a native of Montserrat, which has a strong Irish element in its cultural heritage.
Gross points out that the celebration "won't stop right after the parade." Several bars and restaurants will be featuring St. Patrick's Day food and drink specials and music, and the revelry will likely continue well into the afternoon.
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.
What is now one of St. Croix's most revered holidays began on a "lazy afternoon" over drinks at the old Office Bar (now Paradise Café) on the corner of Company and Queen Cross Streets, according to Kathleen Sullivan Gross.
Gross recalls that she, her husband, Daryl, and several customers were sitting around discussing the fervor about holidays in the Virgin Islands. "We couldn't figure out why we shouldn't introduce another one," Gross says. With no template for beginning a new holiday celebration but a passion for St. Paddy's Day, she says, the group organized a time for everyone to gather and wear as much green as possible.
"One of the members had a flatbed truck, and we put the piano on top of the truck — which ruined it, by the way — and I sang songs and played," Gross says, as the group paraded throughout Christiansted town. They decorated the truck with green, orange and white streamers, and any number of people in town stopped what they were doing to join in the fun.
"It was very congenial, or, you could put it that way. People actually followed the truck and came back to the Office Bar," Gross says. The next year, they had a block party after the parade and gave away hotdogs and sodas.
However, that first impromptu parade spawned a tradition. The celebration has now grown to be a much-anticipated event with a mission — brotherhood among people of all cultures and creeds, Gross says.
The St. Patrick's Day celebration also has raised funds for local charities through the sale of commemorative T-shirts. Over the years, Gross says, thousands of dollars has been given to the Queen Louise Home for Children, St. Croix Animal Shelter and many other groups.
She says this year's beneficiary has not yet been decided upon.
So far, about 30 entries have signed on to vie for awards in several categories in this year's parade. The theme is "Irish heart; Crucian soul," and winners will be chosen in both children's and adult divisions. Criteria for the judging include how much green is worn, music, costumes, creativity and originality.
For those unfamiliar with St. Paddy's parades, Crucian style, Gross points out that they are not quite on a par with this year's 50th anniversary Crucian Festival processions. An island Irish parade "only lasts about 45 to 50 minutes," she explains.
Although St. Patrick's Day is March 17, the 2003 parade will be held on the preceding Saturday, March 15. It's to start promptly at 11 a.m. The floats are to line up near Fort Christiansvaern. They will proceed up Company Street to Market Square then down King Street to the judges' panel that will be seated above FirstBank, formerly Chase Manhattan Bank.
The grand marshal of this year's parade is St. Thomas resident Thomas "Eddie" Donoghue, a native of Montserrat, which has a strong Irish element in its cultural heritage.
Gross points out that the celebration "won't stop right after the parade." Several bars and restaurants will be featuring St. Patrick's Day food and drink specials and music, and the revelry will likely continue well into the afternoon.
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.
