Sept. 24, 2002 – Hovensa and one of its contractors, Wyatt V.I., have filed suit in District Court challenging a brand-new Virgin Islands law that in effect outlaws the companies' requirement that non-union job applicants, as a condition of employment, agree to have disputes resolved by binding arbitration.
In so doing, the two companies are playing out the scenario outlined a week ago by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull in signing the law, which was a part of the wide-ranging Omnibus Authorization Act of 2003. In his letter to the Senate president, the governor said that, having reviewed "widely varied views on the legality of this provision," he determined "that so severe a chasm is most appropriately resolved by the judiciary."
The law makes pre-dispute arbitration agreements unenforceable in the territory. The suit filed jointly by Hovensa and Wyatt on Tuesday asks the court to declare that this conflicts with the federal Arbitration Act, "and thus is pre-empted under the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution."
Last year, Wyatt began requiring job applicants to sign an agreement to put all employee-management disputes to binding arbitration under the rules of the America Arbitration Association. Wyatt would cover most of the arbitration costs.
Wyatt took the matter to District Court on St. Croix after Labor Commissioner Cecil Benjamin ordered the company to stop making the agreement a condition for employment and Attorney General Iver Stridiron issued an opinion calling the agreement "unconscionable," "coercive," "contrary to public policy" and "ripe for injunctive relief."
In June, District Judge Raymond Finch found the pre-employment agreement neither "unconscionable" nor "unenforceable." In fact, he said, the law is clear that such agreements are valid.
As of July 1, Hovensa implemented its own Dispute Resolution Program, making it mandatory for new hires not covered by bargaining agreements. Hovensa spokesman Alex A. Moorhead said at the time that the company also was giving its current non-union employees the option of agreeing to the program, and asking them to decide by this month.
Moorhead, vice president for government affairs and community relations, said then that about 530 Hovensa employees were eligible to do so, compared with about 460 workers covered by collective bargaining agreements with the refinery.
Before Finch earlier this year, government lawyers argued that prospective Wyatt employees were being coerced into signing the agreement and that it was in violation of the territory's Wrongful Discharge Act. Finch said the Wrongful Discharge Act "makes no mention" of the validity or enforceability of arbitration agreements. And he said the Supreme Court has held that under the federal Arbitration Act, mandatory agreements are valid, provided that the act is not in direct conflict with state laws.
Since last Wednesday, the Virgin Islands has had a "state" law that is in such direct conflict.
Moorhead said in a release Tuesday that the company "remains confident that the new statute will be determined by the court to be illegal." Federal court rulings have consistently upheld the legality of such agreements and rejected efforts to create rules to restrict such agreements, the release said.
Moorhead also said that until the court acts on its complaint, Hovensa "will suspend all hiring, except temporary hiring, for a period not to exceed 120 days."
Hovensa fought against the new law throughout the legislative process. Moorhead wrote to Sen. Carlton Dowe, chair of the Senate Rules Committee, urging its deletion from the Omnibus bill and arguing that if it became law, it would be struck down in federal court.
While the Omnibus bill was on the governor's desk, Hovensa waged an advertising campaign urging Turnbull to veto the item, calling it "legally flawed." Labor interests ran their own ads in response, calling the provision legal.
Meanwhile, on Sept. 13, the refinery furloughed some 1,045 workers employed by seven contractors, stating that the liability insurance policy covering them all had expired and that Hovensa had been unable to find replacement coverage.
Terrence "Positive" Nelson, president of Our Virgin Islands Labor Union, and St. Croix lawyer Lee Rohn charged last week that the timing of the insurance crisis was suspect, suggesting it was planned to coincide with Turnbull's consideration of the Omnibus bill.
A full-page ad Rohn placed in a print newspaper not only disputed Moorhead's claims concerning insurance but also challenged the validity of Hovensa requiring a pre-employment agreement to arbitration.
Moorhead has said the advantage of mandatory binding arbitration is "the more expeditious resolution of disputes between employees and the company, thereby avoiding the cost of lengthy litigation which could involved appeals to as many as three courts and animosity that can arise between the parties during that lengthy period of time."
Arbitration typically allows for resolving disputes "within a period of several months, rather than three to five years, as is the case for lawsuits filed in the Territorial Court or U.S. District Court," he 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.
ARBITRATION AGREEMENT ISSUE IN COURT AGAIN
Sept. 24, 2002 – Hovensa and one of its contractors, Wyatt V.I., have filed suit in District Court challenging a brand-new Virgin Islands law that in effect outlaws the companies' requirement that non-union job applicants, as a condition of employment, agree to have disputes resolved by binding arbitration.
In so doing, the two companies are playing out the scenario outlined a week ago by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull in signing the law, which was a part of the wide-ranging Omnibus Authorization Act of 2003. In his letter to the Senate president, the governor said that, having reviewed "widely varied views on the legality of this provision," he determined "that so severe a chasm is most appropriately resolved by the judiciary."
The law makes pre-dispute arbitration agreements unenforceable in the territory. The suit filed jointly by Hovensa and Wyatt on Tuesday asks the court to declare that this conflicts with the federal Arbitration Act, "and thus is pre-empted under the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution."
Last year, Wyatt began requiring job applicants to sign an agreement to put all employee-management disputes to binding arbitration under the rules of the America Arbitration Association. Wyatt would cover most of the arbitration costs.
Wyatt took the matter to District Court on St. Croix after Labor Commissioner Cecil Benjamin ordered the company to stop making the agreement a condition for employment and Attorney General Iver Stridiron issued an opinion calling the agreement "unconscionable," "coercive," "contrary to public policy" and "ripe for injunctive relief."
In June, District Judge Raymond Finch found the pre-employment agreement neither "unconscionable" nor "unenforceable." In fact, he said, the law is clear that such agreements are valid.
As of July 1, Hovensa implemented its own Dispute Resolution Program, making it mandatory for new hires not covered by bargaining agreements. Hovensa spokesman Alex A. Moorhead said at the time that the company also was giving its current non-union employees the option of agreeing to the program, and asking them to decide by this month.
Moorhead, vice president for government affairs and community relations, said then that about 530 Hovensa employees were eligible to do so, compared with about 460 workers covered by collective bargaining agreements with the refinery.
Before Finch earlier this year, government lawyers argued that prospective Wyatt employees were being coerced into signing the agreement and that it was in violation of the territory's Wrongful Discharge Act. Finch said the Wrongful Discharge Act "makes no mention" of the validity or enforceability of arbitration agreements. And he said the Supreme Court has held that under the federal Arbitration Act, mandatory agreements are valid, provided that the act is not in direct conflict with state laws.
Since last Wednesday, the Virgin Islands has had a "state" law that is in such direct conflict.
Moorhead said in a release Tuesday that the company "remains confident that the new statute will be determined by the court to be illegal." Federal court rulings have consistently upheld the legality of such agreements and rejected efforts to create rules to restrict such agreements, the release said.
Moorhead also said that until the court acts on its complaint, Hovensa "will suspend all hiring, except temporary hiring, for a period not to exceed 120 days."
Hovensa fought against the new law throughout the legislative process. Moorhead wrote to Sen. Carlton Dowe, chair of the Senate Rules Committee, urging its deletion from the Omnibus bill and arguing that if it became law, it would be struck down in federal court.
While the Omnibus bill was on the governor's desk, Hovensa waged an advertising campaign urging Turnbull to veto the item, calling it "legally flawed." Labor interests ran their own ads in response, calling the provision legal.
Meanwhile, on Sept. 13, the refinery furloughed some 1,045 workers employed by seven contractors, stating that the liability insurance policy covering them all had expired and that Hovensa had been unable to find replacement coverage.
Terrence "Positive" Nelson, president of Our Virgin Islands Labor Union, and St. Croix lawyer Lee Rohn charged last week that the timing of the insurance crisis was suspect, suggesting it was planned to coincide with Turnbull's consideration of the Omnibus bill.
A full-page ad Rohn placed in a print newspaper not only disputed Moorhead's claims concerning insurance but also challenged the validity of Hovensa requiring a pre-employment agreement to arbitration.
Moorhead has said the advantage of mandatory binding arbitration is "the more expeditious resolution of disputes between employees and the company, thereby avoiding the cost of lengthy litigation which could involved appeals to as many as three courts and animosity that can arise between the parties during that lengthy period of time."
Arbitration typically allows for resolving disputes "within a period of several months, rather than three to five years, as is the case for lawsuits filed in the Territorial Court or U.S. District Court," he 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.
In so doing, the two companies are playing out the scenario outlined a week ago by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull in signing the law, which was a part of the wide-ranging Omnibus Authorization Act of 2003. In his letter to the Senate president, the governor said that, having reviewed "widely varied views on the legality of this provision," he determined "that so severe a chasm is most appropriately resolved by the judiciary."
The law makes pre-dispute arbitration agreements unenforceable in the territory. The suit filed jointly by Hovensa and Wyatt on Tuesday asks the court to declare that this conflicts with the federal Arbitration Act, "and thus is pre-empted under the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution."
Last year, Wyatt began requiring job applicants to sign an agreement to put all employee-management disputes to binding arbitration under the rules of the America Arbitration Association. Wyatt would cover most of the arbitration costs.
Wyatt took the matter to District Court on St. Croix after Labor Commissioner Cecil Benjamin ordered the company to stop making the agreement a condition for employment and Attorney General Iver Stridiron issued an opinion calling the agreement "unconscionable," "coercive," "contrary to public policy" and "ripe for injunctive relief."
In June, District Judge Raymond Finch found the pre-employment agreement neither "unconscionable" nor "unenforceable." In fact, he said, the law is clear that such agreements are valid.
As of July 1, Hovensa implemented its own Dispute Resolution Program, making it mandatory for new hires not covered by bargaining agreements. Hovensa spokesman Alex A. Moorhead said at the time that the company also was giving its current non-union employees the option of agreeing to the program, and asking them to decide by this month.
Moorhead, vice president for government affairs and community relations, said then that about 530 Hovensa employees were eligible to do so, compared with about 460 workers covered by collective bargaining agreements with the refinery.
Before Finch earlier this year, government lawyers argued that prospective Wyatt employees were being coerced into signing the agreement and that it was in violation of the territory's Wrongful Discharge Act. Finch said the Wrongful Discharge Act "makes no mention" of the validity or enforceability of arbitration agreements. And he said the Supreme Court has held that under the federal Arbitration Act, mandatory agreements are valid, provided that the act is not in direct conflict with state laws.
Since last Wednesday, the Virgin Islands has had a "state" law that is in such direct conflict.
Moorhead said in a release Tuesday that the company "remains confident that the new statute will be determined by the court to be illegal." Federal court rulings have consistently upheld the legality of such agreements and rejected efforts to create rules to restrict such agreements, the release said.
Moorhead also said that until the court acts on its complaint, Hovensa "will suspend all hiring, except temporary hiring, for a period not to exceed 120 days."
Hovensa fought against the new law throughout the legislative process. Moorhead wrote to Sen. Carlton Dowe, chair of the Senate Rules Committee, urging its deletion from the Omnibus bill and arguing that if it became law, it would be struck down in federal court.
While the Omnibus bill was on the governor's desk, Hovensa waged an advertising campaign urging Turnbull to veto the item, calling it "legally flawed." Labor interests ran their own ads in response, calling the provision legal.
Meanwhile, on Sept. 13, the refinery furloughed some 1,045 workers employed by seven contractors, stating that the liability insurance policy covering them all had expired and that Hovensa had been unable to find replacement coverage.
Terrence "Positive" Nelson, president of Our Virgin Islands Labor Union, and St. Croix lawyer Lee Rohn charged last week that the timing of the insurance crisis was suspect, suggesting it was planned to coincide with Turnbull's consideration of the Omnibus bill.
A full-page ad Rohn placed in a print newspaper not only disputed Moorhead's claims concerning insurance but also challenged the validity of Hovensa requiring a pre-employment agreement to arbitration.
Moorhead has said the advantage of mandatory binding arbitration is "the more expeditious resolution of disputes between employees and the company, thereby avoiding the cost of lengthy litigation which could involved appeals to as many as three courts and animosity that can arise between the parties during that lengthy period of time."
Arbitration typically allows for resolving disputes "within a period of several months, rather than three to five years, as is the case for lawsuits filed in the Territorial Court or U.S. District Court," he 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.
ARBITRATION AGREEMENT ISSUE IN COURT AGAIN
Sept. 24, 2002 – Hovensa and one of its contractors, Wyatt V.I., have filed suit in District Court challenging a brand-new Virgin Islands law that in effect outlaws the companies' requirement that non-union job applicants, as a condition of employment, agree to have disputes resolved by binding arbitration.
In so doing, the two companies are playing out the scenario outlined a week ago by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull in signing the law, which was a part of the wide-ranging Omnibus Authorization Act of 2003. In his letter to the Senate president, the governor said that, having reviewed "widely varied views on the legality of this provision," he determined "that so severe a chasm is most appropriately resolved by the judiciary."
The law makes pre-dispute arbitration agreements unenforceable in the territory. The suit filed jointly by Hovensa and Wyatt on Tuesday asks the court to declare that this conflicts with the federal Arbitration Act, "and thus is pre-empted under the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution."
Last year, Wyatt began requiring job applicants to sign an agreement to put all employee-management disputes to binding arbitration under the rules of the America Arbitration Association. Wyatt would cover most of the arbitration costs.
Wyatt took the matter to District Court on St. Croix after Labor Commissioner Cecil Benjamin ordered the company to stop making the agreement a condition for employment and Attorney General Iver Stridiron issued an opinion calling the agreement "unconscionable," "coercive," "contrary to public policy" and "ripe for injunctive relief."
In June, District Judge Raymond Finch found the pre-employment agreement neither "unconscionable" nor "unenforceable." In fact, he said, the law is clear that such agreements are valid.
As of July 1, Hovensa implemented its own Dispute Resolution Program, making it mandatory for new hires not covered by bargaining agreements. Hovensa spokesman Alex A. Moorhead said at the time that the company also was giving its current non-union employees the option of agreeing to the program, and asking them to decide by this month.
Moorhead, vice president for government affairs and community relations, said then that about 530 Hovensa employees were eligible to do so, compared with about 460 workers covered by collective bargaining agreements with the refinery.
Before Finch earlier this year, government lawyers argued that prospective Wyatt employees were being coerced into signing the agreement and that it was in violation of the territory's Wrongful Discharge Act. Finch said the Wrongful Discharge Act "makes no mention" of the validity or enforceability of arbitration agreements. And he said the Supreme Court has held that under the federal Arbitration Act, mandatory agreements are valid, provided that the act is not in direct conflict with state laws.
Since last Wednesday, the Virgin Islands has had a "state" law that is in such direct conflict.
Moorhead said in a release Tuesday that the company "remains confident that the new statute will be determined by the court to be illegal." Federal court rulings have consistently upheld the legality of such agreements and rejected efforts to create rules to restrict such agreements, the release said.
Moorhead also said that until the court acts on its complaint, Hovensa "will suspend all hiring, except temporary hiring, for a period not to exceed 120 days."
Hovensa fought against the new law throughout the legislative process. Moorhead wrote to Sen. Carlton Dowe, chair of the Senate Rules Committee, urging its deletion from the Omnibus bill and arguing that if it became law, it would be struck down in federal court.
While the Omnibus bill was on the governor's desk, Hovensa waged an advertising campaign urging Turnbull to veto the item, calling it "legally flawed." Labor interests ran their own ads in response, calling the provision legal.
Meanwhile, on Sept. 13, the refinery furloughed some 1,045 workers employed by seven contractors, stating that the liability insurance policy covering them all had expired and that Hovensa had been unable to find replacement coverage.
Terrence "Positive" Nelson, president of Our Virgin Islands Labor Union, and St. Croix lawyer Lee Rohn charged last week that the timing of the insurance crisis was suspect, suggesting it was planned to coincide with Turnbull's consideration of the Omnibus bill.
A full-page ad Rohn placed in a print newspaper not only disputed Moorhead's claims concerning insurance but also challenged the validity of Hovensa requiring a pre-employment agreement to arbitration.
Moorhead has said the advantage of mandatory binding arbitration is "the more expeditious resolution of disputes between employees and the company, thereby avoiding the cost of lengthy litigation which could involved appeals to as many as three courts and animosity that can arise between the parties during that lengthy period of time."
Arbitration typically allows for resolving disputes "within a period of several months, rather than three to five years, as is the case for lawsuits filed in the Territorial Court or U.S. District Court," he 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.
In so doing, the two companies are playing out the scenario outlined a week ago by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull in signing the law, which was a part of the wide-ranging Omnibus Authorization Act of 2003. In his letter to the Senate president, the governor said that, having reviewed "widely varied views on the legality of this provision," he determined "that so severe a chasm is most appropriately resolved by the judiciary."
The law makes pre-dispute arbitration agreements unenforceable in the territory. The suit filed jointly by Hovensa and Wyatt on Tuesday asks the court to declare that this conflicts with the federal Arbitration Act, "and thus is pre-empted under the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution."
Last year, Wyatt began requiring job applicants to sign an agreement to put all employee-management disputes to binding arbitration under the rules of the America Arbitration Association. Wyatt would cover most of the arbitration costs.
Wyatt took the matter to District Court on St. Croix after Labor Commissioner Cecil Benjamin ordered the company to stop making the agreement a condition for employment and Attorney General Iver Stridiron issued an opinion calling the agreement "unconscionable," "coercive," "contrary to public policy" and "ripe for injunctive relief."
In June, District Judge Raymond Finch found the pre-employment agreement neither "unconscionable" nor "unenforceable." In fact, he said, the law is clear that such agreements are valid.
As of July 1, Hovensa implemented its own Dispute Resolution Program, making it mandatory for new hires not covered by bargaining agreements. Hovensa spokesman Alex A. Moorhead said at the time that the company also was giving its current non-union employees the option of agreeing to the program, and asking them to decide by this month.
Moorhead, vice president for government affairs and community relations, said then that about 530 Hovensa employees were eligible to do so, compared with about 460 workers covered by collective bargaining agreements with the refinery.
Before Finch earlier this year, government lawyers argued that prospective Wyatt employees were being coerced into signing the agreement and that it was in violation of the territory's Wrongful Discharge Act. Finch said the Wrongful Discharge Act "makes no mention" of the validity or enforceability of arbitration agreements. And he said the Supreme Court has held that under the federal Arbitration Act, mandatory agreements are valid, provided that the act is not in direct conflict with state laws.
Since last Wednesday, the Virgin Islands has had a "state" law that is in such direct conflict.
Moorhead said in a release Tuesday that the company "remains confident that the new statute will be determined by the court to be illegal." Federal court rulings have consistently upheld the legality of such agreements and rejected efforts to create rules to restrict such agreements, the release said.
Moorhead also said that until the court acts on its complaint, Hovensa "will suspend all hiring, except temporary hiring, for a period not to exceed 120 days."
Hovensa fought against the new law throughout the legislative process. Moorhead wrote to Sen. Carlton Dowe, chair of the Senate Rules Committee, urging its deletion from the Omnibus bill and arguing that if it became law, it would be struck down in federal court.
While the Omnibus bill was on the governor's desk, Hovensa waged an advertising campaign urging Turnbull to veto the item, calling it "legally flawed." Labor interests ran their own ads in response, calling the provision legal.
Meanwhile, on Sept. 13, the refinery furloughed some 1,045 workers employed by seven contractors, stating that the liability insurance policy covering them all had expired and that Hovensa had been unable to find replacement coverage.
Terrence "Positive" Nelson, president of Our Virgin Islands Labor Union, and St. Croix lawyer Lee Rohn charged last week that the timing of the insurance crisis was suspect, suggesting it was planned to coincide with Turnbull's consideration of the Omnibus bill.
A full-page ad Rohn placed in a print newspaper not only disputed Moorhead's claims concerning insurance but also challenged the validity of Hovensa requiring a pre-employment agreement to arbitration.
Moorhead has said the advantage of mandatory binding arbitration is "the more expeditious resolution of disputes between employees and the company, thereby avoiding the cost of lengthy litigation which could involved appeals to as many as three courts and animosity that can arise between the parties during that lengthy period of time."
Arbitration typically allows for resolving disputes "within a period of several months, rather than three to five years, as is the case for lawsuits filed in the Territorial Court or U.S. District Court," he 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.
V.I. WINDSURFER IS MAKING HIS MARK IN THE WORLD
Sept. 24, 2002 – If you happen to follow the international sport of boardsailing, you might already have seen a familiar face on the front page of the Formula Windsurfing Web site.
It's the face of Devon Boulon, a 20-year-old St. John resident who's making the rounds of the professional Formula Windsurfing Circuit this year.
"I'm proud of him. He's a good kid and doing real well," his father, V.I. National Park chief of interpretation Rafe Boulon, said.
Boulon's mother, Kimberly, and brother, Revel, round out the family.
On the upper right corner of the Web site main page, click on the sun-dappled mug shot of Boulon (shown here), and you'll get an in-depth look at the Virgin Islands athlete, replete with a bigger version of the movie star-style photo and a couple of action shots on the water.
Currently participating in the Formula Windsurfing World Championships in Sylt, Germany, Boulon is in 10th place in a field of 96 men.
He recently finished 11th in the Euro Cup Series. More important, he finished in first place in that competition in the Under-21 age group. His dad hopes this will help convince sponsors to come forward with the money he needs for expenses, along with the equipment they now provide.
Rafe Boulon said that while he has helped some with the expenses, most of that help has been in the form of loans that his son has worked hard to pay back. Devon even says in his autobiography on the Web site that he took a job with a painting contractor to support his windsurfing habit.
He competed in as many races around the Caribbean as his funds would allow. He won the U.S. Junior National Championship in 2000, placed fourth in the Formula men's competition at the U.S. National Championships in 2001, and came in fifth at the U.S. Nationals in 2002. This is his first year competing on the international circuit.
Devon says he hopes to pose a threat to the top five male windsurfers in the world.
His dad explained that Formula racing calls for all racers to use production windsurfing boards, rather than customized equipment. "It really levels the playing field," Rafe Boulon said.
Devon started boardsailing at age 14 when a friend showed him the ropes. The teen-ager, who was home-schooled by his parents, was immediately hooked, and a year later he placed third in the Junior World Championships held on St. Thomas.
"And after that," he says, "I decided that windsurfing might be what I wanted to do for a career."
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
It's the face of Devon Boulon, a 20-year-old St. John resident who's making the rounds of the professional Formula Windsurfing Circuit this year.
"I'm proud of him. He's a good kid and doing real well," his father, V.I. National Park chief of interpretation Rafe Boulon, said.
Boulon's mother, Kimberly, and brother, Revel, round out the family.
On the upper right corner of the Web site main page, click on the sun-dappled mug shot of Boulon (shown here), and you'll get an in-depth look at the Virgin Islands athlete, replete with a bigger version of the movie star-style photo and a couple of action shots on the water.
Currently participating in the Formula Windsurfing World Championships in Sylt, Germany, Boulon is in 10th place in a field of 96 men.
He recently finished 11th in the Euro Cup Series. More important, he finished in first place in that competition in the Under-21 age group. His dad hopes this will help convince sponsors to come forward with the money he needs for expenses, along with the equipment they now provide.
Rafe Boulon said that while he has helped some with the expenses, most of that help has been in the form of loans that his son has worked hard to pay back. Devon even says in his autobiography on the Web site that he took a job with a painting contractor to support his windsurfing habit.
He competed in as many races around the Caribbean as his funds would allow. He won the U.S. Junior National Championship in 2000, placed fourth in the Formula men's competition at the U.S. National Championships in 2001, and came in fifth at the U.S. Nationals in 2002. This is his first year competing on the international circuit.
Devon says he hopes to pose a threat to the top five male windsurfers in the world.
His dad explained that Formula racing calls for all racers to use production windsurfing boards, rather than customized equipment. "It really levels the playing field," Rafe Boulon said.
Devon started boardsailing at age 14 when a friend showed him the ropes. The teen-ager, who was home-schooled by his parents, was immediately hooked, and a year later he placed third in the Junior World Championships held on St. Thomas.
"And after that," he says, "I decided that windsurfing might be what I wanted to do for a career."
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.
V.I. WINDSURFER IS MAKING HIS MARK AS A PRO
Sept. 24, 2002 – If you happen to follow the international sport of boardsailing, you might already have seen a familiar face on the front page of the Formula Windsurfing Web site.
It's the face of Devon Boulon, a 20-year-old St. John resident who's making the rounds of the professional Formula Windsurfing Circuit this year.
"I'm proud of him. He's a good kid and doing real well," his father, V.I. National Park chief of interpretation Rafe Boulon, said.
Boulon's mother, Kimberly, and brother, Revel, round out the family.
On the upper right corner of the Web site main page, click on the sun-dappled mug shot of Boulon (shown here), and you'll get an in-depth look at the Virgin Islands athlete, replete with a bigger version of the movie star-style photo and a couple of action shots on the water.
Currently participating in the Formula Windsurfing World Championships in Sylt, Germany, Boulon is in 10th place in a field of 96 men.
He recently finished 11th in the Euro Cup Series. More important, he finished in first place in that competition in the Under-21 age group. His dad hopes this will help convince sponsors to come forward with the money he needs for expenses, along with the equipment they now provide.
Rafe Boulon said that while he has helped some with the expenses, most of that help has been in the form of loans that his son has worked hard to pay back. Devon even says in his autobiography on the Web site that he took a job with a painting contractor to support his windsurfing habit.
He competed in as many races around the Caribbean as his funds would allow. He won the U.S. Junior National Championship in 2000, placed fourth in the Formula men's competition at the U.S. National Championships in 2001, and came in fifth at the U.S. Nationals in 2002. This is his first year competing on the international circuit.
Devon says he hopes to pose a threat to the top five male windsurfers in the world.
His dad explained that Formula racing calls for all racers to use production windsurfing boards, rather than customized equipment. "It really levels the playing field," Rafe Boulon said.
Devon started boardsailing at age 14 when a friend showed him the ropes. The teen-ager, who was home-schooled by his parents, was immediately hooked, and a year later he placed third in the Junior World Championships held on St. Thomas.
"And after that," he says, "I decided that windsurfing might be what I wanted to do for a career."
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.
It's the face of Devon Boulon, a 20-year-old St. John resident who's making the rounds of the professional Formula Windsurfing Circuit this year.
"I'm proud of him. He's a good kid and doing real well," his father, V.I. National Park chief of interpretation Rafe Boulon, said.
Boulon's mother, Kimberly, and brother, Revel, round out the family.
On the upper right corner of the Web site main page, click on the sun-dappled mug shot of Boulon (shown here), and you'll get an in-depth look at the Virgin Islands athlete, replete with a bigger version of the movie star-style photo and a couple of action shots on the water.
Currently participating in the Formula Windsurfing World Championships in Sylt, Germany, Boulon is in 10th place in a field of 96 men.
He recently finished 11th in the Euro Cup Series. More important, he finished in first place in that competition in the Under-21 age group. His dad hopes this will help convince sponsors to come forward with the money he needs for expenses, along with the equipment they now provide.
Rafe Boulon said that while he has helped some with the expenses, most of that help has been in the form of loans that his son has worked hard to pay back. Devon even says in his autobiography on the Web site that he took a job with a painting contractor to support his windsurfing habit.
He competed in as many races around the Caribbean as his funds would allow. He won the U.S. Junior National Championship in 2000, placed fourth in the Formula men's competition at the U.S. National Championships in 2001, and came in fifth at the U.S. Nationals in 2002. This is his first year competing on the international circuit.
Devon says he hopes to pose a threat to the top five male windsurfers in the world.
His dad explained that Formula racing calls for all racers to use production windsurfing boards, rather than customized equipment. "It really levels the playing field," Rafe Boulon said.
Devon started boardsailing at age 14 when a friend showed him the ropes. The teen-ager, who was home-schooled by his parents, was immediately hooked, and a year later he placed third in the Junior World Championships held on St. Thomas.
"And after that," he says, "I decided that windsurfing might be what I wanted to do for a career."
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.
ST. JOHN WINDSURFER MAKING HIS MARK AS A PRO
Sept. 24, 2002 – If you happen to follow the international sport of boardsailing, you might already have seen a familiar face on the front page of the Formula Windsurfing Web site.
It's the face of Devon Boulon, a 20-year-old St. John resident who's making the rounds of the professional Formula Windsurfing Circuit this year.
"I'm proud of him. He's a good kid and doing real well," his father, V.I. National Park chief of interpretation Rafe Boulon, said.
Boulon's mother, Kimberly, and brother, Revel, round out the family.
On the upper right corner of the Web site main page, click on the sun-dappled mug shot of Boulon (shown here), and you'll get an in-depth look at the Virgin Islands athlete, replete with a bigger version of the movie star-style photo and a couple of action shots on the water.
Currently participating in the Formula Windsurfing World Championships in Sylt, Germany, Boulon is in 10th place in a field of 96 men.
He recently finished 11th in the Euro Cup Series. More important, he finished in first place in that competition in the Under-21 age group. His dad hopes this will help convince sponsors to come forward with the money he needs for expenses, along with the equipment they now provide.
Rafe Boulon said that while he has helped some with the expenses, most of that help has been in the form of loans that his son has worked hard to pay back. Devon even says in his autobiography on the Web site that he took a job with a painting contractor to support his windsurfing habit.
He competed in as many races around the Caribbean as his funds would allow. He won the U.S. Junior National Championship in 2000, placed fourth in the Formula men's competition at the U.S. National Championships in 2001, and came in fifth at the U.S. Nationals in 2002. This is his first year competing on the international circuit.
Devon says he hopes to pose a threat to the top five male windsurfers in the world.
His dad explained that Formula racing calls for all racers to use production windsurfing boards, rather than customized equipment. "It really levels the playing field," Rafe Boulon said.
Devon started boardsailing at age 14 when a friend showed him the ropes. The teen-ager, who was home-schooled by his parents, was immediately hooked, and a year later he placed third in the Junior World Championships held on St. Thomas.
"And after that," he says, "I decided that windsurfing might be what I wanted to do for a career."
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
It's the face of Devon Boulon, a 20-year-old St. John resident who's making the rounds of the professional Formula Windsurfing Circuit this year.
"I'm proud of him. He's a good kid and doing real well," his father, V.I. National Park chief of interpretation Rafe Boulon, said.
Boulon's mother, Kimberly, and brother, Revel, round out the family.
On the upper right corner of the Web site main page, click on the sun-dappled mug shot of Boulon (shown here), and you'll get an in-depth look at the Virgin Islands athlete, replete with a bigger version of the movie star-style photo and a couple of action shots on the water.
Currently participating in the Formula Windsurfing World Championships in Sylt, Germany, Boulon is in 10th place in a field of 96 men.
He recently finished 11th in the Euro Cup Series. More important, he finished in first place in that competition in the Under-21 age group. His dad hopes this will help convince sponsors to come forward with the money he needs for expenses, along with the equipment they now provide.
Rafe Boulon said that while he has helped some with the expenses, most of that help has been in the form of loans that his son has worked hard to pay back. Devon even says in his autobiography on the Web site that he took a job with a painting contractor to support his windsurfing habit.
He competed in as many races around the Caribbean as his funds would allow. He won the U.S. Junior National Championship in 2000, placed fourth in the Formula men's competition at the U.S. National Championships in 2001, and came in fifth at the U.S. Nationals in 2002. This is his first year competing on the international circuit.
Devon says he hopes to pose a threat to the top five male windsurfers in the world.
His dad explained that Formula racing calls for all racers to use production windsurfing boards, rather than customized equipment. "It really levels the playing field," Rafe Boulon said.
Devon started boardsailing at age 14 when a friend showed him the ropes. The teen-ager, who was home-schooled by his parents, was immediately hooked, and a year later he placed third in the Junior World Championships held on St. Thomas.
"And after that," he says, "I decided that windsurfing might be what I wanted to do for a career."
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.
RENAISSANCE REOPENING RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
Sept. 24, 2002 – St. Croix Renaissance Group, which recently acquired the former Alcoa Aluminum site, will open the property's running track and the interior roadway to joggers and walkers beginning on Wednesday, according to Myron Allick, partner and site manager.
Allick, who grew up on St. Croix, said residents used the 1.25-mile road and the quarter-mile track within the plant recreation area years ago. The most recent owner of the property, St. Croix Alumina, closed the recreational facilities after shutting down the alumina plant several years ago.
"When I was in high school, it was used for inter-island track meets," Allick recalled.
The track and road within what is now known as Renaissance Park will be open to the public daily from sunrise to sunset, according to a release.
One St. Croix resident who is pleased that the facilities are being reopened is retired educator Ruth Beagles. "It has always been a great place to exercise," she said, nothing that she had used the track for 30 years before it was closed.
People wanting to utilize the facilities must park their vehicles along the entrance road before the security gate.
Allick said Renaissance Group employees and seven workers hired from the Estate Profit community have gotten the walking and jogging areas into shape and also have been clearing the site around the ruins of Abraham Markoe's home, which now can be seen from the perimeter trail as well as from Melvin Evans Highway.
The home was built in the 1700s. Renaissance Group research found that Markoe was considered an extravagant man, and that he incurred his father's displeasure for building such a fine house to replace one that a hurricane "whirled over the lagoon and into the sea." Markoe was distinguished for having organized a light-horse troop in Philadelphia during the American Revolution. He presented the troop with a flag reputed to have been the first with 13 stripes symbolizing the American colonies, according to the release.
"The ruins were overgrown and it was hard work, but the results were excellent," Allick said of the work done recently. Edwin Ortiz, who organized the Estate Profit team, said the group was grateful for the work opportunity, because employers are often reluctant to hire people who live in the low-income area.
Renaissance Park also contains the ruins of a sugar mill, slave quarters and Estate Anguilla. Allick said plans call for opening up the more of the area for recreational use. The barbecue pavilion will be made available for community functions and the soccer fields will be reopened, he said.
The American Youth Soccer Organization and the V.I. Soccer Federation used the fields for practice and meets, and the V.I. Special Olympics called the site home for 25 years, he noted. "I hope that before the end of the year, we'll be able to open the rest of the area for the public to enjoy," he 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.
Allick, who grew up on St. Croix, said residents used the 1.25-mile road and the quarter-mile track within the plant recreation area years ago. The most recent owner of the property, St. Croix Alumina, closed the recreational facilities after shutting down the alumina plant several years ago.
"When I was in high school, it was used for inter-island track meets," Allick recalled.
The track and road within what is now known as Renaissance Park will be open to the public daily from sunrise to sunset, according to a release.
One St. Croix resident who is pleased that the facilities are being reopened is retired educator Ruth Beagles. "It has always been a great place to exercise," she said, nothing that she had used the track for 30 years before it was closed.
People wanting to utilize the facilities must park their vehicles along the entrance road before the security gate.
Allick said Renaissance Group employees and seven workers hired from the Estate Profit community have gotten the walking and jogging areas into shape and also have been clearing the site around the ruins of Abraham Markoe's home, which now can be seen from the perimeter trail as well as from Melvin Evans Highway.
The home was built in the 1700s. Renaissance Group research found that Markoe was considered an extravagant man, and that he incurred his father's displeasure for building such a fine house to replace one that a hurricane "whirled over the lagoon and into the sea." Markoe was distinguished for having organized a light-horse troop in Philadelphia during the American Revolution. He presented the troop with a flag reputed to have been the first with 13 stripes symbolizing the American colonies, according to the release.
"The ruins were overgrown and it was hard work, but the results were excellent," Allick said of the work done recently. Edwin Ortiz, who organized the Estate Profit team, said the group was grateful for the work opportunity, because employers are often reluctant to hire people who live in the low-income area.
Renaissance Park also contains the ruins of a sugar mill, slave quarters and Estate Anguilla. Allick said plans call for opening up the more of the area for recreational use. The barbecue pavilion will be made available for community functions and the soccer fields will be reopened, he said.
The American Youth Soccer Organization and the V.I. Soccer Federation used the fields for practice and meets, and the V.I. Special Olympics called the site home for 25 years, he noted. "I hope that before the end of the year, we'll be able to open the rest of the area for the public to enjoy," he 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.
VOLUNTEERS CLEAN UP BEACHES FOR COAST WEEKS
Sept. 23, 2002 – Along with hurricane season comes Coast Weeks, The Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup. This year, Coast Weeks started in mid-September and will run through mid-October.
Across the territory, children and adults have been busy picking up the trash that blows in from the sea or is left behind by people using the beaches.
Marcia Taylor, marine advisor at the University of the Virgin Islands, organizes Coast Weeks events on St. Croix. Taylor said she's been overwhelmed by the response. "Maybe there's more interest in the environment," she said.
Teachers "are really getting into it," Taylor said, using the graphed results to help with math education.
Taylor has lined up more than 400 people to clean Dorsch Beach, Haypenny Beach, Frederiksted Beach, Columbus Landing, Judith's Fancy, Altoona Lagoon and Christiansted Harbor on St. Croix.
On St. Thomas and St. John, Donna Griffin, an environmental specialist at the Planning and Natural Resources Department, has organized cleanups at Lindqvist Beach, Brewers Bay, Dorothea Bay, Lind Point and Cruz Bay Beach.
Griffin's prize group was from Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, which sent 220 students to clean up the road from the V.I. National Guard Armory to the Red Hook Salt Pond. They picked up close to 5,000 pounds of garbage.
"They sorted it out and got 1,200 pounds of recyclables," Griffin said, for which the group should net about $300 for its efforts.
Griffin said that beach cleaners tell her they're seeing less trash than in previous years. "But we're still seeing a lot of diapers, plastic forks and dime bags," she said, referring to the small bags associated with marijuana.
Her cleaners also pick up lots of used condoms, particularly on isolated beaches like Lindqvist.
"It tells just what's going on on the beaches," Griffin said.
Last year, 1,000 people across the territory picked up 15,495 pounds of trash long 18.2 miles of coast.
The results show just what people leave behind on the territory's beaches.
Gregg Schmidt, media coordinator at the Ocean Conservancy's Washington, D.C. office, said glass beverage bottles topped the list. Beach cleaners picked up 4,959 of them.
Plastic bottles were next, with 4,332 picked up. Cups, plates, forks, knives and spoons followed with a total of 3,910 items. Cleaners picked up 3,502 caps and lids, followed by 3,422 bags and food wrappers.
Beverage cans came next, with a total of 2,649. Cigarettes and filters accounted for 2,381 pieces, with straws and stirrers numbering 1,390. More than 1,200 pieces of rope were found.
Fast food containers rounded out the top 10 with 974 pieces.
The items found on the beaches disturb Taylor.
"The whole mentality is disposable," she said, adding that it doesn't take much effort to use a canvas bag instead of a plastic bag or a reusable container instead of a disposable one for beach picnics.
And while the debris is unsightly, it also harms animals. Sea turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish – one of their favorite foods. Fishing line or other debris that is wrapped around fins or flippers can cause circulation loss and eventual amputation as the animal grows, or worse – strangulation.
"Some may think that a bit of trash thrown into the water isn't such a big deal, but even a small amount of trash can mean life or death to sea turtles, birds and fish," said Roger Rufe, Ocean Conservancy president.
"Some things, such as discarded hooks or broken glass, can seriously injure barefooted beachgoers," he added.
The Virgin Islands beach clearers are part of a team with three-quarters of a million people located around the world.
Last year, more than 750,000 volunteers combed over 12,000 miles of beaches, rivers and lakes, above and below the water line, hauling in over 12.5 million pounds of trash.
"Each year the number of volunteers grows as people realize the problem of marine debris and become active in their communities, searching for workable solutions," said Rufe. "With over half of America's population living within 50 miles of the coast, the problems caused by marine debris are right in their backyard."
To date, people in more than 117 countries and all 55 U.S. states and territories have participated in the cleanup, helping to rid their shorelines, oceans, rivers, lakes and other waterways of tons of marine debris.
Volunteers in the International Coastal Cleanup record information about the trash they collect on detailed data cards. The cards are compiled, analyzed and tracked year by year, revealing patterns in marine debris in a region or country.
"Cleanup data reports have influenced public policy on waste management, prompted legislation, and convinced individuals, organizations and communities to reexamine their waste handling practices," Rufe said.
This is the 17th year volunteers around the world have cleaned up coasts.
Griffin said this was the territory's 11th year of participation.
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.
Across the territory, children and adults have been busy picking up the trash that blows in from the sea or is left behind by people using the beaches.
Marcia Taylor, marine advisor at the University of the Virgin Islands, organizes Coast Weeks events on St. Croix. Taylor said she's been overwhelmed by the response. "Maybe there's more interest in the environment," she said.
Teachers "are really getting into it," Taylor said, using the graphed results to help with math education.
Taylor has lined up more than 400 people to clean Dorsch Beach, Haypenny Beach, Frederiksted Beach, Columbus Landing, Judith's Fancy, Altoona Lagoon and Christiansted Harbor on St. Croix.
On St. Thomas and St. John, Donna Griffin, an environmental specialist at the Planning and Natural Resources Department, has organized cleanups at Lindqvist Beach, Brewers Bay, Dorothea Bay, Lind Point and Cruz Bay Beach.
Griffin's prize group was from Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, which sent 220 students to clean up the road from the V.I. National Guard Armory to the Red Hook Salt Pond. They picked up close to 5,000 pounds of garbage.
"They sorted it out and got 1,200 pounds of recyclables," Griffin said, for which the group should net about $300 for its efforts.
Griffin said that beach cleaners tell her they're seeing less trash than in previous years. "But we're still seeing a lot of diapers, plastic forks and dime bags," she said, referring to the small bags associated with marijuana.
Her cleaners also pick up lots of used condoms, particularly on isolated beaches like Lindqvist.
"It tells just what's going on on the beaches," Griffin said.
Last year, 1,000 people across the territory picked up 15,495 pounds of trash long 18.2 miles of coast.
The results show just what people leave behind on the territory's beaches.
Gregg Schmidt, media coordinator at the Ocean Conservancy's Washington, D.C. office, said glass beverage bottles topped the list. Beach cleaners picked up 4,959 of them.
Plastic bottles were next, with 4,332 picked up. Cups, plates, forks, knives and spoons followed with a total of 3,910 items. Cleaners picked up 3,502 caps and lids, followed by 3,422 bags and food wrappers.
Beverage cans came next, with a total of 2,649. Cigarettes and filters accounted for 2,381 pieces, with straws and stirrers numbering 1,390. More than 1,200 pieces of rope were found.
Fast food containers rounded out the top 10 with 974 pieces.
The items found on the beaches disturb Taylor.
"The whole mentality is disposable," she said, adding that it doesn't take much effort to use a canvas bag instead of a plastic bag or a reusable container instead of a disposable one for beach picnics.
And while the debris is unsightly, it also harms animals. Sea turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish – one of their favorite foods. Fishing line or other debris that is wrapped around fins or flippers can cause circulation loss and eventual amputation as the animal grows, or worse – strangulation.
"Some may think that a bit of trash thrown into the water isn't such a big deal, but even a small amount of trash can mean life or death to sea turtles, birds and fish," said Roger Rufe, Ocean Conservancy president.
"Some things, such as discarded hooks or broken glass, can seriously injure barefooted beachgoers," he added.
The Virgin Islands beach clearers are part of a team with three-quarters of a million people located around the world.
Last year, more than 750,000 volunteers combed over 12,000 miles of beaches, rivers and lakes, above and below the water line, hauling in over 12.5 million pounds of trash.
"Each year the number of volunteers grows as people realize the problem of marine debris and become active in their communities, searching for workable solutions," said Rufe. "With over half of America's population living within 50 miles of the coast, the problems caused by marine debris are right in their backyard."
To date, people in more than 117 countries and all 55 U.S. states and territories have participated in the cleanup, helping to rid their shorelines, oceans, rivers, lakes and other waterways of tons of marine debris.
Volunteers in the International Coastal Cleanup record information about the trash they collect on detailed data cards. The cards are compiled, analyzed and tracked year by year, revealing patterns in marine debris in a region or country.
"Cleanup data reports have influenced public policy on waste management, prompted legislation, and convinced individuals, organizations and communities to reexamine their waste handling practices," Rufe said.
This is the 17th year volunteers around the world have cleaned up coasts.
Griffin said this was the territory's 11th year of participation.
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.
VOLUNTEERS CLEAN UP BEACHES FOR COAST WEEKS
Sept. 23, 2002 – Along with hurricane season comes Coast Weeks, The Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup. This year, Coast Weeks started in mid-September and will run through mid-October.
Across the territory, children and adults have been busy picking up the trash that blows in from the sea or is left behind by people using the beaches.
Marcia Taylor, marine advisor at the University of the Virgin Islands, organizes Coast Weeks events on St. Croix. Taylor said she's been overwhelmed by the response. "Maybe there's more interest in the environment," she said.
Teachers "are really getting into it," Taylor said, using the graphed results to help with math education.
Taylor has lined up more than 400 people to clean Dorsch Beach, Haypenny Beach, Frederiksted Beach, Columbus Landing, Judith's Fancy, Altoona Lagoon and Christiansted Harbor on St. Croix.
On St. Thomas and St. John, Donna Griffin, an environmental specialist at the Planning and Natural Resources Department, has organized cleanups at Lindqvist Beach, Brewers Bay, Dorothea Bay, Lind Point and Cruz Bay Beach.
Griffin's prize group was from Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, which sent 220 students to clean up the road from the V.I. National Guard Armory to the Red Hook Salt Pond. They picked up close to 5,000 pounds of garbage.
"They sorted it out and got 1,200 pounds of recyclables," Griffin said, for which the group should net about $300 for its efforts.
Griffin said that beach cleaners tell her they're seeing less trash than in previous years. "But we're still seeing a lot of diapers, plastic forks and dime bags," she said, referring to the small bags associated with marijuana.
Her cleaners also pick up lots of used condoms, particularly on isolated beaches like Lindqvist.
"It tells just what's going on on the beaches," Griffin said.
Last year, 1,000 people across the territory picked up 15,495 pounds of trash long 18.2 miles of coast.
The results show just what people leave behind on the territory's beaches.
Gregg Schmidt, media coordinator at the Ocean Conservancy's Washington, D.C. office, said glass beverage bottles topped the list. Beach cleaners picked up 4,959 of them.
Plastic bottles were next, with 4,332 picked up. Cups, plates, forks, knives and spoons followed with a total of 3,910 items. Cleaners picked up 3,502 caps and lids, followed by 3,422 bags and food wrappers.
Beverage cans came next, with a total of 2,649. Cigarettes and filters accounted for 2,381 pieces, with straws and stirrers numbering 1,390. More than 1,200 pieces of rope were found.
Fast food containers rounded out the top 10 with 974 pieces.
The items found on the beaches disturb Taylor.
"The whole mentality is disposable," she said, adding that it doesn't take much effort to use a canvas bag instead of a plastic bag or a reusable container instead of a disposable one for beach picnics.
And while the debris is unsightly, it also harms animals. Sea turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish – one of their favorite foods. Fishing line or other debris that is wrapped around fins or flippers can cause circulation loss and eventual amputation as the animal grows, or worse – strangulation.
"Some may think that a bit of trash thrown into the water isn't such a big deal, but even a small amount of trash can mean life or death to sea turtles, birds and fish," said Roger Rufe, Ocean Conservancy president.
"Some things, such as discarded hooks or broken glass, can seriously injure barefooted beachgoers," he added.
The Virgin Islands beach clearers are part of a team with three-quarters of a million people located around the world.
Last year, more than 750,000 volunteers combed over 12,000 miles of beaches, rivers and lakes, above and below the water line, hauling in over 12.5 million pounds of trash.
"Each year the number of volunteers grows as people realize the problem of marine debris and become active in their communities, searching for workable solutions," said Rufe. "With over half of America's population living within 50 miles of the coast, the problems caused by marine debris are right in their backyard."
To date, people in more than 117 countries and all 55 U.S. states and territories have participated in the cleanup, helping to rid their shorelines, oceans, rivers, lakes and other waterways of tons of marine debris.
Volunteers in the International Coastal Cleanup record information about the trash they collect on detailed data cards. The cards are compiled, analyzed and tracked year by year, revealing patterns in marine debris in a region or country.
"Cleanup data reports have influenced public policy on waste management, prompted legislation, and convinced individuals, organizations and communities to reexamine their waste handling practices," Rufe said.
This is the 17th year volunteers around the world have cleaned up coasts.
Griffin said this was the territory's 11th year of participation.
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.
Across the territory, children and adults have been busy picking up the trash that blows in from the sea or is left behind by people using the beaches.
Marcia Taylor, marine advisor at the University of the Virgin Islands, organizes Coast Weeks events on St. Croix. Taylor said she's been overwhelmed by the response. "Maybe there's more interest in the environment," she said.
Teachers "are really getting into it," Taylor said, using the graphed results to help with math education.
Taylor has lined up more than 400 people to clean Dorsch Beach, Haypenny Beach, Frederiksted Beach, Columbus Landing, Judith's Fancy, Altoona Lagoon and Christiansted Harbor on St. Croix.
On St. Thomas and St. John, Donna Griffin, an environmental specialist at the Planning and Natural Resources Department, has organized cleanups at Lindqvist Beach, Brewers Bay, Dorothea Bay, Lind Point and Cruz Bay Beach.
Griffin's prize group was from Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, which sent 220 students to clean up the road from the V.I. National Guard Armory to the Red Hook Salt Pond. They picked up close to 5,000 pounds of garbage.
"They sorted it out and got 1,200 pounds of recyclables," Griffin said, for which the group should net about $300 for its efforts.
Griffin said that beach cleaners tell her they're seeing less trash than in previous years. "But we're still seeing a lot of diapers, plastic forks and dime bags," she said, referring to the small bags associated with marijuana.
Her cleaners also pick up lots of used condoms, particularly on isolated beaches like Lindqvist.
"It tells just what's going on on the beaches," Griffin said.
Last year, 1,000 people across the territory picked up 15,495 pounds of trash long 18.2 miles of coast.
The results show just what people leave behind on the territory's beaches.
Gregg Schmidt, media coordinator at the Ocean Conservancy's Washington, D.C. office, said glass beverage bottles topped the list. Beach cleaners picked up 4,959 of them.
Plastic bottles were next, with 4,332 picked up. Cups, plates, forks, knives and spoons followed with a total of 3,910 items. Cleaners picked up 3,502 caps and lids, followed by 3,422 bags and food wrappers.
Beverage cans came next, with a total of 2,649. Cigarettes and filters accounted for 2,381 pieces, with straws and stirrers numbering 1,390. More than 1,200 pieces of rope were found.
Fast food containers rounded out the top 10 with 974 pieces.
The items found on the beaches disturb Taylor.
"The whole mentality is disposable," she said, adding that it doesn't take much effort to use a canvas bag instead of a plastic bag or a reusable container instead of a disposable one for beach picnics.
And while the debris is unsightly, it also harms animals. Sea turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish – one of their favorite foods. Fishing line or other debris that is wrapped around fins or flippers can cause circulation loss and eventual amputation as the animal grows, or worse – strangulation.
"Some may think that a bit of trash thrown into the water isn't such a big deal, but even a small amount of trash can mean life or death to sea turtles, birds and fish," said Roger Rufe, Ocean Conservancy president.
"Some things, such as discarded hooks or broken glass, can seriously injure barefooted beachgoers," he added.
The Virgin Islands beach clearers are part of a team with three-quarters of a million people located around the world.
Last year, more than 750,000 volunteers combed over 12,000 miles of beaches, rivers and lakes, above and below the water line, hauling in over 12.5 million pounds of trash.
"Each year the number of volunteers grows as people realize the problem of marine debris and become active in their communities, searching for workable solutions," said Rufe. "With over half of America's population living within 50 miles of the coast, the problems caused by marine debris are right in their backyard."
To date, people in more than 117 countries and all 55 U.S. states and territories have participated in the cleanup, helping to rid their shorelines, oceans, rivers, lakes and other waterways of tons of marine debris.
Volunteers in the International Coastal Cleanup record information about the trash they collect on detailed data cards. The cards are compiled, analyzed and tracked year by year, revealing patterns in marine debris in a region or country.
"Cleanup data reports have influenced public policy on waste management, prompted legislation, and convinced individuals, organizations and communities to reexamine their waste handling practices," Rufe said.
This is the 17th year volunteers around the world have cleaned up coasts.
Griffin said this was the territory's 11th year of participation.
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.
VOLUNTEERS CLEAN UP BEACHES FOR COAST WEEKS
Sept. 23, 2002 – Along with hurricane season comes Coast Weeks, The Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup. This year, Coast Weeks started in mid-September and will run through mid-October.
Across the territory, children and adults have been busy picking up the trash that blows in from the sea or is left behind by people using the beaches.
Marcia Taylor, marine advisor at the University of the Virgin Islands, organizes Coast Weeks events on St. Croix. Taylor said she's been overwhelmed by the response. "Maybe there's more interest in the environment," she said.
Teachers "are really getting into it," Taylor said, using the graphed results to help with math education.
Taylor has lined up more than 400 people to clean Dorsch Beach, Haypenny Beach, Frederiksted Beach, Columbus Landing, Judith's Fancy, Altoona Lagoon and Christiansted Harbor on St. Croix.
On St. Thomas and St. John, Donna Griffin, an environmental specialist at the Planning and Natural Resources Department, has organized cleanups at Lindqvist Beach, Brewers Bay, Dorothea Bay, Lind Point and Cruz Bay Beach.
Griffin's prize group was from Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, which sent 220 students to clean up the road from the V.I. National Guard Armory to the Red Hook Salt Pond. They picked up close to 5,000 pounds of garbage.
"They sorted it out and got 1,200 pounds of recyclables," Griffin said, for which the group should net about $300 for its efforts.
Griffin said that beach cleaners tell her they're seeing less trash than in previous years. "But we're still seeing a lot of diapers, plastic forks and dime bags," she said, referring to the small bags associated with marijuana.
Her cleaners also pick up lots of used condoms, particularly on isolated beaches like Lindqvist.
"It tells just what's going on on the beaches," Griffin said.
Last year, 1,000 people across the territory picked up 15,495 pounds of trash long 18.2 miles of coast.
The results show just what people leave behind on the territory's beaches.
Gregg Schmidt, media coordinator at the Ocean Conservancy's Washington, D.C. office, said glass beverage bottles topped the list. Beach cleaners picked up 4,959 of them.
Plastic bottles were next, with 4,332 picked up. Cups, plates, forks, knives and spoons followed with a total of 3,910 items. Cleaners picked up 3,502 caps and lids, followed by 3,422 bags and food wrappers.
Beverage cans came next, with a total of 2,649. Cigarettes and filters accounted for 2,381 pieces, with straws and stirrers numbering 1,390. More than 1,200 pieces of rope were found.
Fast food containers rounded out the top 10 with 974 pieces.
The items found on the beaches disturb Taylor.
"The whole mentality is disposable," she said, adding that it doesn't take much effort to use a canvas bag instead of a plastic bag or a reusable container instead of a disposable one for beach picnics.
And while the debris is unsightly, it also harms animals. Sea turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish – one of their favorite foods. Fishing line or other debris that is wrapped around fins or flippers can cause circulation loss and eventual amputation as the animal grows, or worse – strangulation.
"Some may think that a bit of trash thrown into the water isn't such a big deal, but even a small amount of trash can mean life or death to sea turtles, birds and fish," said Roger Rufe, Ocean Conservancy president.
"Some things, such as discarded hooks or broken glass, can seriously injure barefooted beachgoers," he added.
The Virgin Islands beach clearers are part of a team with three-quarters of a million people located around the world.
Last year, more than 750,000 volunteers combed over 12,000 miles of beaches, rivers and lakes, above and below the water line, hauling in over 12.5 million pounds of trash.
"Each year the number of volunteers grows as people realize the problem of marine debris and become active in their communities, searching for workable solutions," said Rufe. "With over half of America's population living within 50 miles of the coast, the problems caused by marine debris are right in their backyard."
To date, people in more than 117 countries and all 55 U.S. states and territories have participated in the cleanup, helping to rid their shorelines, oceans, rivers, lakes and other waterways of tons of marine debris.
Volunteers in the International Coastal Cleanup record information about the trash they collect on detailed data cards. The cards are compiled, analyzed and tracked year by year, revealing patterns in marine debris in a region or country.
"Cleanup data reports have influenced public policy on waste management, prompted legislation, and convinced individuals, organizations and communities to reexamine their waste handling practices," Rufe said.
This is the 17th year volunteers around the world have cleaned up coasts.
Griffin said this was the territory's 11th year of participation.
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Across the territory, children and adults have been busy picking up the trash that blows in from the sea or is left behind by people using the beaches.
Marcia Taylor, marine advisor at the University of the Virgin Islands, organizes Coast Weeks events on St. Croix. Taylor said she's been overwhelmed by the response. "Maybe there's more interest in the environment," she said.
Teachers "are really getting into it," Taylor said, using the graphed results to help with math education.
Taylor has lined up more than 400 people to clean Dorsch Beach, Haypenny Beach, Frederiksted Beach, Columbus Landing, Judith's Fancy, Altoona Lagoon and Christiansted Harbor on St. Croix.
On St. Thomas and St. John, Donna Griffin, an environmental specialist at the Planning and Natural Resources Department, has organized cleanups at Lindqvist Beach, Brewers Bay, Dorothea Bay, Lind Point and Cruz Bay Beach.
Griffin's prize group was from Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, which sent 220 students to clean up the road from the V.I. National Guard Armory to the Red Hook Salt Pond. They picked up close to 5,000 pounds of garbage.
"They sorted it out and got 1,200 pounds of recyclables," Griffin said, for which the group should net about $300 for its efforts.
Griffin said that beach cleaners tell her they're seeing less trash than in previous years. "But we're still seeing a lot of diapers, plastic forks and dime bags," she said, referring to the small bags associated with marijuana.
Her cleaners also pick up lots of used condoms, particularly on isolated beaches like Lindqvist.
"It tells just what's going on on the beaches," Griffin said.
Last year, 1,000 people across the territory picked up 15,495 pounds of trash long 18.2 miles of coast.
The results show just what people leave behind on the territory's beaches.
Gregg Schmidt, media coordinator at the Ocean Conservancy's Washington, D.C. office, said glass beverage bottles topped the list. Beach cleaners picked up 4,959 of them.
Plastic bottles were next, with 4,332 picked up. Cups, plates, forks, knives and spoons followed with a total of 3,910 items. Cleaners picked up 3,502 caps and lids, followed by 3,422 bags and food wrappers.
Beverage cans came next, with a total of 2,649. Cigarettes and filters accounted for 2,381 pieces, with straws and stirrers numbering 1,390. More than 1,200 pieces of rope were found.
Fast food containers rounded out the top 10 with 974 pieces.
The items found on the beaches disturb Taylor.
"The whole mentality is disposable," she said, adding that it doesn't take much effort to use a canvas bag instead of a plastic bag or a reusable container instead of a disposable one for beach picnics.
And while the debris is unsightly, it also harms animals. Sea turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish – one of their favorite foods. Fishing line or other debris that is wrapped around fins or flippers can cause circulation loss and eventual amputation as the animal grows, or worse – strangulation.
"Some may think that a bit of trash thrown into the water isn't such a big deal, but even a small amount of trash can mean life or death to sea turtles, birds and fish," said Roger Rufe, Ocean Conservancy president.
"Some things, such as discarded hooks or broken glass, can seriously injure barefooted beachgoers," he added.
The Virgin Islands beach clearers are part of a team with three-quarters of a million people located around the world.
Last year, more than 750,000 volunteers combed over 12,000 miles of beaches, rivers and lakes, above and below the water line, hauling in over 12.5 million pounds of trash.
"Each year the number of volunteers grows as people realize the problem of marine debris and become active in their communities, searching for workable solutions," said Rufe. "With over half of America's population living within 50 miles of the coast, the problems caused by marine debris are right in their backyard."
To date, people in more than 117 countries and all 55 U.S. states and territories have participated in the cleanup, helping to rid their shorelines, oceans, rivers, lakes and other waterways of tons of marine debris.
Volunteers in the International Coastal Cleanup record information about the trash they collect on detailed data cards. The cards are compiled, analyzed and tracked year by year, revealing patterns in marine debris in a region or country.
"Cleanup data reports have influenced public policy on waste management, prompted legislation, and convinced individuals, organizations and communities to reexamine their waste handling practices," Rufe said.
This is the 17th year volunteers around the world have cleaned up coasts.
Griffin said this was the territory's 11th year of participation.
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.
