June 18, 2001 – If you care to donate $20 or more to the Special Olympics program in the next month and a half, you can reap some rewards, yourself.
For the second year, Cingular Wireless, a national cellular telephone service provider, is offering incentives to attract new subscribers and raise funds for the sports program. Last year, its customers contributed $8.9 million nationwide to the program, according to a release.
Donations being raised nationwide now will support year-round training and competitions for the athletes and help send the U.S. team to the 2003 Special Olympic Games in Ireland. All funds contributed in the Virgin Islands will support the V.I. Special Olympics program.
Those who sign up for service through the end of July and donate at least $20 to the Special Olympics will be eligible for a free Ericsson A1228 handset, a special $45 rate plan and a gift certificate for five movie rentals at participating Blockbuster Video outlets.
The Special Olympics, founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, is an international year-round program of sports training, competition and friendship for individuals with mental retardation. Over a million athletes in more than 160 countries train and compete in 26 summer and winter sports. For more information, visit the Special Olympics web site.
Timothy Shriver, Special Olympics Inc. president, said the company's support will enable the organization "to reach thousands of athletes who would otherwise never have experienced the joy of the Special Olympics movement."
Cingular, a joint venture of SBC Communications and BellSouth, is the nation's second-largest wireless company, serving more than 20.5 million customers on the mainland and in Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
LIBRARY TO TAKE ON SATURDAY CHILDREN'S PROGRAM
June 18, 2001 – The Saturday children's reading program at the Enid M. Baa Library is going to change and going to stay the same. And, for youngsters who love reading and being read to, that's good news on both counts.
When the not-for-profit group Friends of the St. Thomas Libraries initiated the weekly story-time and activities program at the start of May, members made the commitment to continue it through June 23 in the hope that library personnel would pick up the ball from there. They supplied volunteer readers, organized and supervised arts and crafts activities and handled publicity.
Their hope has been realized. The Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums within the Planning and Natural Resources Department will assume supervision of the program, which "will continue indefinitely," Friends secretary Carol Lotz said Monday.
Overseeing the program starting June 30 will be Audrey Muriel, the Baa library staff person in the children's room; her boss, Simon Caines, coordinator of public libraries; and his boss, Claudette Lewis, assistant Planning and Natural Resources commissioner.
"We are thrilled that they have seen the importance of the program and the interest of the community," Lotz said, adding that the Friends is asking all current volunteers to continue "your presence and reading to the children."
The transfer of oversight responsibility "will be a subtle change," Lotz said, because Muriel has been there all along to check out books and keep the children's room in order, and Lewis or Caines has come by to open and close the facility each week.
The Friends' new commitment now is to help find readers and to participate as much as possible in the program, but not necessarily every week. It has not committed to continue providing arts and crafts activities and materials. It has passed on to Lewis suggestions for computer software and talking books that could be purchased.
Except for the children's reading program, the library is not open on Saturdays. The program hours now are 9 a.m. to noon. Effective June 30, they will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
When the not-for-profit group Friends of the St. Thomas Libraries initiated the weekly story-time and activities program at the start of May, members made the commitment to continue it through June 23 in the hope that library personnel would pick up the ball from there. They supplied volunteer readers, organized and supervised arts and crafts activities and handled publicity.
Their hope has been realized. The Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums within the Planning and Natural Resources Department will assume supervision of the program, which "will continue indefinitely," Friends secretary Carol Lotz said Monday.
Overseeing the program starting June 30 will be Audrey Muriel, the Baa library staff person in the children's room; her boss, Simon Caines, coordinator of public libraries; and his boss, Claudette Lewis, assistant Planning and Natural Resources commissioner.
"We are thrilled that they have seen the importance of the program and the interest of the community," Lotz said, adding that the Friends is asking all current volunteers to continue "your presence and reading to the children."
The transfer of oversight responsibility "will be a subtle change," Lotz said, because Muriel has been there all along to check out books and keep the children's room in order, and Lewis or Caines has come by to open and close the facility each week.
The Friends' new commitment now is to help find readers and to participate as much as possible in the program, but not necessarily every week. It has not committed to continue providing arts and crafts activities and materials. It has passed on to Lewis suggestions for computer software and talking books that could be purchased.
Except for the children's reading program, the library is not open on Saturdays. The program hours now are 9 a.m. to noon. Effective June 30, they will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
HILLAIRE WOODARD EARNS ARMY RESERVES HONORS
June 17, 2001 – A St. Thomas daughter, Maj. Hillaire Wheatley Woodard, U.S. Army Reserves, graduated with distinguished honors from the Army Transportation School's Transportation Coordinator-Automated Information Management System course at Fort Eustis, Va., on Friday, June 15.
The daughter of Hortencia "Joyce" Wheatley and the late Bernard "Hamlet" Wheatley, she earned a perfect graduating score of 100.
The TC-AIMS II program integrates current information systems of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard into a single automated system capable of meeting multiple and individual service operations.
Woodard also is a distinguished graduate of two previous Army Transportation School courses, having also completed one of them with a perfect 100 score.
Woodard, who received her commission in the Army Reserves in 1988, currently serves as a team leader for the 1179th Deployment Support Transportation Brigade in New York State. She previously served in New York's Army National Guard as a platoon leader, executive officer and commander for the 719th Transportation Company; and as area office manager for the Selective Service System, commander for the 107th Corps Support Group Headquarters Company, and instructor at the Empire State Military Academy.
Woodard attended Charlotte Amalie High School up to 11th grade, then transferred to Washington Irving High in New York City, where she graduated with honors in 1984.
In her civilian career, she is associate director for accreditation and regulatory affairs at New York City Health and Hospital Corp. She holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's in public administration at John Jay College. She is married to Capt. Dwight Everett Woodard and they have a daughter, D'Anne.
Woodard has received recognition throughout her military service — as a recipient of the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserves Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the National Guard Long and Faithful 5-Year Award. She was nominated for the General Douglas MacArthur Award and the Women in Government Award.
The daughter of Hortencia "Joyce" Wheatley and the late Bernard "Hamlet" Wheatley, she earned a perfect graduating score of 100.
The TC-AIMS II program integrates current information systems of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard into a single automated system capable of meeting multiple and individual service operations.
Woodard also is a distinguished graduate of two previous Army Transportation School courses, having also completed one of them with a perfect 100 score.
Woodard, who received her commission in the Army Reserves in 1988, currently serves as a team leader for the 1179th Deployment Support Transportation Brigade in New York State. She previously served in New York's Army National Guard as a platoon leader, executive officer and commander for the 719th Transportation Company; and as area office manager for the Selective Service System, commander for the 107th Corps Support Group Headquarters Company, and instructor at the Empire State Military Academy.
Woodard attended Charlotte Amalie High School up to 11th grade, then transferred to Washington Irving High in New York City, where she graduated with honors in 1984.
In her civilian career, she is associate director for accreditation and regulatory affairs at New York City Health and Hospital Corp. She holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's in public administration at John Jay College. She is married to Capt. Dwight Everett Woodard and they have a daughter, D'Anne.
Woodard has received recognition throughout her military service — as a recipient of the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserves Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the National Guard Long and Faithful 5-Year Award. She was nominated for the General Douglas MacArthur Award and the Women in Government Award.
WSTX RADIO FACING LICENSE REVOCATION
June 18, 2001 — The future of St. Croix radio station WSTX remains in doubt with the Federal Communications Commission having rejected its request to postpone a license revocation hearing.
WSTX filed a petition with the FCC on March 15 for reconsideration after the regulatory agency accused the station of "willfully and repeatedly" violating federal broadcast law. WSTX is owned by Family Broadcasting, which until recently was owned by attorney Gerard Luz James.
In its request, Family Broadcasting sought the reconsideration so that it could correct an array of deficiencies at its AM and FM stations.
But the FCC last week dismissed Family Broadcasting’s request, paving the way for proceedings to determine whether the stations’ licenses should be revoked. A hearing date has not been set.
The FCC charged that Family Broadcasting misrepresented the facts when it said the FM station transmitter had been relocated from Blue Mountain, the licensed site, to Fort Louise Augusta, the licensed site of the AM transmitter, because of damage at the original site from Hurricane Lenny.
The FCC said it had determined that the transmitter was relocated because the owner of the Blue Mountain site had not been paid rent. Family Broadcasting may have violated FCC rules that require permission to deviate from the terms of a broadcast license.
The FCC also charged that Family Broadcasting failed to operate the transmitters for both stations at authorized levels, failed to secure the sites of the transmitters, failed to maintain inspection files, and had no Emergency Alert System.
The company now faces the prospect not only of having the licenses of its FM and AM stations revoked but also of having to pay up to $275,000 in penalties for FCC rules violations.
In its June 13 decision, the FCC determined that Family Broadcasting "willfully and repeatedly violated the commission’s rules and misrepresented facts to, and/or lacked candor with the commission," including operating the stations out of compliance of FCC rules for about four years. Family Broadcasting has operated both the AM and FM stations since 1991.
In its petition for reconsideration, Family Broadcasting didn’t challenge the FCC charges. Rather, it sought the hearing postponement in order to have time to correct the violations.
"Family, in other words, effectively seeks to avoid a monetary forfeiture of up to $275,000 as well as an evidentiary hearing that could result in the forfeiture of its licences," the FCC decision said.
According to the FCC, James has resigned as an officer and director of the stations, and he and his wife have requested that the agency allow them to transfer all of their stock in the stations to their children, one of whom is Lt. Gov. Gerard Luz James II.
The FCC does not suggest that James’s children were involved in or aware of any wrongdoing. The family’s oldest daughter, Barbara James-Petersen, now manages the stations and has hired a consulting engineer to correct the cited violations.
WSTX filed a petition with the FCC on March 15 for reconsideration after the regulatory agency accused the station of "willfully and repeatedly" violating federal broadcast law. WSTX is owned by Family Broadcasting, which until recently was owned by attorney Gerard Luz James.
In its request, Family Broadcasting sought the reconsideration so that it could correct an array of deficiencies at its AM and FM stations.
But the FCC last week dismissed Family Broadcasting’s request, paving the way for proceedings to determine whether the stations’ licenses should be revoked. A hearing date has not been set.
The FCC charged that Family Broadcasting misrepresented the facts when it said the FM station transmitter had been relocated from Blue Mountain, the licensed site, to Fort Louise Augusta, the licensed site of the AM transmitter, because of damage at the original site from Hurricane Lenny.
The FCC said it had determined that the transmitter was relocated because the owner of the Blue Mountain site had not been paid rent. Family Broadcasting may have violated FCC rules that require permission to deviate from the terms of a broadcast license.
The FCC also charged that Family Broadcasting failed to operate the transmitters for both stations at authorized levels, failed to secure the sites of the transmitters, failed to maintain inspection files, and had no Emergency Alert System.
The company now faces the prospect not only of having the licenses of its FM and AM stations revoked but also of having to pay up to $275,000 in penalties for FCC rules violations.
In its June 13 decision, the FCC determined that Family Broadcasting "willfully and repeatedly violated the commission’s rules and misrepresented facts to, and/or lacked candor with the commission," including operating the stations out of compliance of FCC rules for about four years. Family Broadcasting has operated both the AM and FM stations since 1991.
In its petition for reconsideration, Family Broadcasting didn’t challenge the FCC charges. Rather, it sought the hearing postponement in order to have time to correct the violations.
"Family, in other words, effectively seeks to avoid a monetary forfeiture of up to $275,000 as well as an evidentiary hearing that could result in the forfeiture of its licences," the FCC decision said.
According to the FCC, James has resigned as an officer and director of the stations, and he and his wife have requested that the agency allow them to transfer all of their stock in the stations to their children, one of whom is Lt. Gov. Gerard Luz James II.
The FCC does not suggest that James’s children were involved in or aware of any wrongdoing. The family’s oldest daughter, Barbara James-Petersen, now manages the stations and has hired a consulting engineer to correct the cited violations.
WSTX RADIO FACING LICENSE REVOCATION
June 18, 2001 — The future of St. Croix radio station WSTX remains in doubt with the Federal Communications Commission having rejected its request to postpone a license revocation hearing.
WSTX filed a petition with the FCC on March 15 for reconsideration after the regulatory agency accused the station of "willfully and repeatedly" violating federal broadcast law. WSTX is owned by Family Broadcasting, which until recently was owned by attorney Gerard Luz James.
In its request, Family Broadcasting sought the reconsideration so that it could correct an array of deficiencies at its AM and FM stations.
But the FCC last week dismissed Family Broadcasting’s request, paving the way for proceedings to determine whether the stations’ licenses should be revoked. A hearing date has not been set.
The FCC charged that Family Broadcasting misrepresented the facts when it said the FM station transmitter had been relocated from Blue Mountain, the licensed site, to Fort Louise Augusta, the licensed site of the AM transmitter, because of damage at the original site from Hurricane Lenny.
The FCC said it had determined that the transmitter was relocated because the owner of the Blue Mountain site had not been paid rent. Family Broadcasting may have violated FCC rules that require permission to deviate from the terms of a broadcast license.
The FCC also charged that Family Broadcasting failed to operate the transmitters for both stations at authorized levels, failed to secure the sites of the transmitters, failed to maintain inspection files, and had no Emergency Alert System.
The company now faces the prospect not only of having the licenses of its FM and AM stations revoked but also of having to pay up to $275,000 in penalties for FCC rules violations.
In its June 13 decision, the FCC determined that Family Broadcasting "willfully and repeatedly violated the commission’s rules and misrepresented facts to, and/or lacked candor with the commission," including operating the stations out of compliance of FCC rules for about four years. Family Broadcasting has operated both the AM and FM stations since 1991.
In its petition for reconsideration, Family Broadcasting didn’t challenge the FCC charges. Rather, it sought the hearing postponement in order to have time to correct the violations.
"Family, in other words, effectively seeks to avoid a monetary forfeiture of up to $275,000 as well as an evidentiary hearing that could result in the forfeiture of its licences," the FCC decision said.
According to the FCC, James has resigned as an officer and director of the stations, and he and his wife have requested that the agency allow them to transfer all of their stock in the stations to their children, one of whom is Lt. Gov. Gerard Luz James II.
The FCC does not suggest that James’s children were involved in or aware of any wrongdoing. The family’s oldest daughter, Barbara James-Petersen, now manages the stations and has hired a consulting engineer to correct the cited violations.
WSTX filed a petition with the FCC on March 15 for reconsideration after the regulatory agency accused the station of "willfully and repeatedly" violating federal broadcast law. WSTX is owned by Family Broadcasting, which until recently was owned by attorney Gerard Luz James.
In its request, Family Broadcasting sought the reconsideration so that it could correct an array of deficiencies at its AM and FM stations.
But the FCC last week dismissed Family Broadcasting’s request, paving the way for proceedings to determine whether the stations’ licenses should be revoked. A hearing date has not been set.
The FCC charged that Family Broadcasting misrepresented the facts when it said the FM station transmitter had been relocated from Blue Mountain, the licensed site, to Fort Louise Augusta, the licensed site of the AM transmitter, because of damage at the original site from Hurricane Lenny.
The FCC said it had determined that the transmitter was relocated because the owner of the Blue Mountain site had not been paid rent. Family Broadcasting may have violated FCC rules that require permission to deviate from the terms of a broadcast license.
The FCC also charged that Family Broadcasting failed to operate the transmitters for both stations at authorized levels, failed to secure the sites of the transmitters, failed to maintain inspection files, and had no Emergency Alert System.
The company now faces the prospect not only of having the licenses of its FM and AM stations revoked but also of having to pay up to $275,000 in penalties for FCC rules violations.
In its June 13 decision, the FCC determined that Family Broadcasting "willfully and repeatedly violated the commission’s rules and misrepresented facts to, and/or lacked candor with the commission," including operating the stations out of compliance of FCC rules for about four years. Family Broadcasting has operated both the AM and FM stations since 1991.
In its petition for reconsideration, Family Broadcasting didn’t challenge the FCC charges. Rather, it sought the hearing postponement in order to have time to correct the violations.
"Family, in other words, effectively seeks to avoid a monetary forfeiture of up to $275,000 as well as an evidentiary hearing that could result in the forfeiture of its licences," the FCC decision said.
According to the FCC, James has resigned as an officer and director of the stations, and he and his wife have requested that the agency allow them to transfer all of their stock in the stations to their children, one of whom is Lt. Gov. Gerard Luz James II.
The FCC does not suggest that James’s children were involved in or aware of any wrongdoing. The family’s oldest daughter, Barbara James-Petersen, now manages the stations and has hired a consulting engineer to correct the cited violations.
WSTX RADIO FACING LICENSE REVOCATION
June 18, 2001 — The future of St. Croix radio station WSTX remains in doubt with the Federal Communications Commission having rejected its request to postpone a license revocation hearing.
WSTX filed a petition with the FCC on March 15 for reconsideration after the regulatory agency accused the station of "willfully and repeatedly" violating federal broadcast law. WSTX is owned by Family Broadcasting, which until recently was owned by attorney Gerard Luz James.
In its request, Family Broadcasting sought the reconsideration so that it could correct an array of deficiencies at its AM and FM stations.
But the FCC last week dismissed Family Broadcasting’s request, paving the way for proceedings to determine whether the stations’ licenses should be revoked. A hearing date has not been set.
The FCC charged that Family Broadcasting misrepresented the facts when it said the FM station transmitter had been relocated from Blue Mountain, the licensed site, to Fort Louise Augusta, the licensed site of the AM transmitter, because of damage at the original site from Hurricane Lenny.
The FCC said it had determined that the transmitter was relocated because the owner of the Blue Mountain site had not been paid rent. Family Broadcasting may have violated FCC rules that require permission to deviate from the terms of a broadcast license.
The FCC also charged that Family Broadcasting failed to operate the transmitters for both stations at authorized levels, failed to secure the sites of the transmitters, failed to maintain inspection files, and had no Emergency Alert System.
The company now faces the prospect not only of having the licenses of its FM and AM stations revoked but also of having to pay up to $275,000 in penalties for FCC rules violations.
In its June 13 decision, the FCC determined that Family Broadcasting "willfully and repeatedly violated the commission’s rules and misrepresented facts to, and/or lacked candor with the commission," including operating the stations out of compliance of FCC rules for about four years. Family Broadcasting has operated both the AM and FM stations since 1991.
In its petition for reconsideration, Family Broadcasting didn’t challenge the FCC charges. Rather, it sought the hearing postponement in order to have time to correct the violations.
"Family, in other words, effectively seeks to avoid a monetary forfeiture of up to $275,000 as well as an evidentiary hearing that could result in the forfeiture of its licences," the FCC decision said.
According to the FCC, James has resigned as an officer and director of the stations, and he and his wife have requested that the agency allow them to transfer all of their stock in the stations to their children, one of whom is Lt. Gov. Gerard Luz James II.
The FCC does not suggest that James’s children were involved in or aware of any wrongdoing. The family’s oldest daughter, Barbara James-Petersen, now manages the stations and has hired a consulting engineer to correct the cited violations.
WSTX filed a petition with the FCC on March 15 for reconsideration after the regulatory agency accused the station of "willfully and repeatedly" violating federal broadcast law. WSTX is owned by Family Broadcasting, which until recently was owned by attorney Gerard Luz James.
In its request, Family Broadcasting sought the reconsideration so that it could correct an array of deficiencies at its AM and FM stations.
But the FCC last week dismissed Family Broadcasting’s request, paving the way for proceedings to determine whether the stations’ licenses should be revoked. A hearing date has not been set.
The FCC charged that Family Broadcasting misrepresented the facts when it said the FM station transmitter had been relocated from Blue Mountain, the licensed site, to Fort Louise Augusta, the licensed site of the AM transmitter, because of damage at the original site from Hurricane Lenny.
The FCC said it had determined that the transmitter was relocated because the owner of the Blue Mountain site had not been paid rent. Family Broadcasting may have violated FCC rules that require permission to deviate from the terms of a broadcast license.
The FCC also charged that Family Broadcasting failed to operate the transmitters for both stations at authorized levels, failed to secure the sites of the transmitters, failed to maintain inspection files, and had no Emergency Alert System.
The company now faces the prospect not only of having the licenses of its FM and AM stations revoked but also of having to pay up to $275,000 in penalties for FCC rules violations.
In its June 13 decision, the FCC determined that Family Broadcasting "willfully and repeatedly violated the commission’s rules and misrepresented facts to, and/or lacked candor with the commission," including operating the stations out of compliance of FCC rules for about four years. Family Broadcasting has operated both the AM and FM stations since 1991.
In its petition for reconsideration, Family Broadcasting didn’t challenge the FCC charges. Rather, it sought the hearing postponement in order to have time to correct the violations.
"Family, in other words, effectively seeks to avoid a monetary forfeiture of up to $275,000 as well as an evidentiary hearing that could result in the forfeiture of its licences," the FCC decision said.
According to the FCC, James has resigned as an officer and director of the stations, and he and his wife have requested that the agency allow them to transfer all of their stock in the stations to their children, one of whom is Lt. Gov. Gerard Luz James II.
The FCC does not suggest that James’s children were involved in or aware of any wrongdoing. The family’s oldest daughter, Barbara James-Petersen, now manages the stations and has hired a consulting engineer to correct the cited violations.
SPAIN'S TORRENS WINS OPTIMIST REGATTA
June 18, 2001 – Blustery winds blowing 10 to 15 knots, and greater, set the scene for the first two days of racing at the Scotiabank Caribbean International Optimist Regatta. On day three, however, a low pressure system moving through the area created challenging conditions across windward-leeward and triangular courses with winds barely puffing 6 to 8 knots.
But when it came down to the last of the ten races, 14-year-old Xavier Torrens from Spain sailed away with the overall win by a valiantly fought one point over defending champ and 12-year-old St. Thomas sailor, Cy Thompson. "He's been sailing since he was 6, he's used to light air and competitions where there are 80 or more boats," explained Francisco Gil, coach for the Spanish National Team, about the secret to Torrens success.
The ninth annual event, hosted by the St. Thomas Yacht Club June 14 to 17, drew a record 81 7- to 15-year-old junior sailors from throughout the Caribbean, U.S. mainland and Europe.
Jump the gun starts, bumper car mark roundings and by a nose finishes earmarked the weekend's sailing.
Chuck Fuller, an IYRU International Judge from California, described the challenges of the day three sailing.
"The lighter air is always more tricky for the kids to sail in. There's more tactics involved."
Fuller has officiated over the event since its inception.
The fluky winds were most difficult for the Green Fleet – beginning sailors age 15 years or younger, yet many of the more advanced Red (13-15 years), Blue (11-12 years) and White (10 years and younger) skippers literally breezed along to top positions in their class.
In the eldest Red Fleet, Spain's Torrens won the class as well as the
coveted overall top spot. "This has been good training for him, since in
five days we'll be heading to Spain's annual national sailing competition,"
Gil explained.
Teammate Pedro Mari took second in this class, while Puerto Rico's Marco Teixidor took third. At last year's Optimist World Championships in La Coruña, Spain, Marco scored 27th out of 252 sailors competing. Rounding out fourth and fifth place, respectively, were Puerto Rican sailor Xavier Quinones from Ponce, and Ryan Costanzo, a star sailor in the St. John KATS program. "Ryan's really grown a lot in his sailing over the years," said St. John coach, Fletcher Pitts.
The Blue Fleet was the most highly competitive of all the classes, and composed of aspiring Green Fleet graduates and juniors that know that they still have at least three more years to perfect sailing an 8-foot Optimist dinghy before they "age-out". Consistent scores ranging from second to fourth place put Cy Thompson, a 7-year-veteran of this event, in the lead.
Puerto Rico's Carlos Teixdor, Marco's cousin, placed second, while St. Thomas' Taylor Canfield astutely drove his way to third. Showing stronger team talent from Puerto Rico, Adrian Hernandez scored fourth. Tomas Hornos, representing the Hyannis Yacht Club, ended fifth in class.
The White Fleet was bested by Victor Diaz Deleon from Venezuela, a country that has been sending sailors to this competition for over five years.
Trinidad's Aaron Barcant finished second. "Our program sails out of Chaguaramas," described Colin Barcant, Aaron's father and a key parent in the Trinidad & Tobago Yachting Association program. "But we hope to expand it to other areas of the island and grow." Representing Martinique, Nicholas Rendu placed third, while Puerto Rico's Christian Fleming ended fourth and St. Thomas' Stephen Hebert in fifth.
David Alfonso, from Puerto Rico, led the beginner Green Fleet and showed the skill required to move up into one of the more competitive classes next year. Philipine Van Aanholt, finished second. "I've been sailing since I was six," Van Aanholt said. "I first learned sailing a Sunfish with my father."
Van Aanholt's father, Cor, was the 1980 Sunfish World Champion and represented the Netherlands at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney. "I'm more of a teacher now," Cor added, as he leaned down to give his daughter more pointers. St. Thomas Tyler Rice finished third in class and hopes to boost his sailing skills even further this summer. "My dad's taking me to the Nationals in August," Tyler told. First time competitor and St. Thomas sailor, James John, ended fourth, while Edgar Sleeart-Carrie from St. Maarten rounded out fifth in class.
"This regatta just keeps getting bigger and better," said IYRU judge, Ives.
"The caliber of the kids is impressive, both in their sailing skills and knowledge of the rules of sailing. And," Ives adds, "I have to give the parents credit too. The Little League mentality hasn't hit sailing yet –
having fun is still the main goal."
RESULTS
RED FLEET
1. Xavier Torrens, Spain
2. Pedro Mari, Spain
3. Marco Teixidor, Puerto Rico
4. Xavier Quinones, Puerto Rico
5. Ryan Costanzo, St. John, USVI
6. Bruno Chalono, Martinique
7. Thomas Barrows, St. Thomas, USVI
8. Addison Caproni, St. Thomas, USVI
9. Ronal Incera, Venezuela
10. Sean Costanzo, St. John, USVI
11. Pascale Royledoux, Martinique
12. Callie Burks, St. John, USVI
13. Cullen Shaughnessy, USA
14. Sam Talbot, BVI
15. Gabrielle Bonnin, Puerto Rico
16. Jonathan Suau, Martinique
17. Marcos Aleman, Puerto Rico
18. Jean Lewis Lauhon, Martinique
19. Valerie Trahan, St. John, USVI
20. Dylan Buckhalter, St. John, USVI
21. Ben Victor, St. Croix, USVI
22. Josephia Railey, Curacao
23. Ham Schrijvers, St. Maarten
24. Stephanie Malanga, St. Croix, USVI
BLUE FLEET
1. Cy Thompson, St. Thomas, USVI
2. Carlos Teixidor, Puerto Rico
3. Taylor Canfield, St. Thomas, USVI
4. Adrian Hernandez, Puerto Rico
5. Tomas Hornos, USA
6. Jorge Hernandez, Puerto Rico
7. Philip Alley, USA
8. Charles Nayral, Martinique
9. Andrew Lewis, Trinidad
10. Cam Cullman, USA
11. Jesper Bus, St. Maarten
12. Thomas Wanenburg, Curacao
13. Sean Anderson, BVI
14. Vincent Rutenfrans, Curacao
15. Richard Baranowski, St. John, USVI
16. Jennifer Maffioli, Puerto Rico
17. Francisco Media, Puerto Rico
18. Michiel Wickeren, Curacao
19. James Woods, BVI
20. Chutney Mohler, St. John, USVI
21. JD Dunn, USA
22. Curtis Diaz, St. Croix, USVI
23. Lucas Kindervater, St. John, USVI
24. Fara Westerman, St. Croix, USVI
25. Zachary Trahan, St. John, USVI
WHITE FLEET
1. Victor Diaz Deleon, Venezuela
2. Aaron Barcant, Trinidad
3. Nicholas Rendu, Martinique
4. Christian Fleming, Puerto Rico
5. Stefan Hebert, St. Thomas
6. Gregory Douglas, Barbados
7. Alistair Affoo, Trinidad
8. Alex Anderson, BVI
GREEN FLEET
1. David Alfonso, Puerto Rico
2. Philipine Van Aanholt, Curacao
3. Tyler Rice, St. Thomas, USVI
4. James John, St. Thomas, USVI
5. Edgar Sleeart-Carrie, St. Maarten
6. Rian Bareuther, St. Thomas, USVI
7. Dominique Lewis, Trinidad
8. Robbert Schrijvers, St. Maarten
9. Marjorie Barber, St. John, USVI
10. Hugo Roller, St. John, USVI
11. Jack Cunningham, Barbados
12. Mo Greenspon, BVI
13. Sarah Burks, St. John, USVI
14. Olin Davis, St. Thomas, USVI
15. Louie Tarr, St. John, USVI
16. John Paul Brennan, Trinidad
17. William Bailey III, St. Thomas, USVI
18. Nicole Barbier, St. John, USVI
19. Jonathan Garyag, Grenada
20. Patrick Carolus, Puerto Rico
21. Elsa Meyers, BVI
22. Kai Jen, St. John, USVI
23. Dan Depree, St. John, USVI
But when it came down to the last of the ten races, 14-year-old Xavier Torrens from Spain sailed away with the overall win by a valiantly fought one point over defending champ and 12-year-old St. Thomas sailor, Cy Thompson. "He's been sailing since he was 6, he's used to light air and competitions where there are 80 or more boats," explained Francisco Gil, coach for the Spanish National Team, about the secret to Torrens success.
The ninth annual event, hosted by the St. Thomas Yacht Club June 14 to 17, drew a record 81 7- to 15-year-old junior sailors from throughout the Caribbean, U.S. mainland and Europe.
Jump the gun starts, bumper car mark roundings and by a nose finishes earmarked the weekend's sailing.
Chuck Fuller, an IYRU International Judge from California, described the challenges of the day three sailing.
"The lighter air is always more tricky for the kids to sail in. There's more tactics involved."
Fuller has officiated over the event since its inception.
The fluky winds were most difficult for the Green Fleet – beginning sailors age 15 years or younger, yet many of the more advanced Red (13-15 years), Blue (11-12 years) and White (10 years and younger) skippers literally breezed along to top positions in their class.
In the eldest Red Fleet, Spain's Torrens won the class as well as the
coveted overall top spot. "This has been good training for him, since in
five days we'll be heading to Spain's annual national sailing competition,"
Gil explained.
Teammate Pedro Mari took second in this class, while Puerto Rico's Marco Teixidor took third. At last year's Optimist World Championships in La Coruña, Spain, Marco scored 27th out of 252 sailors competing. Rounding out fourth and fifth place, respectively, were Puerto Rican sailor Xavier Quinones from Ponce, and Ryan Costanzo, a star sailor in the St. John KATS program. "Ryan's really grown a lot in his sailing over the years," said St. John coach, Fletcher Pitts.
The Blue Fleet was the most highly competitive of all the classes, and composed of aspiring Green Fleet graduates and juniors that know that they still have at least three more years to perfect sailing an 8-foot Optimist dinghy before they "age-out". Consistent scores ranging from second to fourth place put Cy Thompson, a 7-year-veteran of this event, in the lead.
Puerto Rico's Carlos Teixdor, Marco's cousin, placed second, while St. Thomas' Taylor Canfield astutely drove his way to third. Showing stronger team talent from Puerto Rico, Adrian Hernandez scored fourth. Tomas Hornos, representing the Hyannis Yacht Club, ended fifth in class.
The White Fleet was bested by Victor Diaz Deleon from Venezuela, a country that has been sending sailors to this competition for over five years.
Trinidad's Aaron Barcant finished second. "Our program sails out of Chaguaramas," described Colin Barcant, Aaron's father and a key parent in the Trinidad & Tobago Yachting Association program. "But we hope to expand it to other areas of the island and grow." Representing Martinique, Nicholas Rendu placed third, while Puerto Rico's Christian Fleming ended fourth and St. Thomas' Stephen Hebert in fifth.
David Alfonso, from Puerto Rico, led the beginner Green Fleet and showed the skill required to move up into one of the more competitive classes next year. Philipine Van Aanholt, finished second. "I've been sailing since I was six," Van Aanholt said. "I first learned sailing a Sunfish with my father."
Van Aanholt's father, Cor, was the 1980 Sunfish World Champion and represented the Netherlands at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney. "I'm more of a teacher now," Cor added, as he leaned down to give his daughter more pointers. St. Thomas Tyler Rice finished third in class and hopes to boost his sailing skills even further this summer. "My dad's taking me to the Nationals in August," Tyler told. First time competitor and St. Thomas sailor, James John, ended fourth, while Edgar Sleeart-Carrie from St. Maarten rounded out fifth in class.
"This regatta just keeps getting bigger and better," said IYRU judge, Ives.
"The caliber of the kids is impressive, both in their sailing skills and knowledge of the rules of sailing. And," Ives adds, "I have to give the parents credit too. The Little League mentality hasn't hit sailing yet –
having fun is still the main goal."
RESULTS
RED FLEET
1. Xavier Torrens, Spain
2. Pedro Mari, Spain
3. Marco Teixidor, Puerto Rico
4. Xavier Quinones, Puerto Rico
5. Ryan Costanzo, St. John, USVI
6. Bruno Chalono, Martinique
7. Thomas Barrows, St. Thomas, USVI
8. Addison Caproni, St. Thomas, USVI
9. Ronal Incera, Venezuela
10. Sean Costanzo, St. John, USVI
11. Pascale Royledoux, Martinique
12. Callie Burks, St. John, USVI
13. Cullen Shaughnessy, USA
14. Sam Talbot, BVI
15. Gabrielle Bonnin, Puerto Rico
16. Jonathan Suau, Martinique
17. Marcos Aleman, Puerto Rico
18. Jean Lewis Lauhon, Martinique
19. Valerie Trahan, St. John, USVI
20. Dylan Buckhalter, St. John, USVI
21. Ben Victor, St. Croix, USVI
22. Josephia Railey, Curacao
23. Ham Schrijvers, St. Maarten
24. Stephanie Malanga, St. Croix, USVI
BLUE FLEET
1. Cy Thompson, St. Thomas, USVI
2. Carlos Teixidor, Puerto Rico
3. Taylor Canfield, St. Thomas, USVI
4. Adrian Hernandez, Puerto Rico
5. Tomas Hornos, USA
6. Jorge Hernandez, Puerto Rico
7. Philip Alley, USA
8. Charles Nayral, Martinique
9. Andrew Lewis, Trinidad
10. Cam Cullman, USA
11. Jesper Bus, St. Maarten
12. Thomas Wanenburg, Curacao
13. Sean Anderson, BVI
14. Vincent Rutenfrans, Curacao
15. Richard Baranowski, St. John, USVI
16. Jennifer Maffioli, Puerto Rico
17. Francisco Media, Puerto Rico
18. Michiel Wickeren, Curacao
19. James Woods, BVI
20. Chutney Mohler, St. John, USVI
21. JD Dunn, USA
22. Curtis Diaz, St. Croix, USVI
23. Lucas Kindervater, St. John, USVI
24. Fara Westerman, St. Croix, USVI
25. Zachary Trahan, St. John, USVI
WHITE FLEET
1. Victor Diaz Deleon, Venezuela
2. Aaron Barcant, Trinidad
3. Nicholas Rendu, Martinique
4. Christian Fleming, Puerto Rico
5. Stefan Hebert, St. Thomas
6. Gregory Douglas, Barbados
7. Alistair Affoo, Trinidad
8. Alex Anderson, BVI
GREEN FLEET
1. David Alfonso, Puerto Rico
2. Philipine Van Aanholt, Curacao
3. Tyler Rice, St. Thomas, USVI
4. James John, St. Thomas, USVI
5. Edgar Sleeart-Carrie, St. Maarten
6. Rian Bareuther, St. Thomas, USVI
7. Dominique Lewis, Trinidad
8. Robbert Schrijvers, St. Maarten
9. Marjorie Barber, St. John, USVI
10. Hugo Roller, St. John, USVI
11. Jack Cunningham, Barbados
12. Mo Greenspon, BVI
13. Sarah Burks, St. John, USVI
14. Olin Davis, St. Thomas, USVI
15. Louie Tarr, St. John, USVI
16. John Paul Brennan, Trinidad
17. William Bailey III, St. Thomas, USVI
18. Nicole Barbier, St. John, USVI
19. Jonathan Garyag, Grenada
20. Patrick Carolus, Puerto Rico
21. Elsa Meyers, BVI
22. Kai Jen, St. John, USVI
23. Dan Depree, St. John, USVI
CALDIERA PLACES 1ST IN FATHER'S DAY RACE
Father's Day morning saw a diverse and enthusiastic group of 26 walkers and runners participating in the annual STAR Frenchtown Father's Day Road Race.
Men, women and children raced 2 miles for various prizes donated by Frenchtown businesses.
Luis Caldiera took first place overall with a time of 11 minutes and 14 seconds. He was followed by Maurice Kurg in 11:34. Third place in the men's division with a time of 12:14 was Nicolas VanHeurck.
VanHeurck took home a special trophy for being the first father over the finish line.
The women's division was led by Claire Ochoa with a time of 11:59. Second place went to Charley Charles in 12:17. Charlotte Morris crossed the line in third place with a time of 13: 09. STAR races will take a summer break. Stay tuned for the Fall schedule.
Men, women and children raced 2 miles for various prizes donated by Frenchtown businesses.
Luis Caldiera took first place overall with a time of 11 minutes and 14 seconds. He was followed by Maurice Kurg in 11:34. Third place in the men's division with a time of 12:14 was Nicolas VanHeurck.
VanHeurck took home a special trophy for being the first father over the finish line.
The women's division was led by Claire Ochoa with a time of 11:59. Second place went to Charley Charles in 12:17. Charlotte Morris crossed the line in third place with a time of 13: 09. STAR races will take a summer break. Stay tuned for the Fall schedule.
POWER TO WHICH PEOPLE?
Dear Source,
On Feb. 6, 1995 the results of the referendum on casino gambling was issued by the election system of the Virgin Islands. The results are as follows; there are 24,416 eligible voters in the district of St. Croix, out of that 16,144 appeared at the polls. 10,514 people voted on the issue with 446 absentee voters at the poll. Only 6,073 voted yes and 4,610 voted no.
These numbers point to the fact that only 26 percent of the eligible voters responded to this St. Croix opinion poll on casino gambling and voted yes . With out even reaching close to 50 percent plus one eligible voters, it was put into law. Not only that, this legislation has the ability for casino gambling to occur on St. Thomas after five years.
If you compare the St. Croix results of the reduction in the size of the senate, the numbers are about the same with a slight increase. Question being, "should the legislature petition Congress to amend the revised organic act to reduce the size of the Legislature?" 27 percent of eligible St. Croix voters voted (key word) yes. Territory wide, the results are just about under 1.75 times greater for a reduction.
At what point or amount of votes ,does an elected official, listen to and address the needs and concerns of his or her constituency? Power to the people or to just a few?
Jason Budsan
St.Thomas
On Feb. 6, 1995 the results of the referendum on casino gambling was issued by the election system of the Virgin Islands. The results are as follows; there are 24,416 eligible voters in the district of St. Croix, out of that 16,144 appeared at the polls. 10,514 people voted on the issue with 446 absentee voters at the poll. Only 6,073 voted yes and 4,610 voted no.
These numbers point to the fact that only 26 percent of the eligible voters responded to this St. Croix opinion poll on casino gambling and voted yes . With out even reaching close to 50 percent plus one eligible voters, it was put into law. Not only that, this legislation has the ability for casino gambling to occur on St. Thomas after five years.
If you compare the St. Croix results of the reduction in the size of the senate, the numbers are about the same with a slight increase. Question being, "should the legislature petition Congress to amend the revised organic act to reduce the size of the Legislature?" 27 percent of eligible St. Croix voters voted (key word) yes. Territory wide, the results are just about under 1.75 times greater for a reduction.
At what point or amount of votes ,does an elected official, listen to and address the needs and concerns of his or her constituency? Power to the people or to just a few?
Jason Budsan
St.Thomas
POWER TO WHICH PEOPLE?
Dear Source,
On February 6, 1995 the results of the referendum on casino gambling was issued by the election system of the Virgin Islands. The results are as follows; there are 24,416 eligible voters in the district of St. Croix, out of that 16,144 appeared at the polls. 10,514 people voted on the issue with 446 absentee voters at the poll. Only 6,073 voted yes and 4,610 voted no.
These numbers point to the fact that only 26 percent of the eligible voters responded to this St. Croix opinion poll on casino gambling and voted yes . With out even reaching close to 50 percent plus one eligible voters, it was put into law. Not only that, this legislation has the ability for casino gambling to occur on St. Thomas after five years.
If you compare the St. Croix results of the reduction in the size of the senate, the numbers are about the same with a slight increase. Question being, "should the legislature petition Congress to amend the revised organic act to reduce the size of the Legislature?" 27 percent of eligible St. Croix voters voted (key word) yes. Territory wide, the results are just about under 1.75 times greater for a reduction.
At what point or amount of votes ,does an elected official, listen to and address the needs and concerns of his or her constituency? Power to the people or to just a few?
Jason Budsan
St.Thomas
On February 6, 1995 the results of the referendum on casino gambling was issued by the election system of the Virgin Islands. The results are as follows; there are 24,416 eligible voters in the district of St. Croix, out of that 16,144 appeared at the polls. 10,514 people voted on the issue with 446 absentee voters at the poll. Only 6,073 voted yes and 4,610 voted no.
These numbers point to the fact that only 26 percent of the eligible voters responded to this St. Croix opinion poll on casino gambling and voted yes . With out even reaching close to 50 percent plus one eligible voters, it was put into law. Not only that, this legislation has the ability for casino gambling to occur on St. Thomas after five years.
If you compare the St. Croix results of the reduction in the size of the senate, the numbers are about the same with a slight increase. Question being, "should the legislature petition Congress to amend the revised organic act to reduce the size of the Legislature?" 27 percent of eligible St. Croix voters voted (key word) yes. Territory wide, the results are just about under 1.75 times greater for a reduction.
At what point or amount of votes ,does an elected official, listen to and address the needs and concerns of his or her constituency? Power to the people or to just a few?
Jason Budsan
St.Thomas
