July 12, 2001 – Locally infamous prisoner Bradley "Hurtie" Maxwell is the first criminal to be enrolled in the recently launched VI Project Exile. Attorney General Iver Stridiron said Maxwell was shipped to a Virginia prison on Tuesday, the same day the program was announced.
The project sends anyone convicted of committing a gun crime, or possessing an illegal weapon, to a mainland prison. The "Red Onion" prison in Virginia, where Maxwell was sent, is reputedly one of the toughest prisons in the United States, with as much as a 24-hour daily lockdown.
Maxwell, who escaped from jail once on St. Thomas and once on St. Croix, was sentenced by Territorial Court Judge Brenda J. Hollar last year to 30 years in prison for killing bar owner John Alfred Adams in 1997, and an additional five years for escaping jail.
Stridiron said the cost is about the same, $65 a day, to house prisoners here or on the mainland. He said four more cases will be sent away shortly, though he declined to name names for security reasons.
"This thing is serious," he said. "We are also enforcing laws about bringing guns into the territory."
He said the V.I. Port Authority is being instructed to warn incoming boat traffic about penalties for bringing weapons in.
FIRE DESTROYS KITCHEN AT MARGARITA'S
July 12, 2001 – A fire of unknown origin destroyed the kitchen and caused serious smoke and water damage to Margarita's Mexican Eatery in Cruz Bay early Thursday morning.
The restaurant, specializing in Mexican cuisine and margarita drinks, opened just under two years ago in the spot previously occupied by Luscious Licks. It is owned by Phil Hoffman of St. John.
The restaurant had been closed for several days while Hoffman spent time refurbishing and "cleaning and making it beautiful," according to his wife, Helen, who also owns a business, Cruz Bay Clothing, at Wharfside Village.
She said she and her husband were "in shock" but planned on rebuilding the restaurant, which she said was Hoffman's "baby."
"We had just completed our collection of tequila," she said, and she had just bought several new cookbooks for her husband. But, she added, "I am just very thankful no one was hurt."
Fire Inspector Wayne Crooke said an investigation into the cause of the fire, which started in the kitchen, will continue for at least a week. "We have pinpointed where the fire started, but we want to be absolutely certain of the cause before we make any statements," he said.
Crooke said inspectors were working "through a process of elimination" and that the possibility of arson had not been ruled out.
Four fire trucks responded to the blaze, three from the Cruz Bay Fire Station and one from Romeo Company in Coral Bay, after being called by police. The restaurant had no fire alarm but did have a burglar alarm, according to Crooke, so police were the first to find out about the blaze, which started about 2:30 a.m.
Several nearby business people and Crooke noted, however, that Fire Services responded very quickly and minimized the damage.
"When you have a wooden structure, it would be easy for it to be completely destroyed," Crooke said. But only the kitchen was a total loss, and there was no fire damage to adjacent buildings and businesses.
One such business, Coki, Coki, situated in front of Margarita's on the street, had a melted gutter but no damage to the store itself, one observer said.
However, smoke and water caused substantial damage to the bar area of the restaurant.
Kate Norfleet, whose design business, Kate N Design, is directly above the restaurant, said her office had suffered no apparent damage.
"I feel really lucky," she said. "His ceiling is my floor."
However, the power had not yet been turned back on in the complex, which also houses St. John Editions, a clothing store, so Norfleet wasn't able to determine whether there was any damage to her computer equipment.
"But when I came in, the UPS's [backup uninterruptible power source units] were bleeping," she said, calling that a good sign.
The structure is wood and cement, Crooke said.
The restaurant, specializing in Mexican cuisine and margarita drinks, opened just under two years ago in the spot previously occupied by Luscious Licks. It is owned by Phil Hoffman of St. John.
The restaurant had been closed for several days while Hoffman spent time refurbishing and "cleaning and making it beautiful," according to his wife, Helen, who also owns a business, Cruz Bay Clothing, at Wharfside Village.
She said she and her husband were "in shock" but planned on rebuilding the restaurant, which she said was Hoffman's "baby."
"We had just completed our collection of tequila," she said, and she had just bought several new cookbooks for her husband. But, she added, "I am just very thankful no one was hurt."
Fire Inspector Wayne Crooke said an investigation into the cause of the fire, which started in the kitchen, will continue for at least a week. "We have pinpointed where the fire started, but we want to be absolutely certain of the cause before we make any statements," he said.
Crooke said inspectors were working "through a process of elimination" and that the possibility of arson had not been ruled out.
Four fire trucks responded to the blaze, three from the Cruz Bay Fire Station and one from Romeo Company in Coral Bay, after being called by police. The restaurant had no fire alarm but did have a burglar alarm, according to Crooke, so police were the first to find out about the blaze, which started about 2:30 a.m.
Several nearby business people and Crooke noted, however, that Fire Services responded very quickly and minimized the damage.
"When you have a wooden structure, it would be easy for it to be completely destroyed," Crooke said. But only the kitchen was a total loss, and there was no fire damage to adjacent buildings and businesses.
One such business, Coki, Coki, situated in front of Margarita's on the street, had a melted gutter but no damage to the store itself, one observer said.
However, smoke and water caused substantial damage to the bar area of the restaurant.
Kate Norfleet, whose design business, Kate N Design, is directly above the restaurant, said her office had suffered no apparent damage.
"I feel really lucky," she said. "His ceiling is my floor."
However, the power had not yet been turned back on in the complex, which also houses St. John Editions, a clothing store, so Norfleet wasn't able to determine whether there was any damage to her computer equipment.
"But when I came in, the UPS's [backup uninterruptible power source units] were bleeping," she said, calling that a good sign.
The structure is wood and cement, Crooke said.
GUN CONTROL BILL MOVES ON TO RULES
July 12, 2001 – A bill dramatically increasing penalties for gun possession was unanimously approved by the Government Operations, Planning and Environmental Protection committee Thursday.
The bill comes on the heels of federal and local VI Project Exile, which was launched Tuesday and will send anyone committing a gun crime or possessing an illegal weapon to a mainland prison.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Emmett Hansen II, will increase the fine for illegal gun possession from $1,000 to $5,000 and imprisonment from two years to five years maximum. Second offenses go from a fine of $2,000 to $10,000 and imprisonment of not more than 15 years.
If an illegal firearm is carried by a felon or used in a crime of violence the fine goes from $10,000 to $25,000, with imprisonment from 15 to 20 years. A machine gun used in a violent crime is raised from a fine of $12,000 to $50,000 with 20 years imprisonment.
Though they did not appear at the hearing, the territory's top police brass sent letters strongly endorsing the bill.
Attorney General Iver Stridiron testified on the measure, pointing out language in the legislation which could cause confusion, which Hansen and other senators addressed in several amendments. Stridiron, who helped spearhead the Exile program, heartily endorsed the measure overall.
Appearing with Stridiron was a Garden Street resident who spoke eloquently for her neighborhood. Pastor Toy Barbel Smith of the International Gospel Center of St. Thomas told the senators she was heartsick to hear the Garden Street area called the "worst in St. Thomas to live in."
Garden Street, a once peaceful neighborhood, has been the scene of two recent gun murders and other street violence.
"People are afraid to come out at night," Smith said, "but nobody is going to run me from where I live." Smith is a member of the recently formed Garden Street Neighborhood committee. "Certain people have been attacking my vehicle," she said, "but I am not afraid. God will take care of me. Although it's guns the bill is about, it's actually about people."
Hansen lamented, "Guns have become fashion accessories. It's sad we have to rehabilitate from without. I can't make anyone behave any more than I can make anyone love me."
The amended bill also imposes stiff fines for bringing unlicensed firearms into the territory, and includes an amendment by Sen. Norma Pickard-Samuel sharply increasing the fine for not reporting a licensed firearm from $100 and a six-month jail term to $5,000 and three years imprisonment.
Though Hansen was pleased about the legislation, he said it was "the most unfortunate piece of legislation I've brought forward."
The only senators not signed on as co-sponsors on the bill were Adelbert Bryan, Alicia "Chucky" Hansen and Norma Pickard-Samuel, who Hansen said will no doubt sign on before the bill reaches the Rules Committee, where it is now headed.
Attending the meeting were committee members Sens. Donald "Ducks" Cole, chairman, Carlton Dowe, Adelbert Bryan, Celestino A. White Sr., David Jones and Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg. Sen. Roosevelt David was excused.
Non-committee members present were Sens. Hansen and Pickard-Samuel.
It was a remarkably cordial meeting about a violent subject. The senators put aside their differences and did the business at hand.
Money from the fines will go into a police crime fighting and equipment fund.
The bill comes on the heels of federal and local VI Project Exile, which was launched Tuesday and will send anyone committing a gun crime or possessing an illegal weapon to a mainland prison.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Emmett Hansen II, will increase the fine for illegal gun possession from $1,000 to $5,000 and imprisonment from two years to five years maximum. Second offenses go from a fine of $2,000 to $10,000 and imprisonment of not more than 15 years.
If an illegal firearm is carried by a felon or used in a crime of violence the fine goes from $10,000 to $25,000, with imprisonment from 15 to 20 years. A machine gun used in a violent crime is raised from a fine of $12,000 to $50,000 with 20 years imprisonment.
Though they did not appear at the hearing, the territory's top police brass sent letters strongly endorsing the bill.
Attorney General Iver Stridiron testified on the measure, pointing out language in the legislation which could cause confusion, which Hansen and other senators addressed in several amendments. Stridiron, who helped spearhead the Exile program, heartily endorsed the measure overall.
Appearing with Stridiron was a Garden Street resident who spoke eloquently for her neighborhood. Pastor Toy Barbel Smith of the International Gospel Center of St. Thomas told the senators she was heartsick to hear the Garden Street area called the "worst in St. Thomas to live in."
Garden Street, a once peaceful neighborhood, has been the scene of two recent gun murders and other street violence.
"People are afraid to come out at night," Smith said, "but nobody is going to run me from where I live." Smith is a member of the recently formed Garden Street Neighborhood committee. "Certain people have been attacking my vehicle," she said, "but I am not afraid. God will take care of me. Although it's guns the bill is about, it's actually about people."
Hansen lamented, "Guns have become fashion accessories. It's sad we have to rehabilitate from without. I can't make anyone behave any more than I can make anyone love me."
The amended bill also imposes stiff fines for bringing unlicensed firearms into the territory, and includes an amendment by Sen. Norma Pickard-Samuel sharply increasing the fine for not reporting a licensed firearm from $100 and a six-month jail term to $5,000 and three years imprisonment.
Though Hansen was pleased about the legislation, he said it was "the most unfortunate piece of legislation I've brought forward."
The only senators not signed on as co-sponsors on the bill were Adelbert Bryan, Alicia "Chucky" Hansen and Norma Pickard-Samuel, who Hansen said will no doubt sign on before the bill reaches the Rules Committee, where it is now headed.
Attending the meeting were committee members Sens. Donald "Ducks" Cole, chairman, Carlton Dowe, Adelbert Bryan, Celestino A. White Sr., David Jones and Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg. Sen. Roosevelt David was excused.
Non-committee members present were Sens. Hansen and Pickard-Samuel.
It was a remarkably cordial meeting about a violent subject. The senators put aside their differences and did the business at hand.
Money from the fines will go into a police crime fighting and equipment fund.
FRIENDS OF PARK HAS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
July 12, 2001 – The Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park announced Thursday that its new resident executive director, Joe Kessler, has accepted the operational reins of the organization. Kessler replaces John Garrison who left the full-time position in April for a role with the Trust for Public Lands in Florida.
"John contacted me in Africa about this position," Kessler said. "We're long-time friends from my Peace Corps days. I first visited St. John in 1973, during a break in my Peace Corps training in Puerto Rico."
It was to be the first of many visits.
"My wife, Cristina, and I have enjoyed visiting St. John numerous times over the past 28 years," Kessler said. "I was ready for a professional change and coming here is the right combination of challenging work in a culture and setting of natural beauty that I have appreciated for years."
Kessler brings more than 19 years of non-profit management experience with him. For the past 14 years he was country director for CARE, the international aid organization, residing most recently in the city of Bamako in the West African nation of Mali. Kessler led CARE’s efforts in five African countries and Mexico. Before joining CARE in 1981, he spent five years in the Peace Corps in Central and South America and Africa. Kessler has been involved in a wide variety of projects including several successful environmental conservation efforts, according to a release from the Friends.
In the midst of its 10th year, the Friends group is the Virgin Islands National Park’s official fund-raising partner. The group raises funds from private sources to support park projects in the areas of environmental education, natural resource protection, cultural preservation, scientific research, long-range planning and upgrading facilities.
Kessler knows that he’s joined a stable, successful organization, but there is always more that can be done.
"In addition to fund-raising," he said, "I’ll be spending some time in Washington D.C., in my role as an advocate for the Virgin Islands National Park to ensure that our park gets the support that it needs. I will also devote attention to increasing the Friends’ constituency among the larger V.I. community and look for ways to broaden community participation in the organization."
"Joe has the knowledge, experience and approachable demeanor that will assure his success with the Friends," said board chairman John Fuller.
"We’re delighted to have Joe here. He brings a new perspective on what we do and he has a commitment to becoming a part of the St. John community that will be a real benefit to the Friends," said board secretary Christie O’Neil.
Kessler will start his new job by meeting with the 13 Friends board members and many of the principal Friends partners. Next, he will begin working on current Friends projects, including organizing the volunteer cleanup of park property on Hassel Island and the installation of boat moorings in the Hurricane Hole section of the newly designated Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument.
"John contacted me in Africa about this position," Kessler said. "We're long-time friends from my Peace Corps days. I first visited St. John in 1973, during a break in my Peace Corps training in Puerto Rico."
It was to be the first of many visits.
"My wife, Cristina, and I have enjoyed visiting St. John numerous times over the past 28 years," Kessler said. "I was ready for a professional change and coming here is the right combination of challenging work in a culture and setting of natural beauty that I have appreciated for years."
Kessler brings more than 19 years of non-profit management experience with him. For the past 14 years he was country director for CARE, the international aid organization, residing most recently in the city of Bamako in the West African nation of Mali. Kessler led CARE’s efforts in five African countries and Mexico. Before joining CARE in 1981, he spent five years in the Peace Corps in Central and South America and Africa. Kessler has been involved in a wide variety of projects including several successful environmental conservation efforts, according to a release from the Friends.
In the midst of its 10th year, the Friends group is the Virgin Islands National Park’s official fund-raising partner. The group raises funds from private sources to support park projects in the areas of environmental education, natural resource protection, cultural preservation, scientific research, long-range planning and upgrading facilities.
Kessler knows that he’s joined a stable, successful organization, but there is always more that can be done.
"In addition to fund-raising," he said, "I’ll be spending some time in Washington D.C., in my role as an advocate for the Virgin Islands National Park to ensure that our park gets the support that it needs. I will also devote attention to increasing the Friends’ constituency among the larger V.I. community and look for ways to broaden community participation in the organization."
"Joe has the knowledge, experience and approachable demeanor that will assure his success with the Friends," said board chairman John Fuller.
"We’re delighted to have Joe here. He brings a new perspective on what we do and he has a commitment to becoming a part of the St. John community that will be a real benefit to the Friends," said board secretary Christie O’Neil.
Kessler will start his new job by meeting with the 13 Friends board members and many of the principal Friends partners. Next, he will begin working on current Friends projects, including organizing the volunteer cleanup of park property on Hassel Island and the installation of boat moorings in the Hurricane Hole section of the newly designated Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument.
U.S. POLICE UNION WORRIED ABOUT MISSING COP
July 12, 2001 — The International Union of Police Associations is not only concerned about the recent disappearance of a St. Croix police officer, but the overall condition of law enforcement in the territory.
The disappearance of Cpl. Wendell Williams, missing for more than three weeks, underscores the lack of government support for police officers, said Rich Roberts, IUPA spokesman. That is essentially the position held by the association’s local chapter, the St. Croix Police Benevolent Association.
"We have several concerns" about the Virgin Islands relayed by PBA members, Roberts said. Those include a lack of equipment and low pay.
But it is the case of the missing officer that has spurred the IUPA into action. Williams disappeared in mid-June after dropping a relative off at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport. He hasn’t been seen since. What was initially a missing-person case was upgraded to a criminal investigation at the end of June with the discovery of Williams' burned vehicle.
"When something happens to an officer we all pay very close attention," Roberts said. "We have been getting reports from the Virgin Islands that concern us . . . We’re determined to find out more about that."
In so doing, the IUPA sent a letter to Delegate to Congress Donna Christian Christensen on Tuesday asking her to request a congressional oversight hearing on "what is developing as a very grim picture of law enforcement in the U.S.V.I," according to a statement released by the organization on Thursday.
Although Christensen said she hasn’t received the letter, she was cool to the idea of requesting such hearings. She said she has been in contact with several federal law enforcement agencies on matters concerning the territory, such as drug trafficking.
"We’ll do whatever we can . . . and make contact with the IUPA because working together I think we can improve the situation for the police," Christensen said. "But I don’t think congressional oversight is the way we want to go."
Additionally, Roberts said the IUPA has contacted the Travel Industry Association of America to provide the union with information regarding tourism companies with a "vested interest" in the Virgin Islands. The union wants to solicit help in convincing the V.I. government to give more support to the V.I. Police Department.
"We understand how important tourism is" to the territory, Roberts said. "If tourists feel unsafe, we think that will have a negative impact on the economy."
Meanwhile, no new leads on the whereabouts of Williams have come in, according to police officials. The IUPA has added $1,000 to the $6,000 reward for information in the case.
Anyone with information as to Williams’ possible whereabouts is asked to call police at 778-4950, 778-2211 ext. 4530, or the emergency number 911.
The disappearance of Cpl. Wendell Williams, missing for more than three weeks, underscores the lack of government support for police officers, said Rich Roberts, IUPA spokesman. That is essentially the position held by the association’s local chapter, the St. Croix Police Benevolent Association.
"We have several concerns" about the Virgin Islands relayed by PBA members, Roberts said. Those include a lack of equipment and low pay.
But it is the case of the missing officer that has spurred the IUPA into action. Williams disappeared in mid-June after dropping a relative off at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport. He hasn’t been seen since. What was initially a missing-person case was upgraded to a criminal investigation at the end of June with the discovery of Williams' burned vehicle.
"When something happens to an officer we all pay very close attention," Roberts said. "We have been getting reports from the Virgin Islands that concern us . . . We’re determined to find out more about that."
In so doing, the IUPA sent a letter to Delegate to Congress Donna Christian Christensen on Tuesday asking her to request a congressional oversight hearing on "what is developing as a very grim picture of law enforcement in the U.S.V.I," according to a statement released by the organization on Thursday.
Although Christensen said she hasn’t received the letter, she was cool to the idea of requesting such hearings. She said she has been in contact with several federal law enforcement agencies on matters concerning the territory, such as drug trafficking.
"We’ll do whatever we can . . . and make contact with the IUPA because working together I think we can improve the situation for the police," Christensen said. "But I don’t think congressional oversight is the way we want to go."
Additionally, Roberts said the IUPA has contacted the Travel Industry Association of America to provide the union with information regarding tourism companies with a "vested interest" in the Virgin Islands. The union wants to solicit help in convincing the V.I. government to give more support to the V.I. Police Department.
"We understand how important tourism is" to the territory, Roberts said. "If tourists feel unsafe, we think that will have a negative impact on the economy."
Meanwhile, no new leads on the whereabouts of Williams have come in, according to police officials. The IUPA has added $1,000 to the $6,000 reward for information in the case.
Anyone with information as to Williams’ possible whereabouts is asked to call police at 778-4950, 778-2211 ext. 4530, or the emergency number 911.
WEB HOSTING COST TOO HIGH — WHAT ELSE IS NEW?
To the Source:
Concerning the V.I. Tourism web site: How was this project put out for RFP [request for proposals]? This should be public record. What were the responses, and what was the breakdown of services and associated costs by the vendors bidding on the project? Although they are public record, I am sure these documents will never see the light of day.
What was the rationale on selecting the vendor? When did the price negotiating take place — as part of the bid process, or as a post-selection, one-off negotiated affair? The buying power of this government is seldom used effectively. This is always most clearly seen in these nonsensical negotiated enrichment schemes that are so blatantly inane that they scream out "We can do better!" (Does anyone remember the confusion surrounding the HOVIC tax abatement negotiations/renegotiations or the $350 million central government building project?)
I agree with Terence Thomas [See Op-ed story, "Tourism web overpricing is all too typical"] on the high cost for hosting the web site: $50K for hosting seems outrageous. I am not in the hosting business, but I do understand information technology and telecommunications. There is currently a price war, given the excess capacity in telecom and the implosion of dot com companies. Exodus Communications is in terrible straits. Most CLEC’s [competitive local exchange carriers] and hosting companies are venture-funding constrained and have just experienced a meltdown of their customer base. At minimum, given the current environment, the government should be getting better pricing on hosting.
As for the other $700,000: We will just have to imagine whether we got a good deal, but I wouldn't bet on it. Rather, I'd like to know if this was one of those infamous "cost plus" contracts we love to negotiate? Was this another "put out the RFP, select a vendor and then negotiate for a price" affair?
I know the standard rebuff: Locals don't know anything. These are complex issues, and most op-ed articles are written by malcontents who don't have a full appreciation for the issues at hand. Yet, no one else is paying $750,000 for web site development and hosting. What is most unsettling about this entire affair is that absolutely nothing, I mean nothing, will change as a result of my words or the words of thousands of other readers, letter writers, hand wringers, distraught voters or apathetic non-voting residents.
This is what most thinking adults know all too well: Your voice does not matter in the Virgin Islands. The only voice that is heard is that of the permanent power elite. Unfortunately, I wasn't born into this club, so I am going to have to learn to keep my mouth shut. Either that, or take some Rolaids.
Michael Dixon
Beaverton, Ore.
Concerning the V.I. Tourism web site: How was this project put out for RFP [request for proposals]? This should be public record. What were the responses, and what was the breakdown of services and associated costs by the vendors bidding on the project? Although they are public record, I am sure these documents will never see the light of day.
What was the rationale on selecting the vendor? When did the price negotiating take place — as part of the bid process, or as a post-selection, one-off negotiated affair? The buying power of this government is seldom used effectively. This is always most clearly seen in these nonsensical negotiated enrichment schemes that are so blatantly inane that they scream out "We can do better!" (Does anyone remember the confusion surrounding the HOVIC tax abatement negotiations/renegotiations or the $350 million central government building project?)
I agree with Terence Thomas [See Op-ed story, "Tourism web overpricing is all too typical"] on the high cost for hosting the web site: $50K for hosting seems outrageous. I am not in the hosting business, but I do understand information technology and telecommunications. There is currently a price war, given the excess capacity in telecom and the implosion of dot com companies. Exodus Communications is in terrible straits. Most CLEC’s [competitive local exchange carriers] and hosting companies are venture-funding constrained and have just experienced a meltdown of their customer base. At minimum, given the current environment, the government should be getting better pricing on hosting.
As for the other $700,000: We will just have to imagine whether we got a good deal, but I wouldn't bet on it. Rather, I'd like to know if this was one of those infamous "cost plus" contracts we love to negotiate? Was this another "put out the RFP, select a vendor and then negotiate for a price" affair?
I know the standard rebuff: Locals don't know anything. These are complex issues, and most op-ed articles are written by malcontents who don't have a full appreciation for the issues at hand. Yet, no one else is paying $750,000 for web site development and hosting. What is most unsettling about this entire affair is that absolutely nothing, I mean nothing, will change as a result of my words or the words of thousands of other readers, letter writers, hand wringers, distraught voters or apathetic non-voting residents.
This is what most thinking adults know all too well: Your voice does not matter in the Virgin Islands. The only voice that is heard is that of the permanent power elite. Unfortunately, I wasn't born into this club, so I am going to have to learn to keep my mouth shut. Either that, or take some Rolaids.
Michael Dixon
Beaverton, Ore.
FRIDAY THE 13TH A LUCKY ONE FOR MUSIC FANS
July 12, 2001 – One bit of good fortune is guaranteed this Friday the 13th – live music for the usual start-of-weekend gathering at The Color of Joy in the American Yacht Harbor shopping complex just steps from the Red Hook ferry dock.
Pianist/vocalist Sally Smith will be providing music as usual just outside the art gallery and gift shop on the Marlin Deck overlooking the AYH docks. Not as usual – in fact, for the first time – she will be joined by recently arrived jazz guitarist Tony Oliver. "If we are lucky, we may even get some ’70s tunes from acoustic guitarist Marty Iorio to add to the mix," Color of Joy owner Corinne Van Rensselaer says.
Anyone who thinks this sounds like a jam in the making is pretty close to being right. "If you play an instrument, don't feel shy about joining in," Van Rensselaer adds.
The gathering is from 6 to 8 p.m. and also features complimentary wine, cheese and crackers and, of course, the opportunity to see what's featured on the walls and shelves of the Red Hook art emporium. Casual conversation among old friends and new acquaintances is a staple of the Friday night get-togethers – "a great way to finish the week or start the weekend" with or without Friday falling on the 13th, Van Rensselaer says.
And, she notes, it's right on the way home for those commuting from St. Thomas to St. John.
For further information, call the gallery at 775-4020.
Pianist/vocalist Sally Smith will be providing music as usual just outside the art gallery and gift shop on the Marlin Deck overlooking the AYH docks. Not as usual – in fact, for the first time – she will be joined by recently arrived jazz guitarist Tony Oliver. "If we are lucky, we may even get some ’70s tunes from acoustic guitarist Marty Iorio to add to the mix," Color of Joy owner Corinne Van Rensselaer says.
Anyone who thinks this sounds like a jam in the making is pretty close to being right. "If you play an instrument, don't feel shy about joining in," Van Rensselaer adds.
The gathering is from 6 to 8 p.m. and also features complimentary wine, cheese and crackers and, of course, the opportunity to see what's featured on the walls and shelves of the Red Hook art emporium. Casual conversation among old friends and new acquaintances is a staple of the Friday night get-togethers – "a great way to finish the week or start the weekend" with or without Friday falling on the 13th, Van Rensselaer says.
And, she notes, it's right on the way home for those commuting from St. Thomas to St. John.
For further information, call the gallery at 775-4020.
FRIDAY THE 13TH A LUCKY ONE FOR MUSIC FANS
July 12, 2001 – One bit of good fortune is guaranteed this Friday the 13th – live music for the usual start-of-weekend gathering at The Color of Joy in the American Yacht Harbor shopping complex.
Pianist/vocalist Sally Smith will be providing music as usual just outside the art gallery and gift shop on the Marlin Deck overlooking the AYH docks. Not as usual – in fact, for the first time – she will be joined by recently arrived jazz guitarist Tony Oliver. "If we are lucky, we may even get some ’70s tunes from acoustic guitarist Marty Iorio to add to the mix," Color of Joy owner Corinne Van Rensselaer says.
Anyone who thinks this sounds like a jam in the making is pretty close to being right. "If you play an instrument, don't feel shy about joining in," Van Rensselaer adds.
The gathering is from 6 to 8 p.m. and also features complimentary wine, cheese and crackers and, of course, the opportunity to see what's featured on the walls and shelves of the Red Hook art emporium. Casual conversation among old friends and new acquaintances is a staple of the Friday night get-togethers – "a great way to finish the week or start the weekend" with or without Friday falling on the 13th, Van Rensselaer says.
For further information, call the gallery at 775-4020.
Pianist/vocalist Sally Smith will be providing music as usual just outside the art gallery and gift shop on the Marlin Deck overlooking the AYH docks. Not as usual – in fact, for the first time – she will be joined by recently arrived jazz guitarist Tony Oliver. "If we are lucky, we may even get some ’70s tunes from acoustic guitarist Marty Iorio to add to the mix," Color of Joy owner Corinne Van Rensselaer says.
Anyone who thinks this sounds like a jam in the making is pretty close to being right. "If you play an instrument, don't feel shy about joining in," Van Rensselaer adds.
The gathering is from 6 to 8 p.m. and also features complimentary wine, cheese and crackers and, of course, the opportunity to see what's featured on the walls and shelves of the Red Hook art emporium. Casual conversation among old friends and new acquaintances is a staple of the Friday night get-togethers – "a great way to finish the week or start the weekend" with or without Friday falling on the 13th, Van Rensselaer says.
For further information, call the gallery at 775-4020.
THOMAS HAPPY WITH GOVERNMENT AND WAPA
July 12, 2001 – Joseph R. Thomas Jr., the new executive director of the V. I. Water and Power Authority, had good things to say Wednesday about the V.I. government, now that he has a plan for the government to pay its massive debt under his belt.
"The plan couldn't have been worked out without the governor and his tenacity," said Thomas, who praised the governor's grasp of the situation. "Juel Molloy and Kent Bernier rolled up their sleeves to craft a solution to the problem." Molloy is the governor's chief of staff and Bernier his economic adviser.
Thomas met with Gov. Charles W. Turnbull and administration officials Tuesday to formulate a plan to pay off the government's almost $26 million debt, and hopefully forestall a 2002 rate increase. The plan calls for a memorandum of understanding to be developed that will commit the government to paying its outstanding balance by mid-November.
Molloy is working on a plan to keep the government's payments current, Thomas said. (See "WAPA, Government OK Debt Payment Plan".)
"Most important," Thomas said, "is the credibility boost the plan will have for our financial standing, which has been slippery for years." When investors are interested in developing in new areas, Thomas said, "the financial health of a community's utility speaks volumes."
Thomas also had good things to say about WAPA. Shortly after assuming his post earlier this year, he said one of his first efforts would be to improve the utility's communication with the public by creating a Public Affairs Office.
"One of our main problems is we're not getting the message out. We need to communicate," Thomas said then, adding that he planned a speakers' bureau to give talks to the community. "We need to tell them what's going on before we're called into hearings. We need to issue position papers explaining what we are doing."
The new Public Affairs Office recently issued a release on the utility's levelized energy assessment charge and roll-in surcharge, and has more to come shortly on WAPA's accounts receivables, hurricane preparedness and strategic planning for the St. John water desalinization plant, Thomas said.
"The plan couldn't have been worked out without the governor and his tenacity," said Thomas, who praised the governor's grasp of the situation. "Juel Molloy and Kent Bernier rolled up their sleeves to craft a solution to the problem." Molloy is the governor's chief of staff and Bernier his economic adviser.
Thomas met with Gov. Charles W. Turnbull and administration officials Tuesday to formulate a plan to pay off the government's almost $26 million debt, and hopefully forestall a 2002 rate increase. The plan calls for a memorandum of understanding to be developed that will commit the government to paying its outstanding balance by mid-November.
Molloy is working on a plan to keep the government's payments current, Thomas said. (See "WAPA, Government OK Debt Payment Plan".)
"Most important," Thomas said, "is the credibility boost the plan will have for our financial standing, which has been slippery for years." When investors are interested in developing in new areas, Thomas said, "the financial health of a community's utility speaks volumes."
Thomas also had good things to say about WAPA. Shortly after assuming his post earlier this year, he said one of his first efforts would be to improve the utility's communication with the public by creating a Public Affairs Office.
"One of our main problems is we're not getting the message out. We need to communicate," Thomas said then, adding that he planned a speakers' bureau to give talks to the community. "We need to tell them what's going on before we're called into hearings. We need to issue position papers explaining what we are doing."
The new Public Affairs Office recently issued a release on the utility's levelized energy assessment charge and roll-in surcharge, and has more to come shortly on WAPA's accounts receivables, hurricane preparedness and strategic planning for the St. John water desalinization plant, Thomas said.
KIDS DO BUSINESS AND PLAY AT THE SAME TIME
July 12, 2001 – Children on St. Thomas will get a chance to shop and play Saturday morning at the second annual Kids-N-Business "Business of Sports Day and Vendor's Market," starting at 8:30 a.m. at Emile Griffith Park.
For the second year AT&T, through sponsorship of the program, has worked closely with Kids-N-Business founder Jamila Harris to produce this shopping and playing experience for young people.
"We want to demonstrate that physical fitness and sports are part of business. Physical fitness is just as important as," developing business skills, Harris said.
"Two coaches are flying in," to conduct workshops in basketball. Brenda Alexander, a female basketball coach from New York and Timothy Riley, also a basketball coach from New York will be conducting the workshops at the field on Saturday.
Along with the sports camp young entrepreneurs between the ages of four and 14 will be selling a variety of wares at a variety of prices ranging from .25 cents to $15.
Kids-N-Business is part of the Harris Institute for Youth Entrepreneurship, which supports after-school and summer programs that teach children business skills along with computer and other pertinent skills
Harris said Wyndham Sugar Bay Beach Club & Resort and Windward Passage Holiday Inn were instrumental in providing rooms for Riley and Alexander and Cape Air provided transportation from Puerto Rico.
For the second year AT&T, through sponsorship of the program, has worked closely with Kids-N-Business founder Jamila Harris to produce this shopping and playing experience for young people.
"We want to demonstrate that physical fitness and sports are part of business. Physical fitness is just as important as," developing business skills, Harris said.
"Two coaches are flying in," to conduct workshops in basketball. Brenda Alexander, a female basketball coach from New York and Timothy Riley, also a basketball coach from New York will be conducting the workshops at the field on Saturday.
Along with the sports camp young entrepreneurs between the ages of four and 14 will be selling a variety of wares at a variety of prices ranging from .25 cents to $15.
Kids-N-Business is part of the Harris Institute for Youth Entrepreneurship, which supports after-school and summer programs that teach children business skills along with computer and other pertinent skills
Harris said Wyndham Sugar Bay Beach Club & Resort and Windward Passage Holiday Inn were instrumental in providing rooms for Riley and Alexander and Cape Air provided transportation from Puerto Rico.
