Oct. 7, 2002 – The Human Services Department is $888,500 to the good thanks to a U.S. Health and Human Services Department "bonus" for reducing significantly the number of babies born to unwed mothers in the territory between 1997 and 2000.
This Virgin Islands' rate of decline was the second-highest in the nation.
"Reducing out-of-wedlock births can significantly and positively affect the lives of our children and youth," Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said. According to a press release from the Health and Human Services Department, the birth rate for unwed mothers in the Virgin Islands fell by 2.6 percent. Only Washington, D.C., achieved a higher rate of decrease, 3.5 percent.
Bonus funds went to states and other jurisdictions that recorded the largest decreases in the ratio of out-of-wedlock births to total births without increasing the abortion rate.
In addition to the Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia, bonuses also went to Alabama (with a decrease of 0.5 percent), Colorado (0.7 percent), Michigan (0.1.2 percent) and Texas (0.6 percent). Each of the states has been awarded a bonus of about $19.9 million, as has the nation's capital.
The bonus money must be used to support programs that prevent and/or further reduce the number of out-of-wedlock births, according to the release. "We encourage all states to continue to develop programs that will have a positive effect on encouraging marriage and formation of stable families as part of the President's healthy marriage initiative," Thompson said.
Legislation known as "the healthy marriage initiative" is pending before Congress. "It will enable our state partners to continue this important work by emphasizing the importance of marriage first," Wade Horn, assistant Health and Human Services secretary, said.
The bonuses are part of the federal government's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program that provides support for low-income families.
The federal Welfare Reform Act of 1996 required all states to develop strategies and goals for reducing out-of-wedlock births. Under the law, the annual bonuses are awarded to as many as five states and three territories, if they are deemed eligible.
Human Services Commissioner Sedonie Halbert did not return several calls placed over several days requesting more information about the territory's program.
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DEATH OF MAN FOUND IN CAR DEEMED 'SUSPICIOUS'
Oct. 7, 2002 – St. Croix police are still calling the death of a man whose decomposed body was found in a car Saturday afternoon "suspicious." As of Monday morning, Territorial Police Chief Novelle Francis Jr. said the death of Noel Rivera had not been officially determined to be a homicide.
On Sunday, Gregory Bennerson, V.I. Police Department chief investigator, said officers were called at 11:30 a.m. Saturday after Rivera's body was found slumped between the driver's and rear seat of a Mitsubishi Mirage found parked in a bushy area in White Bay, Frederiksted — a stone's throw from the Walter I.M Hodge public housing community.
"The vehicle appeared to have been abandoned sometime Thursday, though the discovery of the body was only made on Saturday after area residents took a closer look at the vehicle," Bennerson said.
He declined to comment on published reports Sunday quoting witnesses as saying Rivera suffered gunshot wounds to the chest and arm. "The department does not want to release any information preliminarily as we are in the midst of a very tedious investigation," he said.
Bennerson said detectives were out Saturday and Sunday following various leads to "bring the case together." An autopsy scheduled for Monday or Tuesday should determine how and when Rivera died.
"We do make our standing request to the public for anyone with information to contact investigators at 778-2211 extension 4533 or 778-4950 or emergency 911," Bennerson said.
On Sunday, Gregory Bennerson, V.I. Police Department chief investigator, said officers were called at 11:30 a.m. Saturday after Rivera's body was found slumped between the driver's and rear seat of a Mitsubishi Mirage found parked in a bushy area in White Bay, Frederiksted — a stone's throw from the Walter I.M Hodge public housing community.
"The vehicle appeared to have been abandoned sometime Thursday, though the discovery of the body was only made on Saturday after area residents took a closer look at the vehicle," Bennerson said.
He declined to comment on published reports Sunday quoting witnesses as saying Rivera suffered gunshot wounds to the chest and arm. "The department does not want to release any information preliminarily as we are in the midst of a very tedious investigation," he said.
Bennerson said detectives were out Saturday and Sunday following various leads to "bring the case together." An autopsy scheduled for Monday or Tuesday should determine how and when Rivera died.
"We do make our standing request to the public for anyone with information to contact investigators at 778-2211 extension 4533 or 778-4950 or emergency 911," Bennerson said.
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CHOICE CUSTOMERS LOSE INTERNET ACCESS
Oct. 7, 2002 – About 11,000 Virgin Islands residents and businesses were unable to get on the Internet on Sunday after vandalism against Innovative Telephone equipment continued. Around 2:30 a.m. Sunday, vandals cut a major communication cable that links the offices of Choice Communications with the outside world. Choice is a locally owned Internet Service Provider.
A company spokesperson said Monday morning that most of the services had been restored.
However, phone lines into the Havensight building were still not working.
The cable cut, which affected about 65 percent of the company's customer base, was the latest in a series of attacks on Innovative equipment.
The vandalism against Innovative equipment and facilities comes in the midst of a strike by phone and cable company employees. Innovative management and the employees, members of the Steelworkers union, are at an impasse over pension benefits. The workers have manned picket lines territory-wide since Oct. 2.
But one union official doesn't believe it was the workers who sabotaged the equipment. Frederick Joseph, sub-district director of the Steelworkers Union, told Radio One, "Every time a cable goes down they blame the workers. We have talked to them. They have handled everything the legal way.
"I believe my people. I know my people. They wouldn't do that. I stand by them."
The Sunday cable cut "knocked out about 65 percent of our service because it is one of our major points for Internet connectivity," Jim Alexander, Choice Communication's director of sales and marketing, said.
Alexander said it appeared that vandals were "lashing out against all telecommunications companies and obviously all these lines are owned by Innovative."
He said emergency crews were working with Innovative engineers to restore service by re-routing the Internet date lines. "We should be up and running by Sunday afternoon…we're now re-routing the service requests."
Alexander pledged his company's complete effort to restore service as quickly as possible. "We have been down now for about 12 hours and are hoping to restore all service so we can continue business as usual on Monday morning."
He said customers with both dial-up accounts and wireless connections were affected by the cable cut "because the majority of our dial-up accounts are routed through the Havensight office."
Alexander said residents who attempted to gain access to the Internet could not even log on to the network as a result of the extensive damage. "Customers would have actually gotten no message because they simply could not log on."
A company spokesperson said Monday morning that most of the services had been restored.
However, phone lines into the Havensight building were still not working.
The cable cut, which affected about 65 percent of the company's customer base, was the latest in a series of attacks on Innovative equipment.
The vandalism against Innovative equipment and facilities comes in the midst of a strike by phone and cable company employees. Innovative management and the employees, members of the Steelworkers union, are at an impasse over pension benefits. The workers have manned picket lines territory-wide since Oct. 2.
But one union official doesn't believe it was the workers who sabotaged the equipment. Frederick Joseph, sub-district director of the Steelworkers Union, told Radio One, "Every time a cable goes down they blame the workers. We have talked to them. They have handled everything the legal way.
"I believe my people. I know my people. They wouldn't do that. I stand by them."
The Sunday cable cut "knocked out about 65 percent of our service because it is one of our major points for Internet connectivity," Jim Alexander, Choice Communication's director of sales and marketing, said.
Alexander said it appeared that vandals were "lashing out against all telecommunications companies and obviously all these lines are owned by Innovative."
He said emergency crews were working with Innovative engineers to restore service by re-routing the Internet date lines. "We should be up and running by Sunday afternoon…we're now re-routing the service requests."
Alexander pledged his company's complete effort to restore service as quickly as possible. "We have been down now for about 12 hours and are hoping to restore all service so we can continue business as usual on Monday morning."
He said customers with both dial-up accounts and wireless connections were affected by the cable cut "because the majority of our dial-up accounts are routed through the Havensight office."
Alexander said residents who attempted to gain access to the Internet could not even log on to the network as a result of the extensive damage. "Customers would have actually gotten no message because they simply could not log on."
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.
CHOICE CUSTOMERS LOSE INTERNET ACCESS
Oct. 7, 2002 – About 11,000 Virgin Islands residents and businesses were unable to get on the Internet on Sunday after vandalism against Innovative Telephone equipment continued. Around 2:30 a.m. Sunday, vandals cut a major communication cable that links the offices of Choice Communications with the outside world. Choice is a locally owned Internet Service Provider.
A company spokesperson said Monday morning that most of the services had been restored.
However, phone lines into the Havensight building were still not working.
The cable cut, which affected about 65 percent of the company's customer base, was the latest in a series of attacks on Innovative equipment.
The vandalism against Innovative equipment and facilities comes in the midst of a strike by phone and cable company employees. Innovative management and the employees, members of the Steelworkers union, are at an impasse over pension benefits. The workers have manned picket lines territory-wide since Oct. 2.
But one union official doesn't believe it was the workers who sabotaged the equipment. Frederick Joseph, sub-district director of the Steelworkers Union, told Radio One, "Every time a cable goes down they blame the workers. We have talked to them. They have handled everything the legal way.
"I believe my people. I know my people. They wouldn't do that. I stand by them."
The Sunday cable cut "knocked out about 65 percent of our service because it is one of our major points for Internet connectivity," Jim Alexander, Choice Communication's director of sales and marketing, said.
Alexander said it appeared that vandals were "lashing out against all telecommunications companies and obviously all these lines are owned by Innovative."
He said emergency crews were working with Innovative engineers to restore service by re-routing the Internet date lines. "We should be up and running by Sunday afternoon…we're now re-routing the service requests."
Alexander pledged his company's complete effort to restore service as quickly as possible. "We have been down now for about 12 hours and are hoping to restore all service so we can continue business as usual on Monday morning."
He said customers with both dial-up accounts and wireless connections were affected by the cable cut "because the majority of our dial-up accounts are routed through the Havensight office."
Alexander said residents who attempted to gain access to the Internet could not even log on to the network as a result of the extensive damage. "Customers would have actually gotten no message because they simply could not log on."
A company spokesperson said Monday morning that most of the services had been restored.
However, phone lines into the Havensight building were still not working.
The cable cut, which affected about 65 percent of the company's customer base, was the latest in a series of attacks on Innovative equipment.
The vandalism against Innovative equipment and facilities comes in the midst of a strike by phone and cable company employees. Innovative management and the employees, members of the Steelworkers union, are at an impasse over pension benefits. The workers have manned picket lines territory-wide since Oct. 2.
But one union official doesn't believe it was the workers who sabotaged the equipment. Frederick Joseph, sub-district director of the Steelworkers Union, told Radio One, "Every time a cable goes down they blame the workers. We have talked to them. They have handled everything the legal way.
"I believe my people. I know my people. They wouldn't do that. I stand by them."
The Sunday cable cut "knocked out about 65 percent of our service because it is one of our major points for Internet connectivity," Jim Alexander, Choice Communication's director of sales and marketing, said.
Alexander said it appeared that vandals were "lashing out against all telecommunications companies and obviously all these lines are owned by Innovative."
He said emergency crews were working with Innovative engineers to restore service by re-routing the Internet date lines. "We should be up and running by Sunday afternoon…we're now re-routing the service requests."
Alexander pledged his company's complete effort to restore service as quickly as possible. "We have been down now for about 12 hours and are hoping to restore all service so we can continue business as usual on Monday morning."
He said customers with both dial-up accounts and wireless connections were affected by the cable cut "because the majority of our dial-up accounts are routed through the Havensight office."
Alexander said residents who attempted to gain access to the Internet could not even log on to the network as a result of the extensive damage. "Customers would have actually gotten no message because they simply could not log on."
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.
CHOICE CUSTOMERS LOSE INTERNET ACCESS
Oct. 7, 2002 – About 11,000 Virgin Islands residents and businesses were unable to get on the Internet on Sunday after vandalism against Innovative Telephone equipment continued. Around 2:30 a.m. Sunday, vandals cut a major communication cable that links the offices of Choice Communications with the outside world. Choice is a locally owned Internet Service Provider.
A company spokesperson said Monday morning that most of the services had been restored.
However, phone lines into the Havensight building were still not working.
The cable cut, which affected about 65 percent of the company's customer base, was the latest in a series of attacks on Innovative equipment.
The vandalism against Innovative equipment and facilities comes in the midst of a strike by phone and cable company employees. Innovative management and the employees, members of the Steelworkers union, are at an impasse over pension benefits. The workers have manned picket lines territory-wide since Oct. 2.
But one union official doesn't believe it was the workers who sabotaged the equipment. Frederick Joseph, sub-district director of the Steelworkers Union, told Radio One, "Every time a cable goes down they blame the workers. We have talked to them. They have handled everything the legal way.
"I believe my people. I know my people. They wouldn't do that. I stand by them."
The Sunday cable cut "knocked out about 65 percent of our service because it is one of our major points for Internet connectivity," Jim Alexander, Choice Communication's director of sales and marketing, said.
Alexander said it appeared that vandals were "lashing out against all telecommunications companies and obviously all these lines are owned by Innovative."
He said emergency crews were working with Innovative engineers to restore service by re-routing the Internet date lines. "We should be up and running by Sunday afternoon…we're now re-routing the service requests."
Alexander pledged his company's complete effort to restore service as quickly as possible. "We have been down now for about 12 hours and are hoping to restore all service so we can continue business as usual on Monday morning."
He said customers with both dial-up accounts and wireless connections were affected by the cable cut "because the majority of our dial-up accounts are routed through the Havensight office."
Alexander said residents who attempted to gain access to the Internet could not even log on to the network as a result of the extensive damage. "Customers would have actually gotten no message because they simply could not log on."
A company spokesperson said Monday morning that most of the services had been restored.
However, phone lines into the Havensight building were still not working.
The cable cut, which affected about 65 percent of the company's customer base, was the latest in a series of attacks on Innovative equipment.
The vandalism against Innovative equipment and facilities comes in the midst of a strike by phone and cable company employees. Innovative management and the employees, members of the Steelworkers union, are at an impasse over pension benefits. The workers have manned picket lines territory-wide since Oct. 2.
But one union official doesn't believe it was the workers who sabotaged the equipment. Frederick Joseph, sub-district director of the Steelworkers Union, told Radio One, "Every time a cable goes down they blame the workers. We have talked to them. They have handled everything the legal way.
"I believe my people. I know my people. They wouldn't do that. I stand by them."
The Sunday cable cut "knocked out about 65 percent of our service because it is one of our major points for Internet connectivity," Jim Alexander, Choice Communication's director of sales and marketing, said.
Alexander said it appeared that vandals were "lashing out against all telecommunications companies and obviously all these lines are owned by Innovative."
He said emergency crews were working with Innovative engineers to restore service by re-routing the Internet date lines. "We should be up and running by Sunday afternoon…we're now re-routing the service requests."
Alexander pledged his company's complete effort to restore service as quickly as possible. "We have been down now for about 12 hours and are hoping to restore all service so we can continue business as usual on Monday morning."
He said customers with both dial-up accounts and wireless connections were affected by the cable cut "because the majority of our dial-up accounts are routed through the Havensight office."
Alexander said residents who attempted to gain access to the Internet could not even log on to the network as a result of the extensive damage. "Customers would have actually gotten no message because they simply could not log on."
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.
LOCAL CONDITIONS SHOULD APPLY TO HOME DEPOT
Dear Source,
Some people may know me, and some may not. My name is Patrick Bayard, and I am an owner of the Sea Chest and Red Hook Ace Hardware. St. Thomas has been my home since 1969.
With the coming of Home Depot's 126,000-square-foot store and garden center to the territory, I may potentially suffer some kind of backlash in my businesses. However, my take on these events is far different than some. I know that no matter what happens with the big boxes invasion of the island, I will use my abilities as a businessman and a former military man to determine my best course of action, and I am confident that no matter the difficulties, and as I approach retirement, I will survive.
Now that the veil of secrecy has been lifted and Home Depot and the people that are determined to bring it to the island are coming out officially to declare themselves, I will dedicate all my efforts, along with my partners, to keeping our businesses open in order to maintain the employment of our full-time employees along with the same health benefits now in place for them. I am confident that with their help we will achieve this goal. This is, after all, a free country open to all, and I as an individual cannot stop the megastore, and the many more to come, as they run out of places to open in North America.
However, there are a few things that greatly concern me, among them the fact that our planners and prominent island families are ready to open St. Thomas to a company with annual sales 93 times the yearly budget of our territory without even making some demands of them to protect the people of the islands. To name a few:
– Full-time employment for the people who will work there, instead of 50 percent part-time employment, a la "big-box," which is the way most Home Depots on the mainland and in Puerto Rico staff their stores.
– Health insurance benefits for all employees, since they boast that they will bring 300 jobs to the islands. It would only be fair to provide a good health insurance program paid in full by the big box for all employees so that the hospital here does not have to lose dollars due to non-payment of bills. If the workers are insured, the bills will be paid for the most part by the insurance companies.
– Inland transport from the port to their warehouse using local truckers, at the same rate the truckers charge now. This would protect the local truckers who have made substantial investments in tractor heads to stay in business and take care of their families. Home Depot is known for its ruthlessness in dictating to its suppliers and service providers on the amounts it is willing to pay, to the point where those businesses cannot survive.
– An impact study by an independent firm to determine how traffic would be affected by this store and a mandate that any additional upgrading or expenses be incurred by Home Depot, instead of putting the burden on the government's shoulders, and thus on taxpayers. After all, 80 percent of our population lives and travels down this congested main road (Weymouth-Rhymer Highway) daily. Safety should be a main consideration, as should economics and the environment.
– Required investment in the local economy, if Home Depot is going to be "a good neighbor," by using local firms to provide services to its on-island store, unlike its usual mode of operation in other areas. Small businesses depend on other local businesses to survive. Examples: advertising, customs brokers, insurance, security, communications, computers, cleaning services etc. If the company awards local firms its business, jobs on island will not be sacrificed just to keep shareholders and owners in Atlanta happy.
– Income taxes on the profits of the St. Thomas Home Depot paid locally to protect the revenues of the V.I. government. Will the locally owned businesses that manage to "survive in the shadow" of Home Depot, as stated by Don Harrison, its public relations man, have enough left to contribute income taxes, if they just manage to survive? What about those that will simply fold, which represents a total loss of income tax revenues for the V.I. government?
On its application to the Planning and Natural Resources Department, Home Depot lists three local firms: its Realtor, its engineer and its attorney. Everyone else is stateside, including its archaeologists who have studied the soil samples for HPC. Surely there are some local people who could provide that service. How about the air conditioning, electrical, security, landscaping and interior finishing of the store? Will these services be provided by local firms?
I could go on and on, but enough said. I will only add one more thought: There are over 2,000 Home Depots in the United States, and many more big boxes, but there is only one St. Thomas, one Virgin Islands. Please don't give it away for nothing. Today, St. Thomas. Tomorrow, it could be St. Croix.
Patrick Bayard
St. Thomas
Some people may know me, and some may not. My name is Patrick Bayard, and I am an owner of the Sea Chest and Red Hook Ace Hardware. St. Thomas has been my home since 1969.
With the coming of Home Depot's 126,000-square-foot store and garden center to the territory, I may potentially suffer some kind of backlash in my businesses. However, my take on these events is far different than some. I know that no matter what happens with the big boxes invasion of the island, I will use my abilities as a businessman and a former military man to determine my best course of action, and I am confident that no matter the difficulties, and as I approach retirement, I will survive.
Now that the veil of secrecy has been lifted and Home Depot and the people that are determined to bring it to the island are coming out officially to declare themselves, I will dedicate all my efforts, along with my partners, to keeping our businesses open in order to maintain the employment of our full-time employees along with the same health benefits now in place for them. I am confident that with their help we will achieve this goal. This is, after all, a free country open to all, and I as an individual cannot stop the megastore, and the many more to come, as they run out of places to open in North America.
However, there are a few things that greatly concern me, among them the fact that our planners and prominent island families are ready to open St. Thomas to a company with annual sales 93 times the yearly budget of our territory without even making some demands of them to protect the people of the islands. To name a few:
– Full-time employment for the people who will work there, instead of 50 percent part-time employment, a la "big-box," which is the way most Home Depots on the mainland and in Puerto Rico staff their stores.
– Health insurance benefits for all employees, since they boast that they will bring 300 jobs to the islands. It would only be fair to provide a good health insurance program paid in full by the big box for all employees so that the hospital here does not have to lose dollars due to non-payment of bills. If the workers are insured, the bills will be paid for the most part by the insurance companies.
– Inland transport from the port to their warehouse using local truckers, at the same rate the truckers charge now. This would protect the local truckers who have made substantial investments in tractor heads to stay in business and take care of their families. Home Depot is known for its ruthlessness in dictating to its suppliers and service providers on the amounts it is willing to pay, to the point where those businesses cannot survive.
– An impact study by an independent firm to determine how traffic would be affected by this store and a mandate that any additional upgrading or expenses be incurred by Home Depot, instead of putting the burden on the government's shoulders, and thus on taxpayers. After all, 80 percent of our population lives and travels down this congested main road (Weymouth-Rhymer Highway) daily. Safety should be a main consideration, as should economics and the environment.
– Required investment in the local economy, if Home Depot is going to be "a good neighbor," by using local firms to provide services to its on-island store, unlike its usual mode of operation in other areas. Small businesses depend on other local businesses to survive. Examples: advertising, customs brokers, insurance, security, communications, computers, cleaning services etc. If the company awards local firms its business, jobs on island will not be sacrificed just to keep shareholders and owners in Atlanta happy.
– Income taxes on the profits of the St. Thomas Home Depot paid locally to protect the revenues of the V.I. government. Will the locally owned businesses that manage to "survive in the shadow" of Home Depot, as stated by Don Harrison, its public relations man, have enough left to contribute income taxes, if they just manage to survive? What about those that will simply fold, which represents a total loss of income tax revenues for the V.I. government?
On its application to the Planning and Natural Resources Department, Home Depot lists three local firms: its Realtor, its engineer and its attorney. Everyone else is stateside, including its archaeologists who have studied the soil samples for HPC. Surely there are some local people who could provide that service. How about the air conditioning, electrical, security, landscaping and interior finishing of the store? Will these services be provided by local firms?
I could go on and on, but enough said. I will only add one more thought: There are over 2,000 Home Depots in the United States, and many more big boxes, but there is only one St. Thomas, one Virgin Islands. Please don't give it away for nothing. Today, St. Thomas. Tomorrow, it could be St. Croix.
Patrick Bayard
St. Thomas
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.
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.
LOCAL CONDITIONS SHOULD APPLY TO HOME DEPOT
Dear Source,
Some people may know me, and some may not. My name is Patrick Bayard, and I am an owner of the Sea Chest and Red Hook Ace Hardware. St. Thomas has been my home since 1969.
With the coming of Home Depot's 126,000-square-foot store and garden center to the territory, I may potentially suffer some kind of backlash in my businesses. However, my take on these events is far different than some. I know that no matter what happens with the big boxes invasion of the island, I will use my abilities as a businessman and a former military man to determine my best course of action, and I am confident that no matter the difficulties, and as I approach retirement, I will survive.
Now that the veil of secrecy has been lifted and Home Depot and the people that are determined to bring it to the island are coming out officially to declare themselves, I will dedicate all my efforts, along with my partners, to keeping our businesses open in order to maintain the employment of our full-time employees along with the same health benefits now in place for them. I am confident that with their help we will achieve this goal. This is, after all, a free country open to all, and I as an individual cannot stop the megastore, and the many more to come, as they run out of places to open in North America.
However, there are a few things that greatly concern me, among them the fact that our planners and prominent island families are ready to open St. Thomas to a company with annual sales 93 times the yearly budget of our territory without even making some demands of them to protect the people of the islands. To name a few:
– Full-time employment for the people who will work there, instead of 50 percent part-time employment, a la "big-box," which is the way most Home Depots on the mainland and in Puerto Rico staff their stores.
– Health insurance benefits for all employees, since they boast that they will bring 300 jobs to the islands. It would only be fair to provide a good health insurance program paid in full by the big box for all employees so that the hospital here does not have to lose dollars due to non-payment of bills. If the workers are insured, the bills will be paid for the most part by the insurance companies.
– Inland transport from the port to their warehouse using local truckers, at the same rate the truckers charge now. This would protect the local truckers who have made substantial investments in tractor heads to stay in business and take care of their families. Home Depot is known for its ruthlessness in dictating to its suppliers and service providers on the amounts it is willing to pay, to the point where those businesses cannot survive.
– An impact study by an independent firm to determine how traffic would be affected by this store and a mandate that any additional upgrading or expenses be incurred by Home Depot, instead of putting the burden on the government's shoulders, and thus on taxpayers. After all, 80 percent of our population lives and travels down this congested main road (Weymouth-Rhymer Highway) daily. Safety should be a main consideration, as should economics and the environment.
– Required investment in the local economy, if Home Depot is going to be "a good neighbor," by using local firms to provide services to its on-island store, unlike its usual mode of operation in other areas. Small businesses depend on other local businesses to survive. Examples: advertising, customs brokers, insurance, security, communications, computers, cleaning services etc. If the company awards local firms its business, jobs on island will not be sacrificed just to keep shareholders and owners in Atlanta happy.
– Income taxes on the profits of the St. Thomas Home Depot paid locally to protect the revenues of the V.I. government. Will the locally owned businesses that manage to "survive in the shadow" of Home Depot, as stated by Don Harrison, its public relations man, have enough left to contribute income taxes, if they just manage to survive? What about those that will simply fold, which represents a total loss of income tax revenues for the V.I. government?
On its application to the Planning and Natural Resources Department, Home Depot lists three local firms: its Realtor, its engineer and its attorney. Everyone else is stateside, including its archaeologists who have studied the soil samples for HPC. Surely there are some local people who could provide that service. How about the air conditioning, electrical, security, landscaping and interior finishing of the store? Will these services be provided by local firms?
I could go on and on, but enough said. I will only add one more thought: There are over 2,000 Home Depots in the United States, and many more big boxes, but there is only one St. Thomas, one Virgin Islands. Please don't give it away for nothing. Today, St. Thomas. Tomorrow, it could be St. Croix.
Patrick Bayard
St. Thomas
Some people may know me, and some may not. My name is Patrick Bayard, and I am an owner of the Sea Chest and Red Hook Ace Hardware. St. Thomas has been my home since 1969.
With the coming of Home Depot's 126,000-square-foot store and garden center to the territory, I may potentially suffer some kind of backlash in my businesses. However, my take on these events is far different than some. I know that no matter what happens with the big boxes invasion of the island, I will use my abilities as a businessman and a former military man to determine my best course of action, and I am confident that no matter the difficulties, and as I approach retirement, I will survive.
Now that the veil of secrecy has been lifted and Home Depot and the people that are determined to bring it to the island are coming out officially to declare themselves, I will dedicate all my efforts, along with my partners, to keeping our businesses open in order to maintain the employment of our full-time employees along with the same health benefits now in place for them. I am confident that with their help we will achieve this goal. This is, after all, a free country open to all, and I as an individual cannot stop the megastore, and the many more to come, as they run out of places to open in North America.
However, there are a few things that greatly concern me, among them the fact that our planners and prominent island families are ready to open St. Thomas to a company with annual sales 93 times the yearly budget of our territory without even making some demands of them to protect the people of the islands. To name a few:
– Full-time employment for the people who will work there, instead of 50 percent part-time employment, a la "big-box," which is the way most Home Depots on the mainland and in Puerto Rico staff their stores.
– Health insurance benefits for all employees, since they boast that they will bring 300 jobs to the islands. It would only be fair to provide a good health insurance program paid in full by the big box for all employees so that the hospital here does not have to lose dollars due to non-payment of bills. If the workers are insured, the bills will be paid for the most part by the insurance companies.
– Inland transport from the port to their warehouse using local truckers, at the same rate the truckers charge now. This would protect the local truckers who have made substantial investments in tractor heads to stay in business and take care of their families. Home Depot is known for its ruthlessness in dictating to its suppliers and service providers on the amounts it is willing to pay, to the point where those businesses cannot survive.
– An impact study by an independent firm to determine how traffic would be affected by this store and a mandate that any additional upgrading or expenses be incurred by Home Depot, instead of putting the burden on the government's shoulders, and thus on taxpayers. After all, 80 percent of our population lives and travels down this congested main road (Weymouth-Rhymer Highway) daily. Safety should be a main consideration, as should economics and the environment.
– Required investment in the local economy, if Home Depot is going to be "a good neighbor," by using local firms to provide services to its on-island store, unlike its usual mode of operation in other areas. Small businesses depend on other local businesses to survive. Examples: advertising, customs brokers, insurance, security, communications, computers, cleaning services etc. If the company awards local firms its business, jobs on island will not be sacrificed just to keep shareholders and owners in Atlanta happy.
– Income taxes on the profits of the St. Thomas Home Depot paid locally to protect the revenues of the V.I. government. Will the locally owned businesses that manage to "survive in the shadow" of Home Depot, as stated by Don Harrison, its public relations man, have enough left to contribute income taxes, if they just manage to survive? What about those that will simply fold, which represents a total loss of income tax revenues for the V.I. government?
On its application to the Planning and Natural Resources Department, Home Depot lists three local firms: its Realtor, its engineer and its attorney. Everyone else is stateside, including its archaeologists who have studied the soil samples for HPC. Surely there are some local people who could provide that service. How about the air conditioning, electrical, security, landscaping and interior finishing of the store? Will these services be provided by local firms?
I could go on and on, but enough said. I will only add one more thought: There are over 2,000 Home Depots in the United States, and many more big boxes, but there is only one St. Thomas, one Virgin Islands. Please don't give it away for nothing. Today, St. Thomas. Tomorrow, it could be St. Croix.
Patrick Bayard
St. Thomas
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.
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.
BRIGHT IDEA: DO-IT-YOURSELF GELATIN DESSERT
Oct. 6, 2002 – Fruit-flavored gelatin desserts don't have to come out of a box. And if you make this wiggly, giggly dessert from scratch using unsweetened gelatin, you can choose tropical fruit flavors you won't find among the store-bought brands — such as papaya.
And you'll get the real thing — natural good taste and nutrition, with no artificial flavors and synthetic dyes.
If you want your dessert to look like the familiar commercial products, use 100 percent fruit juice or nectar. Tamarind, guava and soursoup nectar all give excellent effects.
For a thicker mixture, puree fresh fruit such as soursop in a blender or food processor. Take care to strain out any seeds.
Note: Certain raw fruits have an enzyme that will prevent the gelatin from setting. Fresh pineapple, papaya, mango, kiwi and ginger all must be brought to a boil and cooked for 5 minutes to destroy this enzyme before you add them to your dessert. Papaya contains a tenderizing enzyme, too.
If the fruit juice, nectar or pureed fruit doesn't make a sweet enough dessert for your tastes, then add a bit of sugar, honey or maple syrup.
Homemade Papaya Gelatin Dessert
2 cups pureed ripe papaya
1 (1/4 oz.) envelope unflavored gelatin
2 to 3 teaspoons fresh lime juice (optional)
Sugar, honey or maple syrup to taste
Pour pureed papaya into a saucepan. Heat to the boiling point; reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Measure 1/2 cup of the puree into a medium glass bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over top. Let stand 1 minute. Stir the remaining pureed papaya into the gelatin mixture until dissolved. Add the lime juice and sweetener, to taste, if desired. Pour into individual bowls or into one serving bowl. Let cool, then refrigerate for several hours until set.
Makes 4 servings. Per serving (without adding sweetener): 62 calories, no fat, no cholesterol, 3 mg sodium.
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.
And you'll get the real thing — natural good taste and nutrition, with no artificial flavors and synthetic dyes.
If you want your dessert to look like the familiar commercial products, use 100 percent fruit juice or nectar. Tamarind, guava and soursoup nectar all give excellent effects.
For a thicker mixture, puree fresh fruit such as soursop in a blender or food processor. Take care to strain out any seeds.
Note: Certain raw fruits have an enzyme that will prevent the gelatin from setting. Fresh pineapple, papaya, mango, kiwi and ginger all must be brought to a boil and cooked for 5 minutes to destroy this enzyme before you add them to your dessert. Papaya contains a tenderizing enzyme, too.
If the fruit juice, nectar or pureed fruit doesn't make a sweet enough dessert for your tastes, then add a bit of sugar, honey or maple syrup.
Homemade Papaya Gelatin Dessert
2 cups pureed ripe papaya
1 (1/4 oz.) envelope unflavored gelatin
2 to 3 teaspoons fresh lime juice (optional)
Sugar, honey or maple syrup to taste
Pour pureed papaya into a saucepan. Heat to the boiling point; reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Measure 1/2 cup of the puree into a medium glass bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over top. Let stand 1 minute. Stir the remaining pureed papaya into the gelatin mixture until dissolved. Add the lime juice and sweetener, to taste, if desired. Pour into individual bowls or into one serving bowl. Let cool, then refrigerate for several hours until set.
Makes 4 servings. Per serving (without adding sweetener): 62 calories, no fat, no cholesterol, 3 mg sodium.
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.
BRIGHT IDEA: DO-IT-YOURSELF GELATIN DESSERT
Oct. 6, 2002 – Fruit-flavored gelatin desserts don't have to come out of a box. And if you make this wiggly, giggly dessert from scratch using unsweetened gelatin, you can choose tropical fruit flavors you won't find among the store-bought brands — such as papaya.
And you'll get the real thing — natural good taste and nutrition, with no artificial flavors and synthetic dyes.
If you want your dessert to look like the familiar commercial products, use 100 percent fruit juice or nectar. Tamarind, guava and soursoup nectar all give excellent effects.
For a thicker mixture, puree fresh fruit such as soursop in a blender or food processor. Take care to strain out any seeds.
Note: Certain raw fruits have an enzyme that will prevent the gelatin from setting. Fresh pineapple, papaya, mango, kiwi and ginger all must be brought to a boil and cooked for 5 minutes to destroy this enzyme before you add them to your dessert. Papaya contains a tenderizing enzyme, too.
If the fruit juice, nectar or pureed fruit doesn't make a sweet enough dessert for your tastes, then add a bit of sugar, honey or maple syrup.
Homemade Papaya Gelatin Dessert
2 cups pureed ripe papaya
1 (1/4 oz.) envelope unflavored gelatin
2 to 3 teaspoons fresh lime juice (optional)
Sugar, honey or maple syrup to taste
Pour pureed papaya into a saucepan. Heat to the boiling point; reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Measure 1/2 cup of the puree into a medium glass bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over top. Let stand 1 minute. Stir the remaining pureed papaya into the gelatin mixture until dissolved. Add the lime juice and sweetener, to taste, if desired. Pour into individual bowls or into one serving bowl. Let cool, then refrigerate for several hours until set.
Makes 4 servings. Per serving (without adding sweetener): 62 calories, no fat, no cholesterol, 3 mg sodium.
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.
And you'll get the real thing — natural good taste and nutrition, with no artificial flavors and synthetic dyes.
If you want your dessert to look like the familiar commercial products, use 100 percent fruit juice or nectar. Tamarind, guava and soursoup nectar all give excellent effects.
For a thicker mixture, puree fresh fruit such as soursop in a blender or food processor. Take care to strain out any seeds.
Note: Certain raw fruits have an enzyme that will prevent the gelatin from setting. Fresh pineapple, papaya, mango, kiwi and ginger all must be brought to a boil and cooked for 5 minutes to destroy this enzyme before you add them to your dessert. Papaya contains a tenderizing enzyme, too.
If the fruit juice, nectar or pureed fruit doesn't make a sweet enough dessert for your tastes, then add a bit of sugar, honey or maple syrup.
Homemade Papaya Gelatin Dessert
2 cups pureed ripe papaya
1 (1/4 oz.) envelope unflavored gelatin
2 to 3 teaspoons fresh lime juice (optional)
Sugar, honey or maple syrup to taste
Pour pureed papaya into a saucepan. Heat to the boiling point; reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Measure 1/2 cup of the puree into a medium glass bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over top. Let stand 1 minute. Stir the remaining pureed papaya into the gelatin mixture until dissolved. Add the lime juice and sweetener, to taste, if desired. Pour into individual bowls or into one serving bowl. Let cool, then refrigerate for several hours until set.
Makes 4 servings. Per serving (without adding sweetener): 62 calories, no fat, no cholesterol, 3 mg sodium.
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.
BRIGHT IDEA: DO-IT-YOURSELF GELATIN DESSERT
Oct. 6, 2002 – Fruit-flavored gelatin desserts don't have to come out of a box. And if you make this wiggly, giggly dessert from scratch using unsweetened gelatin, you can choose tropical fruit flavors you won't find among the store-bought brands — such as papaya.
And you'll get the real thing — natural good taste and nutrition, with no artificial flavors and synthetic dyes.
If you want your dessert to look like the familiar commercial products, use 100 percent fruit juice or nectar. Tamarind, guava and soursoup nectar all give excellent effects.
For a thicker mixture, puree fresh fruit such as soursop in a blender or food processor. Take care to strain out any seeds.
Note: Certain raw fruits have an enzyme that will prevent the gelatin from setting. Fresh pineapple, papaya, mango, kiwi and ginger all must be brought to a boil and cooked for 5 minutes to destroy this enzyme before you add them to your dessert. Papaya contains a tenderizing enzyme, too.
If the fruit juice, nectar or pureed fruit doesn't make a sweet enough dessert for your tastes, then add a bit of sugar, honey or maple syrup.
Homemade Papaya Gelatin Dessert
2 cups pureed ripe papaya
1 (1/4 oz.) envelope unflavored gelatin
2 to 3 teaspoons fresh lime juice (optional)
Sugar, honey or maple syrup to taste
Pour pureed papaya into a saucepan. Heat to the boiling point; reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Measure 1/2 cup of the puree into a medium glass bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over top. Let stand 1 minute. Stir the remaining pureed papaya into the gelatin mixture until dissolved. Add the lime juice and sweetener, to taste, if desired. Pour into individual bowls or into one serving bowl. Let cool, then refrigerate for several hours until set.
Makes 4 servings. Per serving (without adding sweetener): 62 calories, no fat, no cholesterol, 3 mg sodium.
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.
And you'll get the real thing — natural good taste and nutrition, with no artificial flavors and synthetic dyes.
If you want your dessert to look like the familiar commercial products, use 100 percent fruit juice or nectar. Tamarind, guava and soursoup nectar all give excellent effects.
For a thicker mixture, puree fresh fruit such as soursop in a blender or food processor. Take care to strain out any seeds.
Note: Certain raw fruits have an enzyme that will prevent the gelatin from setting. Fresh pineapple, papaya, mango, kiwi and ginger all must be brought to a boil and cooked for 5 minutes to destroy this enzyme before you add them to your dessert. Papaya contains a tenderizing enzyme, too.
If the fruit juice, nectar or pureed fruit doesn't make a sweet enough dessert for your tastes, then add a bit of sugar, honey or maple syrup.
Homemade Papaya Gelatin Dessert
2 cups pureed ripe papaya
1 (1/4 oz.) envelope unflavored gelatin
2 to 3 teaspoons fresh lime juice (optional)
Sugar, honey or maple syrup to taste
Pour pureed papaya into a saucepan. Heat to the boiling point; reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Measure 1/2 cup of the puree into a medium glass bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over top. Let stand 1 minute. Stir the remaining pureed papaya into the gelatin mixture until dissolved. Add the lime juice and sweetener, to taste, if desired. Pour into individual bowls or into one serving bowl. Let cool, then refrigerate for several hours until set.
Makes 4 servings. Per serving (without adding sweetener): 62 calories, no fat, no cholesterol, 3 mg sodium.
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.
