Oct. 21, 2002 – Engineers working on the sewer line project connecting the eastern end of St. Thomas with a new wastewater treatment plant are taking a third trip to the drawing board in an attempt to win support from residents of a community near the Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack for routing the pipeline through their area.
Public Works Department officials have irked the Estate Nadir homeowners in two public meetings held to present department plans to channel wastewater away from two defunct sewage treatment plants in Estate Tutu and direct the flow toward the brand-new Turpentine Run/Mangrove Lagoon plant. The second confrontation occurred on Friday night.
Homeowners say they're not only still angry but also now confused, because the plan presented Friday was completely different from the one outlined at a smaller meeting held on Sept. 27 for residents along what Public Works authorities refer to as Stromboni Road. After that meeting, the sewer line project manager, Charles Bornman, said he would come back with an alternative to the initially proposed route, because of the residents' opposition.
On Sunday, Nadir resident Leonardo Trotman, who happens to be a retired Public Works road project manager, said he was surprised to find the new route laying the sewer line in his backyard. The plan was made without notifying, let along consulting, him, a move that he said propelled him into the office of Sonia Nelthropp, Public Works solid waste and wastewater management director. "You don't do things like that," he said.
Trotman and some of his neighbors say they don't understand why the new sewer line has to be run through their community at all, since there are no plans to hook up their homes to it. They also are worried that with the gravity involved in channeling tons of wastewater from upper-lying Tutu areas down into Nadir, only to pump it uphill again to the new treatment plant, the system could deteriorate over time, flooding their streets with sewage.
"They've got to go back to the drawing board," Trotman said. "That's a lot of crap! They just want to run the pipe through; they don't want to hook us up. When they try to do that in the States, what do they say? 'Not here!'"
Trotman said he's willing to help Public Works authorities figure out the problem and expects to meet with them to review the plans and seek an alternate route for the pipeline.
Another homeowner, Janet Hansby, is concerned about the air quality during the actual construction work. "The streets in here are very narrow," she said, "and when they dig up the streets, there is going to be a lot of dust; and so, we want to know when are they going to clean up the roofs, test the water, things, like that."
Residents of the area, bordered on one side by Turpentine Run Road and on another side by Bovoni Road near "the Bridge to Nowhere," already have been subjected for months to dust caused by road construction and trench digging that's under way.
St. John resident Alecia Wells attended Friday night's meeting, held at the Nadir basketball court, because of concern for her elderly mother, an area resident. She recalled Hansby's appearance at an Oct. 9 Senate committee hearing brandishing a bottle of dirty water that she said was what she got from mopping up the dust on her floors twice a day.
Bornman said following the Sept. 27 meeting that one compelling reason to run the sewer line through the Nadir community is a side benefit it would bring. Residents have waited for years to get potable water; Water and Power Authority officials said the work could begin in a month, but that it would occur only if the WAPA crews worked behind the Public Works crews, utilizing the sewer line excavation to lay the water lines.
However, having weighed the sentiments of the residents, Bornman now says the two projects don't have to go hand in hand. "If we don't go down Stromboni Road" with the sewer line, he said Monday, "we'll consider other options. When we went to the meeting, it wasn't cast in stone."
However, he added, "Any other option we choose, we're going to run into other utilities running in the ground. We're going to run into roads we'll have to close. We've given instructions to the contractor to go down Turpentine Run Road to a certain manhole and then turn and go into an open space." Where the pipeline will go from there, he said, will be determined after reviewing the project plans once again.
Public Works has until next March to expend federal grant money from the Environmental Protection Agency to finish the sewer pipeline project. Bornman said he hopes to have the work done before Christmas, giving engineers time to test the system and make any needed adjustments to make sure it works according to plan..

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Reposted Oct. 21, 2002
Oct. 9, 2002 – To provide an online forum for candidates running for governor, senator and delegate to Congress, the Source has developed a series of 11 questions for the gubernatorial and senatorial candidates and a set of four questions for candidates vying for the delegate position.
The questions are posted in the Data section of St. Thomas Source, St. Croix Source and St. John Source. Candidates should copy the questions and paste them to their own clipboards, answer the questions, and then copy and paste the questions and answers into an e-mail to be sent back to source@viaccess.net.
We invite all candidates to submit their responses, following the guidelines laid out in the Data section. Responses will be posted in the Open Forum section of the Source newspapers within 48 hours of e-mail receipt. Those from territorywide candidates will be published in all three Source newspapers. Those from candidates seeking district office will appear in the papers for their respective districts.
The Source will publish each candidate's reply exactly as sent, with no editing.
With so many political forums and debates taking place in the days leading up to the Nov. 5 elections, Source publisher Shaun A. Pennington said, it was felt that an electronic approach was the only fair way to allow all candidates the opportunity for equal coverage.
"We commend all of the groups who are sponsoring forums and the broadcast media for their coverage, and we encourage the public to attend as many forums as possible," Pennington said. "But as a print publication, we felt the best way to avoid any possibility of missing what any given candidate might have to say was to offer the candidates the opportunity to make their positions clear."

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Reposted Oct. 21, 2002
Oct. 9, 2002 – To provide an online forum for candidates running for governor, senator and delegate to Congress, the Source has developed a series of 11 questions for the gubernatorial and senatorial candidates and a set of four questions for candidates vying for the delegate position.
The questions are posted in the Data section of St. Thomas Source, St. Croix Source and St. John Source. Candidates should copy the questions and paste them to their own clipboards, answer the questions, and then copy and paste the questions and answers into an e-mail to be sent back to source@viaccess.net.
We invite all candidates to submit their responses, following the guidelines laid out in the Data section. Responses will be posted in the Open Forum section of the Source newspapers within 48 hours of e-mail receipt. Those from territorywide candidates will be published in all three Source newspapers. Those from candidates seeking district office will appear in the papers for their respective districts.
The Source will publish each candidate's reply exactly as sent, with no editing.
With so many political forums and debates taking place in the days leading up to the Nov. 5 elections, Source publisher Shaun A. Pennington said, it was felt that an electronic approach was the only fair way to allow all candidates the opportunity for equal coverage.
"We commend all of the groups who are sponsoring forums and the broadcast media for their coverage, and we encourage the public to attend as many forums as possible," Pennington said. "But as a print publication, we felt the best way to avoid any possibility of missing what any given candidate might have to say was to offer the candidates the opportunity to make their positions clear."

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.

Reposted Oct. 21, 2002
Oct. 9, 2002 – To provide an online forum for candidates running for governor, senator and delegate to Congress, the Source has developed a series of 11 questions for the gubernatorial and senatorial candidates and a set of four questions for candidates vying for the delegate position.
The questions are posted in the Data section of St. Thomas Source, St. Croix Source and St. John Source. Candidates should copy the questions and paste them to their own clipboards, answer the questions, and then copy and paste the questions and answers into an e-mail to be sent back to source@viaccess.net.
We invite all candidates to submit their responses, following the guidelines laid out in the Data section. Responses will be posted in the Open Forum section of the Source newspapers within 48 hours of e-mail receipt. Those from territorywide candidates will be published in all three Source newspapers. Those from candidates seeking district office will appear in the papers for their respective districts.
The Source will publish each candidate's reply exactly as sent, with no editing.
With so many political forums and debates taking place in the days leading up to the Nov. 5 elections, Source publisher Shaun A. Pennington said, it was felt that an electronic approach was the only fair way to allow all candidates the opportunity for equal coverage.
"We commend all of the groups who are sponsoring forums and the broadcast media for their coverage, and we encourage the public to attend as many forums as possible," Pennington said. "But as a print publication, we felt the best way to avoid any possibility of missing what any given candidate might have to say was to offer the candidates the opportunity to make their positions clear."

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Oct. 18, 2002 – This year's St. Croix Coral Reef Swim will bring at least 300 people to the island, organizing committee member Chris Goodier said.
"It's a good deal for St. Croix," she said
The seventh annual five-mile race from Buck Island to the Buccaneer Hotel's Mermaid Beach takes to the water at 7 a.m. Oct. 27. Participants will reach Buck Island by boat, swim across two miles of open water and continue along St. Croix's shoreline to the Buccaneer.
For the first time this year, organizers added a 10-mile Bucc to Buck and Back Again swim. It runs from the Buccaneer to Buck Island and back to the Buccaneer and will start at 6 a.m. Thursday.
Goodier said the event attracts people from all over the world. Last year, a Japanese swimmer got the award for traveling the farthest. About 30 local swimmers are included in the 160 entries.
Goodier said off-island participants bring their families and friends to the event. They stay at the Buccaneer and other hotels, in rental houses and with friends, she said.
"This event not only gives St. Croix international exposure, it helps fill hotel rooms, restaurants, taxis and tours during the slow pre-season period," said Buccaneer manager Elizabeth Armstrong.
Since registration is closed, residents and visitors who didn't sign up to swim can watch the finish at the Buccaneer's Mermaid Beach. Goodier said steel pan players will provide entertainment and DJ Roger W. Morgan will announce the swimmers as they exit the water and run through the palm-fringed finish line.
Last year, the first place solo award went to Alex Kostich, 31, of Burbank, Calif., who also won the two previous years. He won with a time of 1:44:13. Kostich, a former Pan American Games gold medal winner, will return in hopes of making it a four-peat, Goodier said.
Other swimmers to watch include Morgan Locke, 16, who took third last year with a time of 1:48:09, and James Barber, 42. Barber is a master swimmer from Indianapolis and will swim in both events.
Champion swimmers Jill Gellatly from Texas and Laureen Welting from San Francisco, a previous winner in the women's division, are also expected to compete this year.
Goodier said local volunteers make the event happen. She said about 80 kayakers will be out in the water to ensure the swimmers' safety.
Race categories for the five-mile swim include male solo, female solo, male solo with fins, female solo with fins, and a three-person mixed relay team. A junior division consists of male and female solo swimmers under age 18.
Winners receive custom-designed bracelets from the St. Croix-based Caribbean Bracelet Co.
Sponsors include Mongoose Radio, Isle 95 and Sunny 99.5 FM, Bellows International, HOVENSA, Coca-Cola, Cruzan Rum, Endurance Sports, V.I. Family Sports and Fitness Center, the St. Croix Yacht Club and Paint St. Croix.

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Oct. 18, 2002 – This year's St. Croix Coral Reef Swim will bring at least 300 people to the island, organizing committee member Chris Goodier said.
"It's a good deal for St. Croix," she said
The seventh annual five-mile race from Buck Island to the Buccaneer Hotel's Mermaid Beach takes to the water at 7 a.m. Oct. 27. Participants will reach Buck Island by boat, swim across two miles of open water and continue along St. Croix's shoreline to the Buccaneer.
For the first time this year, organizers added a 10-mile Bucc to Buck and Back Again swim. It runs from the Buccaneer to Buck Island and back to the Buccaneer and will start at 6 a.m. Thursday.
Goodier said the event attracts people from all over the world. Last year, a Japanese swimmer got the award for traveling the farthest. About 30 local swimmers are included in the 160 entries.
Goodier said off-island participants bring their families and friends to the event. They stay at the Buccaneer and other hotels, in rental houses and with friends, she said.
"This event not only gives St. Croix international exposure, it helps fill hotel rooms, restaurants, taxis and tours during the slow pre-season period," said Buccaneer manager Elizabeth Armstrong.
Since registration is closed, residents and visitors who didn't sign up to swim can watch the finish at the Buccaneer's Mermaid Beach. Goodier said steel pan players will provide entertainment and DJ Roger W. Morgan will announce the swimmers as they exit the water and run through the palm-fringed finish line.
Last year, the first place solo award went to Alex Kostich, 31, of Burbank, Calif., who also won the two previous years. He won with a time of 1:44:13. Kostich, a former Pan American Games gold medal winner, will return in hopes of making it a four-peat, Goodier said.
Other swimmers to watch include Morgan Locke, 16, who took third last year with a time of 1:48:09, and James Barber, 42. Barber is a master swimmer from Indianapolis and will swim in both events.
Champion swimmers Jill Gellatly from Texas and Laureen Welting from San Francisco, a previous winner in the women's division, are also expected to compete this year.
Goodier said local volunteers make the event happen. She said about 80 kayakers will be out in the water to ensure the swimmers' safety.
Race categories for the five-mile swim include male solo, female solo, male solo with fins, female solo with fins, and a three-person mixed relay team. A junior division consists of male and female solo swimmers under age 18.
Winners receive custom-designed bracelets from the St. Croix-based Caribbean Bracelet Co.
Sponsors include Mongoose Radio, Isle 95 and Sunny 99.5 FM, Bellows International, HOVENSA, Coca-Cola, Cruzan Rum, Endurance Sports, V.I. Family Sports and Fitness Center, the St. Croix Yacht Club and Paint St. Croix.

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Oct. 21, 2002 – A workshop for teachers and government officials on increased use of technology in education is being hosted on Tuesday and Wednesday by the Education Department at Palms Court Harborview Hotel on St. Thomas.
There will be presentations from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Called the V.I. Technology in Education Institute, the event focuses on the federal No Child Left Behind legislation and the Enhancing Education Through Technology program.
Discussions will focus on three areas:
– The greatest professional development challenges in the V.I. educational system.
– Levels of technology integration in education and society.
– National technology standards for teachers and students.
"As technology assumes an increased influence upon our everyday activities, it stands to reason that its literacy among teachers and students will support improved achievement in all walks of life, not just in scholastic endeavors," said Clinton Stapleton, Education Department director of instructional technology. He said in a release that while education is the primary focus of the workshop, he hopes it will create a path to "technology inspiration."
Stapleton expects participants to develop a "technology vision plan" which will include goals for technology literacy and integration, professional development, community engagement, and infrastructure development in the schools. He said the institute is the first step in gathering input to enhance the quality and usefulness of such a plan. "We will create a shared vision of technology's role in education," he said.
Those still wishing to register to participate should call Stapleton at 775-2250. The institute is sponsored by Education's State Office of Instructional Technology, the St. Thomas/St. John and St. Croix school districts, and the Northeast and Islands Regional Technology in Education Consortium. It is not open to the public, Education public information officer Juel Anderson said.

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. 21, 2002 – A workshop for teachers and government officials on increased use of technology in education is being hosted on Tuesday and Wednesday by the Education Department at Palms Court Harborview Hotel on St. Thomas.
There will be presentations from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Called the V.I. Technology in Education Institute, the event focuses on the federal No Child Left Behind legislation and the Enhancing Education Through Technology program.
Discussions will focus on three areas:
– The greatest professional development challenges in the V.I. educational system.
– Levels of technology integration in education and society.
– National technology standards for teachers and students.
"As technology assumes an increased influence upon our everyday activities, it stands to reason that its literacy among teachers and students will support improved achievement in all walks of life, not just in scholastic endeavors," said Clinton Stapleton, Education Department director of instructional technology. He said in a release that while education is the primary focus of the workshop, he hopes it will create a path to "technology inspiration."
Stapleton expects participants to develop a "technology vision plan" which will include goals for technology literacy and integration, professional development, community engagement, and infrastructure development in the schools. He said the institute is the first step in gathering input to enhance the quality and usefulness of such a plan. "We will create a shared vision of technology's role in education," he said.
Those still wishing to register to participate should call Stapleton at 775-2250. The institute is sponsored by Education's State Office of Instructional Technology, the St. Thomas/St. John and St. Croix school districts, and the Northeast and Islands Regional Technology in Education Consortium. It is not open to the public, Education public information officer Juel Anderson said.

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.

Oct. 21, 2002 – A workshop for teachers and government officials on increased use of technology in education is being hosted on Tuesday and Wednesday by the Education Department at Palms Court Harborview Hotel.
There will be presentations from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Called the V.I. Technology in Education Institute, the event focuses on the federal No Child Left Behind legislation and the Enhancing Education Through Technology program.
Discussions will focus on three areas:
– The greatest professional development challenges in the V.I. educational system.
– Levels of technology integration in education and society.
– National technology standards for teachers and students.
"As technology assumes an increased influence upon our everyday activities, it stands to reason that its literacy among teachers and students will support improved achievement in all walks of life, not just in scholastic endeavors," said Clinton Stapleton, Education Department director of instructional technology. He said in a release that while education is the primary focus of the workshop, he hopes it will create a path to "technology inspiration."
Stapleton expects participants to develop a "technology vision plan" which will include goals for technology literacy and integration, professional development, community engagement, and infrastructure development in the schools. He said the institute is the first step in gathering input to enhance the quality and usefulness of such a plan. "We will create a shared vision of technology's role in education," he said.
Those still wishing to register to participate should call Stapleton at 775-2250. The institute is sponsored by Education's State Office of Instructional Technology, the St. Thomas/St. John and St. Croix school districts, and the Northeast and Islands Regional Technology in Education Consortium. It is not open to the public, Education public information officer Juel Anderson said.

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.

Oct. 21, 2002 – This is national Red Ribbon Week, and here is a rundown of activities throughout the territory, in large part coordinated by the Education Department or sponsored by the University of the Virgin Islands, in observance of the annual focus on making and keeping communities drug free.
Red Ribbon Week was first observed across the nation in 1985, in memory of Enrique Camarena, a federal Drug Enforcement Agency officer who was killed while investigating a drug pipeline in Mexico. The Virgin Islands joined in the annual observance soon thereafter.
Locally, "Hearts and Minds Together for Peaceful, Drug-Free Lives" is this week's theme, emphasizing the need for communities to focus on eliminating the availability and use of illegal drugs within their own environments.
The V.I. Red Ribbon Week observances began with worship services over the weekend. Here is a rundown of remaining activities by island. All events are open to the public.
St. John
Monday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Pledge Day at all post offices, with volunteers collecting signatures on their drug-free pledge sheets.
Tuesday — Decoration Day, with guest speakers in schools.
Wednesday — Recognition Day, with guest speakers in schools.
Thursday, 8:30 a.m. — Students from St. John's public and private schools will march from the V.I. National Park Visitor Center to the Cruz Bay ballfield.
Friday – The public in general and students in particular are asked to wear red to signify their pledge to fight drugs; schools will feature guest speakers on drug-related topics.
St. Thomas
Monday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Pledge Day at all post offices and Kmart in Tutu Park Mall, with volunteers collecting signatures on their drug-free pledge sheets.
Tuesday — Decoration Day, with businesses and institutions invited to compete for recognition in decorating their workspace to reflect Red Ribbon Week; guest speakers in schools.
Wednesday — Recognition Day, with guest speakers in schools.
Wednesday, noon to 2 p.m. — Pledge Day on the UVI campus, with volunteers collecting signatures and handing out red ribbons on the cafeteria terrace.
Thursday, 8:30 – 11 a.m. — march from Emile Griffith Ballpark to Emancipation Garden, where a rally will take place; a health fair will follow in Emancipation Garden.
Thursday — Wear Red Day; noon to 12:30 p.m., judging on the cafeteria terrace of Best Red Ribbon Hairstyle and Most Creative Red Ribbon Outfit; 12:30 to 1 p.m., presentation and judging of a "Users Are Losers" skit competition, cafeteria terrace.
Thursday, 8 p.m. — special Karaoke Night event for students at Iggie's Beach Bar and Grill at Bolongo Bay Beach Club, with a king and queen of karaoke to be chosen. (Doors open at 7 p.m.; karaoke begins at 8.)
Friday – The public in general and students in particular are asked to wear red to signify their pledge to fight drugs; schools will feature guest speakers on drug-related topics.
Saturday, noon-6 p.m. — Weed and Seed program Sports Day activities at the Bovoni Housing Community recreation center and ballpark, including basketball using goggles that make you appear drugged, musical chairs, balloon games, a three-legged race, kickball, and an egg-and-spoon game.
Sunday, 10 a.m. until — Family day at Magens Bay shed No. 2 with games, food and music, open to the public and free, except for regular admission to Magens Bay beach.
Oct. 29, 10 a.m. — judging of the residence halls door decorating competition.
Oct. 31, 12:30 to 2 p.m. — Public forum, "Crisis in Paradise: Drugs, Crime and V.I. Youth," Chase Auditorium, Business Bldg. Room 110.
St. Croix
Monday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Pledge Day at all post offices, with volunteers collecting signatures on their drug-free pledge sheets.
Monday — UVI St. Croix campus distribution of red ribbons, competition for decorated doors at the residence hall and Melvin Evans Center.
Tuesday — Decoration Day, with guest speakers in schools.
Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. — UVI blood drive at the student center; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., bake sale at the student center.
Wednesday — Recognition Day, with guest speakers in schools.
Wednesday, 10 a.m. — Charles Emmanuel Elementary School students will march around the Aureo Diaz Heights community.
Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. — UVI program at the cafetorium featuring skits by the Peer Health Educators and a demonstration by Police Sgt. Carlos Rosario and his K-9 partner.
Thursday, 9 a.m. — Eulalie Rivera Elementary School students will march around the Grove Place community.
Thursday, 10 a.m. — Lew Muckle Elementary School students will march at the Sion Farm complex.
Thursday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — UVI Pledge Day, with volunteers collecting signatures in the student center; noon to 3 p.m., Nursing Association will serve up "mocktails" (non-alcoholic cocktails) in the student center.
Thursday, 6 p.m. — Take Back the Night silent march and rally sponsored by the Women's Coalition of St. Croix, in Frederiksted from market at the end of Strand Street to the park by the fort; candles will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring flashlights, especially for children to carry.
Friday, 9 a.m. — Evelyn Williams Elementary School students will march from the school along Centerline Road.
Friday – The public in general and students in particular are asked to wear red to signify their pledge to fight drugs; schools will feature guest speakers on drug-related topics.
Friday — UVI judging of which department's personnel are wearing the most red, judging of door decorations and presentation of awards.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — St. Croix Unity Coalition-sponsored Drug-Free Bazaar featuring children's games, sports, music, speakers and refreshments, at Sunshine Mall; the V.I. National Guard will be on hand with some of those goggles that show wearers how the world appears to someone high on drugs. (Note: This event was initially planned for the Agricultural Department fairgrounds in Estate Lower Love but a change of venue was announced on Friday.)

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