July 11, 2001 — As the V.I. Water and Power Authority sent out "demand for payment" notices Tuesday to government agencies that owe a combined $25.9 million, utility officials and Gov. Charles Turnbull met to hammer out a plan to take care of the over-due bills.
Turnbull announced that the government has "agreed to pay WAPA $13 million out of $15 million earmarked for overdue utility costs contained in a supplemental appropriation bill" that is now before the Senate Finance Committee. Additionally, the V.I. Housing Authority will pay WAPA $2.3 million out of $4.3 million proposed in the appropriation bill.
Turnbull said independent agencies and instrumentalities will pay $1.7 million of what they owe WAPA, leaving a balance of $17 million. Meanwhile, a memorandum of understanding will be developed between WAPA and the government where the latter will commit to paying its $5.3 million outstanding balance by Nov. 15, the governor said.
Tuesday's meeting included Turnbull and his top advisers, WAPA board chairwoman Carol M. Burke and Executive Director Joseph R. Thomas Jr.
WAPA officials have said the government's payment of its debt is necessary to avoid a rate increase in fiscal year 2002, which begins Oct. 1, and to pay some short- and long-term debts that are coming due. Thomas has said the $26 million debt carried on the WAPA books affects everything from its bond rating to audits.
The Housing Authority is the single largest debtor in the government with a $6.6 million bill. The Public Works Department is next with a $6.3 million debt.
WAPA had warned that if the affected agencies and independent instrumentalities don’t pay up by Aug. 10, it will cut service. WAPA contends that it is owed nearly $26 million in water and electricity bills dating back seven years. That figure, however, will be reduced by about $3.5 million to about $22.4 million to account for the utility's debt to the government for the construction of a water plant. And depending on the outcome of the administration’s effort to have its Hurricane Hugo loan debt cancelled, another $5.3 million given to the utility could reduce the balance owed.

Cephus N. Rogers, a former St.Croix resident, died Monday, July 2, in Columbia, S.C.
A first viewing will be held from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, at James Memorial Funeral Home.
Funeral services will take place at noon Thursday, July 12, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church with a viewing beginning at 11 a.m.
Interment will follow at Frederiksted Cemetery.
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth (Kirk) Wright Rogers, children, William Rogers, Sharon Drummeer, Cephus Rogers Jr., Evadney Key, Floyd Rogers, James Rogers, Brenda Booker, and John Rogers; foster children, Basil Lake, Latisha Earles, Carla Garrison, and C. Darius Garrison; nine grandchildren; three sons-in-law and daughters-in-law; two brothers and sisters, three brothers-in-law; eleven sisters-in-law; along with uncles; aunts, nieces, cousins, and friends.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of James Memorial Funeral Home.

Fustus Albert, 38, of Estate Campo Rico, died Friday, July 6, at Juan F. Luis Hospital.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 12, at Midland Wesleyan Holiness Church in Estate Calquohoun. A viewing will precede the service beginning at 9 a.m.
Interment will follow at Kingshilll Cemetery.
He is survived by his mother, Stella John-Baptist Menzie; stepfather, Anthony Menzie; girlfriend, Maria Williams; step-daughters, Jahnisha, Tamisha, Carmen, and Rossane; step-sons, Johnattan, Demain, Carlos, and E Steven; grandchildren, Damain Jr. and Sasha; sisters, Ruthia Joseph, Angella Menzies, Jennifer Menzies, Macella Albert, Debbra and Patricia Albert; step-sister, Eugenia Maffie; brothers, Glenford and Davidson Albert, Patterson Albert, Roy Menzies, and Carl Menzies; step-brother, Roy Menzies; numerous nieces and nephews; aunts, Adraana Attidore, Catherine John-Baptiste and Ernice King; along with many other relatives and friends.
Funeral arrangements are in the care of James Memorial Funeral Home.

Concepcion Rodriguez Herrera of Estate Profit #87 died Sunday, July 8, at Juan Luis Hospital. He was 74.
A first viewing will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, July 12, at Thomas Hyll Chapel.
A viewing and funeral service will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday, July 13, at his residence at Estate Profit #87.
Interment will be at Kingshill Cemetery.
He is survived by his wife, Luz Eneida Rodriguez; sons, Concepcion Jr., Santos, Miguel, Samuel, Ismael, and Wilberto Jr.; daughters, Carmen, Suzza, Evelyn, Olga, Noemi, and Ruthy; daughters- in-law, Lillian, Mercedes, Gisella, and Sarah; sons-in-law, Merwin, Raul, Berto, and Carlos; grandchildren, Yadira, Manuel, Noel, Julio Jr., Charylin, Yessenia, Ulise, Merwin, Jasahmie, Raul Jr., Emy, Tatiana, Tayanira, Angel, Miguely, Donald, Sachy, Samuel Jr., Aisha, and Joel; great- grandchildren, Brianna and Joshua; godchildren, Yolanda, Rosalia, and Mayra; sisters and brothers-in-law, Gregorio, David, Gladys, Ana, and Orlando; and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Thomas Hyll Memorial Funeral Chapel.

Rose Blyden Dawson of #148-50 Estate Tutu died Monday, July 9, in New York. She was 58.
She is survived by her mother, Ina Blyden; daughters, Denise, Donna, and Deborah Dawson; brother, Harold Blyden; sisters, Vivian Martin Jackson, Daisy Laeroi; six grandchildren; and many other friends and relatives.
Funeral arrangementsm are pending and will be under the care of Davis Funeral Home.

The annual Bastille Day celebration will be held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 14, at the concession at Joseph Aubain Ball Park.
Music will be provided by the Sea Breeze Band.
The celebration is sponsored by the Frenchtown Civic Association.

The official observation of French Heritage Week Recognition ceremonies and reception will be held from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 14, at the First Lady's Garden, Government Hill.
The public is invited to attend.

A Bastille Dance will begin at 10 p.m. Friday, July 13, at Bryan's Bar and Restaurant.
Music will be provided by Obsession Band and New Creation Band from St.Barths.
Admission is $10.

July 10, 2001 — Gov. Charles W. Turnbull proclaimed in a press release, this week as "French Heritage Week and Saturday, July 14 as Bastille Day." A number of events are planned to observe and commemorate French Heritage Week and Bastille Day including the official observation of French Heritage Week recognition ceremonies and reception from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday in the First Lady's Garden on Government Hill. The public is invited.
Additional events include:
Bastille Dance at 10 p.m. Friday at Bryan's Bar and Restaurant with music by Obsession Band and New Creation Band of St.Barths. Admission is $10.
Bastille Day Celebration from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at the concession at Joseph Aubain Ball Park. Music will be provided by the Sea Breeze Band and the event is sponsored by the Frenchtown Civic Association.
The Bastille King Fish Tournament will be held from 5 a.m. to noon Sunday at Hull Bay and is sponsored by the Northside Sports Fishing Club.
The tournament includes Family Fun Day with games, music and more will follow from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Northside Civic Association Hull Bay Hideaway. Music will be provided by Obsession Band and New Creation Band. A community health van will be on hand for screening services.
The trophy presentation will take place at Hull Bay Hideaway at 8 p.m.

July 10, 2001 — The second phase of the ongoing runway extension project at St. Croix's Henry E. Rohlsen Airport will begin Friday.
The initial phase of the four-phase project was completed earlier this year and included groundwork for the new section of runway, which will extend the strip from 7,600 feet to 10,000 feet.
The second phase consists of paving, marking, lighting, grooving and installing signs on the extended runway and taxiway, according to Gordon Finch, executive director of the V.I. Port Authority. V.I. Asphalt Products Corp. won the $6.6 million contract for work on the second phase, which is expected to be completed in nine months. Other phases include lighting and the relocation of navigational aids. The $18 million project, 90 percent funded by the federal government, began in 1999 and is expected to be completed by the spring of 2002, according to the Port Authority. But even with the completion set for next year, the runway will not be certified for use until the summer of 2003, when a new air traffic control tower is constructed.
When the tower is completed, Finch said the airport will be able to provide the larger, long-range aircraft operated by major airlines and charter operations to fly non-stop turnaround service to the V.I. from Europe, South America, Canada and the west coast of the U.S.
In addition to the runway, the Port Authority is in the midst of a $22 million-plus renovation of the airport terminal.
"The new terminal and runway will play a significant role in the development of St. Croix by allowing access to new air passenger markets," Finch said. "It will also create a potential airline hub, which, if realized, will position St. Croix as a viable location in the Caribbean for [cruise ship] home porting."
Meanwhile, the millions of dollars granted to the Port Authority for the runway extension could turn into loans if the nearby Anguilla Landfill isn't closed by Dec. 2002. The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered that the dump be closed because birds that feed off of it pose a threat to aircraft. The dump also frequently catches on fire, sending dark smoke in the direction of the airport.
To accommodate the runway extension and meet safety requirements some 65 families in Yellow Cedar have been displaced. The Port Authority purchased homes and property at fair market value.