CARIBBEAN NEWS - VOLUME 8
OCTOBER , 2002ST. THOMAS , USVI (10/11/02-VI DAILY NEWS) - In spite of recent improvements at the Bovoni Landfill, critics are skeptical of the V.I. Public Works Dept.'s claims that the dump will see serious improvements soon. And Public Works is racking up fines for problems at the dump - including a recent $6.5 million fine levied by the Dept. of Planning and Natural Resources.
DPNR's director of environmental protection conceded that Bovoni is in better shape than it was a few years ago. But he reeled off a long list of continuing problems including - wind-blown debris and dust, scavengers and animals being allowed to roam the dump, no methane gas monitoring, no fire fighting capabilities and no plans to protect the adjacent mangrove lagoon.
The $6.5 million fine, which likely will be reduced after talks between the 2 agencies, comes out of a consent decree signed in 2000 by Public Works and the U.S. EPA, in which Public Works was to make a number of improvements to Bovoni by a series of deadlines - some of which have not been met.
Residents pleaded with senators for action on the dump. Many of them suffer from health problems believed to be caused by the landfill. Area residents want to see it relocated. When it was opened in the 1970's, they were told it was only a temporary measure.
Senator Carlton Dowe agreed that the government must develop a comprehensive plan for the landfill. "We can't continue doing nothing. We do nothing and think the problem is going to go away".
KINGSTON , JA (10/10/02-GLEANER) - Efforts to get persons displaced by the recent flood rains back on their feet will be ongoing for the next month as the government seeks to find accommodations for those who lost their homes.
The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management said that water was still rising in St. Elizabeth where residents are sheltering within the community itself. In Hanover, where the parish disaster committee has been able to get supplies in to some 50 families, areas are cut off by rising water.
ODPEM said that 475 persons still remain in shelters - the majority in Kingston, St. Andrew and St. Elizabeth.
The preliminary forecast is for the water level to crest in 27 days. But it may take 9 months to fully recede.
KINGSTON , JA (10/10/02-GLEANER) - The pressure for peaceful elections mounted, with several organizations appealing for calm, after several bloody clashes between PNP and JLP supporters left 5 persons dead and scores of others injured.
"For the people of Jamaica to believe that there will be a fair, free and peaceful election, there must be credible attempts on the part of the candidates...to ensure responsible electioneering and campaigning", read a statement from the Methodist Church of Jamaica, who have added their voice with the Jamaica Council of Churches, the Private Sector Organisation and leading Jamaican hoteliers.
While both PNP and JLP have publicly called on their supporters to shun violent activity, they also accuse each other of inciting the violence.
ST. CROIX , USVI (9/26/02-VI DAILY NEWS) - Sea turtles have been protected by federal legislation for more than 30 years, but poaching of the marine reptiles and their eggs is a serious problem on St. Croix, according to officials. Three of the species protected - the green, hawksbill and the leatherback - are found in the Virgin Islands.
Poachers collect turtle eggs because they can be sold at high prices as aphrodisiacs. The hawksbill is the most endangered in the eastern Caribbean because the species was decimated by the tortoise shell trade, being harvested for centuries. The meat is rarely harvested in the V.I., though it used to be.
Although it is believed that in the last 10 years, education efforts have dramatically increased public awareness of the need to protect sea turtles, poaching still occurs on a daily basis. Many poachers come from elsewhere in the Caribbean, where eating turtles and their eggs is a way of life. It is estimated that the price of illegally sold turtle eggs on St. Croix is between $1.25-$1.75 an egg. A hawksbill nest can contain 200 eggs.
Poaching has long term effects because turtles take 25-35 years to reach sexual maturity. "If you have poachers go into a beach and take the nesting female and her eggs, they can devastate that beach for years. And they will not see a return to that beach of a nesting female for 35 years", said Zandy Hillis-Starr from the National Park Service.
ST. JOHN , USVI (9/26/02-VI DAILY NEWS) - The circumstances surrounding a July 3rd drowning at Hawksnest Beach have landed in the pages of the national weekly tabloid, THE GLOBE. The cover of the Sept. 3 edition of the supermarket tabloid screams out-"Oprah Drowning Tragedy!" The story is devoted to the death of Sherman Galbraith.
His connection to the talk show superstar was his fiancée Wendy Graham, whose father is Oprah Winfrey's longtime beau.
Galbraith, 26, and Graham, 27, both Chicago residents, were vacationing at Caneel Bay Resort on St. John. Although Galbraithe could not swim, Graham was teaching him to float on his back. She apparently slipped from an underwater ledge sending them both into water over their heads. Graham swam to shallower water to get her footing, but Galbraith sank to the bottom.
Though CPR was performed, and paramedics arrived within 15 minutes, it was too late and Galbraith was pronounced dead an hour after the accident.
An hour later, Graham was on a St. Thomas-bound ferry, then on a plane back to Chicago that evening.
Galbraith's death has been unusual from the start: St. John police did not learn of the drowning until later that night, after Graham was already out of the territory. And though it occurred on a V.I. National Park beach, park officials didn't hear of the incident until the next day.
There never has been any indication of foul play or any evidence that the drowning was anything more than an accident. But Police Chief Norville Francis is very perturbed. "We had no chance to ask the young lady any questions."
The GLOBE article states that Winfrey and Stedman Graham were worried that Wendy would be bogged down in legal matters and held on the island. Investigators later talked to her by phone.
ST. THOMAS ,USVI (9/25/02-VI DAILY NEWS) - It would be the biggest store in the history of the Virgin Islands and local retailers are shaken by the prospect of its arrival. Atlanta-based HOME DEPOT filed for a permit to build an 111,000-sq. ft. home improvement center in Estate Donoe.
But even before the first shovel breaks bedrock, Home Depot faces a groundswell of opposition from a group of retailers who fear a store that size would annihilate locally owned hardware and building supply stores.
"The gut reaction of every individual is 'I want cheap prices.' The long term ramification of those cheap prices is what we need to understand", said Enrique Rodriguez, owner of a True Value store. "We are not trying to stop business, but these guys don't compete in the same ballpark. I'm not against Home Depot coming if they came at a size something more in line with what is here. Our store is 4,500 sq. ft. - the entire store would probably be as big as the toilet seat section of Home Depot."
The Dept. of Planning and Natural Resources said Home Depot's application is under review.
ST. CROIX , USVI (9/25/02-VI DAILY NEWS) - National Public Radio is on the air in the Virgin Islands at 107.3 FM, WVGN.
Los Angeles-based entrepreneur Keith Bass established a non-profit corporation - Caribbean Community Broadcasting - earlier this year, purchased WVGN and invested more than $500,000 to start the venture. New transmitters have been installed and the 2,000-watt signal should reach all of the USVI, as well as parts of Puerto Rico and the BVI.
Bass' sister, Karen, is president of CCB. Ultimately, her hope is that WVGN will become "a vibrant part of the community on the islands. Eventually we want to move to having some local programming.. and we are looking forward to establishing a collaboration with the university".
SAN JUAN , PUERTO RICO (9/25/02-AP) - The U.S. Navy has ended its latest round of bombing exercises on Vieques three days ahead of schedule, officials said. The maneuvers involved F-4 and F-18 fighter jets, as well as Navy ships lobbing shells at the firing range.
The military has used the bombing range on Vieques' eastern tip for more than 6 decades. Opponents say the exercises harm the environment and health of the island's 9,100 residents, which the Navy denies.
President Bush has promised the Navy will leave Vieques by May 2003. But as the U.S. moves closer to war with Iraq, Puerto Rico officials are concerned the departure could be stalled.
During the latest exercises, protesters hurled rocks and eggs at Navy personnel, causing minor injuries. 22 people were arrested for trespassing.
HAVANA , CUBA (9/25/02-AP) - Promoters of American food products attending an agribusiness expo here could influence U.S. debate on ending 40 years of trade sanctions against the island. The exhibitors, from 33 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, collectively manufacture or distribute 3,000 different products.
Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, 3 Republican members of the House of Representatives and Cuban President Fidel Castro are expected to attend the fair.
The trade show comes as U.S. lawmakers fiercely debate whether to retain or ease a long-standing trade embargo and rules barring most Americans from travelling to the island. A growing number of lawmakers from farm states support efforts to ease or eliminate the restrictions. In 2000, the U.S Congress approved a law that allowed the first direct sale of American food in 4 decades.
Since then, Cuba has purchased about $140 million worth of American food.
ST. CROIX, VI (9/21/02-VI DAILY NEWS) - Eight NYC firefighters and their families are wrapping up a one-week vacation on St. Croix. They are the last in a series of NYC firefighters who have been guests of Chuck and Karen Ulrich.
The Ulrich's, owners of Bluewater Travel, a Web-based travel agency, said they wanted to do something to help after 9/11. That desire evolved into a string of monthly visits by groups of 2 to 8 firefighters and their families. They arranged for discounted airfares and lined up 30 donated villas where the firefighters and their families could stay free of charge. Chuck Ulrich said not one business they approached declined to extend hospitality to the firefighters.
At a party thrown by St. Croix Yacht Club, the 8 men presented the Ulrichs with a chrome-plated fire ax mounted on a large inscribed plaque, on behalf of all the firefighters who visited over the last 10 months.
TORTOLA, BVI (9/19/02-AP) - The British Virgin Islands has placed an import ban on mangoes from 8 Caribbean countries, citing attempts to protect its fruit from an insect that attacks mango seeds. The 8 countries are: Dominica, The Dominican Republic, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and The Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and The U.S. Virgin Islands.
The reason for the ban is the proliferation of the mango seed weevil, which feeds on mango seeds and then burrows into the fruits flesh. The weevil is spread mainly through the introduction of infested fruit from foreign sources.
ST. THOMAS, VI (9/19/02-VI DAILY NEWS) - You can't find "True Love" in the Virgin Islands any more. It's in Puerto Rico now, and it's for sale.
After being a tourist staple for years as a local charter yacht, "True Love"- the 76 year-old, 65-foot schooner used in the 1956 film "High Society"- now is on the auction block, seized by U.S. Customs earlier this year. The boat figured prominently in the musical starring Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly.
A marine surveyor who inspected the boat stated, "at her present condition, this vessel should not be allowed to carry passengers until a major restoration takes place."
ST. THOMAS, VI (9/19/02-VI DAILY NEWS) - Anti-sprawl activist Al Norman arrived here to rally support against home improvement giant Home Depot, which is attempting to build an outlet on the island.
In an interview, Norman said Home Depot would bring traffic congestion, be a drain on the local economy and force mom-and-pop businesses to shutter their doors. "It will be a shot in the head, not a shot in the arm, to the local economy", he said. "Big fish swallow little fish...Home Depot is the end of competition, not the beginning, To have competition, you must have it among relative equals.
Home Depot spokesman Don Harris said, "If you've been down on the corner doing good business for 40 years, and your service is good and your prices are good, we've found we couldn't run you out of town."
ST. CROIX, VI (9/17/02-VI DAILY NEWS) - A group dedicated to the preservation of St. Croix farm land is calling on the University of the Virgin Islands to build a proposed technology park on an existing industrial site instead of on farmland.
The Coalition for Comprehensive Development said that UVI should consider building on a 300-acre parcel owned by the St. Croix Renaissance Group. The company purchased the former site of St. Croix Alumina earlier this year, and it plans to reuse the power generation capacity, desalinization plant and other on-site facilities as an "Eco-industrial" park, where tenants will engage in environmentally friendly businesses.
While the CCD's proposal envisions new construction on the northern portion of the site, Myron Alick of the Renaissance Group said that there is space already built that could accommodate the technology park.
The Senate gave the go-ahead to build the park on government-owned land that presently is being leased to farmers. In response, groups of farmers, environmentalists and business people formed the coalition.
UVI's director of public relations said the university is open to the proposal, but only if it comes from the government.
ST. THOMAS, VI (9/17/02-VI DAILY NEWS) - A jury has awarded a former lineworker for the power company more than $1 million after finding that the utility intentionally inflicted emotional distress by threatening to fire him if he did not carry out hazardous duties that he was not trained to do.
Gabriel Eddy's attorney stated, "The facts are pretty outrageous and I think it's clear that the jury were not pleased with the way WAPA conducted itself."
In his complaint Eddy, a first-class lineman who had worked for the utility for 6 years, stated that he was forced to perform a "live wire" replacement at the Krum Bay Station. The line was energized with more than 14,000 volts, and Eddy was furnished with improper clothes and tools. Eddy was subsequently shocked and his synthetic pants melted to his legs, severely injuring him and rendering him unable to work.
Eddy's attorney also said he hoped the verdict would send a message to the utility that "it's time to clean up their act."
WASHINGTON, D.C. (9/17/02-AP) - The U.S. Army's headquarters for Latin America and the Caribbean is moving to the mainland from Puerto Rico. U.S. Army South has been based at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico for about 3 years. The Army said the move is part of an effort to cut costs.
ST. THOMAS, VI (9/13/02-VI DAILY NEWS) - Federal authorities are looking for 4 pieces of chemical
warfare weapons that could have been abandoned more than 50 years ago on Water Island. They said that the possibility of the munitions turning up intact was extremely remote.
The weapons could have been left behind when the U.S. Army Chemical Corps closed down Fort Segarra on Water Island, where it tested chemical warfare weapons from 1948 to 1950. When it left Water Island the Chemical Corps was responsible for undertaking certain steps to decontaminate all land and facilities,
and all munitions and toxins removed or disposed of.
The Corps of Engineers states that "of all the chemical warfare ammunition used on Water Island, only 4 cannot be unequivocally accounted for." The 4 are 500-lb. bombs filled with cyanogen chloride.
ST. JOHN, VI (7/02-ST JOHN TIMES) - Bacteria found in human waste has been identified as the cause of a coral disease known as "white pox" that is killing reefs along the Florida Keys and elsewhere in the Caribbean. This is the first time that a coral disease has been directly linked to bacteria found in sewage. The University of Georgia used genetic sequencing to identify the bacteria named SERRATIA MARCESCENS.
White pox infects the thin layer of living polyps on the surface of coral and can eat away up to 3 inches of the skeleton daily. It is highly contagious and can destroy an entire reef within a year. Although scientists are sure this bacteria is causing the damage, they can't yet document that sewage is the source of the problem.
Scientists estimate that without major changes in environmental conditions, 40% of the world's reefs are likely to be destroyed by 2010!
EDITORIAL:
From the Virgin Islands Daily News-9/17/02. Concerning loss of accreditation by VI high schools, a story we reported here in March...
On Oct. 1, each of the territory's public high schools will take the first step toward re-obtaining accreditation, which could be given back in 2 years - in the fall of 2004.
But parents of students cannot sit back and wait. With the recent announcement that students in the Virgin Islands scored among the very lowest on national SAT tests, parents cannot simply point the finger at the education dept. and hope that changes are made. If they remain passive and dismiss the loss of accreditation and the embarrassingly low test scores as something they, as parents, can do nothing about -
they are wrong.
VI schools spend about the same amount - about $6,000 per student - as the average mainland school spends. But our children are not getting even an average education. If parents continue to be apathetic about the education of their children, their children aren't going to get the education they deserve.
SPORTS:
SRI LANKA (9/19/02-AP) - The West Indies Calypso Boys squeaked by Kenya in the International Cricket Council knock-outs, but the celebration was short-lived. Immediately after scoring his 15th ODI century, West Indies double world-record holder Brian Lara was admitted to a hospital here in Colombo
for suspected hepatitis.
After tests were run, hepatitis was confirmed. Hospital officials said Lara will need 2 weeks of bed rest plus 4 weeks of recuperation.
That means Lara will miss a tour of India, where the West Indies team will play 3 Tests and 7 one-day internationals beginning Oct. 9.
Other than weakness, Lara is showing no other discomfort, according to team officials.
ST. THOMAS, VI (9/21/02-VI DAILY NEWS) - The Charlotte Amalie High School football team put an end to defending champion St. Thomas Private Schools' 14-game winning streak. The Chickenhawks burst forth with a powerful running game that toppled the Arawak Warriors, 28-20.
Much to the dismay of about 400 Arawaks fans at Lionel Roberts Stadium, the Chickenhawks Sean David took the opening kick-off 90 yards for the season's first touchdown. David had a big game, with 60 receiving yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 two-point conversions. The 5-foot-3-inch running back Elkin Lloyd rushed for 75 yards and 1 touchdown. Congrats to the Chickenhawks!
KINGSTON, JA (9/21/02-AP) - Dozens of fans and friends attended the funeral of Jamaica and West Indies cricketer Laurie Williams, who was remembered as a gentleman who played in the true spirit of the game. Williams was killed along with his brother Sept. 8, when their car collided with a bus in Jamaica.
Williams, 33, first played for Jamaica in 1990 and became a stalwart member. He also played for the West Indies in limited-overs cricket, making his debut in 1996.
"He was a talented all-rounder who showed exemplary character and should be emulated", said WICB President Well Hall.
ST. JOHNS, ANTIGUA (9/25/02-AP) - Trinidadian batsman Daren Ganga has been recalled to the West Indies team to replace ailing team-mate Brian Lara for the tour of India from Oct. 9 - Nov. 24, the WICB announced.
Ganga, a 23-year-old right-hander, last played for the team against Pakistan earlier this year. He has played 15 Tests, recording 563 runs, and has captained the West Indies A-Team.
ST. THOMAS, VI (10/11/02-VI DAILY NEWS) - Neville Hodge, one of the fastest men ever to run for the Virgin Islands, has been inducted into Morgan State University's Hall of Fame for his accomplish-
ments as an athlete and mentor.
Now the head track and field coach at the university, Hodge was born on St. Kitts and grew up on St. Thomas. He graduated from Charlotte Amalie High School, where he was a leader on the track and field team, in 1976.
At Morgan State, he won the NCAA Division I Indoor 400 meters and was 6-time All-American before graduating in 1980. He then represented the Virgin Islands as an Olympic athlete in 1988, 1992 and 1994 in the 100 and 400 meters. He also coached the VI National Team in the 1996 and 2000 Games.
While competing at Morgan State, Hodge set the V.I. record of 10.10 in the 100 meters and was Morgan State Athlete of the Year for 3 years.
He also taught phys-ed. at Addelita Cancryn Junior High on St. Thomas for 7 years before returning to Morgan State to coach. Many Congrats to Mr. Hodge!
ENTERTAINMENT:
PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD (10/11/02-EXPRESS) - Once again, the world is watching as Trinidad and Tobago hosts the World Steelband Music Festival. The Steelband Foundation Board and Organizing Committee is using the event (long frequented by pan enthusiasts around the globe), to effectively market T&T to the world.
The Soloist Preliminaries fielded over 30 competitors from around the world, as they vied for the top 8 places and a spot in the finals. One participant, 23-year-old Andy Akiho from South Carolina, registered as the first international soloist on record.
Akiho said, "It's a great promotional tool for pan music and for Trinidad as well....I wish I could just stay here. This country is so great!"
CANAAN, TOBAGO (10/11/02-TOBAGO NEWS) - Jah Destiny is set to make the big breakthrough on the international music scene with his Caribbean crossover music. Recent performances in San Francisco, St. Vincent and Venezuela has brought an invitation to perform at the Denmark Jazz Fest in 2003, as well as offers in the U.S. and Europe.
Jah Destiny (ne: Keith Waldron) has a new CD which features 2 hit-bound songs:"Sort It Out" and "Cold Sweat". He describes his music as "being designed to uplift mankind as it encompasses reggae and pop and caters to all ages."
Among his other releases are "Higher Meditation"(1989), "Heaven I"(1999) and "Zion Destination"
(2000). Check www.caribbeanmusic.com.
This blurb appeared at www.jahworks.org in an article by Christian Oliver about the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival:
"On the village stage was the stand-out MIDNITE band from St. Croix. Their style of roots reggae is so raw and potent that it contends with the most cutting-edge sounds of today. Lead singer Vaughn Benjamin's vocal prowess cuts straight to the heart with pure emotion and true feeling that is only matched by brother Ron's stirring keyboard arrangements and musical direction. Watch out all weak hearts! MIDNITE's lyrics are dangerously powerful and their tougher than tough rhythm section stands alone." Check out Midnite's music at www.rastafaria.com.
St. John's INNER VISIONS returned from the States recently after a successful tour this Spring and Summer. Read all about it by clicking to "Inner Visions on the road" on our home page. Also, check out www.innervisionsreggae.com.
Pato's Review:
MADI SIMMONS - GET U SOME
A few weeks ago, I found an interesting surprise in my e-mails. Hawaiian World Music Artist Madi Simmons had hailed me up to inform me of the release of his latest - Get U Some. Here's my take on it - check it out........
The album start's with Madi's roots shinin' thru on the title track and the Lover's Reggae style of "Still Dreaming" is nice. But then, Good Lawd have mercy! Out of the Chicago blues sky comes "Strut Your Stuff", where Madi's true origins lie (He's originally from Chicago). From there the flood gates open and all of the man's influences come pouring out - the folky feel of "Her Voice", the "Peter Gun Theme" back-beat of "Easy Life", the Motown-meets-Rocksteady-meets-Peter Tosh version of "My Girl" Whew! Sometimes it's almost too much!
My favorite tracks are: "Call Me If You Will", with its nice, almost Zouk feel. "Trust Yourself" starts off all swampy and New Orleans leanin', then kicks into a nice reggae beat. And it took till the last track to get to the sound I thought the whole album might sound like - the Hawaiian-meets-Caribbean groove of "Trod On". I probably like it all the more because it is the only one with that sound - and it is so sweet here.
Madi's voice is in fine form, the band is tight no matter what style Madi is throwin' their way (the guitarist's grooves are especially nice), and the material eclectic. ***1/2 stars
You can check out Madi Simmons sound yourself by going to: http://stationmp3.com/madisimmons.
PEACE & BLESSINGS
