The V.I. Women's Business Center is offering a course in "Working the Net for Profit" for four evenings starting Monday, Nov. 18, through Thursday, Nov. 21.
The center's technological coordinator, Rupert Ross, is the presenter. Topics include using Netscape and Internet Explorer, marketing Web sites, Web site nuts and bolts and marketing business on the Web.
Sessions will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the center in Gallows Bay. There is a $20 registration fee for the course and space is limited. To learn more or to register, call Joanna Samuel at 773-4995.
WBC OFFERS 'WORKING THE NET FOR PROFIT'
Nov. 12, 2002 – The V.I. Women's Business Center is offering a course in "Working the Net for Profit" for four evenings starting Monday, Nov. 18, through Thursday, Nov. 21.
The center's technological coordinator, Rupert Ross, is the presenter. Topics include using Netscape and Internet Explorer, marketing Web sites, Web site nuts and bolts and marketing business on the Web.
Sessions will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the center in Gallows Bay. There is a $20 registration fee for the course and space is limited. To learn more or to register, call Joanna Samuel at 773-4995.
This course is the newest in the center's offerings of long-term business training, counseling, mentoring and networking possibilities. Mark Dec. 10 for the next event: an evening seminar on "Business Trends in the 21st Century."
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 center's technological coordinator, Rupert Ross, is the presenter. Topics include using Netscape and Internet Explorer, marketing Web sites, Web site nuts and bolts and marketing business on the Web.
Sessions will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the center in Gallows Bay. There is a $20 registration fee for the course and space is limited. To learn more or to register, call Joanna Samuel at 773-4995.
This course is the newest in the center's offerings of long-term business training, counseling, mentoring and networking possibilities. Mark Dec. 10 for the next event: an evening seminar on "Business Trends in the 21st Century."
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.
VETERANS DAY PARADE IS A YOUNG PEOPLE'S AFFAIR
Nov. 11, 2002 – To booming cadences issuing from two marching bands and one drum corps, hundreds of St. Thomas and St. John young people marched along Veterans Drive Monday afternoon honoring their forebears in a Veterans Day celebration.
The parade started promptly at 1 p.m. from Addelita Cancryn Junior High School and wound up at Emancipation Garden for formal ceremonies.
In his keynote address, Gen. Alfred O. Heath (retired) noted the irony of celebrating veterans' contributions in past wars while another against Iraq is brewing. Gov. Charles W. Turnbull made brief remarks, as did Delegate Donna Christiansen. Lesmore Howard, American Legion Post No. 90 historian, was master of ceremonies.
Another scheduled speaker, Sen. Norma Pickard-Samuel, who chairs the Legislature's Labor and Veterans Affairs Committee, did not appear.
From about noon, the youngsters — from little Brownies to the almost-adult high school Reserve Officer Training Corps troops — readied themselves at Cancryn. They adjusted their uniforms, tuned saxophones, tried out new steps and twirled batons. All except the 249 members of the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School ROTC unit and the 230 members of its Charlotte Amalie High School counterpart, who stood at attention, looking straight ahead.
The Brownies, giggling and dancing in line, showed no such discipline, and they didn't really have to. They were clearly more interested in the parade than in the significance of the day. Under the guidance of Gail Steele, Girl Scout leader and public relations director, they were doing just fine. "They're anxious to get to the parade," Steele said. She lamented the fact that parents don't participate in encouraging the youngsters to parade. "They say it's too hot," she said.
Also readying themselves for the parade were the members of the Seventh-day Adventist Pathfinders drum corps, the Civil Air Patrol youth group wearing blue and black berets, Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops, and the CAHS band. The other band, the Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Program marching band, comprises students from Cancryn, Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School and Julius E. Sprauve School on St. John.
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
The parade started promptly at 1 p.m. from Addelita Cancryn Junior High School and wound up at Emancipation Garden for formal ceremonies.
In his keynote address, Gen. Alfred O. Heath (retired) noted the irony of celebrating veterans' contributions in past wars while another against Iraq is brewing. Gov. Charles W. Turnbull made brief remarks, as did Delegate Donna Christiansen. Lesmore Howard, American Legion Post No. 90 historian, was master of ceremonies.
Another scheduled speaker, Sen. Norma Pickard-Samuel, who chairs the Legislature's Labor and Veterans Affairs Committee, did not appear.
From about noon, the youngsters — from little Brownies to the almost-adult high school Reserve Officer Training Corps troops — readied themselves at Cancryn. They adjusted their uniforms, tuned saxophones, tried out new steps and twirled batons. All except the 249 members of the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School ROTC unit and the 230 members of its Charlotte Amalie High School counterpart, who stood at attention, looking straight ahead.
The Brownies, giggling and dancing in line, showed no such discipline, and they didn't really have to. They were clearly more interested in the parade than in the significance of the day. Under the guidance of Gail Steele, Girl Scout leader and public relations director, they were doing just fine. "They're anxious to get to the parade," Steele said. She lamented the fact that parents don't participate in encouraging the youngsters to parade. "They say it's too hot," she said.
Also readying themselves for the parade were the members of the Seventh-day Adventist Pathfinders drum corps, the Civil Air Patrol youth group wearing blue and black berets, Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops, and the CAHS band. The other band, the Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Program marching band, comprises students from Cancryn, Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School and Julius E. Sprauve School on St. John.
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.
VETERANS DAY PARADE IS A YOUNG PEOPLE'S AFFAIR
Nov. 11, 2002 – To booming cadences issuing from two marching bands and one drum corps, hundreds of St. Thomas and St. John young people marched along Veterans Drive Monday afternoon honoring their forebears in a Veterans Day celebration.
The parade started promptly at 1 p.m. from Addelita Cancryn Junior High School and wound up at Emancipation Garden for formal ceremonies.
In his keynote address, Gen. Alfred O. Heath (retired) noted the irony of celebrating veterans' contributions in past wars while another against Iraq is brewing. Gov. Charles W. Turnbull made brief remarks, as did Delegate Donna Christiansen. Lesmore Howard, American Legion Post No. 90 historian, was master of ceremonies.
Another scheduled speaker, Sen. Norma Pickard-Samuel, who chairs the Legislature's Labor and Veterans Affairs Committee, did not appear.
From about noon, the youngsters — from little Brownies to the almost-adult high school Reserve Officer Training Corps troops — readied themselves at Cancryn. They adjusted their uniforms, tuned saxophones, tried out new steps and twirled batons. All except the 249 members of the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School ROTC unit and the 230 members of its Charlotte Amalie High School counterpart, who stood at attention, looking straight ahead.
The Brownies, giggling and dancing in line, showed no such discipline, and they didn't really have to. They were clearly more interested in the parade than in the significance of the day. Under the guidance of Gail Steele, Girl Scout leader and public relations director, they were doing just fine. "They're anxious to get to the parade," Steele said. She lamented the fact that parents don't participate in encouraging the youngsters to parade. "They say it's too hot," she said.
Also readying themselves for the parade were the members of the Seventh-day Adventist Pathfinders drum corps, the Civil Air Patrol youth group wearing blue and black berets, Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops, and the CAHS band. The other band, the Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Program marching band, comprises students from Cancryn, Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School and Julius E. Sprauve School on St. John.
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 parade started promptly at 1 p.m. from Addelita Cancryn Junior High School and wound up at Emancipation Garden for formal ceremonies.
In his keynote address, Gen. Alfred O. Heath (retired) noted the irony of celebrating veterans' contributions in past wars while another against Iraq is brewing. Gov. Charles W. Turnbull made brief remarks, as did Delegate Donna Christiansen. Lesmore Howard, American Legion Post No. 90 historian, was master of ceremonies.
Another scheduled speaker, Sen. Norma Pickard-Samuel, who chairs the Legislature's Labor and Veterans Affairs Committee, did not appear.
From about noon, the youngsters — from little Brownies to the almost-adult high school Reserve Officer Training Corps troops — readied themselves at Cancryn. They adjusted their uniforms, tuned saxophones, tried out new steps and twirled batons. All except the 249 members of the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School ROTC unit and the 230 members of its Charlotte Amalie High School counterpart, who stood at attention, looking straight ahead.
The Brownies, giggling and dancing in line, showed no such discipline, and they didn't really have to. They were clearly more interested in the parade than in the significance of the day. Under the guidance of Gail Steele, Girl Scout leader and public relations director, they were doing just fine. "They're anxious to get to the parade," Steele said. She lamented the fact that parents don't participate in encouraging the youngsters to parade. "They say it's too hot," she said.
Also readying themselves for the parade were the members of the Seventh-day Adventist Pathfinders drum corps, the Civil Air Patrol youth group wearing blue and black berets, Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops, and the CAHS band. The other band, the Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Program marching band, comprises students from Cancryn, Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School and Julius E. Sprauve School on St. John.
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.
57 YACHTS, SOME 130 BROKERS TAKE IN CHARTER SHOW
Nov. 11, 2002 – Yachts overflowed Crown Bay Marina for the Virgin Islands Charteryacht League's 28th annual fall show, Thursday through Monday. In fact, four of the 57 vessels were unable to find slip room, and their crews met brokers ashore.
It was "a great turnout," Susan Chandler, VICL executive director, said.
Nearly 130 charter yacht brokers from the U.S. mainland, Europe and the surrounding Caribbean viewed the fleet of luxury yachts and met the captains and chefs. Many of the brokers, the sales force of the industry, were fresh from the Tortola show of the Charter Yacht Society of the British Virgin Islands.
"You really have to do both shows to see everyone," St. Thomas-based broker Ellen Stewart of Stewart Yacht Charters said. Only one yacht at Crown Bay was also shown at Tortola, she said; "the rest are different."
The St. Thomas show featured a mix of monohull and multihull sailing yachts, as well as a few power yachts. "We're seeing more power boats of all sizes, not just megayachts," Chandler said. "There's not as many catamarans, but the ones that are here are bigger. We have a 57-footer showing. The bulk of the fleet are the monohulls in the 50-to 60-foot range."
This was Brian Knight's second V.I. boat show aboard his 50-foot Morgan, Dollar Corn, named as a catchy version of "buck an ear" or "buccaneer." Originally from Texas and most recently from San Diego, Knight said on Friday: "The show's been great, been busy. I have 50 business cards in my pocket, and this is just the second day."
Knight said what brought him to charter in the Virgin Islands is "the proximity of the islands, the prevailing trade winds and U.S. flag."
It was Lisa Lundt and Bob Brokaw's fourth fall show aboard their 102-foot power yacht, Our Delight. Like many others in the charter fleet, Lundt and Brokaw left the islands for hurricane season and chartered along the New England coast. "We're happy to be back," Lundt said.
Seminars focus on industry concerns
The show kicked off with a welcome party at Tickles Dockside Pub. Other events for boaters and brokers included a "Caribbean luau" aboard the Kon Tiki, a Mariners Masked Ball at the Sugar Mill Restaurant and a Pirates' Blender Contest. Noontime seminars addressed topics including the popularity of dive charters and the use of the Internet in the charter industry.
"Dive charters have really picked up," Chandler said. "There's so much more a broker needs to know, such as insurance issues, special releases and questionnaires that prospective dive clients need to fill out in advance."
Nearly a dozen of the VICL yachts specialize in dive charters. The captains, and often the crews, too, hold divemaster certificates and offer everything from resort courses for beginners to open water certification to dive excursions for certified divers.
Use of the Internet came under discussion during a noontime seminar on "The Ups and Downs of the Charter World — A Changing Industry" presented by Sherry Yates of Yates Yachts, a former Virgin Islands-based broker now operating out of Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
"What it takes to book a charter is money and education on the part of the broker," Yates said. She read aloud an e-mail request she had received from a couple wanting an itinerary that hopped to 10 islands in 10 days. While this looks easy on a map, she said, it isn't practical or even possible.
"The Internet and the ability to communicate with potential clients is the biggest thing that's happened to this industry in recent years, but it has its positives and negatives," Yates said.
One negative is the anonymity of e-mail, she said: "In the past, we used the phone to get to know our clients during the booking process. Now, many times we don't get a telephone number or even a response after that first e-mail."
Bob Wise, who with wife Sheila operates the St. Thomas-based brokerage Paradise Connections, said they "get about 33 percent of our contacts through the form on our Web site, 33 percent by e-mail, and 33 percent by phone."
In discussion, brokers said a fierce bidding war among themselves for key words on search engines is driving the price of Internet advertising close to that of print. As an example, the cost per click by a potential client to a broker's site can be as much as $4.
Bob Roth of Charternet, a Sanford, Florida-based Internet directory for marine-related companies, and a show exhibitor joined the discussion. "We'll soon see a saturation point and brokers will find alternate ways to drive traffic," he said.
Some boaters voiced concerns about brokers becoming complacent regarding advertising, waiting to be contacted via their Web sites rather than pounding the pavement for potential customers.
"I don't hear of brokers cold calling — calling companies, corporations and other groups to solicit interest in a charter yacht vacation," Laura Lewis, who with husband Greg owns and operates Sea Chateau, a 50-foot catamaran, said. "More time, energy and money seem to be spent in Web site design and search engines."
'Miracle' boat parade is next
The 176-member VICL is planning two activities in the coming months — the third annual Lighted Boat Parade on Dec. 13 as part of the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce's "Miracle on Main Street" holiday festivities, and a marine trade show in February.
For the parade, the boats will travel along the Charlotte Amalie waterfront to the West Indian Co. dock, then loop back, staying as close to the waterfront apron as possible. "Spectators will be able to hear all the folks on the boats singing Christmas carols," Chandler said. Past years' entries have included sailing and power vessels from 26 to 65 feet and U.S. Coast Guard craft.
Last year's parade winner featured Santa and his reindeer on one side of the boat and a big sleigh on the other. "It was really a work of art," Chandler said. "The picture from afar was right out of a winter fairy tale."
The VICL trade show will be held in early February. "We've already had great interest from the business community, everyone from the traditional marine trades to restaurant supply and refrigeration companies," Chandler said.
Marine tourism contributes just under $30 million to the territory's economy.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
It was "a great turnout," Susan Chandler, VICL executive director, said.
Nearly 130 charter yacht brokers from the U.S. mainland, Europe and the surrounding Caribbean viewed the fleet of luxury yachts and met the captains and chefs. Many of the brokers, the sales force of the industry, were fresh from the Tortola show of the Charter Yacht Society of the British Virgin Islands.
"You really have to do both shows to see everyone," St. Thomas-based broker Ellen Stewart of Stewart Yacht Charters said. Only one yacht at Crown Bay was also shown at Tortola, she said; "the rest are different."
The St. Thomas show featured a mix of monohull and multihull sailing yachts, as well as a few power yachts. "We're seeing more power boats of all sizes, not just megayachts," Chandler said. "There's not as many catamarans, but the ones that are here are bigger. We have a 57-footer showing. The bulk of the fleet are the monohulls in the 50-to 60-foot range."
This was Brian Knight's second V.I. boat show aboard his 50-foot Morgan, Dollar Corn, named as a catchy version of "buck an ear" or "buccaneer." Originally from Texas and most recently from San Diego, Knight said on Friday: "The show's been great, been busy. I have 50 business cards in my pocket, and this is just the second day."
Knight said what brought him to charter in the Virgin Islands is "the proximity of the islands, the prevailing trade winds and U.S. flag."
It was Lisa Lundt and Bob Brokaw's fourth fall show aboard their 102-foot power yacht, Our Delight. Like many others in the charter fleet, Lundt and Brokaw left the islands for hurricane season and chartered along the New England coast. "We're happy to be back," Lundt said.
Seminars focus on industry concerns
The show kicked off with a welcome party at Tickles Dockside Pub. Other events for boaters and brokers included a "Caribbean luau" aboard the Kon Tiki, a Mariners Masked Ball at the Sugar Mill Restaurant and a Pirates' Blender Contest. Noontime seminars addressed topics including the popularity of dive charters and the use of the Internet in the charter industry.
"Dive charters have really picked up," Chandler said. "There's so much more a broker needs to know, such as insurance issues, special releases and questionnaires that prospective dive clients need to fill out in advance."
Nearly a dozen of the VICL yachts specialize in dive charters. The captains, and often the crews, too, hold divemaster certificates and offer everything from resort courses for beginners to open water certification to dive excursions for certified divers.
Use of the Internet came under discussion during a noontime seminar on "The Ups and Downs of the Charter World — A Changing Industry" presented by Sherry Yates of Yates Yachts, a former Virgin Islands-based broker now operating out of Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
"What it takes to book a charter is money and education on the part of the broker," Yates said. She read aloud an e-mail request she had received from a couple wanting an itinerary that hopped to 10 islands in 10 days. While this looks easy on a map, she said, it isn't practical or even possible.
"The Internet and the ability to communicate with potential clients is the biggest thing that's happened to this industry in recent years, but it has its positives and negatives," Yates said.
One negative is the anonymity of e-mail, she said: "In the past, we used the phone to get to know our clients during the booking process. Now, many times we don't get a telephone number or even a response after that first e-mail."
Bob Wise, who with wife Sheila operates the St. Thomas-based brokerage Paradise Connections, said they "get about 33 percent of our contacts through the form on our Web site, 33 percent by e-mail, and 33 percent by phone."
In discussion, brokers said a fierce bidding war among themselves for key words on search engines is driving the price of Internet advertising close to that of print. As an example, the cost per click by a potential client to a broker's site can be as much as $4.
Bob Roth of Charternet, a Sanford, Florida-based Internet directory for marine-related companies, and a show exhibitor joined the discussion. "We'll soon see a saturation point and brokers will find alternate ways to drive traffic," he said.
Some boaters voiced concerns about brokers becoming complacent regarding advertising, waiting to be contacted via their Web sites rather than pounding the pavement for potential customers.
"I don't hear of brokers cold calling — calling companies, corporations and other groups to solicit interest in a charter yacht vacation," Laura Lewis, who with husband Greg owns and operates Sea Chateau, a 50-foot catamaran, said. "More time, energy and money seem to be spent in Web site design and search engines."
'Miracle' boat parade is next
The 176-member VICL is planning two activities in the coming months — the third annual Lighted Boat Parade on Dec. 13 as part of the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce's "Miracle on Main Street" holiday festivities, and a marine trade show in February.
For the parade, the boats will travel along the Charlotte Amalie waterfront to the West Indian Co. dock, then loop back, staying as close to the waterfront apron as possible. "Spectators will be able to hear all the folks on the boats singing Christmas carols," Chandler said. Past years' entries have included sailing and power vessels from 26 to 65 feet and U.S. Coast Guard craft.
Last year's parade winner featured Santa and his reindeer on one side of the boat and a big sleigh on the other. "It was really a work of art," Chandler said. "The picture from afar was right out of a winter fairy tale."
The VICL trade show will be held in early February. "We've already had great interest from the business community, everyone from the traditional marine trades to restaurant supply and refrigeration companies," Chandler said.
Marine tourism contributes just under $30 million to the territory's economy.
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.
CARIBBEAN RESCUE WORKERS TRAINING ON ST. JOHN
Nov. 9, 2002 – As the sun broiled overhead at St. John's Susannaberg dump, several dozen firefighters and rescue folks from across the Caribbean watched Dennis Amodio of Tactical Rescue Training Inc. demonstrate how to get a trapped passenger out of a car.
"You've got to go to the corners. Always use your palms," he said, demonstrating how to break open a window without getting hurt.
A total of 67 people from across the Caribbean are on St. John this weekend for St. John Rescue's first Caribbean Region Vehicle Extrication and Building Collapse Training and Product Demonstrations.
While half the group spent Saturday afternoon learning vehicle extrication at the Susannaberg Dump, the rest studied how to deal with collapsed buildings at St. John Rescue President Marty Alperen's house.
Alperen said no St. John Rescue member has ever had to deal with a collapsed building. However, he said it could happen. In fact, two people were trapped under a Fish Bay house during 1995's Hurricane Marilyn.
"The point would be to stabilize the house so you can get the person out," Alperen said. St. John Rescue now has the tools to stabilize collapsed buildings, he said.
The tools demonstrated at this weekend's event wowed some of the firefighters and rescue workers from islands with very slim equipment budgets.
"It only takes money," said Winston Williams, a firefighter from Guyana.
In addition to Guyana, firefighters and rescue people came from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, the Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas, and of course, St. John, St. Thomas and St. Croix.
Eugene Phipps, who volunteers with St. Croix Rescue, said 15 of the organization's members came for the event. He said in earlier years, the members had to go abroad to get training.
"This is something that all three islands should do on a yearly basis," he said.
St. John firefighter Rafael Wesselhoft said he was glad to take advantage of the free training.
"I like to know as much as I can so I can do my job the best possible," he said.
The U.S. Department of Transportation sent Sam Haiman over from Puerto Rico to watch the training.
"The Department of Transportation is always looking for ways to reduce traffic fatalities," he said, as the firefighters and rescue people watched Amodio use a Power Hawk rescue tool to cut open one of the many abandoned cars at the dump.
Alperen said he organized the event after Power Hawk Rescue Systems staff jumped at the chance to show off its tools to firefighters and rescue people in the Caribbean.
He arrived in St. John Rescue's snazzy new vehicle, built especially for St. John conditions by Odyssey Automotive in Wharton, N.J.
President Laurence Kahan said the vehicle was small because St. John's roads are small. It has four-wheel drive, a generator and high-powered lights, front and back winches to pull vehicles back on the road, and a ventilations system that runs off a solar panel.
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.
"You've got to go to the corners. Always use your palms," he said, demonstrating how to break open a window without getting hurt.
A total of 67 people from across the Caribbean are on St. John this weekend for St. John Rescue's first Caribbean Region Vehicle Extrication and Building Collapse Training and Product Demonstrations.
While half the group spent Saturday afternoon learning vehicle extrication at the Susannaberg Dump, the rest studied how to deal with collapsed buildings at St. John Rescue President Marty Alperen's house.
Alperen said no St. John Rescue member has ever had to deal with a collapsed building. However, he said it could happen. In fact, two people were trapped under a Fish Bay house during 1995's Hurricane Marilyn.
"The point would be to stabilize the house so you can get the person out," Alperen said. St. John Rescue now has the tools to stabilize collapsed buildings, he said.
The tools demonstrated at this weekend's event wowed some of the firefighters and rescue workers from islands with very slim equipment budgets.
"It only takes money," said Winston Williams, a firefighter from Guyana.
In addition to Guyana, firefighters and rescue people came from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, the Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas, and of course, St. John, St. Thomas and St. Croix.
Eugene Phipps, who volunteers with St. Croix Rescue, said 15 of the organization's members came for the event. He said in earlier years, the members had to go abroad to get training.
"This is something that all three islands should do on a yearly basis," he said.
St. John firefighter Rafael Wesselhoft said he was glad to take advantage of the free training.
"I like to know as much as I can so I can do my job the best possible," he said.
The U.S. Department of Transportation sent Sam Haiman over from Puerto Rico to watch the training.
"The Department of Transportation is always looking for ways to reduce traffic fatalities," he said, as the firefighters and rescue people watched Amodio use a Power Hawk rescue tool to cut open one of the many abandoned cars at the dump.
Alperen said he organized the event after Power Hawk Rescue Systems staff jumped at the chance to show off its tools to firefighters and rescue people in the Caribbean.
He arrived in St. John Rescue's snazzy new vehicle, built especially for St. John conditions by Odyssey Automotive in Wharton, N.J.
President Laurence Kahan said the vehicle was small because St. John's roads are small. It has four-wheel drive, a generator and high-powered lights, front and back winches to pull vehicles back on the road, and a ventilations system that runs off a solar panel.
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.
DOWN IN THE DUMP, THINGS ARE LOOKING UP
Nov. 9, 2002 – If you regularly visit St. John's Susannaberg dump, you might notice that it looks a tad spiffier — if you could use that term to describe a dump.
Ira Wade, St. John's deputy Public Works commissioner, says that's because he's in the midst of a big cleanup. Banished to the Bovoni landfill on St. Thomas are about 500 to 600 old cars that took up lots of room. "And all that loose debris is gone," he said.
Susannaberg technically is a "transfer station" because the garbage taken there ultimately gets hauled to the Bovoni landfill, While the acreage still has plenty more junk cars and piles of debris, Wade's on a mission to get rid of them.
With money from the St. John Capital Improvement Fund, he said, Public Works bought a track hoe to facilitate removing the old vehicles and big pieces of debris. He stressed that the money didn't come out of the regular operating budget that funds the collection and transfer of the island's garbage.
Wade, normally a low-key kind of guy, gets a bit enthusiastic talking about what he hopes to accomplish. He says that he soon expects to be able to separate St. John's garbage into various components.
"We plan to have a bin for white metal," he said, referring to large appliances. And if your old refrigerator happens to be avocado or harvest gold, those popular '70s colors, it still goes into the white metal bin, because it's for enameled items.
There will be other bins for compacted junk cars, for food and for non-metallic construction debris. "We'll expand our oil storage area, too," he said, noting that he has all the basic equipment on hand to respond to an oil spill at the dump.
While the Susannaberg dump currently doesn't accept old tires or batteries, he says the Public Works Department is formulating a plan to deal with them. And he says he already has some of those items piled up at the dump, because his staff removes them from junked cars and picks them up at trash bins, where they are left by people who don't know or don't care that Public Works can't deal with them right now.
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.
Ira Wade, St. John's deputy Public Works commissioner, says that's because he's in the midst of a big cleanup. Banished to the Bovoni landfill on St. Thomas are about 500 to 600 old cars that took up lots of room. "And all that loose debris is gone," he said.
Susannaberg technically is a "transfer station" because the garbage taken there ultimately gets hauled to the Bovoni landfill, While the acreage still has plenty more junk cars and piles of debris, Wade's on a mission to get rid of them.
With money from the St. John Capital Improvement Fund, he said, Public Works bought a track hoe to facilitate removing the old vehicles and big pieces of debris. He stressed that the money didn't come out of the regular operating budget that funds the collection and transfer of the island's garbage.
Wade, normally a low-key kind of guy, gets a bit enthusiastic talking about what he hopes to accomplish. He says that he soon expects to be able to separate St. John's garbage into various components.
"We plan to have a bin for white metal," he said, referring to large appliances. And if your old refrigerator happens to be avocado or harvest gold, those popular '70s colors, it still goes into the white metal bin, because it's for enameled items.
There will be other bins for compacted junk cars, for food and for non-metallic construction debris. "We'll expand our oil storage area, too," he said, noting that he has all the basic equipment on hand to respond to an oil spill at the dump.
While the Susannaberg dump currently doesn't accept old tires or batteries, he says the Public Works Department is formulating a plan to deal with them. And he says he already has some of those items piled up at the dump, because his staff removes them from junked cars and picks them up at trash bins, where they are left by people who don't know or don't care that Public Works can't deal with them right now.
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.
2 TEEN-AGERS SHOT AND KILLED OVER THE WEEKEND
Nov. 11, 2002 – The bullet-riddled bodies of two teen-agers were found Saturday morning after police received a report of a body in the road in the Castle Burke area.
The body of Stephanie Parris, 17, of Castle Burke was found on the ground near a heavily tinted black Nissan Altima. Inside the car police found the body of Dale Roberson, 19, of Morningstar.
Police have offered no motive for the killings, but an unidentified source told The Avis they may have arisen out of a love triangle.
The weekend killings brought the territory's homicides to 41 for the year, 22 of them on St. Croix.
Comparable homicide figures as of Nov. 9 for the last three years are:
2001 – 10 on St. Croix, 21 in the territory.
2000 – 7 on St. Croix, 16 in the territory.
1999 – 8 on St. Croix, 22 in the territory.
Police have asked anyone with information concerning the shootings to call 778-2211 or 911.
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The body of Stephanie Parris, 17, of Castle Burke was found on the ground near a heavily tinted black Nissan Altima. Inside the car police found the body of Dale Roberson, 19, of Morningstar.
Police have offered no motive for the killings, but an unidentified source told The Avis they may have arisen out of a love triangle.
The weekend killings brought the territory's homicides to 41 for the year, 22 of them on St. Croix.
Comparable homicide figures as of Nov. 9 for the last three years are:
2001 – 10 on St. Croix, 21 in the territory.
2000 – 7 on St. Croix, 16 in the territory.
1999 – 8 on St. Croix, 22 in the territory.
Police have asked anyone with information concerning the shootings to call 778-2211 or 911.
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.
PATROLS, STAKEOUTS CRACKING DOWN ON LITTERERS
Nov. 10, 2002 – The odds of those who violate anti-litter and solid waste dumping laws getting away with it on St. Croix are a lot less these days than they used to be.
Public Works Department anti-litter enforcement officers are patrolling the roads in unmarked vehicles on the lookout for violators. When they find them, they issue warnings or citations. They're averaging six citations a week at the moment, costing the recipients fines of $100 to $1,000.
The program to crack down on those responsible for littering and illegal dumping is now in its second year, newly bolstered by a $189,000 grant from the Anti-Litter and Beautification Commission.
The funds are enabling enforcement officers to conduct stakeouts between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. at trash bin sites and areas where littering is heaviest, according to Robert Moorehead, assistant Public Works commissioner for St. Croix. "What we want to do is have more visibility," he said in a release.
But those who think they can get away with illegal dumping and littering later at night have another think coming. John Green, Public Works senior solid waste coordinator, says some stakeouts have been in place as late as midnight.
Moorehead says he thinks citations are making a difference but that the most effective deterrent to littering and illegal dumping is education. "There are certain areas on St. Croix we know are highly littered — the Melvin Evans Highway, Constitution Hill and Contentment," he said. "As fast as we go out and clean, the next morning those places are dirty."
Another way the enforcement officers are seeking to increase their visibility, Green said in the release, is by walking the streets of Christiansted and Frederiksted. They're also going into neighborhoods handing out pamphlets and asking residents who have house-to-house collection to set their trash out in covered bins instead of plastic bags, which invite vermin.
Green says litter enforcement officers also work with the St. Croix Anti-Litter and Beautification Committee by researching property records to find out who owns derelict lots and then asking Fire Service authorities to determine whether those lots present fire hazards. According to the V.I. Code, property owners are responsible for keeping their lots clean. Moorehead says litter enforcement officers have cited the code to a number of property owners already.
Public Works enforcement officers and sanitation inspectors also are enforcing solid and hazardous waste laws by conducting random inspections of incoming trash at the Anguilla landfill and making note of abandoned vehicles and illegal dump sites, the release states.
For more information about the enforcement program, call Green 773-1290, ext. 2218, or Stella Saunders at 773-1290, ext. 2224. "Keeping our island clean is not just the government's responsibility," the release states. "It is everyone's responsibility."
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
Public Works Department anti-litter enforcement officers are patrolling the roads in unmarked vehicles on the lookout for violators. When they find them, they issue warnings or citations. They're averaging six citations a week at the moment, costing the recipients fines of $100 to $1,000.
The program to crack down on those responsible for littering and illegal dumping is now in its second year, newly bolstered by a $189,000 grant from the Anti-Litter and Beautification Commission.
The funds are enabling enforcement officers to conduct stakeouts between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. at trash bin sites and areas where littering is heaviest, according to Robert Moorehead, assistant Public Works commissioner for St. Croix. "What we want to do is have more visibility," he said in a release.
But those who think they can get away with illegal dumping and littering later at night have another think coming. John Green, Public Works senior solid waste coordinator, says some stakeouts have been in place as late as midnight.
Moorehead says he thinks citations are making a difference but that the most effective deterrent to littering and illegal dumping is education. "There are certain areas on St. Croix we know are highly littered — the Melvin Evans Highway, Constitution Hill and Contentment," he said. "As fast as we go out and clean, the next morning those places are dirty."
Another way the enforcement officers are seeking to increase their visibility, Green said in the release, is by walking the streets of Christiansted and Frederiksted. They're also going into neighborhoods handing out pamphlets and asking residents who have house-to-house collection to set their trash out in covered bins instead of plastic bags, which invite vermin.
Green says litter enforcement officers also work with the St. Croix Anti-Litter and Beautification Committee by researching property records to find out who owns derelict lots and then asking Fire Service authorities to determine whether those lots present fire hazards. According to the V.I. Code, property owners are responsible for keeping their lots clean. Moorehead says litter enforcement officers have cited the code to a number of property owners already.
Public Works enforcement officers and sanitation inspectors also are enforcing solid and hazardous waste laws by conducting random inspections of incoming trash at the Anguilla landfill and making note of abandoned vehicles and illegal dump sites, the release states.
For more information about the enforcement program, call Green 773-1290, ext. 2218, or Stella Saunders at 773-1290, ext. 2224. "Keeping our island clean is not just the government's responsibility," the release states. "It is everyone's responsibility."
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
CARIBBEAN RESCUE WORKERS TRAINING ON ST. JOHN
Nov. 9, 2002 – As the sun broiled overhead at St. John's Susannaberg dump, several dozen firefighters and rescue folks from across the Caribbean watched Dennis Amodio of Tactical Rescue Training Inc. demonstrate how to get a trapped passenger out of a car.
"You've got to go to the corners. Always use your palms," he said, demonstrating how to break open a window without getting hurt.
A total of 67 people from across the Caribbean are on St. John this weekend for St. John Rescue's first Caribbean Region Vehicle Extrication and Building Collapse Training and Product Demonstrations.
While half the group spent Saturday afternoon learning vehicle extrication at the Susannaberg Dump, the rest studied how to deal with collapsed buildings at St. John Rescue President Marty Alperen's house.
Alperen said no St. John Rescue member has ever had to deal with a collapsed building. However, he said it could happen. In fact, two people were trapped under a Fish Bay house during 1995's Hurricane Marilyn.
"The point would be to stabilize the house so you can get the person out," Alperen said. St. John Rescue now has the tools to stabilize collapsed buildings, he said.
The tools demonstrated at this weekend's event wowed some of the firefighters and rescue workers from islands with very slim equipment budgets.
"It only takes money," said Winston Williams, a firefighter from Guyana.
In addition to Guyana, firefighters and rescue people came from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, the Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas, and of course, St. John, St. Thomas and St. Croix.
Eugene Phipps, who volunteers with St. Croix Rescue, said 15 of the organization's members came for the event. He said in earlier years, the members had to go abroad to get training.
"This is something that all three islands should do on a yearly basis," he said.
St. John firefighter Rafael Wesselhoft said he was glad to take advantage of the free training.
"I like to know as much as I can so I can do my job the best possible," he said.
The U.S. Department of Transportation sent Sam Haiman over from Puerto Rico to watch the training.
"The Department of Transportation is always looking for ways to reduce traffic fatalities," he said, as the firefighters and rescue people watched Amodio use a Power Hawk rescue tool to cut open one of the many abandoned cars at the dump.
Alperen said he organized the event after Power Hawk Rescue Systems staff jumped at the chance to show off its tools to firefighters and rescue people in the Caribbean.
He arrived in St. John Rescue's snazzy new vehicle, built especially for St. John conditions by Odyssey Automotive in Wharton, N.J.
President Laurence Kahan said the vehicle was small because St. John's roads are small. It has four-wheel drive, a generator and high-powered lights, front and back winches to pull vehicles back on the road, and a ventilations system that runs off a solar panel.
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.
"You've got to go to the corners. Always use your palms," he said, demonstrating how to break open a window without getting hurt.
A total of 67 people from across the Caribbean are on St. John this weekend for St. John Rescue's first Caribbean Region Vehicle Extrication and Building Collapse Training and Product Demonstrations.
While half the group spent Saturday afternoon learning vehicle extrication at the Susannaberg Dump, the rest studied how to deal with collapsed buildings at St. John Rescue President Marty Alperen's house.
Alperen said no St. John Rescue member has ever had to deal with a collapsed building. However, he said it could happen. In fact, two people were trapped under a Fish Bay house during 1995's Hurricane Marilyn.
"The point would be to stabilize the house so you can get the person out," Alperen said. St. John Rescue now has the tools to stabilize collapsed buildings, he said.
The tools demonstrated at this weekend's event wowed some of the firefighters and rescue workers from islands with very slim equipment budgets.
"It only takes money," said Winston Williams, a firefighter from Guyana.
In addition to Guyana, firefighters and rescue people came from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, the Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas, and of course, St. John, St. Thomas and St. Croix.
Eugene Phipps, who volunteers with St. Croix Rescue, said 15 of the organization's members came for the event. He said in earlier years, the members had to go abroad to get training.
"This is something that all three islands should do on a yearly basis," he said.
St. John firefighter Rafael Wesselhoft said he was glad to take advantage of the free training.
"I like to know as much as I can so I can do my job the best possible," he said.
The U.S. Department of Transportation sent Sam Haiman over from Puerto Rico to watch the training.
"The Department of Transportation is always looking for ways to reduce traffic fatalities," he said, as the firefighters and rescue people watched Amodio use a Power Hawk rescue tool to cut open one of the many abandoned cars at the dump.
Alperen said he organized the event after Power Hawk Rescue Systems staff jumped at the chance to show off its tools to firefighters and rescue people in the Caribbean.
He arrived in St. John Rescue's snazzy new vehicle, built especially for St. John conditions by Odyssey Automotive in Wharton, N.J.
President Laurence Kahan said the vehicle was small because St. John's roads are small. It has four-wheel drive, a generator and high-powered lights, front and back winches to pull vehicles back on the road, and a ventilations system that runs off a solar panel.
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.
