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The Virgin Islands Daily News  ::  Cristian Simescu

More than 100 legionnaires, auxiliaries, veterans, their families, government officials and members of the community joined to celebrate the dedication of American Legion Bromley Berkeley Post No. 133 in Frederiksted on Sunday afternoon.

The new headquarters, located on Prince Street next to the ruins of St. Alphonsus Convent, was completed in May earlier this year after many years of planning.

Post 133 Commander Curtis Williams said the post was given a temporary charter in 1967 and a permanent one in 1971. He said members met at different locations on the island throughout the years, most recently at the Crusaders Fraternity Club in Estate Hogensgorg.

Williams said their next official meeting will be at the newly dedicated building on Aug. 8.

Post 133 member Alphonso Franklin said they have been trying for more than 10 years to acquire the property, which housed St. Patrick’s Catholic School about 45 years ago. They were finally successful in acquiring the property from the V.I. government six years ago, Franklin said.

The new post was funded with $118,681 from a 2005 Community Development Block Grant, $50,000 from the 26th Legislature, $173,000 from the V.I. Public Finance Authority, $25,000 from HOVENSA, $5,000 from Divi Carina Bay Resort and Casino and donations from the business community.

Sen. Usie Richards said it was his pleasure to be at the ceremony.

“This is for those who served in time of peace and in time of war,” Richards said. “I know it’s important in not only preserving the area, but to bring in something of substance to the town of Frederiksted.”  

Director of Veterans Affairs Morris Moorehead said it had a been a long battle to get the building completed since the groundbreaking three years ago.

“It shows what you can get with determination,” Moorehead said. “Welcome to your new home, I hope you enjoy it.”

Delegate to Congress Donna Christensen also said she was happy to be at the ceremony Sunday. “This building is not just mortar, concrete and all that but a lot of hard work,” Christensen said. “Members of Post 133 have all served with dignity and honor.”

Gov. John deJongh Jr. also attended the ceremony. He thanked those before him for serving their country.

“It’s tremendous that on this day we can celebrate this building and this place,” deJongh said. “It’s the men and women of the military that we honor for willing to step up.”

The Rev. Kevin McDonald, associate pastor at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, blessed the building.

Franklin said they need to work on the parking lot next and to acquire air conditioning for the building.

St. Croix Source  ::  Molly Morris

Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr. on Tuesday ordered that flags on all public buildings in the territory be lowered to half-staff in memory of former St. Thomas/St. John district Sen. Lorraine L. Berry, who died late Monday night from complications of colon cancer.

"It is a fitting tribute to this giant of a woman,” de Jongh said, adding that the flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of her interment.

The territory reacted with a mixture of shock and sadness Tuesday in the wake of news of the death of the political icon – shock, because in the eyes of many, she was one of those personalities so much a part of the local fabric it's hard to imagine it without her imprint; sad, because of the genuine caring and help she brought to so many in the community.

Tributes, some short and sweet, some from high office, some from afar, flowed in throughout the day.

The overwhelming sentiment spoke of Berry's steadfast adherence to the courage of her convictions, her leadership, political savvy and commitment to the community.

"Sen. Berry showed us how to fight our battles with dignity and to stand for what you believed in. Her life reflects her commitment to the Virgin Islands and its progress," Lt. Governor Gregory Francis said.

The governor said, "With the death of Sen. Berry, we have lost a major figure of Virgin Islands politics. Our history will long remember Sen. Berry’s 12 terms as a senator, two as president of the Legislature, during which she was a steady champion of all Virgin Islanders."

The governor said Berry "understood clearly the connections between a strong private sector and the revenues a growing economy could deliver, and the stability of government to provide services to our people. Hers was a true life of public service."

De jongh added, "Sen. Berry's work in advancing the rights and protections of women and children was a hallmark of her long career. Additionally, she initiated and encouraged many of the efforts to preserve and celebrate French Heritage here in the Virgin Islands."

He said he, his wife Cecile and all the people of the Virgin Islands express condolences to Berry's husband Richard, her daughter Roxanne, her son Kurt and members of her extended family.

Catherine Bryan, now chief of staff for Sen. Patrick Simeon Sprauve, remembers Berry's kindness.

"I'd just come back from college," Bryan said, "just a young kid who didn't know anything. I decided I'd better put my political science degree to use, so I went to Sen. Berry's office. James Francis, her chief of staff, introduced me, and she gave me a shot at assistant researcher.

"I was so appreciative to learn from such a political great," Bryan said. "I worked for her until she stepped down for her gubernatorial run. We've remained close, and she always calls to give me advice. She's remained active helping the community, particularly young women. I will really miss her."

Delegate Donna M. Christensen said she had a chance to visit with Berry about 10 days ago.

"Even as she battled serious illness," Christensen said, "Sen. Berry was as politically involved as ever. Her commitment to the people never wavered."

She said, "The Virgin Islands has lost an outstanding leader, a woman who was respected for her political savvy, her involvement and her unwavering commitment to the people of the Virgin Islands and their advancement."

"Whether you were on the same or opposite side of an issue with Sen. Berry, her professionalism, insights and demeanor always commanded the utmost respect. It was an honor I will always treasure to have been given the opportunity to call her colleague and friend," the delegate said.

Former Delegate to Congress Ron DeLugo expressed shock at the news. Speaking from the states, he said, "She had such courage. She displayed it as president of the Legislature. I admired Lorraine. She was ambitious, but she was also a very strong woman. She could hold various groups together, which is so important for a political leader."

Reminded of the advice he had given to the young Berry when she worked for him, DeLugo laughed. When Berry had announced she was going to quit her job to run for the Senate, DeLugo had wished her the best, but said she'd never win. "Nobody knows you," he had said. "Well, everybody knows her now," he said Tuesday.

Senate President Louis Hill said, "Senator Berry's ability to turn naysayer into supporters is the true meaning of leadership." He praised Berry's "voice of reason" which he said, "crossed all barriers to serve the entire V.I. community with pride, respect and kindness. She is a beacon to be held high and to be emulated."

James Francis was Berry's chief of staff for 20 years, which has to be a record for service in the Legislature. Always helpful to everyone, he emulates Berry's spirit. He, like other former staff, has remained close to the senator.

"I always admired her dedication to improving the lives of people in the territory through the efficient management of the government, to provide the services required so people have a decent living in jobs they like and for which they are qualified."

Working for Berry, James said could be demanding.

"She was the consummate politician," he said. "If you worked for her you had really had to work. There was always something going on for the community – outreach health fairs, youth symposiums, essay contests, adult symposiums, anything to enhance the lives of those in the community.

"She worked to see women participate in the political process on an equal basis with men," Francis said. "At one time, she was the only female senator. She wanted women, who are the biggest voting bloc, to take their rightful place."

Speaking for the Committee for the Betterment of Carenage, Jean Greaux, president, who has known Berry almost all his life, said, "The death of Lorraine Berry is a loss to not only the territory’s political landscape but a loss to the French community in the Virgin Islands. For the better part of the two decades Lorraine served in the halls of the Legislature and was a vibrant force in ensuring the preservation and promotion of French Heritage in the Virgin Islands."

Greaux said, "At the same time, Sen. Berry worked long and hard to ensure that the contributions of the French community were recognized in the wider Virgin Islands community. Lorraine will be missed but history will remember hers as truly a life of public service, a lifetime of dedication to all Virgin Islanders."

Speaking for the Frenchtown Civic Organization, Henry Richardson, who went to school with Berry, said, "We've always been very proud of Lorraine's accomplishments, not just in the French community, but she worked tirelessly for the entire territory. She really never stopped fighting for what she believed in."

Condolences came from former governors Juan Luis and Charles W. Turnbull carried historical overtones.

"Sen. Berry's legacy as a no-nonsense, fearless leader will endure the passage of time," Luis said.

Turnbull called her a "central figure in the political life of the territory, one who left an indelible mark on the pages of Virgin Islands history."

Funeral arrangements have not yet been released by the family.

St. Croix Source  ::  Source Staff

Carnival is a pillar of Caribbean and V.I. culture. Many U.S. Virgin Islands residents travel between islands three times a year to catch all of them, thousands march in costume and nearly everyone comes out to at least part of the festivities.

But what about all those U.S. Virgin Islanders living in the mainland who miss the the soca, the parades, the costumes and the winin'? They unite with their Caribbean neighbors and throw their own carnival parade.

On the last Saturday of June, 130 brightly decorated members of the Virgin Islands Carnival Troupe masqueraded down Georgia Avenue in Washington, D.C.'s annual Caribbean Carnival Parade, portraying “An Enchanted Tropical Rainforest."

Tramping to pulsating rhythms by the USVI’s-own D.J. Avalanche, VICT brought its legendary taste of Virgin Islands Carnival to the nation's capitol . Joined by the St. Thomas Majorettes, the troupe performed a winning dance routine to a musical mix of Virgin Islands hits from 2010 VI Carnival.

In its sixth year, V.I. Carnival Troupe – which is largely made up of Virgin Islanders, but open to participants from around the world – took 2nd-place honors for Band of the Year, and also dominated the King and Queen of the Band competition. Its queen – Racquel Joseph – donned a multi-colored parrot costume; king – Renaldo Raymo – had a stunning peacock costume; and 3rd-place winner for female individual costume – Kaiya Todman-Nash – wowed the crowd as a beautiful, red Hibiscus.

With all sorts of tropical flowers, from bright gold yellow cedars to vibrant, red hibiscus, radiant orange and green lilies, VICT members were flanked by exotic characters in colors representing the Virgin Islands Flag.

The Virgin Islands Carnival Troupe also won first place honors in 2006 and 2007 for the D.C. Carnival Parade. VICT was formed in 2003 by Virgin Islanders Ivah Chesterfield, Jr. and Renaldo Raymo as a subcommittee of the D.C. Metro Virgin Islands Association. The group was sponsored by Sen. Shawn Michael-Malone, Arturo Watlington, A Taste of the Caribbean and Superior Auto Services.

The Virgin Islands Daily News  ::  Joy Blackburn

Six months after an earthquake devastated Port-au-Prince, Haiti, local nonprofit Haiti Community Support has opened a permanent free clinic — largely funded with V.I. donations — on the outskirts of the city.

The permanent clinic is the culmination of work that started three days after the Jan. 12 quake, when Haiti Community Support co-director Mathilde Wilson, a native of Haiti who now lives on St. Croix, and local emergency medical technician Peter Dybing arrived in Port-au-Prince with a mission of starting a clinic to treat the injured.

The following day, Dybing got on his knees under a tree in a tent city that had sprung up on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince in the Bon Repos neighborhood, near where some of Wilson’s family members live, and began pulling medical supplies from his bag to treat people.

The grassroots effort at opening a clinic in the midst of the temblor’s fallout started to take form as donations poured in. Tents and more medical supplies were purchased, while Haitian doctors and nurses were hired for the effort, gradually replacing volunteers.

Haiti Community Support has been setting up its mobile clinic daily, reaching out to those who had little access to care, living in tent cities on Port-au-Prince’s outskirts, Wilson said.

As time went by, the patients with traumatic injuries from the quake were gradually replaced by patients seeking care for illnesses that are a result of living outside, without proper shelter or sanitation, Wilson said.

“They have a lot of need for medical help,” she said in a phone interview from Haiti last week.

Right now, she said, doctors are seeing a lot of children with pneumonia, impetigo and other infections, along with a number of malaria cases.

“They are dying for lack of primary care,” she said.

Although there have been times the mobile clinic saw as many as 200 patients a day, the number of patients each day now typically runs between 80 to 120, she said.

Recently, Haiti Community Support was able to acquire a long-term lease for a house in the same area where it has been conducting its mobile clinics.

“It needed some repair, but we are lucky to find a good-shape building,” Wilson said.

Some work was done on the building and July 12 — the six-month anniversary of the quake — the doors to the permanent clinic opened, Wilson said.

“Many people came in, happy to have a clean place to come,” she said.

The house is more comfortable for patients than the mobile clinic, she said. It comprises eight rooms, including a room where pregnant women are treated, a room for small babies and a laboratory that will conduct some basic blood, urine and stool tests, she said. The wish list for the clinic includes money for an X-ray machine.

The clinic has its own generator, along with an inverter to charge batteries, she said.

“We buy equipment and materials locally,” Wilson said, adding that doing so is part of Haiti Community Support’s mission.

The nonprofit has 22 people helping run the clinic, including two doctors, four nurses, laboratory technicians, and support staff. They are Haitians, Wilson said.

“People want to have some work, not a handout — like a little package of food. That’s not going to help long-term,” she said.

Donations from the territory — including a $25,000 donation from the V.I. Relief Fund and the promise of $20,000 more — have helped get the permanent clinic off the ground, she said.

Wilson said that, six months after the quake, the devastation still is overwhelming. Many are still homeless, and some people are starting to give up hope, she said.

“I think people are really, really hopeless,” she said. “They’re not seeing anything. The rubble is still there. People really get down where they don’t know if they’re going to see any change.”

Bruce Wilson, Mathilde Wilson’s husband and co-director of Haiti Community Support, said that they are not sure how they are going to sustain the clinic.

“We don’t know. We hope we can. You do this kind of work partly out of faith. We don’t have long-range funding,” he said.

Haiti Community Support started several years ago, and most of its work before the quake centered on improving health care, the quality of life and education in the remote village of Au Centre, about 130 miles from Port-au-Prince.

That work continues.

Bruce Wilson said that, as Haiti gradually fell from the headlines after the earthquake, donations also started to drop off.

“It’s nothing like before. The donations have slowed to a trickle,” Bruce Wilson said. “I think it’s because people get fatigued by how horrible it is there, how tough the conditions are there. Maybe people feel hopeless about Haiti. Haiti is a big problem, and it’s not going to go away quickly. It takes long-term resolve.”

He said part of Haiti Community Support’s focus is to avoid getting lost in the “big picture” of what is happening in the country.

“Our focus is to try to make life better for people by taking care of one person at a time,” he said.

For more information on Haiti Community Support, go to www.haitisupport.org or call 772-4380.

St. Croix Source  ::  Carol Buchanan

Iziah Ashe is proof there are scholarships for students who put their mind to having their college tuition paid. Ashe, ranked as one of the top ten students in the St. Croix Educational Complex class of 2010, has been awarded $64,000 in scholarships and grants.

He was awarded scholarships from Hovensa, Rotary Mid Isle, Twin City Lions Club, Ronald McDonald House and Walmart Strive for Excellence. The University of Houston offered him a financial aid package he couldn't turn down so he will begin his studies in chemical engineering there this fall.

“I spent a day online looking for scholarships,” Ashe says. “It is amazing how many different scholarships are out there.”

His first monetary award was a savings bond for being selected as the valedictorian of his sixth grade class at Alfredo Andrews Elementary School. He says throughout elementary and junior high school he was always on the honor roll.

He credits his second grade teacher, Valencia Andrews, for always challenging and pushing him.

“Ms Andrews knew I could do it and pushed me forward,” Ashe said. “Academics always came easy to me too.”

Ashe says he knew how important getting good grades throughout high school was to be eligible for scholarships. He tested and was accepted into the Magnet Program at Complex, an honors and accelerated program in math, English and science, for 9th, 10th and 11th graders. He was a member of National Honor Society and National English Honor Society.

Cenita Heywood, media specialist at Complex and advisor of the American Red Cross Youth Volunteers, said she was impressed with him because of all he has accomplished.

“He is involved in the community and volunteers with the American Red Cross Youth at parades,the Agricultural Fair and Career Fairs,” Heywood says. “When I heard how much he got in scholarships I was really impressed.”

Ashe is involved with the Rotary Interact Club doing beach clean ups, outreaches and helping with programs to aid the homeless. He is a teachers assistant in the Math Environment Science Academy MESA project at Complex. Along with school and volunteering he has held down a job at the Sunny Isle Theater the past two years.

He has been involved in sports, singing and acting, and Junior Drag Racing at the Motor Sports Complex.

Ashe is the son of Vicky Knight and Junior Ashe. He said he is the first in his immediate family to attend college.

“I am very proud of his accomplishments,” Junior Ashe said. “I am also pleased he will come back to St. Croix after college and work at Hovensa. Junior Ashe had also worked at Hovensa for many years.

There is a lot of talk about a brain drain on St. Croix but Ashe is not buying into that perception.

“I don't think living in the states would be for me,” Ashe says. He added he plans to get a master's degree, come back to St. Croix, work at Hovensa and give back to the community.

St. Croix Source  ::  Ananta Pancham

Maybe you have to be a techie to get excited about it, but it's pretty amazing what the new VI-Alert system can do. With just a few quick clicks of the computer mouse, local residents can get everything from earthquake alerts to tsunami warnings sent to their email, fax, text messaging system, and eventually, even their Playstation 3.


The system was officially rolled out Monday, but it has been up and running for the past 40 days, so anyone regularly checking the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency website will notice that it's already been flooded with bulletins. What's interesting, though, is that this is only the beginning -- starting with a version 2.5 that records a preliminary layer of information, the system will soon grow to a version 3.0 that will weave in new alerts, such as missing children, and escaped convicts or gunmen.


And what's even better is that the additional information can be at the public's fingertips within a matter of a few short months, providing real-time data in seconds so that residents and emergency responders can mobilize as quickly as possible during an emergency.


What's up and running now only really started to take shape on the local level in March, and officials said Monday that it's already hard-wired for several additional capabilities, such as federal homeland security mandates that haven't even been implemented yet.


The multi-million dollar system is a product of the New York State Emergency Management Office (SEMO), which has established a partnership with VITEMA, providing the software and technical assistance to the territory for a fraction of the cost -- $44,000 upfront for some hardware and equipment that had to be installed in the territory, along with a three-year contract with SEMO that's free for the first year, then $20,000 per year after that.


So far, the state of New York has spent about $9 million on the system, which is expected to grow to $11 million or so as version 3.0 is developed. Currently, the state budgets $3.2 million a year for the costs. 


The two systems will run simultaneously and are designed so that when NY-Alert grows, so does the capability for the territory, according to Kevin Ross, SEMO's assistant director of technology and one of the brains behind the development of the system's software. At this point, NY-Alert has seven million people within its system and sends out thousands of alerts -- from what Ross called life-threatening bulletins to simple transportation notices -- every day.


New York's citizens have had a lot to do with growing the system -- they've identified what kind of information they want to be receiving, along with the best ways to send it out. The Nintendo Wii and Playstation 3 capabilities, for example, were inspired by people who've said their kids just don't pick up the phone when they're playing video games. There's also a private groups option that allows notifications to be sent out -- but not publicly disseminated -- to schools, universities and agencies, he added, saying that New York's system has been used to send private alerts to firemen, police and other such responders.


Currently on the VI-Alert page are options for severe weather alerts, press releases and other publications, public health alerts, beach alerts and earthquakes -- but Ross said there at least 100 other options waiting to be activated or added in once the public or local officials specify what they want to see.


VITEMA State Director Mark Walters said Monday that the agency will be rolling out its public outreach efforts, along with meeting with the various government agencies to see what they want and develop protocols for notifications. There's going to be a meeting of the territory's emergency management council later in the week to test out what's running so far, Walters added


SEMO also boasts an impressive vendor list, with partners such as Microsoft and Google, which will help, among other things, to create a GIS interface that will eventually be available in the territory. The challenge here, however, is the lack of street data, which the Lieutenant Governor's Office has been trying to rectify. In the meantime, Ross said a team of experts will be brought down to do a preliminary street layer for the territory, which will be expanded once the territory's project is further along.


V.I. residents not yet convinced can check out the system at http://www.vialert.gov/home.aspx and see how soon the alerts start coming in. Residents registering will have to give a certain amount of contact information -- such as email and phone numbers, along with a wireless carrier if they chose to receive text message alerts. But Ross said all information is voluntarily supplied and secure -- remaining out of sight to even the VITEMA officials programming in alerts.


Residents also have the option of choosing what time they want to receive their alerts, signing up family and friends and getting a call back message once they've missed the initial alert phone call. And of course, there's some perks for the first responders, who can even have their typed alerts converted to an audio file
.

"It's definitely a win-win for all of us," Walters said Monday, joking that he has had Ross on speed dial ever since February, when contact between the agencies began after a local security exercise pinpointed some sores spots in the territory's communications system. "It's remarkable that we've already come this far with it -- but the system is really flexible, and gives us the ability to modify, which is exactly what we need."


Another upcoming modification, Walters added, is a territory-wide tsunami warning system that will link into VI-Alert. A vendor has already been selected, and negotiations over the contract are ongoing, he added. Federal grants have financed the installation, but there's currently not enough money to do the entire territory all at once, he explained.

The Virgin Islands Daily News  ::  Dan Lewin

For a very long time the software installed on your computer determined what you could do. You needed a word processor to write, a program like Excel to create a spreadsheet and special software to create slick presentations. In fact, you could have the best computer hardware in the world but unless it had the software you needed, you were out of luck.

Getting software was often a daunting task as well. It usually meant a trip to the computer store or waiting weeks while a physical disk was mailed to you. Once you determined that the program you wanted to run was compatible with your computer and you had the disks in hand, the software would have to be installed on your machine. Not only was the process a major hassle, it could be really expensive. A version of Photoshop — the popular image editing program — could cost as much as $700 and would most likely be outdated in five years. 

All of that is rapidly changing, however. Now the software you have installed on your computer doesn’t matter much at all and the raw horsepower of your machine matters even less. So, what is the most important thing a computer user today needs? An Internet connection.

With the widespread availability of faster and faster Internet connections, tasks that once had to be performed by the computer in front of you can now be handled by computers on the other side of the earth. Other than a bare bones operating system and a web browser, your computer doesn’t actually need any software at all — it talks to other computers which do the work for you. In many ways, your computer is nothing more than a glorified keyboard and monitor.

This movement is referred to as “cloud computing” and whether you realize it or not, you’re probably already doing it. If you have an e-mail account through a web browser such as Google or Yahoo instead of an e-mail program installed on your machine such as Outlook, you’re already cloud computing. What a lot of people may not know is that you can do many other things, like creating new documents, spreadsheets and presentations in the same way.

The type of cloud computing that uses software hosted on another computer is known as “software as a service” and is often shortened to SaaS. This has many benefits. The most obvious, and in my opinion most important, is the cost savings. A copy of the latest version of Microsoft Office will cost anywhere from $100 to $500 and iWork for Mac will set you back $50 to $80 depending on where you buy it — but Google Docs, which can do all the same basic tasks, is free to anyone with an Internet connection.

St. Croix Source  ::  Source Staff

Cheers and applause from family and friends echoed in the halls of the SFC Leonard B. Francis Armory on St. Thomas Friday the Virgin Islands Police department graduated new law enforcement officers in a ceremony.

Judge Michael C. Dunston administered the oath of office to the 21 members of Police Recruit and Police Auxiliary Class 2010-1, which included 14 Virgin Islands police officers, seven police auxiliaries, one enforcement officer for the Department of Planning and Natural Resource and one Superior Court deputy marshall. The academy training lasted 21 weeks.

The class had two mottos -- “Out of Many, We are One” and “On the Move, On the Beat, Serving with Pride and Dignity.” was the class motto for the police recruit and police auxiliary class respectively.

In his seech to the graduates, Gov. John de Jongh Jr. on recent crimes, telling the class this is the perfect time for the new officers to hit the streets.

“It is a time for this community more than anything else to see the best of the officers to stand up and take the charge. It is the best of times for these individuals to put themselves above others and understand the challenges we have,” he said.

Recognizing these challenges, Assistant Police Commissioner Raymond L. Hyndman told the officers “you must realize the problems of this community transcend all boundaries, it affects all people. Each of you must commit yourself to champion the cause for justice and fairness to everyone you come in contact with.”

Police Commissioner Novelle E. Francis Jr. was out of the territory on police business and sent his congratulations to the graduates.

St. Thomas/St. John district Police Chief Rodney F. Querrard, Sr. also commented on the overwhelming tests the officers will confront on a regular basis and implored them to utilize their training in handling these situations.

“We are being challenged daily because of the no-care attitudes of a few criminals, thugs and heartless individuals who live among us.” Querrard warned the officers, telling them to make sure their feelings do not cloud their judgment when upholding Virgin Islands laws.

Likewise, Police Training Academy Director Vancito Gumbs said the officers must help to take back our streets, and in doing so, serve with professionalism, pride and integrity.

“You must remember that you are not the oppressor, for you are the protector and defender of the people you will swear to serve and protect.”

During the graduation the audience gave a standing ovation for training cadre Corporal Omodoso A. Muhammad, who is retiring after serving 20 years in law enforcement.

The new officers are:

Virgin Islands Police Department: Ahmad Abu Soud (highest firearm score – male,) Shawn Browne (former police cadet,) Ann Marie Charles, Bernard Douglas, Jr. (plass president,) Elesa Francis, Kira Hoston-Browne (highest academic average; highest firearm score - female,) Elesa King, Luis Melendez, Jr., Quianah Molyneaux, Hanifah Muhammad (highest physical fitness – female,) Jonathan Rey (highest physical fitness – male,) Kenneth Small, Jr.

Virgin Islands Police Department Police Auxiliary Officers: Sofia Clendinen, Kirma Fleming (employed as a VIPD school crossing guard,) Vernon George (highest firearm score,) Laurel Liburd (highest academic average; highest physical fitness score - female,) Alston Lockhart, Jr.,Elvy Rogers, Jr. (class president; highest physical fitness score – male,) Peter Tavernier.

DPNR Law Enforcement Officer: Andrea Tromben.

Superior Court of the Virgin Islands Deputy Marshall: Tarique Turnbull

St. Croix Source   ::  Source Staff

The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority is seeking the public’s help in evaluating new, energy efficient street lights.

WAPA, through a grant from the Virgin Islands Energy Office and the American Recovery and Reinvestment ACT, is proposing to replace 1,200 high pressure sodium lights with more efficient light emitting diode street lights.

The Authority has acquired five LED units from different manufactures. A sample LED fixture from each manufacturer has been installed in the Sunny Isle area, along Pepper Tree Road from the WAPA business office heading north to the Innovative Communications main office building.

WAPA is asking for the public’s feedback in the visibility and light output provided by each LED. The poles with LED fixtures have been numbered one through five. People passing through the area are asked to note the quality of the lighting and send their comments to R. Arthur Burton at arthur.burton@viwapa.vi or call 773-2250 extension 3106 or 774-3552 extension 2050.

Hey, Music Fans!

I haven't been on-line with you for a couple of weeks. I went on a tour of the Holy Land(TEXAS!). I didn't go to Austin, but I saw a couple of Austin-based bands. I saw The Stone River Boys in Alpine at Railroad Blues, and I saw Black Bone Child in Dallas, at Lakewood Bar & Grille. Being a non-smoker for forty-seven years, it was nice to sit in an enclosed venue and not be smoked out! Our open-air beach bars here are not a problem, but an enclosed bar full of smoke is hard to take. I'm beginning to see signs that we'll be smoke-free indoors here, soon. Being in Texas right after a near-miss by Hurricane Alex was nice. It wasn't hot! Do you know that the speed limit for cars on I-10 is 80 MPH???????????? I hear if you roll the window down it'll suck the wind out of you.

Even though it's the "other season", there's a lot of music on the local scene. Friday, there's Sunset Jazz in Frederiksted from 5:30 PM on. Stop by Coconuts to get ready for the sunset. Steve Katz will be playing at SALUD! from 7 to 10 PM. Tom Crumpton will be playing at The Deep End Bar from 7 to 10 PM. In town, Trevor Clendenin will be playing at Angry Nate's from 7 till 10 PM. Adrian will be at the Brew Pub from 8 PM on.......................

On Saturday, the Krewe de Croix is hosting thier annual Candy Dyer Rib Cook-Off at Cane Bay, from 12 to 4 PM. I hope my schedule allows me to get by there and have a few ribs dem. If you want to enter, or need info, contact Val @ 332-6811 or Tom @ 244-1390. Prodigy Block will be playing at Eat @ CaneBay from 1 till 4 PM. Out West, Coconuts will have Mercy Child on-stage. Off The Wall will have Sandy Nelson playing, and Steve Katz will be at The Galleon from 7 PM. "Drift" will be at The Brw Pub in Christiansted from 8 PM...................

On Sunday, Steve Katz will be entertaining the bruncher munchers at The Deep End Bar from 12 to 3 PM. Eat @ Cane Bay will have Blackstar playing from 3 till dark. I guess you can't see a black star in the dark? Out west, Coconuts will have the St. Croix Blues Society's weekly Blues Jam from 4 till 8 PM. Come on out and join in if you're a musician, or just pat your foot and enjoy the local musicians.

Please be careful and don't drink & drive, the other people are! Fasten your seatbelt, and hope for the best. It's summer-time. Slow down and live!

TEXAS JIM