Nov. 5, 2002 – Gov. Charles W. Turnbull marched to a resounding first-place finish Tuesday over seven opponents, but whether that signifies his re-election will apparently rest with the uncounted absentee ballots.
Unofficial final returns gave Turnbull and his running mate, Vargrave Richards,16,998 votes, which was 50.46 percent of the total cast in Tuesday in the governor's race.
The other unofficial vote tallies, in descending order:
John de Jongh / Paul Arnold — 8,221
Alicia "Chucky" Hansen / Thomas "Eddie" Donoghue — 2,663
Michael Bornn / Arnold M. Golden — 2,398
Gerard Luz James II / Maryleen Thomas — 1,724
Cora Christian / George Hodge Jr. — 1,025
L. Williams / K. Gonzalez Jr. — 502
H.I. Williams / J. Marius — 103
Write-ins — 50
A total of 1,274 absentee ballots — 659 for the St. Thomas-St. John district and 615 for St. Croix — were mailed out, according to Elections Supervisor John Abramson Jr.
If Turnbull's vote total including the absentee votes stays on the plus side of 50 percent, he will have won a second term. If it dips below 50 percent, he must face Tuesday's second-place finisher, businessman John de Jongh, in a runoff scheduled for Nov. 19.
The absentee ballots must be received back by the Board of Elections by 10 days after the election, in this case Nov. 15, in order to be counted. The V.I. Code specifies that a runoff election shall be held two weeks after the general election, and Nov. 19 was identified months ago as the date, should a runoff vote be needed.
That leaves the board little time to count the absentee ballots in order to determine whether Turnbull has a majority or not.
But Abramson said Tuesday night, "We have five days to count and certify the absentee ballots," which would make the deadline Nov. 20.
Asked how that would play out against the Nov. 19 date for the runoff election, he replied: "I don't know. That's one of the inconsistencies to be worked out."
And then, asked how the matter would be resolved, he said it would have to be done by "the attorney." Specifically, he said, attorney Doug Jurgen from the Attorney General's office.
Many observers are predicting that both Turnbull the incumbent and de Jongh the challenger will campaign on immediately, without waiting for the results of the absentee ballots or resolution of the inconsistencies.
But with de Jongh facing an uphill fight, there also is speculation that he might drop out and save the territory and himself the cost of an expensive runoff.
De Jongh issued this statement late Tuesday night: "I plan to meet with my running mate, Paul Arnold, and discuss the absentee ballots and decide our best course of action."
Tuesday night, meantime, belonged to the former college professor, Turnbull, who beat the well-financed challenge de Jongh by a margin of better than two to one.
The governor also left in his wake the flamboyant Sen. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen, whose 2,663 votes came mainly from her home island of St. Croix; former acting Tourism commissioner Michael Bornn, whose Republican Party credentials did him little good; Dr. Cora Christian, who can now resume her St. Croix medical practice; and Lt. Gov. Gerard Luz James II, who now is free to return to the family-owned funeral home business.
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.>.
DEMOCRATS MAKE GAINS IN DISTRICT SENATE RACE
Nov. 5, 2002 – Four-term Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg was once again the top vote-getter in the territory in Tuesday with 8,726 votes.
Freshman Sen. Carlton Dowe came in second in St. Thomas-St. John with 7,512.
The next seven finishers in the unofficial standings, and before absentee ballots are tallied, were:
Celestino A. White Sr. (independent) — 6,642.
Roosevelt St. C. David (Democrat) — 6,490.
Louis P. Hill (Democrat) — 6,392.
Lorraine L. Berry (Democrat) — 6,365.
Shawn-Michael Malone (Democrat) — 5,951.
Donald "Ducks" Cole (independent) — 5,932.
Norma Pickard-Samuel (independent) — 5,455.
All are incumbents except for Hill, the current St. Thomas-Water Island administrator, and Malone, an aide to Delegate Donna M. Christensen. Dowe, White, Cole and Pickard-Samuel are members of the majority bloc of the 24th Legislature. David, Hill, Berry and Malone campaigned jointly as members of the Democratic Party's Team 2002.
Depending on which seven candidates end up on top, once the absentee ballots are counted, and with a similar situation in the St. Croix district, there is a very real possibility that the 25th Legislature could see the Democrats assume command and the current majority be relegated to a weak minority. However, in the last four years, the Democrats have not necessarily been aligned with the administration, even Gov. Charles W. Turnbull is a Democrat.
Speaking on WVWI Radio Tuesday evening, Donastorg said of landslide re-election, "This victory demonstrates once again that to be honest, loyal, consistent, and speak the truth can only help — especially the young people."
His agenda for next term won't wait for January, Donastorg said. "Not in the next Legislature, but starting tomorrow we have to start," he said. "Education will be a pressing problem, policing programs play a vital role, and we have to address health care."
Donastorg was the only senator in the 24th Legislature to remain unaligned with the majority or minority, although he typically sided with the minority. Now, he said, he would be pleased if his colleagues were to make him Finance Committee chair, so "I can raise money for these problems we have here."
He said he looks forward in the next few days to following the process "that my colleagues will have reorganizing the Legislature."
Dowe sounded almost breathless with excitement when contacted Tuesday evening. "I worked really hard," the freshman senator said, in explanation of his strong showing in Tuesday's voting. "I worked on some major issues, the step increases, capital projects, the slab program for homebuilding. Those things change people's lives."
He added, "I ran the Rules Committee, and when I had to call on the governor, I did so."
Dowe, in fact, called on the governor on a regular basis, often addressing his remarks on the floor directly to Turnbull with the admonition, "I know you are watching this." He spearheaded the move to air-condition the gymnasium at the new Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School and was instrumental in other school improvements.
Still, he said it was "interesting" that "I placed first in the school polls, and I came out No. 1 in the teachers' polling."
Dowe has been a prominent member of the majority bloc in the current Legislature. With that majority apparently on the way out, he hedged a bit on how the 25th Legislature is looking to him. "I don't know; it's interesting," he said. "There's still a few more days for the absentee ballots to come in, but I'm prepared to work with everyone."
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.
Freshman Sen. Carlton Dowe came in second in St. Thomas-St. John with 7,512.
The next seven finishers in the unofficial standings, and before absentee ballots are tallied, were:
Celestino A. White Sr. (independent) — 6,642.
Roosevelt St. C. David (Democrat) — 6,490.
Louis P. Hill (Democrat) — 6,392.
Lorraine L. Berry (Democrat) — 6,365.
Shawn-Michael Malone (Democrat) — 5,951.
Donald "Ducks" Cole (independent) — 5,932.
Norma Pickard-Samuel (independent) — 5,455.
All are incumbents except for Hill, the current St. Thomas-Water Island administrator, and Malone, an aide to Delegate Donna M. Christensen. Dowe, White, Cole and Pickard-Samuel are members of the majority bloc of the 24th Legislature. David, Hill, Berry and Malone campaigned jointly as members of the Democratic Party's Team 2002.
Depending on which seven candidates end up on top, once the absentee ballots are counted, and with a similar situation in the St. Croix district, there is a very real possibility that the 25th Legislature could see the Democrats assume command and the current majority be relegated to a weak minority. However, in the last four years, the Democrats have not necessarily been aligned with the administration, even Gov. Charles W. Turnbull is a Democrat.
Speaking on WVWI Radio Tuesday evening, Donastorg said of landslide re-election, "This victory demonstrates once again that to be honest, loyal, consistent, and speak the truth can only help — especially the young people."
His agenda for next term won't wait for January, Donastorg said. "Not in the next Legislature, but starting tomorrow we have to start," he said. "Education will be a pressing problem, policing programs play a vital role, and we have to address health care."
Donastorg was the only senator in the 24th Legislature to remain unaligned with the majority or minority, although he typically sided with the minority. Now, he said, he would be pleased if his colleagues were to make him Finance Committee chair, so "I can raise money for these problems we have here."
He said he looks forward in the next few days to following the process "that my colleagues will have reorganizing the Legislature."
Dowe sounded almost breathless with excitement when contacted Tuesday evening. "I worked really hard," the freshman senator said, in explanation of his strong showing in Tuesday's voting. "I worked on some major issues, the step increases, capital projects, the slab program for homebuilding. Those things change people's lives."
He added, "I ran the Rules Committee, and when I had to call on the governor, I did so."
Dowe, in fact, called on the governor on a regular basis, often addressing his remarks on the floor directly to Turnbull with the admonition, "I know you are watching this." He spearheaded the move to air-condition the gymnasium at the new Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School and was instrumental in other school improvements.
Still, he said it was "interesting" that "I placed first in the school polls, and I came out No. 1 in the teachers' polling."
Dowe has been a prominent member of the majority bloc in the current Legislature. With that majority apparently on the way out, he hedged a bit on how the 25th Legislature is looking to him. "I don't know; it's interesting," he said. "There's still a few more days for the absentee ballots to come in, but I'm prepared to work with everyone."
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.
CHRISTENSEN LOOKING FORWARD TO 4TH TERM
Nov. 5, 2002 – After sweeping the delegate to Congress election on Tuesday, incumbent Donna M. Christensen said from her campaign headquarters in Frederiksted with exasperation in her voice, "I'm glad it's over."
But she went on to say that she looks forward to getting back to work in the nation's capital. Christensen, seeking her fourth two-year term, collected more than two-thirds of the votes, for which she said she owes the people of the territory.
"I 'm really grateful for their vote of confidence," Christensen said.
The unofficial vote tallies in the delegate race — with absentee votes to be added later — were:
Christensen (Democrat) — 19,484.
Virdin C. Brown (ICM) — 4,321.
Lilliana Belardo de O'Neal (Republican) — 4,163.
Garry A. Sprauve (independent) — 953.
Now that the campaign is over, Christensen said, there are several things she intends to continue to pursue in Washington, D.C., including raising the cap on Medicaid benefits to residents and improving Social Security insurance.
She also said the territory's underwater national monuments will soon become an issue again, referring to President Bill Clinton's establishment during his last days in office of over 30,000 acres of submerged lands off St. John and St. Croix as protected waters. While conservationists hailed the move, local fishermen and other stakeholders were outraged at it, and Christensen said she is working to reverse the former president's executive order.
As a Democrat, Christensen said, she disagrees with Republicans on many issues but has managed to work well with the George W. Bush administration over the last two years and expects that working relationship to continue.
However, on the national scene, it appeared late Tuesday night that Republicans had regained control of the Senate and retained control of the House of Representatives. Christensen held tight to party lines when asked for comment on the apparent change in power. "I think it's going to be bad for the country," she said. "It will certainly make things more difficult."
But she added that she does not think a Republican candidate — referring to challenger Lilliana Belardo de O'Neal — would be able to do any better in Washington for the territory than she can. She noted that she will maintain her seniority as the ranking Democrat on the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands.
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.
But she went on to say that she looks forward to getting back to work in the nation's capital. Christensen, seeking her fourth two-year term, collected more than two-thirds of the votes, for which she said she owes the people of the territory.
"I 'm really grateful for their vote of confidence," Christensen said.
The unofficial vote tallies in the delegate race — with absentee votes to be added later — were:
Christensen (Democrat) — 19,484.
Virdin C. Brown (ICM) — 4,321.
Lilliana Belardo de O'Neal (Republican) — 4,163.
Garry A. Sprauve (independent) — 953.
Now that the campaign is over, Christensen said, there are several things she intends to continue to pursue in Washington, D.C., including raising the cap on Medicaid benefits to residents and improving Social Security insurance.
She also said the territory's underwater national monuments will soon become an issue again, referring to President Bill Clinton's establishment during his last days in office of over 30,000 acres of submerged lands off St. John and St. Croix as protected waters. While conservationists hailed the move, local fishermen and other stakeholders were outraged at it, and Christensen said she is working to reverse the former president's executive order.
As a Democrat, Christensen said, she disagrees with Republicans on many issues but has managed to work well with the George W. Bush administration over the last two years and expects that working relationship to continue.
However, on the national scene, it appeared late Tuesday night that Republicans had regained control of the Senate and retained control of the House of Representatives. Christensen held tight to party lines when asked for comment on the apparent change in power. "I think it's going to be bad for the country," she said. "It will certainly make things more difficult."
But she added that she does not think a Republican candidate — referring to challenger Lilliana Belardo de O'Neal — would be able to do any better in Washington for the territory than she can. She noted that she will maintain her seniority as the ranking Democrat on the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands.
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.
NOT MUCH LEFT OF MAJORITY BLOC ON ST. CROIX
Nov. 5, 2002 – St. Croix voters said on Tuesday that they are ready for three new faces to represent them in the 25th Legislature.
Incumbent Sen. Douglas Canton Jr., for the second election in a row, drew the most votes of any candidate in the St. Croix district — 6,459. Canton ran on the Democratic Party ticket and in the primary last September came in a close second behind fellow Democrat Luther Renee.
Those rankings were reversed on Tuesday, as Renee came in No. 2 with 6,401 votes. The next seven finishers in the field of 19 were:
Incumbent Norman Jn Baptiste (independent) — 6,183.
Incumbent David Jones (Democrat) — 6,039.
Ronald E. Russell (Democrat) — 5,819.
Incumbent Emmett Hansen II (independent) — 5,422.
Raymond "Usie" Richards (ICM) — 5,378.
Incumbent Adelbert M. Bryan (ICM) — 5,248.
Juan Figueroa-Serville (Democrat) — 5,003.
The top seven vote getters will be elected, but the final standings won't be known until absentee ballots are tallied. According to elections officials, a total of 1,274 absentee ballots have been mailed out. They must be received back by Nov. 15 for the votes to count.
Jn Baptiste ran this year as an independent after dropping his former affiliation with the Democratic Party in order to join the unaligned majority early on in the 24th Legislature.
Another former Democrat who abandoned the party to join the majority caucus during the 24th Legislature is Hansen, who slipped from coming in second behind Canton in 2000 to sixth place this time. But Hansen said he has no regrets about leaving the party midway through the first year of his freshman Senate term.
"I did what I had to do my first term," he said Tuesday night. "It's been hard." But Tuesday's victory, he said, "is even sweeter than the first one."
"I think it's obvious by now that my allegiance is not to artificial symbols," Hansen said. "It looks like there's a changing of the guard going on, and I see more people coming in looking to do things for their constituents."
He said the makeup of the new Senate will be "interesting." Only four of the 24th Legislature's nine majority-bloc senators finished in the top seven of their respective district races on Tuesday, although as many as three of them might shift back into the winners' circle with absentee votes. The only one that might do so on St. Croix, however, is Bryan, who on Tuesday came in eighth behind his own staff member Richards.
A fifth majority member in the current Legislature, at-large Sen. Almando "Rocky" Liburd, who also is the current Senate president, may face a runoff against challenger Craig Barshinger.
St. Croix lost two incumbents because they ran for other positions — Vargrave Richards as running mate to Gov. Charles W. Turnbull, and Alicia "Chucky" Hansen as a candidate for governor, herself. The Turnbull-Richards team finished first in Tuesday's gubernatorial voting, and Hansen and her running mate, Eddie Donoghue, came in third.
Molly Morris contributed to this report.
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.
Incumbent Sen. Douglas Canton Jr., for the second election in a row, drew the most votes of any candidate in the St. Croix district — 6,459. Canton ran on the Democratic Party ticket and in the primary last September came in a close second behind fellow Democrat Luther Renee.
Those rankings were reversed on Tuesday, as Renee came in No. 2 with 6,401 votes. The next seven finishers in the field of 19 were:
Incumbent Norman Jn Baptiste (independent) — 6,183.
Incumbent David Jones (Democrat) — 6,039.
Ronald E. Russell (Democrat) — 5,819.
Incumbent Emmett Hansen II (independent) — 5,422.
Raymond "Usie" Richards (ICM) — 5,378.
Incumbent Adelbert M. Bryan (ICM) — 5,248.
Juan Figueroa-Serville (Democrat) — 5,003.
The top seven vote getters will be elected, but the final standings won't be known until absentee ballots are tallied. According to elections officials, a total of 1,274 absentee ballots have been mailed out. They must be received back by Nov. 15 for the votes to count.
Jn Baptiste ran this year as an independent after dropping his former affiliation with the Democratic Party in order to join the unaligned majority early on in the 24th Legislature.
Another former Democrat who abandoned the party to join the majority caucus during the 24th Legislature is Hansen, who slipped from coming in second behind Canton in 2000 to sixth place this time. But Hansen said he has no regrets about leaving the party midway through the first year of his freshman Senate term.
"I did what I had to do my first term," he said Tuesday night. "It's been hard." But Tuesday's victory, he said, "is even sweeter than the first one."
"I think it's obvious by now that my allegiance is not to artificial symbols," Hansen said. "It looks like there's a changing of the guard going on, and I see more people coming in looking to do things for their constituents."
He said the makeup of the new Senate will be "interesting." Only four of the 24th Legislature's nine majority-bloc senators finished in the top seven of their respective district races on Tuesday, although as many as three of them might shift back into the winners' circle with absentee votes. The only one that might do so on St. Croix, however, is Bryan, who on Tuesday came in eighth behind his own staff member Richards.
A fifth majority member in the current Legislature, at-large Sen. Almando "Rocky" Liburd, who also is the current Senate president, may face a runoff against challenger Craig Barshinger.
St. Croix lost two incumbents because they ran for other positions — Vargrave Richards as running mate to Gov. Charles W. Turnbull, and Alicia "Chucky" Hansen as a candidate for governor, herself. The Turnbull-Richards team finished first in Tuesday's gubernatorial voting, and Hansen and her running mate, Eddie Donoghue, came in third.
Molly Morris contributed to this report.
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.
RETURNS ON RACE FOR GOVERNOR
Nov. 5, 2002 – Here are the results from the Election System of the Virgin Islands in the race for governor/lieutenant governor with all polling places tabulated. Candidates are listed in order of number of votes received.
Governor / Lieutenant Governor:
Charles W. Turnbull / Vargrave Richards, Democrat — 16,998
John de Jongh / Paul Arnold, independent — 8,221
Alicia "Chucky" Hansen /
Thomas "Eddie" Donoghue, independent — 2,663
Michael Bornn / Arnold M. Golden, Republican — 2,398
Gerard Luz James II / Maryleen Thomas, independent — 1,724
Cora Christian / George Hodge Jr., independent — 1,025
L. Williams / K. Gonzalez Jr., independent — 502
H.I. Williams / J. Marius, independent — 103
Write-ins — 50
At this stage, whether a run-off is indicated is unclear. To Turnbull's 16,998 votes, the other candidates combined plus 50 write-in votes have 16,686. In order to win outright, a candidate must have a majority, or one more than 50 percent of the votes cast. The tabulation of absentee votes will determine whether this is the case for Turnbull.
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.
Governor / Lieutenant Governor:
Charles W. Turnbull / Vargrave Richards, Democrat — 16,998
John de Jongh / Paul Arnold, independent — 8,221
Alicia "Chucky" Hansen /
Thomas "Eddie" Donoghue, independent — 2,663
Michael Bornn / Arnold M. Golden, Republican — 2,398
Gerard Luz James II / Maryleen Thomas, independent — 1,724
Cora Christian / George Hodge Jr., independent — 1,025
L. Williams / K. Gonzalez Jr., independent — 502
H.I. Williams / J. Marius, independent — 103
Write-ins — 50
At this stage, whether a run-off is indicated is unclear. To Turnbull's 16,998 votes, the other candidates combined plus 50 write-in votes have 16,686. In order to win outright, a candidate must have a majority, or one more than 50 percent of the votes cast. The tabulation of absentee votes will determine whether this is the case for Turnbull.
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.
UVI TO HOST SENEPOL CATTLE RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM
Nov. 6, 2002 — In honor of the 25th anniversary of the Senepol Cattle Breeders Association, a research symposium on Senepol cattle will be held on the St. Croix campus of the University of the Virgin Islands Friday and Saturday.
More than 60 cattle researchers and producers from the Caribbean, Central and South America have registered for the symposium, which will provide scientific information about the Senepol breed, developed on St. Croix. There has been a long-standing partnership between UVI and Senepol cattle producers on St. Croix. The work of UVI and local cattle producers led to the initiation of record keeping within the breed and the formation of the breed association 25 years ago.
According to Dr. Robert Godfrey, assistant director of UVI’s animal science program, the Senepol breed is recognized for its ability to thrive and reproduce in a tropical climate.
"The symposium will highlight the international notoriety of the Senepol breed and the fact that St. Croix is responsible for developing the breed and enhancing the reputation of the cattle in the livestock community," Godfrey said.
The theme of the symposium is "Senepol Cattle for the New Millennium." On Friday at 9 a.m., Senepol producer Hans Lawaetz of Annaly Farms will give a historical perspective of Senepol breed development on St. Croix, followed by a presentation by Godfrey on the results of breeding soundness evaluations of Senepol cattle in the U.S. Virgin Islands. On Saturday, Senepol producers will engage in roundtable discussions. The afternoon will feature a tour of several Senepol farms on St. Croix.
The UVI Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, the St. Croix Senepol Cattle Breeders, V.I. Agriculture Dept. and U.S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc. are organizing the symposium in order to update the scientific information on Senepol cattle available to producers and the research community.
The last Senepol research conference was held on UVI’s St. Croix campus in 1987. To register or obtain information about the Senepol symposium, call Godfrey at 692-4042.
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.
More than 60 cattle researchers and producers from the Caribbean, Central and South America have registered for the symposium, which will provide scientific information about the Senepol breed, developed on St. Croix. There has been a long-standing partnership between UVI and Senepol cattle producers on St. Croix. The work of UVI and local cattle producers led to the initiation of record keeping within the breed and the formation of the breed association 25 years ago.
According to Dr. Robert Godfrey, assistant director of UVI’s animal science program, the Senepol breed is recognized for its ability to thrive and reproduce in a tropical climate.
"The symposium will highlight the international notoriety of the Senepol breed and the fact that St. Croix is responsible for developing the breed and enhancing the reputation of the cattle in the livestock community," Godfrey said.
The theme of the symposium is "Senepol Cattle for the New Millennium." On Friday at 9 a.m., Senepol producer Hans Lawaetz of Annaly Farms will give a historical perspective of Senepol breed development on St. Croix, followed by a presentation by Godfrey on the results of breeding soundness evaluations of Senepol cattle in the U.S. Virgin Islands. On Saturday, Senepol producers will engage in roundtable discussions. The afternoon will feature a tour of several Senepol farms on St. Croix.
The UVI Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, the St. Croix Senepol Cattle Breeders, V.I. Agriculture Dept. and U.S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc. are organizing the symposium in order to update the scientific information on Senepol cattle available to producers and the research community.
The last Senepol research conference was held on UVI’s St. Croix campus in 1987. To register or obtain information about the Senepol symposium, call Godfrey at 692-4042.
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.
V.I. DEMOCRATS SHOULD COME TOGETHER IN 2003
Dear Source:
For several years it has been fashionable for legislative candidates to register in the Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands and run for office as independents. This practice should come to an end with the 25th Legislature. The eight Democrats who were elected (four on St. Croix and four on St. Thomas) should work together on common values for social and economic development and work as a block with the governor, who is also a Democrat.
During the hiatus between now and January 2003, they should caucus to work out their programmatic road map to the next two years. A program of economic development focusing on St. Croix should be on their priority list and certain pieces of legislation should be ready for assignment to the Rules Committee after the organizing resolution is passed on the first day of the session. Newcomers to the Democratic Party should read about its history beginning in the early l960s under the very skillful and capable leadership of the late Sen. Earle B. Ottley.
The Democratic Party always had an agenda which included building housing, creating jobs and improving the infrastructure in the various neighborhoods among the three islands. Greater political independence was achieved because men of vision like the late Earle B. Ottley and the late Gov. Ralph M. Paiewonsky fought as Democrats to make them happen. The current leadership of the party should educate the public on what the party means to the territory and not be ashamed to register and run as a Democrat. They should read the writings of the late Valdemar Hill and Ottley for the actual and factual evolvement of politics in the Virgin Islands from 1917 to the present.
2003 presents the Democrats who were elected to the 25th Legislature and the governor with a golden opportunity to enact meaningful legislation for the advancement of the territory's residents. It means demonstrating year-round concern for residents as a whole regardless of economic or social status. The Democratic Party stands for being "people oriented," and that translates to standing up for the rights and advancement of the people. That is what the Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands is all about.
Eric E. Dawson
For several years it has been fashionable for legislative candidates to register in the Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands and run for office as independents. This practice should come to an end with the 25th Legislature. The eight Democrats who were elected (four on St. Croix and four on St. Thomas) should work together on common values for social and economic development and work as a block with the governor, who is also a Democrat.
During the hiatus between now and January 2003, they should caucus to work out their programmatic road map to the next two years. A program of economic development focusing on St. Croix should be on their priority list and certain pieces of legislation should be ready for assignment to the Rules Committee after the organizing resolution is passed on the first day of the session. Newcomers to the Democratic Party should read about its history beginning in the early l960s under the very skillful and capable leadership of the late Sen. Earle B. Ottley.
The Democratic Party always had an agenda which included building housing, creating jobs and improving the infrastructure in the various neighborhoods among the three islands. Greater political independence was achieved because men of vision like the late Earle B. Ottley and the late Gov. Ralph M. Paiewonsky fought as Democrats to make them happen. The current leadership of the party should educate the public on what the party means to the territory and not be ashamed to register and run as a Democrat. They should read the writings of the late Valdemar Hill and Ottley for the actual and factual evolvement of politics in the Virgin Islands from 1917 to the present.
2003 presents the Democrats who were elected to the 25th Legislature and the governor with a golden opportunity to enact meaningful legislation for the advancement of the territory's residents. It means demonstrating year-round concern for residents as a whole regardless of economic or social status. The Democratic Party stands for being "people oriented," and that translates to standing up for the rights and advancement of the people. That is what the Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands is all about.
Eric E. Dawson
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.
MANDATORY SATURDAY MEETING FOR ROAD RALLY
Nov. 6, 2002 – Drivers wishing to take part in Sunday's Rotary Club of St. Thomas Road Rally must register themselves and their vehicles and attend an orientation meeting at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Hard Rock Cafe on the St. Thomas waterfront.
The driver registration fee is $50.
The rally, to raise money for local Rotary charitable projects, will begin at 9:30 a.m. Sunday and follow established routes across the island on a scavenger hunt. Various prizes will be awarded to finishers. In addition to the rally itself, the day will feature a clam bake and beach party at Bolongo Bay Beach Club with live music and family-oriented entertainment.
One Rotary project that will benefit from the event is "Baby, Think It Over," which sends teen-agers at Charlotte Amalie and Ivanna Eudora Kean High Schools, Addelita Cancryn Junior High School and Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School home with computerized lifelike baby dolls that the boys and girls must care for. Others include Nana Baby Home, a Michael Kerwin Elementary School mentorship program and the Kirwan Terrace Community Center.
Attendance at the two-hour rally orientation is mandatory under the regulations of the Sports Car Club of America, according to a release.
Amco Auto Sales and Service and Daimler Chrysler Jeep are the presenting sponsors of the event.
For additional information, call 777-9996.
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 driver registration fee is $50.
The rally, to raise money for local Rotary charitable projects, will begin at 9:30 a.m. Sunday and follow established routes across the island on a scavenger hunt. Various prizes will be awarded to finishers. In addition to the rally itself, the day will feature a clam bake and beach party at Bolongo Bay Beach Club with live music and family-oriented entertainment.
One Rotary project that will benefit from the event is "Baby, Think It Over," which sends teen-agers at Charlotte Amalie and Ivanna Eudora Kean High Schools, Addelita Cancryn Junior High School and Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School home with computerized lifelike baby dolls that the boys and girls must care for. Others include Nana Baby Home, a Michael Kerwin Elementary School mentorship program and the Kirwan Terrace Community Center.
Attendance at the two-hour rally orientation is mandatory under the regulations of the Sports Car Club of America, according to a release.
Amco Auto Sales and Service and Daimler Chrysler Jeep are the presenting sponsors of the event.
For additional information, call 777-9996.
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.
HAWN, SARANDON SCORE AS 'THE BANGER SISTERS'
Nov. 4, 2002 – If "Thelma and Louise" had hung around long enough to mature, instead of driving off that cliff, would they have become "The Banger Sisters"?
It's a thought. But the differences between the "banger" sisters — Suzette (Goldie Hawn) and Vinnie (Susan Sarandon) — are somewhat more clear cut than those between Thelma and Louise.
The "bangers," so named for their almost-favorite activity back when, hung out together in the '60s as they avidly pursued rock stars, their favorite activity. (And we all know, if you remember the '60s, you weren't there.)
As we look in on the girls, a couple of decades have passed since their groupie days. Suzette is tending bar in a West Los Angeles club and regaling the customers with stories like the time Jim Morrison passed out on top of her in the bathroom. The customers are amused, but the owner isn't. In fact, he fires her the vivacious Suzette, who, after a few minutes thought and with no immediate plans, decides to head to Phoenix and visit her old pal Vinnie in the hope that Vinnie isn't as broke as she is.
Vinnie isn't. Now Lavinia, she has, of course, become the proper suburban housewife with husband, kids, swimming pool, tennis court and even a golden retriever. She is less than thrilled to have her checkered past turn up in the form of Suzette, who has picked up en route a disillusioned screenwriter named Harry (Geoffrey Rush) who wants to get to Phoenix to shoot his father, a singular ambition. Most folks come for the dry desert air.
Vinnie has two teen-age daughters in different stages of privileged rebellion (Erika Christensen and Eva Amurri, Sarandon's real-life daughter), along with all the other accouterments of a yuppie existence. As Suzette begins to insinuate her free spirit into the household, we can see where this is going (except for Harry and his dad). But wait a minute.
Let us not forget, we are dealing with two pros here. Sarandon and Hawn could make teenyboppers yearn to be 50-year-olds, and a silly script is something they can deal with. And they do so admirably with this one, according to many critics.
"The Big Chill," which examined life in the real world 10 years after college, it isn't, not by a long shot. According to Eleanor Ringel Gillespie in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Writer-director Bob Dolman just isn't up to the task. He falls back on sitcom predicaments and touchy-feely embraces. The movie wavers between Hallmark-card sentimentality and goofy, life-affirming moments straight out of a cellular phone commercial."
Still, Gillespie says, Hawn and Sarandon are "gorgeous inside and out; whether as sexy broads or grande dames, they take the movie as far as it can go on sheer guts and starshine." The apparent problem is it doesn't go far enough.
But if it's not an intellectual or emotional blockbuster, there's an awful lot of fun to be had with these two. Hawn's daughter, Kate Hudson, starred as groupie Penny Lane in "Almost Famous," Cameron Crow's account of his career as a teen-age journalist with Rolling Stone magazine. It looks as if Hawn could have been Lane's cohort in those good old days nobody remembers after they exchange hats and horns and hashish for a Chivas Regal on the rocks.
"The Banger Sisters" runs one hour and 38 minutes and is rated R for language, sexual content and some drug use. It starts Thursday at Market Square East on St. Thomas.
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.
It's a thought. But the differences between the "banger" sisters — Suzette (Goldie Hawn) and Vinnie (Susan Sarandon) — are somewhat more clear cut than those between Thelma and Louise.
The "bangers," so named for their almost-favorite activity back when, hung out together in the '60s as they avidly pursued rock stars, their favorite activity. (And we all know, if you remember the '60s, you weren't there.)
As we look in on the girls, a couple of decades have passed since their groupie days. Suzette is tending bar in a West Los Angeles club and regaling the customers with stories like the time Jim Morrison passed out on top of her in the bathroom. The customers are amused, but the owner isn't. In fact, he fires her the vivacious Suzette, who, after a few minutes thought and with no immediate plans, decides to head to Phoenix and visit her old pal Vinnie in the hope that Vinnie isn't as broke as she is.
Vinnie isn't. Now Lavinia, she has, of course, become the proper suburban housewife with husband, kids, swimming pool, tennis court and even a golden retriever. She is less than thrilled to have her checkered past turn up in the form of Suzette, who has picked up en route a disillusioned screenwriter named Harry (Geoffrey Rush) who wants to get to Phoenix to shoot his father, a singular ambition. Most folks come for the dry desert air.
Vinnie has two teen-age daughters in different stages of privileged rebellion (Erika Christensen and Eva Amurri, Sarandon's real-life daughter), along with all the other accouterments of a yuppie existence. As Suzette begins to insinuate her free spirit into the household, we can see where this is going (except for Harry and his dad). But wait a minute.
Let us not forget, we are dealing with two pros here. Sarandon and Hawn could make teenyboppers yearn to be 50-year-olds, and a silly script is something they can deal with. And they do so admirably with this one, according to many critics.
"The Big Chill," which examined life in the real world 10 years after college, it isn't, not by a long shot. According to Eleanor Ringel Gillespie in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Writer-director Bob Dolman just isn't up to the task. He falls back on sitcom predicaments and touchy-feely embraces. The movie wavers between Hallmark-card sentimentality and goofy, life-affirming moments straight out of a cellular phone commercial."
Still, Gillespie says, Hawn and Sarandon are "gorgeous inside and out; whether as sexy broads or grande dames, they take the movie as far as it can go on sheer guts and starshine." The apparent problem is it doesn't go far enough.
But if it's not an intellectual or emotional blockbuster, there's an awful lot of fun to be had with these two. Hawn's daughter, Kate Hudson, starred as groupie Penny Lane in "Almost Famous," Cameron Crow's account of his career as a teen-age journalist with Rolling Stone magazine. It looks as if Hawn could have been Lane's cohort in those good old days nobody remembers after they exchange hats and horns and hashish for a Chivas Regal on the rocks.
"The Banger Sisters" runs one hour and 38 minutes and is rated R for language, sexual content and some drug use. It starts Thursday at Market Square East on St. Thomas.
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.
HAWN, SARANDON SCORE AS 'THE BANGER SISTERS'
Nov. 4, 2002 – If "Thelma and Louise" had hung around long enough to mature, instead of driving off that cliff, would they have become "The Banger Sisters"?
It's a thought. But the differences between the "banger" sisters — Suzette (Goldie Hawn) and Vinnie (Susan Sarandon) — are somewhat more clear cut than those between Thelma and Louise.
The "bangers," so named for their almost-favorite activity back when, hung out together in the '60s as they avidly pursued rock stars, their favorite activity. (And we all know, if you remember the '60s, you weren't there.)
As we look in on the girls, a couple of decades have passed since their groupie days. Suzette is tending bar in a West Los Angeles club and regaling the customers with stories like the time Jim Morrison passed out on top of her in the bathroom. The customers are amused, but the owner isn't. In fact, he fires her the vivacious Suzette, who, after a few minutes thought and with no immediate plans, decides to head to Phoenix and visit her old pal Vinnie in the hope that Vinnie isn't as broke as she is.
Vinnie isn't. Now Lavinia, she has, of course, become the proper suburban housewife with husband, kids, swimming pool, tennis court and even a golden retriever. She is less than thrilled to have her checkered past turn up in the form of Suzette, who has picked up en route a disillusioned screenwriter named Harry (Geoffrey Rush) who wants to get to Phoenix to shoot his father, a singular ambition. Most folks come for the dry desert air.
Vinnie has two teen-age daughters in different stages of privileged rebellion (Erika Christensen and Eva Amurri, Sarandon's real-life daughter), along with all the other accouterments of a yuppie existence. As Suzette begins to insinuate her free spirit into the household, we can see where this is going (except for Harry and his dad). But wait a minute.
Let us not forget, we are dealing with two pros here. Sarandon and Hawn could make teenyboppers yearn to be 50-year-olds, and a silly script is something they can deal with. And they do so admirably with this one, according to many critics.
"The Big Chill," which examined life in the real world 10 years after college, it isn't, not by a long shot. According to Eleanor Ringel Gillespie in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Writer-director Bob Dolman just isn't up to the task. He falls back on sitcom predicaments and touchy-feely embraces. The movie wavers between Hallmark-card sentimentality and goofy, life-affirming moments straight out of a cellular phone commercial."
Still, Gillespie says, Hawn and Sarandon are "gorgeous inside and out; whether as sexy broads or grande dames, they take the movie as far as it can go on sheer guts and starshine." The apparent problem is it doesn't go far enough.
But if it's not an intellectual or emotional blockbuster, there's an awful lot of fun to be had with these two. Hawn's daughter, Kate Hudson, starred as groupie Penny Lane in "Almost Famous," Cameron Crow's account of his career as a teen-age journalist with Rolling Stone magazine. It looks as if Hawn could have been Lane's cohort in those good old days nobody remembers after they exchange hats and horns and hashish for a Chivas Regal on the rocks.
"The Banger Sisters" runs one hour and 38 minutes and is rated R for language, sexual content and some drug use.
It starts Thursday at Market Square East.
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's a thought. But the differences between the "banger" sisters — Suzette (Goldie Hawn) and Vinnie (Susan Sarandon) — are somewhat more clear cut than those between Thelma and Louise.
The "bangers," so named for their almost-favorite activity back when, hung out together in the '60s as they avidly pursued rock stars, their favorite activity. (And we all know, if you remember the '60s, you weren't there.)
As we look in on the girls, a couple of decades have passed since their groupie days. Suzette is tending bar in a West Los Angeles club and regaling the customers with stories like the time Jim Morrison passed out on top of her in the bathroom. The customers are amused, but the owner isn't. In fact, he fires her the vivacious Suzette, who, after a few minutes thought and with no immediate plans, decides to head to Phoenix and visit her old pal Vinnie in the hope that Vinnie isn't as broke as she is.
Vinnie isn't. Now Lavinia, she has, of course, become the proper suburban housewife with husband, kids, swimming pool, tennis court and even a golden retriever. She is less than thrilled to have her checkered past turn up in the form of Suzette, who has picked up en route a disillusioned screenwriter named Harry (Geoffrey Rush) who wants to get to Phoenix to shoot his father, a singular ambition. Most folks come for the dry desert air.
Vinnie has two teen-age daughters in different stages of privileged rebellion (Erika Christensen and Eva Amurri, Sarandon's real-life daughter), along with all the other accouterments of a yuppie existence. As Suzette begins to insinuate her free spirit into the household, we can see where this is going (except for Harry and his dad). But wait a minute.
Let us not forget, we are dealing with two pros here. Sarandon and Hawn could make teenyboppers yearn to be 50-year-olds, and a silly script is something they can deal with. And they do so admirably with this one, according to many critics.
"The Big Chill," which examined life in the real world 10 years after college, it isn't, not by a long shot. According to Eleanor Ringel Gillespie in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Writer-director Bob Dolman just isn't up to the task. He falls back on sitcom predicaments and touchy-feely embraces. The movie wavers between Hallmark-card sentimentality and goofy, life-affirming moments straight out of a cellular phone commercial."
Still, Gillespie says, Hawn and Sarandon are "gorgeous inside and out; whether as sexy broads or grande dames, they take the movie as far as it can go on sheer guts and starshine." The apparent problem is it doesn't go far enough.
But if it's not an intellectual or emotional blockbuster, there's an awful lot of fun to be had with these two. Hawn's daughter, Kate Hudson, starred as groupie Penny Lane in "Almost Famous," Cameron Crow's account of his career as a teen-age journalist with Rolling Stone magazine. It looks as if Hawn could have been Lane's cohort in those good old days nobody remembers after they exchange hats and horns and hashish for a Chivas Regal on the rocks.
"The Banger Sisters" runs one hour and 38 minutes and is rated R for language, sexual content and some drug use.
It starts Thursday at Market Square East.
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.
