April 30, 2001 – The St. John Community Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2001 Harry Daniel Scholarship. This is a one-time award in the amount of $1,000 to assist with tuition for a freshman entering college for the first time. The award is available to St. John residents only.
To request an application or obtain further information, call Community Foundation executive director Mary Blazine at 693-9410. The deadline for submitting applications is June 1.
CLEAN & PREEN STUDENTS COLLECT EPA AWARD
May 2, 2001 — Tires, refrigerators, oil containers, batteries and 630 bags of garbage got two Virgin Islands students a trip to New York recently to accept the President's Environmental Youth Award on behalf of the Clean & Preen Summer Program's Benner Bay project.
Kori Vialet, a junior at Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, and Jacynthe Lettsome, a sophomore at Charlotte Amalie High, accepted the award from Region 2 of the Environmental Protection Agency. A total of 56 students participated in the project last summer, sponsored by the Anti-Litter and Beautification Commission, St. Thomas-St. John district.
The award, which recognizes young people who become environmental leaders within their communiy, was presented by Christine Todd Whitman, EPA administrator, and William Muszynski, acting regional administrator. Lettsome thanked Whitman for "recognizing our concern for the environment and our hard work to protect it." She presented Whitman with one of the summer program's trademark green T-shirts.
ALBC district director Geraldine Smith, project field coordinator Lueben Davis and student supervisor Rosemarie Dorsett accompanied the two teens to the ceremony at the EPA regional headquarters in New York.
The students spent six weeks cleaning the Benner Bay area on St. Thomas last summer. They carried, dragged and pushed debris to the roadside, where it was trucked to the landfill. The result was an environmentally improved area hospitable to the growth of mangroves and seagrass beds, both critical to marine life and wildlife.
The project was developed by the commission and funded in part by a grant from the Planning and Natural Resources Department. Each year EPA Region 2, encompassing New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, selects up to three Environmental Youth Award winners. Three projects from New York received honorable mention this year.
Kori Vialet, a junior at Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, and Jacynthe Lettsome, a sophomore at Charlotte Amalie High, accepted the award from Region 2 of the Environmental Protection Agency. A total of 56 students participated in the project last summer, sponsored by the Anti-Litter and Beautification Commission, St. Thomas-St. John district.
The award, which recognizes young people who become environmental leaders within their communiy, was presented by Christine Todd Whitman, EPA administrator, and William Muszynski, acting regional administrator. Lettsome thanked Whitman for "recognizing our concern for the environment and our hard work to protect it." She presented Whitman with one of the summer program's trademark green T-shirts.
ALBC district director Geraldine Smith, project field coordinator Lueben Davis and student supervisor Rosemarie Dorsett accompanied the two teens to the ceremony at the EPA regional headquarters in New York.
The students spent six weeks cleaning the Benner Bay area on St. Thomas last summer. They carried, dragged and pushed debris to the roadside, where it was trucked to the landfill. The result was an environmentally improved area hospitable to the growth of mangroves and seagrass beds, both critical to marine life and wildlife.
The project was developed by the commission and funded in part by a grant from the Planning and Natural Resources Department. Each year EPA Region 2, encompassing New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, selects up to three Environmental Youth Award winners. Three projects from New York received honorable mention this year.
SENATOR'S EVENT RAISES $8K FOR CENTRAL HIGH
May 2, 2001 – Some of the singers who took part in the karaoke fund-raiser for Central High School in March may have been out of tune, but their collective efforts hit a high note by raising $8,000.
The March 31 shindig at the Wreck Bar in Christiansted saw more than 300 people, including Lt. Gov. Gerard Luz James II, senators, other government officials and teachers, gather to raise money for Central High’s English Department. The effort fell short of the goal to collect $10,000 for a new copy machine and instructional materials, but the event organizer, Sen. Emmett Hansen II, said that was because "unfortunately, the event was cut short."
Hansen was referring to an unrelated incident involving a gun outside the bar.
Despite that glitch, the senator, a Central High graduate, said the success of the event demonstrated that the community can band together in times of need.
"It shows that, once you put your mind to it, you can get this community together," he said. "I feel really good."
Central High Principal Kent Moorhead said that money raised will be used for both the copy machine and for developing advanced placement and remedial programs. "All of Central High will benefit from this contribution," he said.
Hansen was non-committal about whether he is planning any other fund-raisers anytime soon. "I can’t spend all my time putting on benefits," he said. "Perhaps we’ll do it again this summer."
The March 31 shindig at the Wreck Bar in Christiansted saw more than 300 people, including Lt. Gov. Gerard Luz James II, senators, other government officials and teachers, gather to raise money for Central High’s English Department. The effort fell short of the goal to collect $10,000 for a new copy machine and instructional materials, but the event organizer, Sen. Emmett Hansen II, said that was because "unfortunately, the event was cut short."
Hansen was referring to an unrelated incident involving a gun outside the bar.
Despite that glitch, the senator, a Central High graduate, said the success of the event demonstrated that the community can band together in times of need.
"It shows that, once you put your mind to it, you can get this community together," he said. "I feel really good."
Central High Principal Kent Moorhead said that money raised will be used for both the copy machine and for developing advanced placement and remedial programs. "All of Central High will benefit from this contribution," he said.
Hansen was non-committal about whether he is planning any other fund-raisers anytime soon. "I can’t spend all my time putting on benefits," he said. "Perhaps we’ll do it again this summer."
ANOTHER DELAY IN DOMINGUEZ MURDER CASE
May 2, 2001 – Marvin Dominguez pleaded guilty to the 1999 murder of Patricia Ann Haumacher in February, but how much time he will serve for the crime remains unknown.
Even though the 26-year-old admitted to police some 18 months ago that he strangled Haumacher and then buried her body in the backyard of their shared rental home in Frederiksted, the case has moved through Territorial Court at a snail’s pace.
Last February, Dominguez pleaded guilty to second-degree murder during a private session in Presiding Territorial Court Judge Maria Cabret’s chambers. Sentencing was set for April 11.
By entering the plea, Dominguez avoided a March 18 trial for first-degree murder and the possibility of life in prison. Instead, the New Jersey resident now faces between five and 20 years behind bars.
But the April sentencing, like almost every other aspect of the drawn-out case, was continued by Cabret, according to Assistant Attorney General Marie John-Drigo.
"As far as I know, the judge hasn’t rescheduled it," John-Drigo said.
It's the latest of many delays in the case. Prosecutors cited problems having evidence analyzed by the FBI Crime Lab as a major impediment, and a change of the judge hearing the case as another.
Haumacher’s family in New Jersey reported her missing on Nov. 9, 1999, after not having heard from her for more than a month. Four days later, V.I. police interviewed Dominguez, who told investigators she had been having family problems and had left the island. Acquaintances of Dominguez and Haumacher reported last seeing her around Oct. 8, 1999.
Dominguez turned himself in on Nov. 29, 1999, soon after authorities queried him about Haumacher’s whereabouts. The next day officials exhumed her body, bound and gagged inside a duffel bag, from a shallow grave in the yard of the house the two had shared in Estate Two Brothers. An autopsy determined that the victim was killed by manual strangulation and had been dead for one to two months.
According to court documents, Dominguez killed Haumacher after an argument turned violent.
Even though the 26-year-old admitted to police some 18 months ago that he strangled Haumacher and then buried her body in the backyard of their shared rental home in Frederiksted, the case has moved through Territorial Court at a snail’s pace.
Last February, Dominguez pleaded guilty to second-degree murder during a private session in Presiding Territorial Court Judge Maria Cabret’s chambers. Sentencing was set for April 11.
By entering the plea, Dominguez avoided a March 18 trial for first-degree murder and the possibility of life in prison. Instead, the New Jersey resident now faces between five and 20 years behind bars.
But the April sentencing, like almost every other aspect of the drawn-out case, was continued by Cabret, according to Assistant Attorney General Marie John-Drigo.
"As far as I know, the judge hasn’t rescheduled it," John-Drigo said.
It's the latest of many delays in the case. Prosecutors cited problems having evidence analyzed by the FBI Crime Lab as a major impediment, and a change of the judge hearing the case as another.
Haumacher’s family in New Jersey reported her missing on Nov. 9, 1999, after not having heard from her for more than a month. Four days later, V.I. police interviewed Dominguez, who told investigators she had been having family problems and had left the island. Acquaintances of Dominguez and Haumacher reported last seeing her around Oct. 8, 1999.
Dominguez turned himself in on Nov. 29, 1999, soon after authorities queried him about Haumacher’s whereabouts. The next day officials exhumed her body, bound and gagged inside a duffel bag, from a shallow grave in the yard of the house the two had shared in Estate Two Brothers. An autopsy determined that the victim was killed by manual strangulation and had been dead for one to two months.
According to court documents, Dominguez killed Haumacher after an argument turned violent.
GERTRUDE P. LEVIN WHYTE FUNERAL THURSDAY
Gertrude P. Levin Whyte, of Estate Tutu #146-152, died Wednesday, April 25 at her home. She was 63.
A first viewing is planned from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 2 at Davis Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 3 at New Hernhut Moravian Church. A viewing will precede the service beginning at 8 a.m.
Interment will follow at Western Cemetery #1.
She is survived by her daughters, Sandra Setorie, Kimberly Whyte, Loralie Whyte Muhammad, Yanique Williams, and Yasmin Levin; son-in-law, Richard Muhammad; sisters, Rehenia Levin Rogers, Rosalia Levin Fennell, and Angela Levin Jefferson; brother, Homer Levin; aunt, Golda Hall; special cousins, Diane Hansen Reovan, Gertrude Denton Ousley, and Cecile Denton Davis; grandchildren, Koi Setorie, Geataeus Willocks, Jendayi Collingwood, Rashaad, Tahir, Nayyirah, and Najah Muhammad, Kimelle-Lee, Khafia, Jamali, and Jelani Williams, Courtney "C.J." Francis Jr., T'eddy, T'Disha, T'Koi, and Ch'Koia Bryan, Alistair "A.J." Liburd Jr., Jah'sim Meryl, Tre'Nique and Treneki Kingston.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Davis Funeral Home.
A first viewing is planned from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 2 at Davis Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 3 at New Hernhut Moravian Church. A viewing will precede the service beginning at 8 a.m.
Interment will follow at Western Cemetery #1.
She is survived by her daughters, Sandra Setorie, Kimberly Whyte, Loralie Whyte Muhammad, Yanique Williams, and Yasmin Levin; son-in-law, Richard Muhammad; sisters, Rehenia Levin Rogers, Rosalia Levin Fennell, and Angela Levin Jefferson; brother, Homer Levin; aunt, Golda Hall; special cousins, Diane Hansen Reovan, Gertrude Denton Ousley, and Cecile Denton Davis; grandchildren, Koi Setorie, Geataeus Willocks, Jendayi Collingwood, Rashaad, Tahir, Nayyirah, and Najah Muhammad, Kimelle-Lee, Khafia, Jamali, and Jelani Williams, Courtney "C.J." Francis Jr., T'eddy, T'Disha, T'Koi, and Ch'Koia Bryan, Alistair "A.J." Liburd Jr., Jah'sim Meryl, Tre'Nique and Treneki Kingston.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Davis Funeral Home.
UVI LIBRARIAN TAPPED TO ATTEND INSTITUTE
May 2, 2001 – University of the Virgin Islands employee Linda Barr is among 30 librarians selected to spend next week in Atlanta attending the Southeastern Institute on Collaborative Library Leadership.
The institute, scheduled for May 7-11, is designed to provide "multi-type" librarians with "critical skills that will enable them to collaborate, partner and network in the future," a UVI release stated.
The Ralph M. Paiewonsky Library on the St. Thomas campus, where Barr works, and the St. Croix campus library are considered "multi-type" institutions because they are academic libraries that contain collections from many disciplines.
Criteria for selection to take part in the all-expenses-paid institute included a history of commitment to partnering and collaboration among libraries and library organizations, a vision of the future of collaborations, and leadership skills and potential to facilitate change in the region.
Barr said she was excited to be chosen and "anxious to share what I learn with other librarians in the territory."
The institute, scheduled for May 7-11, is designed to provide "multi-type" librarians with "critical skills that will enable them to collaborate, partner and network in the future," a UVI release stated.
The Ralph M. Paiewonsky Library on the St. Thomas campus, where Barr works, and the St. Croix campus library are considered "multi-type" institutions because they are academic libraries that contain collections from many disciplines.
Criteria for selection to take part in the all-expenses-paid institute included a history of commitment to partnering and collaboration among libraries and library organizations, a vision of the future of collaborations, and leadership skills and potential to facilitate change in the region.
Barr said she was excited to be chosen and "anxious to share what I learn with other librarians in the territory."
1976 IVANNA EUDORA KEAN CLASS MEETING
The Class of 1976 of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School will have a meeting at 6 p.m. Friday, May 4 at Wahoo Restaurant in Red Hook. Reunion activities will be planned, and participation in the upcoming commencement exercises for the Class of 2001 will be discussed.
Interested class members are encouraged to attend.
Contact Debra Watlington at 776-0356 or Jose Penn at 779-4238 for more information.
Interested class members are encouraged to attend.
Contact Debra Watlington at 776-0356 or Jose Penn at 779-4238 for more information.
1976 IVANNA EUDORA KEAN CLASS MEETING
The Class of 1976 of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School will have a meeting at 6 p.m. Friday, May 4 at Cafe Wahoo Restaurant in Red Hook. Reunion activities will be planned, and participation in the upcoming commencement exercises for the Class of 2001 will be discussed.
Interested class members are encouraged to attend.
Contact Debra Watlington at 776-0356 or Jose Penn at 779-4238 for more information.
Interested class members are encouraged to attend.
Contact Debra Watlington at 776-0356 or Jose Penn at 779-4238 for more information.
GARDEN STREET A BED OF THORNS THESE DAYS
Is Garden Street, home to All Saints Cathedral School, to become solely known as the new red light district of St. Thomas? It seems well on its way to winning this title of dubious distinction.
On March 23, I heard All Saints student Bobby King give an impassioned speech before the members of the Senate Youth and Human Services Committee at a hearing designed to elicit youths' comments on what they want to see happen to improve their lives and those of the community.
Bobby graphically described his feelings at sitting in class the day before and hearing gunshots ringing out a mere block and a half away. The victim, a 19-year-old who was shot four times, according to media reports, was uncooperative when asked to name the shooter. Bobby went on to implore the senators to take strong action before a student is caught in the gunfire. He spoke of the unfairness of his school having to move out to the "country" to get away from it all.
Early Monday morning, April 30, Garden Street was the host to the murder of yet another young man, following the execution-style murder five days earlier of a 22-year-old man whose body was found in a car on Crown Mountain. The Garden Street killing occurred a block away from All Saints school and a little up the street from the newest bar and restaurant on the street.
Bobby King asked at the hearing, and I ask, too: When will action occur on Garden Street, or on St. Thomas for that matter, to stem this tide? Murder and violence seem the order of the day. We continue to sit back and lose our young men one by one. We continue, while this happens, to fight and quibble about every ridiculously unimportant issue of the day as if ours were a community listed as one of the five best places in the nation to live.
Carnival 2001 was a safe one for all by all accounts. However, I woke up on the Monday morning after it to news of the Garden Street murder, a stabbing on the new high-speed ferry in an argument over a seat on the boat (really!) and gunshots in the vicinity of the Jam Band boat ride (once again) disembarkation area. While I commend all who strove to keep Carnival incident free, we live here all year 'round, and the violence just seems to keep on coming. We have got to be able to find a way to stop or reduce it.
The Garden Street area used to be quiet, respectable and middle-class neighborhood, with the Ebbesen family, Rabbi Sasso and his family, the Cancryns, the DeCastros, the Melchiors and others forming a stable community. What seems now to be taking full root is a series of bars, liquor stores, nightclubs and places of business that appear to cater to those seeking late-night red-light type action.
We have laws on the books that increase the penalties for those convicted of selling controlled substances if they do so within 1,000 feet of schools, playgrounds, universities, beaches, etc. I know liquor sales are legal (what laws govern strip clubs?) and those of controlled substances are not, but I still believe that there are areas where they cannot peacefully coexist, such as those described in the previously mentioned law.
Are there laws governing how close to a school liquor shops that appear to double as bars with full sidewalk hangout activity and bars/restaurants that might be doubling as red-light type places can operate? If not, then some need to be put on the books, and fast. If there are laws, who monitors their enforcement?
The children who attend All Saints — and my child, too, I might add — have to walk this street daily and could very well be caught in gunfire. They deserve better. All of our Virgin Islands children deserve better. We are supposed to be their protectors.
However, even if there were no gunfire issue, do we really want our children walking through the kind of environment that is produced by these types of businesses and the clientele they attract? Take a drive or walk down what was a street with decent people living on it years ago, and see the kinds of people now hanging out outside the liquor store, bars and "the well." Is this what we want for our children? For our community?
I join Bobby King, who had the guts and concern to ask: When will a change occur? After a student is killed? Let us all hope that he is not right on the money!
On March 23, I heard All Saints student Bobby King give an impassioned speech before the members of the Senate Youth and Human Services Committee at a hearing designed to elicit youths' comments on what they want to see happen to improve their lives and those of the community.
Bobby graphically described his feelings at sitting in class the day before and hearing gunshots ringing out a mere block and a half away. The victim, a 19-year-old who was shot four times, according to media reports, was uncooperative when asked to name the shooter. Bobby went on to implore the senators to take strong action before a student is caught in the gunfire. He spoke of the unfairness of his school having to move out to the "country" to get away from it all.
Early Monday morning, April 30, Garden Street was the host to the murder of yet another young man, following the execution-style murder five days earlier of a 22-year-old man whose body was found in a car on Crown Mountain. The Garden Street killing occurred a block away from All Saints school and a little up the street from the newest bar and restaurant on the street.
Bobby King asked at the hearing, and I ask, too: When will action occur on Garden Street, or on St. Thomas for that matter, to stem this tide? Murder and violence seem the order of the day. We continue to sit back and lose our young men one by one. We continue, while this happens, to fight and quibble about every ridiculously unimportant issue of the day as if ours were a community listed as one of the five best places in the nation to live.
Carnival 2001 was a safe one for all by all accounts. However, I woke up on the Monday morning after it to news of the Garden Street murder, a stabbing on the new high-speed ferry in an argument over a seat on the boat (really!) and gunshots in the vicinity of the Jam Band boat ride (once again) disembarkation area. While I commend all who strove to keep Carnival incident free, we live here all year 'round, and the violence just seems to keep on coming. We have got to be able to find a way to stop or reduce it.
The Garden Street area used to be quiet, respectable and middle-class neighborhood, with the Ebbesen family, Rabbi Sasso and his family, the Cancryns, the DeCastros, the Melchiors and others forming a stable community. What seems now to be taking full root is a series of bars, liquor stores, nightclubs and places of business that appear to cater to those seeking late-night red-light type action.
We have laws on the books that increase the penalties for those convicted of selling controlled substances if they do so within 1,000 feet of schools, playgrounds, universities, beaches, etc. I know liquor sales are legal (what laws govern strip clubs?) and those of controlled substances are not, but I still believe that there are areas where they cannot peacefully coexist, such as those described in the previously mentioned law.
Are there laws governing how close to a school liquor shops that appear to double as bars with full sidewalk hangout activity and bars/restaurants that might be doubling as red-light type places can operate? If not, then some need to be put on the books, and fast. If there are laws, who monitors their enforcement?
The children who attend All Saints — and my child, too, I might add — have to walk this street daily and could very well be caught in gunfire. They deserve better. All of our Virgin Islands children deserve better. We are supposed to be their protectors.
However, even if there were no gunfire issue, do we really want our children walking through the kind of environment that is produced by these types of businesses and the clientele they attract? Take a drive or walk down what was a street with decent people living on it years ago, and see the kinds of people now hanging out outside the liquor store, bars and "the well." Is this what we want for our children? For our community?
I join Bobby King, who had the guts and concern to ask: When will a change occur? After a student is killed? Let us all hope that he is not right on the money!
Editor's note: Catherine L. Mills of St. Thomas, a former Human Services commissioner, holds a master's degree in social work.
May 2, 2001
GOVERNOR'S CONDUCT HAS WIDER IMPLICATIONS
Dear Source:
It was with a real sense of sadness that I read your editorial "Dirty Linen Has No Place at Tourism Symposium." For the last two years, I have worked toward one goal — moving to what I believe is one of the most beautiful places on Earth, St. Croix, USVI. My dream is to move my family there and to be able to make a difference.
I am in agreement with you that Gov. Turnbull's behavior at the recent tourism industry dinner seems to be nothing less than a classic case of "biting the hand that feeds you." This single act alone may have the gravest of consequences to all of the Virgin Islands, considering how important tourism is to its economy.
His public conduct also has far-reaching implications for other industries that might be seeking an environmentally clean location that would embrace the economic infusion they would bring.
This leads me to worry about the future. Will the future of the Virgin Islands (its youth) be as accepting and tolerant of living with things as they are, because they have no hope? Or will they find the limits of human endurance and strike out and "bite the hand that stole their future"? It seems to me that the time has come for the people of the Virgin Islands to decide what kind of people they are — and what kind of place they want to live in.
Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not talking about a revolution (or am I?). I'm talking about a change in attitude. Government officials are elected to serve the needs of the people that they represent. It is my belief that all men and women have the right to an opportunity to better their lives and to stand up and be counted. All children have the right to an education and to support from their government for them to become responsible adults.
Will I still move to St. Croix? Oh, yes, without a doubt! I am even more convinced that St. Croix is my destiny.
Dana Travis Middleton
Dallas, Tex.
It was with a real sense of sadness that I read your editorial "Dirty Linen Has No Place at Tourism Symposium." For the last two years, I have worked toward one goal — moving to what I believe is one of the most beautiful places on Earth, St. Croix, USVI. My dream is to move my family there and to be able to make a difference.
I am in agreement with you that Gov. Turnbull's behavior at the recent tourism industry dinner seems to be nothing less than a classic case of "biting the hand that feeds you." This single act alone may have the gravest of consequences to all of the Virgin Islands, considering how important tourism is to its economy.
His public conduct also has far-reaching implications for other industries that might be seeking an environmentally clean location that would embrace the economic infusion they would bring.
This leads me to worry about the future. Will the future of the Virgin Islands (its youth) be as accepting and tolerant of living with things as they are, because they have no hope? Or will they find the limits of human endurance and strike out and "bite the hand that stole their future"? It seems to me that the time has come for the people of the Virgin Islands to decide what kind of people they are — and what kind of place they want to live in.
Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not talking about a revolution (or am I?). I'm talking about a change in attitude. Government officials are elected to serve the needs of the people that they represent. It is my belief that all men and women have the right to an opportunity to better their lives and to stand up and be counted. All children have the right to an education and to support from their government for them to become responsible adults.
Will I still move to St. Croix? Oh, yes, without a doubt! I am even more convinced that St. Croix is my destiny.
Dana Travis Middleton
Dallas, Tex.
