Sept. 21, 2002 – Unbeknownst to most of his fellow Virgin Islanders, Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg was in New York City recently taping a boxing match for cable television.
No, not wearing the gloves. In his latest foray into the spotlight, the St. Thomas lawmaker appeared as a play-by-play announcer on World Hispanic Television, for a match seen Sept. 12 and last Sunday over the Madison Square Garden sports network.
Producer Hank Schwartz, said he tapped Donastorg for the assignment because of his personality, his name recognition in the Caribbean and his enthusiasm for boxing. "He was an excellent commentator," Schwartz said.
It was a plus that "he speaks both languages" — English and Spanish, Schwartz added, since MSG wanted to air a Hispanic sports event with English-language commentary.
The match was shot with Donastorg as one of two commentators calling play by play in the two languages.
Schwartz, the chairman of World Television Championship, produced some of the most famous televised boxing events of the 1970s, including the "Thrilla in Manila" and the "Rumble in the Jungle" bouts pitting Mohammad Ali against and Joe Frazier and George Foreman, respectively.
Schwartz said he wants to produce sports programs for the Spanish-speaking market now because relatively few Hispanics make it to the top in the field of sports entertainment.
Donastorg was right for his assignment, Schwartz said, because his Caribbean dialect was distinct and complimentary for a Hispanic show that would be viewed by English speakers and English-speaking Hispanics. The show was seen locally on the Dish Network and is now being marketed in Los Angeles, Texas, Florida and Chicago.
Donastorg said he always wanted to be an ambassador for the Virgin Islands and he felt comfortable doing a broadcast that allowed him to let those qualities shine through. "I had fun with it," he said.
This was not his first foray into network television. He was featured several months ago on the show "Unsolved Mysteries" on Lifetime TV, playing an FBI agent in the re-enactment of a local crime.
But Donastorg says a future in the bright lights is not his immediate goal. "They offered me big money," he said, but that was no enticement. "At this juncture, my priority is the people of the Virgin islands, and I'm not willing to put that second to anything."
He said his trip to New York was paid for by the promoters and that he would be paid an appearance fee but he didn't know how much. In the past, he said, he has donated money he received from television appearances to charities or local schools.
Not many people in the Virgin Islands knew he had gone to New York for his MSG Boxing debut, Donastorg said, but when he got home, there were a couple of phone calls from friends saying they had seen him on TV.
Senate President Almando "Rocky" Liburd said he didn't officially know about his colleague's show biz plans, but he had a heads up early on that something like that might be in the works. "Foncie told me about it a long time ago," he said.
Liburd laughed when asked if he thought it might be handy having someone around who could give a blow-by-blow when Senate sessions get fractious. "That's a different kind of blow. That's an intellectual blow," he said. "That's a different kind of skill."
Donastorg has something else in mind. He said he thinks it would be a good fund raiser to have some of his Senate colleagues duke it out in the squared circle, the way it's done on the show "Celebrity Boxing." "I wish my colleagues would vent their frustration in the boxing ring instead of on the Senate floor," he said.
But unlike the TV judge and former boxing referee Mills Lane, Foncie said, he won't be the one telling his colleagues, "Let's Get It On."
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BOXING FANS FIND 'FONCIE' ANNOUNCING ON MSG TV
Sept. 21, 2002 – Unbeknownst to most of his fellow Virgin Islanders, Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg was in New York City recently taping a boxing match for cable TV sports network.
No, not wearing the gloves. In his latest foray into the spotlight, the St. Thomas lawmaker appeared as a play-by-play announcer on World Hispanic Television, for a match seen Sept. 12 and last Sunday over the Madison Square Garden sports network.
Producer Hank Schwartz, said he tapped Donastorg for the assignment because of his personality, his name recognition in the Caribbean and his enthusiasm for boxing. "He was an excellent commentator," Schwartz said.
It was a plus that "he speaks both languages" — English and Spanish, Schwartz added, since MSG wanted to air a Hispanic sports event with English-language commentary.
The match was shot with Donastorg as one of two commentators calling play by play in the two languages.
Schwartz, the chairman of World Television Championship, produced some of the most famous televised boxing events of the 1970s, including the "Thrilla in Manila" and the "Rumble in the Jungle" bouts pitting Mohammad Ali against and Joe Frazier and George Foreman, respectively.
Schwartz said he wants to produce sports programs for the Spanish-speaking market now because relatively few Hispanics make it to the top in the field of sports entertainment.
Donastorg was right for his assignment, Schwartz said, because his Caribbean dialect was distinct and complimentary for a Hispanic show that would be viewed by English speakers and English-speaking Hispanics. The show was seen locally on the Dish Network and is now being marketed in Los Angeles, Texas, Florida and Chicago.
Donastorg said he always wanted to be an ambassador for the Virgin Islands and he felt comfortable doing a broadcast that allowed him to let those qualities shine through. "I had fun with it," he said.
This was not his first foray into network television. He was featured several months ago on the show "Unsolved Mysteries" on Lifetime TV, playing an FBI agent in the re-enactment of a local crime.
But Donastorg says a future in the bright lights is not his immediate goal. "They offered me big money," he said, but that was no enticement. "At this juncture, my priority is the people of the Virgin islands, and I'm not willing to put that second to anything."
He said his trip to New York was paid for by the promoters and that he would be paid an appearance fee but he didn't know how much. In the past, he said, he has donated money he received from television appearances to charities or local schools.
Not many people in the Virgin Islands knew he had gone to New York for his MSG Boxing debut, Donastorg said, but when he got home, there were a couple of phone calls from friends saying they had seen him on TV.
Senate President Almando "Rocky" Liburd said he didn't officially know about his colleague's show biz plans, but he had a heads up early on that something like that might be in the works. "Foncie told me about it a long time ago," he said.
Liburd laughed when asked if he thought it might be handy having someone around who could give a blow-by-blow when Senate sessions get fractious. "That's a different kind of blow. That's an intellectual blow," he said. "That's a different kind of skill."
Donastorg has something else in mind. He said he thinks it would be a good fund raiser to have some of his Senate colleagues duke it out in the squared circle, the way it's done on the show "Celebrity Boxing." "I wish my colleagues would vent their frustration in the boxing ring instead of on the Senate floor," he said.
But unlike the TV judge and former boxing referee Mills Lane, Foncie said, he won't be the one telling his colleagues, "Let's Get It 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.
No, not wearing the gloves. In his latest foray into the spotlight, the St. Thomas lawmaker appeared as a play-by-play announcer on World Hispanic Television, for a match seen Sept. 12 and last Sunday over the Madison Square Garden sports network.
Producer Hank Schwartz, said he tapped Donastorg for the assignment because of his personality, his name recognition in the Caribbean and his enthusiasm for boxing. "He was an excellent commentator," Schwartz said.
It was a plus that "he speaks both languages" — English and Spanish, Schwartz added, since MSG wanted to air a Hispanic sports event with English-language commentary.
The match was shot with Donastorg as one of two commentators calling play by play in the two languages.
Schwartz, the chairman of World Television Championship, produced some of the most famous televised boxing events of the 1970s, including the "Thrilla in Manila" and the "Rumble in the Jungle" bouts pitting Mohammad Ali against and Joe Frazier and George Foreman, respectively.
Schwartz said he wants to produce sports programs for the Spanish-speaking market now because relatively few Hispanics make it to the top in the field of sports entertainment.
Donastorg was right for his assignment, Schwartz said, because his Caribbean dialect was distinct and complimentary for a Hispanic show that would be viewed by English speakers and English-speaking Hispanics. The show was seen locally on the Dish Network and is now being marketed in Los Angeles, Texas, Florida and Chicago.
Donastorg said he always wanted to be an ambassador for the Virgin Islands and he felt comfortable doing a broadcast that allowed him to let those qualities shine through. "I had fun with it," he said.
This was not his first foray into network television. He was featured several months ago on the show "Unsolved Mysteries" on Lifetime TV, playing an FBI agent in the re-enactment of a local crime.
But Donastorg says a future in the bright lights is not his immediate goal. "They offered me big money," he said, but that was no enticement. "At this juncture, my priority is the people of the Virgin islands, and I'm not willing to put that second to anything."
He said his trip to New York was paid for by the promoters and that he would be paid an appearance fee but he didn't know how much. In the past, he said, he has donated money he received from television appearances to charities or local schools.
Not many people in the Virgin Islands knew he had gone to New York for his MSG Boxing debut, Donastorg said, but when he got home, there were a couple of phone calls from friends saying they had seen him on TV.
Senate President Almando "Rocky" Liburd said he didn't officially know about his colleague's show biz plans, but he had a heads up early on that something like that might be in the works. "Foncie told me about it a long time ago," he said.
Liburd laughed when asked if he thought it might be handy having someone around who could give a blow-by-blow when Senate sessions get fractious. "That's a different kind of blow. That's an intellectual blow," he said. "That's a different kind of skill."
Donastorg has something else in mind. He said he thinks it would be a good fund raiser to have some of his Senate colleagues duke it out in the squared circle, the way it's done on the show "Celebrity Boxing." "I wish my colleagues would vent their frustration in the boxing ring instead of on the Senate floor," he said.
But unlike the TV judge and former boxing referee Mills Lane, Foncie said, he won't be the one telling his colleagues, "Let's Get It 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.
READERS LIKE CANEEL BAY AND ST. JOHN OVERALL
Sept. 21, 2002 – Two V.I. resorts placed among the 25 best hotels in the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda in Travel & Leisure magazine's 2002 Readers Poll.
The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas was in 10th spot, and Caneel Bay on St. John was 13th.
The British Virgin Islands claimed three of the six top spots. At the top of the heap, in order: The Reefs in Bermuda, Peter Island Resort in the BVI, Cap Juluca in Anguilla, Biras Creek (Virgin Gorda) in the BVI, the Four Seasons Resort on Nevis, and Little Dix Bay (Virgin Gorda) in the BVI.
One U.S. and one British Virgin Island made it into the top five favorite islands in the region, according to the magazine's poll. The five were, in order, Bermuda, St. Barth's, St. John, Virgin Gorda and Nevis.
The readers ranked as the top 10 cruise lines: Crystal Cruises, Holland America Line, Orient Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Cunard Line, P&O Cruises and Delta Queen Steamboat Co. (While Carnival, which sends the most ships to St. Thomas, didn't make the list, Holland America and Cunard are owned by Carnival Corp.; Celebrity is owned by Royal Caribbean.)
The regional recognition is part of Travel & Leisure's overall World's Best Awards. Results are derived from an online survey made available to the magazine's subscribers, who were provided a unique code in their February and March 2002 issues. Only the questionnaire responses of subscribers who correctly entered their special codes were tallied, and they could complete the survey only once. Through a screening process, responses from identified travel-industry professionals were eliminated from the final tally.
Respondents were asked to rate hotels, islands and airlines as to five characteristics and cruise lines as to six. Ratings for each characteristic were on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 the highest rating. Here are the characteristics:
For hotels: rooms/facilities, location, service, restaurants/food, value.
For islands: natural attractions, activities/sights, restaurants/food, people, value.
For cruise lines: cabins, food, service, itineraries/destinations, entertainment/activities, value.
According to a release put out by the territory's national publicity agency, Martin Public Relations, St. John "received especially high marks of distinction. The island ranked first among all other Caribbean destinations for natural attractions; second for activities and sights; third for overall vacation destination; and eighth for overall value. St. Thomas stood out for its activities and sights, and St. Croix was recognized for its restaurants and food."
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The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas was in 10th spot, and Caneel Bay on St. John was 13th.
The British Virgin Islands claimed three of the six top spots. At the top of the heap, in order: The Reefs in Bermuda, Peter Island Resort in the BVI, Cap Juluca in Anguilla, Biras Creek (Virgin Gorda) in the BVI, the Four Seasons Resort on Nevis, and Little Dix Bay (Virgin Gorda) in the BVI.
One U.S. and one British Virgin Island made it into the top five favorite islands in the region, according to the magazine's poll. The five were, in order, Bermuda, St. Barth's, St. John, Virgin Gorda and Nevis.
The readers ranked as the top 10 cruise lines: Crystal Cruises, Holland America Line, Orient Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Cunard Line, P&O Cruises and Delta Queen Steamboat Co. (While Carnival, which sends the most ships to St. Thomas, didn't make the list, Holland America and Cunard are owned by Carnival Corp.; Celebrity is owned by Royal Caribbean.)
The regional recognition is part of Travel & Leisure's overall World's Best Awards. Results are derived from an online survey made available to the magazine's subscribers, who were provided a unique code in their February and March 2002 issues. Only the questionnaire responses of subscribers who correctly entered their special codes were tallied, and they could complete the survey only once. Through a screening process, responses from identified travel-industry professionals were eliminated from the final tally.
Respondents were asked to rate hotels, islands and airlines as to five characteristics and cruise lines as to six. Ratings for each characteristic were on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 the highest rating. Here are the characteristics:
For hotels: rooms/facilities, location, service, restaurants/food, value.
For islands: natural attractions, activities/sights, restaurants/food, people, value.
For cruise lines: cabins, food, service, itineraries/destinations, entertainment/activities, value.
According to a release put out by the territory's national publicity agency, Martin Public Relations, St. John "received especially high marks of distinction. The island ranked first among all other Caribbean destinations for natural attractions; second for activities and sights; third for overall vacation destination; and eighth for overall value. St. Thomas stood out for its activities and sights, and St. Croix was recognized for its restaurants and food."
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.
MAGAZINE READERS LIKE THE RITZ AND CANEEL BAY
Sept. 21, 2002 – Two V.I. resorts placed among the 25 best hotels in the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda in Travel & Leisure magazine's 2002 Readers Poll.
The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas was in 10th spot, and Caneel Bay on St. John was 13th.
The British Virgin Islands claimed three of the six top spots. At the top of the heap, in order: The Reefs in Bermuda, Peter Island Resort in the BVI, Cap Juluca in Anguilla, Biras Creek (Virgin Gorda) in the BVI, the Four Seasons Resort on Nevis, and Little Dix Bay (Virgin Gorda) in the BVI.
One U.S. and one British Virgin Island made it into the top five favorite islands in the region, according to the magazine's poll. The five were, in order, Bermuda, St. Barth's, St. John, Virgin Gorda and Nevis.
The readers ranked as the top 10 cruise lines: Crystal Cruises, Holland America Line, Orient Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Cunard Line, P&O Cruises and Delta Queen Steamboat Co. (While Carnival, which sends the most ships to St. Thomas, didn't make the list, Holland America and Cunard are owned by Carnival Corp.; Celebrity is owned by Royal Caribbean.)
The regional recognition is part of Travel & Leisure's overall World's Best Awards. Results are derived from an online survey made available to the magazine's subscribers, who were provided a unique code in their February and March 2002 issues. Only the questionnaire responses of subscribers who correctly entered their special codes were tallied, and they could complete the survey only once. Through a screening process, responses from identified travel-industry professionals were eliminated from the final tally.
Respondents were asked to rate hotels, islands and airlines as to five characteristics and cruise lines as to six. Ratings for each characteristic were on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 the highest rating. Here are the characteristics:
For hotels: rooms/facilities, location, service, restaurants/food, value.
For islands: natural attractions, activities/sights, restaurants/food, people, value.
For cruise lines: cabins, food, service, itineraries/destinations, entertainment/activities, value.
According to a release put out by the territory's national publicity agency, Martin Public Relations, St. John "received especially high marks of distinction. The island ranked first among all other Caribbean destinations for natural attractions; second for activities and sights; third for overall vacation destination; and eighth for overall value. St. Thomas stood out for its activities and sights, and St. Croix was recognized for its restaurants and food."
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.
The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas was in 10th spot, and Caneel Bay on St. John was 13th.
The British Virgin Islands claimed three of the six top spots. At the top of the heap, in order: The Reefs in Bermuda, Peter Island Resort in the BVI, Cap Juluca in Anguilla, Biras Creek (Virgin Gorda) in the BVI, the Four Seasons Resort on Nevis, and Little Dix Bay (Virgin Gorda) in the BVI.
One U.S. and one British Virgin Island made it into the top five favorite islands in the region, according to the magazine's poll. The five were, in order, Bermuda, St. Barth's, St. John, Virgin Gorda and Nevis.
The readers ranked as the top 10 cruise lines: Crystal Cruises, Holland America Line, Orient Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Cunard Line, P&O Cruises and Delta Queen Steamboat Co. (While Carnival, which sends the most ships to St. Thomas, didn't make the list, Holland America and Cunard are owned by Carnival Corp.; Celebrity is owned by Royal Caribbean.)
The regional recognition is part of Travel & Leisure's overall World's Best Awards. Results are derived from an online survey made available to the magazine's subscribers, who were provided a unique code in their February and March 2002 issues. Only the questionnaire responses of subscribers who correctly entered their special codes were tallied, and they could complete the survey only once. Through a screening process, responses from identified travel-industry professionals were eliminated from the final tally.
Respondents were asked to rate hotels, islands and airlines as to five characteristics and cruise lines as to six. Ratings for each characteristic were on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 the highest rating. Here are the characteristics:
For hotels: rooms/facilities, location, service, restaurants/food, value.
For islands: natural attractions, activities/sights, restaurants/food, people, value.
For cruise lines: cabins, food, service, itineraries/destinations, entertainment/activities, value.
According to a release put out by the territory's national publicity agency, Martin Public Relations, St. John "received especially high marks of distinction. The island ranked first among all other Caribbean destinations for natural attractions; second for activities and sights; third for overall vacation destination; and eighth for overall value. St. Thomas stood out for its activities and sights, and St. Croix was recognized for its restaurants and food."
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.
WAYNE JAMES RUNNING FOR SENATE AS A WRITE-IN
Sept. 21, 2002 – Crucian lawyer, fashion designer and historian Wayne James says he's campaigning for election to the 25th Legislature as a write-in candidate.
That wasn't his initial plan, according to a release he distributed to the media, but it's the option he was left with when "a trusted friend" failed to deliver his completed and notarized documents to the Board of Elections in August while he was abroad.
James won international attention several years ago for the Middle Passage Monument Project he undertook to memorialize the millions of Africans who lost their lives while being transported from their homelands across the Atlantic Ocean to be sold into slavery.
Recently, through his Homeward Bound Foundation, he has been working with contacts in Denmark to bring historic documents of the Danish West Indies, as the Virgin Islands was formerly known, to the territory.
In his release, James said he received a telephone call from Denmark on Aug. 8 that required that he fly to Copenhagen at once "to view some rare documents and film footage pertaining to sugar cane production on St. Croix at the turn of the last century." The material consisted of "items that have never been seen by the general public before," he said, "and I will unveil them to the people of the Virgin Islands later this year."
James said he left his candidacy documents with a friend who assured him they "would be hand-delivered to the Board of Elections." But in the first week of September, while still abroad, he said, he learned that the material was not received by the board by the Aug. 13 filing deadline.
But he said it was a "minor setback" and that he remains "committed to serving and improving my community" and so will run as a write-in candidate for the Senate.
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.
That wasn't his initial plan, according to a release he distributed to the media, but it's the option he was left with when "a trusted friend" failed to deliver his completed and notarized documents to the Board of Elections in August while he was abroad.
James won international attention several years ago for the Middle Passage Monument Project he undertook to memorialize the millions of Africans who lost their lives while being transported from their homelands across the Atlantic Ocean to be sold into slavery.
Recently, through his Homeward Bound Foundation, he has been working with contacts in Denmark to bring historic documents of the Danish West Indies, as the Virgin Islands was formerly known, to the territory.
In his release, James said he received a telephone call from Denmark on Aug. 8 that required that he fly to Copenhagen at once "to view some rare documents and film footage pertaining to sugar cane production on St. Croix at the turn of the last century." The material consisted of "items that have never been seen by the general public before," he said, "and I will unveil them to the people of the Virgin Islands later this year."
James said he left his candidacy documents with a friend who assured him they "would be hand-delivered to the Board of Elections." But in the first week of September, while still abroad, he said, he learned that the material was not received by the board by the Aug. 13 filing deadline.
But he said it was a "minor setback" and that he remains "committed to serving and improving my community" and so will run as a write-in candidate for the Senate.
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.
TROPICAL DEPRESSION 13 IS AN UNCERTAINTY SO FAR
Sept. 21, 2002 – It's too early to tell where Tropical Depression 13 will go, but as of late Saturday afternoon, forecasters were of the opinion that it will be close to Martinique on Tuesday.
However, meteorologist Dan Gregoria said from the National Weather Service office in San Juan, it could veer toward the Virgin Islands. "There's lots of uncertainty," he said.
Tropical Depression 13 is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm during the next couple of days. As of 5 p.m. Saturday, it was centered at 10.4 degrees north latitude and 45.7 degrees west longitude, putting it about 955 miles east of the Lesser Antilles.
Winds were at 35 mph, with gusts to 45 mph. The system was moving west at 17 mph, but Gregoria said it could take a west-northwest tack as it gets closer to the islands. The barometric pressure was 29.79 inches.
Coordinates for the Virgin Islands are 18.3 north and 65 west for St. Thomas, 18.2 north and 64.5 west for St. John, and 17.7 north and 64.8 west for St. Croix.
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.
However, meteorologist Dan Gregoria said from the National Weather Service office in San Juan, it could veer toward the Virgin Islands. "There's lots of uncertainty," he said.
Tropical Depression 13 is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm during the next couple of days. As of 5 p.m. Saturday, it was centered at 10.4 degrees north latitude and 45.7 degrees west longitude, putting it about 955 miles east of the Lesser Antilles.
Winds were at 35 mph, with gusts to 45 mph. The system was moving west at 17 mph, but Gregoria said it could take a west-northwest tack as it gets closer to the islands. The barometric pressure was 29.79 inches.
Coordinates for the Virgin Islands are 18.3 north and 65 west for St. Thomas, 18.2 north and 64.5 west for St. John, and 17.7 north and 64.8 west for St. Croix.
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.
TROPICAL DEPRESSION 13 IS AN UNCERTAINTY SO FAR
Sept. 21, 2002 – It's too early to tell where Tropical Depression 13 will go, but as of late Saturday afternoon, forecasters were of the opinion that it will be close to Martinique on Tuesday.
However, meteorologist Dan Gregoria said from the National Weather Service office in San Juan, it could veer toward the Virgin Islands. "There's lots of uncertainty," he said.
Tropical Depression 13 is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm during the next couple of days. As of 5 p.m. Saturday, it was centered at 10.4 degrees north latitude and 45.7 degrees west longitude, putting it about 955 miles east of the Lesser Antilles.
Winds were at 35 mph, with gusts to 45 mph. The system was moving west at 17 mph, but Gregoria said it could take a west-northwest tack as it gets closer to the islands. The barometric pressure was 29.79 inches.
Coordinates for the Virgin Islands are 18.3 north and 65 west for St. Thomas, 18.2 north and 64.5 west for St. John, and 17.7 north and 64.8 west for St. Croix.
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.
However, meteorologist Dan Gregoria said from the National Weather Service office in San Juan, it could veer toward the Virgin Islands. "There's lots of uncertainty," he said.
Tropical Depression 13 is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm during the next couple of days. As of 5 p.m. Saturday, it was centered at 10.4 degrees north latitude and 45.7 degrees west longitude, putting it about 955 miles east of the Lesser Antilles.
Winds were at 35 mph, with gusts to 45 mph. The system was moving west at 17 mph, but Gregoria said it could take a west-northwest tack as it gets closer to the islands. The barometric pressure was 29.79 inches.
Coordinates for the Virgin Islands are 18.3 north and 65 west for St. Thomas, 18.2 north and 64.5 west for St. John, and 17.7 north and 64.8 west for St. Croix.
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.
TROPICAL DEPRESSION 13 IS AN UNCERTAINTY SO FAR
Sept. 21, 2002 – It's too early to tell where Tropical Depression 13 will go, but as of late Saturday afternoon, forecasters were of the opinion that it will be close to Martinique on Tuesday.
However, meteorologist Dan Gregoria said from the National Weather Service office in San Juan, it could veer toward the Virgin Islands. "There's lots of uncertainty," he said.
Tropical Depression 13 is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm during the next couple of days. As of 5 p.m. Saturday, it was centered at 10.4 degrees north latitude and 45.7 degrees west longitude, putting it about 955 miles east of the Lesser Antilles.
Winds were at 35 mph, with gusts to 45 mph. The system was moving west at 17 mph, but Gregoria said it could take a west-northwest tack as it gets closer to the islands. The barometric pressure was 29.79 inches.
Coordinates for the Virgin Islands are 18.3 north and 65 west for St. Thomas, 18.2 north and 64.5 west for St. John, and 17.7 north and 64.8 west for St. Croix.
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.
However, meteorologist Dan Gregoria said from the National Weather Service office in San Juan, it could veer toward the Virgin Islands. "There's lots of uncertainty," he said.
Tropical Depression 13 is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm during the next couple of days. As of 5 p.m. Saturday, it was centered at 10.4 degrees north latitude and 45.7 degrees west longitude, putting it about 955 miles east of the Lesser Antilles.
Winds were at 35 mph, with gusts to 45 mph. The system was moving west at 17 mph, but Gregoria said it could take a west-northwest tack as it gets closer to the islands. The barometric pressure was 29.79 inches.
Coordinates for the Virgin Islands are 18.3 north and 65 west for St. Thomas, 18.2 north and 64.5 west for St. John, and 17.7 north and 64.8 west for St. Croix.
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.
MEDICAL STAFF SUPPORTS DIALYSIS DOCTOR
Sept. 21, 2002 – When the Juan F. Luis Hospital Board of Trustees meets on Wednesday to deal with a controversy involving Dr. Walter H. Gardiner, it will do so with the knowledge that the hospital medical staff has publicly endorsed the reinstatement of hemodialysis privileges to the St. Croix nephrologist, or kidney disease specialist.
The staff "strongly supports the reinstatement of hemodialysis privileges" for Gardiner, the medical staff said in a statement issued this week. And it "equally supports the current director of the hemodialysis unit, Dr. Charles Perez."
The hospital board voted recently to reinstate Gardiner's privileges, which had been suspended in 1997, but after protests from unit staff and patients, it agreed to put the matter on hold until Wednesday's meeting.
The statement signed by Dr. Michael Potts, president of the hospital medical staff, said the staff "is deeply disturbed over the media circus related to the hemodialysis unit. However, our greatest concern relates to patient care. That the recent events progressed to a stoppage and delay in dialysis is not acceptable."
The current situation, the statement said, is that Perez remains the unit director, and Gardiner "has been granted privileges to dialyze his private patients" at the hospital. Further, it said, "Current dialysis patients will be afforded a choice of nephrologist to administer hemodialysis," but Perez as unit director "is responsible for policies, procedures and protocols related to dialysis in order to ensure uniform, safe treatment of all dialysis patients."
On Sept. 6 and Sept. 9, after being notified by the hospital administration that Gardiner's privileges to dialyze patients had been reinstated, some unit employees and patients protested, forcing the hospital to halt dialysis services. Unit head nurse Lorna Davis submitted her resignation, but the board declined to accept it. On Sept. 9, at the request of the hospital board, the staff returned to work with the promise that Gardiner's return to the unit would be on hold until Wednesday's meeting.
On Sept. 11, Gardiner held a press conference where he accused Raymond "Usie" Richards, an aide to Sen. Adelbert Bryan and a candidate for the Senate, of seeking to discredit him for political purposes. See "Dialysis doctor: Candidate's attack political".
Richards distributed a four-page statement relating to dialysis centers Gardiner had operated on the mainland before coming to the territory. The medical staff statement issued this week said: "Despite implications to the contrary, temporary loss of certification of some of Dr. Gardiner's facilities in Tennessee several years ago is not a reflection of his abilities or expertise as a nephrologist, nor his capabilities in performing dialysis."
The statement pointed out: "The Hospital Board of Trustees is responsible for the reinstatement of privileges. The Medical Executive Committee via the Credentials Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving the credentials of Dr. Gardiner and all physicians within the hospital."
Gardiner was hired by former hospital CEO George McCoy in 1995. Gardiner said at his press conference that McCoy brought him on board to upgrade dialysis unit services to comply with Medicare standards, and that under his direction the unit was certified within the year. He said he was removed because of staff and patient complaints about his "callous" treatment of patients, that he had chosen over the years not to respond to rumors and that his objective has always been to ensure quality patient care.
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The staff "strongly supports the reinstatement of hemodialysis privileges" for Gardiner, the medical staff said in a statement issued this week. And it "equally supports the current director of the hemodialysis unit, Dr. Charles Perez."
The hospital board voted recently to reinstate Gardiner's privileges, which had been suspended in 1997, but after protests from unit staff and patients, it agreed to put the matter on hold until Wednesday's meeting.
The statement signed by Dr. Michael Potts, president of the hospital medical staff, said the staff "is deeply disturbed over the media circus related to the hemodialysis unit. However, our greatest concern relates to patient care. That the recent events progressed to a stoppage and delay in dialysis is not acceptable."
The current situation, the statement said, is that Perez remains the unit director, and Gardiner "has been granted privileges to dialyze his private patients" at the hospital. Further, it said, "Current dialysis patients will be afforded a choice of nephrologist to administer hemodialysis," but Perez as unit director "is responsible for policies, procedures and protocols related to dialysis in order to ensure uniform, safe treatment of all dialysis patients."
On Sept. 6 and Sept. 9, after being notified by the hospital administration that Gardiner's privileges to dialyze patients had been reinstated, some unit employees and patients protested, forcing the hospital to halt dialysis services. Unit head nurse Lorna Davis submitted her resignation, but the board declined to accept it. On Sept. 9, at the request of the hospital board, the staff returned to work with the promise that Gardiner's return to the unit would be on hold until Wednesday's meeting.
On Sept. 11, Gardiner held a press conference where he accused Raymond "Usie" Richards, an aide to Sen. Adelbert Bryan and a candidate for the Senate, of seeking to discredit him for political purposes. See "Dialysis doctor: Candidate's attack political".
Richards distributed a four-page statement relating to dialysis centers Gardiner had operated on the mainland before coming to the territory. The medical staff statement issued this week said: "Despite implications to the contrary, temporary loss of certification of some of Dr. Gardiner's facilities in Tennessee several years ago is not a reflection of his abilities or expertise as a nephrologist, nor his capabilities in performing dialysis."
The statement pointed out: "The Hospital Board of Trustees is responsible for the reinstatement of privileges. The Medical Executive Committee via the Credentials Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving the credentials of Dr. Gardiner and all physicians within the hospital."
Gardiner was hired by former hospital CEO George McCoy in 1995. Gardiner said at his press conference that McCoy brought him on board to upgrade dialysis unit services to comply with Medicare standards, and that under his direction the unit was certified within the year. He said he was removed because of staff and patient complaints about his "callous" treatment of patients, that he had chosen over the years not to respond to rumors and that his objective has always been to ensure quality patient care.
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.
ISSUANCE OFFICES ON ST.CROIX TEMPORARY CLOSING
Sept. 21, 2002 – Food stamp recipients are informed that the Food Stamp Issuance Offices in St. Croix will be closed for staff attendance for EBT conversion training.
The closing scedule:
Christiansted – all day Monday, Sept. 23
11 a.m on Tuesday, Sept. 24
Frederiksted – 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 23
All day on Tuesday, Sept. 24
For information call Financial Programs Division at 773-6050 in Christiansted and 773-0085 in Frederiksted.
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The closing scedule:
Christiansted – all day Monday, Sept. 23
11 a.m on Tuesday, Sept. 24
Frederiksted – 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 23
All day on Tuesday, Sept. 24
For information call Financial Programs Division at 773-6050 in Christiansted and 773-0085 in Frederiksted.
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.
