CARIBBEAN NEWS VOLUME #10
MARCH 2003
ST. THOMAS, V.I. (V.I.DAILY NEWS-2/6/03)- The V.I. Dept. of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR), has approved a building permit for Home Depot, clearing the final hurdle for the home- improvement giant to hang its shingle on St. Thomas. Since mid-December, land has been cleared at the site adjacent to Market Square East, laying the groundwork for Home Depot.
The store will be big by local standards; 3 and 1/2 times the size of PriceSmart, the largest on island.
Some in the community hope that legislators will pass a Comprehensive Land Use Plan, a blueprint for development in the V.I. that would limit where and how big developers can build here.
Yanick Bayard, co-owner of The Sea Chest Hardware Store said, "Can this island sustain 4 category killers? Can our topography and the rest of the island really sustain that?"
Mike Perron, owner of The Paint Depot, said that one of the biggest challenges in competing with Home Depot is getting past the perception that everything there is cheaper just because they're bigger.
Perron stated however, "If they want to crush me, they can."
Aside from the competition issue, Perron said that limiting big-city development on St. Thomas would go a long way in preserving the natural beauty of the island.
ST. THOMAS, V.I. (VI DAILY NEWS-2/6/03) - Noreen Michael did not inherit the V.I. Education Dept. under the best of circumstances. When she took the helm in April 2002, she had just seen her boss fired and the department's high school accreditation appeal rejected.
"It was a difficult transition, but everyone really pulled together, and I think that has made a difference.” Michael points to the Territorial Task Force on Accreditation as one of the key steps to turning the department - and the schools - around.
Recently the task force met to prepare a comprehensive self-study of the department's central office for Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, which eventually will decide whether to re-accredit the territories high schools.
KINGSTON, JA (AP-2/7/03) - With reggae music thumping over loudspeakers, hundreds of Jamaicans
paid tribute to late reggae legend Bob Marley on his 58th birthday. Radio stations dedicated blocks of
airtime to play Marley's songs, and newspapers published ads to honor the singer, who died of cancer
in 1981 at age 36.
Marley's music has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in recent years after the BBC named his song
"One Love", the Anthem of the Century, and Time Magazine voted his 1977 album "Exodus", the
Album of the Century.
Born Feb. 6, 1945 in rural St. Ann parish, Marley rose from the gritty shantytowns of Kingston to
international stardom and remains one of Jamaica's most beloved national heroes. Marley's influence
can still be seen in Trenchtown, where residents have painted murals of Bob in red, gold and green,
an acknowledgement of his Rastafari faith.
Richie Burgess, a radio dj for Jamaica's RJR radio said Marley's message of love and unity is more
important now than ever. "Now is the time that we need his positive message when we're facing all
these challenges."
VIEQUES, PUERTO RICO (AP-2/7/03) - Carmen Valencia points to each marker, reads the name and
tells their story. All are dead now, felled by the cancer that stalks residents of this off-shore island
at a higher rate than the rest of Puerto Rico. Each is remembered with a simple white cross outside
the chain-link fence that surrounds the U.S. Navy firing range at Camp Garcia. More than 50 such
markers rise from the tall grass.
Many here blame the heavy metals, solvents, chemicals and other potentially harmful materials
introduced during more than 5 decades of military exercises on the island for the deaths. Both the
Navy and activists who campaigned against the exercises are bracing for the next phase: the
clean up. Activists are demanding a role in discussions with the Dept. of the Interior.
The Navy says exercises at Camp Garcia have not endangered public health on this island of 9100
mostly poor inhabitants. Studies have indicated both elevated levels of several contaminants in
the water, food chain and population, but direct linkages are hard to prove.
But the 58-year-old Valencia is sure the illnesses are the result of the Navy's firing range. "There's
no factories here, no industrial development, nothing else that would contaminate us like that.",
she said. Families here fish, raise cattle or cater to tourists. More than a quarter of the workforce
is unemployed.
The Navy has been here since the end of World War II, using the eastern tip of the island for
bombing practice. Since then, they and the Marines have introduced napalm, depleted uranium
and a chemical intended to simulate the nerve agent VX into the environment.
SAN JUAN,P.R. (AP-2/17/03) – About 900 Puerto Ricans waving placards and chanting anti-
war slogans joined the world protest against the war with Iraq. The demonstrators, from more
than 30 organizations, criticised U.S. plans for a pre-emptive strike against Iraq.
Sheik Abu Majer, a Palestinian leader of a mosque in Arecibo, P.R. said he feared a war would turn
people against Islam: “A war affects all religions, but it affects Muslims in particular.” About 3,500
Muslims live in Puerto Rico.
Another group from Vieques, said it was participating because it knows first hand the effects of
militarism. Group leader Ismael Guadalupe said, “For more than 60 years we have been living war.
Who better than us can speak about war and rejecting it.”
Meanwhile, the Navy said 90 marine reservists based at Roosevelt Roads in Puerto Rico, would
leave for Camp Pendleton in preparation for deployment. The soldiers from The Virgin Islands
and Puerto Rico make up the only marine reserve unit from the Caribbean. More than 3,000 sol-
diers from the Puerto Rican National Guard have been activated for service.
PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD (AP-2/17/03) – U.N. General Assembly President Jan Kavan spoke to
leaders from the 15 nation members of the Caribbean Community(CARICOM), during a summit to
discuss economic integration and establishing a regional high court. During the summit he stated
that the United Nations risks becoming irrelevant if it does not do everything possible to find peace-
ful solutions to the conflict with Iraq. Failing to do so could cause the U.N. to “go down the road of
The League of Nations.”
In Sept., Kavan is due to hand over the presidency, which is rotated yearly, to a successor from the
Caribbean.
Caribbean leaders agreed to pass laws for creating a single market economy by 2005. Trinidad, Bar-
bados and Jamaica all committed to removing restrictions on labor and capital movement by 2004.
Leaders also agreed that the new regional court should begin operating before the end of the year,
replacing the London Privy Council as the final court of appeal for some former British colonies.
The Caribbean Court of Justice would be based in Trinidad, but judges would also travel to other
member states to hear cases.
ST. CROIX, V.I. (VI DAILY NEWS-2/17/03) – Visitors from St. Thomas, St. John, Tortola and
Puerto Rico have been coming to St. Croix by the boatload to attend the 3-day 32nd Annual St.
Croix Agriculture & Food Fair. It is the biggest display of locally grown produce and livestock,
as well as cultural foods, pastries, drinks and crafts in the region.
Many vendors wore traditional madras as they greeted customers. Vendor Deborah Hodge said
it is important for young people to learn the art of cooking local dishes to ensure that the culture
will remain alive.
Activities include live musical performances on 4 stages, as well as cultural food demonstrations,
such as making coconut johnny cake, fritters and docouna.
Samuel Moore, 69, was named Livestock Farmer of the Year for his dedication to farming for the
last 45 years. Aberra Bulbulla, 56, a former Ethiopian, was named Produce Farmer of the Year.
He raises 30 different varieties of fruit trees on his 4-acre farm.
Attendance during the 3-day event could top 30,000 this year. The 2001 fair saw a record crowd
of 50,000.
(Pato’s note: For another perspective of this year’s Ag Fair, read Trinidad Charlie’s article in the
March 2003 St. John Times. Click on the “Articles” section on Trinidad Charlie’s page.)
ST. THOMAS/ST. JOHN/TORTOLA, V.I. (VI DAILY NEWS-2/18/03) – A moderate earthquake
shook the Virgin Islands awake at 3 A.M. Monday, 2/17. The rattling caused some commotion,
but no injuries or damage.
The temblor’s magnitude was pegged at 4.6 with its epicenter 9.3 miles west of Anegada, 14 miles
northeast of St. Thomas and about 27 miles below the sea, in an area called the Sombrero Region,
where the North American Plate meets the Caribbean Plate.
Many who were awakened by the quake said they heard the sound of an approaching freight train
followed by their beds shaking and dishes rattling for 15 to 25 seconds. (Pato’s note: I agree with
every word of this- it almost shook me out of my bed!).
February has brought an increase in seismic activity in the V.I. The Puerto Rico Seismic Network
has recorded more than 50 mild quakes- double the normal frequency.
The last devastating earthquake to hit the Virgin Islands – a 7.1 magnitude – hit in 1867. It was
centered between St. Thomas and St. Croix and caused a tsunami that killed 20 people.
CROWN POINT, TOBAGO (AP-2/19/03) – The winding roads of Tobago still cross unfenced fields
where goats graze, and run along white sand beaches unspoiled by the hordes of tourists invading
other islands. The charm for many visitors is that Tobago has few large resorts and still feels
isolated. If hotels were to start popping up along the beaches, it would ruin the island’s atmosphere.
Trinidad and Tobago’s government is seeking to expand tourism to decrease the country’s reliance
on its oil and gas reserves, but many say the task is a balancing act – develop the island too much
and it loses its appeal.
For travelers seeking wilderness, Tobago has waterfalls and rainforests unlike few places in the
Caribbean.. Some say the island is the land of Robinson Crusoe and there is a cave here named for
him. Along beaches set against turquoise seas, small shacks sell curried crab and shark sandwiches.
Tobago is a well known spot for seeing nesting sea turtles and for bird-watchers to see the
Cocrico tropical pheasant.
Government officials say they want to be careful to avoid over-development. They are under pres-
sure from environmentalists and residents who don’t want to see too many hotels. The pressure is
already generating tension. Environmentalists protested the opening of a 200-room Hilton resort,
fearing sewage and run-off from the golf course would damage coral reefs. Some of the island’s
reefs have been damaged by snorkelers.
Tobago is historically poorer than Trinidad and is a 5 to 6 hour ferry ride from the national capital
of Port of Spain. Tobago recorded fewer than 60,000 visitors last year.
ST. CROIX, V.I. (VI DAILY NEWS-2/19/03) – Federal funding for the purchase of land at Salt
River National Historical Park and Preserve was cut by U.S. Congress to the tune of $1.5 million,
falling victim to budget cutting by Republicans.
Park land at Salt River is owned by the federal and territorial governments and private interests
and is managed by NPS and the V.I. government. The park’s total size is 1,015 acres.
The St. Croix unit of NPS was able to use $2 million in re-allocated NPS funds in 2000 to buy land
for the park as well as a historic post office building- formerly the oldest and largest slave-trading
compounds in the U.S. for the Christiansted National Historic Site.
The Salt River park contains the only known site where members of a Columbus expedition set foot
on U.S territory. It also preserves watersheds, mangrove forests, salt ponds and a ceremonial Taino
ball court that dates back to 1300.
MARIGOT, ST. MARTIN (AP-2/20/03) – Mayor Albert Fleming, St. Martin’s top elected official,
departed for France heading a delegation that plans to seek greater autonomy for the French terri-
tory. St. Martin currently is administered as a sub-prefect of the French department of Guadaloupe
but officials have been pressing for separate status to increase control of the territory’s affairs.
Politicians from the Dutch side of the island also support the proposal. “Coming together for one
cause, one island, one destiny is bigger than each one of us”, said Sarah Westcott-Williams, the
government leader in St. Maarten.
ST. CROIX, V.I. (VI DAILY NEWS-2/20/03) – V.I. Delegate to Congress Donna Christensen was
host of a town meeting to continue discussions on the expansion of Buck Island Reef National
Monument and the creation of Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument. She said, “The
Park Service is left with the responsibility of protecting the resources of the monuments and put-
ting the rules in place to do so.”
Many fishermen complained that they have little fertile fishing ground left around St. Croix, given
the deep waters off the northwest coast; the area reserved for the Navy on the west; the contamina-
tion on the south- caused by effluent from the Cruzan Rum factory, spills from HOVENSA Oil,
runoff from the Anguilla landfill and sewage spills; the creation of the East End Marine Park; and
now the expansion of Buck Island Monument. Although the original 1961 proclamation that estab-
lished the monument allowed restricted fishing in the western half, the new proclamation calls for
the entire 19,000 acres to become a “no-take” area.
President Clinton issued the proclamations in accordance with the Antiquities Act of 1906, which
authorizes the president, without consulting Congress, to create new monuments on existing federal
lands to safeguard objects of historic and scientific interest. Last November the GAO concluded
that both monuments are located upon lands owned and controlled by the U.S.
ST. JOHN, VI (VI DAILY NEWS-2/21/03) – A sense of resignation loomed over fishermen and
other residents who attended a town meeting to discuss the new Coral Reef National Monument
and its expected impact.
Resident Gaylord Sprauve stated, “Who are you protecting it for? Is it for us or for people who visit
here? Whether it is legal or not is not my issue. My issue is – Is it right to come into this territory
and take over our land and our sea? I say it is unconscionable.” The reaction from many was
applause.
V.I. National Park Superintendent John King spoke of a similar protected area off St. Lucia that
local fishermen were adamantly opposed to. After a few years, the fish populations recovered and
fishing is improving. “We’re hoping for the same result from this monument designation – that the
additional protections will enhance the fishery in the monument and in the waters surrounding it.”
ST. JOHN, V.I. (VI DAILY NEWS-2/26/03) – A decades-old electric line that delivers half of St.
John’s electricity is in dire shape according to officials. The line will have to be replaced soon at
a cost of more than $2 million. There is a chance the line will fail before it can be replaced, which
could mean rolling blackouts for the island.
The island is connected to the St. Thomas distribution grid by a pair of cables that cross Pillsbury
Sound; one that enters the sea at Red Hook- installed in the early 1990’s and one at Cabrita Point-
put in in 1984. A combination of factors – age, poor installation, and overloading of the line – have
put the older line in poor shape. A team from a testing laboratory in New Jersey is expected in the
territory to conduct further inspection of the line.
Officials estimate it will take 9 months to install a new cable between the islands. Until then: “We
need to keep our fingers crossed,” said one official.
ST. CROIX, V.I. (VI DAILY NEWS-3/1/03) – A 1997 internal review the USDA conducted on St.
Croix concluded that its local Rural Development Office had “systematically discriminated against
women, individuals based on race and persons based on their national origin”- the same charges
leveled in a $2.8 billion class-action lawsuit certified in U.S. District Court. The USDA’s Rural
Development Office provides various types of home ownership opportunities, low interest loans,
and grants for rural borrowers.
The review team stated: “For an undetermined period of time…the agency refused to give resi-
dents applications for home loans and placed their names on a waiting list. These potential
clients, nearly all of whom are black, were systematically denied the opportunity to be considered
for a home loan.” USDA policy is to provide an application to anyone who requests one.
Clients reported offensive behavior from staff, including one woman who reported being told to
“get married and have some babies” if she wanted a loan.
After the waiting list was discontinued, local staff members were told by management in Florida
to give potential clients “the impossible yes.” To summarize: “applications would be given out,
but actions would be taken to make it difficult for the inquiring party to meet qualifications and
deadlines. The applicants would become so frustrated that they would withdraw their applica-
tions.” This became known as “the impossible yes.”
The USDA denies the charges.
ST. THOMAS, V.I. (VI DAILY NEWS-3/4/03) – Caribbean Travel & Life magazine’s 3rd annual
“Best of the Caribbean” readers’ choice poll placed the Virgin Islands in the top 3 in 11 out of
34 categories. The magazine has a circulation of 150,000.
Among the categories:
Best Caribbean shopping destination : St. Thomas
Best locally produced rum : 1.Mount Gay,Barbados ; 2.Appleton Estate,Jamaica ; 3.Cruzan,St.Croix
Best local cuisine : 1.Cuzzin’s,St.Thomas ; 2.C&F,Tortola ; 3.Papiamento,Aruba
Best international cuisine : 1.Asolare,St.John ; 2.Craig&Sally’s,St.Thomas
Best Beach : 1.Orient Beach,St.Martin ; 2.Magens Bay,St. Thomas ; 3.Grace Bay,Turks&Caicos
Best Eco-lodge : 1.Maho Bay,St.John ; 2.The Lodge,Belize ; 3.Daniel’s Head Village,Bermuda
SPORTS :
KIMBERLY, SOUTH AFRICA (AP-3/8/03) – An early exit from the World Cup wasn’t all doom
and gloom for the West Indies. The squad showed visible signs of the rebuilding Caribbean cricket.
After a dream start to the tournament in a thrilling 3-run victory over host S. Africa, which included
a brilliant century by Brian Lara and fine bowling from Dillon and Drakes, the Indies foundered on
losses to New Zealand and Sri Lanka, and a rain-induced no-result against Bangladesh.
“We have to regard this as a minor setback on the long road we have set out on”, said captain Carl
Hooper. “It’s important not to judge our World Cup performance in isolation, but in the context of
the improvements we have been making over the last few years.” Hooper managed to keep his team
focused on the future, with a convincing win over Kenya in the final match they played, finishing
on a high note. “We know we have to look to our future, especially the tour by Australia in April.”
HISTORY & CULTURE :
VIRGIN ISLANDS, (VI DAILY NEWS-2/25/03) – They have endured, standing as silent sentinels –
some for centuries – while history unfolded around them – as important as marine life or carnival.
Robert Nichols, an associate professor of education at UVI, was principal investigator in a project
to locate, measure and record the largest trees in the territory. The study was funded with a grant
from the Urban Community Forestry Assistance Program. The result is a registry of 78 trees on St.
Thomas, St. John and St. Croix, along with a brochure, “Remarkable Big Trees of Cultural Interest
in the U.S Virgin Islands”, and a web-site.
“Society is becoming increasingly technological. I believe there is a need…to make sure that we
don’t forget the more aesthetic areas of life. There’s a danger as we embrace technology that we
neglect culture, and I think we need both”, Nicholls says.
Traditionally, trees played important roles – religious, social and political. They provided meeting
places and shade for gatherings. They delineated boundaries and served as landmarks.
Before he came to the Caribbean, Nicholls studied the Igede people of Nigeria and learned how
important trees were to them in all aspects of life, particularly the spiritual. Some of those sensitiv-
ities found their way to the Caribbean during slavery days. Surprisingly, some of the West African
views about magic trees, particularly silk cotton and ficus trees, were similar to beliefs held by the
Carib tribe about the same trees. The Caribs inhabited the islands long before Europeans arrived.
Researchers pored over literature and local lore before the trees were measured and placed in the
registry. There are 26 different species represented, from baobab and gris-gris to mastic bully,
mahogany, palm and turpentine trees. A point system was used based on circumference, spread,
and height. The registry listing the trees, their locations and their point tally is also available on-
line at www.bigtrees.net.
Ultimately, Nichols hopes to obtain further funding and designate the trees as “heritage trees”,
ensuring their protection and maintenance. To obtain brochures or provide information, call
(340)-693-1184.
ST. JOHN, V.I. (PATO-3/7/03) – The 1st Annual St. John Blues Festival came off without a hitch
at Coral Bay Ball Field here on St. John. Producer, recording artist and St. John resident Steve
Simon and his Moonlight Foundation invited the community to this free all-night blues jam that
featured many legendary artists. The list included : Grammy Award-winning Big City Blues
Band, Junior Wells’ lead guitarist Albert Castiglia and his band, country-blues recording stars
Prestage & Hawkins, and the special guest – Willie “Big Eyes” Smith and the Muddy Waters
Legendary Blues Band.
Simon provided free round-trip ferry service from Red Hook to Cruz Bay and back. Round-trip
taxi service from Cruz Bay to Coral Bay was provided by St. John’s drivers for $5 each way.
Everything went so well, Simon is confident that there will be a 2nd Annual event.
ST. THOMAS CARNIVAL 2003 SCHEDULE – “MUSIC, MAS AND PAGEANTRY FOR 2003”
Sunday, April 6 – Prince and Princess Selection Show, 5PM, Lionel Roberts Stadium
Saturday, April 12 – Queen Selection Show, 8PM, Lionel Roberts Stadium
Sunday, April 13 – Toddlers Derby, 5PM, Lionel Roberts Stadium
Traditional Games, 7PM, Lionel Roberts Stadium
Sunday, April 20 – Coronation of Queen, Prince and Princess, 4PM, Emancipation Garden
Monday, April 21 – Carnival at Schneider Hospital, 6PM, hospital lobby
Tuesday, April 22 – Junior Calypso Monarch Competition, 8PM, Lionel Roberts Stadium
Wednesday,April 23 – Cultural Night /
King and Queen of the Band, 8PM, Lionel Roberts Stadium
Thursday, April 24 – Latin Night, 8PM, Lionel Roberts Stadium
Friday, April 25 – Carnival Rides Open, 6PM, Fort Christian Parking lot
Calypso Revue I, 8PM, Lionel Roberts Stadium
Saturday, April 26 – Calypso Revue II, 8PM, Lionel Roberts Stadium
Sunday, April 27 – Water Sports Activities, 10AM, St. Thomas Harbor
Monday, April 28 – Carnival Village opens, 6PM, Fort Christian parking lot
Tuesday April 29 – Pre-teen Tramp, 6PM, Market Square
Wednesday April 30 – Food Fair, 8AM, Market Square
Thursday, May 1 – J’ouvert Warm-up, 12:30AM
J’OUVERT, 4AM, Veterans Drive
Carnival Exhibit, 10AM, Carnival Museum
Calypso Monarch Competition, 8PM, Lionel Roberts Stadium
Friday, May 2 – Children’s Parade, 10AM, Market Square
Saturday, May 3 – Adult Parade, 10AM, Western Cemetery to Roberts Stadium
Calypso Spectakula, 10PM, Carnival Village
Sunday, May 4 – Trash Back Dance, 7PM, Palms Court Harborview Hotel
