Lionfish Derby, which proved beneficial on St. Croix, will be brought to St. Thomas and St. John. (Shutterstock image)
The Caribbean Oceanic Restoration and Education Foundation (CORE) presents the first-ever Lionfish Derby to occur in the St. Thomas-St. John district beginning on Aug. 16 – 18, with fishing taking place on Saturday, Aug. 17, from 6 a.m. – 4 p.m.
CORE, a nonprofit organization established in the Virgin Islands in 2010, works to protect and preserve the marine and coral ecosystems across the Virgin Islands through various initiatives, including beach clean-ups, coral treatments, and coral growing operations. They also worked in partnership with other organizations to advocate for the exclusive use of mineral-based sunscreens in the territory after seeing how the oxybenzone sunscreens were degrading coral health. Additionally, CORE also works to reduce the populations of invasive species, like the lionfish with regularly scheduled hunts throughout the year.
Matthew Sims, the Education and Outreach director for CORE, believes that the growing lionfish population is creating hazardous effects on the health of our coral reefs and vulnerable fish species.
“Lionfish are native to Indo-Pacific waters where their natural predators such as groupers, eels, and sharks have evolved over time to recognize their patterns as prey. Their reproductive rate is very very high. Every year each female reproduces about 2 million eggs. They have a voracious appetite and eat anything indiscriminately. When introduced into a particular region that doesn’t have predators that recognize them, they run wild,” Sims said.
“The lionfish are eating up a lot of our juvenile fish, such as the parrot fish or our reef cleaners. This is creating an imbalance in the natural ecosystems of our oceans and harming the health of our coral reefs that depend on certain species to clean them of their algae build up and parasites,” continued Sims.
The Lionfish Derby was first brought to the island of St. Croix and proved beneficial in keeping the lionfish population under control. In an effort to bring this initiative territory-wide, CORE is now working to establish the derby on St. Thomas and St. John while also working to ensure that an educational component is met. Along with facilitating the derby, CORE is also providing various educational opportunities to teach local divers about lionfish and how to avoid stinging yourself with their venomous quills when culling the species.
“The headquarters for the upcoming Lionfish Derby will be at Red Hook Dive Center, who have been instrumental in the planning and execution of this event. They have not only offered us a location, but they have also been working diligently to get other local businesses on board. Some other key organizations who have been collaborating on this event are the Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club and [DPNR] Fish and Wildlife”, says Sims.
If anyone is interested in participating or has questions about the upcoming Lionfish Derby, Matthew Sims can be contacted at outreach@corevi.org.
Registration and additional details can be found at www.corevi.org.
Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture
After a diligent, nationwide search, the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture (VIDA) has announced that Dr. David Wenger, DVM, has been selected as its new veterinarian, slated to join the VIDA team beginning Monday, Aug. 12. Select veterinary services that have been halted during this time are expected to resume upon his arrival.
Dr. Wegner comes to VIDA with 27 years of private veterinary experience, which includes being the current owner of Unity Veterinary Services in Unity, Oregon.
Wegner graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology at the University of Wyoming, and he received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree in 1996 at Washington State University. He also has a multi-generational family history of expatriate experiences, including missionary work and spending his time volunteering with high school seniors on their agriculture-related senior projects.
The Division of Veterinary Services (DVS) has placed a temporary halt on import/export applications and activities until Dr. Wegner assumes his position on Aug. 12. VIDA is proud to have Dr. Wegner on its team, and it looks forward to resuming the full complement of services that the Division of Veterinary Services provides.
Commissioner Louis E. Petersen, Ph.D. noted that he looks forward to once again having an experienced, professional and knowledgeable veterinarian with a wealth of experience and knowledge to serve the community. “Dr. Wegner cares about his work, he cares about animals and their wellbeing,” Petersen said, “and he cares about the growth of our department. We are honored to have him on our team and look forward to his contributions to the territory.”
Dr. Wegner’s objectives are to continue being an advocate for food animal production, which he believes is critical for the best utilization of world resources.
He also hopes to continue his long-time effort to stop the spread of disease and pestilence, both human and animal, via local practice, instruction and regulation.
For more information on VIDA’s Division of Veterinary Services, contact Ayanna Simon by calling 778-0997 or emailing ayanna.simon@doa.vi.gov.
Karema Kenya Gumbs
We are profoundly saddened to share the news of Karema Kenya Gumbs’s passing, also known as “Sexy Rema.” She departed at the age of 39 on Saturday, July 6, leaving behind a profound void. Karema was a joyful person, a force of love and an impact in our community. Her departure has left a lasting effect on all of us.
Karema’s love extended beyond her family and community. She is survived by her father, Wilbert Gumbs; brother, Jerome Gumbs; sister, Beth Willis; their children; and her adopted children, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. Her passing was preceded by her beloved mother, Ann Gumbs.
Born on Nov. 21, 1984, Karema was a remarkable character who was guided by the values of hard work and integrity that her mother instilled in her. She was known for her exceptional leadership in the community and her dedication to her work.
Karema’s love, warmth and generosity were not just words but a way of life for her. Her love was evident in every aspect of her life, whether she excelled in her management roles, hosted gatherings, cooked delicious meals or traveled. Her passion for planning and decorating parties and her dedication to community service showcased her exceptional love for helping others.
The Funeral
The first viewing will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Friday, Aug. 9, at Blyden’s Memorial Chapel,
A second viewing will be held at 10 a.m., followed by a service at 11 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 11, at the Seventh-day Adventist Church, 55 Dronningens Gade, St. Thomas. VI. 00802 — (Seventh-day Street, next to L&C Milliner).
Join us in wearing pink to celebrate her life. Everyone is welcome!
We are deeply grateful for the overwhelming love and condolences we have received from our community during this difficult time. Your support has been immensely comforting and truly reflects the profound impact Karema had on all of us. Thank you to each one of you.
Funeral arrangements are by Turnbull’s Funeral Home and Crematory Services.
Orilda Dessuit Prentice Herbert
Relatives and friends are advised of the passing of Orilda Dessuit Prentice Herbert on July 12, 2024.
Orilda Dessuit Prentice Herbert is survived by:
Children – Bryant Joseph “Kendu” Prentice, Wentworth ‘”Natty” Prentice, Andrew “Andy” Prentice, Oretha Joy Barry-Guishard, Oresha ”Reshie Herbert-Charles and Lorencia Eddy.
In-Laws: Shelley Hugh-Prentice, Maryanna Alexander Prentice, Dian Bustamante, Cemal Guishard, Steven Charles and Olaf Sander (pronounced Zander).
Grandchildren: Akeal, Jameal, Kevin, Sharsyce, S’Daesha, Khaleal, Ala’nique, Alanna, Zalik, Ande’nique, XhakeaJ, Latrice, Tyrese and Tiyanna Prentice, and Tristan, Mila and Tyler Sander (pronounced Zander)
Grand daµghter-in-law: Alexandrea Prentice
Great Grandchildren: Aquan Holston, Amir Livingston, K’hione, Ti’ariya, and Sage Prentice;
Adopted Son: Ronson Barry and family
Sisters: Doreen Freeman Williams, Millicent Jcnnigs Anguilli, Glenilda Dessuit Grant, Felicia Dessuit Niles, Diane Dessuit Shaw, Dahlia Dessuit Rosario, Brenda Dessuit Ahiayibor and their spouses
Brothers: Delvin, Allen and Franklin Dessuit and their spouses
SPECIAL FRIENDS: Ina Chrisitan and family, Winifred Scott, Phyllis Rey-Bryan, Gladys Niles, Sheila Benjamin, Muriel “Betty” Blyden-Rhymer, Hawtencia “Joy Innis, Mayvis Berkley, Glendora “Lady” Williams and family, Loma Callwood and family and Lyra Thomas-Harrigan
Six God Children with a Very Special Godchild – Sekoia Rogers-Diggs
Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and other family members too numerous to mention.
Also survived by Dessuit, Freeman, George and Sprauve Families.
**The family requests that everyone wear pastel or bright colors**
Burial will be held on St. Thomas, USVI, on Friday, August 2, 2024, at Emmanuel Baptist Church. Service begins at 10:00 am. Interment Eastern Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Dan Hurley Home for Funerals and Cremation Centers of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. For online condolences or to share a special memory, visit our website at www.hurleydavisfuneralhome.com
Noelia Austin (Submitted photo)
Noelia “Nolly” Austin of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, departed this life on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.
A celebration of life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024 at Beulah AME Zion Church. The family will receive friends at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Beulah Church Cemetery Columbarium Construction Fund, P.O. Box 5300 Kingshill, St. Croix, VI 00851.
A $69 million grant has been acquired from the Climate Resilience Regional Challenge starting in October, Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources.
This grant will significantly enhance the territory’s resilience to climate change and coastal hazards. This funding is part of the Biden Administration’s Climate Resilience Regional Challenge, a competitive $575 million program under the Biden-Harris Administration, according to the press release.
“This grant presents an incredible opportunity for the people of the Virgin Islands,” said Oriol. “With job creation, support for community partners, and the expansion of the Territorial Park System, we anticipate a range of exciting projects over the next five years to safeguard our natural resources.”
The grant includes activities pursuing nature-based, community-guided solutions across three pillars: (1) Implementation of Watershed and Coastal Improvement Plans, (2) Climate-Resilient Land Conservation and Park Development, and (3) Education and Workforce Development, the press release stated.
“The success of this grant is rooted in the dedication of the conservation community in the Virgin Islands,” said Director Kristina “Kitty” Edwards of the Division of Territorial Parks & Protected Areas. “Collaboration with community organizations has been key, and I am excited to share updates on their projects. The next five years will be transformative for conservation efforts in the Virgin Islands.”
“Capacity-building efforts will include hiring staff, interns, and technical experts, as well as investing in educational organizations and their young audiences. This grant will create five new positions within the department, 24 full-time positions across five community partner organizations, and provide paid training opportunities and internships for at least 100 Virgin Islanders. Stay tuned for updates on each program as the grant progresses,” said Oriol.
“This grant underlines our unwavering commitment to not just confront but proactively combat the impacts of climate change. I extend my deepest gratitude to the Biden-Harris Administration for this vital support. With these funds and in partnership with our resilient community, we are determined to fortify our islands’ defenses against environmental adversities. Through innovative conservation strategies and steadfast community engagement, we are setting a robust example for climate resilience. Together, we are ensuring that the Virgin Islands remain a safe, sustainable paradise for future generations,” concluded Gov. Albert Bryan Jr.
Dear Friend and Virgin Islander,
I’m Attorney Russell Pate. I am running for Senate.
(Submitted photo)
Don’t vote for me, if you want more of the same. I’m different.
No Pay for Senate.
I will take no salary, benefits, or retirement for my work in the Senate. I will take no campaign donations. I won’t ask you for money. I won’t do fish-frys and bake sales. I’ll be open to all and beholden to none. As an attorney, I fight every day for normal hard-working people, like you. I’ll always fight for what is best for you and your children. For efficiency, the Senate should move to two-year budget cycles; four-year terms with staggard elections; with the goal of a part-time Senate.
Voting Rights, Equal Rights, Human Rights.
Virgin Islanders have always fought for their Human Rights; the 1733 St. John slave rebellion, 1848 Emancipation, 1878 Fireburn, 1892 Dollar-for-Dollar coal strike; Why have we given up fighting for Equality? The USVI was purchased in 1917. Waiting 107 years for Equal treatment is too long. I will fight. Please join me.
a. The VOTE in Washington: I will change the Election Laws so we can vote for 2 Senators and a Representative in Congress. When we elect our 3 Congressional Representatives, we will charter an airplane and fill it will military veterans (holding pictures of other veterans killed or injured in foreign wars) to escort our Representatives to Congress to their rightful seats in the House and Senate.
b. Our own Constitution: The VI has had 5 Constitutional Conventions. All failed (and cost millions). I will adopt the Revised Organic Act as our Constitution. We already live under the ROA. But once adopted as our Constitution, we can reform and change it via super-majority vote in the Senate, so that Virgin Islanders will finally be in control of their Rights and their Destiny.
c. Elected Attorney General: I will change the Laws so we will elect a Virgin Islands Attorney General who serves the People, not the Governor.
d. Third Circuit Judge: Since 1971 the USVI has not had a Virgin Islander judge on the federal appellate court (the Third Circuit) that supervises the USVI federal District Court. I will pass a Resolution for the President to appoint a Virgin Islander to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
e. Ended the Custom Zone: The Custom Zone is a mess. Puerto Rico is inside the Custom Zone, while we are outside. I will work to end the discriminatory Custom Zone; the indignity of going through Custom screenings at the airport, being treated like second-class citizens, and also frustrating and arbitrary duties on UPS, Fed-Ex and cargo shipments (but not USPS and Amazon shipments).
f. Military Draft: The USVI has one of the highest rates of military participation, with heroes fighting for freedom abroad in WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, while their freedoms and equal rights are denied at home. I will draft a Resolution for our young men NOT to be Drafted until we are provided the right to vote in Congress and for Commander and Chief of our Military Forces, the U.S. President. The United States’ 250th Birthday is in 2026; for that celebration, the best gift the United States can give itself is Equality for ALL its Citizens.
g. Denmark & the E.U.: If the United States is unwilling to extend Equal Rights and Voting Rights to the USVI (which is the Promise of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution) to every U.S. Citizen; we must have a plan “to walk.” We reach out to Denmark, Ireland and the European Union to join them in their Parliament. When the USA treats you like a girlfriend for 107 years and not a wife, it’s time to think about leaving that relationship. If the USA doesn’t make good-faith progress, I will put a Voters’ Referendum on the ballot, so the People can decide.
Crime
a. Murders: Our murder rate is unacceptable. It is one of the highest in the World for developed countries. During the coronavirus pandemic the Governor issued Emergency Orders. I will advocate for the Governor to issue an Emergency Crime Order that will allow us to stop those who are perpetrating violence and killing our children. When criminals see consequences, violence will stop.
b. Gun Licenses: We have some of the strictest gun laws under the U.S. Flag, yet the highest murder rate per capita. The criminal element has firearms; while law-abiding citizens have a costly and difficult time receiving a firearm permit. Our firearm licensing system evolved because U.S. Navy Officers (who ran the V.I. from 1917-1931 and believed in Jim Crow laws) did not want “colored” citizens to be armed for self-defense. 42 States have simple straight-forward gun licensing rules for law-abiding citizens. We should join those States. For more info read, Bruen, 597 U.S. 1 (2022).
Court Delay
Our courts are the slowest under the U.S. Flag. Justice delayed is justice denied. Court delay destroys confidence in all branches of government. Court delay affects every person, just like a WAPA power outage. Small businesses cannot timely enforce contracts, people negligently injured do not have money for rehabilitation, parents die and children do not get their timely inheritance. I work in the courts and see the multitude of structural and practical problems. I have a multi-step legislative plan to create a system of motivations for speedy justice, so the USVI can join the vast majority of the States were 95% of criminal trials are completed in less than 1.5 years and civil cases in less than 2.5 years.
Uber & Taxis
We live in the 21st Century. The Taxi Commission is a disaster. It’s time to un-regulate and let more people enter into the transportation business. Young people should have the opportunity to open up a transportation business, or drive for Uber and Lyft, for the convenience of both locals and tourists.
Business Ownership & Success
a. Get Government out of business: Government should never be in business. In a free, fair and open democracy, Businesses are the players and Government is the referee. A referee makes sure the playing field is even and that no one is cheating. A referee should never step into the game and play. Decisions by the V.I. Gov’t in business have been one disaster after another. Also, the V.I. Gov’t pays millions a year to stateside companies like Witt O’Brien, JP Morgan, AECOM, Squire Patton Boggs and Winston & Strawn. Big companies making money off the USVI should have a local office training local Virgin Islanders for these high-paying white-collar jobs.
b. One-Stop-Shop for Business: A business license requires the business owner to jump through red-tape at DLCA, DPNR, Fire Services, BIR, Finance, Labor, Dept. of Health, and others. We need a One-Stop-Shop department that coordinates all this in one-stop for the convenience of business owners. At this One-Stop-Shop Department the phones should be answered: “Thank you taxpayer, how may I help you.”
c. EDC (Tax Credits): The USVI rolls out the red-carpet using tax credits for stateside millionaires, while leaving Virgin Islanders high and dry. The VI needs an Equal playing field for citizens. While the V.I. Government is willing to “give away the farm” to bring down multimillionaires from the States, a Virgin Islands child is told to “do their best” in crumbling schools. Tax subsidies are a band-aid for larger problems. The USVI should be fair to all businesses, local and stateside, remove red-tape regulations, make government offices more helpful and overhaul the gross receipts tax. Once we have a fair system, no tax subsidies would be needed to draw foreign businesses to the USVI.
d. Government Notices: Notices are required to be placed at the Courthouse, Post-Office, Police Stations and public places – which turns into a wall of stapled jumbled papers. We must get out of the Stone-Age, and have a website that lists all government notices, like www.USVInotices.gov where all notices can be organized and easily searchable online. This is a business-and-people friendly solution.
WAPA & Solar Power:
The Virgin Islands is in the Tropics. The Sun is our #1 resource. We should have the best laws encouraging solar power. After Hurricanes Irma & Maria, the federal government promised $4 billion dollars to WAPA. That is more than $40,000 for every man, woman and child in the Virgin Islands. I will work to channel funding to solar panels for every home and business. No more WAPA bills. No more random outages. No more diesel needed for generators. Free solar to power electric cars. No more buying gasoline. No more car exhaust. No more road smog; only pure Caribbean air.
Roads and Sidewalks:
We live in Paradise. Every man, woman and school-child should be able to walk across the island in safety. Sidewalks must be a priority. With sidewalks, locals and tourists alike can walk, jog, run or bicycle from Frederiksted Pier to Point Udall. Or on St. Thomas, from Port to Paradise Point. Like other islands, we should use Traffic Circles, as there’s no stop-lights to lose power or be knocked down by wind. Traffic Circles are hurricane-proof. Also, I want a prison pot-hole brigade, where good-behavior inmates form a work-crew to fill pot-holes marked by local residents.
a. Kids sports: Kids need activities. We must get kids off video games and cell phones for physical activities which create teamwork, camaraderie, and independent thinking. With the horse-race track closed for who knows how long, and the abundance of horses on the island, I want to establish a Virgin Islands Polo Club. Polo is the sport of Princes and Princesses; our youngsters are also Princes and Princesses of the Virgin Islands. With the horses, equipment, and some instruction, any large field can be used to play Polo… and our children may go on to Ivy-League schools to compete in polo.
Historical Preservation
I will end the discriminatory Historical Commission which only picks on people who are trying to remodel old buildings, yet does nothing about the hundreds of buildings falling into ruin. People trying to fix up old buildings should not be punished. A building that cannot be renovated to be productive will rot away. The Historical Commission will be tasked to only focus on derelict and abandoned buildings. I have draft legislation that will put derelict buildings back into the hands of Virgin Islanders.
Raise your voice to be heard – you are powerful – we will end the second-class treatment of American Citizens in the USVI. I believe in this mission, because it’s the same mission that famous Virgin Islanders risked their lives for: Princess Breffu, General Buddhoe, the Three Queens, Queen Coziah – they fought for Freedom, Dignity and Equal Rights.
I ask for your support, encouragement, prayers, and your VOTE.
Please pass this Platform letter on to a voting family member, friend or neighbor.
Guest George Francis tells our in-studio team more about the University of the Virgin Islands’ expanded free tuition policy while host Adisha Penn recaps the biggest headlines of the week. There’s always something new on Consider the Source – watch now!
Sen. Kenneth Gittens said the ethics, conflict-of-interest, and perjury bills did not stem from recent incidents. (Photo courtesy Legislature of the Virgin Islands)
Legislation defining government employee ethics and conflict-of-interest violations was not spurred by recent federal investigations of public officials, one of the bills’ author said Friday.
Sen. Kenneth Gittens said bills creating and funding a Virgin Islands Commission on Ethics had been drafted well before the revelation that the Federal Bureau of Investigations was studying the actions of officials at several V.I. government agencies.
“This bill has been in works for quite some time, way before what has taken place right about now,” he said. “What I’ve said is, the Virgin Islands has seen its fair share of some of these things but I didn’t associate it with what has taken place.”
Among other things, the bill would establish a time frame where a former government employee could not go to work for a contractor specializing in their area of the V.I. government. For example, under the proposed law, a Water and Power Authority employee could not quit and then directly go to work for a WAPA fuel or equipment supplier.
“It would affect government employees having direct involvement with the private sector and then going directly to work for them,” Gittens said. “For a period of one year after a public employee’s employment with the Government of the Virgin Islands, the former employee may not have any involvement either directly or indirectly with any negotiations or discussions of contracts or any other matter in which the public employee was previously involved in.”
The law, co-sponsored by Sen. Franklin Johnson and Sen. Marvin Blyden, would not regulate the behavior of a contractor to the government, however. Only government employees would be beholden to the proposed law, not employees of private enterprises, he said.
Other potential ethical lapses not specifically spelled out would go before the ethics commission, which would decide whether the action was a violation — and if so whether it was a civil matter or a potentially criminal one that needed to be referred to the attorney general, Gittens said.
Nepotism hires, abuse of influence, and other grey-area behavior would be investigated and ruled on. If found to have violated ethical behavior, the government employee would be able to appeal if the commission granted it.
There are provisions in the bill to discourage frivolous accusations. If the commission finds a complaint to be without merit, the person complained about may be able to seek damages for harm to reputation and attorney’s fees.
The office of the Attorney General, the Office of the Territorial Public Defender, the League of Women Voters, the Inspector General’s office, and others discussed revisions to the legislation Wednesday, a process that continued as the bill was held in the Committee on Rules and Judiciary.
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said in June that he intended to speak with Gittens about the legislation after the arrests of Education’s Director of Maintenance Davidson Charlemagne, 50, and his wife, Sasha Charlemagne, 44, and the indictment of former Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority Chief Operating Officer Darin Richardson, 56. Days later, investigations into employees of the Office of Management and Budget, the Virgin Islands Police Department, and the Sports, Parks, and Recreation Department were made public.
The Senate sent a bill to Bryan late Wednesday night that would make lying to the Legislature punishable by a fine. Currently, it is illegal to lie while under oath at the Senate, but there is no penalty.
The bill was meant to add teeth in attempts to stop obstruction of the legislative process, Gittens said.
“The integrity of legislative proceedings is foundational to democratic governance,” he said. “It’s there to deter and penalize those who would knowingly deceive the Legislature by making false statements.”
It was not clear when Bryan would sign or veto the perjury bill.
One board member’s bid to ban smoking at Magens Bay and Smith Bay Park on St. Thomas led to a lengthy discussion that at times turned testy Friday as the board that runs both properties held its monthly meeting at the beach.
Thanks to the quick action of bystanders, a car fire in January at Magens Bay Beach was contained to a few trees and surrounding bush. (Source file photo)
Dayle Barry first made the proposal at a town hall meeting the Magens Bay Authority held in January, and revisited the topic on Friday, when he asked his fellow board members what information they require before they can say yea or nay to a ban.
“The carcinogens in the air is sufficient for me but is apparently not sufficient for you,” he said. Maybe they should take a public poll to gauge what residents want, Barry said.
Pushback was swift from his fellow board members, however, with chairperson Barbara Petersen admonishing Barry for raising the issue at the town hall without first running it by the board.
“You brought it up at the town hall to the surprise of the board,” she said. “I think it is a little bit premature in how it was addressed. That’s not how we make major policy changes.”
As for information the board might need to make an informed decision, Petersen said that was up to Barry to determine, since he raised the issue. Would a ban apply to marijuana as well, or grilling at the sheds the Magens Bay Authority rents out?
“Because you’re driving it, you have to be in charge of the agenda,” said Petersen, adding that while she does not smoke and finds the habit disgusting, she can’t impose her will on others. “I don’t oppose smoking on the beach,” she said, later adding that as much as she abhors the habit, “I can’t stop people from smoking.”
Likewise, Jason Charles said that despite having asthma and being hospitalized for 10 days when he had COVID, he does not oppose smoking at the beach because that would infringe on other people’s rights.
“We are not public health policymakers,” said Charles, and moreover, the park was deeded to all the people of the Virgin Islands “and we need to respect and honor” the intent of the gift, he said. “I’m a little bit perturbed — I feel like it’s little snide remarks you are making,” he told Barry.
“When someone’s behavior impacts my quality of health then I have a responsibility to make a change,” said Barry. “What level of information do people need to make a decision? If there is no level of information then that’s fine and we can move on.”
Petersen suggested that if he feels so strongly about it, Barry should form a committee to further explore the issue.
“It’s a simple question,” he replied. “There’s no amount of information that would convince you.”
Currently, smoking is prohibited from the tree line to the water at the parks, but the rules are not reliably or easily enforced.
According to the Virgin Islands Smoke Free Act, which took effect in 2011, smoking is prohibited in virtually all areas open to the public including “any enclosed/exposed public areas (health care facilities, restaurants, bars, hotels and resorts, beaches, parks, educational facilities, etc.), any outdoors services (i.e. restaurants on the boardwalk/water front in St. Croix and/or businesses/restaurants on Main Street/Red Hook, St. Thomas) or waiting line (i.e. food vans).” Additionally, smokers must be at least 20 feet away from any opening of an establishment (windows, doors, ventilation systems).
Violations may be reported to the Tobacco Complaint Line at 340-712-6230, or online through the Health Department’s Tobacco Complaint page.
However, one community activist attending Friday’s meeting said there is another consideration besides second-hand smoke, and that is the risk of wildfires as the 319-acre preserve is home to a coconut grove, an arboretum of rare and unusual exotic trees, and a 1 1/2-mile nature trail that boasts a mixed-dry forest, moist-tropical forest and mangroves.
All of that could be lost with an errant spark, especially during one of the droughts that regularly impact St. Thomas, she said, adding that firefighting capabilities would be stretched thin at best and would require aerial resources from Puerto Rico.
“If there was a spark that happened back there when there is tinder back there, or when it’s really, really dry — I’m not saying it’s going to, but who knew that California was going to be on fire today — anything could happen. That’s the issue for me that is of grave concern relative to smoking anywhere in this park. All it takes is that to start a fire,” she said, referring to wildfires currently devastating the Golden State and other parts of the Western United States and Canada.
“It’s dangerous to this property. I’d like to put that somewhere in the discussion, that regardless of carcinogens, outside all of that stuff, this would burn to the ground and would never come back in our lifetime,” she said. “That needs to be part of the discussion, because what happens when we have a drought, because we will have a drought. They’re not taking green waste at the landfill.”
In fact, a car fire in January burned a tree and surrounding vegetation before it was contained from spreading further, she said.
That led Charles to ponder whether the park is properly prepared for a fire.
“What do we have as a plan before the fire department can get here? We don’t have a fire plan, and that is an important point,” said Charles. “Hey, maybe we need to set up infrastructure on a few locations on the beach to be able to work on how we can start addressing this issue. That’s something you have brought as an issue and I thank you for that,” he said.
“I can offer that we have a very competent chief of security who is and continues to work on every evacuation plan, fire plan and everything and if he has not updated our fire plan, I can guarantee you, through the general manager, he will get it done. He has the capacity,” said Petersen.
