Two St. Croix senators gave failing marks Thursday to the Education Department plan, announced a day earlier, to make students pay for school bus service starting next fall.
Sen. Norman Jn Baptiste, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, questioned how Education Commissioner Ruby Simmonds arrived at the costs for the bus service for students in the private and public school system. Simmonds cited charges of $5 a week for elementary school pupils and twice that for junior and senior high school students.
"If she has not determined ridership, how can she arrive at the cost for the service?" Jn Baptiste asked.
Calling the plan ill-conceived and unfair at a time when "many families are suffering the effects of a prolonged economic recession in the Virgin Islands," Jn Baptiste suggested that Simmonds could have used the $23,000 she spent on the purchase of a new sport utility vehicle towards departmental needs. A V.I. Daily News article a month ago said Simmonds spent about that much in federal discretionary funds to purchase a new 4-wheel-drive vehicle to replace an ailing sedan.
Sen. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen, meanwhile, called on Gov. Charles W. Turnbull and Lt. Gov. Gerard Luz James II to "stop the madness." Parents and guardians of school-age children do not have the finances in place to deal with the proposed charges, she said. "Increases in utilities, taxes and the implementation of mandatory auto insurance has left parents scrambling to provide for their children," she said.
Hansen accused the administration of attempting to balance the territory's budget on the backs of the "poor people." She added, "They are nuts to believe that type of taxation, this madness, would prevail."

Two St. Croix senators gave failing marks Thursday to the Education Department plan, announced a day earlier, to make students pay for school bus service starting next fall.
Sen. Norman Jn Baptiste, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, questioned how Education Commissioner Ruby Simmonds arrived at the costs for the bus service for students in the private and public school system. Simmonds cited charges of $5 a week for elementary school pupils and twice that for junior and senior high school students.
"If she has not determined ridership, how can she arrive at the cost for the service?" Jn Baptiste asked.
Calling the plan ill-conceived and unfair at a time when "many families are suffering the effects of a prolonged economic recession in the Virgin Islands," Jn Baptiste suggested that Simmonds could have used the $23,000 she spent on the purchase of a new sport utility vehicle towards departmental needs. A V.I. Daily News article a month ago said Simmonds spent about that much in federal discretionary funds to purchase a new 4-wheel-drive vehicle to replace an ailing sedan.
Sen. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen, meanwhile, called on Gov. Charles W. Turnbull and Lt. Gov. Gerard Luz James II to "stop the madness." Parents and guardians of school-age children do not have the finances in place to deal with the proposed charges, she said. "Increases in utilities, taxes and the implementation of mandatory auto insurance has left parents scrambling to provide for their children," she said.
Hansen accused the administration of attempting to balance the territory's budget on the backs of the "poor people." She added, "They are nuts to believe that type of taxation, this madness, would prevail."

CAHS PRODUCTION CRAMPED QUARTERS A SUCCESS
by Betty Story
"Cousin and cousin does make dozen", the last line in "Good Morning Miss
Millie," one of three one-act plays put on by the drama class at Charlotte Amalie High School, had the audience holding their sides laughing on May 29 and 30 in room 194B of the high school.
The staging of the plays in room 194B instead of the auditorium led to the production, directed by drama teacher Denise Humphrey, being dubbed "Cramped Quarters."
As Ms. Humphrey’s director’s notes state "Cramped Quarters is an antagonistic approach to the dilemma that was created when someone decided to set the Music Suite on fire. Because of this, the Drama Class was displaced and had to resort to putting on a production in the cosy little cramped quarters of 194B. The stage is set with an eclectic arrangement of props and set pieces as to create the illusion that no matter where you are and no matter the state or situation, anything can be used to tell a story."
Along with Good Morning Miss Millie by Alwin Bully, the class also
staged "Fish" by Paul Keens Douglas and adapted by student Vickki-Ann Samuel and "Eight to Five, Government Worker Style" by Emelda Sandra Edwards.
The students displayed true comic timing of humorous Caribbean situations.
Seeing the students portraying adults after seeing them in school uniform all year was a bit unnerving. They are a strikingly talented group.
The past year's performances of "Shakespeare Unplugged" and "Cramped Quarters" were funded by a grant from the Chase Foundation.
For the next school year the Drama program has been awarded a $1,000 grant from the V.I. Community Foundation.
Judging from the performances of the past year, the money is certainly going to good use.
EDITORIAL
TO EXCEL IN ALL WAYS
by Pauline Chinnery, Editor-in- Chief
For the past years we at Charlotte Amalie High School have always excelled in everything we have done.
This year we were champions in the girls’ volleyball and boys’ baseball. We have recently won the titles of tackle football and basketball champions. Our students also excel in Junior Reserve Officers Training Corp competitions. Additionally, we have an outstanding marching band. For the past decade the C.A.H.S. marching band has been the best high school marching band in the Virgin Islands. Not only do our students excel in school but we also shine in our community. Students at C.A.H.S. have won many community sponsored essay contests. We also actively participate in organizations such as SPARKS, Upward Bound, Leo Club, and Graphite Street. We volunteer to help elderly people and tutor elementary students also. As you can see we here at C.A.H.S. excel in all ways and we will continue to excel with the support of our fellow classmates, teachers, parents, administration and the community.
TOP VOLLEYBALL COACH AND SCOUT TO VISIT CHARLOTTE AMALIE HIGH SCHOOL
Brian Bedminister
The girls’ volleyball teams of C.A.H.S. will help to sponsor a volleyball camp this summer from June 7-10.
The camp is for female players only and up to as many as thirty players. The camp is mainly for upcoming 8-9 graders to help them to develop their skill in playing volleyball. Also there will be a special session to prepare students for college volleyball.
The goal of the volleyball camp is to develop physical strength and jumping flexibility as well as teach the proper way to diet and maintain their ideal weight.
The girls themselves through various fund raisers will raise funds for the camp. Of very special interest is the fact that a top volleyball coach, Sam Skelton, will be bringing down eight of his top players to challenge our local players. What is even more interesting is that Skelton is a scout
who will recommend further camps and scholarships for top players. One of our graduates Kamarsha Ryan will attend High Point University on a volleyball scholarship.
Coach Charlie Davis is looking forward to this event.
HAWK SQUAWK
The staff asked the following question of graduating seniors at C.A.H.S. Do you think that C.A.H.S has prepared you for college and/or the world of work?
Dornelle Thomas – I do think that this institution (C.A.H.S) has prepared me for both college and work life. I am in the college prep track as well as in accounting tech prep, and I took full advantage of it.
A vast number of the classes I’ve taken will prepare me for college life. Additionally, the business as well as "On The Job Training," has given me firsthand experience in the working world. So honestly , with my exposure to work and my course work, everything has been beneficial. I do proudly wish to commend all my teachers for a job well done. It is up to me now to finish the job.
Kishone Busse – I do not think that C.A.H.S has properly prepared me for college but it has prepared me for the world of work. The curriculum at C.A.H.S. lacks the proper courses that will help graduates get through academically in college.
There are only a few accelerated courses, the science labs lack the tools and materials to get hands-on training and learning outside the textbook. C.A.H.S. prepared me for the world of work in that it provided internship career possibilities. I am enrolled in Accounting Tech. Prep and because of my enrollment, I have learnt various business tasks that have properly prepared me for the accounting field as well as business management.
Renan Harrigan — I do believe that C.A.H.S. has prepared me for college and the world of work, but this answer might have a different response when asked of someone else.
I think it all depends on the individual because even if the person is getting a little of everything that doesn’t stop them from getting more knowledge.
My major is Environmental Science and I think that high school has prepared me because there were a variety of courses to chose from including the sciences. It’s like I said, it all depends on the individual, if he/she want to take advantage of all that is offered.

It was a battle for first place followed by a battle for last Wednesday night in the Government and Industrial Coed Slowpitch Softball League.
In the first of three games played, Senate topped Ritz Carlton 13-3 in the battle of cellar dwellers. Then Innovative Communications Corp. edged Radio One/AT&T 13-10, securing first place in the Farrington division. And finally, Postal beat Apex 12-3 in the nightcap.
Senate jumped out to a 8-0 lead by scoring four runs in each of the first two innings. They looked like the Senate of old when they won the league in 1996. Ritz scored two runs in the fourth to close the gap to 8-2. But Senate answered with five runs in the top of the fifth. Ritz could only muster one run in the bottom of the inning but it wasn’t enough.
Kacy Hendricks and Greg Smith were perfect at the plate in three and two appearances respectively for Senate. Dan Dutton was also perfect at the plate in two appearances.
Cecil Farrell picked up the victory for Senate. Senate improves to 1-9. Liz Watley picked up the loss for Ritz, which dropped 0-9.
The game was called due to the ten-run mercy rule and determined the seeds for the single-elimination tournament entitled "the best of the rest." Senate wins the tenth seed. Ritz gets the eleventh seed.
The second game was the thriller of the evening. Close to 100 Innovative Communication Corp. co-workers wearing lime green shirts were in the stands cheering on their team. Radio One/AT&T also had their own fans with blow horns and AT&T number one signs to rooting for them.
ICC scored five runs in the top of the first inning. They were aided by three costly Radio One errors. Radio One answered with four runs in the bottom of inning. All of their runs came in on Sheldon Turnbull's grand slam home run.
Radio One gained the lead adding three runs in the bottom of the second inning. ICC picked up one in the third and two in the fourth to recapture the lead, 8-7. ICC's pitcher Henry Richards kept Radio One scoreless from the third to the sixth inning. His team scored five more going into the bottom of the seventh inning.
Radio One intentionally walked ICC slugger Athniel "Bobby" Thomas twice but clean-up hitter Robert Crossley followed with hits to drive in runners. Radio One tried to rally back but could only come up with three runs.
ICC jumps ahead one game in the standings with their record going to 8-1 as Radio One drops to 7-2.
In the final game, Postal jumped all over Apex scoring five runs in the first inning. They built their lead to 12-0 after four innings. However, Postal allowed Apex three runs in the top of the fifth inning to prolong the inevitable. Postal had balanced hitting as five batters got two hits each. Juan Rivera picked up the victory.

Local marine scientists say they're glad the Navy announced the suspension of underwater sonar testing that was scheduled for this week off the New Jersey coast.
The second phase of testing what's called the Littoral Warfare Advanced Development (LWAD) system was called off last week after a meeting between officials of the Navy and of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, according to news reports.
The decision-makers were reportedly concerned that use of low-frequency active sonar could harm whales and other marine animals.
"It sounds like maybe now someone realizes there's a problem," said Rafe Boulon, chief of resource management for the Virgin Islands National Park.
Over the past year, concern for the impact of sonar testing on the ears of marine mammals has focused on the Virgin Islands and the Bahamas.
In March, during the first phase of testing in the Bahamas, some 16 whales and dolphins were beached. Since then, Navy officials and NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service have been looking for a possible connection between sonar testing that the Navy admits was going on in the region and the strandings.
Last October, four whales stranded in the U.S. Virgin Islands during a time when some local scientists believe unannounced sonar tests may have been taking place. A few weeks prior to that, about a dozen pilot whales stranded in the nearby British Virgin Islands.
By December, an expert at the Marine Mammal Stranding Network in Puerto Rico said research on the two animals that died — one on St. Thomas and one on St. John — were inconclusive, in part because tissue samples were not available.
Adam Quant, a researcher working with Dr. Rick Nemeth, a University of the Virgin Islands marine biologist, was one of a group of people diving near St. John's Lameshur Bay at the time of the stranding at Salt Pond Beach. He's convinced the Navy was conducting sonar testing. "We were hearing them that day," Quant said. "The noise was so intense, I was lifting my head every five minutes to see if they were passing over, but they were a couple of bays away."
Scientists studying the bodies of some of the whales that perished in the Bahamas found blood in their ears and sent tissue samples to the mainland for testing. The findings have not been conclusive, according to Paul Jobsis, an assistant professor of biology at UVI.
Jobsis is a key player in a year-long research project under contract with the Navy that's about to get under way at UVI on the possible effects of Trident submarine missile launchings on marine mammals and sea turtles. He said suspension of the New Jersey sonar testing is "a good sign" of cooperation between the military and environmentalists.
"They just decided to be cautious until the results of more tests are in," Jobsis said. He added that Navy officials are "going to continue with their schedule for LWAD tests, except for low-frequency active sonar."

Local physicians are invited to attend a conference this week for health care providers who treat or work with HIV/AIDS patients, according to a release from Delegate Donna Christian-Christensen.
The conference, sponsored by the Health Resource Services Administration (HRSA), a division of Health and Human Services, came under fire recently by ACT UP/DC, a gay activist group. A spokesperson for ACT/UP said the money being used for the conference came from Ryan White CARE funds, which are earmarked, in part, for direct services to poor people.
Christensen said earlier this week, in defense of having the conference in the V.I., "The best way for us to get attention because we don't have a vote is by having people come here and put a face on the issues."
In her release Thursday she said "I urge my medical colleagues in the territory to take advantage of this conference and the new information it provides so that we can, in turn, be at the forefront of combating the disease in the territory."
The conference is free to local physicians.
Christensen couldn't say earlier in the week if any local care providers would be attending.
The conference will kick off at 6 p.m. Thursday at Marriot Frenchman's Reef with a reception followed at 8:15 p.m. by the keynote address, a review of new treatment data.
On Friday and Saturday a variety of workshops will be held starting at 9 a.m. through 3 p.m.
The agenda is targeted at getting new data and treatment information out to personnel from small agencies from all over the United States.
For details of the controversy surrounding holding the conference in the V.I. click here.

For at least the fifth time this year the Anguilla Landfill on St. Croix is on fire and sending an acrid pall of smoke across the western end of the island.
The methane-gas-fueled blaze erupted Wednesday afternoon and was burning as of Thursday morning.
Public Works Commissioner Harold Thompson Jr. said the situation "remains very serious."
Crews are trying to contain the spread of the fire by building firewalls and using fill dirt to smother flames, he said.
The last fire at the problem-plagued dump ignited on March 24 and burned for two days before being put out.
Along with the full-fledged fires this year, there have been at least a half-dozen flareups. The likely cause is methane gas, generated by decomposing garbage.
Because of the possibility that the fire could produce hazardous or toxic air pollutants, the Department of Planning and Resources has advised residents downwind of the blaze to seal up their houses and either remain inside or relocate until the flames are doused.
DPNR also advised residents to disconnect their cistern downspouts during the fire, and to hose off their roofs before reconnecting the downspouts.
The fire is just one of the problems facing the Public Works-operated dump. The department must close the site by Dec. 2002 or the millions of dollars granted to the V.I. Port Authority by the federal government for a crucial runway extension at the adjacent airport could turn into loans.
The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered the dump closed because birds that feed off of it pose a threat to aircraft.

Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg is calling for the Attorney General’s Office and the Department of Labor to investigate Innovative Communication Corp.’s recent layoff of 18 employees.
In letters to Attorney General Iver Stridiron and Labor Commissioner Sonia Jacobs Dow, Donastorg said requests last year to the two administration officials to investigate ICC’s labor practices went unanswered. In light of last week’s layoffs, Donastorg said it was again time to look into ICC.
The company owns the V.I. Telephone Corp., Vitelcellular, Vitelcom, the Virgin Islands Daily News, St. Thomas-St. John Cable TV, St. Croix Cable TV, ICC TV and V.I. Powernet. ICC employs approximately 660 people. Vitelco is also a major Industrial Development Commission tax beneficiary.
"I believe the recent layoffs could be in violation of both the Virgin Islands labor laws and this organization’s Industrial Development Commission agreement, which sets specific conditions on employment practices," Donastorg wrote to Stridiron.
Donastorg said that ICC must be "closely scrutinized" because of its tax benefits and because employees from Vitelco subsidiaries reportedly have been transferred to the Vitelco payroll to meet IDC requirements.
"These lateral transfers are clearly an attempt to take advantage of Vitelco’s excruciatingly generous tax breaks and force telephone ratepayers to subsidize ICC’s other enterprises," Donastorg said.
Donastorg told Dow that the recent layoffs were "handled in a matter that, if not illegal, was certainly insensitive." He said one employee was fired after 28 years of service and another was terminated by mail while on maternity leave.
Because of the layoffs, Donastorg requested that Dow send him a recently completed report on ICC’s labor practices.
ICC officials attributed the layoffs to the "drastic downturn" in the Virgin Islands’ economy and a year-long consolidation process. The laid-off workers had held management positions in the various ICC companies. The most, 12, were laid off from Vitelco. Another four were from VitelCellular and one each was from Vitelcom and the cable operations.

The rift between Gov. Charles Turnbull and Lt. Gov. Gerard Luz James II is now public, at least on the lieutenant governor’s part.
At a St. Croix press conference Wednesday that was scheduled to address the V.I. Community Bank-Chase Manhattan deal, James tore into his boss in front of a crowd of supporters and over the airwaves. In response to a reporter’s question, James confirmed that he would not be attending Sunday’s Government House rededication gala because he was allotted only 15 tickets.
"The rumors are certainly the truth," James said, adding that he could very easily use 100 tickets for family, friends and constituents. "I feel very much insulted and I am not going to hold my tongue."
James said the ticket issue was indicative of the "disrespect" that Turnbull’s support staff on St. Thomas has for St. Croix. While James said he wasn’t making his feelings known out of "rancor," he nonetheless blasted the governor for not being a decisive leader, intimating that Turnbull’s chief financial adviser, Rudolph Krigger Sr., among others, is running the government.
"I think the governor has a real serious problem with those individuals that surround him," James said, adding that he spoke to Turnbull about his plans not to attend the gala. "I’m not angry with the governor. I feel he needs to pull his shoestrings tight to move this territory ahead."
The strain between the two men is reminiscent of the sour relationship that developed between former Gov. Roy Schneider and Lt. Gov. Kenneth Mapp and several of their predecessors. The spat between Schneider and Mapp got so bad that the two men hardly spoke to each other.
Compounding problems between Turnbull and James are their stands on the proposed sale of the V.I. Water and Power Authority. James said that during their campaign he and Turnbull promised not to sell the utility, yet the governor is now a proponent of the sale.
Meanwhile, James O’Bryan, an assistant to Turnbull, said he had no comment on the lieutenant governor’s comments "whatsoever."
He did say the ticket allotment for the Government House reopening was guided by the limited space in the building’s 400- to 500-capacity ballroom. He added that a standard procedure to allocate tickets was also used, with former governors, senators, judges and a host of other dignitaries all on the list.
"All you have to do is start doing the math and you’ll recognize the limitations," O’Bryan said.

Hundreds of persons turned out Wednesday afternoon at a funeral service for 18-year old Jason Carroll, the latest victim of gun violence on St. Thomas.
Many recalled the University of the Virgin Islands freshman as having a creative spirit, a great sense of humor and outstanding ability in interscholastic sports — all in all, a well-rounded young man.
From his days at Montessori School to his higher education at All Saints, Jason Carroll received glowing tributes from family and friends at the almost two-hour-long service.
Carroll, a member of the All Saints Class of 1999, was gunned down May 23 during a struggle with a 24-year-old Hospital Ground man, Deshaune Harrigan. Harrigan is in jail on second-degree murder and weapons charges.
Carroll is the son of First Assistant U.S. Attorney James Carroll and his wife, Celia.
The funeral service brought out the who's who in the legal community. From judges to lawyers to members of the Legislature and Gov. Charles Turnbull, all were in attendance at the solemn funeral service at historic All Saints Cathedral on Commandant Gade.
Carroll's father eulogized his son, describing him as "forever my man-child."
James Carroll said his son "was in the process of becoming and it was exciting to watch."
Carroll recalled his final conversation with Jason Carroll: "He was happy and confident, he was going out to get a job and he was confident and upbeat."
A touching moment during the eulogy came when Carroll singled out those who rendered assistance to his son after he was shot.
Fighting back tears, Carroll said, "They were loving and caring people who took time to try and save Jason's life and to say prayers for our son and brother." He added, "We are grateful for their assistance and are humbled by the superhuman efforts they expended trying to save Jason." Carroll described the four men as "angels sent by God to be with Jason during his last minutes." Approaching death, as in life, Jason Carroll was not afraid, his father said.
After the service, the funeral procession stretched for more than two blocks, from the church down Garden Street. At Emancipation Garden, mourners heard presenters denounce the rapid increase of incidents involving gun violence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Curtis Gomez said the Virgin Islands must be prepared to deal with reality.
"We are among the nation's leaders in murders per capita," Gomez said. Most murders are committed with handguns, and blacks are seven times more likely to commit murder here than whites, he said. Blacks are also more likely to become the victims of murder. "It is undeniable that we are killing ourselves," Gomez said.
Both of Jason Carroll's parents addressed the candlelight vigil at Emancipation Garden, calling for action to halt gun violence. Speaker after speaker echoed their call.
Jason Carroll will be interred at Pine Lawn Memorial Park in Farmingdale, N.Y., after a Saturday morning funeral service in Jamaica, N.Y.