Epifanio Benitez Santos, age 66, of Work & Rest, passed away on Sunday, June 30, at his residence. Funeral servces will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 6, at Iglesia Hermanos Unidos en Cristo at #37 New Castle Coakley. Viewing will begin at 9 a.m. Interment will be at the Kinghill Cemetery.
He is survived by his daughter Petrin A. Adams; step-daughter Nelly Rivers; sons Orlando, Eddie, Epifanio Jr., Luis and Wilfredo; 10 grandchildren; sisters Maria Ramirez and Dolores Pereira; brothers Lionel and Cruz Pereira; and other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.
Professional services are entrusted to James Memborial Funeral Home Inc.

Sylvia Navarro, age 61, of Catherines Rest, passed away on Sunday, June 30, at the Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital. Her funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 8, at the Ebenezer Methodist Church. Viewing will begin at 9 a.m., interment will follow the service at the Kingshill Cemetery.
She is survived by her husband Sixto Penero Navarro; daughters Shirley Navarro-Simon and Sonia Navarro; stepdaughters Ana Iris Pinero and Delores Hernandez; sons Ludrick Donovan and Wayne Navarro; step-son Sixto Pinero, Jr.; 16 grandchildren; brothers Donold Donovan, Reginald Donovan and Glanville Donovan; other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.
The family is requesting that you wear cheerful colors and no mournful ones.
Professional arrangements are entrusted to the James Memorial Funeral Home Inc.

July 3, 2002 – Radio listeners would tune in daily to hear the strong opinions of "the Mayor of Gallows Bay" as she offered insights into the workings of the government, leading many protests of injustice. That voice was stilled Tuesday morning when Jessica Tutein Moolenaar died at her home on the "bay side" of St. Croix after a long fight with breast cancer. She was 77.
The talk shows of the late Randall "Doc" James and of Mario Moorhead were two of her favorites. She would sit in her rocking chair in her living room with a full view of the bay she loved and call in to discuss her concerns and, of course, put in her two cents worth of what should be done about them.
On Saturday mornings, she would taunt guests on Abdul Ali's show, who were fair game for her unabashed antics. Athniel "Addie" Ottley would chuckle as he fielded her candid views on his radio program.
On learning of her death yesterday, some St. Croix radio stations changed their program formats in her honor to field calls and read e-mails of condolences to her family. WRRA, which hosts Moorhead's show, broadcast spirituals in her memory.
Visitors to Moolenaar's living room over the years included the late senator Ruby M. Rouss, her confidant; Sen. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen, a family friend; and her late childhood friend Gabriel Williams, "the Mayor of La Vallee."
"My husband and Jessica would be on the phone for hours," Johanna Williams recalled Tuesday. "I would make sure I placed my calls before they started."
Hansen called Moolenaar "a defender of truth and justice" in a radio interview. "She was there for the poor and the needy. Jess was there for anyone that needed a voice but could not speak for themselves."
Although some feared crossing "Jessie," most respected her deep love for her island. Her strong, recognizable Crucian dialect bellowed with a smooth, slow drawl. "Dooooc, leh me aks yu sumting bout dat," she would say. When she walked into a room and demanded what she wanted, one hoped to address her concerns or answer her call, because you didn't want hear her talking about it on the next radio program.
A strong champion for the conservation of the marine life and her beloved fishing community, Jessica, as she was fondly known and respected, never faltered in fighting for the causes she believed in. Six feet tall, she was a towering golden image of beauty with long shiny black locks, and a lady. And she was a woman of the sea, ready to start an outboard engine, haul up fish pots, scale the day's catch at the bayside — and most ready to light a coal pot and feed all who awaited her culinary delights, maybe fish soup or conch stew.
"The first thing I think about is growing up around her. She helped our parents raise us all," her 23-year-old granddaughter Narcisse Bascombe said. "She always wanted the best for everybody." Speaking tearfully from the home of her mother, Marla, in Gallows Bay, she said her grandmother always had a lesson of life for family.
Once, Bascombe recalled, when she asked her grandmother for some money, Moolenaar agreed to see that she got it. But on the day the money was to be handed over, she took her granddaughter to the bank for a two-year loan. "She guided me to become an independent woman. I learned responsibility," Bascombe said.
On Saturday mawnins and after working hours, community residents, political aspirants and island visitors alike would flock to her bayside bar affixed to the west side of her home to savor some libations, discuss the politics of the day or just watch the sun set behind Protestant Cay. If you wanted to know what was happening, Jessica's was the spot to find out.
On Tuesday night, the Crucian Christmas Fiesta Committee honored Moolenaar at its Old-Fashioned Tea Party in the illuminated Fort Frederik Museum courtyard with a choral spiritual and a standing ovation for her support of festival activities over the years. Friends recalled that after parades in Christiansted town passed the Gallows Bay area heading to the finale in David C. Canegata Ballpark, the road for more than a few would lead back to the bay and her home for "last lap" activities. Moolenaar was the first festival queen, in 1954.
In June, the Legislature approved and the governor signed Act No.6525, honoring Moolenaar for her contributions and naming the Gallows Bay parking lot constructed on Lobster Lane in her honor.
The act states that Moolenaar was the fifth child born to Melissa Harrigan and Phillip Bornn Tutein, on Aug. 23, 1924, and that she attended the Danish School, now the site of Florence A.S. Williams Library on King Street in Christiansted.
She spent her whole life around the Gallows Bay port that was a popular stop for mariners sailing the Caribbean. Her father, a fisherman, allowed her as a child to tag along on his daily adventures to provide meals for his family and customers, and she learned boating, fishing, boat building and repair and fish pot-making at an early age. And she would tackle any guys who got in her way, so she was highly respected within the boating community.
Later, residents would look forward to annual activities chaired and hosted by Moolenaar and the "Gallows Bayans," a group of families and longtime residents who would return for the events. Cheers could be heard as she would leap into the harbor for a three-mile swim to the Hotel on the Cay in the Christiansted harbor and back to Gallows Bay. Outstroking many a competitor, she would emerge from the bay, squeeze the salty water from her wavy hair and smile.
Moolenaar was active in the wider community as well. As a member of the Parole Board, she would urge the community not only to punish offenders but also to ensure that their rehabilitation would be of the utmost importance. She felt that the incarcerated men of her community had been neglected in the education system and wanted to see them motivated to become productive citizens.
She was a founding member of the Women's League of St. Croix, a member of the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce, and a Constitutional Convention delegate, among other community involvements. Lawrence Bastian, American Legion district commander, thanked her for supporting the organization, "on behalf of all veterans of the Virgin Islands."
She was an active member of Lord God of Sabaoth Lutheran Church. "I could see Jessica right now sitting in her spot," retired nurse and church member Rita Phillips said, recalling that Moolenaar had her special seat at sevices every Saturday night.
Moolenaar was married to Halver Moolenaar. Although she was the mother of seven and the adoptive mother of many more, a visitor could always have a meal or sleep in a bed or camp on the porch of her home. She is survived by her husband; her children, Roxanne, Brenda, Roslyn, Ingrid, Marla, Roland and Magda; 28 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 9, at Lord God of Sabbath Lutheran Church. Arrangements are by Thomas/Hyll Memorial Chapel.

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The Virgin islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency will host a Hurricane Awareness/Disaster Mitigation Fair at Sunny Isle.
VITEMA's focus this year is on bringing the community and business owners together in preparation for the hurricane season.
for further information contact VITEMA at 773-2244.

EXEMPT SALARY CHANGES SUMMARY – UPPER LEVEL
Pursuant to Executive Order No. 401-2001
Department (No. of Changed Employees) –
…………………….….Current $$ / Proposed $$ / Increase $$ / %Change
Adjutant General (5). . . . 260,000 . . . . . . 340,000 . . . 80,000 . . . 30.77%
Agriculture (3) . . . . . . . . 173,500 . . . . . . 225,000 . . . 51,500 . . . 29.68%
Education (18) . . . . . . .1,086,648 . . . . .1,326,000 . . 238,152 . . . 21.91%
Finance (6) . . . . . . . . . . . 363,000 . . . . . . 442,000 . . . 79,000 . . . 21.76%
Fire Service (1). . . . . . . . . 65,000 . . . . . . . 85,000 . . . 20,000 . . . 30.77%
Health (15) . . . . . . . . . . . 937,825 . . . . .1,077,250 . . 139,425 . . . 14.87%
Housing, P&R (5). . . . . . 268,000 . . . . . . 345,000 . . . 77.000 . . . 28.73%
Human Services (5) . . . . 298,000 . . . . . . 375,000 . . . 77,000 . . . 25.84%
Inspector General (2) . . . 125,000 . . . . . . 169,000 . . . 44,000 . . . 35.20%
Internal Revenue (3). . . . 174,000 . . . . . . 234,000 . . . 61,000 . . . 35.06%
Justice (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . 210,000 . . . . . . 254,200 . . . 43,700 . . . 20.76%
LEPC (2). . . . . . . . . . . . . 126,000 . . . . . . 150,000 . . . 24,000 . . . 19.05%
Labor (4). . . . . . . . . . . . . 239,500 . . . . . . 395,000 . . . 55,500 . . . 23.17%
Licensing & CA (2) . . . . 128,000 . . . . . . 155,000 . . . 27,000 . . . 21.09%
Lottery (1). . . . . . . . . . . . . 58,000 . . . . . . . 75,000 . . . 17,000 . . . 29.31%
Lt. Gov. Office (2) . . . . . 125,000 . . . . . . 145,000 . . . 20,000 . . . 16.00%
Mgt. and Budget (8). . . . 464,200 . . . . . . 596,000 . . .131,800 . . . 28.39%
Ofc. Coll. Barg. (1). . . . . . 65,000 . . . . . . . 85,000. . . . 20,000 . . . 30.77%
Ofc. of Governor (21). .1,336,500 . . . . .1,660,500. . . 324,000 . . . 24.24%
Personnel (3) . . . . . . . . . 176,000. . . . . . . 235,000. . . . 59,000 . . . 33.52%
Planning&NR (2). . . . . . 125,000. . . . . . . 165,000. . . . 40,000 . . . 32.00%
Police (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . 180,000. . . . . . . 244,000. . . . 64,000 . . . 35.55%
Prop. & Proc. (6) . . . . . . 340,000. . . . . . . 397,000. . . . 57,000 . . . 16.75%
Public Works (6) . . . . . . 313,000. . . . . . . 400,000. . . . 87,000 . . . 27.80%
Tourism (2) . . . . . . . . . . 123,000. . . . . . . 165,000. . . . 42,000 . . . 34.15%
Veterans' Affairs (2) . . . 110,000. . . . . . . 135,000. . . . 25,000 . . . 22.73%
Totals
Upper Level (131). . . . 7,870,873 . . . . .9,774,950. . 1,904,077. . . 24.19%
Total Increase . . . . . . . . . 1,904,077.00
Fringe (22.65%) . . . . . . . . .431.273.44
TOTAL Increased Cost . 2,335,350.44
…………………….….Current $$ / Proposed $$ / Increase $$ / %Change
Average Increase . . . . . . 60,083 . . . . . 74,518 . . . . . . 14,535 . . . 24.19%
Fringe (22.65%). . . . . . . 13,609 . . . . . 16,901 . . . . . . . 3,292 . . . 24.19%
Total
Increased Average Cost. 73,692 . . . . . 91,519 . . . . . . .17,827 . . . 24.19%

July 2, 2002 – Twenty federal and local law-enforcement officers raided the Campo Rico community around 3 p.m. Tuesday, detaining 12 individuals and seizing cocaine, crack, marijuana and a handgun, according to a spokesman for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.
Authorities said the action was taken after complaints from neighborhood residents of illicit activities taking place in the area.
The HIDTA spokesman, who asked not to be named, said one person was arrested in connection with the seizures and that the investigation is continuing.
He said the agents had five search warrants that were obtained after authorities had received complaints of drugs being distributed openly. Most of the detainees "were not from that area," he said. "They were just peddling their wares, so to speak."
The HIDTA team included officers from the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S. Marshals Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the V.I. Police Department Special Response Team.
The spokesman thanked concerned Campo Rico residents for being "the eyes and ears" in their neighborhoods and urged others to assist law-enforcement agencies with cleaning up V.I. communities. "We are limited in staff, but they do a great job," he said of the HIDTA team.
He asked that anyone with information concerning illegal activity call the HIDTA Anonymous Tip Line telephone number, 713-1497. Callers are not required to identify themselves, he said.

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July 2, 2002 – St. Thomas conservationists, environmentalists, beach lovers and visitors could breathe a sigh of relief with Tuesday's announcement by The Nature Conservancy that it, along with the Virgin Islands government, has purchased 228 acres of land around and above Magens Bay for use as a nature preserve and wildlife refuge.
It was a deal 20 years in the making which ultimately involved the purchase of the property known as the Wheaton Estate for a price below market value.
When combined with the existing public property at Magens Bay, the preserve will total 318 acres stretching from the beach all the way up to the road below Louisenhoj Castle. It will include the Drake's Seat overlook and the western end of Magens Bay Beach, which had been privately owned.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull said his staff had been working for three years to acquire the land on the hills above the mile-long strip of white sand and palm trees that is the most popular beach on St. Thomas for both residents and visitors to the territory.
The V.I. government and its Magens Bay Authority will own about 120 acres of the land, and The Nature Conservancy, a national environmental organization, will own the remainder. The Nature Conservancy and the government have an agreement to hold the newly purchased land as a nature preserve, with development to be limited to a few hiking trails and archeological sites, Turnbull said Tuesday.
"Magens Bay will now remain forever undeveloped," he said at a ceremony in one of the picnic sheds at the beach. "The people of the Virgin Islands now own all of the land from one end of the beach to the other, and from the road above to the water's edge."
He also said, "I am going to strongly insist to the commissioner of Education that every school child in the Virgin Islands be given an opportunity to take the tour once the trails are completed."
More than 500,000 people visit Magens Bay each year, according to Robert Weary, director of The Nature Conservancy's programs in the Virgin Islands. The environmental group saw a need to protect the hillside above the beach from development, as the forest prevents erosion that could lower water quality in the bay, he said.
"These upland forests protect the beach itself," Weary said. "Magens Bay, beyond being one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, is also home to sea turtles, coral and all sorts of marine life."
The government will now control the Drake's Seat overlook. The deeds to the land prohibit any commercial activity in the area, according to Planning and Natural Resources Commissioner Dean Plaskett. Vendors who had been operating at the site protested vehemently when they were ordered to leave two years ago, but government agencies and court rulings repeatedly held that they did not have a right to sell their wares at the overlook.
The nature preserve's archeological sites include Arawak camps and slave quarters from a former plantation, Turnbull said.
The Nature Conservancy paid about $5.75 million for the land, then sold the government its share for about $2.5 million, Weary said. The Nature Conservancy also sold about 40 acres on the edge of the preserve to a developer for $2.1 million to help finance the overall project, Weary added.
He said the land sold to the developer will be for single-family homes on large lots, which will keep environmental impacts to a minimum. "It's sort of like cutting off your toe to save your whole foot," he said of the decision to sell a small part of the land for development in order to help finance the larger purchase.
The Nature Conservancy hopes to recover most of the rest of the money through local fund-raising efforts, Weary added.
The government's share of the cost came from the Land Bank Fund, which has existed for about 15 years to allow the government to make real estate purchases, according to Paul Gimenez, the governor's chief legal counsel. The fund regularly has been plundered to pay for other government expenses in the past, he noted, adding that the Magens Bay purchase has completely depleted the fund for now.
Weary said the cost of the land was below market value because the seller, Christine Wheaton, wanted to preserve the property in memory of her late husband, Homer Wheaton.
The couple had inherited the property from Homer Wheaton's uncle, Arthur Fairchild, who in the 1940s deeded the property at Magens Bay Beach to the people of the Virgin Islands. Fairchild, an avid arboriculturist, had imported and planted trees from around the world on the land behind the beach known as the Aubrey Nelthropp Arboretum.
The beach is managed by the Magens Bay Authority. Edmund Penn, authority chair, said he had been worried for years that the land above and adjacent to the beach could be sold to developers of a major resort. In fact, he said, he had met with Christine Wheaton "right there at the concession" to talk about how to protect the bay.
"It was a real possibility to see this property developed," he said, adding how pleased he is that the land will now be preserved in its pristine state. "We've wanted to see this happen for years," he said.

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Donald E. Christopher, Jr. died on Saturday, June 29. Funeral services are pending.
He is survived by his mother Earla A. Sewer; father Donald E. Christopher, Sr.; brother Dylan Christopher; adopted brother Fritz Boynes, Sr.; sisters Deborah Christopher Charles, Donna Christopher Charles and Dureen Christopher; and many other friends and relatives too numerous to mention.
Arrangements are entrusted to Creque's Funeral Home Inc.

Donald E. Christopher, Jr. died on Thursday, June 27. Funeral services are pending.
He is survived by his mother Earla A. Sewer; father Donald E. Christopher, Sr.; brother Dylan Christopher; adopted brother fritz boynes, Sr.; sisters Deborah Christopher Charles, Donna Christopher Charles and Dureen Christopher; many other friends and relatives too numerous to mention.
Arrangements are entrusted to Creque's Funeral Home, Inc.

The Charlotte Amalie Class of 1995 will hold an emergency meeting at the Palm Courts Harbour View Hotel.
For more information call any of the class officers.