The Labor and Veterans’ Affairs Committee meeting scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at the Senate Chambers on St. Thomas has been postponed.
According to a release from the office of Sen. Roosevelt David, chair of the committee, the meeting was delayed at the request of Sen. Norman Jn Baptiste. Jn Baptiste is the sponsor of a bill to establish a United States Virgin Islands Military Museum and Veteran's Memorial Complex. Jn Baptiste's postponement request was to give him more time to review additional input he has received on the bill from the National Guard and the Veteran's Administration. It was the only bill on Thursday's agenda.
However, discussion and testimony to consider the privatization of the V.I. Division of Workers' Compensation was also on the agenda.
According to Winston Nugent, spokesman for Jn Baptiste, "The senator is asking for the delay to enhance the bill." Since the legislation has been proposed in support of veterans Jn Baptiste wanted time to consider all of the suggestions he has received from the groups, Nugent said.
The release did not explain why the remainder of the agenda on the privatization of the Workers' Comp program was also postponed. No one could be reached at David's office Wednesday morning.
The meeting will be rescheduled, according to a release from Sen. Roosevelt David, chair of the Labor and Veterans' Affairs committee.
JUBILATION! CHANNEL HOSTING WEEKEND TELETHON
This Friday evening and all day Saturday and Sunday, the Jubilation! Christian Channel on St. Thomas-St. John Cable TV will be carrying a live "Faith in Action 2000" telethon. The special programing — featuring local gospel music, pastors and special guests — is aimed at raising $125,000 to upgrade the broadcast facilities, defray cable lease costs and support local program production.
This Friday evening and all day Saturday and Sunday, the Jubilation! Christian Channel on St. Thomas-St. John Cable TV will be carrying a live "Faith in Action 2000" telethon.
The special programing — featuring local gospel music, pastors and special guests and presentations — is aimed at raising $125,000 for Jubilation!/Channel 56, which is locally owned and operated by Gloria and James Gumbs. According to a release, the money is needed to upgrade the production facilities, control room and editing equipment; to renovate the Jubilation! studio and to defray the costs of cable channel lease fees and of producing local programs.
Channel 56, operating out of a studio in Contant, is on the air 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It carries Christian programing for all ages, including talk shows, health and fitness programs, worship, drama, movies, documentaries, news, concerts, sports, youth programs, adult singles and marriage-oriented programs, and educational features on such subjects as evolution, homosexuality and abortion.
Michal Rhymer and Henry Pascal will host the telethon, which kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday. The Gumbses will be behind the scenes producing the event.
Rhymer has a master's degree in counseling from Oral Roberts University and serves as executive director of Family Resource Center. She is a vocalist and evangelist with Zion Assembly Church. Pascal has been an announcer, talk-show host and news anchor for WGOD Radio for four years and previously spent 19 years with Voice of Life Radio in Dominica. He is the founder of the Dominica Evangelistic Association and a minister at Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church.
Telethon special guests will include Harrella Goodwin, Alfred Gumbs, Neomie Toussaint-Williams, Ulric Ferrari, Laverne Woodley and Rashid Walker.
Goodwin, a household name in gospel music, received the Caribbean Lifetime Award, the highest award given to gospel artists in the region, last year for more than 20 years of service in singing. Her latest CD is "It's Not Over."
Alfred Gumbs, a producer, artist, writer and publisher with over 35 years of experience in the music industry, owns the AWG Music recording studio — and the AWG Music record label that specializes in reggae and distributes music around the world. He recently released his own fourth CD, "Praise Him."
Toussaint-Williams is a music teacher, conductor, songwriter, composer and recording artist. She has served for over ten years as the minister of music at St. Thomas Assembly of God Church. Her most recent CD is "The Key."
Ferrari, a veteran songwriter and radio personality with WGOD, also has charmed many in the community with his basketball maneuvers which minister to young people.
Woodley, a University of the Virgin Islands nursing student, appeared in the Redeemed Brothers concert in May.
Walker, a talented 20-year-old, is a worship singer at St. Thomas Assembly of God Church and provided one of the opening ministries for Renaissance Productions' recent local performance of the drama "Heaven." He is pursing a career in youth ministry, evangelism and music.
Further information about the telethon may be obtained by calling 776-7635, faxing to 776-4515 or e-mailing to jcctv@viaccess.net.
This Friday evening and all day Saturday and Sunday, the Jubilation! Christian Channel on St. Thomas-St. John Cable TV will be carrying a live "Faith in Action 2000" telethon.
The special programing — featuring local gospel music, pastors and special guests and presentations — is aimed at raising $125,000 for Jubilation!/Channel 56, which is locally owned and operated by Gloria and James Gumbs. According to a release, the money is needed to upgrade the production facilities, control room and editing equipment; to renovate the Jubilation! studio and to defray the costs of cable channel lease fees and of producing local programs.
Channel 56, operating out of a studio in Contant, is on the air 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It carries Christian programing for all ages, including talk shows, health and fitness programs, worship, drama, movies, documentaries, news, concerts, sports, youth programs, adult singles and marriage-oriented programs, and educational features on such subjects as evolution, homosexuality and abortion.
Michal Rhymer and Henry Pascal will host the telethon, which kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday. The Gumbses will be behind the scenes producing the event.
Rhymer has a master's degree in counseling from Oral Roberts University and serves as executive director of Family Resource Center. She is a vocalist and evangelist with Zion Assembly Church. Pascal has been an announcer, talk-show host and news anchor for WGOD Radio for four years and previously spent 19 years with Voice of Life Radio in Dominica. He is the founder of the Dominica Evangelistic Association and a minister at Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church.
Telethon special guests will include Harrella Goodwin, Alfred Gumbs, Neomie Toussaint-Williams, Ulric Ferrari, Laverne Woodley and Rashid Walker.
Goodwin, a household name in gospel music, received the Caribbean Lifetime Award, the highest award given to gospel artists in the region, last year for more than 20 years of service in singing. Her latest CD is "It's Not Over."
Alfred Gumbs, a producer, artist, writer and publisher with over 35 years of experience in the music industry, owns the AWG Music recording studio — and the AWG Music record label that specializes in reggae and distributes music around the world. He recently released his own fourth CD, "Praise Him."
Toussaint-Williams is a music teacher, conductor, songwriter, composer and recording artist. She has served for over ten years as the minister of music at St. Thomas Assembly of God Church. Her most recent CD is "The Key."
Ferrari, a veteran songwriter and radio personality with WGOD, also has charmed many in the community with his basketball maneuvers which minister to young people.
Woodley, a University of the Virgin Islands nursing student, appeared in the Redeemed Brothers concert in May.
Walker, a talented 20-year-old, is a worship singer at St. Thomas Assembly of God Church and provided one of the opening ministries for Renaissance Productions' recent local performance of the drama "Heaven." He is pursing a career in youth ministry, evangelism and music.
Further information about the telethon may be obtained by calling 776-7635, faxing to 776-4515 or e-mailing to jcctv@viaccess.net.
CLOSE MOST TOURISM OFFICES, PUSH PUERTO RICO
Dear Source,
As a former senator from St Thomas and longtime businessman there, I feel I need to comment on the subject of the offshore Tourism offices.
I worked with [Commissioner-designate Rafael] Jackson for a year in New York under then-Commerce Commissioner Amadeo Frances setting up the Industrial Development Commission mainland office, and I need to tell you that now the Virgin Islands has one very, very fine tourism expert in Commissioner Jackson. He is the very best. The saddest thing about the mainland and foreign offices is they were never set up properly or funded at all, other than salaries.
The immediate need to save money at this point would, I think, call for closing the five offices overseas. These I do believe are totally useless, unless someone could prove otherwise, and filling one airplane to the islands is not enough. Close them now.
The Puerto Rico office needs funding badly and should be given a boost. For many years, the Puerto Rican market has saved the merchants during the summer months. If hotels, etc., were to offer packages and incentives to that market, it would do wonders. It has been all but forgotten. You would think that we would learn from the past.
The airfare is a problem. Between Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands it's a big ripoff. How about subsidizing day-trippers coming over from San Juan — say a rate of $20 a ticket. You would get thousands of Puerto Ricans in the summer and many tourists in the winter. The merchants and hotels would need to cooperate in the effort. It seems to me that since I left Main Street years ago, the merchants there now want everything handed to them on a silver platter.
As to stateside, I would close all but the Los Angeles, New York and maybe Florida offices — and move the New York one to the suburbs to save on rent. No one goes to the 6th floor of Rockefeller Plaza to get a brochure or set up a V.I. trip anymore.
The Coral Gables office is in the wrong place. The city is 95 percent Hispanic, including rich former dictators and politicians from South America. These folks travel, but mostly to Spain and other Hispanic locales. Move that office over to Miami Beach, where millions of tourists and local people traffic all over, or close it.
I also feel the need to comment on the trips and money wasted by former governors and commissioners on trips to Hong Kong, Tawain, Japan and wherever else their expensive joyrides took them. We are still waiting to see the investment and tourism business that was to result.
As to your headline question: Are the mainland Tourism offices productive or pork barrels? Today, they are mostly pork barrels..
David A. Puritz
Florida
As a former senator from St Thomas and longtime businessman there, I feel I need to comment on the subject of the offshore Tourism offices.
I worked with [Commissioner-designate Rafael] Jackson for a year in New York under then-Commerce Commissioner Amadeo Frances setting up the Industrial Development Commission mainland office, and I need to tell you that now the Virgin Islands has one very, very fine tourism expert in Commissioner Jackson. He is the very best. The saddest thing about the mainland and foreign offices is they were never set up properly or funded at all, other than salaries.
The immediate need to save money at this point would, I think, call for closing the five offices overseas. These I do believe are totally useless, unless someone could prove otherwise, and filling one airplane to the islands is not enough. Close them now.
The Puerto Rico office needs funding badly and should be given a boost. For many years, the Puerto Rican market has saved the merchants during the summer months. If hotels, etc., were to offer packages and incentives to that market, it would do wonders. It has been all but forgotten. You would think that we would learn from the past.
The airfare is a problem. Between Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands it's a big ripoff. How about subsidizing day-trippers coming over from San Juan — say a rate of $20 a ticket. You would get thousands of Puerto Ricans in the summer and many tourists in the winter. The merchants and hotels would need to cooperate in the effort. It seems to me that since I left Main Street years ago, the merchants there now want everything handed to them on a silver platter.
As to stateside, I would close all but the Los Angeles, New York and maybe Florida offices — and move the New York one to the suburbs to save on rent. No one goes to the 6th floor of Rockefeller Plaza to get a brochure or set up a V.I. trip anymore.
The Coral Gables office is in the wrong place. The city is 95 percent Hispanic, including rich former dictators and politicians from South America. These folks travel, but mostly to Spain and other Hispanic locales. Move that office over to Miami Beach, where millions of tourists and local people traffic all over, or close it.
I also feel the need to comment on the trips and money wasted by former governors and commissioners on trips to Hong Kong, Tawain, Japan and wherever else their expensive joyrides took them. We are still waiting to see the investment and tourism business that was to result.
As to your headline question: Are the mainland Tourism offices productive or pork barrels? Today, they are mostly pork barrels..
David A. Puritz
Florida
CLOSE MOST TOURISM OFFICES, PUSH PUERTO RICO
Dear Source,
As a former senator from St Thomas and longtime businessman there, I feel I need to comment on the subject of the offshore Tourism offices.
I worked with [Commissioner-designate Rafael] Jackson for a year in New York under then-Commerce Commissioner Amadeo Frances setting up the Industrial Development Commission mainland office, and I need to tell you that now the Virgin Islands has one very, very fine tourism expert in Commissioner Jackson. He is the very best. The saddest thing about the mainland and foreign offices is they were never set up properly or funded at all, other than salaries.
The immediate need to save money at this point would, I think, call for closing the five offices overseas. These I do believe are totally useless, unless someone could prove otherwise, and filling one airplane to the islands is not enough. Close them now.
The Puerto Rico office needs funding badly and should be given a boost. For many years, the Puerto Rican market has saved the merchants during the summer months. If hotels, etc., were to offer packages and incentives to that market, it would do wonders. It has been all but forgotten. You would think that we would learn from the past.
The airfare is a problem. Between Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands it's a big ripoff. How about subsidizing day-trippers coming over from San Juan — say a rate of $20 a ticket. You would get thousands of Puerto Ricans in the summer and many tourists in the winter. The merchants and hotels would need to cooperate in the effort. It seems to me that since I left Main Street years ago, the merchants there now want everything handed to them on a silver platter.
As to stateside, I would close all but the Los Angeles, New York and maybe Florida offices — and move the New York one to the suburbs to save on rent. No one goes to the 6th floor of Rockefeller Plaza to get a brochure or set up a V.I. trip anymore.
The Coral Gables office is in the wrong place. The city is 95 percent Hispanic, including rich former dictators and politicians from South America. These folks travel, but mostly to Spain and other Hispanic locales. Move that office over to Miami Beach, where millions of tourists and local people traffic all over, or close it.
I also feel the need to comment on the trips and money wasted by former governors and commissioners on trips to Hong Kong, Tawain, Japan and wherever else their expensive joyrides took them. We are still waiting to see the investment and tourism business that was to result.
As to your headline question: Are the mainland Tourism offices productive or pork barrels? Today, they are mostly pork barrels..
David A. Puritz
Florida
As a former senator from St Thomas and longtime businessman there, I feel I need to comment on the subject of the offshore Tourism offices.
I worked with [Commissioner-designate Rafael] Jackson for a year in New York under then-Commerce Commissioner Amadeo Frances setting up the Industrial Development Commission mainland office, and I need to tell you that now the Virgin Islands has one very, very fine tourism expert in Commissioner Jackson. He is the very best. The saddest thing about the mainland and foreign offices is they were never set up properly or funded at all, other than salaries.
The immediate need to save money at this point would, I think, call for closing the five offices overseas. These I do believe are totally useless, unless someone could prove otherwise, and filling one airplane to the islands is not enough. Close them now.
The Puerto Rico office needs funding badly and should be given a boost. For many years, the Puerto Rican market has saved the merchants during the summer months. If hotels, etc., were to offer packages and incentives to that market, it would do wonders. It has been all but forgotten. You would think that we would learn from the past.
The airfare is a problem. Between Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands it's a big ripoff. How about subsidizing day-trippers coming over from San Juan — say a rate of $20 a ticket. You would get thousands of Puerto Ricans in the summer and many tourists in the winter. The merchants and hotels would need to cooperate in the effort. It seems to me that since I left Main Street years ago, the merchants there now want everything handed to them on a silver platter.
As to stateside, I would close all but the Los Angeles, New York and maybe Florida offices — and move the New York one to the suburbs to save on rent. No one goes to the 6th floor of Rockefeller Plaza to get a brochure or set up a V.I. trip anymore.
The Coral Gables office is in the wrong place. The city is 95 percent Hispanic, including rich former dictators and politicians from South America. These folks travel, but mostly to Spain and other Hispanic locales. Move that office over to Miami Beach, where millions of tourists and local people traffic all over, or close it.
I also feel the need to comment on the trips and money wasted by former governors and commissioners on trips to Hong Kong, Tawain, Japan and wherever else their expensive joyrides took them. We are still waiting to see the investment and tourism business that was to result.
As to your headline question: Are the mainland Tourism offices productive or pork barrels? Today, they are mostly pork barrels..
David A. Puritz
Florida
PAYNE OFFERS TO DISCUSS CENSORED SPEECH
District schools Supt. Rosalia Payne says she is willing to talk with the parents of the 14-year-old Julius E. Sprauve School honor student whose graduation speech was censored last week.
Payne said in a call-in to a talk show on WVWI/Radio One Tuesday morning, "I will call a meeting, and we can resolve this situation."
Host Iris Kern's guest on the show, "Opening Doors," was Laurel Hewitt-Sewer, mother of Oswin Sewer Jr., the salutatorian of the Sprauve Class of 2000. The Source reported on June 6 that Young Sewer's speech was taken from him by teachers and school administrators and then returned to him as he stepped onto the podium with three passages whited out.
The first was his comment that media reports had focused on the territory's overall low public school scores on a national test he took as a sixth grader, but few people knew that he had percentile scores as high as 98 and totaling 94.
The second was Oswin's comment that he felt bad that the school's Culture Day fairs ended when Beverly January, an assistant principal "who always had our best interests at heart," was transferred from Sprauve.
The third cited his concern about what he termed a decline in Sprauve students' behavior and scholarship and in teacher morale. It also stated, "Our classrooms are filthy, we lack drinking water and our physical plant is in need of care."
Hewitt-Sewer, herself a public school teacher, said the censorship incident had a "devastating" effect on her son, who saw what had been deleted only as he read the speech before his classmates, their families, school authorities and government officials including Gov. Charles W. Turnbull.
Payne said on the air Tuesday that Hewitt-Sewer's denunciation of Sprauve Principal Shirley Joseph prompted her call in. The superintendent said Joseph had earlier given the boy's father, Oswin Sewer Sr., an opportunity to discuss the incident. The senior Sewer has just retired from teaching at Sprauve School.
"Mrs. Joseph did give Mr. Sewer an opportunity to come to her, but he refused. He wouldn't even speak to her," the principal said.
Payne also denied rushing out of the ballroom at the St. John Westin resort after the graduation ceremony so as to avoid the boy's father as he attempted to speak to her.
Hewitt-Sewer asked Payne on the air to put her invitation in writing.
Young Oswin's parents have said they are exploring their legal options as they seek to press their complaint. Payne said on the radio show that the Sewers' implication that they would take the matter further was one reason she declined public comment about the censoring of the speech.
Payne said in a call-in to a talk show on WVWI/Radio One Tuesday morning, "I will call a meeting, and we can resolve this situation."
Host Iris Kern's guest on the show, "Opening Doors," was Laurel Hewitt-Sewer, mother of Oswin Sewer Jr., the salutatorian of the Sprauve Class of 2000. The Source reported on June 6 that Young Sewer's speech was taken from him by teachers and school administrators and then returned to him as he stepped onto the podium with three passages whited out.
The first was his comment that media reports had focused on the territory's overall low public school scores on a national test he took as a sixth grader, but few people knew that he had percentile scores as high as 98 and totaling 94.
The second was Oswin's comment that he felt bad that the school's Culture Day fairs ended when Beverly January, an assistant principal "who always had our best interests at heart," was transferred from Sprauve.
The third cited his concern about what he termed a decline in Sprauve students' behavior and scholarship and in teacher morale. It also stated, "Our classrooms are filthy, we lack drinking water and our physical plant is in need of care."
Hewitt-Sewer, herself a public school teacher, said the censorship incident had a "devastating" effect on her son, who saw what had been deleted only as he read the speech before his classmates, their families, school authorities and government officials including Gov. Charles W. Turnbull.
Payne said on the air Tuesday that Hewitt-Sewer's denunciation of Sprauve Principal Shirley Joseph prompted her call in. The superintendent said Joseph had earlier given the boy's father, Oswin Sewer Sr., an opportunity to discuss the incident. The senior Sewer has just retired from teaching at Sprauve School.
"Mrs. Joseph did give Mr. Sewer an opportunity to come to her, but he refused. He wouldn't even speak to her," the principal said.
Payne also denied rushing out of the ballroom at the St. John Westin resort after the graduation ceremony so as to avoid the boy's father as he attempted to speak to her.
Hewitt-Sewer asked Payne on the air to put her invitation in writing.
Young Oswin's parents have said they are exploring their legal options as they seek to press their complaint. Payne said on the radio show that the Sewers' implication that they would take the matter further was one reason she declined public comment about the censoring of the speech.
REICHHOLD CARIBBEAN SUMMER SEASON IS BACK
After two summers of a dark stage, the Reichhold Center for the Arts is returning to a mini-season of Caribbean theater presented by its own Caribbean Repertory Company.
Three productions are planned, in each case with the playwright himself serving as director.
The first, "Triptych," a drama by St. Lucian writer Kendel Hippolyte, will open June 23 for a four-night run.
Next up will be "Jean and Dinah," by Trinidad and Tobago playwright Tony Hall. It's to run July 28-31.
Concluding the season will be "Smile Native Smile," the premiere of a new work by Reichhold director David Edgecombe, a native of Montserrat, that is set on St. Thomas. It is scheduled to play Sept. 1-4.
"Triptych" is an art term that refers to a single image created in three separate parts. Each panel hangs separately and can stand alone, but the complete view, the embodiment of another arcane term, "synergy," has significance greater than the sum of its parts.
Hippolyte's play, naturally, has three characters. Its theme is tripartite, too: the interplay of art, politics and love. Each character experiences a conflict because of the pressure of these elements in his or her life.
Kadien, played by University of the Virgin Islands student Rehalio Henley, is an artist is torn between his desire to create more personal, mystical paintings and a nagging sense that art should be socially useful. There is also conflict in his growing attraction to Myrna, who is in a relationship with Tyrone, his closest friend.
Tyrone, portrayed by UVI student George Silcott Jr., is a political activist and journalist who writes for a trade union newspaper. While gathering information for a story about a dismissed hotel employee, he becomes attracted to the woman and jeopardizes his relationship with Myrna. Personal involvement influences his investigation and the action he decides upon, yet he convinces himself that he is acting out of radical political beliefs — until a critical moment.
Myrna, played by Josephine Lindquist, recognizes both her attraction for Kadien and her failing relationship with Tyrone. She and Tyrone break up, and she agrees to let Kadien paint a nude portrait of her. This causes a crisis in the friendship between the two men. Without getting into specifics, suffice it to say that as each individual confronts the others, Myrna finds confirmation in her resolve to make the person at the center of her life. . . herself.
The drama raises — but does not necessarily resolve — issues concerning the relationship of art and political action, the nature of friendship and the place of love in one's life. "Triptych" is about questions more than answers. Through their interrelations, all three characters come to understand their own motivations more clearly and arrive at a deeper self-knowledge.
Edgecombe founded the Caribbean Repertory Company in 1994 as a vehicle to allow for the professional production of Caribbean plays and to give performing artists and stage technicians greater opportunity to work in professional theater. It did so that summer and those of 1995, 1996 and 1997. Among the plays presented were "I Don't Want to Bathe" by St. Vincent playwright Cecil "Blazer" Williams; "Hotel Christobel" by Kittitian-born writer Caryl Phillips, and Edgecombe's "Marilyn," about a reunion on St. Thomas of characters who together had survived the hurricane of the same name.
Curtain time for all three of this summer's production is 8 p.m. Seating for the performances will be in the covered section only. All tickets are $20. They are available now at the Reichhold box office and may be purchased by charge card by calling 693-1559.
For more information, call the box office, e-mail to boxoffice@reichholdcenter.com, or go to the theater's web site at www.reichholdcenter.com.
Three productions are planned, in each case with the playwright himself serving as director.
The first, "Triptych," a drama by St. Lucian writer Kendel Hippolyte, will open June 23 for a four-night run.
Next up will be "Jean and Dinah," by Trinidad and Tobago playwright Tony Hall. It's to run July 28-31.
Concluding the season will be "Smile Native Smile," the premiere of a new work by Reichhold director David Edgecombe, a native of Montserrat, that is set on St. Thomas. It is scheduled to play Sept. 1-4.
"Triptych" is an art term that refers to a single image created in three separate parts. Each panel hangs separately and can stand alone, but the complete view, the embodiment of another arcane term, "synergy," has significance greater than the sum of its parts.
Hippolyte's play, naturally, has three characters. Its theme is tripartite, too: the interplay of art, politics and love. Each character experiences a conflict because of the pressure of these elements in his or her life.
Kadien, played by University of the Virgin Islands student Rehalio Henley, is an artist is torn between his desire to create more personal, mystical paintings and a nagging sense that art should be socially useful. There is also conflict in his growing attraction to Myrna, who is in a relationship with Tyrone, his closest friend.
Tyrone, portrayed by UVI student George Silcott Jr., is a political activist and journalist who writes for a trade union newspaper. While gathering information for a story about a dismissed hotel employee, he becomes attracted to the woman and jeopardizes his relationship with Myrna. Personal involvement influences his investigation and the action he decides upon, yet he convinces himself that he is acting out of radical political beliefs — until a critical moment.
Myrna, played by Josephine Lindquist, recognizes both her attraction for Kadien and her failing relationship with Tyrone. She and Tyrone break up, and she agrees to let Kadien paint a nude portrait of her. This causes a crisis in the friendship between the two men. Without getting into specifics, suffice it to say that as each individual confronts the others, Myrna finds confirmation in her resolve to make the person at the center of her life. . . herself.
The drama raises — but does not necessarily resolve — issues concerning the relationship of art and political action, the nature of friendship and the place of love in one's life. "Triptych" is about questions more than answers. Through their interrelations, all three characters come to understand their own motivations more clearly and arrive at a deeper self-knowledge.
Edgecombe founded the Caribbean Repertory Company in 1994 as a vehicle to allow for the professional production of Caribbean plays and to give performing artists and stage technicians greater opportunity to work in professional theater. It did so that summer and those of 1995, 1996 and 1997. Among the plays presented were "I Don't Want to Bathe" by St. Vincent playwright Cecil "Blazer" Williams; "Hotel Christobel" by Kittitian-born writer Caryl Phillips, and Edgecombe's "Marilyn," about a reunion on St. Thomas of characters who together had survived the hurricane of the same name.
Curtain time for all three of this summer's production is 8 p.m. Seating for the performances will be in the covered section only. All tickets are $20. They are available now at the Reichhold box office and may be purchased by charge card by calling 693-1559.
For more information, call the box office, e-mail to boxoffice@reichholdcenter.com, or go to the theater's web site at www.reichholdcenter.com.
STAR SPONSORS FATHER'S DAY FUN RUN
The St. Thomas Association of Roadrunners invites all walkers, joggers and runners to participate in the annual Father's Day Two Mile Fun Run starting at 7 a.m. Sunday, June 18.
The run starts and finishes in Frenchtown near the ballpark. The entry fee is $1.00. Call 775-6373 for more information.
The run starts and finishes in Frenchtown near the ballpark. The entry fee is $1.00. Call 775-6373 for more information.
STAR SPONSORS FATHER'S DAY FUN RUN
The St. Thomas Association of Roadrunners invites all walkers, joggers and runners to participate in the annual Father's Day Two Mile Fun Run starting at 7 a.m. Sunday, June 18.
The run starts and finishes in Frenchtown near the ballpark. The entry fee is $1.00. Call 775-6373 for more information.
The run starts and finishes in Frenchtown near the ballpark. The entry fee is $1.00. Call 775-6373 for more information.
TOURISM OFFICES DON'T ALL TELL IT LIKE IT IS
Second in a series
On Monday, the Tourism Department launched its latest mainland television and radio advertising campaign. The commercials invite viewers/listeners wanting additional information to call the V.I. Tourism office in their area.
The Source did just that over a two-week period, asking several standardized questions of personnel answering the telephone in all six offices – in New York, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Coral Gables (Miami), Chicago and Los Angeles — and some specifically tailored to the particular situation.
Dozens of calls were placed between May 31 and June 9. What follows are some of the findings.
To queries concerning whether June is a good time to visit the Virgin Islands, what quality the beaches are, when hurricanes occur, weather statistics and available activities, generally accurate responses were provided from all offices, with varying degrees of enthusiasm.
However, with the exception of those provided by personnel in the Los Angeles office, the answers given conveyed the impression that the employees are not accustomed to answering these types of questions and are not involved in their jobs enough to do some research in order to respond to detailed questions.
Not-so-local knowledge
These specific questions elicited the following responses:
Can I ride a bike there? "Well, I never saw any. Let me look that up."
(The facts: Guided bicycle tours are offered on St. Thomas and St. Croix and are quite popular.)
Are there inexpensive hotels with kitchenettes? "No. You would have to get a villa or condo, and that would cost a lot of money."
(The facts: While "inexpensive" is a relative term, on St. Thomas, The Inn at Blackbeard's, Carib Beach, Bolongo Bay, Secret Harbour and Villa Blanca offer the option. So do the Inn at Tamarind Court on St. John, and Club Comanche, Hibiscus Beach, Holger Danske and Sprat Hall on St. Croix.)
Can I fly directly into St. Croix from the mainland? "Yes, you can, but I don't have the schedule yet."
(The facts: There is one flight a day, out of Miami on American Airlines.)
Could you tell me if we could visit formal gardens to learn more about the flora of the islands? What are some of the flowers in bloom this time of year? "Uhh, I don't know any of the names. Uhh, we don't have any specific information about gardens or flowers."
(The facts: St. Croix and St. Thomas have attractive botanical gardens that eagerly receive visitors.)
Will I be able to get around St. John walking with a cane? "Well, it's pretty hilly, but the buildings are only two stories and there are elevators."
Could you give me the names and current rates of a few inexpensive hotels?
"We can't recommend hotels because we're a government institution, but I can send you the list of hotels. That's all I have."
What is the range of summer rates for hotels? (Respondent begins reading the hotel list alphabetically) "Oh, I'm looking at the wrong sheet — that's the winter rates."
Is there public transportation, or would I need to rent a car? "No, we recommend you rent a car. The rates are about the same as Florida."
(The facts: Major company rental rates on St. Thomas are about 30 percent higher than Miami.)
The conference calls
Information was requested of all six offices for planning a conference in a location able to accommodate over 175 persons including those requiring wheelchair accessibility. Only Los Angeles gave on-the-spot, correct and extremely helpful information.
The staff person there responded that three hotels on St. Thomas would have that capability. Quickly circumventing what was described as the usual procedure of sending out such a request to the hotels for them to respond to the client, this individual provided the 800 numbers for those three hotels so that the caller could obtain immediate and specific information.
The Miami office put the caller on hold three times trying to find the requested information and finally faxed a four-page government list of hotels, rates and amenities, leaving the research to the caller. In response to a second call about conference planning, the employee said it would be necessary to send a fax from that office in order to obtain the requested conference information.
The person taking the question in the New York office, when asked to fax conference information, said it was only possible to mail the information, because it was "a four-fold and won't fit in the fax machine."
An Atlanta staffer said a lot of hotels could accommodate that many persons but was not sure about handicap-access facilities. The individual promised to put together a list of hotels that could meet those needs and fax it right out. Such a list was never received.
The Chicago employee responding to the query about the need for handicap access for a sizable number of visitors cited a conference held recently by local hoteliers to prepare for just such an eventuality. The employee then recommended the Westin and proceeded to fax a half-page sheet listing conference facilities at the Westin — not rooms, and nothing about handicap access.
Some driving forces
The range of inconsistency of employee knowledge and training hit home in response to what should have been a no-brainer: Is it difficult to drive in the Virgin Islands?
Washington: "Well, it's different because they drive on the right." [Extended pause.] "Oh, sorry, I mean they drive on the left."
Atlanta: [Answering machine] "You have reached the U.S. Virgin Islands information office in Atlanta, Georgia, representing the three beautiful islands of St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John. We are not available at this time but your call is very important to us. At the sound of the tone, please leave your name, a brief message and your phone number. Thank you for your interest in the Virgin Islands. Remember: 'They're your islands.' "
Los Angeles: "You'll find it the easiest place to drive after your experiences here. You will be able to see a lot more when you can drive around. Trust me, they go slow, and with all the traffic on the left, you'll just fall into line."
Miami: "Oh, you won't have any trouble driving on the left. You just have to remember to turn into the left lane at crossings. The steering wheel is the same side as cars here, and you'll be very comfortable."
Chicago: "Don't worry about it for a minute. It's really not that difficult. The steering wheel is on the left, all the traffic going along will keep you in line, and there are lots of signs reminding you. Good luck to you, love. Make sure you go to St. John."
New York: [For this one, the full dialogue, caller followed by New Yorker, is provided.]
Will I have difficulty driving in the islands? "Why would it be difficult?"
Someone told me it was different. "How could it be different?"
I don't know. They just said it was different. "I don't know why they would say that."
I guess if you can drive in New York City, you can drive anywhere. "Thank you!"
The bottom line of body language
Tourism Commissioner-designate Rafael Jackson told a Senate committee recently, "I need bodies in those offices." Earlier, at his confirmation hearing before the full Legislature, in response to a question from Sen. Violet Anne Golden about employees being patronage hires who lacked tourism expertise, he replied that, while some were not knowledgeable, they were all "trainable."
How were these employees selected? What qualifications are required, and what training program is in place for new hires? How will the staffs of the six offices handle the increase in calls expected to be generated by the new ad campaign? Collectively, do they constitute an asset worth over a million dollars of the $3.5 million Tourism budget? The answers to these questions could be the really interesting ones.
However, they may be of little relevance in the bigger picture.
Tourism's mainly TV and radio spring advertising campaign in five mainland markets got off to a late start in mid-March and ran into May. Even so, according to Martin Public Relations, the government's mainland p.r. agency, calls to the 800 number "nearly tripled as a direct result of the campaign."
The summer ads will get double the amount of media coverage, in 12 mainland market areas, Martin said.
Evidence suggests that for most people wanting information about the Virgin Islands as a travel destination, the quickest and easiest ways to get it are by calling the Tourism toll-free telephone number and by going on the Internet.
Friday: Answers at your fingertips
On Monday, the Tourism Department launched its latest mainland television and radio advertising campaign. The commercials invite viewers/listeners wanting additional information to call the V.I. Tourism office in their area.
The Source did just that over a two-week period, asking several standardized questions of personnel answering the telephone in all six offices – in New York, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Coral Gables (Miami), Chicago and Los Angeles — and some specifically tailored to the particular situation.
Dozens of calls were placed between May 31 and June 9. What follows are some of the findings.
To queries concerning whether June is a good time to visit the Virgin Islands, what quality the beaches are, when hurricanes occur, weather statistics and available activities, generally accurate responses were provided from all offices, with varying degrees of enthusiasm.
However, with the exception of those provided by personnel in the Los Angeles office, the answers given conveyed the impression that the employees are not accustomed to answering these types of questions and are not involved in their jobs enough to do some research in order to respond to detailed questions.
Not-so-local knowledge
These specific questions elicited the following responses:
Can I ride a bike there? "Well, I never saw any. Let me look that up."
(The facts: Guided bicycle tours are offered on St. Thomas and St. Croix and are quite popular.)
Are there inexpensive hotels with kitchenettes? "No. You would have to get a villa or condo, and that would cost a lot of money."
(The facts: While "inexpensive" is a relative term, on St. Thomas, The Inn at Blackbeard's, Carib Beach, Bolongo Bay, Secret Harbour and Villa Blanca offer the option. So do the Inn at Tamarind Court on St. John, and Club Comanche, Hibiscus Beach, Holger Danske and Sprat Hall on St. Croix.)
Can I fly directly into St. Croix from the mainland? "Yes, you can, but I don't have the schedule yet."
(The facts: There is one flight a day, out of Miami on American Airlines.)
Could you tell me if we could visit formal gardens to learn more about the flora of the islands? What are some of the flowers in bloom this time of year? "Uhh, I don't know any of the names. Uhh, we don't have any specific information about gardens or flowers."
(The facts: St. Croix and St. Thomas have attractive botanical gardens that eagerly receive visitors.)
Will I be able to get around St. John walking with a cane? "Well, it's pretty hilly, but the buildings are only two stories and there are elevators."
Could you give me the names and current rates of a few inexpensive hotels?
"We can't recommend hotels because we're a government institution, but I can send you the list of hotels. That's all I have."
What is the range of summer rates for hotels? (Respondent begins reading the hotel list alphabetically) "Oh, I'm looking at the wrong sheet — that's the winter rates."
Is there public transportation, or would I need to rent a car? "No, we recommend you rent a car. The rates are about the same as Florida."
(The facts: Major company rental rates on St. Thomas are about 30 percent higher than Miami.)
The conference calls
Information was requested of all six offices for planning a conference in a location able to accommodate over 175 persons including those requiring wheelchair accessibility. Only Los Angeles gave on-the-spot, correct and extremely helpful information.
The staff person there responded that three hotels on St. Thomas would have that capability. Quickly circumventing what was described as the usual procedure of sending out such a request to the hotels for them to respond to the client, this individual provided the 800 numbers for those three hotels so that the caller could obtain immediate and specific information.
The Miami office put the caller on hold three times trying to find the requested information and finally faxed a four-page government list of hotels, rates and amenities, leaving the research to the caller. In response to a second call about conference planning, the employee said it would be necessary to send a fax from that office in order to obtain the requested conference information.
The person taking the question in the New York office, when asked to fax conference information, said it was only possible to mail the information, because it was "a four-fold and won't fit in the fax machine."
An Atlanta staffer said a lot of hotels could accommodate that many persons but was not sure about handicap-access facilities. The individual promised to put together a list of hotels that could meet those needs and fax it right out. Such a list was never received.
The Chicago employee responding to the query about the need for handicap access for a sizable number of visitors cited a conference held recently by local hoteliers to prepare for just such an eventuality. The employee then recommended the Westin and proceeded to fax a half-page sheet listing conference facilities at the Westin — not rooms, and nothing about handicap access.
Some driving forces
The range of inconsistency of employee knowledge and training hit home in response to what should have been a no-brainer: Is it difficult to drive in the Virgin Islands?
Washington: "Well, it's different because they drive on the right." [Extended pause.] "Oh, sorry, I mean they drive on the left."
Atlanta: [Answering machine] "You have reached the U.S. Virgin Islands information office in Atlanta, Georgia, representing the three beautiful islands of St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John. We are not available at this time but your call is very important to us. At the sound of the tone, please leave your name, a brief message and your phone number. Thank you for your interest in the Virgin Islands. Remember: 'They're your islands.' "
Los Angeles: "You'll find it the easiest place to drive after your experiences here. You will be able to see a lot more when you can drive around. Trust me, they go slow, and with all the traffic on the left, you'll just fall into line."
Miami: "Oh, you won't have any trouble driving on the left. You just have to remember to turn into the left lane at crossings. The steering wheel is the same side as cars here, and you'll be very comfortable."
Chicago: "Don't worry about it for a minute. It's really not that difficult. The steering wheel is on the left, all the traffic going along will keep you in line, and there are lots of signs reminding you. Good luck to you, love. Make sure you go to St. John."
New York: [For this one, the full dialogue, caller followed by New Yorker, is provided.]
Will I have difficulty driving in the islands? "Why would it be difficult?"
Someone told me it was different. "How could it be different?"
I don't know. They just said it was different. "I don't know why they would say that."
I guess if you can drive in New York City, you can drive anywhere. "Thank you!"
The bottom line of body language
Tourism Commissioner-designate Rafael Jackson told a Senate committee recently, "I need bodies in those offices." Earlier, at his confirmation hearing before the full Legislature, in response to a question from Sen. Violet Anne Golden about employees being patronage hires who lacked tourism expertise, he replied that, while some were not knowledgeable, they were all "trainable."
How were these employees selected? What qualifications are required, and what training program is in place for new hires? How will the staffs of the six offices handle the increase in calls expected to be generated by the new ad campaign? Collectively, do they constitute an asset worth over a million dollars of the $3.5 million Tourism budget? The answers to these questions could be the really interesting ones.
However, they may be of little relevance in the bigger picture.
Tourism's mainly TV and radio spring advertising campaign in five mainland markets got off to a late start in mid-March and ran into May. Even so, according to Martin Public Relations, the government's mainland p.r. agency, calls to the 800 number "nearly tripled as a direct result of the campaign."
The summer ads will get double the amount of media coverage, in 12 mainland market areas, Martin said.
Evidence suggests that for most people wanting information about the Virgin Islands as a travel destination, the quickest and easiest ways to get it are by calling the Tourism toll-free telephone number and by going on the Internet.
Friday: Answers at your fingertips
TOURISM OFFICES DON'T ALL TELL IT LIKE IT IS
Second in a series
On Monday, the Tourism Department launched its latest mainland television and radio advertising campaign. The commercials invite viewers/listeners wanting additional information to call the V.I. Tourism office in their area.
The Source did just that over a two-week period, asking several standardized questions of personnel answering the telephone in all six offices – in New York, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Coral Gables (Miami), Chicago and Los Angeles — and some specifically tailored to the particular situation.
Dozens of calls were placed between May 31 and June 9. What follows are some of the findings.
To queries concerning whether June is a good time to visit the Virgin Islands, what quality the beaches are, when hurricanes occur, weather statistics and available activities, generally accurate responses were provided from all offices, with varying degrees of enthusiasm.
However, with the exception of those provided by personnel in the Los Angeles office, the answers given conveyed the impression that the employees are not accustomed to answering these types of questions and are not involved in their jobs enough to do some research in order to respond to detailed questions.
Not-so-local knowledge
These specific questions elicited the following responses:
Can I ride a bike there? "Well, I never saw any. Let me look that up."
(The facts: Guided bicycle tours are offered on St. Thomas and St. Croix and are quite popular.)
Are there inexpensive hotels with kitchenettes? "No. You would have to get a villa or condo, and that would cost a lot of money."
(The facts: While "inexpensive" is a relative term, on St. Thomas, The Inn at Blackbeard's, Carib Beach, Bolongo Bay, Secret Harbour and Villa Blanca offer the option. So do the Inn at Tamarind Court on St. John, and Club Comanche, Hibiscus Beach, Holger Danske and Sprat Hall on St. Croix.)
Can I fly directly into St. Croix from the mainland? "Yes, you can, but I don't have the schedule yet."
(The facts: There is one flight a day, out of Miami on American Airlines.)
Could you tell me if we could visit formal gardens to learn more about the flora of the islands? What are some of the flowers in bloom this time of year? "Uhh, I don't know any of the names. Uhh, we don't have any specific information about gardens or flowers."
(The facts: St. Croix and St. Thomas have attractive botanical gardens that eagerly receive visitors.)
Will I be able to get around St. John walking with a cane? "Well, it's pretty hilly, but the buildings are only two stories and there are elevators."
Could you give me the names and current rates of a few inexpensive hotels?
"We can't recommend hotels because we're a government institution, but I can send you the list of hotels. That's all I have."
What is the range of summer rates for hotels? (Respondent begins reading the hotel list alphabetically) "Oh, I'm looking at the wrong sheet — that's the winter rates."
Is there public transportation, or would I need to rent a car? "No, we recommend you rent a car. The rates are about the same as Florida."
(The facts: Major company rental rates on St. Thomas are about 30 percent higher than Miami.)
The conference calls
Information was requested of all six offices for planning a conference in a location able to accommodate over 175 persons including those requiring wheelchair accessibility. Only Los Angeles gave on-the-spot, correct and extremely helpful information.
The staff person there responded that three hotels on St. Thomas would have that capability. Quickly circumventing what was described as the usual procedure of sending out such a request to the hotels for them to respond to the client, this individual provided the 800 numbers for those three hotels so that the caller could obtain immediate and specific information.
The Miami office put the caller on hold three times trying to find the requested information and finally faxed a four-page government list of hotels, rates and amenities, leaving the research to the caller. In response to a second call about conference planning, the employee said it would be necessary to arrange to have the requested information faxed from elsewhere to that office and to then pass it on.
The person taking the question in the New York office, when asked to fax conference information, said it was only possible to mail the information, because it was "a four-fold and won't fit in the fax machine."
An Atlanta staffer said a lot of hotels could accommodate that many persons but was not sure about handicap-access facilities. The individual promised to put together a list of hotels that could meet those needs and fax it right out. Such a list was never received.
The Chicago employee responding to the query about the need for handicap access for a sizable number of visitors cited a conference held recently by local hoteliers to prepare for just such an eventuality. The employee then recommended the Westin and proceeded to fax a half-page sheet listing conference facilities at the Westin — not rooms, and nothing about handicap access.
Some driving forces
The range of inconsistency of employee knowledge and training hit home in response to what should have been a no-brainer: Is it difficult to drive in the Virgin Islands?
Washington: "Well, it's different because they drive on the right." [Extended pause.] "Oh, sorry, I mean they drive on the left."
Atlanta: [Answering machine] "You have reached the U.S. Virgin Islands information office in Atlanta, Georgia, representing the three beautiful islands of St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John. We are not available at this time but your call is very important to us. At the sound of the tone, please leave your name, a brief message and your phone number. Thank you for your interest in the Virgin Islands. Remember: 'They're your islands.' "
Los Angeles: "You'll find it the easiest place to drive after your experiences here. You will be able to see a lot more when you can drive around. Trust me, they go slow, and with all the traffic on the left, you'll just fall into line."
Miami: "Oh, you won't have any trouble driving on the left. You just have to remember to turn into the left lane at crossings. The steering wheel is the same side as cars here, and you'll be very comfortable."
Chicago: "Don't worry about it for a minute. It's really not that difficult. The steering wheel is on the left, all the traffic going along will keep you in line, and there are lots of signs reminding you. Good luck to you, love. Make sure you go to St. John."
New York: [For this one, the full dialogue, caller followed by New Yorker, is provided.]
Will I have difficulty driving in the islands? "Why would it be difficult?"
Someone told me it was different. "How could it be different?"
I don't know. They just said it was different. "I don't know why they would say that."
I guess if you can drive in New York City, you can drive anywhere. "Thank you!"
The bottom line of body language
Tourism Commissioner-designate Rafael Jackson told a Senate committee recently, "I need bodies in those offices." Earlier, at his confirmation hearing before the full Legislature, in response to a question from Sen. Violet Anne Golden about employees being patronage hires who lacked tourism expertise, he replied that, while some were not knowledgeable, they were all "trainable."
How were these employees selected? What qualifications are required, and what training program is in place for new hires? How will the staffs of the six offices handle the increase in calls expected to be generated by the new ad campaign? Collectively, do they constitute an a sset worth over a million dollars of the $3.5 million Tourism budget? The answers to these questions could be the really interesting ones.
However, they may be of little relevance in the bigger picture.
Tourism's mainly TV and radio spring advertising campaign in five mainland markets got off to a late start in mid-March and ran into May. Even so, according to Martin Public Relations, the government's mainland p.r. agency, calls to the 800 number "nearly tripled as a direct result of the campaign."
The summer ads will get double the amount of media coverage, in 12 mainland market areas, Martin said.
Evidence suggests that for most people wanting information about the Virgin Islands as a travel destination, the quickest and easiest ways to get it are by calling the Tourism toll-free telephone number and by going on the Internet.
Friday: Answers at your fingertips
On Monday, the Tourism Department launched its latest mainland television and radio advertising campaign. The commercials invite viewers/listeners wanting additional information to call the V.I. Tourism office in their area.
The Source did just that over a two-week period, asking several standardized questions of personnel answering the telephone in all six offices – in New York, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Coral Gables (Miami), Chicago and Los Angeles — and some specifically tailored to the particular situation.
Dozens of calls were placed between May 31 and June 9. What follows are some of the findings.
To queries concerning whether June is a good time to visit the Virgin Islands, what quality the beaches are, when hurricanes occur, weather statistics and available activities, generally accurate responses were provided from all offices, with varying degrees of enthusiasm.
However, with the exception of those provided by personnel in the Los Angeles office, the answers given conveyed the impression that the employees are not accustomed to answering these types of questions and are not involved in their jobs enough to do some research in order to respond to detailed questions.
Not-so-local knowledge
These specific questions elicited the following responses:
Can I ride a bike there? "Well, I never saw any. Let me look that up."
(The facts: Guided bicycle tours are offered on St. Thomas and St. Croix and are quite popular.)
Are there inexpensive hotels with kitchenettes? "No. You would have to get a villa or condo, and that would cost a lot of money."
(The facts: While "inexpensive" is a relative term, on St. Thomas, The Inn at Blackbeard's, Carib Beach, Bolongo Bay, Secret Harbour and Villa Blanca offer the option. So do the Inn at Tamarind Court on St. John, and Club Comanche, Hibiscus Beach, Holger Danske and Sprat Hall on St. Croix.)
Can I fly directly into St. Croix from the mainland? "Yes, you can, but I don't have the schedule yet."
(The facts: There is one flight a day, out of Miami on American Airlines.)
Could you tell me if we could visit formal gardens to learn more about the flora of the islands? What are some of the flowers in bloom this time of year? "Uhh, I don't know any of the names. Uhh, we don't have any specific information about gardens or flowers."
(The facts: St. Croix and St. Thomas have attractive botanical gardens that eagerly receive visitors.)
Will I be able to get around St. John walking with a cane? "Well, it's pretty hilly, but the buildings are only two stories and there are elevators."
Could you give me the names and current rates of a few inexpensive hotels?
"We can't recommend hotels because we're a government institution, but I can send you the list of hotels. That's all I have."
What is the range of summer rates for hotels? (Respondent begins reading the hotel list alphabetically) "Oh, I'm looking at the wrong sheet — that's the winter rates."
Is there public transportation, or would I need to rent a car? "No, we recommend you rent a car. The rates are about the same as Florida."
(The facts: Major company rental rates on St. Thomas are about 30 percent higher than Miami.)
The conference calls
Information was requested of all six offices for planning a conference in a location able to accommodate over 175 persons including those requiring wheelchair accessibility. Only Los Angeles gave on-the-spot, correct and extremely helpful information.
The staff person there responded that three hotels on St. Thomas would have that capability. Quickly circumventing what was described as the usual procedure of sending out such a request to the hotels for them to respond to the client, this individual provided the 800 numbers for those three hotels so that the caller could obtain immediate and specific information.
The Miami office put the caller on hold three times trying to find the requested information and finally faxed a four-page government list of hotels, rates and amenities, leaving the research to the caller. In response to a second call about conference planning, the employee said it would be necessary to arrange to have the requested information faxed from elsewhere to that office and to then pass it on.
The person taking the question in the New York office, when asked to fax conference information, said it was only possible to mail the information, because it was "a four-fold and won't fit in the fax machine."
An Atlanta staffer said a lot of hotels could accommodate that many persons but was not sure about handicap-access facilities. The individual promised to put together a list of hotels that could meet those needs and fax it right out. Such a list was never received.
The Chicago employee responding to the query about the need for handicap access for a sizable number of visitors cited a conference held recently by local hoteliers to prepare for just such an eventuality. The employee then recommended the Westin and proceeded to fax a half-page sheet listing conference facilities at the Westin — not rooms, and nothing about handicap access.
Some driving forces
The range of inconsistency of employee knowledge and training hit home in response to what should have been a no-brainer: Is it difficult to drive in the Virgin Islands?
Washington: "Well, it's different because they drive on the right." [Extended pause.] "Oh, sorry, I mean they drive on the left."
Atlanta: [Answering machine] "You have reached the U.S. Virgin Islands information office in Atlanta, Georgia, representing the three beautiful islands of St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John. We are not available at this time but your call is very important to us. At the sound of the tone, please leave your name, a brief message and your phone number. Thank you for your interest in the Virgin Islands. Remember: 'They're your islands.' "
Los Angeles: "You'll find it the easiest place to drive after your experiences here. You will be able to see a lot more when you can drive around. Trust me, they go slow, and with all the traffic on the left, you'll just fall into line."
Miami: "Oh, you won't have any trouble driving on the left. You just have to remember to turn into the left lane at crossings. The steering wheel is the same side as cars here, and you'll be very comfortable."
Chicago: "Don't worry about it for a minute. It's really not that difficult. The steering wheel is on the left, all the traffic going along will keep you in line, and there are lots of signs reminding you. Good luck to you, love. Make sure you go to St. John."
New York: [For this one, the full dialogue, caller followed by New Yorker, is provided.]
Will I have difficulty driving in the islands? "Why would it be difficult?"
Someone told me it was different. "How could it be different?"
I don't know. They just said it was different. "I don't know why they would say that."
I guess if you can drive in New York City, you can drive anywhere. "Thank you!"
The bottom line of body language
Tourism Commissioner-designate Rafael Jackson told a Senate committee recently, "I need bodies in those offices." Earlier, at his confirmation hearing before the full Legislature, in response to a question from Sen. Violet Anne Golden about employees being patronage hires who lacked tourism expertise, he replied that, while some were not knowledgeable, they were all "trainable."
How were these employees selected? What qualifications are required, and what training program is in place for new hires? How will the staffs of the six offices handle the increase in calls expected to be generated by the new ad campaign? Collectively, do they constitute an a sset worth over a million dollars of the $3.5 million Tourism budget? The answers to these questions could be the really interesting ones.
However, they may be of little relevance in the bigger picture.
Tourism's mainly TV and radio spring advertising campaign in five mainland markets got off to a late start in mid-March and ran into May. Even so, according to Martin Public Relations, the government's mainland p.r. agency, calls to the 800 number "nearly tripled as a direct result of the campaign."
The summer ads will get double the amount of media coverage, in 12 mainland market areas, Martin said.
Evidence suggests that for most people wanting information about the Virgin Islands as a travel destination, the quickest and easiest ways to get it are by calling the Tourism toll-free telephone number and by going on the Internet.
Friday: Answers at your fingertips
