Dear Source:
I am writing to agree with the reader from California about the noticeable absence of St. Croix in the few V.I. television ads that appear usually in the middle of the night here in Chicago.
There are ads for the Bahamas, Jamaica, Cayman Islands and Puerto Rico running almost every hour. Travel to these destinations is flourishing, airlines are adding flights to accommodate the additional travelers and yet St. Croix is floundering.
I own a home which I am desperately trying to rent and usually lose my potential customers to another island. Mostly they can’t get air reservations, give up and hop on one of the several options to another warm destination. This situation is appalling. I really can't afford to keep my place going without tourists coming on a regular basis. We are so far behind everyone else in the industry that I doubt we can ever catch up.
Instead of spending our time whining about public or private, we need to be working to make the V.I. a very visible and desirable destination.
Sue Seibel
Chicago, Il
OLYMPICS CELEBRATED WITH RUN IN F’STED
The annual Olympic Day Run will be held in St. Croix on Saturday June 10 at 7 a.m. The run will start at Fort Frederik, go to Rainbow Beach and return to the fort.
The event is celebrated worldwide to bring awareness to Olympism and the Olympic Movement. Dr. Marlon Williams, vice president of the Virgin Islands Olympic Committee and four-time Olympian pointed out the importance of this special year.
"This is the year of the 101st Olympics to be held in Sydney, Australia. The Virgin Islands will be represented by its top athletes in several sports in these games. They need the support of everyone in the Virgin Islands as they travel to the other side of the world to represent us; you don't have to be an Olympian to participate in the Olympic Day Run. We want people to come and participate in this run and in the one to be held in St. John later this month. We want you to get the Olympic spirit as a participant and carry it up to and through the games."
He said the event is open to runners, joggers, walkers and athletes of all ages.
"Come out to the University on Saturday morning and show your support and have fun running for prizes and other official Olympic awards," Williams s said.
Awards will be presented to the top male and female finishers in each race. This year there will be special raffle awards to participants who finish the run in under 12 minutes, under 14 minutes, under 16 minutes and under 20 minutes. All participants will receive a special International Olympic Committee Certificate, V.I. Olympic Pins and a special Olympic T-shirt to the first 100 who sign up. This event is free of charge. International Sponsors are: The International Olympic Committee, The International Amateur Athletic Federation and Coca-Cola. It is hosted by the Virgin Islands Olympic Committee, sanctioned by the Virgin Islands Track & Field Federation and organized by V.I. Pace Runners.
For more information call V.I.Pace Runners 777-0258 St. Visit: www.virginislandspace.org
The event is celebrated worldwide to bring awareness to Olympism and the Olympic Movement. Dr. Marlon Williams, vice president of the Virgin Islands Olympic Committee and four-time Olympian pointed out the importance of this special year.
"This is the year of the 101st Olympics to be held in Sydney, Australia. The Virgin Islands will be represented by its top athletes in several sports in these games. They need the support of everyone in the Virgin Islands as they travel to the other side of the world to represent us; you don't have to be an Olympian to participate in the Olympic Day Run. We want people to come and participate in this run and in the one to be held in St. John later this month. We want you to get the Olympic spirit as a participant and carry it up to and through the games."
He said the event is open to runners, joggers, walkers and athletes of all ages.
"Come out to the University on Saturday morning and show your support and have fun running for prizes and other official Olympic awards," Williams s said.
Awards will be presented to the top male and female finishers in each race. This year there will be special raffle awards to participants who finish the run in under 12 minutes, under 14 minutes, under 16 minutes and under 20 minutes. All participants will receive a special International Olympic Committee Certificate, V.I. Olympic Pins and a special Olympic T-shirt to the first 100 who sign up. This event is free of charge. International Sponsors are: The International Olympic Committee, The International Amateur Athletic Federation and Coca-Cola. It is hosted by the Virgin Islands Olympic Committee, sanctioned by the Virgin Islands Track & Field Federation and organized by V.I. Pace Runners.
For more information call V.I.Pace Runners 777-0258 St. Visit: www.virginislandspace.org
DELEGATE, CBC MEET WITH BILL GATES
On her first day back in Washington Tuesday following Memorial Day recess, Delegate Donna Christian Christensen and members of the Congressional Black Caucus met with Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates to discuss the digital divide and how Corporate America and government can work together to expand access to technology.
Members of the caucus asked Gates questions on various subjects, including labor policies at Microsoft and educational initiatives at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The foundation has made large resource contributions to various organizations, with emphasis on health and learning.
"Microsoft has been supportive of the CBC's efforts to extend access to technology into communities of color for many years, and I seized the opportunity to raise his level of awareness to include the Virgin Islands in his company's programs initiatives," Christensen said, adding that she also presented Gates with the University of the Virgin Islands’ plans to establish a research park in the future.
Members of the caucus asked Gates questions on various subjects, including labor policies at Microsoft and educational initiatives at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The foundation has made large resource contributions to various organizations, with emphasis on health and learning.
"Microsoft has been supportive of the CBC's efforts to extend access to technology into communities of color for many years, and I seized the opportunity to raise his level of awareness to include the Virgin Islands in his company's programs initiatives," Christensen said, adding that she also presented Gates with the University of the Virgin Islands’ plans to establish a research park in the future.
GERS PRE-RETIREMENT WORKSHOP "PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT"
GERS invites members to participate in a workshop "Planning for Retirement" at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, June 28, in the Conference Room at 3005 Orange Grove.
For additional information or to pre-register call Mrs. Ann Forbes-Samuel at 773-5480. Seating is limited so register early. Register deadline is Friday, June 23.
For additional information or to pre-register call Mrs. Ann Forbes-Samuel at 773-5480. Seating is limited so register early. Register deadline is Friday, June 23.
GERS PRE-RETIREMENT WORKSHOP "FOR THE HEALTH OF IT"
GERS invites members to participate in a workshop "For the Health of It" at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, June 21, at the GERS conference Room, 3005 Orange Grove.
For additional information or to pre-register call Mrs. Ann Forbes-Samuel at 773-5480. Seating is limited so register early. Registration deadline is Friday, June 16.
For additional information or to pre-register call Mrs. Ann Forbes-Samuel at 773-5480. Seating is limited so register early. Registration deadline is Friday, June 16.
MS. USVI AMERICAN CLASSICS
U.S. Virgin islands American Classics, Inc. presents "A Millennium Fantasy in Age Minor" to be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 25, at Palms Coourt Harbour View.
Competing for the title are five senior beauties; Ruth D. Smith, Lucyleta Smith, Carol Touhy, and from St. Croix, Maudiana oscar and Shirley Thomas.
Edwin Davis, our "Classic Man of the year" will also be honored for his dedication and service to the community. Tickets are $15.
Competing for the title are five senior beauties; Ruth D. Smith, Lucyleta Smith, Carol Touhy, and from St. Croix, Maudiana oscar and Shirley Thomas.
Edwin Davis, our "Classic Man of the year" will also be honored for his dedication and service to the community. Tickets are $15.
GIFTS FOR CARNIVAL'S TODDLER DERBY PARTICIPANTS
All Carnival 2000 Toddler Derby participants will receive gifts between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Satuday, June 10, at the Carnival committee office.
For additional information contact Edris Robles at 776-2927 after 4 p.m.
For additional information contact Edris Robles at 776-2927 after 4 p.m.
ST.THOMAS LIONS CLUB
The St. Thomas Lions Club will hold its regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 8, at the Palms Court Harbourview.
STX RUNWAY PROJECT BACK ON TRACK
The runway extension project at St. Croix’s Henry E. Rohlsen Airport is set to resume at the end of June, more than three months after it was halted because it was affecting the health of nearby residents.
The V.I. Port Authority voluntarily stopped the project, which will lengthen the runway from 7,600 feet to 10,000 feet, on March 23 after residents of Yellow Cedar complained about the choking clouds of dust stirred up by construction equipment.
The Port Authority has said it always intended to pay to relocate the residents permanently once the runway was completed, because the sound level produced by increased air traffic would exceed federal standards. The adverse effects from the construction, however, had not been foreseen.
Ninety percent of the relocation costs, and a large portion of the runway expansion as well, are to be be financed by federal discretionary funds, and Port Authority officials feared too long a delay would affect the funding.
"I am pleased to inform the public that the Port Authority has reached an amicable agreement with the residents of Yellow Cedar and that the extension of the runway . . . will resume on June 21 or shortly thereafter," said Port Authority executive director Gordon A. Finch on Tuesday.
Residents of households that are close to where heavy earthwork will be done are to be relocated on a 90-day temporary basis, Finch said.
The Port Authority plans to purchase 31 properties altogether and to move their residents to permanent housing. Twenty-five of the 31 properties contain dwellings housing 65 families.
The buyout plan has two phases. The first — two appraisals for each property — has been completed and the agency is now in negotiation with the property owners and residents to agree on a final price.
Meanwhile, Finch said, in addition to the temporary relocations the Port Authority will begin using more water and topsoil to control the dust, and will work with the Department of Planning and Natural Resources to monitor the construction site. The $18-million project is scheduled to be completed sometime in 2001. The first phase is expected to be finished in November.
An expanded runway that could accommodate the larger, long-range aircraft operated by major airlines and charter operations has been on the drawing board for years. Once completed, it will allow nonstop turnaround service to the V.I. from Europe, North America and South America.
The V.I. Port Authority voluntarily stopped the project, which will lengthen the runway from 7,600 feet to 10,000 feet, on March 23 after residents of Yellow Cedar complained about the choking clouds of dust stirred up by construction equipment.
The Port Authority has said it always intended to pay to relocate the residents permanently once the runway was completed, because the sound level produced by increased air traffic would exceed federal standards. The adverse effects from the construction, however, had not been foreseen.
Ninety percent of the relocation costs, and a large portion of the runway expansion as well, are to be be financed by federal discretionary funds, and Port Authority officials feared too long a delay would affect the funding.
"I am pleased to inform the public that the Port Authority has reached an amicable agreement with the residents of Yellow Cedar and that the extension of the runway . . . will resume on June 21 or shortly thereafter," said Port Authority executive director Gordon A. Finch on Tuesday.
Residents of households that are close to where heavy earthwork will be done are to be relocated on a 90-day temporary basis, Finch said.
The Port Authority plans to purchase 31 properties altogether and to move their residents to permanent housing. Twenty-five of the 31 properties contain dwellings housing 65 families.
The buyout plan has two phases. The first — two appraisals for each property — has been completed and the agency is now in negotiation with the property owners and residents to agree on a final price.
Meanwhile, Finch said, in addition to the temporary relocations the Port Authority will begin using more water and topsoil to control the dust, and will work with the Department of Planning and Natural Resources to monitor the construction site. The $18-million project is scheduled to be completed sometime in 2001. The first phase is expected to be finished in November.
An expanded runway that could accommodate the larger, long-range aircraft operated by major airlines and charter operations has been on the drawing board for years. Once completed, it will allow nonstop turnaround service to the V.I. from Europe, North America and South America.
SIMMONDS SAYS BUS FEE LEGAL, HANSEN SAYS NOT
Efforts to find a way around the Department of Education’s decree that it will charge public school students for bus transportation will take place Wednesday, the last day of Sen. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen’s self-imposed deadline for the government to rescind the proposal or face a lawsuit.
Lost in the uproar of whether to charge $5 a week for elementary students and $10 for secondary school students for busing is the V.I. Code, which addresses the issue. In 1964 a law was passed that says the commissioner of Education, with the approval of the governor, "shall prescribe rules and regulations covering free transportation of school children…"
"It is hereby declared to be the policy of the Government of the Virgin Islands to provide free transportation for school-age children, residing within and without the urban areas of the Virgin Islands, to the schools which they attend," the code states.
Despite that, Education Commissioner Ruby Simmonds has said her proposal is legal and that by law the department can have students pay for bus service and school lunches. Calls to Simmonds, Education’s legal counsel Tregenza Roach and spokeswoman June Archibald were not returned Tuesday.
Senate Education Committee Chairman Norman Jn Baptiste’s legal researcher, Cletus Emmanuel, however, said the V.I. Code makes it clear that free busing is a right and not a privilege. He said the law hasn’t been amended since it was passed in 1964.
"The operative word there is free," Emmanuel said. "Free is free. It means there is no exchange."
Simmonds has acknowledged that while the fees to be charged next year for school bus transportation may be hard for some families, without the fees there might not be bus service at all. She added that the department can no longer afford the $5 million a year it pays bus companies to provide transportation. The fee would supplement that cost, she said.
Hansen opposes any charge. On Tuesday she restated her threat to file a class-action lawsuit against the government if the proposal isn’t dropped by midnight Wednesday.
"This fee is an illegal fee. The commissioner has one more day" to rescind it, Hansen said. "Then we will have no other choice . . . but to enter into court the following day."
Baptiste, meanwhile, has called a meeting of senators and education officials for Wednesday morning to seek alternative ways to fund bus transportation. He said federal and local funding sources will be examined as a way to avoid having to implement Simmonds’ proposal.
Lost in the uproar of whether to charge $5 a week for elementary students and $10 for secondary school students for busing is the V.I. Code, which addresses the issue. In 1964 a law was passed that says the commissioner of Education, with the approval of the governor, "shall prescribe rules and regulations covering free transportation of school children…"
"It is hereby declared to be the policy of the Government of the Virgin Islands to provide free transportation for school-age children, residing within and without the urban areas of the Virgin Islands, to the schools which they attend," the code states.
Despite that, Education Commissioner Ruby Simmonds has said her proposal is legal and that by law the department can have students pay for bus service and school lunches. Calls to Simmonds, Education’s legal counsel Tregenza Roach and spokeswoman June Archibald were not returned Tuesday.
Senate Education Committee Chairman Norman Jn Baptiste’s legal researcher, Cletus Emmanuel, however, said the V.I. Code makes it clear that free busing is a right and not a privilege. He said the law hasn’t been amended since it was passed in 1964.
"The operative word there is free," Emmanuel said. "Free is free. It means there is no exchange."
Simmonds has acknowledged that while the fees to be charged next year for school bus transportation may be hard for some families, without the fees there might not be bus service at all. She added that the department can no longer afford the $5 million a year it pays bus companies to provide transportation. The fee would supplement that cost, she said.
Hansen opposes any charge. On Tuesday she restated her threat to file a class-action lawsuit against the government if the proposal isn’t dropped by midnight Wednesday.
"This fee is an illegal fee. The commissioner has one more day" to rescind it, Hansen said. "Then we will have no other choice . . . but to enter into court the following day."
Baptiste, meanwhile, has called a meeting of senators and education officials for Wednesday morning to seek alternative ways to fund bus transportation. He said federal and local funding sources will be examined as a way to avoid having to implement Simmonds’ proposal.
