Vinnie Mohanani
Southern Energy and a V.I. government partnership? Yes, yes, yes!
I am all for it as a businessman, civic and community leader, and former candidate for the Legislature. I speak as a longtime resident who has had the opportunity to grow up here. It is high time we put the utilities in the hands of an enterprise that will look at the future needs of this community. In all the years I have lived here, it is obvious that the Water and Power Authority does not have the capability to meet the power and water needs of the Virgin Islands. Nor does it have the ability to meet the expected needs as the community grows.
Year after year, power outages, power surges and brown-outs have cost us money in damaged equipment or food spoilage. The residents and businesspeople continue to suffer. No one should expect WAPA to meet the future needs for power in these Islands if it has not been able to do so for the 29 years I have lived here.
I believe that opposition to change is taken by those who have no idea of the capabilities and resources that Southern Energy can contribute to a more efficient, reliable utility. The private sector cannot expand if the islands do not have the infrastructure to provide reliable water and power. Do you think Las Vegas or Atlantic City would have grown to be such attractions without adequate power or water? Let's face it, if WAPA were really a "cash cow," we would be able to fund many much-needed projects in our communities — and to meet our power and water needs.
While some may argue that WAPA only needs better management, the reality is that changes have not happened, and will not happen, in a time frame that makes a difference in our lifetime. Are those who oppose the deal truly against it because of there was no bidding process? Or do they just happen to be among the few who are gaining from having a tampered meter, or are they employees who are gaining from some dealings under the table?
What do we pass on to our children? Continued power outages? Or Southern Energy, which can and will provide a solution to our power outages and our future power and water needs so that we as a community can move on to tackle the next problem(s)?
It takes five minutes to contact a senator or a member of his or her staff to state your position on this matter. I urged residents from all four Islands to choose their form of communication — telephone, fax, e-mail or person-to-person — and make your voice heard saying that anything is better than the status quo. Do not take it for granted that the decision has already been made; let your voices be heard! If you support the Southern Energy/V.I. government partnership, let your elected officials know it.
In an election year, it comes down to numbers.Unfortunately, it is not what's best for the Virgin Islands but what will help our elected officials keep their jobs for the next two years that will determine how they vote on the WAPA issue. If legislators know or feel that a majority of voters supports the deal, that is the way they will vote. If they feel that a majority of voters is against the deal, that is the way they will vote.
Vinnie Mohanani
St. Thomas

Kenneth Arthur looked like a young Greg Maddux in leading the All Saints Vikings to their first baseball victory of the season, over the Wesleyan Warriors, 16-3, at the Kirwin Terrace ball park Monday evening.
The Vikings pitcher struck out 16 Warriors, holding them to three hits and three runs. The Warriors did not get a single hard hit off Arthur, who struck out 10 in a row, four in the fourth inning then the side in the fifth and the sixth.
For offense, the Vikings relied on catcher Alberto Callwood's perfect hitting as he went five for five at plate, including two home runs. Callwood hit one home run off a pitch intended to be a pitch out.
Vikings third baseman Brian McCoy and first baseman Jose Carillo each went three for five. McCoy also homered behind Callwood in the Vikings half of the sixth inning that put the game out of reach of the Warriors. Robert Clouden added two hits in four plate appearances in the Vikings' 16-hit attack.
The Vikings improved to 1-3 in varsity play as the Warriors dropped to 0-2 for the season.

Editor's note: Source sportswriter Steve Parris was the home plate umpire for this game.

The Government and Industrial Coed Slowpitch Softball League came back into full swing Monday after its Carnival break with three games. Police beat Justice/Territorial Court, 16-7, in a battle of the Alexander Farrelly Complex inhabitants. West Indian Company went postal on Postal, winning 17-9. And McDonald's supersized the Ritz-Carlton, 9-5, in the nightcap.
Antonio Matthews led the Police from the mound and added a three-for-three performance at the plate. Teammates Victor McCullum went two for three and Kirk Thomas went three for five. Thomas had four RBI's, two coming on a home run in the fourth inning. Henry Thomas also hit a 2-run homerun in the first inning to aid the Police victory.
Although Lorne Victoria, Akil and Dale Brathwaite each went two for three at the plate, Justice/Territorial Court did itself great harm by committing nine errors. Ralph Francis was the losing pitcher.
In game two, WICO used a 19-hit barrage to subdue Postal., prevailing behind manager and shortstop Ezra Seals, who went three for four. John Narcisse picked up the victory.
Postal's Jennifer Jeffers went perfect at the plate with two hits in two at bats. Juan Rivera absorbed the lost.
In the final game, Glenroy Francis led off for McDonald's with a solo home run and went three for four at the plate. Teammate Rashawn Murraine went perfect at the plate, three for three, to help pitcher/manager Steve Hart win the game.
Ritz-Carlton's Domingo Gonzalez and Henry Baron between them accounted for seven of their team's nine hits. Wattley got the loss.

Governor Charles W. Turnbull Monday said he is pleased to note that Carnival Y2K was a resounding success overall. In keeping with the spirit of the season, participants went all out in the lavish display of talent and design that we have become accustomed to for the annual celebration. "I want to extend a hearty thanks and appreciation to everyone who worked to make Carnival 2000 a resounding success. We were able to proceed in an orderly fashion without incidents, for which the entire community is grateful," Turnbull said.
The governor said he is also commending the various departments for their steadfast efforts to keep government services moving smoothly despite the long holiday period.
The Virgin Islands Police Department and all other law enforcement agencies were singled out for special mention. Turnbull said, "We are extremely happy to report that incidences of violence and public disturbances were kept to a bare minimum, in large part due to an increased police presence."
The governor also had high praise for the Departments of Public Works, Health, Planning and Natural Resources, Housing Parks and Recreation, WAPA and all other agencies that contributed to the success of Carnival 2000.
"Let me commend all the exciting participants that really bring the Carnival spirit alive," he said. Governor Turnbull said he is pleased to extend congratulations to the various winners and contestants in competition, to include the Carnival Queen and her Court, the Prince and Princess and their Court, parents, teachers, chaperones, and the V.1. Carnival Committee.
With its volunteer force, for all its effort in preparing the many events enjoyed by so many thousands this year. "Let us now look forward to planning for the success of Carnival 2001, and the Golden Jubilee Carnival 2002," Turnbull concluded.

Here are the Varsity Baseball League standings as of May 10.

Team	Won	Lost	Pct.	GB
Ivanna Eudora Kean	3	0	1.000
Antilles	3	1	.750	0.5
Charlotte Amalie	1	2	.333	2
All Saints	1	3	.250	2.5
Wesleyan Academy	0	2	.000	2.5

Watlington Division
——–Team—————-W—-L—-Pct.—-GB
1. UVI———————–5—-0—-1.000——-
2. National Guard————4—–1—–.800—–1
3. Health——————–4—–2—–.667—1.5
4. Tutu Park—————–4—–2—–.667—1.5
5. Police———————3—-2——.600—2
6. WICO———————-3—-2——.600—2
7. Justice/Terr’l Ct.————3—–3—–.500—2.5
8. Apex———————–2—–4—–.333—3.5
9. Fire———————–1—–5—–.167—4.5
10. Postal———————-0—–4——.000–4.5
11. IRB/Human Serv.————-0—–6——.000–5.5
Farrington Division
———–Team————–W—-L—-Pct.—-GB
1. Radio 1/AT&T————-4—–1——.800——-
2. Education—————–4—–1—–.800——-
3. ICC———————–3—–1—–.750—0.5
4. McDonalds—————–3—–1—–.750—0.5
5. Airport——————-4—–2—–.667—0.5
6. VIPA———————-3—–2—–.600—–1
7. WAPA———————-3—–2—–.600—–1
8. Crown Bay—————–1—–3—–.250—2.5
9. Cruise Ship Excur.——–1—–4—–.200—-3
10. Senate——————–0—–4—–.000—3.5
11. Ritz Carlton————-0—–5—–.000—-4
Tonight’s Games:
Justice/Terr’l Ct vs Fire
Apex vs WICO
First game starts at 7:00pm at Griffith Ballpark

The Health Services Department of the University of the Virgin Islands will host an HIV/AIDS Peer Education and Training Project, sponsored by the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO) on May 15, 16 and 17 on St. Thomas and May 18, 19 and 20 on St. Croix.
The goals of the HIV Peer Education and Training Program are to:
•• Enhance the HIV knowledge of student peer educators through experiential exercises and activities.
•• Increase peer awareness of the variety of perspectives on risky behaviors associated with HIV infection as well as behavior change strategies.
•• Provide presentation and delivery skills, a forum for their practice and feedback from peers on their effectiveness.
The program is a certification course designed for adolescents and young adults who identify themselves or who have been identified as appropriate candidates for participation.
To register, call Nurse Diane Ruan-Bonelli on UVI's St. Thomas campus at 693-1124 or Nurse Tita Thompson on UVI's St. Croix campus at 692-4214.

Official of Southern Energy Inc. and its parent company, Georgia Power, held a public meeting Monday night to introduce local businesses and the community to the Southern community investment and economic development programs.
About 60 people showed up at the Palms Court Harbourview hotel, mostly business people and government officials, to partake of the food and information.
Company officials described two programs they propose to establish in the local community if the Legislature approves the joint venture between the V.I. government and Southern for the company to acquire 80 percent of the Water and Power Authority. One is a $1 million line of credit at local banks as security for loans to locally owned businesses. The other is a mentorship program to assist vendors in doing business with V.I. Electric and Water, the company to be formed.
Someone in the audience asked why Southern would be willing to pay more to do business with local vendors instead of ordering supplies from the mainland. Jim Davis, Southern's community economic development director, said: "Ethics!"
Earlier Davis had told the audience, "Ethical behavior is a must." He said Southern wants to do business with local vendors because it is the right thing to do.
Sen. David Jones, who was in attendance, said he expected a vote in the Legislature by June. Gov. Charles W. Turnbull sent the legislation to the Senate on April 17.
Jones, who strongly supports the partnership, said, "Even Fred Flintstone could see this is a good deal."
Sen. Violet Anne Golden was also in attendance.

Dear Source:
During the four years I lived and worked on St. Croix my family and I fell in love with the people and the place.
We all hope to, either together or separately, return there to live again in the not too distant future. Paradise not withstanding, while there, three friends of mine were murdered. Yes, murdered.
That's a very big comment for such a small place of 60,000 people – ten and twenty murders a year. You'd be hard pressed to find small towns that size in the States and elsewhere with those stats. It can't be the climate because the British Virgin Islands doesn't sport that kind of crime.
Yes, it's beautiful on St. Croix. And yes it's dangerous. Just like New York City, Chicago or L.A. Only St. Croix is not big enough to have that kind of crime. I think when you look at the beauty and friendliness of so many on that small spot in the ocean and think that at any moment someone can walk into a place like Consumer Gas Station and in cold blood shoot and kill its owner in broad daylight — in front of customers – it's a hard thing to imagine.
Unfortunately it's not imagination but reality. Bad news spreads fast. And in the tourist business, bad news is bad business.
Charles Thanas
Leicester, MA

Following through on warnings issued earlier this year, the federal government announced initial steps Monday toward taking over regulatory oversight of the two Virgin Islands landfills.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s move echoes statements made by its V.I. coordinator, Jim Casey, at a Senate committee meeting in February. Casey told members of the Planning and Environmental Protection Committee then that after years of V.I. government failure to manage solid-waste facilities according to agreements with the federal government, the EPA was set to declare the local landfill program unsatisfactory.
In 1993, the V.I. government applied to the EPA for approval of a solid-waste program. According to the EPA, the territory was then advised that to receive full approval, it would have to have regulations comparable to or stricter than federal guidelines in place by May 1996. The EPA also called for the local government to commit staff and financial resources to operate the territory’s two main landfills in accordance with federal standards.
Seven years later, the Planning and Natural Resources Department has yet to submit an acceptable plan. Meanwhile, because of the threat to human health and the environment, the EPA in April ordered the cleanup of the Bovoni landfill on St. Thomas. Issued with the consent of the local government, the action was one step short of the agency taking unilateral action to force compliance.
"In the interest of the people of the Virgin Islands and their natural environment, EPA is prepared to assume the primary role of enforcing federal solid-waste laws in the territory," EPA regional administrator Jeanne Fox said in a release from the agency Monday. "Our agency has been unable to obtain the regulatory and resource changes by the Virgin Islands needed to approve its program."
During the period when federal regulations have gone unadopted, EPA inspections of the territory’s landfills have found motor vehicle and marine batteries leaking lead-acid, improper storage of used oil, underground methane fires and the contamination of waters adjacent to the dumps.
The EPA will hold two public hearings to discuss the possible regulatory takeover. The first will be at 7 p.m. on June 27 in the Education Department Curriculum Center in Tutu on St. Thomas. The second is set for 7 p.m. on June 28 at the Curriculum Center on St. Croix.
After the hearings, the EPA will decide whether to disapprove formally the territory’s solid-waste landfill program. According to the EPA, the process will take at least 90 days from May 8.
The EPA’s long-sought regulatory program, which is supposed to be implemented by PNR, entails permitting, inspection and enforcement of federal regulations at the territory’s landfills. At the Bovoni and Anguilla sites, PNR would have oversight of the Public Works Department, which operates the local facilities.
Even if the EPA takes on a larger role in enforcing solid-waste regulations, Public Works will continue to operate the landfills and PNR will still have the authority to enforce local laws and regulations. The federal agency would assume PNR’s role of primary enforcement agency by inspecting and ensuring that the landfills meet federal regulations — and by taking action when they do not.
"This is an unfortunate situation," Fox said. "The nation’s solid-waste laws were designed to be implemented and enforced locally by states and territories because local governments can generally deal with their solid waste needs better and faster than other government entities."
In order for the EPA to approve solid-waste management programs, Fox said, local governments must have laws and regulations in place that are comparable to federal requirements, as well as funding and staff in place to monitor compliance.