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Cecile de Jongh
St. Thomas

There appears to be confusion over public reaction to Malaysian Tan Kay Hock's development plans for Yacht Haven Hotel, also known as Ramada Inn.
All St. Thomas residents recognize it is high time that Yacht Haven Hotel be restored. Ever since the hurricane of 1995, most of the buildings in the Yacht Haven development have been an eyesore — and, increasingly so, as nothing whatever has been done to demolish or secure the buildings on the roadside, which are not only a disgusting sight, but in real danger of falling and injuring pedestrians on the sidewalk which it abuts, or cars on the Long Bay Road.
No one that I have heard disapproves of a renovation of the original Ramada Inn, except that its buildings must be set back at least 15 feet from the sidewalk.
Being in the coastal zone, it will necessarily be required that a proper and complete application be made to the coastal zone division of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, and that the plans and details of development be reviewed by the Coastal Zone Management technical staff, and if such plans meet the requirements of law, then a public hearing be called by the Coastal Zone Management Commission to inform the public and let all interested persons have a chance to express their view about the proposed project before it proceeds to consider the project.
That stage has not as yet been met or even seems to be contemplated. No plans, no drawings, no details have yet been revealed as to the proposed Yacht Haven Malaysian development. Yet, the promoters and owners of this project are asking for approval of the development as planned by them for the sole reason advanced that it will be financially beneficial to our island — not even have the financial benefits been revealed.
However, the other aspect of Tan Kay Hock's plan — the lease from West Indian Co. Ltd. of the filled land at Lang Bay, next to Yacht Haven, for uses not yet revealed, but admittedly will bring no significant financial benefit to WICO, is the aspect that has virtually all St. Thomians up in arms.
In the first place, we strenuously object to any lease or building plans being agreed upon by any agency of the government, including the West Indian Co. Ltd. or the Public Finance Authority, without revealing in detail the plans of the developers, and their effect on the residents and our special harbor front environment.
Next, we believe firmly that this filled land now under the control of a V.1. government entity (and no longer the Danish West Indian Co. Ltd.) is subject to Virgin Islands law, and as submerged land to the specific requirement of legislative control and approval — even after any Coastal Zone Commission approval and that of the governor may have been achieved.
The filled land may now be in the name of WICO, but as submerged land, it belongs to the people of the Virgin Islands under federal law.
As we understand it, WICO is not pleased with the manner of negotiations, or rather lack of negotiation by the developer. Yet, WICO appears not to accept the fact that this filled land is not theirs to do with as they choose by agreement without public and legislative approval.
Save Long Bay Coalition, the Environmental Association of St. Thomas and the League of Women Voters of the Virgin Islands all object to any commercial development of Long Bay fill, which is in a very important position in our harbor, with a magnificent view, and which has always been used only for recreational purposes.
Without question it would now be best developed as a comfortable and beautiful park for the use of residents and tourists on their way to and from the West Indian Co. docks and the town of Charlotte Amalie.
Besides, we stress that we strongly oppose any further commercial development of our harbor coastline.
WICO earns enough money to develop Long Bay fill, with the required approval of the Coastal Zone Commission, the governor, and the Legislature, into a beautiful park for the benefit of the people of the Virgin Islands for whom it holds the land in trust.
Neither WICO, any other agency of the government, nor the governor, should overlook this responsibility.

Gov. Charles W. Turnbull named acting commissioners and agency heads late Thursday to serve "until further notice."
Turnbull spent his first full day in office meeting with senior staff members and organizing his Cabinet, according to a statement from Government House.
His interim appointments include two holdovers from the Schneider administration — Attorney General Julio A. Brady and Human Services Commissioner Sedonie Halbert.
Temporarily heading the government's key financial agencies are Ira Mills at the Office of Management and Budget, Claudette Farrington at the Internal Revenue Bureau and Bernice Turnbull at the Finance Department.
Clement "Cain" Magras was named acting head of the Tourism Department and Ira Hobson got the interim post at Housing Parks and Recreation. Both appointments reportedly will be permanent.
The Government House release did not name Turnbull's senior staff members.
The appointees are:
Julio Brady — Department of Justice
Ira Mills — Office of Management & Budget
Mario Golden — Department of Education
Harry Thompson Jr.– Department of Public Works
Ira Hobson — Department of Housing, Parks and Recreation
Franz Christian — Virgin Islands Police Department
Mark Biggs — Department of Property and Procurement
Clement "Cain" Magras — Department of Tourism
Lawrence Lewis — Department of Agriculture
Eleuteria Roberts — Department of Labor
Sedonie Halbert — Department of Human Services
Claudette Lewis — Department of Planning and Natural Resources
Louis Penn — Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs
Joanne Barry — Division of Personnel
Ian Williams — Fire Services
Claudette Farrington — Internal Revenue Bureau
George Golden — Virgin Islands Lottery Commission
Julian Harley — St. John Administrator
Rupert Ross — St. Croix Administrator
Louis Hill — Administrator Governor's Office
Bernice Turnbull — Department of Finance
Raymond "Bobby James — Department of Health
Many of the interim department heads have held high-level jobs in the Scheider administration, and several have been in government through several administrations.
Claudette Lewis, for instance, was assistant director of the department's historic preservation division.
Franz Christian was assistant Police commissioner in the Schneider administration, while Mario Golden was assistant commissioner of Education under Schneider.
Biggs was assistant personnel director in the Farrelly administration, according to Friday's Daily News.

The Virgin Islands economy is on the upswing and the territory should see a spurt in tourism revenues, economist Richard Moore said Thursday.
Moore, for seven years director of the V.I. Bureau of Economic Research, predicted that tourism should experience a "fairly healthy jump in room/nights occupied" — one measure of hotel room demand, according to the Independent.
This will bring in hotel taxes, which in turn will pay for greater marketing and advertising efforts, which in turn will stimulate growth in tourism, he said.
Moore said increased employment is another sign that the V.I. economy is on the upswing.
Employment is close to the level it was 10 years ago, with more jobs and better paying jobs, according to the Daily News story on Moore's speech to the Rotary Club.
Marilyn caused a drop in employment, but now — three years later — employment is poised to expand again. Moore said much of the expansion is a result of St. Croix business expansion and development.
On another issue, the government's long term debt, Moore said the debt service on the $540 million debt is $40 million a year and is being paid by the rum excise tax, which brings in about $40 million a year.
That tax will need to remain stable for the next 25 years in order to reimburse bond holders.
Moore suggested the government needs to find another source of funds in case the rum-excise tax shrinks.
Moore said the Turnbull administration is developing an economic plan that hopefully will include incentives for private-sector growth.
He noted that unlike areas on the United States mainland, the average government worker here makes $5,200 more per year than the average private sector employee.
Moore said IDC benefits are a balancing act between assuring ample revenues to the government while providing benefits to private businesses that are significant enough to induce them to settle here and stay here.
(Editor's note: See Moore's commentary on IDC benefits on our Op-ed page.)

Congratulations!
Quality reporting — at last — coming from the Virgin Islands.
Who is on your staff?
Amy Short (St. Thomas resident, 1980-95)
Raleigh, N.C.

The mosquitos are bad enough, but are all these flies getting to you?
The onslaught of flies across the island has residents and business owners, especially restaurants, fuming.
"We are fogging one neighborhood at a time, but we can't cover the entire island every day," said Environmental Health Director Laura Hassell. She recommended over-the-counter sprays to kill the flies. Many restaurants are bringing in professional exterminators.
What caused this infestation?
Jozef Keularts, staff entomologist at the University of the Virgin Islands Extension Service, said, "The rains promote lush growth. The damp leaves and vegetable compost, combined with moist animal decay matter, provide an ideal breeding ground for flies."
"We call them phoo-phoo flies," said Rafe Boulon of fish and wildlife, "because of the sounds we make swishing them away."
And lots of people are trying to swish them away.
Ted Luscz, owner of Hook Line and Sinker in Frenchtown, said he visited a restaurant in Amsterdam called the Five Flies, which became famous, "but I don't think that's the case here. We've tried everything — I even hung a plastic bag of water out in back!"
It didn't help.
Betsy Woodward of Caret Bay said her son, Tim, has been spraying around their property
with the vigor of a character out of "Ghostbusters" — but, alas, to no avail.
Craig Barash, owner of Craig and Sally's in Frenchtown, had their driveway power-washed with regular detergents and said it was somewhat better two days later, but "you can't fight nature."
Since they are seasonal, by February or March the flies should disappear. Until next year. But next year can't possibly be as rainy as this, or can it?

Congress has approved $1.25 million to buy the Gibney property for the V.I. National Park on St. John and $1.2 million for the National Park Service to buy land at the Salt River National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve on St. Croix.
The funding was announced late Thursday by Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christian-Christensen, who said she was just informed about it by the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee.
“I am elated that funding for Salt River has finally been realized after all these years," the delegate said, thanking a host of people and organizations — including the Nature Conservancy — for their role in securing the money for both V.I. parks.
The delegate said that Salt River funding was one of her top priorities when she was first elected in 1996 and that she'll continue to push for federal money for Salt River and other V.I. National Park units.

Local student artists are readying their arts and crafts for sale and exhibit at Art Gallery Jr. at BeachJam '99 on Jan. 18 on Magens Bay beach.
Ivanna Eudora Kean High School art students have seized this opportunity to display their more than 150 pieces of art to the general public.
Not just an opportunity to show off their talents, Art Gallery Jr. offers a valuable learning experience for its young participants.
"It is a hands-on experience about the aspects of the professional process of the
art industry," says Lisa Etre, Art Department chairperson at the high
school and project coordinator for Art Gallery Jr. "Students learn everything from how to matte, prepare and price their work for professional presentation in an art gallery."
The group will present a myriad of items, including mousepads, greeting cards and paintings in a variety of media. There will also be a silent auction on selected works.
Proceeds from Art Gallery Jr. will go
towards computerizing the school's art department.
"This exposure will be great for the school, the kids and the effort," says Etre.
She expects to enlist the participation of other schools for future events.
Art Gallery Jr. holds particular relevance to its non-profit umbrella, Cause Effective Arts Program (CEAP).
"Art Gallery Jr. and the students will make a bold cultural statement for the territory," says Steve Bornn,CEAP president and founder. "It's just a start in the process to foster the community's aesthetic appreciation and what better place to start — with our own talented youth. This clearly answers the call of CEAP."
CEAP is a non-profit organization that was founded by Bornn and Bill Grogan, who have a shared interest in the role of the arts in the V.I. It is dedicated to showcasing various international art forms for the territory's enjoyment, while building a continuing means for assisting
other non-profit causes.
BeachJam '99 will feature King of Latin Music, Tito Puente, zouk band Tabou Combo and Al Rapone & the Zydeco Express as well as local favorites Imaginations Brass, the UVI Jazz Ensemble and the All Stars Steelband. HBO funny girls Barbara Carlyle and DK will also throw their comedy into the
ring.
Admission is $15 for adults; children under 12 free; and $8 for students with I.D. Bring your own blankets.
Parking on the beach is very limited. Ten continuously looping shuttle buses will provide free transportation from the roadside parking areas.
Proceeds from BeachJam '99 will go to the Magens Bay Arboretum Fund.
BeachJam '99 is presented by Coors Light, Bluebeard's Castle & Beach Resorts and American Airlines.

St. Thomas resident Donald Stanford has won the 1999 Professional Achievement Award. The announcement was made by the Black Engineer of the Year awards selection committee.
Hundreds of the nation's top scientists, engineers and technologists compete every year for the award.
Stanford, a resident since 1954, said he didn't even know he had been nominated for the award until after the fact, according to the V.I. Independent.
Stanford is the chief technology officer and vice president of product development for GTECH Corp. in West Greenwich, R.I.
Stanford moved to St. Thomas with his family when he was 3 years old and attended Antilles School until 1962, when he transferred to school in Puerto Rico.
He earned a bachelor's degree in international relations and a master's in computer science from Brown University in Rhode Island.
Stanford maintains his family home in Estate Elizabeth and visits St. Thomas regularly.
He said he plans to go into semi-retirement here in 2000.

Attorney General Julio A. Brady has declined to press criminal charges against anyone involved in a scuffle during the 150th Emancipation Day celebration July 3 in Frederiksted, St. Croix.
Brady, in a letter dated Jan. 4, said an investigation found insufficient evidence to charge the two police officers or three security guards for Emerging Communications who stopped Sen. Adelbert M. Bryan from speaking at the ceremony — or to charge Bryan for his role in the fracas.
"After careful reviewing of the sharply conflicting eyewitness reports and taking into account the emotionally charged circumstances caused principally by miscommunication, I conclude that criminal charges are not warranted," Brady wrote.
He said any of the parties can pursue civil remedies.
At the time of the incident, which disrupted and halted the anniversary celebration, Gov. Roy L. Schneider called on Brady to pursue charges against Bryan for assaulting the security officers. Bryan, in turn, demanded that Brady charge the officers with assaulting him.