Dear Source:
They are called "big boxes" – Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Target, Walgreen's. As many of you know, Home Depot has been working behind the scenes to get approval to build a massive store in Donoe. At first, the thought of a big chain store coming to a small community seems like a good idea. They need a lot of employees to run it; they have a larger variety of products for sale; and they seem to offer lower prices. Yet, despite all this, the growing body of evidence says that welcoming a "big box" into your community may be one of the worst things you can do if you want to build or sustain your economic base.
Have you considered what the impact would be, in these islands, with the arrival of a Home Depot, or any other "big box"? We have obtained a copy of their application to build. Nowhere was the impact on traffic mentioned, however this store will generate an extra 2,500 to 3,000 cars per day at the intersection going into the Cost-U-Less complex. Clearly, this may cause "traffic". According to the Metropolitan Chapter of the American Planning Association, a 150,000-square foot store will directly increase congestion costs by $5 million per year, hence the secrecy for the past year and a half.
If an independent study proves that Home Depot will create more net jobs rather than displace them, add more money to the tax base and keep more money in the territory, than the businesses that will inevitably close, then they should be welcomed. Unfortunately, "big boxes" fear these independent impact studies because they expose a side that they would rather not have revealed.
In New Paltz, N.Y., four economic impact statements were prepared in March 1996, when a "big box" attempted to build there. The Planning Board reported that the project would cause "substantial job losses, closed businesses, requests for property abatements, increased vacancies and would result in far less dollars in the local economy as a big box retailer consolidates its gains and expands." Imagine what one Home Depot would do to this small, fragile market. The lesson is obvious – oversupplying an area with retail glut does not create jobs, it destroys them.
Consumers are best served when there are numerous competitors in the market, however the big retail corporations, like Home Depot, Toys R Us and Best Buy, are known in the industry as "category killers". This name is significant because these businesses do not intend to compete with local stores; they aim to be the only game in town.
Typically, a chain store will enter a new market with deep discounts. This sets up a battle that local merchants cannot win. Once the local competition is eliminated, prices tend to rise. In Virginia, a statewide survey of several Wal-Mart stores found that prices varied by as much as 25 percent. The researchers concluded that prices rose in markets where the retailer faced little competition. A similar conclusion was reached in a survey of Home Depot.
Chain stores contribute far less to the local economy than independent businesses. Local stores keep profits circulating within the local economy. They also support a variety of other local businesses including accounting firms, insurance companies and printers – to name a few. They advertise through independent radio stations and local newspapers. They purchase goods from local distributors. In this way, a dollar spent in a locally owned business sends a ripple of economic benefits throughout the community.
By contrast, chain stores typically centralize these functions at their head offices. They keep local investments and spending to a minimum. They bypass local radio stations in favor of national advertising. Much of a dollar spent at a chain store leaves the community immediately.
It is our understanding that Home Depot is currently training management and staff in Puerto Rico for their St. Thomas store. Of the approximately 200 people needed to run the St. Thomas store, half of them will be part-time employees. That leaves 100 full time jobs to people we believe will be substantially non-Virgin Islanders. Approximately 350 full time Virgin Islander jobs will be affected.
We believe an independent economic impact study will show what most other communities have seen, that is, significant competitor losses, net job losses, tax revenue losses, and the creation of a glut of empty retail space when a "big box" retailer comes to a small community.
Let us leave you with this final thought. The president of the local First National Bank in the small town of Nowata, Okla., said this about a "big box". "They were not playing fair. They came in and ravaged all the small businesses." The mayor of that same town who welcomes the mega store to town, now says they have proven it. "They're big and they're greedy. They have no compassion for the community or the individual."
A new big box can only be successful at the expense of existing businesses.
If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail the Independent Retailers Group at independentretailersgroup@hotmail.com.
The Independent Retailers Group provided the following list of businesses as members supporting this letter: Allied Tool, The Paint Depot, Doctor's Choice, Caribbean Herbals, MSI Building Supplies, Steel Plus, Paint Master, Lock It Please, Plaza Extra, Time Center True Value, Appliance Plus, Sea Chest, Silk Greenery, Flair Magazine, St. John Hardware, Stormking, Bryan's Plants and Dockside Bookshop.

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Oct. 28, 2002 – A special Mass of celebration and remembrance will be held Sunday for all who have been associated with Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic School with Bishop G. Murry, SJ and the Rev. Dr. G. Franklin. Mass begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral. Refreshments will be served following Mass.
For more information, contact Cathy Cavin at 774-3166 or email friendsofstsppcs@catholic.org

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Oct. 28, 2002 – A special Mass of celebration and remembrance will be held Sunday for all who have been associated with Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic School with Bishop G. Murry, SJ and the Rev. Dr. G. Franklin. Mass begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral. Refreshments will be served following Mass.
For more information, contact Cathy Cavin at 774-3166 or email friendsofstsppcs@catholic.org

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Oct. 28, 2002 – A special Mass of celebration and remembrance will be held Sunday for all who have been associated with Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic School with Bishop G. Murry, SJ and the Rev. Dr. G. Franklin. Mass begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral. Refreshments will be served following Mass.
For more information, contact Cathy Cavin at 774-3166 or email friendsofstsppcs@catholic.org

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Editor's note: Police on Oct. 31 identified the victim as Jonathan Almestica, 19.
Oct. 28, 2002 – Police have put a cap on information being released about the third fatal shooting in five days on St. Croix — Sunday night in the Campo Rico area.
Deputy Police Chief Angel Santos said, "I will confirm we had a shooting incident in Campo Rico near Frederiksted this evening," but added, "We are not releasing anything further until such time as we can look into some of the information we are receiving."
Shortly after 8 p.m. detectives were called out in response to reports that two persons had been shot and were en route to the Juan Luis Hospital. One victim, described as a Hispanic man but so far unidentified, died of his injuries. The second, also unidentified, is reportedly in stable condition after receiving a single gunshot wound to the leg.
Police reportedly found a number of spent ammunition casings at the scene of the shooting, indicating that several shots were fired. No weapons have been recovered and no suspects had been identified as of midnight Sunday.
Sunday's homicide followed the Friday night killing of taxi driver Emmanuel Lee in what appeared to be either an attempted car-jacking or robbery. Lee was shot after struggling with three men he picked up as fares in Frederiksted. While the community mourned the death of the popular and well-known taxi driver, police continued the investigation.
Santos said Sunday night, "We know that Mr. Lee picked up several individuals, not only those we suspect to be the perpetrators of the attack on his person. He dropped off people here and there. Subsequently in the vicinity of No. 4 Company St., these individuals apparently pulled weapons on Mr. Lee and in the process of trying to demand certain things from the taxi driver they discharged shots. One hit Mr. Lee in the armpit, causing his demise."
Santos said the incident occurred close to a popular Christiansted restaurant. He asked that anyone who witnessed anything in connection with the incident to call police.
Lee's death came two nights after Ricky Maxwell was fatally shot near the Paradise Mills housing community. And Maxwell's death followed by a week another killing in the same Paradise Mills area, of Julio Rivera.
Sunday night's fatal shooting is the fourth on St. Croix in the last week and a half.
It is the territory's 38th homicide of the year, the 20th on St. Croix.
As of Oct. 28, 2001, there had been 20 homicides recorded in the territory, 10 on St. Croix.

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1. How important is a comprehensive land and water use plan, and why has the territory been unable in more than 20 years of effort to enact on it? What will it take to change this, and what, if anything, will you do bring about such change?
I don’’t believe a comprehensive plan is possible. I prefer to use CZM initiatives for shore line development and local zoning boards to establish a firm line for land and water use. We desperately need development on St. Croix, but must learn to stay away from speculators. How often have we re-zoned properties for projects that do not get built? Re-zoning must have a time limit for action or it is lost. Environmental impact fees must rise as well as re-zoning fees. We need the added revenue for investigation and enforcement. We must put citizens with a vested interest in development and/or environmental protection on our zoning boards with no empty seats and require each and every member to be present at each meeting or yield their seat.
2. How important is private and public sector partnering, and how can such partnering best be accomplished in order to be most effective in addressing economic and social problems in the territory.
We need the private sector to aid and assist in many economic and social initiatives in the Territory. Considering recent history, as well as the current state of affairs in our Government, I cannot imagine a private business wanting to be partners. The public sector must make it easier for private business to start-up operations and work hand in hand for similar goals without being the liability it seems, at times, to be. Important economic and social issues hang in the balance. The private sector is prepared to help. I am not sure of the ability of the public sector to follow through at this time. Perhaps the Government should prepare to give up some control in order to allow the private sector to do what it does best –– provide service and not lose money.
3. What are the biggest problems in the public education system, and what will it take to solve them? What will you do toward getting them solved?
Mismanagement, possible corruption and negligence has led to the decay of our school system. The new Commissioner of Education must provide the reorganization and overhaul of the entire Department. We spend a lot of money on education that does not make it to the classroom, where it belongs. The students want to learn, the teachers are dedicated. Together, they can prove that they are better than "next to last" or "last." We must provide the materials and incentives. I propose a school for the arts, a school of math and science and a school of sports education, where qualified students can apply to enhance their educational experience in their choice of a particular field. School can be a challenge for tomorrow instead of the burden it is today.
4. How do you feel about floating future bonds to finance government initiatives, given the territory’’s present bond indebtedness or more than $1 billion? What will you to persuade others of your views?
I am not comfortable with any future bond issues. Already, we have mortgaged at least one generation. Let’’s prove that we can find the way to pay off our existing debts. Clinton/Gore dug into the National Debt. Bush, like his father before him, will double and triple that Debt, just like our incumbent Governor and Senators have done. Put a stop to deficit spending. Let’’s pay some bills, plan for the future and move forward to reform.

Landfill is still the most cost effective way to address our problem. We need to begin to separate our trash before it gets to the landfill. Paper, plastic and metals can be put to better use. I favor incinerating all paper products at high temperature, releasing only the water vapor into the air. Do not be fooled by the waste/energy proposal. The Company would have to import tons of garbage to feed that system. St. Croix must not become the garbage capitol of the Caribbean. A landfill must have a limited life. Dig it, fill it, level it off and reclaim it for public recreation. Today, it is important to have a pre-dump site with fenced off areas designated for specific materials, such as metals (washing machines, refrigerators), wood products, cars and car parts, etc. These areas must be open 24/7 to accommodate the public with no fear of harassment by government officials. Less enforcement, more access, cleaner Island.
6. What is the most viable solution to the territory’’s sewage disposal problems? What will you do to advance the implementation of this solution?
The solution is modern sewage treatment facilities, capable of passing all EPA standards. On St. Croix, the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) has never passed a full EPA test. The same test that the Government forces private STPs to pass or be fined. Private plants pass these tests on St. Croix. A modern, low-tech STP can provide an effluent that can be used for farming, golf course irrigation or fire services. We have local, experienced companies that build STPs that work. Ask Divi, The Reef or Coakley Bay. Local problems with local solutions.
7. How do you assess the economy of the Virgin Islands at this time, what do you see as its best hope for growth? What will you do to foster that growth?
Our economy is on the brink of disaster. If we could only use the fiber optic lines that run through Frederiksted town, alone, there would be a revival and rejuvenation that would bolster the economy. The major hi-tech internet players live or die on the ability to move information quickly and securely. Put a stop to the Innovative monopoly on hard wire telecommunications. We need a new company on St. Croix, in Frederiksted, that will provide low cost fiber-optic, T-1 line connections to this industry. By providing existing EDC programs as an incentive for relocation, we can attract companies that will bring jobs that will help to bolster our sagging economy.
8. How pervasive is corruption within the local government, and how should this problem, if you consider it to be a problem, best be addressed?
Corruption or mismanagement? Both can be solved with the power of your vote. A vote for the incumbent Governor and Senators means that you approve of their actions and want more. A vote for new representatives sends the message, loud and clear, St. Croix will no longer participate in "business as usual." Let’s clean it up and clear it out.
Evil triumphs when good men and women do nothing.
9. What is the most viable solution to Government Employees Retirement System payouts exceeding revenues, and what will you do to advance the implementation of this solution?
There is a continual raid on GERS funding. Thankfully, the government cannot take the funds already in. Sadly, the government has taken the funds that should have gone in already. I propose mandatory legislation that puts GERS funding ahead of payroll. No pay without feeding the GERS first. A healthy well funded GERS could have been used to invest in storage tank systems for gasoline on St. Thomas and on St. John. In addition to providing low cost fuel from St. Croix, a profit could be generated to continually provide future GERS funding. The members of the GERS must vote for candidates prepared with solutions. Your future is at stake. Those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it.
10. What is the most viable solution to government spending exceeding revenues, and what will you do to advance the implementation of this solution?
Abolish the General Fund. This is the deep, dark hole where much of our tax dollars and federal funds disappear. Make each and every appropriation public, specific and accountable. Make each and every elected official, Commissioner and Department head publicly and specifically accountable for this money. Show me the money! I want to know where every nickle, dime and dollar goes. As your Senator, I promise to provide a detailed accounting of all funds given to me. I will post this information on the internet and make it available by mail. What other candidates will agree to this public disclosure?
11. How do alignments between majority and minority blocs in the Legislature and adversarial relationships between the legislative and executive branches of government serve the best interests of the people of the Virgin Islands.
They do not serve the people of the Virgin Islands, but do seem to serve self-interest groups. The voters of the Virgin Islands do not elect Senators that are put at an immediate disadvantage by blocs. It’’s one thing for the majority to control office assignments, committee assignments and parking spaces, but each Senator must have an equal budget to run his or her office. The legislative and executive branch must have common goals and iron out individual preferences for a united stand against the economic and social problems that plague our Islands. As voters, we must prove our ability to change the current status of "business as usual" by electing new candidates with practical solutions to the issues.

Oct. 27, 2002 – Fast ferry service, more campers and a new kind of scout all made this weekend's annual Boy Scout jamboree on St. John a different event from those of years gone by.
Nearly a hundred scouts from St. John, St. Thomas, St. Croix and the British Virgin Islands made camp in the field of Emmaus Moravian Church in Coral Bay for the get-together.
Scoutmaster Wayne Dawson said this jamboree had more than twice the participation of campouts held in recent years, thanks in part to greater transportation options. Operation of the Mermaid fast ferry between St. Thomas and St. Croix made it possible for St. Croix scouts to join in the Coral Bay jamboree for the first time, he said. Chartered buses provided with the help of the Legislature and the Public Works Department made it easier for scouts to get to the field.
Dawson also credited the efforts under way to increase recruitment and the introduction of a new program from the U.S. mainland that allows girls to join the Boy Scouts as "Ventures." St. Thomas's Troop 20 is one of the first in the territory to expand its membership to include Ventures.
Ventures are not Girl Scouts; they are female affiliates of the Boy Scouts. Angellita Newton, 15, is the first president of the Troop 20 Ventures. She said she spent her time at the jamboree "learning the ropes," and she meant it literally. Knot tying is a skill that leads to a merit badge, a symbol of achievement. It's also handy when pitching tents, as the campers had to do in order to have a place to sleep.
The Ventures even have their own salute, distinct from the traditional three-fingered version of the Boy Scouts. It's a raised palm salute with split fingers.
Asked if the Boy Scouts give her a hard time, Angellita said, "No. I give them a hard time."
When the time came to break camp on Sunday, it was the scoutmaster's turn to give everybody a hard time, barking orders to teams of campers, including one struggling to wrestle a wind-blown tent to the ground. With some personal intervention and a demonstration of technique, Dawson helped the youngsters lay the tent on the ground, smooth it out on their hands and knees, and neatly roll it up and pack it away.
They broke camp early enough to allow members of St. Croix's Troop 112 from St. Ann's Church to take a side trip to Coral Word before heading home. "It was the farthest trip, but it was the most worth while," the troop's scoutmaster, Conrad Hoover, said.
Hoover said the weekend trip was the first visit to St. John and/or St. Thomas for some of the 25 campers he brought from St. Croix, but he hopes it won't be the last. "We plan to come back more often and visit some of the other campsites," he said, and also travel to a camp in Puerto Rico.

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Oct. 27, 2002 – Fast ferry service, more campers and a new kind of scout all made this weekend's annual Boy Scout jamboree on St. John a different event from those of years gone by.
Nearly a hundred scouts from St. John, St. Thomas, St. Croix and the British Virgin Islands made camp in the field of Emmaus Moravian Church in Coral Bay for the get-together.
Scoutmaster Wayne Dawson said this jamboree had more than twice the participation of campouts held in recent years, thanks in part to greater transportation options. Operation of the Mermaid fast ferry between St. Thomas and St. Croix made it possible for St. Croix scouts to join in the Coral Bay jamboree for the first time, he said. Chartered buses provided with the help of the Legislature and the Public Works Department made it easier for scouts to get to the field.
Dawson also credited the efforts under way to increase recruitment and the introduction of a new program from the U.S. mainland that allows girls to join the Boy Scouts as "Ventures." St. Thomas's Troop 20 is one of the first in the territory to expand its membership to include Ventures.
Ventures are not Girl Scouts; they are female affiliates of the Boy Scouts. Angellita Newton, 15, is the first president of the Troop 20 Ventures. She said she spent her time at the jamboree "learning the ropes," and she meant it literally. Knot tying is a skill that leads to a merit badge, a symbol of achievement. It's also handy when pitching tents, as the campers had to do in order to have a place to sleep.
The Ventures even have their own salute, distinct from the traditional three-fingered version of the Boy Scouts. It's a raised palm salute with split fingers.
Asked if the Boy Scouts give her a hard time, Angellita said, "No. I give them a hard time."
When the time came to break camp on Sunday, it was the scoutmaster's turn to give everybody a hard time, barking orders to teams of campers, including one struggling to wrestle a wind-blown tent to the ground. With some personal intervention and a demonstration of technique, Dawson helped the youngsters lay the tent on the ground, smooth it out on their hands and knees, and neatly roll it up and pack it away.
They broke camp early enough to allow members of St. Croix's Troop 112 from St. Ann's Church to take a side trip to Coral Word before heading home. "It was the farthest trip, but it was the most worth while," the troop's scoutmaster, Conrad Hoover, said.
Hoover said the weekend trip was the first visit to St. John and/or St. Thomas for some of the 25 campers he brought from St. Croix, but he hopes it won't be the last. "We plan to come back more often and visit some of the other campsites," he said, and also travel to a camp in Puerto Rico.

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Oct. 27, 2002 – Fast ferry service, more campers and a new kind of scout all made this weekend's annual Boy Scout jamboree on St. John a different event from those of years gone by.
Nearly a hundred scouts from St. John, St. Thomas, St. Croix and the British Virgin Islands made camp in the field of Emmaus Moravian Church in Coral Bay for the get-together.
Scoutmaster Wayne Dawson said this jamboree had more than twice the participation of campouts held in recent years, thanks in part to greater transportation options. Operation of the Mermaid fast ferry between St. Thomas and St. Croix made it possible for St. Croix scouts to join in the Coral Bay jamboree for the first time, he said. Chartered buses provided with the help of the Legislature and the Public Works Department made it easier for scouts to get to the field.
Dawson also credited the efforts under way to increase recruitment and the introduction of a new program from the U.S. mainland that allows girls to join the Boy Scouts as "Ventures." St. Thomas's Troop 20 is one of the first in the territory to expand its membership to include Ventures.
Ventures are not Girl Scouts; they are female affiliates of the Boy Scouts. Angellita Newton, 15, is the first president of the Troop 20 Ventures. She said she spent her time at the jamboree "learning the ropes," and she meant it literally. Knot tying is a skill that leads to a merit badge, a symbol of achievement. It's also handy when pitching tents, as the campers had to do in order to have a place to sleep.
The Ventures even have their own salute, distinct from the traditional three-fingered version of the Boy Scouts. It's a raised palm salute with split fingers.
Asked if the Boy Scouts give her a hard time, Angellita said, "No. I give them a hard time."
When the time came to break camp on Sunday, it was the scoutmaster's turn to give everybody a hard time, barking orders to teams of campers, including one struggling to wrestle a wind-blown tent to the ground. With some personal intervention and a demonstration of technique, Dawson helped the youngsters lay the tent on the ground, smooth it out on their hands and knees, and neatly roll it up and pack it away.
They broke camp early enough to allow members of St. Croix's Troop 112 from St. Ann's Church to take a side trip to Coral Word before heading home. "It was the farthest trip, but it was the most worth while," the troop's scoutmaster, Conrad Hoover, said.
Hoover said the weekend trip was the first visit to St. John and/or St. Thomas for some of the 25 campers he brought from St. Croix, but he hopes it won't be the last. "We plan to come back more often and visit some of the other campsites," he said, and also travel to a camp in Puerto Rico.

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.

Oct. 27, 2002 – Gov. Charles W. Turnbull has asked Senate President Almando "Rocky" Liburd to "enact legislation to fund three union contracts" that together have a price tag of $6.1 million, and to do so "expeditiously," according to a Government House release issued Friday evening.
"In a letter dated May 30, 2002, transmitting the FY 2003 budget, I informed you that $25 million to $30 million would be needed to fund the 18 expired contracts," Turnbull stated in his letter sent on Friday to Liburd.
The three referenced contracts and the money needed to fund them, the release said, are with the United Steelworkers of America (Master contract), $3.8 million; the International Association of Firefighters for supervisors, $0.4 million; and the International Association of Firefighters for non-supervisors, $1.9 million.
According to the release, Turnbull in his letter to Liburd "reminded the Legislature" that in accordance with the V.I. Code, "no contract shall be binding as to the terms requiring appropriations until such appropriations are enacted."
It was not clear why additional appropriations were being sought beyond the funding allocated in the Fiscal Year 2003 budget.
The release said Turnbull provided Liburd an updated report "on the status of the 30 collective bargaining agreements." The release itself contained no information in this regard. Efforts to reach Liburd over the weekend were unsuccessful.
On Sept. 26, a Government House release said Karen Andrews, the administration's chief negotiator, had recently concluded negotiations with United Steelworkers of America (Master) which covered employees in 15 government departments and agencies. That agreement was still subject to ratification by the membership at the time.
The same release said that the government and the United International Association of Firefighters had reached agreement on a contract covering 193 Fire Service personnel. That pact also was still subject to ratification, the release said.
On Oct. 11, Government House announced agreement on a new contract with the Law Enforcement Supervisors Union and ratification by the union membership. The contract covers 96 sergeants, lieutenants, captains and supervisory corrections officers of the Police Department, Youth Rehabilitation Center and Corrections Bureau.
Repeated requests by the Source to the Office of Collective Bargaining for details of the contract provisions in recent weeks have gone unanswered.
Meanwhile, last week, a Government House release said that the implementation of salary increases teachers, members of the American Federation of Teachers, was proceeding, with the Personnel Division having processed 2,070 of 2,206 Notices of Personal Action received from the Education Department.

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