Life here in Sydney is what you'd expect with a city gearing up for the games. There is almost a buzz in the air as the games draw closer. Olympic stuff is everywhere: Olympic rings on the Harbour Bridge, Sydney Olympic logos on newspapers, billboards and TV commercials.
I went out on the water today with the Russian. We were the only ones out: It was blowing at least 28 to 30 knots with gusts to at least 35.
We went blasting out of the harbor on a broad reach just hauling butt and jumping in and out of the boat to try and keep her flat and fast, as the heavy wind turned the mast into some strange, curved modern art piece. It looked like some sort of contortionist model.
Blasting downwind as fast as you can and getting blasted with waves and water to the extent that you have to hold your breath while hanging on or just revert to swallowing a lot of water. All the time praying for the bottom mark to come so you can stop this out-of-control blasting from wave-top to wave-top.
Finally the bottom mark comes, and you breathe a sigh of relief as you turn upwind and drop your butt over the side. Every wave douses you with water, but at least you can start breathing, and breathe you do as your legs start to tense up and you shift from one to the other, and your arm is steering wildly through the waves as you remember to hike harder on those sore legs. Finally your legs and arms are hurting so much you start to pray for that top mark to come so that you can relax.
Yeah, right. I am not sure which is harder, but damn –- it sure is a lot of fun.
We had a great time until he broke his mast, so I took that as an omen and went in as well.
BLASTOFF FROM SYDNEY
Life here in Sydney is what you'd expect with a city gearing up for the games. There is almost a buzz in the air as the games draw closer. Olympic stuff is everywhere: Olympic rings on the Harbour Bridge, Sydney Olympic logos on newspapers, billboards and TV commercials.
I went out on the water today with the Russian. We were the only ones out: It was blowing at least 28 to 30 knots with gusts to at least 35.
We went blasting out of the harbor on a broad reach just hauling butt and jumping in and out of the boat to try and keep her flat and fast, as the heavy wind turned the mast into some strange, curved modern art piece. It looked like some sort of contortionist model.
Blasting downwind as fast as you can and getting blasted with waves and water to the extent that you have to hold your breath while hanging on or just revert to swallowing a lot of water. All the time praying for the bottom mark to come so you can stop this out-of-control blasting from wave-top to wave-top.
Finally the bottom mark comes, and you breathe a sigh of relief as you turn upwind and drop your butt over the side. Every wave douses you with water, but at least you can start breathing, and breathe you do as your legs start to tense up and you shift from one to the other, and your arm is steering wildly through the waves as you remember to hike harder on those sore legs. Finally your legs and arms are hurting so much you start to pray for that top mark to come so that you can relax.
Yeah, right. I am not sure which is harder, but damn –- it sure is a lot of fun.
We had a great time until he broke his mast, so I took that as an omen and went in as well.
I went out on the water today with the Russian. We were the only ones out: It was blowing at least 28 to 30 knots with gusts to at least 35.
We went blasting out of the harbor on a broad reach just hauling butt and jumping in and out of the boat to try and keep her flat and fast, as the heavy wind turned the mast into some strange, curved modern art piece. It looked like some sort of contortionist model.
Blasting downwind as fast as you can and getting blasted with waves and water to the extent that you have to hold your breath while hanging on or just revert to swallowing a lot of water. All the time praying for the bottom mark to come so you can stop this out-of-control blasting from wave-top to wave-top.
Finally the bottom mark comes, and you breathe a sigh of relief as you turn upwind and drop your butt over the side. Every wave douses you with water, but at least you can start breathing, and breathe you do as your legs start to tense up and you shift from one to the other, and your arm is steering wildly through the waves as you remember to hike harder on those sore legs. Finally your legs and arms are hurting so much you start to pray for that top mark to come so that you can relax.
Yeah, right. I am not sure which is harder, but damn –- it sure is a lot of fun.
We had a great time until he broke his mast, so I took that as an omen and went in as well.
BLASTOFF FROM SYDNEY
Life here in Sydney is what you'd expect with a city gearing up for the games. There is almost a buzz in the air as the games draw closer. Olympic stuff is everywhere: Olympic rings on the Harbour Bridge, Sydney Olympic logos on newspapers, billboards and TV commercials.
I went out on the water today with the Russian. We were the only ones out: It was blowing at least 28 to 30 knots with gusts to at least 35.
We went blasting out of the harbor on a broad reach just hauling butt and jumping in and out of the boat to try and keep her flat and fast, as the heavy wind turned the mast into some strange, curved modern art piece. It looked like some sort of contortionist model.
Blasting downwind as fast as you can and getting blasted with waves and water to the extent that you have to hold your breath while hanging on or just revert to swallowing a lot of water. All the time praying for the bottom mark to come so you can stop this out-of-control blasting from wave-top to wave-top.
Finally the bottom mark comes, and you breathe a sigh of relief as you turn upwind and drop your butt over the side. Every wave douses you with water, but at least you can start breathing, and breathe you do as your legs start to tense up and you shift from one to the other, and your arm is steering wildly through the waves as you remember to hike harder on those sore legs. Finally your legs and arms are hurting so much you start to pray for that top mark to come so that you can relax.
Yeah, right. I am not sure which is harder, but damn –- it sure is a lot of fun.
We had a great time until he broke his mast, so I took that as an omen and went in as well.
I went out on the water today with the Russian. We were the only ones out: It was blowing at least 28 to 30 knots with gusts to at least 35.
We went blasting out of the harbor on a broad reach just hauling butt and jumping in and out of the boat to try and keep her flat and fast, as the heavy wind turned the mast into some strange, curved modern art piece. It looked like some sort of contortionist model.
Blasting downwind as fast as you can and getting blasted with waves and water to the extent that you have to hold your breath while hanging on or just revert to swallowing a lot of water. All the time praying for the bottom mark to come so you can stop this out-of-control blasting from wave-top to wave-top.
Finally the bottom mark comes, and you breathe a sigh of relief as you turn upwind and drop your butt over the side. Every wave douses you with water, but at least you can start breathing, and breathe you do as your legs start to tense up and you shift from one to the other, and your arm is steering wildly through the waves as you remember to hike harder on those sore legs. Finally your legs and arms are hurting so much you start to pray for that top mark to come so that you can relax.
Yeah, right. I am not sure which is harder, but damn –- it sure is a lot of fun.
We had a great time until he broke his mast, so I took that as an omen and went in as well.
CZM HEARS PLAN FOR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Promoters of a wildlife sanctuary for the outskirts of Cruz Bay took a step toward their goal Thursday night when they presented their proposal at a public hearing of the Coastal Zone Management Board.
Among the experts testifying for the proposal to declare three acres near Frank Bay a protected area was David Nellis of the VI Department of Fish and Wildlife.
"This is a small salt pond that has been favored by the residents of St. John for many years as sort of an urban wildlife sanctuary. It's small but is tremendously diverse in wildlife for its size," said Nellis.
He predicted the CZM board would base its consideration on similar sanctuaries already in existence on St. Thomas and St. Croix.
There were only two items on the agenda of the public hearing portion of the Thursday night hearing held at the Cruz Bay Legislature. The second matter focused on a proposed shopping center for Coral Bay.
Realtor John Ford asked the board to consider his application for development of a grocery store along Centerline Road near the Romeo Company Fire Service.
But board members began raising objections when representatives of the proposal began to waver on what sort of business would ultimately emerge.
After the meeting, CZM Director Janice Hodge said if Ford made an application for a grocery store he could expect the board to grant him use for the purpose he spelled out in his application.
Among the experts testifying for the proposal to declare three acres near Frank Bay a protected area was David Nellis of the VI Department of Fish and Wildlife.
"This is a small salt pond that has been favored by the residents of St. John for many years as sort of an urban wildlife sanctuary. It's small but is tremendously diverse in wildlife for its size," said Nellis.
He predicted the CZM board would base its consideration on similar sanctuaries already in existence on St. Thomas and St. Croix.
There were only two items on the agenda of the public hearing portion of the Thursday night hearing held at the Cruz Bay Legislature. The second matter focused on a proposed shopping center for Coral Bay.
Realtor John Ford asked the board to consider his application for development of a grocery store along Centerline Road near the Romeo Company Fire Service.
But board members began raising objections when representatives of the proposal began to waver on what sort of business would ultimately emerge.
After the meeting, CZM Director Janice Hodge said if Ford made an application for a grocery store he could expect the board to grant him use for the purpose he spelled out in his application.
2ND CRITTER CRAWL TO BENEFIT HUMANE SOCIETY
Charlotte Morris is as good as her word. She declared after the first Critter Crawl in February, "We're already planning for the next one!"
And here it is, time to "mush and go" Sunday, Sept. 17, at the island's second Critter Crawl.
The race — really a fast-paced dog walk, or lope, or run, or crawl — is Morris's idea to raise money for the financially strapped St. Thomas Humane Society. Though the first event did raise money, Morris has high hopes for breaking that amount.
"We have experience now," Morris said, "and more people know about it."
The Crawl is held at the field behind the Roy L. Schneider Hospital, with registration from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., and the race at 4 p.m. You can "rent" a dog from the Humane Society to walk with you, or bring your own, or walk alone.
It's $10 for adults and $5 for kids to enter, and the same amounts to take a dog with you. Or, if you want to bring your own dog, it's $5.
There are all sorts of categories for prizes: oldest, youngest and in-between. And this year's prizes are something special, Morris said. They include a feather follies bird presentation for your party valued at $250, gifts and dinners from all over the island and an appointment at Monica's Hair Studio at Crown Bay. But that's not all.
Morris has recently opened a pet-sitting business, and she is donating a weekend of free pet-sitting.
The Humane Society will bring puppies for adoption, as they did last year, but this year there's something extra — each of the island's veterinarians is donating a free heartworm test for the dogs or puppies adopted, as long as they are brought in within a week after the Crawl.
And, if all that isn't enough, everybody over 16 gets a free certificate for a week at Gold's Gym.
Dedicated to Dogs staff will conduct a dog obedience show. If memory serves from last time, some of the high-spirited dogs and a few owners could benefit from that. Morris said there are also special events organized for children.
"Almost all the puppies the shelter brought were adopted last time," she said, and she hopes to repeat that this time.
And here it is, time to "mush and go" Sunday, Sept. 17, at the island's second Critter Crawl.
The race — really a fast-paced dog walk, or lope, or run, or crawl — is Morris's idea to raise money for the financially strapped St. Thomas Humane Society. Though the first event did raise money, Morris has high hopes for breaking that amount.
"We have experience now," Morris said, "and more people know about it."
The Crawl is held at the field behind the Roy L. Schneider Hospital, with registration from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., and the race at 4 p.m. You can "rent" a dog from the Humane Society to walk with you, or bring your own, or walk alone.
It's $10 for adults and $5 for kids to enter, and the same amounts to take a dog with you. Or, if you want to bring your own dog, it's $5.
There are all sorts of categories for prizes: oldest, youngest and in-between. And this year's prizes are something special, Morris said. They include a feather follies bird presentation for your party valued at $250, gifts and dinners from all over the island and an appointment at Monica's Hair Studio at Crown Bay. But that's not all.
Morris has recently opened a pet-sitting business, and she is donating a weekend of free pet-sitting.
The Humane Society will bring puppies for adoption, as they did last year, but this year there's something extra — each of the island's veterinarians is donating a free heartworm test for the dogs or puppies adopted, as long as they are brought in within a week after the Crawl.
And, if all that isn't enough, everybody over 16 gets a free certificate for a week at Gold's Gym.
Dedicated to Dogs staff will conduct a dog obedience show. If memory serves from last time, some of the high-spirited dogs and a few owners could benefit from that. Morris said there are also special events organized for children.
"Almost all the puppies the shelter brought were adopted last time," she said, and she hopes to repeat that this time.
VOTES IN FOR EDUCATION, ELECTIONS BOARDS
A lifelong Democrat was unseated from his position on the Board of Elections in Saturday's primary.
Roy Howard fell short by 29 votes to retain his seat as Kevin Rodriquez emerged the overall winner in the four-way race for one Democratic position on the board. Howard placed second with 330 votes, Robert Boschulte was third with 267 votes and Leroy "Sonny" Davis placed fourth with 119 votes.
According to Election Supervisor John Abramson Jr., Howard was one of two incumbents up for re-election to the St. Thomas-St. John Board of Elections this year. "The other incumbent, Aubrey Bridgewater Jr. will compete in the general election," he said.
Abramson explained that the seven board members serve four-year terms but seats are up for election on a rotating basis every two years. The primary on Saturday trimmed the number of candidates vying for three open seats on the board to eight. "In November, the other candidates whose names will appear on the Elections Board ballot include George Blackhall, Celia Clendinen-Tonge, Larry Boschulte, Phyllis Massac, Alecia Wells and Angelita Jennings," Abramson said.
In the district of St. Croix, Carmen Golden barely retained her seat despite a strong challenge by newcomer Jamila Russell. Golden landed 628 votes or 53 percent of the votes cast to Russell's 552 votes.
Golden is one of four incumbent board members seeking re-election to the St. Croix Board of Elections. Other candidates who will appear on the St. Croix Board of Elections ballot in November are Rueben Fenton, Humberto de O'Neal, Ana Davila and Arthur Joseph.
Saturday's primary reduced to five the number of candidates who will do battle for four available seats in November in the St. Croix district.
The Board of Elections is charged with scheduling all elections in the Virgin Islands and managing voter registration in the territory. The Elections Supervisor reports directly to the territorial or joint board of elections.
Saturday's primary also narrowed the field of candidates seeking vacancies on the Board of Education from 22 to 20. Raymond James and Hilma Booth were both eliminated in primary voting. The Democratic Party candidates who will run in the general election are Saturday's top vote-getter, Terence Joseph, and Jorge "Tito" Galiber, Kwame Garcia and Yvonne Williams.
Joining the Democrats in November are four Independent candidates seeking to fill four seats on the Board of Education.
No primary was needed in the St. Thomas-St. John district as 12 candidates are competing for five seats. The candidates represent an equal number of Democrats, Republicans, Independent Citizen Movement members and independent candidates.
Abramson said the board is made up of four members each from St. Thomas and St. Croix and one from St. John. "They serve a four-year term and this year, the entire board is up for re-election," he noted.
Abramson pointed out that Gov. Charles Turnbull, a current member of the board, is not seeking re-election. Three other board members from St. Croix — Patrick Williams, Eulalie Rivera and Yvonne Williams — also are not seeking re-election.
Roy Howard fell short by 29 votes to retain his seat as Kevin Rodriquez emerged the overall winner in the four-way race for one Democratic position on the board. Howard placed second with 330 votes, Robert Boschulte was third with 267 votes and Leroy "Sonny" Davis placed fourth with 119 votes.
According to Election Supervisor John Abramson Jr., Howard was one of two incumbents up for re-election to the St. Thomas-St. John Board of Elections this year. "The other incumbent, Aubrey Bridgewater Jr. will compete in the general election," he said.
Abramson explained that the seven board members serve four-year terms but seats are up for election on a rotating basis every two years. The primary on Saturday trimmed the number of candidates vying for three open seats on the board to eight. "In November, the other candidates whose names will appear on the Elections Board ballot include George Blackhall, Celia Clendinen-Tonge, Larry Boschulte, Phyllis Massac, Alecia Wells and Angelita Jennings," Abramson said.
In the district of St. Croix, Carmen Golden barely retained her seat despite a strong challenge by newcomer Jamila Russell. Golden landed 628 votes or 53 percent of the votes cast to Russell's 552 votes.
Golden is one of four incumbent board members seeking re-election to the St. Croix Board of Elections. Other candidates who will appear on the St. Croix Board of Elections ballot in November are Rueben Fenton, Humberto de O'Neal, Ana Davila and Arthur Joseph.
Saturday's primary reduced to five the number of candidates who will do battle for four available seats in November in the St. Croix district.
The Board of Elections is charged with scheduling all elections in the Virgin Islands and managing voter registration in the territory. The Elections Supervisor reports directly to the territorial or joint board of elections.
Saturday's primary also narrowed the field of candidates seeking vacancies on the Board of Education from 22 to 20. Raymond James and Hilma Booth were both eliminated in primary voting. The Democratic Party candidates who will run in the general election are Saturday's top vote-getter, Terence Joseph, and Jorge "Tito" Galiber, Kwame Garcia and Yvonne Williams.
Joining the Democrats in November are four Independent candidates seeking to fill four seats on the Board of Education.
No primary was needed in the St. Thomas-St. John district as 12 candidates are competing for five seats. The candidates represent an equal number of Democrats, Republicans, Independent Citizen Movement members and independent candidates.
Abramson said the board is made up of four members each from St. Thomas and St. Croix and one from St. John. "They serve a four-year term and this year, the entire board is up for re-election," he noted.
Abramson pointed out that Gov. Charles Turnbull, a current member of the board, is not seeking re-election. Three other board members from St. Croix — Patrick Williams, Eulalie Rivera and Yvonne Williams — also are not seeking re-election.
RENOWNED SPEAKER AT FRENCHMAN'S REEF
The India Association has extended an open invitation to a free discourse by Dada J. P. Vaswani, an inspirational and spiritual leader from India, who is renowned internationally as a philosopher and speaker. His topic will be, "How to Build a Happy Home and Family."
Mr. Vaswani spoke at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago, World Vision 2000 in Washington, D.C. and the Conference on World Religions in New York. Currently he heads the Sadhu Vaswani Mission in Pune, India, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting peace, non-violence, and love.
Mr. Vaswani spoke at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago, World Vision 2000 in Washington, D.C. and the Conference on World Religions in New York. Currently he heads the Sadhu Vaswani Mission in Pune, India, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting peace, non-violence, and love.
FRENCHTOWN MARINA CLEANUP SET FOR SEPT. 17
The sixth annual PADI Project Aware cleanup starts at 9 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 17 at the Frenchtown Marina, sponsored by Marty Martinez of Admiralty Dive Center and Hard Rock Café.
This year's project area is from the CYOA Marina dock to the little dock at Villa Olga. Last year the project focused on Hassel Island where Martinez said about 50 people picked up two tons of trash. And this year he is hoping for more volunteers — he's sure there'll be more trash.
Martinez pointed out that all the trash from the harbor winds up in Frenchtown, and it's an enormous amount. He will supply free snorkeling and diving equipment to certified divers. He said they need divers, snorkelers, shoreline picker-uppers, data recorders and people with other useful skills.
Martinez said this week celebrates International Earth Day, and this is the island's contribution.
"It's a win-win situation," Martinez said, "We clean up, it's a worthy cause, and everyone who lives here is a winner." Or visits here, for that matter.
Helping out for the day will be UVI oceanographer Steve Posterman, other UVI personnel, Donna Griffin of Fish and Wildlife, along with a group from the Department of Planning and Natural Resources.
A couple of years ago, two teenagers turned up some unusual fringe benefits from the project. Emily and Andrew Luscz, while busily scouring about, discovered some valuable antique bottles and a ceramic olive oil bottle. Since their parents own the Hook, Line and Sinker restaurant near where the treasure was found, they were quite surprised.
A special prize will be awarded to anyone who can bring in cleanup T-shirts for each year dating back to 1995.
Among the other prizes this year will be a gift certificate from Hook, Line and Sinker, along with gifts from several island merchants and other dining spots. And, Martinez said, there will be food and drink supplied for the volunteers.
Free Hard Rock T-shirts will be given out to the first 50 volunteers. Everybody should bring foraging equipment, gloves, footwear, sunscreen and hats, Martinez said.
For further information, call (340) 777-9802.
This year's project area is from the CYOA Marina dock to the little dock at Villa Olga. Last year the project focused on Hassel Island where Martinez said about 50 people picked up two tons of trash. And this year he is hoping for more volunteers — he's sure there'll be more trash.
Martinez pointed out that all the trash from the harbor winds up in Frenchtown, and it's an enormous amount. He will supply free snorkeling and diving equipment to certified divers. He said they need divers, snorkelers, shoreline picker-uppers, data recorders and people with other useful skills.
Martinez said this week celebrates International Earth Day, and this is the island's contribution.
"It's a win-win situation," Martinez said, "We clean up, it's a worthy cause, and everyone who lives here is a winner." Or visits here, for that matter.
Helping out for the day will be UVI oceanographer Steve Posterman, other UVI personnel, Donna Griffin of Fish and Wildlife, along with a group from the Department of Planning and Natural Resources.
A couple of years ago, two teenagers turned up some unusual fringe benefits from the project. Emily and Andrew Luscz, while busily scouring about, discovered some valuable antique bottles and a ceramic olive oil bottle. Since their parents own the Hook, Line and Sinker restaurant near where the treasure was found, they were quite surprised.
A special prize will be awarded to anyone who can bring in cleanup T-shirts for each year dating back to 1995.
Among the other prizes this year will be a gift certificate from Hook, Line and Sinker, along with gifts from several island merchants and other dining spots. And, Martinez said, there will be food and drink supplied for the volunteers.
Free Hard Rock T-shirts will be given out to the first 50 volunteers. Everybody should bring foraging equipment, gloves, footwear, sunscreen and hats, Martinez said.
For further information, call (340) 777-9802.
DISMAL PRIMARY TURNOUT NO AID TO INCUMBENTS
Incumbent Democratic senators in the St. Croix district got a run for their money from newcomers in Saturday's Democratic primary election.
In perhaps the most closely watched and most significant race, nine candidates vied for seven Democratic senatorial seats in the November general election. And even with poor voter turnout across the territory – which usually favors incumbents – they did not fare well.
When the votes were in from all of St. Croix's 27 polling places, Douglas Canton Jr., who has run twice before, was at the head of the slate with 1,268 votes, followed closely by Emmett Hansen II with 1,213 votes in his first bid for public office. Halfway through the vote count Saturday night, Hansen was ahead but Canton gained the lead and kept it, racking up 14.32 percent of votes cast Saturday.
Incumbent Sen. Norman Jn Baptiste was third with 1,132 votes, followed by Sen. David Jones with 1,079 votes and Senate President Vargrave Richards in the fifth slot with 1,061 votes. Ophelia "Nemmy" Williams-Felix was sixth with 928 votes and attorney Ronald Russell rounded out the pack with 867 votes.
Odd men out included newcomer Evelyn Messer James with 796 votes and former Sen. Miguel Camacho, who garnered only 500 votes. Camacho, a lifelong Republican, ran as a Democrat in this year's primary.
The seven candidates will face more than 20 Republican, Independent Citizens Movement and independent candidates in the senatorial race on St. Croix in the November general election. Voters on election day will select seven from the field of candidates to represent St. Croix in the 24th Legislature.
Canton credited his strong showing to voters’ lack of confidence in incumbent senators and their accomplishments over the last two years – particularly Crucians.
"The reality is people are tired of what is going on here and they want a breath of fresh air," he said. "I feel I reached the people on subjects that are close to them."
Late Saturday night, Hansen was so upbeat about his performance at the polls that he said his "cheeks were sore from smiling." While he is a relative newcomer to the political scene on St. Croix, Hansen said he has been active in various activities on the island for 16 years.
"I am not a stranger to the St. Croix community," he said. "It’s nice to see, regardless of the turnout, that people still go out and support the people they believe in."
A primary election was not needed in the senatorial race on St. Thomas as only seven Democratic candidates are seeking seats in that district.
St. Croix reported an incredibly low voter turnout for the primary election. From polling place to polling place, election workers at times outnumbered the voters who trickled in to cast ballots. By midday, most polling places were reporting well below 100 voters.
Preliminary figures released by the Elections Office indicated that 2,761 of 19,686 registered Democrats voted in St. Croix, a meager 14 percent turnout.
In St. Thomas-St. John, the turnout was worse with just over 6 percent of registered voters casting ballots – about 1,100 voters of the 17,261 registered Democrats.
One election worker said Saturday night, "I've seen low turnout before but it's never been this bad." Another simply said, "Virgin Islanders no longer seem interested in political parties or primary election politics."
In party politics Saturday, perhaps the biggest upset came when former Sen. Arturo Watlington, Jr. upset incumbent James O'Bryan Jr. for the Democratic Party state chairman's post. Watlington got 1,041 votes and Cecil Benjamin got 752, with O'Bryan finishing third with 591 votes.
O'Bryan had been state chair of the Democratic Party since 1998 when Marylyn Stapleton was unseated by party officials after being employed in a non-Democratic administration.
But the bitterness from that removal two years ago was not the only reason for O'Bryan's demise. At a Territorial Committee meeting two months ago, O'Bryan was accused by party members of freely spending party money and in one instance of not conducting party business fairly. Immediately after that meeting a member of the Territorial Committee, Norma Pickard-Samuel, left the party and re-registered as an Independent.
In other party leadership races Saturday, Winthrop Maduro beat Simon Kevin Caines for the St. Thomas district chairmanship. Maduro racked up 617 votes, Caines 328. On St. Croix, Terrence Joseph beat Clarice Blake 833 to 383 for that district's chairmanship.
Former Lt. Gov. Derek M. Hodge ran unopposed for Democratic national committeeman. Maria "Chi-Chi" Heywood beat Marylyn Stapleton for the national committeewoman position. Territory-wide, Heywood got 1,588 votes to Stapleton's 728 votes.
In the Territorial Committee race, St. Thomas saw 13 Democrats running for six seats. The top finishers were Shawn Michael-Malone, Gerald Hodge Sr., Elmo Adams Jr., Roy Howard, June Adams and Lesmore Howard. The seven unsuccessful candidates were Robert Boschulte, Simon Caines, Kenn Hobson, Tony Greene, Angel Turnbull, Eastlyn Igwemadu and Pauline Martin.
With no candidates on the ballot for the district of St. John in the Democratic Territorial Committee race, 40 write-ins were cast.
In the St. Croix district, six candidates were vying for the six available seats on the party's Territorial Committee. No primary voting was required as all six are now seated: Sonia Boyce, Neville Connell, Anthony Kiture, Sidney Lee, Malcolm Plaskett and Jamila Russell.
Fourteen candidates battled for 16 at-large seats on the Democratic Territorial Committee. All candidates won their seats along with two other write-in candidates.
The 14 listed candidates were Rupert Ross Jr., Carol Burke, Jorge "Tito" Galiber, Luis "Tito" Morales, Shawn Michael-Malone, Carmen Golden, Marylyn Stapleton, Aubrey Lee, Kevin Rodriquez, Carla Joseph, Clarice Blake, Carmen Gonsalez, Omar Henry and Cedric Prince.
In Republican Party politics Saturday, Garry Sprauve was elected state chairman to lead the party over the next two years. In a close race, Sprauve received 77 votes to Sam Baptiste's 69 votes. A third candidate, Alton Brewster, got 28 votes.
Baptiste had the lead after all St. Croix polling places were counted, but the final tally from St. Thomas put Sprauve over the top. He replaces James Oliver, who did not seek re-election as state GOP chairman.
In the national committeewoman race, April Moran Newland defeated former Sen. Lilliana Belardo de O'Neal by a one-vote margin. Newland racked up 106 votes, O'Neal 105.
Former Sen. Holland Redfield ran unopposed for national committeeman. GOP party guidelines indicate the newly elected Territorial Committee will select district chairs.
Of 30 available slots on the Republican Territorial Committee, there were only 15 declared candidates, and write-in votes will complete the slate of members.
The 15 candidates were: from St. Thomas, George Blackhall and Shirley Bronston; St. John, Ceila Clendinen Tonge; and St. Croix, Julio Brady, Rueben Fenton, Patricia Murphy, and Gladys Orr. The at-large candidates for the Territorial Committee were Michael Bornn, Humberto O'Neal, Fred Vialet Jr., Jim Oliver, Lawrence Boschulte, Herb Schoenbohm, Vincen "Beef" Clendinen and Frank Davis.
There were 26 write-in votes from St. Thomas, six from St. John and 15 from St. Croix. In the at-large race, 74 write-in votes were recorded.
Election officials could not say Saturday night when the write-in votes in each race will be tabulated. Results of the election are unofficial until write-ins are counted and absentee ballots are received and tabulated.
In perhaps the most closely watched and most significant race, nine candidates vied for seven Democratic senatorial seats in the November general election. And even with poor voter turnout across the territory – which usually favors incumbents – they did not fare well.
When the votes were in from all of St. Croix's 27 polling places, Douglas Canton Jr., who has run twice before, was at the head of the slate with 1,268 votes, followed closely by Emmett Hansen II with 1,213 votes in his first bid for public office. Halfway through the vote count Saturday night, Hansen was ahead but Canton gained the lead and kept it, racking up 14.32 percent of votes cast Saturday.
Incumbent Sen. Norman Jn Baptiste was third with 1,132 votes, followed by Sen. David Jones with 1,079 votes and Senate President Vargrave Richards in the fifth slot with 1,061 votes. Ophelia "Nemmy" Williams-Felix was sixth with 928 votes and attorney Ronald Russell rounded out the pack with 867 votes.
Odd men out included newcomer Evelyn Messer James with 796 votes and former Sen. Miguel Camacho, who garnered only 500 votes. Camacho, a lifelong Republican, ran as a Democrat in this year's primary.
The seven candidates will face more than 20 Republican, Independent Citizens Movement and independent candidates in the senatorial race on St. Croix in the November general election. Voters on election day will select seven from the field of candidates to represent St. Croix in the 24th Legislature.
Canton credited his strong showing to voters’ lack of confidence in incumbent senators and their accomplishments over the last two years – particularly Crucians.
"The reality is people are tired of what is going on here and they want a breath of fresh air," he said. "I feel I reached the people on subjects that are close to them."
Late Saturday night, Hansen was so upbeat about his performance at the polls that he said his "cheeks were sore from smiling." While he is a relative newcomer to the political scene on St. Croix, Hansen said he has been active in various activities on the island for 16 years.
"I am not a stranger to the St. Croix community," he said. "It’s nice to see, regardless of the turnout, that people still go out and support the people they believe in."
A primary election was not needed in the senatorial race on St. Thomas as only seven Democratic candidates are seeking seats in that district.
St. Croix reported an incredibly low voter turnout for the primary election. From polling place to polling place, election workers at times outnumbered the voters who trickled in to cast ballots. By midday, most polling places were reporting well below 100 voters.
Preliminary figures released by the Elections Office indicated that 2,761 of 19,686 registered Democrats voted in St. Croix, a meager 14 percent turnout.
In St. Thomas-St. John, the turnout was worse with just over 6 percent of registered voters casting ballots – about 1,100 voters of the 17,261 registered Democrats.
One election worker said Saturday night, "I've seen low turnout before but it's never been this bad." Another simply said, "Virgin Islanders no longer seem interested in political parties or primary election politics."
In party politics Saturday, perhaps the biggest upset came when former Sen. Arturo Watlington, Jr. upset incumbent James O'Bryan Jr. for the Democratic Party state chairman's post. Watlington got 1,041 votes and Cecil Benjamin got 752, with O'Bryan finishing third with 591 votes.
O'Bryan had been state chair of the Democratic Party since 1998 when Marylyn Stapleton was unseated by party officials after being employed in a non-Democratic administration.
But the bitterness from that removal two years ago was not the only reason for O'Bryan's demise. At a Territorial Committee meeting two months ago, O'Bryan was accused by party members of freely spending party money and in one instance of not conducting party business fairly. Immediately after that meeting a member of the Territorial Committee, Norma Pickard-Samuel, left the party and re-registered as an Independent.
In other party leadership races Saturday, Winthrop Maduro beat Simon Kevin Caines for the St. Thomas district chairmanship. Maduro racked up 617 votes, Caines 328. On St. Croix, Terrence Joseph beat Clarice Blake 833 to 383 for that district's chairmanship.
Former Lt. Gov. Derek M. Hodge ran unopposed for Democratic national committeeman. Maria "Chi-Chi" Heywood beat Marylyn Stapleton for the national committeewoman position. Territory-wide, Heywood got 1,588 votes to Stapleton's 728 votes.
In the Territorial Committee race, St. Thomas saw 13 Democrats running for six seats. The top finishers were Shawn Michael-Malone, Gerald Hodge Sr., Elmo Adams Jr., Roy Howard, June Adams and Lesmore Howard. The seven unsuccessful candidates were Robert Boschulte, Simon Caines, Kenn Hobson, Tony Greene, Angel Turnbull, Eastlyn Igwemadu and Pauline Martin.
With no candidates on the ballot for the district of St. John in the Democratic Territorial Committee race, 40 write-ins were cast.
In the St. Croix district, six candidates were vying for the six available seats on the party's Territorial Committee. No primary voting was required as all six are now seated: Sonia Boyce, Neville Connell, Anthony Kiture, Sidney Lee, Malcolm Plaskett and Jamila Russell.
Fourteen candidates battled for 16 at-large seats on the Democratic Territorial Committee. All candidates won their seats along with two other write-in candidates.
The 14 listed candidates were Rupert Ross Jr., Carol Burke, Jorge "Tito" Galiber, Luis "Tito" Morales, Shawn Michael-Malone, Carmen Golden, Marylyn Stapleton, Aubrey Lee, Kevin Rodriquez, Carla Joseph, Clarice Blake, Carmen Gonsalez, Omar Henry and Cedric Prince.
In Republican Party politics Saturday, Garry Sprauve was elected state chairman to lead the party over the next two years. In a close race, Sprauve received 77 votes to Sam Baptiste's 69 votes. A third candidate, Alton Brewster, got 28 votes.
Baptiste had the lead after all St. Croix polling places were counted, but the final tally from St. Thomas put Sprauve over the top. He replaces James Oliver, who did not seek re-election as state GOP chairman.
In the national committeewoman race, April Moran Newland defeated former Sen. Lilliana Belardo de O'Neal by a one-vote margin. Newland racked up 106 votes, O'Neal 105.
Former Sen. Holland Redfield ran unopposed for national committeeman. GOP party guidelines indicate the newly elected Territorial Committee will select district chairs.
Of 30 available slots on the Republican Territorial Committee, there were only 15 declared candidates, and write-in votes will complete the slate of members.
The 15 candidates were: from St. Thomas, George Blackhall and Shirley Bronston; St. John, Ceila Clendinen Tonge; and St. Croix, Julio Brady, Rueben Fenton, Patricia Murphy, and Gladys Orr. The at-large candidates for the Territorial Committee were Michael Bornn, Humberto O'Neal, Fred Vialet Jr., Jim Oliver, Lawrence Boschulte, Herb Schoenbohm, Vincen "Beef" Clendinen and Frank Davis.
There were 26 write-in votes from St. Thomas, six from St. John and 15 from St. Croix. In the at-large race, 74 write-in votes were recorded.
Election officials could not say Saturday night when the write-in votes in each race will be tabulated. Results of the election are unofficial until write-ins are counted and absentee ballots are received and tabulated.
DISMAL PRIMARY TURNOUT NO AID TO INCUMBENTS
Incumbent Democratic senators in the St. Croix district got a run for their money from newcomers in Saturday's Democratic primary election.
In perhaps the most closely watched and most significant race, nine candidates vied for seven Democratic senatorial seats in the November general election. And even with poor voter turnout across the territory – which usually favors incumbents – they did not fare well.
When the votes were in from all of St. Croix's 27 polling places, Douglas Canton Jr., who has run twice before, was at the head of the slate with 1,268 votes, followed closely by Emmett Hansen II with 1,213 votes in his first bid for public office. Halfway through the vote count Saturday night, Hansen was ahead but Canton gained the lead and kept it, racking up 14.32 percent of votes cast Saturday.
Incumbent Sen. Norman Jn Baptiste was third with 1,132 votes, followed by Sen. David Jones with 1,079 votes and Senate President Vargrave Richards in the fifth slot with 1,061 votes. Ophelia "Nemmy" Williams-Felix was sixth with 928 votes and attorney Ronald Russell rounded out the pack with 867 votes.
Odd men out included newcomer Evelyn Messer James with 796 votes and former Sen. Miguel Camacho, who garnered only 500 votes. Camacho, a lifelong Republican, ran as a Democrat in this year's primary.
The seven candidates will face more than 20 Republican, Independent Citizens Movement and independent candidates in the senatorial race on St. Croix in the November general election. Voters on election day will select seven from the field of candidates to represent St. Croix in the 24th Legislature.
Canton credited his strong showing to voters’ lack of confidence in incumbent senators and their accomplishments over the last two years – particularly Crucians.
"The reality is people are tired of what is going on here and they want a breath of fresh air," he said. "I feel I reached the people on subjects that are close to them."
Late Saturday night, Hansen was so upbeat about his performance at the polls that he said his "cheeks were sore from smiling." While he is a relative newcomer to the political scene on St. Croix, Hansen said he has been active in various activities on the island for 16 years.
"I am not a stranger to the St. Croix community," he said. "It’s nice to see, regardless of the turnout, that people still go out and support the people they believe in."
A primary election was not needed in the senatorial race on St. Thomas as only seven Democratic candidates are seeking seats in that district.
St. Croix reported an incredibly low voter turnout for the primary election. From polling place to polling place, election workers at times outnumbered the voters who trickled in to cast ballots. By midday, most polling places were reporting well below 100 voters.
Preliminary figures released by the Elections Office indicated that 2,761 of 19,686 registered Democrats voted in St. Croix, a meager 14 percent turnout.
In St. Thomas-St. John, the turnout was worse with just over 6 percent of registered voters casting ballots – about 1,100 voters of the 17,261 registered Democrats.
One election worker said Saturday night, "I've seen low turnout before but it's never been this bad." Another simply said, "Virgin Islanders no longer seem interested in political parties or primary election politics."
In party politics Saturday, perhaps the biggest upset came when former Sen. Arturo Watlington, Jr. upset incumbent James O'Bryan Jr. for the Democratic Party state chairman's post. Watlington got 1,041 votes and Cecil Benjamin got 752, with O'Bryan finishing third with 591 votes.
O'Bryan had been state chair of the Democratic Party since 1998 when Marylyn Stapleton was unseated by party officials after being employed in a non-Democratic administration.
But the bitterness from that removal two years ago was not the only reason for O'Bryan's demise. At a Territorial Committee meeting two months ago, O'Bryan was accused by party members of freely spending party money and in one instance of not conducting party business fairly. Immediately after that meeting a member of the Territorial Committee, Norma Pickard-Samuel, left the party and re-registered as an Independent.
In other party leadership races on Saturday, Winthrop Maduro beat Simon Kevin Caines for the St. Thomas district chairmanship. Maduro racked up 617 votes, Caines 328. On St. Croix, Terrence Joseph beat Clarice Blake 833 to 383 for that district's chairmanship.
Former Lt. Gov. Derek M. Hodge ran unopposed for the national committeeman post of the Democratic Party. Maria "Chi-Chi" Heywood beat out Marylyn Stapleton for the national committeewoman position. Territory-wide, Heywood got 1,588 votes to Stapleton's 728 votes.
In the Territorial Committee race, St. Thomas saw 13 Democrats running for six seats. The top finishers were Shawn Michael-Malone, Gerald Hodge Sr., Elmo Adams Jr., Roy Howard, June Adams and Lesmore Howard. The seven unsuccessful candidates were Robert Boschulte, Simon Caines, Kenn Hobson, Tony Greene, Angel Turnbull, Eastlyn Igwemadu and Pauline Martin.
With no candidates on the ballot for the district of St. John in the Democratic Territorial Committee race, 40 write-ins were cast.
In the St. Croix district, six candidates were vying for the six available seats on the party's Territorial Committee. No primary voting was required as all six are now seated: Sonia Boyce, Neville Connell, Anthony Kiture, Sidney Lee, Malcolm Plaskett and Jamila Russell.
Fourteen candidates battled for 16 At-Large seats on the Democratic Party Territorial Committee. All candidates won their seats along with two other write-in candidates.
The 14 listed candidates were Rupert Ross Jr., Carol Burke, Jorge "Tito" Galiber, Luis "Tito" Morales, Shawn Michael-Malone, Carmen Golden, Marylyn Stapleton, Aubrey Lee, Kevin Rodriquez, Carla Joseph, Clarice Blake, Carmen Gonsalez, Omar Henry and Cedric Prince.
In Republican party politics Saturday, Garry Sprauve was elected as state chairman to lead the party over the next two years. In a close race, Sprauve received 77 votes to Sam Baptiste's 69 votes. A third candidate, Alton Brewster, got 28 votes.
Baptiste had the lead after all St. Croix polling places were counted, but the final tally from St. Thomas put Sprauve over the top. He replaces James Oliver, who did not seek re-election as state chairman of the Virgin Islands GOP.
In the national committeewoman race, April Moran Newland defeated former Sen. Lilliana Belardo de O'Neal by a one-vote margin. Newland racked up 106 votes, O'Neal 105.
Former Sen. Holland Redfield ran unopposed for the national committeeman post. GOP party guidelines indicate the newly elected Territorial Committee will select district chairs.
Of 30 available slots on the Republican Territorial Committee, there were only 15 declared candidates, and write-in votes will complete the slate of members.
The 15 candidates were: from St. Thomas, George Blackhall and Shirley Bronston; St. John had one candidate, Ceila Clendinen Tonge; and St. Croix had four, Julio Brady, Rueben Fenton, Patricia Murphy, and Gladys Orr. The At-Large candidates for the Territorial Committee were Michael Bornn, Humberto O'Neal, Fred Vialet, Jr., Jim Oliver, Lawrence Boschulte, Herb Schoenbohm, Vincen "Beef" Clendinen and Frank Davis.
There were 26 write-in votes from St. Thomas, six from St. John, and 15 from St. Croix. In the At-Large race, 74 write-in votes were recorded.
Election officials could not say Saturday night when the write-in votes in each race will be tabulated. Results of the election are unofficial until write-ins are counted and absentee ballots are received and tabulated.
In perhaps the most closely watched and most significant race, nine candidates vied for seven Democratic senatorial seats in the November general election. And even with poor voter turnout across the territory – which usually favors incumbents – they did not fare well.
When the votes were in from all of St. Croix's 27 polling places, Douglas Canton Jr., who has run twice before, was at the head of the slate with 1,268 votes, followed closely by Emmett Hansen II with 1,213 votes in his first bid for public office. Halfway through the vote count Saturday night, Hansen was ahead but Canton gained the lead and kept it, racking up 14.32 percent of votes cast Saturday.
Incumbent Sen. Norman Jn Baptiste was third with 1,132 votes, followed by Sen. David Jones with 1,079 votes and Senate President Vargrave Richards in the fifth slot with 1,061 votes. Ophelia "Nemmy" Williams-Felix was sixth with 928 votes and attorney Ronald Russell rounded out the pack with 867 votes.
Odd men out included newcomer Evelyn Messer James with 796 votes and former Sen. Miguel Camacho, who garnered only 500 votes. Camacho, a lifelong Republican, ran as a Democrat in this year's primary.
The seven candidates will face more than 20 Republican, Independent Citizens Movement and independent candidates in the senatorial race on St. Croix in the November general election. Voters on election day will select seven from the field of candidates to represent St. Croix in the 24th Legislature.
Canton credited his strong showing to voters’ lack of confidence in incumbent senators and their accomplishments over the last two years – particularly Crucians.
"The reality is people are tired of what is going on here and they want a breath of fresh air," he said. "I feel I reached the people on subjects that are close to them."
Late Saturday night, Hansen was so upbeat about his performance at the polls that he said his "cheeks were sore from smiling." While he is a relative newcomer to the political scene on St. Croix, Hansen said he has been active in various activities on the island for 16 years.
"I am not a stranger to the St. Croix community," he said. "It’s nice to see, regardless of the turnout, that people still go out and support the people they believe in."
A primary election was not needed in the senatorial race on St. Thomas as only seven Democratic candidates are seeking seats in that district.
St. Croix reported an incredibly low voter turnout for the primary election. From polling place to polling place, election workers at times outnumbered the voters who trickled in to cast ballots. By midday, most polling places were reporting well below 100 voters.
Preliminary figures released by the Elections Office indicated that 2,761 of 19,686 registered Democrats voted in St. Croix, a meager 14 percent turnout.
In St. Thomas-St. John, the turnout was worse with just over 6 percent of registered voters casting ballots – about 1,100 voters of the 17,261 registered Democrats.
One election worker said Saturday night, "I've seen low turnout before but it's never been this bad." Another simply said, "Virgin Islanders no longer seem interested in political parties or primary election politics."
In party politics Saturday, perhaps the biggest upset came when former Sen. Arturo Watlington, Jr. upset incumbent James O'Bryan Jr. for the Democratic Party state chairman's post. Watlington got 1,041 votes and Cecil Benjamin got 752, with O'Bryan finishing third with 591 votes.
O'Bryan had been state chair of the Democratic Party since 1998 when Marylyn Stapleton was unseated by party officials after being employed in a non-Democratic administration.
But the bitterness from that removal two years ago was not the only reason for O'Bryan's demise. At a Territorial Committee meeting two months ago, O'Bryan was accused by party members of freely spending party money and in one instance of not conducting party business fairly. Immediately after that meeting a member of the Territorial Committee, Norma Pickard-Samuel, left the party and re-registered as an Independent.
In other party leadership races on Saturday, Winthrop Maduro beat Simon Kevin Caines for the St. Thomas district chairmanship. Maduro racked up 617 votes, Caines 328. On St. Croix, Terrence Joseph beat Clarice Blake 833 to 383 for that district's chairmanship.
Former Lt. Gov. Derek M. Hodge ran unopposed for the national committeeman post of the Democratic Party. Maria "Chi-Chi" Heywood beat out Marylyn Stapleton for the national committeewoman position. Territory-wide, Heywood got 1,588 votes to Stapleton's 728 votes.
In the Territorial Committee race, St. Thomas saw 13 Democrats running for six seats. The top finishers were Shawn Michael-Malone, Gerald Hodge Sr., Elmo Adams Jr., Roy Howard, June Adams and Lesmore Howard. The seven unsuccessful candidates were Robert Boschulte, Simon Caines, Kenn Hobson, Tony Greene, Angel Turnbull, Eastlyn Igwemadu and Pauline Martin.
With no candidates on the ballot for the district of St. John in the Democratic Territorial Committee race, 40 write-ins were cast.
In the St. Croix district, six candidates were vying for the six available seats on the party's Territorial Committee. No primary voting was required as all six are now seated: Sonia Boyce, Neville Connell, Anthony Kiture, Sidney Lee, Malcolm Plaskett and Jamila Russell.
Fourteen candidates battled for 16 At-Large seats on the Democratic Party Territorial Committee. All candidates won their seats along with two other write-in candidates.
The 14 listed candidates were Rupert Ross Jr., Carol Burke, Jorge "Tito" Galiber, Luis "Tito" Morales, Shawn Michael-Malone, Carmen Golden, Marylyn Stapleton, Aubrey Lee, Kevin Rodriquez, Carla Joseph, Clarice Blake, Carmen Gonsalez, Omar Henry and Cedric Prince.
In Republican party politics Saturday, Garry Sprauve was elected as state chairman to lead the party over the next two years. In a close race, Sprauve received 77 votes to Sam Baptiste's 69 votes. A third candidate, Alton Brewster, got 28 votes.
Baptiste had the lead after all St. Croix polling places were counted, but the final tally from St. Thomas put Sprauve over the top. He replaces James Oliver, who did not seek re-election as state chairman of the Virgin Islands GOP.
In the national committeewoman race, April Moran Newland defeated former Sen. Lilliana Belardo de O'Neal by a one-vote margin. Newland racked up 106 votes, O'Neal 105.
Former Sen. Holland Redfield ran unopposed for the national committeeman post. GOP party guidelines indicate the newly elected Territorial Committee will select district chairs.
Of 30 available slots on the Republican Territorial Committee, there were only 15 declared candidates, and write-in votes will complete the slate of members.
The 15 candidates were: from St. Thomas, George Blackhall and Shirley Bronston; St. John had one candidate, Ceila Clendinen Tonge; and St. Croix had four, Julio Brady, Rueben Fenton, Patricia Murphy, and Gladys Orr. The At-Large candidates for the Territorial Committee were Michael Bornn, Humberto O'Neal, Fred Vialet, Jr., Jim Oliver, Lawrence Boschulte, Herb Schoenbohm, Vincen "Beef" Clendinen and Frank Davis.
There were 26 write-in votes from St. Thomas, six from St. John, and 15 from St. Croix. In the At-Large race, 74 write-in votes were recorded.
Election officials could not say Saturday night when the write-in votes in each race will be tabulated. Results of the election are unofficial until write-ins are counted and absentee ballots are received and tabulated.
